Winter in the Arctic
Travel to Lapland
Santa Claus Village, husky and reindeer sleighs, ice hotels and the northern lights over the snow: Lapland is split between Finland, Sweden and Norway, and each side has its own charm.
Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Finnish Lapland
The easiest one with children, and Santa’s home.
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FinlandRovaniemi
Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, the easiest gateway to Lapland, with flights in winter.
What to see in Rovaniemi -
FinlandLevi
A ski resort with slopes, huskies and wooden cabins, very convenient for families.
What to see in Levi -
FinlandSaariselkä
Snowy forests, glass igloos for sleeping under the northern lights and Urho Kekkonen National Park.
What to see in Saariselkä -
FinlandInari
The heart of Sámi culture, with the Siida museum beside a huge lake.
What to see in Inari
Swedish Lapland
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SwedenKiruna
Sweden’s northernmost city, with the Icehotel at Jukkasjärvi, carved anew every winter.
What to see in Kiruna -
SwedenAbisko
One of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, thanks to its often clear nights.
What to see in Abisko
Northern Norway
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NorwayTromsø
The capital of Arctic Norway: fjords, whales in the depths of winter and the northern lights from the city.
What to see in Tromsø -
NorwayAlta
The Northern Lights Cathedral and an ice hotel that’s built every winter.
What to see in Alta -
NorwayLofoten Islands
Mountains plunging into the sea and fishing villages, with the northern lights in winter too.
What to see in Lofoten Islands
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Lapland?
For Santa and the Christmas atmosphere, late November to early January; for snow and activities, December to March; and for the northern lights, September to March, with dark, clear nights.
Where does Santa Claus live?
In Rovaniemi (Finland), in Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, where you can visit him all year round.
Finnish, Swedish or Norwegian Lapland?
Finnish Lapland is the easiest with children and for seeing Santa; Swedish Lapland has Abisko and the Icehotel; Norwegian Lapland adds fjords, whales and Tromsø.
What should you wear in Lapland?
Layers: thermal underwear, a fleece, a waterproof jacket and trousers, hat, gloves and snow boots. Many excursions lend you thermal overalls.
Do you need a visa for Lapland?
Finland, Sweden and Norway are in the Schengen Area: check the entry requirements for your nationality before you travel.
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Reviewed 19 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Jacek Rużyczka (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.