When the green aurora danced above my head in Levi, lighting up the snowy forest like something from a dream, I actually felt tears freeze on my cheeks. Lapland isn’t just a winter wonderland beautiful—it’s the kind of beauty that makes you question if what you’re seeing is even real. Trust me, no photos can prepare you for this place.
I spent weeks exploring the Arctic wilderness, and it still wasn’t enough. From watching the midnight sun paint the sky gold at Lake Inari to sleeping in a glass igloo under the stars in Kakslauttanen, these beautiful places in Lapland seem to exist in their own magical world. Here are 12 spots that left me speechless in the wild north of Finland, where the reindeer outnumber the people and the sky puts on the greatest show on Earth.
Top Sights to See in Lapland
Looking for the coolest things to do in Lapland (Finland)? Discover the fascinating exhibits at Arktikum, chase waterfalls in Autti, and experience the rich Sámi culture in Inari. Explore the Arctic wilderness of Ivalo and witness the magical frozen landscapes of Kemi. Whether you’re interested in nature, history, or unique Arctic adventures, here are the top attractions to visit in Lapland.
1. Arktikum
- 📍 Location: Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, situated on the Arctic Circle
- 🏆 Best For: Northern Lights chasers 🌌, cultural explorers 🏛️, Arctic science enthusiasts 🔬
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the interactive Arctic exhibitions, witnessing the Northern Lights, learning about Sámi culture
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Winter (November-March) for Northern Lights, summer for Midnight Sun experiences ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Arctic Light Hotel – Luxury accommodation with Arctic-themed rooms in downtown Rovaniemi
Arktikum will blow your Instagram feed up with its striking glass tunnel architecture and Northern Lights views. This isn’t just a museum; it’s your ticket to Arctic bragging rights. The immersive exhibitions showcase Arctic wildlife, indigenous Sámi culture, and survival in extreme conditions. I’ve never felt more connected to a place than standing in the panoramic glass corridor watching auroras dance overhead.
Don’t miss the outdoor Arctic Garden path showcasing polar plant species. The Provincial Museum of Lapland section gives context to everything you’ll experience throughout your Lapland adventure, making this the perfect first stop on your Finnish journey.
2. Autti
- 📍 Location: Eastern Lapland, approximately 90 km east of Rovaniemi
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌲, waterfall enthusiasts 💦, history buffs 🏠
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the historic watermill, hiking riverside trails, exploring the heritage museum
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June-August for optimal weather and accessibility, September for fall colors 🍁
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Arctic Riverside Villa – Cozy log cabin accommodations with riverside views and easy access to winter activities
Craving that perfect wilderness shot without tourist photobombs? Autti delivers with its stunning 16-meter waterfall and pristine forest setting. This hidden gem offers a perfect escape from digital overwhelm with its thundering Auttiköngas Rapids surrounded by untouched boreal forest. The beautifully preserved Autti Watermill Museum from 1923 showcases traditional power generation with original working mechanisms.
Nothing beats sipping coffee on the suspension bridge while watching the rapids crash below. The surrounding 3.5 km hiking trail winds through old-growth spruce forest and reveals perfect photography spots. Even in peak summer, you’ll likely have this natural wonder mostly to yourself.
- Read Next: 11 Best Retreat Centers to Visit in 2025
3. Inari
- 📍 Location: Northern Finnish Lapland, 40 km south of the Norwegian border
- 🏆 Best For: Sámi culture enthusiasts 🏠, wilderness adventurers 🌲, Northern Lights hunters 🌌
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the Siida Sámi Museum, boat tours on Lake Inari, wilderness hiking
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February-March for winter activities, July-August for hiking and boating 🚣
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Wilderness Hotel Inari – Lakeside accommodations with aurora cabins, traditional Finnish sauna and excellent northern lights viewing opportunities
Want to experience indigenous culture that predates Instagram by a few thousand years? Inari serves as the cultural heartbeat of Finland’s Sámi people. The world-class Siida Sámi Museum offers immersive insights into traditional Arctic lifestyles through interactive exhibits that respect rather than romanticize indigenous culture.
