When you hear the word Lapland, most people instantly picture Father Christmas, excited children, and snowy festive scenes. And while that side of Lapland absolutely exists, and is magical in its own way, it’s only one small part of the story.
Lapland is vast, wild, deeply cultural, and full of natural wonders. From ancient indigenous traditions to midnight sun summers, from Arctic wildlife to the science behind the Northern Lights, Lapland is so much more than a Christmas destination.
Here’s a deeper look at what Lapland really is, and why it deserves a place on your travel wishlist at any time of year.
What (and Where) Is Lapland?
Lapland isn’t a country, it’s a region that stretches across the very top of Finland, Sweden and Norway, and even into the Kola Peninsula of Russia, all within the Arctic Circle.
It’s known by different names depending on where you are:
Sámi: Sápmi
Finnish: Lappi
Swedish: Lappland
The landscapes vary hugely:
Northern Lapland is open, vast and windswept
Central and southern Lapland are filled with dense pine and spruce forests
Frozen rivers, lakes and fells dominate the scenery
It’s a place where:
Snow blankets the ground for much of the year
Forests stretch endlessly into the distance
Reindeer roam freely across roads and valleys
Huskies race through the wilderness
And the sky occasionally puts on a show you’ll never forget
Lapland’s Seasons: Winter vs Summer
Winter (October-May)
Lapland experiences long winters, with snow covering the ground for 175–225 days per year.
Temperatures typically sit between -16°C and 3°C, but can drop to -30°C or colder in the depths of winter.
This long-lasting snow makes Lapland perfect for:
Husky sledding
Snowmobiling
Skiing
Snowshoeing
Northern Lights hunting
In the darkest winter months, daylight is limited to just a few hours, often between 10am and 2pm, but the light reflecting off the snow gives the landscape a beautiful, soft glow.
Summer (June–August)
Lapland in summer surprises a lot of people.
Temperatures are mild (around 10-15°C), rivers and lakes thaw, and the region bursts into life. Hiking, fishing, boating and wild swimming are popular, and the Midnight Sun means the sun doesn’t set at all from mid-May to mid-August.
Summer Lapland is:
Quiet
Peaceful
Green and lush
Perfect for wellness, hiking and slow travel
Meet the Sámi: Lapland’s Indigenous People
Lapland is not just about landscapes, it’s deeply rooted in the culture of the Sámi people, one of the oldest indigenous groups in Europe.
The Sámi have lived across Sápmi for thousands of years, traditionally leading semi-nomadic lives centred around:
Reindeer herding
Fishing
Hunting
Living in harmony with nature
Reindeer are central to Sámi life, not just economically, but spiritually and culturally. Herding is often a communal effort, with families working together to follow natural grazing patterns throughout the year.
Despite centuries of border changes, colonisation and external pressure, Sámi culture has endured, and today you can still experience it through storytelling, music, crafts, food and guided cultural visits across Lapland.
Why Do We See the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of Lapland’s biggest draws, but many people don’t actually know what causes them.
In simple terms:
The sun releases charged particles during solar storms
These particles travel around 150 million kilometres towards Earth
When they collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, they release energy
That energy appears as glowing light in the sky
Different gases create different colours:
Green (most common)
Pink and red
Purple and violet
The lights can appear as arcs, ribbons, streaks or full dancing curtains - and no two displays are ever the same.
Myths & History
Long before science explained the aurora, people created stories to make sense of it.
In Finland, the lights are called revontulet, meaning “fox fires”, believed to be sparks from a magical fox’s tail.
Other cultures believed spirits were dancing, playing games, or sending messages from higher realms.
Records of auroras date back thousands of years, from Chinese texts to Roman accounts, proving humans have always been mesmerised by this natural phenomenon.
Can You See the Northern Lights in Summer?
Technically, yes - auroras still occur year-round.
But in summer, the sky rarely gets dark enough in the far north due to the Midnight Sun.
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, winter is always the recommended season.
Lapland in Summer: Europe’s Last Wilderness
Lapland is often called Europe’s last true wilderness.
In summer, you can:
Hike for hours without seeing another soul
Visit vast national parks (some larger than entire European countries)
Drink crystal-clear water straight from the tap
Experience some of the cleanest air in the world
It’s also one of the most sustainable places to travel, with carbon-neutral airports, excellent public transport, and strong environmental protections.
Wildlife in Lapland
Lapland is home to incredible wildlife, including:
Reindeer
Elk (moose)
Bears
Wolves
Wolverines
Great grey owls
White-tailed eagles
Rare freshwater seals
Many animals are shy and hard to spot, but guided wildlife excursions offer the chance to observe them ethically in their natural habitats.
Lapland is a destination of extremes - light and dark, silence and adventure, winter and summer - shaped by nature, culture and history.
Whether you visit for snow-covered forests and Northern Lights, or endless daylight and untouched wilderness, Lapland is a place that stays with you long after you leave.
And once you’ve been… you’ll probably want to go back.
If Lapland is on your wishlist for 2026 or 2027, and you’d like help planning the right trip (family or adults), I’d love to help you design it properly.
Contact us to start planning today!
