are Some of the top activities in Lapland include

Lapland, known as the current residence of Santa Claus, is a highly sought-after spot for skiing and viewing the stunning Northern Lights. It is a top destination for many travelers for good reason.

A lot of people who travel to Finland often make a stop in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. They also tend to spend some time skiing in Levi or Yllas, and make sure to leave room in their schedule for traditional winter activities such as husky sledding and snowmobiling.

However, this area, spanning across portions of Finland, Norway, and Sweden, offers numerous other attractions to discover. These include expansive hiking paths, cultural hubs, and distinctive lodging choices.

While the winter beauty is well-documented, the often neglected summer season offers incredible chances to witness stunning landscapes and partake in outdoor activities, while being surrounded by the continuous light of the midnight sun.

If you decide to travel to Lapland during Christmas or the summer season, there is a wide range of activities to enjoy. Here is a compilation of some of the top options.

This region within the Arctic Circle is renowned for its spectacular views of the Northern Lights. Whether you’re in a town or city within any of the three countries, you’ll have a high chance of witnessing the mesmerizing aurora if you stay for an extended period of time.

The ideal locations for viewing the Northern Lights in Norway are the city of Tromso and the isolated Lofoten Islands. In Finland, Saariselka is a highly sought after destination for seeing the lights, but they can also be spotted in other areas such as Levi, Inari, and Rovaniemi.

One of the most popular places to visit for experiencing the Northern Lights is Abisko, a quaint village located in northern Sweden. The Aurora Sky Station, situated at a breathtaking altitude of 900m, claims to be the ultimate spot for viewing the Northern Lights. This is due to its low levels of precipitation and its position within the “aurora oval.”

The website for the tourist board states that visitors staying for at least four nights between September and April in this area, which is surrounded by snowy mountains and calm lakes, are highly likely to witness the aurora.

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Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland – a city of around 60,000 people that is worth visiting for the excellent Arktikum Museum, which explores Lapland’s culture and history, and the plethora of classic Lapland-related activities such as Northern Lights excursions. One particular draw of Rovaniemi is the Santa Claus Village, the official home of the man himself.

If you have your children with you (or even if you don’t), you will delight in the enchanting atmosphere of charming, Alpine-inspired structures adorned with glimmering lights and encompassed by thick blankets of snow. Children can interact with Santa Claus, explore his workshop, and encounter various animals native to Lapland, such as reindeer and alpacas.

Lapland, a region known for its snowy landscape, is home to several well-known ski resorts. The majority of these resorts are located in Finland, including Yllas, Levi, and Saariselka. Many UK-based ski tour operators, such as Crystal Ski and Inghams, offer these destinations to their clients.

Skiing here is on fells rather than mountains, and overall is more low-key – and far more quiet – than the rest of Europe, with fewer pistes and parties than the Alps or the Dolomites. However, the near-guarantee of a blanket of deep snow, the incredible scenery and a range of activities away from the slopes make Lapland a popular skiing destination. It caters to different abilities too, being a great place for learners, while the presence of floodlit slopes and World Cup runs means more advanced skiers should still be happy enough.

Inari is a large, remote region that lies around 40 miles from Saariselka, in the north of Finland. While renowned for its magnificent natural beauty, the beautiful Lake inari and a high likelihood of witnessing the Northern Lights (the town lies further north than aforementioned Abisko), it is mainly known as the capital of the indigenous culture of the Sami people.

Sajos serves as the cultural and administrative hub for the village, supporting the Sami community by hosting the Sami Parliament and promoting and safeguarding their culture, heritage, and customs. While its main purpose is for the Sami people, tourists can also participate in guided tours that offer a respectful introduction to the Sami way of life.

In most Lappish locations, tourists can participate in husky sledding, reindeer sledding, and visits to reindeer farms. These activities are typically included in holiday packages during the peak season from November to March.

For those seeking a traditional winter experience of meeting reindeer and going sledding, the top choice is Rovaniemi. This town is home to many of Santa’s beloved animals and offers vast, snowy fields for an exhilarating journey through the wilds of Lapland. Dog enthusiasts will find Kiruna, located about an hour south of Abisko, to be the hub for husky sledding. The expansive frozen landscape and stretches of pine forest make it the perfect location for a multi-day adventure or a shorter excursion lasting a couple of hours.

