Holiday rentals in Lapland

Enchantment awaits in Lapland, Finland’s largest region, located in the northernmost reaches of the country, and sharing a border with Norway, Sweden, and Russia. With much of its territory in the arctic circle, Lapland is not densely populated. Here you’ll find expanses of taiga wilderness, thousands of lakes, and sweeping fell landscapes.

The capital city of Rovaniemi is purported to be the hometown of Santa Clause, due to its geography, wintry climate, and history of reindeer herding, so the city is especially abuzz in the fall and winter months, when hundreds of people visit to experience holiday festivities. These are also the seasons for sleigh rides, snowmobiling tours, skiing, and the Santa Clause Village amusement park, a Christmas-themed village with activities, entertainment, and dining.

The region is also known for its wealth of parks and wildlife reserves like Lemmenjoki National Park, Pyhä-Luosto National Park, and the seaside Perämeri National Park in the southern town of Kemi, all of which offer unique activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and mountain climbing. Many pay a visit to the territory in the autumn and winter to experience the aurora borealis, which occurs often here.

Due to its myriad winter attractions and reputation as the hometown of Father Christmas himself, Lapland is best experienced between September and April, and especially in November and December, when Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi feels most festive. The region experiences frigid, snowy winters and mild summers due to its subarctic climate. From mid-October through May, Lapland gets plenty of snow, so make sure to bring warm winter clothing and snow gear. The northern lights are another great reason to visit in the autumn or winter, when the display of light is more frequent and brighter, especially considering there’s only daylight for about four to five hours a day in the winter.

The Aurora Borealis

Gaze up at the sky and experience an unforgettable display of green, blue, and violet lights of the aurora borealis against the clear sky of a crisp Lapland night. These waves and spirals of charged particles in the plasma of the magnetosphere may not be visible in most other parts of the world, but in Lapland the northern lights are remarkably observable over 200 days per year.

Go Skiing

From cross-country skiing across powder-blanketed expanses to the slopes in the fells region, Lapland has it all when it comes to skiing. The region boasts more than 70 skiing areas, as well as a plethora of parks and reserves with cross-country skiing trails. From late October to late March, the snow is in abundance and a world of skiing awaits.

Arktikum Science Museum

Explore the cultural heritage, ecology, and prehistory of Lapland at this fascinating museum in Rovaniemi. Established in 1992, Arktikum combines exhibits and displays from the Regional Museum of Lapland and the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre. The building features an arched corridor with a glass ceiling and walls, which is meant to allow visitors to observe the aurora borealis from indoors.