Snow castles and swimming with orcas: The best things to do in Lapland besides visiting Santa

See the spectacular northern lights in Lapland.
See the spectacular northern lights in Lapland. Copyright Getty via Canva
By Laura Sanders
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From glamping beneath the northern lights to meeting the original settlers, here’s our ultimate guide to Lapland.

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Lapland is the real life winter wonderland, blessed with snow six months a year. It might be best known as the home of Santa Claus, but this subarctic region has much more to offer than Christmas cheer.

Here’s our alternative guide to Lapland, which doesn’t revolve around the white-bearded man.

Is Lapland a country?

No, Lapland is a region that spans three countries: Finland, Sweden and Norway. It boasts beautiful wilderness, ski resorts and natural phenomena like the midnight sun and the northern lights.

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The Northern LightsGetty via Canva

When is the best time to visit Lapland?

In short, there’s no bad time to visit Lapland. It really depends on what you’re looking to get out of your trip. January and February are the best months for skiing and March has the optimum conditions for spotting the northern lights.

The snow melts between April and August if you’re after some warmer weather for hiking. And from November onwards, the heavy blanket of snow returns.

Experience Sámi culture

To learn more about the people who originate in Lapland, pay a visit to the Sámi people in the Norwegian town of Tromsø.

This Indigenous population were the first settlers in the European Arctic. Learn about their life and culture, which they have cherished for thousands of years, and taste some traditional Sámi food.

Their friendly reindeer will even take you for a sleigh ride.

'Frozen' fans should visit Kemi

If you want to embrace your inner Elsa, then a visit to the snow castle in Kemi has to be on your to-do list.

It’s possible to take a short trip to the Swedish border here and, of course, take a photo of you standing in two countries at once.

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YOu can visit Kemi harbour to see the snow castleGetty via Canva

National parks and caves in Lapland

Hop over the border to Björkliden in Sweden where it’s possible to take a winter hike in Abisko National Park or explore the Kåppas caves - Sweden’s longest cave system.

Famed for its skiing and Northern Lights, Bjorkliden has plenty for outdoor adventurers all year round.

You could also try your hand at the art of ice fishing.

Go snorkelling with whales

If you can look past the freezing temperatures of the water, swimming alongside wild Orca has got to be one of the highlights of a visit to Lapland.

There are a range of guided tours you can choose from around the Skjervøy area in Norway.

Sleeping under the northern lights

No trip to Lapland is complete without a sighting of the magnificent Aurora Borealis - aka - the northern lights.

There are lots of guided tours to choose from across the region. For a prime viewing spot, book yourself a night in a luxury viewing pod, like these ones at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland, or the luxury glamping pods in Torassieppi.

They’re specially positioned to get panoramic views of this glorious display of nature. Surely the ultimate sleeping under the stars experience.

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What will give you the best chances of seeing the northern lights?

We’re glad you asked. It’s a combination of clear skies and a bit of luck, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances.

Aim to visit between August and April - this is when the nights are darkest, so it will be easier to spot them.

Your chances will also be greater the further north you go.

What do they eat in Lapland?

The Lappish diet is considered one of the world’s healthiest. It consists of lean game meat such as reindeer (maybe don’t tell your kids), fresh fish, berries from local forests and bogs, as well as some hearty fondue specialities.

Whilst visiting the region, you must try cloudberries - a highly sought after wild berry which is rich in vitamin C.

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Cloudberry jamGetty via Canva

If you visit Rovaniemi, local specialties to try include a sweet dessert called ‘leipäjuusto’ meaning ‘bread cheese’, and ‘rieska’, a type of barley flatbread which is usually enjoyed smothered in butter.

One of the delicacies in Swedish Lapland is ‘coffee cheese’, typically made from reindeer or goat milk. It may sound bizarre but it doesn’t flavour the coffee, it just adds a creamy texture.

Coffee is boiled over a traditional open fire before being served up in birch wood cups called ‘kosa’. The coffee cheese is then sprinkled over in cubes.

If you’re on the hunt for something stronger, try terva snapsi, a Finnish spirit made out of pine tar with a smoky taste. The Finns swear by it for warming the cockles after a day on the slopes. But it’s also used to waterproof boats so you have been warned!

Find your zen in Halipuu Forest

If you’ve overdone it a bit on the terva snapsi, head to Halipuu Forest for rest and relaxation and to meet a man who goes by the name of the ‘Campfire Barista’. He will brew you a coffee over - you guessed it - a campfire as you soak up the ambience of this beautiful place.

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It will be a coffee break like no other as you sip to the sound of a crackling fire beneath the tranquil white canopy. You could also try some ‘Arctic cocooning’ - a wellness experience which involves lying in a hammock and swaying gently among the trees.

Tree hugging is almost an unwritten rule here. After all, it is named the ‘hugging forest’. At a time like this when we can’t hug each other, at least you can get some endorphins with some tree love. There’s even a world championship for it.

Have you ever been to Lapland? What was your favourite activity? Tag us on Twitter @euronewstravel.

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