Last updated: 02 March, 2023
Knowing it’s the home of Santa would normally be enough to get any kid (and maybe even some of us adults) excited about a holiday here, but Lapland is no one-trick playground.
One of Europe’s last great wilderness areas, Lapland is a vast panorama of lakes, moors and coniferous forest – an outdoor adventure paradise. Santa aside, visitors come for the snowy thrills: husky dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice skating, and ice slides. You can also learn to build igloos, sleep in igloos, (luxury ones if you don’t fancy the real thing), and dine and sleep in restaurants and hotels made from ice. Every bucket list winter activity is here, and more.
Don’t discount summer though for excellent hiking, biking, fishing and even husky dog sledding – on wheels. The lack of urbanisation, with associated artificial lighting, also makes it one of the best places to see the Northern Lights at their glorious best.
Whenever you go, be sure to experience the local specialty: a smoke sauna, followed by a (freezing?) dip in a lake. (Warning: the kids may opt out of this one, especially if you follow strict Finnish tradition and take off all of your clothes).
Also look out for the colourful local Sami people, who still follow traditions dating back centuries, living a sustainable lifestyle in perfect harmony with this harsh environment and its wildlife.