Northern Lapland

Sparsely populated and extraordinarily beautiful, with fells, lakes and forests, Lapland's north is a magical place for hiking, snow sports and learning about Sámi culture. At these latitudes, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) are high when skies are clear and dark.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Alariesto Galleria

    Alariesto Galleria

    Northern Lapland

    Above the tourist office, this gallery displays paintings by famous local artist Andreas Alariesto (1900–89), who depicted traditional Sámi life in an…

  • Kevo Strict Nature Reserve during autumn.

    Kevo Strict Nature Reserve

    Northern Lapland

    Some of Finland's most breathtaking scenery is within the 712-sq-km Kevo Strict Nature Reserve along the splendid 40km gorge of the Kevojoki (off-limits…

  • Kultamuseo

    Kultamuseo

    Saariselkä

    In 1868 the remote area of Tankavaara on the Ivalojoki, 32km south of Saariselkä, experienced a gold rush, with a community of up to 500 panners seeking…

  • Sallivaara

    Sallivaara

    Northern Lapland

    Accessed off the Inari–Kittilä road, 70km southwest of Inari, this reindeer round-up site was used by Sámi reindeer herders twice yearly until 1964. Round…

  • Tankavaara Nature Centre

    Tankavaara Nature Centre

    Saariselkä

    Next door to Tankavaara's gold-panning museum, Kultamuseo, this nature centre has advice on activities and trekking in Urho Kekkonen National Park. Good…

  • Vanha Kirkko

    Vanha Kirkko

    Northern Lapland

    One of the few buildings in Lapland to survive the Nazis' scorched-earth retreat in WWII is this, the region’s oldest church, dating from 1689. It stands…

  • Aurora House

    Aurora House

    Northern Lapland

    If you miss witnessing the aurora borealis, this 45-minute simulation in a purpose-built riverside tepee is the next best thing. Lean back on a reclining…

  • Kaapin Jouni

    Kaapin Jouni

    Northern Lapland

    This historic farm on the other side of the river from Njurgulahti was once the home of the ‘reindeer king’ Jouni Aikio. You can visit by organising boat…

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Northern-Lapland",
  "region": "Lapland",
  "country": "Finland",
  "continent": "Europe"
}

Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from Northern Lapland

Filter by interest:

Luxury

Trip the white fantastic in Lapland: Saariselkä's best winter activities

Sep 12, 2019 • 6 min read

Read more articles

Go Beyond

Northern Lapland and beyond

Beyond Northern Lapland
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Northern-Lapland",
  "region": "Lapland",
  "country": "Finland",
  "continent": "Europe"
}