Best things to do in Lapland

Lapland's Absolute Essentials

This selection covers Finnish Lapland’s diverse landscape, from the coastal SnowCastle of Kemi to the northernmost point of the European Union in Nuorgam. Key cultural sites include the Arktikum in Rovaniemi and Siida in Inari, which document Arctic science and Sami heritage. The region’s natural geography is represented by the fells of Urho Kekkonen and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Parks, alongside the UNESCO-listed Aavasaksa hill, part of the Struve Geodetic Arc.

Arktikum / CC BY-SA 3.0

Arktikum - Museum and Arctic Science Centre

Arktikum is a museum and science centre in Rovaniemi, Finland. The building is also a popular culture destination and venue for meetings and…

kallerna / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kittilä Airport

Kittilä Airport, Finnish: Kittilän lentoasema, is a Finnish airport located in Kittilä inside the Arctic Circle.

Markus Säynevirta / CC BY-SA 4.0

Ivalo airport

Ivalo Airport is an airport in Ivalo, Inari, Finland. It is located 11 kilometres southwest from Ivalo, the municipal centre of Inari, and…

Santa Claus Office

Located in Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, this office allows visitors to meet Santa Claus year-round. The building features the 'Earth's Rotational Speed Regulator' and various handicraft shops.

Lukáš Nevosád / CC-BY-SA

SnowCastle of Kemi

The SnowCastle of Kemi is the biggest snow fort in the world. It is rebuilt every winter with a different architecture in Kemi, Finland.

WikiCraft / CC BY-SA 3.0

Aavasaksa

Aavasaksa is a sharp-edged hill in Ylitornio municipality in Finnish Lapland. It has an elevation of 242 metres.

Iso-Pyhätunturi

A 455-meter fell located in Salla, Eastern Lapland. The peak provides panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness and the nearby border between Finland and Russia.

Ounasvaara

A hill and recreation area situated across the Kemijoki river from Rovaniemi. It features hiking trails, downhill ski slopes, and viewpoints overlooking the city and the Arctic landscape.

MattiPaavola / CC BY-SA 3.0

Urho Kekkonen National Park

Urho Kekkonen National Park is a national park in Lapland, Finland, situated in area of municipalities of Savukoski, Sodankylä and Inari.

M.P. / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's third largest national park and it covers an area of 1,020 square kilometres.

Käyttäjä:Hypro / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Lemmenjoki National Park

Lemmenjoki National Park is situated in area of municipalities of Inari and Kittilä, Lapland, in Northern Finland.

Birit / CC BY 2.5

Sámi Museum Siida

Siida lit. 'the place' is a museum located on Lake Inari in the village of Inari in Inari, Finland.

Kattilakoski

A scenic rest area and viewpoint along the Torne River rapids in Ylitornio. It is an established stop for travelers following the E8 highway through the Torne Valley.

J. Pelkonen / Public domain

Northernmost point of Finland and the EU

This is a list of the extreme points of the European Union — the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

Jouni Nuorgam

A gift shop in Nuorgam specializing in authentic Sami handicrafts, reindeer hides, and local jewelry. It is located in the northernmost village of Finland.