Planning a trip to the ends of the earth? To find out when to plan your trip, read our tips on the best time to visit Lapland!
Planning your trip to Lapland? As you’re sure to know, this is the northernmost region of continental Europe! Located on and beyond the Arctic Circle, it’s naturally very cold for much of the year. Sparsely populated, it straddles Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Russian territory. It is famous for its vast subarctic wilderness and spectacular natural phenomena such as the northern lights and the midnight sun. Its capital and main gateway, Rovaniemi, is also known as Santa’s home, and hosts a festive village dedicated to the character!
So, what’s the best time to visit Lapland? Do you want to go during the harsh winter months or, on the contrary, during the mild summer days? There’s so much to see and do in Lapland! It would be a pity to spoil your stay by not choosing the right time. To help you prepare for your adventure, discover our guide to when to go to Lapland, according to the season.
When should you visit Lapland?
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The weather
Located to the north of Norway, Finland and Sweden, Lapland is a cold region for much of the year. As elsewhere in Europe, there are 4 distinct seasons, with a polar oceanic climate on the coasts and a continental climate inland. In Lapland, the average winter temperature is -10°C, rising to 20°C in summer. Inland, however, temperatures can reach -40°C in winter, and +30°C in summer!
Generally speaking, Lapland is covered by a thick and beautiful layer of snow and ice between October and April. Winter here lasts almost 200 days! If you want to see the sublime northern lights, this harsh period is obviously the best. In Lapland, they appear every other night between mid-September and the end of March.
Spring, like autumn, is a very short season. It only begins at the end of April, when the snow and ice melt.
In summer, temperatures easily reach an average of 20°C on the coast and inland. Nature is reborn and vegetation flourishes. For the most pleasant climate in Lapland, we recommend visiting during the summer months, from June to August. In fact, you can watch the famous midnight sun from June 6 to July 7. As far as rainfall is concerned, summers are known to be quite rainy in spite of everything. So it’s up to you to choose what appeals to you most!
On the budget
As far as the budget is concerned, air tickets to Finland are generally more expensive in winter than in summer. Fortunately, there are no major price variations between the two periods. Winter is generally considered high season. Travellers flock to discover the magical Santa Claus Village or the Northern Lights. From September to March, flight prices hover around €300 per person, with a peak in December.
Conversely, although the climate is more favorable, spring and summer are considered low season. The midnight sun may dazzle travelers, but the Northern Lights and the magic of Christmas are nowhere to be seen! From a financial point of view, the best time to travel to Lapland is between April and July. What’s more, if you’re planning to travel to Lapland from France, it’s much more affordable to leave from Paris rather than Marseille, Lyon or Bordeaux. Likewise, it’s best to book your departure on a weekday. The flight will generally be less expensive than one booked for a Saturday afternoon, for example. And, of course, a flight booked well in advance will always be cheaper than a last-minute departure!
Visit Lapland in winter
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Lapland is famous for its picture-postcard winter scenery! High snowfall, reindeer and sled dogs, immaculately white icy landscapes, all bathed in a fairytale atmosphere. After all, we inevitably associate this beautiful Nordic region with Santa Claus and all the magic that goes with it. It’s not for nothing that Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is home to Santa’s Village, one of the region’s must-see attractions!
Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when weather conditions are at their harshest. For example, it’s not surprising to find that when you make a hole in the ice of a frozen lake, the water instantly refreezes on the surface!
Fortunately, travellers who are prepared and daring enough will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful spectacles on Earth: the Northern Lights! Throughout Lapland, from mid-September to the end of March, you’ll find superb spots to observe them. This is also the best time for winter sports, dog sledding or simply relaxing in a traditional sauna. Please note that, unlike elsewhere, winter is high season in Lapland, especially in Finland.
Visit Lapland in mid-season
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If you’re planning a trip to Lapland, spring and autumn offer a good compromise between a hot, rainy summer season and a harsh winter! May and September are excellent months to visit this region, unlike April or October. Indeed, temperatures remain extreme during these two months, which can easily be described as winter months!
In September, it’s even possible to see the Northern Lights if you’re lucky. Rainfall is also slightly lower than during the rest of the year. May is a sunny month, ideal for discovering Lapland with the family. There are also fewer tourists during this mid-season period. For this period, don’t forget to bring a sturdy umbrella and boots to face the thaw and slush!
Visit Lapland in summer
Photo credit: Flickr – Ilkka Jukarainen
Do you dream of wide-open spaces bathed in light and nature in full bloom? Then you can travel to Lapland this summer with your eyes closed! Running from June to August, Lapland’s summer is an incredible time of year. Temperatures are pleasant, fluctuating between 18 and 30°C. Thanks to this optimal climate, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.
Hiking or mountain biking through lush green valleys or beautiful forests, swimming in tranquil lakes, climbing in fjords or on mountains… You won’t want to be bored during this time of year! Especially as you can also experience the midnight sun. This is best observed at the time of the summer solstice, on June 21.
When to visit Lapland: must-see holidays
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Lapland may be a wild and remote territory, but it’s no different to any other place in the world! Here are just a few of the festivities Laplanders enjoy:
Vappu
Vappu is certainly one of the biggest festivals of the year in Lapland. All over Finland and Lapland, locals gather on the evening of April 30th for a carnival-like open-air celebration. Beginning on the evening of the 30th with sparkling wine and sima, a fermented beverage, the festivities culminate in huge picnics on May 1st!
Fête de la Saint-Jean
Traditionally accompanied by impressive bonfires, Midsummer’s Day is Lapland’s favorite holiday! Celebrating the summer solstice, it takes place on the Friday night preceding the Saturday between June 20 and 26. On this occasion, the Lapps hoist the national flag and build huge bonfires. The locals dance, sing and drink around the fire until dawn. It’s fascinating to witness this festival in Lapland, under the light of the midnight sun!
Saint Lucia
Symbolizing light, Saint Lucia is celebrated every December 13. The holiday coincides with the longest night of the year. In towns and cities, young girls parade in brightly-lit wreaths. They are accompanied by boys dressed as the Three Wise Men. Many traditional snacks and drinks are served on this occasion.
Noël
Lapland is the ideal destination for the festive season! Luminous fir trees, decorations and sparkling snow are all part of the winter landscape. So don’t hesitate to come and enjoy the magic of Christmas with your family, your partner or your friends, in this beautiful Nordic region!
What to pack in your suitcase
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This point will not have escaped you. Depending on the season, you’ll need very different clothing. In the coldest weather, extreme temperatures mean you need to be well equipped. Here’s what you need to pack for winter:
- Technical merino wool underwear, such as tights or a long-sleeved T-shirt (avoid cotton);
- Thick, warm socks;
- A fleece for extreme cold (like Millet);
- Windproof, slightly thick ski pants;
- A feather down jacket or a very thick ski jacket;
- Shoes for extreme cold, with one or two extra sizes to let the air circulate;
- A hat or chapka, and thick gloves (in merino wool, for example);
- Hand and foot warmers.
With all this, you won’t be cold, and you’ll be able to enjoy your stay in Lapland to the full!