You are now at the northern edge of the world where the trees become smaller and the hills rise into massive treeless fells. This is the land of the midnight sun and the vast arctic tundra where the light never truly leaves the sky in summer. Reindeer wander freely along the roads and require a watchful eye from every driver, especially on the E75 highway heading north. You find yourself in a space so large it feels like another planet with its own rules and rhythms. The silence here is heavy and the sky seems to go on forever.
The scenery is a mix of frozen rivers and rocky peaks that glow in the summer light with a purple and gold hue. You can visit the home of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi or head north to the wild fells of Utsjoki and Kilpisjärvi for a remote experience. The local Sami culture is visible in the crafts and the traditions deeply tied to the reindeer herds. You find simple lodges and high mountain lookouts that offer views for miles across the treeless landscape. Every turn on the long northern highway brings a new view of the wild fells and the crystal clear rivers.
Lapland is the ultimate destination for an adventurous spirit looking for a bucket list road trip. You can hike the trails in Pallas-Yllästunturi or gold wash in the rivers of Lemmenjoki to find your own arctic treasure. The roads are long and offer a sense of total freedom and solitude that is hard to find anywhere else in Europe. You can park by a clear mountain stream and drink the water directly from the source without any worry. It is a place where the light never fades and the wilderness is your constant companion.
Lapland highlights
- Santa Claus Village Cross the Arctic Circle line in Rovaniemi and visit the home of the world’s most famous resident. It is a year round festive hub with reindeer rides and the official Santa post office.
- Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park Drive to the high fells for a hike in the purest air found anywhere on the planet according to researchers. The treeless peaks and the arctic light make it the ultimate hiking destination.
- Arktikum Science Centre Park in the city to explore a museum hidden under a massive glass tunnel that points toward the north. It explains the life and nature of the arctic world in a very modern and cool way.
- Lainio Snow Village Visit a massive hotel and art gallery carved entirely out of ice and snow during the winter months. The intricate carvings and the ice bar are a stunning display of northern winter skill.
- Utsjoki Border Road Drive the most northern road in the country along the river valley that separates the land from Norway. The scenery is rugged and the sense of isolation is a true thrill for any driver.
- Inari Sami Museum Stop at the Siida center to learn about the history and living culture of the local indigenous people. The open air museum shows how people have thrived in the arctic for thousands of years.
- Levi Fell Resort Head to the most popular ski hill for a mix of high end dining and active outdoor mountain sports. In the summer you can take the lift to the top for a view that covers the whole tundra.
- Ranua Wildlife Park See polar bears and arctic foxes in a massive forest park designed to feel like their natural home. It is a great stop for families looking to see the animals of the high north up close.
- Lemmenjoki Gold Fields Take a river boat into the largest national park to try your hand at traditional gold washing in the water. The deep valleys and the legend of the gold rush make it a very special adventure.
- Aavasaksa Hill Visit this historic lookout near the border that has been a famous spot for seeing the midnight sun for centuries. The old wooden pavilion and the river views are a classic stop on the western route.
The local Four
History of Lapland
Lapland is a land where history is measured in seasons and the movements of the reindeer. The indigenous Sami people have lived in harmony with the arctic tundra, following the ancient rhythms of the sun and the snow. Their culture, rooted in a deep spiritual connection to the fells and the rivers, is the foundation of the north. The stories of the Sami are told in the carvings on their tools and the songs sung across the treeless peaks under the midnight sun.
In the 1800s, the promise of wealth brought a different kind of traveler to the north: the gold seekers. The rivers of Lemmenjoki and Ivalo became the site of a northern gold rush, as men and women from all over Europe arrived to wash the riverbeds in search of treasure. This era created a culture of rugged adventurers and legendary characters whose stories are still told in the forest cabins today. It turned the remote wilderness into a place of dreams and high stakes survival in the arctic cold.
The 20th century saw Lapland rebuilt from the ashes after the devastation of World War II. The city of Rovaniemi, the gateway to the north, was redesigned in the shape of a reindeer’s head by Alvar Aalto, symbolizing a new beginning. Today, the region is a global destination where the ancient past meets a modern wonder of the world. As you drive the long lonely highways past grazing reindeer and glowing fells, you are moving through a landscape that has been shaped by the elements and the resilient spirit of those who call the arctic home.