Lapland stretches across the north of Sweden, Norway and Finland, and mostly lies above the Arctic Circle. It is the pure north: frozen lakes, snowy forests and a thick blanket of snow, with long distances between the villages. Both Finnish and Swedish Lapland offer an unforgettable experience, but the activities differ. We are Go to Sápmi. These are our highlights, a bucket list for your Lapland trip.
The highlights in short
- Feeding reindeer and having lunch or dinner by a campfire
- A husky safari with sled dogs
- A snowmobile tour or snowmobile safari
- A snowshoe walk
- Spotting the northern lights
- Discovering the Indigenous people
- Spending the night somewhere special
1. Feeding reindeer and sitting by a campfire
This is our own activity, and in our view the most beautiful way to experience Lapland. From December to March we welcome guests in Luleå, something we have now been doing for five years. You sit with us by the campfire, we cook your food over an open fire, and you feed the reindeer yourself. It is calm, very personal and small-scale, with a guide who grew up here himself.
2. Husky safari
Husky safaris and reindeer safaris are popular activities in Lapland. You drive yourself, or ride as a passenger, behind a team of dogs through the snowy landscape. It is a real adventure. Do ask whether animal welfare is respected and whether the company looks after the huskies properly all year round.
3. Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is a common activity in Lapland. On a snowmobile you ride with a guide through forests and across frozen lakes. A snowmobile tour or snowmobile safari is a good way to cover long distances in a short time and see a lot of the landscape. You need a driving licence.
4. A snowshoe walk
You can go snowshoeing in the vast nature of Lapland. A snowshoe walk is calm and you need no experience. With snowshoes you get to places where no snowmobile or sled can go. Walking in the silence of the north is a highlight for many travellers. A guided walk also gives you stories and explanations about nature.
5. Spotting the northern lights
The northern lights are the magical phenomenon you cannot plan. With a bit of luck you can spot them during your stay. The northern lights are visible from September to April and appear in green, yellow and sometimes red colours. In Lapland you can often admire them for hours. There is never a guarantee, so plan several nights. It is worth booking at least five nights.
6. Discovering the Indigenous people and their stories
The Sámi are the Indigenous people and the original inhabitants of Lapland. Their culture includes traditional reindeer herding and handicrafts. Sámi art and crafts are important to their identity. In Inari in Finnish Lapland you can visit the Siida Museum, which shows Sámi culture and nature. In northern Sweden you discover the most with a reindeer herder who tells you his stories.
7. Spend the night somewhere special
Staying in a glass igloo lets visitors watch the northern lights from their bed. Glass igloos in Finnish Lapland offer unique overnight stays. An ice hotel, such as the one in Jukkasjärvi near Kiruna in Swedish Lapland, is an attraction in itself. Many hotels and accommodations have their own sauna or campfire spot.
Sweden, Finland or Norway?
Both Finnish and Swedish Lapland are good destinations for a winter holiday, and there is plenty to do in Norway too. Finnish Lapland has larger resorts with many attractions, such as Levi and Ruka. Northern Sweden is quieter. We work on a smaller, more personal scale. A well-organised programme with local guides increases the chance of a successful stay, wherever you go.
Practical tips for your trip
From Schiphol you fly to the region, usually with a stopover. Let us arrange the airport transfer for you, because on arrival you do not want to be searching for transport. If you want to make a round trip past several destinations, keep the long distances in mind. It is best to book a few months ahead, especially for the winter months. High season runs from December to March, and until early April there is still plenty of snow.
Temperatures in Lapland can range from -5°C to -30°C in winter. Dressing in layers is essential to protect you against the extreme cold.
And in summer?
In summer there is no snow, but there is the midnight sun. The summer period in Lapland (June and July) is known for the midnight sun. Then there are other excursions: walking, hiking, cycling, canoe trips and simply enjoying it.
How we do it at Go to Sápmi
We deliberately choose calm and small groups in northern Sweden. We organise the whole trip for you. Our Winter Wonderland package lasts 5 days and 4 nights, at Brändön Lodge or Clarion Hotel Luleå. That makes it a real winter wonderland. We are Go to Sápmi, your travel partner in the north.
View our trips and book your Lapland holiday
View our trips