a train traveling through a snow covered forest
a radio tower sitting on top of a snow covered slope
a night sky with stars above a snow covered forest
a green and yellow aurora bore is in the sky
an empty road in the middle of a forest

Holiday in Lapland

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.

Nature
95
Safety
95
Winter
95
Adventure
90
Families
80

Top 6 highlights in Lapland

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

Dancing polar lights in the Arctic sky from September to March, best visible away from cities

2

Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi

The official home of Santa Claus at the Arctic Circle with a post office, elf workshop, and reindeer

3

Husky and Reindeer Safaris

Multi-hour to multi-day sled tours through the snowy wilderness with huskies or reindeer

4

Sami Culture in Inari

Encounter with Europe's only indigenous people, reindeer herding, joik singing, and the Sami Museum Siida

5

Glass Igloos and Arctic Hotels

Overnight stay in heated glass igloos with a view of the northern lights directly from bed

6

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.

Über 700.000 Hotels
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* 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

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5 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!

Poronkäristys – sautéed reindeer meat with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, the national dish of Lapland
Kalakukko – traditional Finnish fish pie made from rye dough filled with vendace and pork
Loimulohi – salmon grilled over an open fire on a board, Arctic rustic preparation
Leipäjuusto – bread cheese that squeaks when bitten, served with cloudberry jam
Glögi – Finnish mulled wine with almonds and raisins, perfect after a day in the cold
Suitable for:Northern LightsLaplandWinterSamiHuskyReindeerArcticFinland

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