Beyond the Arctic Circle, Lapland is nestled in the northernmost part of Europe, between Finland, Sweden and Norway. To go there is to discover a harsh climate, unique landscapes and activities that only exist there. With its hundreds of kilometers of untouched land, this is a region that has more reindeer than inhabitants. Here, the adventurer in all of us wakes up and the northern lights come into play!
Lapland, a mythical destination
In the collective imagination, Lapland is a region where it is very cold and it is the country of Santa Claus. But apart from that? It is in fact a region inhabited for more than six millennia by the Sami ("Lapps" is considered a pejorative term by the population). This nomadic population has managed to survive despite the hostile climate, thanks to fishing, hunting and, above all, reindeer breeding.
It would take several weeks to cover the whole of Lapland. From the great Finnish lakes to the northernmost point of Europe, the North Cape in Norway, through the steppes and forests of Sweden, this journey of more than 5,000 kilometers is anyway not even possible in winter. Between the long nights and the impressive amount of snow that regularly falls on the landscape, some roads become impassable. You will have to make choices and focus on a specific region to fully enjoy your trip. However, everywhere on the territory, you will be able to indulge in the mythical activities of the area: snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, dog sledding or snowmobile excursions, reindeer farm visits, etc. And to decide on your arrival airport, you can choose between the Ice Hotel in Sweden or Santa Claus' town in Finland. Then the dream can begin..
Finnish Lapland, the real Santa Claus country
On the Finnish side, we reach Lapland by landing in Rovaniemi, Kittilä or Ivalo. In the latter region, you can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. And you can even practice alpine skiing and snowboarding in Levi, a renowned resort that often hosts a stage of the World Cup. And when the day comes to an end, it's time to enjoy the sauna. A heat bath at more than 70°C is ideal for eliminating toxins and recovering from a cold day. Afterwards, we put our feet under the table to taste the local specialties: reindeer meat, smoked or grilled salmon, cod, herring and, of course, the famous swamp blackberries famous throughout the region.
And it is in Finland that you can meetSanta Claus. His village is located a few kilometers from Rovaniemi. You can see the old bearded man and even take a picture with him - for a small fee. As for the rest, Santa Claus Village is nothing but an open-air shopping mall, where you can find absolutely every Lapland souvenir you can imagine, from Lappish handicrafts to Christmas decorations, including a "special Santa Claus" postmark. The place is fun, but you don't spend much time there. The real interest lies perhaps in the fact that the polar circle, on which the village is located, is materialized. A good opportunity to take a classic photo! You can also enjoy a nice dog sled or reindeer ride in the surroundings and discover the Snowman World, an ice village with some attractions that will delight children and adults.
Finally, in Inari is the Siida museum, which is the living memory of the Sami. You can discover their way of life, their customs, their folklore, and of course their crafts. Knives with carved handles, ornaments, reindeer skins or kuksa, the traditional wooden container, are enough to bring back a full suitcase. But above all, we return with the feeling of having lived a unique adventure.
Swedish Lapland, contemplation and northern lights
It is at the bottom of the Gulf of Bothnia that one could guess the borders of Swedish Lapland. There where the dwellings become rarer, leaving place to dark mining towns, and where the fauna and the flora seem to control the surroundings. But describing Lapland is much more complex than that, as the landscapes are so different and take shape with the seasons. From dense forests to mountains, from plains to archipelagos on the coast. From harsh winters with snow covering the landscape with a sparkling white, to milder summers when the grass illuminates the plains, becoming a hiker's paradise. Covering an area of 109,702 km², Swedish Lapland represents a quarter of the country's surface. The population is mainly concentrated in three cities: Jokkmokk, Gällivare and Kiruna. Outside these cities, the population density does not reach one inhabitant per square kilometer.
From Stockholm, you can fly to the airports of Luleå or Kiruna. From there, you can go directly to Swedish Lapland. The village of Jokkmokk, easily accessible by train or bus, is ideal for discovering the Sami culture, especially thanks to its museum.
Vuollerim, 15 kilometers away, can also be used as a base. Once settled, there is no lack of activities. And the one that everyone dreams of doing is watching the Northern Lights. It takes a bit of luck, but what an incredible moment when these streaks of light of different colors pass over your head. The show is everywhere in this still wild region. There are not many places on the planet that offer such pristine expanses. To make the most of it, there is nothing like a dog sledding expedition. Wrapped up in a "big cold" suit, we learn to drive through frozen lakes and mysterious forests. In the evening, we get to know each other around a campfire before stopping in a chalet. Another possibility is snowmobiling in this playground, ideal for those looking for a thrill. After these busy days, there is nothing like spending the night in an ice hotel. In winter, the village of Jukkasjärvi hosts a beautiful Ice Hotel. In the same way, you can also spend the night in a comfortable igloo.
Norwegian Lapland, a grandiose landscape between sea and mountains
On the Norwegian side, there are mysterious fjords, cliffs plunging into the sea and desert expanses. A unique and magical landscape created by this grandiose encounter between sea and mountain: steep hills overhanging, sometimes vertiginously, fjords punctuated by a multitude of wooded islands, and easily accessible. These pictures constitute a fabulous introduction to understand the world as it is lived by the Sami, their animism and their way of life. The waters, sometimes frozen until April, are ideal for fishing. Sea trout, mountain salmon trout, perch and pike live here in abundance. This succession of small creeks, long white sandy beaches and arctic steppes next to wide river valleys offers a great diversity of sites and new escapades. Narvik or Tromsø are the gateway to Norwegian Lapland, before going up to the North Cape, to get lost in the vastness of the Finnmark plateau, or to follow the coast. Unforgettable!
Useful information
When to go? The best time to go to Lapland is from mid-December, when the snow starts to fall, to the end of March, when the thaw begins. The months of May through August are the best time to enjoy outdoor activities. July is the warmest month when the sun shines from midnight to... midnight! The months of October-November and spring are a bit sad.
Getting there. On the Finnish side, after a stopover in Helsinki, head for the airports of Rovaniemi, Kemi-Tornio, Enontekiö, Kittilä or Ivalo. In Sweden, the program includes a stopover in Stockholm, before heading for Luleå, Kiruna, Arvidsjaur, Storuman, Hemavan, Lycksele and Vihelmina. In Norway, stopover in Oslo and take off for Alta, Kirkenes Hasvik, Hammerfest, Honningsvåg, Lakselv, Mehamn, Berlevåg, Båtsfjord, Vardø and Vadsø.
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