Massive Lake Inari, with its 3,000+ islands, begs to be explored by boat in summer or snowmobile in winter. When aurora hunting, I found this area’s minimal light pollution provides some of Finland’s most spectacular Northern Lights displays.
Don’t miss hiking to the historic Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church, one of Finland’s oldest wooden structures accessible via a scenic 7 km trail through untouched forest.
4. Ivalo
- 📍 Location: Northern Lapland, 20 km south of Inari and 160 km north of Rovaniemi
- 🏆 Best For: Winter sports enthusiasts ⛷️, wilderness trekkers 🥾, aurora photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Husky sledding adventures, gold panning in the Lemmenjoki River, Northern Lights safaris
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-March for winter activities, June-August for hiking and river experiences 🚣
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Wilderness Hotel Nellim – Remote lodge with glass-roofed aurora cabins
Fellow adventure-seekers, Ivalo is where Lapland gets real. This gateway to Finland‘s far north offers authentic Arctic experiences without coach buses full of tourists. Winter transforms the landscape into a playground where you can command your own husky team through snow-laden forests or master the art of ice fishing on frozen lakes.
The thrill of spotting green auroras from a glass-roofed cabin at Wilderness Hotel Nellim is unbeatable. Summer brings endless daylight and chances to pan for gold in Hammastunturi Wilderness Area streams that launched Finland’s 1870s gold rush.
You haven’t truly experienced Finnish culture until you’ve joined locals in a traditional smoke sauna followed by a plunge into an icy lake.
5. Kemi
- 📍 Location: Southern Lapland on the Gulf of Bothnia, 90 km from Rovaniemi
- 🏆 Best For: Ice structure enthusiasts ❄️, icebreaker adventurers 🚢, winter wonderland seekers ☃️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the SnowCastle, taking an icebreaker cruise, exploring the gemstone gallery
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: January-April for snow attractions, June-August for seaside activities 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Seaside Glass Villas – Modern glass-walled accommodations with sea views
Game of Thrones fans rejoice: Kemi lets you live out your Winterfell fantasies in the world’s largest snow fort. The magnificent SnowCastle, rebuilt annually since 1996, features epic ice sculptures, snow suits, and a bar where even the glasses are made of ice.
For a truly bucket-list experience, board the Sampo Icebreaker as it crushes through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. I still get chills remembering floating in Arctic waters wearing only a survival suit with ice surrounding me. The Gemstone Gallery houses impressive treasures including a golden Taj Mahal model.
Summer reveals Kemi’s alter ego as a pleasant Baltic seaside town with boat tours to nearby island nature reserves.
6. Levi
- 📍 Location: Western Finnish Lapland, 170 km north of the Arctic Circle
- 🏆 Best For: Skiers and snowboarders 🎿, hikers 🥾, nightlife seekers 🍹
- 📸 Top Experiences: Skiing Finland’s largest resort, mountain biking, experiencing Lappish saunas
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February-April for prime skiing, September for fall colors, December for Christmas magic 🎄
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Design Hotel Levi – Stylish accommodation with spa facilities at the foot of the slopes
Après-ski with reindeer tartare and Arctic cloudberry cocktails? Levi combines pristine slopes with surprisingly sophisticated nightlife. Finland’s largest ski resort boasts 43 runs and extensive cross-country trails without the pretentiousness of Alpine resorts. Beyond skiing, winter adventures include reindeer safaris and evening aurora hunts. The resort village buzzes with restaurants serving modern takes on Lappish cuisine. Summer transforms Levi into a mountain biking paradise with over 100 km of marked trails.
Taking the Levi Summit gondola to the 531-meter peak reveals panoramic wilderness views that extend into Sweden. After active days, unwind at Levi Spa & Wellness Center with a traditional smoke sauna followed by a refreshing icy plunge.
