Snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, Arctic fells and vast northern skies make Finnish Lapland a destination shaped by nature. In winter, the landscape becomes a setting for Northern Lights adventures, husky sledding and reindeer encounters, while summer brings long days beneath the Midnight Sun.
Things to Do in Finnish Lapland
© Octola
© Octola
@ Northern Lights Village Saariselkä
Search for the Northern Lights
Watching the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland is one of the region’s defining experiences. Away from the brighter lights of towns and resorts, the Arctic landscape provides a spectacular setting for looking up at the night sky.
You can join a guided aurora hunt, head into the wilderness by snowmobile or husky sled, or stay in accommodation designed for watching the sky from the warmth of your room.
Go Husky Sledding
Few ways of travelling through Lapland feel as connected to the landscape as husky sledding.
Winter safaris take you through snow-covered forests and across frozen terrain behind a team of energetic dogs. Husky experiences are available across Finnish Lapland, including around Rovaniemi, Levi, Salla and the Fell Lapland region.
@ Sami Experience
Meet Reindeer and Discover Sámi Culture
Reindeer are an important part of life in northern Finland and have a particularly close connection with Sámi culture.
In Inari, the Siida Sámi Museum and Nature Centre provides an introduction to Sámi heritage and the natural environment of northern Lapland. Nearby Sajos is another important centre for Sámi culture and administration. Experiences elsewhere in the region also offer opportunities to meet reindeer and learn about reindeer husbandry.
@ Santa Park
Visit Santa Claus Village
In Rovaniemi, you can cross the Arctic Circle and visit Santa Claus Village, where Christmas is celebrated throughout the year.
Meet Santa Claus, visit Santa Claus’ Main Post Office or combine your visit with seasonal activities such as reindeer and husky rides. The village lies around eight kilometres from central Rovaniemi and is one of Finnish Lapland’s best-known family attractions.
@ The Fell
Explore the Arctic Wilderness
Finnish Lapland is made for spending time outdoors. During winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing provide different ways to experience the forests and fells.
Destinations such as Levi are particularly well known for skiing, while areas including Muonio, Olos and Pallas combine cross-country trails, husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobile routes and extensive wilderness.
In summer, the snow gives way to hiking, cycling and time on Lapland’s lakes and rivers, with exceptionally long days providing more time to explore and try wild swimming in the Arctic.
@ Aino Private Island
Experience a Finnish Sauna
After a day outside, make time for one of Finland’s most established traditions: the sauna.
Across Lapland you’ll find everything from traditional wood-heated saunas to more unusual Arctic experiences. Some can be paired with a dip in cold water or winter ice swimming, providing a distinctly Finnish way to warm up and unwind.
@ Wild Nordic
Taste the Flavours of Lapland
Lapland’s food reflects the ingredients available in its northern landscape. Traditional flavours include reindeer, freshly caught fish, cloudberries and leipäjuusto, a Finnish bread cheese often served with berries.
One classic dish to look out for is sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, while restaurants across the region increasingly combine local ingredients with contemporary Nordic cooking.
@ Michael Mead
Plan Your Finnish Lapland Holiday with Off the Map Travel
From Northern Lights and husky adventures to Sámi culture, Arctic wilderness and nights beside the fire, Finnish Lapland offers countless ways to experience the north. Explore Finnish Lapland with Off the Map Travel and start planning an Arctic holiday shaped around the experiences you want to enjoy.
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!
Doreen
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Emily
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles