Lapland Travel Guide

Some facts about Lapland

Lapland is a huge region in northern Europe that spans four countries – Russia, Norway, Sweden and Finland. For this guide we're focussing on Finnish Lapland, the majority of which lies north of the Arctic Circle and where, according to actual facts that we can corroborate, the real Santa Claus lives.

It's characterised by endless evergreen forests sprinkled with countless lakes and home to many curious reindeer that make a habit of stopping traffic. And when the snow comes it all transforms into a literal winter wonderland that's lit up at night by twinkling stars and the Northern Lights – if you're lucky enough to spot them.

Practical Info

Culture and etiquette

Religion

A bit over half the population of Finland are members of the Church of Finland, with the majority of the rest not following any religion.

Tipping

Do you need to tip in Finland? As a rule tipping is never expected in Finland but nobody will object if you do want to tip. It's common to round up when paying in cash.

Smoking

Smoking is illegal in most enclosed public spaces, including shops, restaurants and public transport.

Sauna etiquette

Saunas are everywhere in Lapland and the chances are there'll be one in your hotel. If you do want to use it make sure you follow these simple guidelines:

• Shower before you go in – there will be a shower right outside.
• You can sit in the nude if you want to, or go in a towel or swimwear. Either way make sure there's something between you and the sauna bench – this can be a towel or a disposable paper seat cover which is usually provided.
• If you're sharing the sauna with others it's polite to ask before adding water to the coals.
• If it's your first time using a sauna, don't overdo it with the steam. It gets very hot very fast and it can take some getting used to.
• Take a shower once you've finished, you will be sweaty. Make it a cold shower if you want a more authentic experience.

Jabs, visas and other advice

For up-to-date advice on jabs, visas and other foreign advice, we recommend following the government's website.

Emergency numbers

112.

Language

Finland has two official languages – Finnish and Swedish, but the indigenous Sami language is also spoken particularly in Lapland.

Here are a few phrases in Finnish to get you started.

Hello - Hei

Excuse me - Anteeksi

Yes - Joo

No - Ei

Please - Ole kiltti

Thank you - Kiitos

Do you speak English? - Puhutko Englantia?

How much? - Kuinka paljon?

Where is? - Missä on…

One - yksi

Two - kaksi

Three - kolme

Four - neljä

Five - viisi

Six - kuusi

Seven - seitsemän

Eight - kahdeksan

Nine - yhdeksän

Ten - kymmenen

Goodbye - Hyvästi

What's the weather like in Lapland?

It would be easy to say cold, and you'd mostly be right, but Lapland can be quite pleasant in summer with average temperatures around 15ºC. You won't need to dress in as many layers but you will need a waterproof jacket for the inevitable rain.

In winter the temperature drops, as you'd expect, and it can comfortably reach -20ºC and lower in the northern reaches. Of course the low temperatures bring snow and that's really what you go for.

When's the best time to visit Lapland?

The winter season in Lapland lasts from November to March, so if you're after a winter wonderland this is the time to go. For guaranteed snow it's probably a safer bet to go in December or later. This is when all the winter activities become available as many of them are reliant on there being enough snow on the ground. This is also true of the ski resorts.

If you're going for snow you can chance visiting in November when there won't be so many crowds, but you may end up with rain instead. To avoid this we'd recommend heading further north where the chances of snow are much greater. And while Santa Claus Village is open all year round (he doesn't get a day off), it's not quite the same without the extra magic that a layer of snow adds.

Tips for spotting the Northern Lights

If you're heading to Lapland to try and see the Northern Lights then the best time of year is usually around February to March, but they say you can see them every other night from September to April. Take that with a pinch of salt as there are a few factors you have to think about, like the weather and light pollution.

We've put together a few tips to maximise your chances of seeing them when you're there:

• Book a Northern Lights hunting trip – these can be quite affordable if you don't mind sharing a minibus with other people for a few hours. While on the trip go on Google Maps on your phone and stick pins at all the viewing spots you visit. Then, if you've hired a car, you can drive back to them on your own every night until you see the lights.
• Download the Aurora forecast app on Android or iPhone which will tell you the best chance of seeing the lights and where.
• Check the weather before you go hunting – even if the lights are happening you won't be able to see them if it's cloudy. You need clear skies and no light pollution.
• Be prepared to not see them. Sometimes things don't go to plan, and that's ok. There's so much to do in Lapland outside of seeing the Northern Lights – so don't let your trip be ruined if you aren't lucky enough to see them.

Getting to Lapland

Flying is the quickest way – it takes about three-and-a-half hours to go from London to Rovaniemi, which is the main airport in the region. You can also fly to Ivalo, which is the northernmost airport in the EU, but you'll probably have to stop over in Helsinki on the way.

Getting around Lapland

It's really worth hiring a car if you can – Lapland is a huge place with not much traffic so driving is a breeze. Once you get used to being on the right side of the road. There are main roads that connect all the cities which are mainly single carriageways, so be wary of other drivers overtaking you. These roads are quite long which makes it very difficult to get lost, but it does mean you sometimes have to go a while without a break so make sure you take provisions for the journey.

You won't find many service stations like we have in the UK, but each town you go through will have more than enough fuel stations and they all tend to have toilets.

Don't let the thought of driving in the snow put you off. If you hire a car it will most likely be equipped with winter tyres and if anyone knows how to grit a road it's the Finnish. Even in the far north the roads are shovelled and gritted and free of snow and ice.

There are two main things to be aware of when driving in Lapland – while the roads are generally kept ice-free, snow can blow in at a moment's notice, reducing visibility and covering road markings. The other thing is wild reindeer. They will fearlessly walk into traffic and you will be expected to stop and wait for them to pass.

What to eat in Lapland

The food in Lapland is actually very, very good. You can expect lots of fish, mainly locally caught trout and salmon, which is often smoked and served with fresh veg.

Berries are a big thing too, particularly cloudberries, which have a distinct sweet and tart taste. They're in everything from jams and juices to cocktails and stews. And they're quite delicious.

Reindeer is quite common and you'll find it on most menus in one form or another, typically dried, roasted or stewed. It's got a gamey flavour similar to venison, but a bit leaner.

Make sure you try Lappish potatoes as well, which are a kind of creamy, pureed potato topped with dried reindeer or whatever is in season.

Lapland for LGBTQI+ travellers

Finland is one of the most welcoming countries we've visited and there was a genuine warmth and friendliness that can be felt everywhere. This applies to everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify.

For an idea of Finland's queer credentials, same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1971, discrimination in employment has been illegal since 1995, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2017, and most recently in 2023 adults now have the right to change their legal gender on official documents like passports and birth certificates without having to undergo gender-affirming surgery.

Rovaniemi hosts the annual Arctic Pride event which happens in March – it's the northernmost pride event in Finland and each year it has a different theme.