7. Levin Lapinkylä
- 📍 Location: Western Lapland, near Levi Ski Resort, 170 km north of Rovaniemi
- 🏆 Best For: Cultural experience seekers 🏠, foodies 🍲, northern traditions enthusiasts 🔥
- 📸 Top Experiences: Participating in traditional Sámi ceremonies, sampling authentic Lappish cuisine, learning about northern heritage
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-January for winter atmosphere, June-July for midnight sun celebrations
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Lapland Hotels Sirkantähti – Traditional accommodation with modern amenities near cultural sites
Need content that actually stands out on social media? Levin Lapinkylä offers cultural experiences most travelers miss. This living museum provides an authentic glimpse into indigenous Sámi life that has thrived in harsh northern conditions for millennia. Step inside traditional “kota” huts to hear ancient stories around crackling fires. Learn about reindeer herding from local families who still practice this centuries-old livelihood.
The village hosts fascinating seasonal festivals celebrating the eight distinct seasons of the Sámi calendar. When I tasted authentic “poronkäristys” (sautéed reindeer) prepared by a local grandmother, it completely changed my understanding of Nordic cuisine. Artisans demonstrate traditional “duodji” crafts with opportunities to create your own souvenirs using techniques unchanged for centuries. The village maintains deep authenticity through strong connections with local Sámi communities.
8. Nuorgam
- 📍 Location: Northernmost point of Finland, in Utsjoki municipality, 5 km from Norwegian border
- 🏆 Best For: Midnight sun chasers ☀️, northern lights hunters 🌌, fishing enthusiasts 🎣
- 📸 Top Experiences: Fishing in the Teno River, crossing the Arctic Circle, experiencing 24-hour daylight in summer
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Summer (June-August) for midnight sun, winter (November-March) for northern lights
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Nuorgam Holiday Village – Cozy cottages with river views and sauna access
Thinking of sending a selfie from the literal top of Europe? Nuorgam delivers bragging rights as the EU’s northernmost point. The sun never sets here for over 70 summer days, creating perfect conditions for landing trophy salmon in the legendary Teno River. Winter transforms this remote village into an aurora playground where northern lights dance almost nightly across the Arctic sky.
I’ve never seen stars shine brighter than against Nuorgam’s pitch-black winter skies. The surrounding tundra offers pristine snowmobile routes through untouched wilderness. Despite its remoteness, the small community of 200 residents welcomes visitors with traditional Sámi culture and crafts that have thrived in this harsh landscape for centuries. The Finland-Norway border runs nearby, allowing you to easily visit two countries in one trip.
9. Riisitunturi National Park
- 📍 Location: Eastern Lapland, near Posio, 130 km east of Rovaniemi
- 🏆 Best For: Winter photographers 📸, hikers 🥾, snow enthusiasts ❄️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Witnessing snow-covered spruce trees, hiking to Riisitunturi fell summit, exploring frost-covered landscapes
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: January-March for unique crown snow formations, September for autumn colors 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Himmerki Holiday Village – Family-friendly cottages with lake views and traditional Finnish saunas
Instagram-worthy winter wonderland? Riisitunturi National Park creates nature’s most surreal photo backdrop. The park’s famous “tykkylumi” transforms trees into ghost-like sculptures under accumulated snow and ice. This otherworldly landscape might be the most unique winter shot in your social feed. The 466-meter Riisitunturi falls reward hikers with panoramic views over Lake Kitkajärvi and surrounding wilderness.
I still remember the complete silence at the summit, broken only by the soft crunch of snow. Though compact at just 77 square kilometers, the park packs remarkable diversity with spruce forests, alpine heaths, and hundreds of small ponds. Summer brings lush hillsides covered in berries and wildflowers along the 4.3 km circular Riisin Rääpäsy trail. The park connects to the longer Karhunkierros trail system for those seeking multi-day adventures.
