Lapland travel

Lapland: A Vacation in the Far North of Europe

Lapland is not a typical travel destination. The region stretches across northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway—around the Arctic Circle and far to the north, where the lakes freeze over, the vegetation becomes sparser, and the sky glows green and purple during the polar night.

What sets a trip to Lapland apart from other trips: the silence. And the fact that so much here still feels the way it always has—the snow-covered forests, the Sami culture, the light.

Our trips take you to Finnish Lapland and Swedish Lapland: Finnish Lapland, with its vast fells and the Northern Lights tradition stretching from Levi to Lake Inari—and Swedish Lapland, with its even more pristine wilderness and fewer tourists.

Lapland in winter

Winter is the most popular time to visit Lapland—and for good reason. From November through March, the region is usually blanketed in snow, the lakes are frozen, and the nights are long and dark. It is precisely these conditions that make Lapland one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.

What surprises many travelers is that, depending on the latitude, the sun barely rises above the horizon—or not at all—in Lapland during December and January. The polar night brings hours of twilight in shades of pink and violet—a light unlike anything else you’ve ever seen.

Add to that temperatures that can drop below minus 20 degrees. Cold, yes—but that’s exactly what makes it an experience. The cold makes an evening sauna a necessity, the sky clearer, and the silence more profound.

Lapland in winter is perfect for people looking for something distinctly different from an ordinary trip—whether as a couple, for a special occasion, or simply because you want to experience what it feels like to stand in the midst of the northern darkness and watch the Northern Lights sweep across the sky.

Popular activities in the region

In Lapland, you can put together an activity program that’s virtually unmatched anywhere else—especially in winter. The most popular experiences:

• Dog sledding – glide silently through snow-covered forests and across frozen lakes with a team of huskies
• Snowmobile Safari – explore the mountains on a snowmobile, often with a campfire break in the wilderness
• A visit with reindeer – hosted by Sami families who offer a glimpse into their culture and life north of the Arctic Circle
• Northern Lights Tours – guided evening tours to the best viewing spots, some by snowmobile or sleigh
• Ice fishing —on frozen lakes, a long-standing tradition among the locals
• Snowshoeing – through the taiga and the national park, sometimes all the way to frozen waterfalls
• Sauna & Hot Tub – After a day outdoors, this is simply a must in Lapland

Unusual accommodations

Inventia offers accommodations in Lapland that you won't find in a travel brochure.

These include Aurora chalets with glass roofs and private outdoor hot tubs—such as those at the Reindeer Boutique Lodge near Levi—as well as completely private log cabins in secluded locations where you have the entire property to yourself.

This Northern Lights adventure in a glass igloo in the heart of the Swedish wilderness offers views of the Northern Lights right from your bed when conditions are right; bookable for stays of two nights or more.

For larger groups or families, options such as the Levi Peak—a high-quality vacation home for up to 14 people—or the Luxury Kammi Villa Levi for up to 10 people are available.

For those seeking something truly extraordinary: The spectacular treehouse hotel in northern Sweden is an experience in itself—seven unique treehouses nestled in the heart of unspoiled nature, available for booking even in the summer.

The best time to visit Lapland

Winter—from November to March—is by far the most popular time to visit. In December, the polar night prevails across much of the region: the sun barely rises, the landscape is bathed in twilight, and the long, dark nights offer ideal conditions for viewing the aurora.

If you want to spend Christmas in Lapland, December is the perfect time to go. January and February are the coldest months—often with clear nights and plenty of snow.

For many people, March is the most pleasant time of year to travel: the days are noticeably getting longer, temperatures are rising slightly, and there’s still snow on the ground. If you prefer activities in daylight, this is the perfect time to visit.

November already has a wintry, quiet feel to it—but the polar night doesn’t reach its peak until December.

For those who want to experience Lapland in the summer: From June to July, the midnight sun transforms the region into a completely different landscape—constant bright light, blooming tundra, and tranquil lakes.

Glasiglu in Lapland – Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed

A glass igloo is one of the most sought-after types of accommodation in Lapland: a heated cabin or suite with a fully glass-enclosed ceiling or wall—designed so you can spend the night watching the Northern Lights without having to leave your bed.

Inventia offers several glass igloo options in Finnish and Swedish Lapland—from Aurora Chalets with glass roofs and private outdoor hot tubs to freestanding glass igloos in the heart of the Swedish wilderness, bookable for stays of two nights or more. Some accommodations also feature a Northern Lights alarm that wakes you up as soon as the Aurora Borealis appears in the sky.

Demand for Glasiglu accommodations in Lapland is high, especially between December and February—so it’s worth booking early.