Igloos, as well as other unique accommodation such as glass-ceilinged pods, are prevalent throughout Lapland, offering chances to see the Northern Lights and experience a once-in-a-lifetime overnight stay. But the most remarkable Lapland accommodation is Sweden’s Icehotel, located in Jukkasjarvi (around 20 minutes from husky sledding capital Kiruna).

For more than 30 years, this one-of-a-kind hotel is constructed every winter using ice blocks from the nearby Torne River. Each section offers enchanting and temporary beauty before melting away in the spring. The rooms, each intricately designed and carved by ice artists, offer an unforgettable experience in the Arctic wilderness.

Snowshoeing and snowmobiling are popular activities in many popular destinations in Lapland. These activities are often combined with Northern Lights tours for an unforgettable evening experience, but there are also other ways to enjoy these highly sought-after activities in Lapland.

Snowshoeing is a popular activity in places like Inari, Kainuu, and national parks such as Urho Kekkonen and Salla. It involves hiking with special boots designed for walking on snow. Similarly, snowmobiling is also a popular activity in areas with open plains and forests, including Rovaniemi, Inari, Pyha, and Luosto.

The region of Lapland in Norway may not receive as much attention as its Finnish and Swedish counterparts, but it boasts some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the entire country.

Tromso is the primary urban area in the region, which is a well-known spot for viewing the Northern Lights and a bustling location that highlights Norwegian customs, past events, and heritage along with stunning views of fjords and snow-covered mountains. The Lofoten Islands are another frequently visited destination, offering some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe, featuring rugged mountains, steep cliffs, and winding fjords. Additionally, visitors can witness the aurora and the midnight sun while exploring the charming fishing villages scattered throughout the archipelago.

Lapland boasts numerous national parks, with a select few offering exceptional views of untouched landscapes, vast areas of wilderness, and various popular activities such as hiking, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.

Approximately 95% of Sweden’s national parks are located in Swedish Lapland. The Abisko park is particularly famous for its Northern Lights display, while the Unesco-listed Laponia showcases a diverse landscape of towering mountains, ancient forests, expansive wetlands, picturesque lakes, and preserved river systems that offer insight into both ongoing geological changes and the traditional lifestyle of the Sami people.

The most frequented national parks in Lapland are located in Finland. Urho Kekkonen, Pyha-Luosto, and Pallas-Yllastunturi are among the top favorites, offering snowy hiking paths, dense forests, tall mountains, and a strong feeling of being far from civilization.

Although Lapland is often associated with its snowy winters, the summer months offer many unique experiences that are often overlooked. One of the most remarkable natural occurrences is the midnight sun, where certain areas of Lapland experience 24 hours of sunlight from May to August.

Archipelagos like Lulea and Lofoten offer vast spaces for kayaking alongside otters and even whales, while beaches like that at Lake Livojarvi become the epicentre of Lappish leisure in summer.

There are numerous hiking paths to discover, including the well-known 270-mile Kungsleden trail that winds through the most notable features of the Swedish wilderness. This trail leads hikers across rivers, valleys, lakes, and the highest mountain in the country. In Finland, the Karhunkierros is a renowned 50-mile path through Oulanka National Park, and there are also several shorter hikes available, including the popular five-mile trek up and down Saana fell.

The 230-mile Wilderness Road, also known as Vildmarksvagen in Swedish, is a long and isolated route in Lapland. It connects the towns of Stromsund and Vilhelmina and is recommended for travel between June and October, as snow can make the journey more challenging.

This route contains some of the most striking scenery in Lapland, from the peaks of the Marsfjallen mountains and waterfalls like Hallingsafallet, to sections of undisturbed birch forest and even Sweden’s longest canyon. The area is sparsely populated and home to few accommodation options or petrol stations, so be sure to plan ahead. And look out for Sweden’s largest bear population, who call this region their home.

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Source: independent.co.uk