10. Rovaniemi
- 📍 Location: Capital of Finnish Lapland, at the Arctic Circle, 830 km north of Helsinki
- 🏆 Best For: Santa Claus enthusiasts 🎅, Arctic Circle crossers ⭕, northern lights seekers 🌌
- 📸 Top Experiences: Meeting Santa at Santa Claus Village, crossing the Arctic Circle, visiting Arktikum museum
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-February for winter magic, August-September for autumn colors without extreme cold
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel – Unique cube-shaped suites with panoramic windows for northern lights
Looking to recapture childhood wonder while drinking adult beverages? Rovaniemi, the top place to visit for Christmas, lets you meet Santa before hitting stylish Arctic bars. This modern northern city serves as the “Official Hometown of Santa Claus” year-round. The city follows an innovative reindeer-antler street pattern after its post-WWII reconstruction. Santa Claus Village sits directly on the Arctic Circle, marked by a white line you can straddle with one foot in each zone.
I couldn’t resist sending postcards with the special North Pole postmark to make friends jealous. The striking Arktikum Museum houses fascinating exhibits on Sámi culture and Arctic science. Adventure seekers can try husky safaris, snowmobile tours, or ice floating under the northern lights in a survival suit. The city offers excellent transport connections, making it the perfect gateway for exploring deeper into Lapland.
11. Saariselkä
- 📍 Location: Northern Lapland, 250 km north of Rovaniemi, near Urho Kekkonen National Park
- 🏆 Best For: Winter sports enthusiasts ⛷️, wilderness hikers 🥾, aurora hunters 🌌
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cross-country skiing on extensive trails, hiking in Urho Kekkonen National Park, sledding Finland’s longest toboggan run
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: February-April for perfect snow, September for fall colors, December for Christmas magic
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Famous glass igloos for northern lights viewing
Want to impress Tinder matches with glass igloo selfies under the aurora? Saariselkä delivers the ultimate Lapland experience. This compact fell resort borders Finland’s second-largest national park with immediate wilderness access from your hotel doorstep. The area offers Finland’s most reliable northern lights viewing with minimal light pollution and nearly 200 aurora nights annually.
By day, over 200 km of maintained cross-country ski tracks attract Nordic skiing enthusiasts worldwide. My thighs still burn from racing down Finland’s longest toboggan run – a 1.2 km slope illuminated in winter darkness. After adventures in -20°C temperatures, nothing beats an 80°C sauna followed by a snow plunge – a practice locals swear improves both circulation and life outlook. The nearby Ivalo Airport provides convenient access to this remote Arctic paradise.
12. Ylläs Ski Resort
- 📍 Location: Western Lapland, 170 km north of Rovaniemi, between seven fells in Kolari municipality
- 🏆 Best For: Downhill skiers 🎿, cross-country enthusiasts 🏂, mountain bikers 🚵
- 📸 Top Experiences: Skiing Finland’s longest slopes, witnessing alpenglow on the fells, riding the Gondola2000 for panoramic views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March-April for perfect snow and increasing daylight, July-August for midnight sun activities
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Lapland Hotels Ylläskaltio – Ski-in/ski-out access with traditional Finnish saunas
Tired of overcrowded Alpine slopes with their outrageous prices? Ylläs stands as Finland’s premier ski destination with the country’s longest runs and greatest vertical drop of 463 meters. The surrounding landscape features seven distinct fells rising dramatically from flat terrain. This creates a breathtaking panorama unlike anywhere else in Finland. The area maintains an incredible 330 km of cross-country skiing tracks linking the twin villages of Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi.
The futuristic Gondola2000 lift provides access to stunning viewpoints where Sweden appears on clear days. I could barely feel my fingers while photographing the sunset alpenglow here. Summer transforms Ylläs into a mountain biking paradise with trails ranging from family-friendly routes to technical challenges through the ancient forests of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The region is accessible via the Kittilä Airport, just 40 km away.
