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Region in Finland — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇫🇮
Country
Finland
Type
Region
Best time to travel
December to March for northern lights and winter sports, June to August for midnight sun, September for Ruska autumn colors
Budget/day
150-250 € (hotel, husky safari, restaurant)
Getting there from Germany
Direct flight to Rovaniemi or Ivalo takes about 3 hours, alternatively via Helsinki with domestic flight or night train
About Lapland
Lapland is Europe's last great wilderness – an endless expanse of snowy forests, frozen lakes, and dancing northern lights that stretches across the northernmost parts of Finland, Sweden, and Norway. For German travelers, Finnish Lapland is the gateway to a world that seems to have sprung from a winter fairy tale: Here, the Sami, Europe's only indigenous people, live with their reindeer herds according to centuries-old traditions, while the Aurora Borealis bathes the sky in green, purple, and pink veils on clear winter nights. The region around Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, is the most popular entry point for German travelers. The Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle may be touristy, but beyond that, the real magic begins: husky safaris through quiet snowy landscapes, reindeer sleigh rides with Sami herders, snowshoe hikes through the Arctic primeval forest, and nights in glass igloos from which one can observe the northern lights from bed. Saariselkä, Levi, and Inari are other hotspots that showcase different facets of Lapland. In summer, Lapland transforms under the midnight sun into a green paradise: the tundra blooms, rivers invite fishing and canoeing, and the hiking trails through Urho Kekkonen National Park and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park are among the most beautiful in Scandinavia. The Ruska season in September, when the Arctic vegetation turns vibrant red and gold, is a hidden gem among nature photographers. For German travelers, Lapland is accessible by direct flight to Rovaniemi or Ivalo in about three hours. Prices are high – Scandinavia is expensive – but the experiences are unique and unforgettable. Families with children particularly enjoy December when Santa Claus personally welcomes visitors at the Santa Claus Village.
Top 6 highlights in Lapland
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
Dancing polar lights in the Arctic sky from September to March, best visible away from cities
Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi
The official home of Santa Claus at the Arctic Circle with a post office, elf workshop, and reindeer
Husky and Reindeer Safaris
Multi-hour to multi-day sled tours through the snowy wilderness with huskies or reindeer
Sami Culture in Inari
Encounter with Europe's only indigenous people, reindeer herding, joik singing, and the Sami Museum Siida
Glass Igloos and Arctic Hotels
Overnight stay in heated glass igloos with a view of the northern lights directly from bed
Urho Kekkonen National Park
One of the largest national parks in Finland with Arctic tundra, hiking trails, and absolute silence
Hotels in Lapland
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Lapland
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Lapland
Recommended travel time
December to March for northern lights and winter sports, June to August for midnight sun, September for Ruska autumn colors
Summer
Mild, 12-22°C, midnight sun from June to July, mosquito season in July, ideal for hiking
Winter
Extremely cold, -10 to -30°C, polar night in December, snow guarantee, perfect for northern lights
How much does a holiday in Lapland cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
80-120 € (hostel, self-catering, public northern lights hunting)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
150-250 € (hotel, husky safari, restaurant)
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
300-600 € (glass igloo, private safari, gourmet experience)
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Lapland
Compare thousands of package holidays to Lapland and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Lapland
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Download a northern lights app (Aurora Alert) and go out of the city when the sky is clear – light pollution is the enemy
Wear clothing in layers – at -25°C thermal underwear, a wool layer, and a windproof outer layer are essential
Book a husky safari for at least 4 hours – short tours only scratch the surface of the experience
Travel not only in December/January – February and March have more daylight and still the best chances for northern lights
Enjoy a Finnish sauna after a day outdoors – it's part of the experience and warms body and soul
Food & drink in Lapland
These specialties you must try!
Ready for Lapland?
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