Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland is best known as the home of Santa Claus and is the location for the world famous Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi where Christmas is all year round! Having said that; Finnish Lapland is definitely not a gimmick and has many exceptionally beautiful areas to visit if Santa isn’t your ‘thing’!

You could choose to visit Kilpisjarvi near the Swedish border where not only is there several gorgeous accommodation options there are exciting activities such as visiting the 3-border point where Norway, Sweden and Finland meet! When considering high level luxury accommodation you could head to Inari where you will find the stunning Javri Lodge which can be hired exclusively for a larger group or perhaps to Levi and the Golden Crown resort which offers glass-roofed igloo suites and top quality service.

Finnish Lapland offers a wealth of incredible activities during winter and summer; there are strong cultural roots with the Sami people and this is one of the best locations in the world to learn more about these indigenous people and get close to their reindeer. Snowmobiling, dog sledding and ice fishing are all possible in the winter and in the summer hiking is a highlight in some of the most magnificent vistas in the world.

It is also home to some amazing hotels slightly further south as you head down towards Rovaniemi (which is a fabulous city to explore all year round with high level accommodation, restaurants and activities) including Iso Syote and Sunday Morning Resort in the fell scenery of Pyhä-Luosto National Park which are perfect for a laid back summer escape with beautiful views underneath the Midnight Sun.

There are a large number of domestic airports within Finnish Lapland which allows for easy movement within the country itself. There are a few destinations that are serviced by direct flights from the UK (such as Rovaniemi) however all others have regular connection flights through Helsinki – a major hub for connections to the rest of the world.

Finnish Lapland for the most part lies above the Arctic Circle and therefore enjoys an Arctic climate with summer temperatures averaging 14℃ and an average winter temperature of -10℃. In the winter, temperatures can drop as low as -25℃ so it is important to be prepared for the cold!

Finnish Lapland is characterised by its Northern position, its boreal forests and lakes and its low population density. The Lappish area of Finland covers approximately one third of Finland’s total area and is a beautiful mix of plateaus, lone but unique looking mountains and vast tundras which all make for some impressive photo opportunities!

Finnish Lapland is abundant in wildlife and plants. The reindeer are the main attraction in the area, at the heart of daily life for all who live there. You’ll experience how these creatures are used in all aspects of life for the Sami people. The lakes and rivers of Finnish Lapland are also full of many fish species, so it’s an excellent destination for ice fishing too!