Finnish Lapland in the summer – 5 top destinations
Finnish Lapland is a favourite destination for many people during the autumn and winter seasons, but why not enjoy the uniqueness of the north in the summer? The nightless night, peace and magnificent nature also invite you to Lapland in the summer. Even the long journey is no obstacle, as you can reach your destinations in peace by train. In this article, we have compiled tips on what to do in Lapland, Finland in the summer!
When heading to Lapland in the summer, you can make your holiday your own, whether you want to relax in nature, try out new activities or spend time with your family. Book your own cabin on the night train and order breakfast in advance to start your first day of holiday feeling refreshed and full. You can easily get around the destinations on foot, by rental car or by local transport. Or would you like to travel on a mountain bike?
The pulse of the city and the nature of Lapland in Rovaniemi
In Rovaniemi, you can experience urban city life and the nature of Lapland during the same trip. When travelling by night train, you wake up in the morning in Rovaniemi and within walking distance of the activities of your summer holiday.
What can you do in Rovaniemi in the summer?
In Rovaniemi, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the northern city by spending time in cafés, shopping or going on a river boat cruise. Make sure you also visit the science centre and museum Arktikum and Korundi House of Culture. You can visit them with an inexpensive joint ticket called the Culture Pass. At Arktikum, you can learn about northern nature, cultures and history. For example, do you know how the Northern Lights are formed?
If you’re looking for something to do with children in Lapland, it’s a good idea to visit Santa Claus. After all, you can also visit Santa Claus Village in the summer! Spend a day with the youngest members of the family at the Angry Birds Activity Park, visit the Science Centre Pilke or go climbing at the Adventure Park Huima. You can also go swimming in the centre of Rovaniemi. Will you choose the popular Ounaskoski beach or the Ounaspaviljonki beach, which is suitable for families with children thanks to its long and shallow beach? If there are adventurers in your family, head to the other side of the bridge to the Ounasvaara summer sled track.
When you want to get into nature, you can walk from the city centre to Ounasvaara’s forest trails. Rent fatbikes and visit the viewing tower to admire the fell landscapes. There are also bus connections from Rovaniemi to the Arctic Circle Hiking Area. The clear trails in the area are good for a day-long adventure in the wilderness, for example.
How can I get to Rovaniemi by train?
Travel to Rovaniemi railway station on a day or night train, whichever you prefer. If you travel by night train from further away, you can enjoy a relaxing journey by sleeping in your own cabin. Read more about night trains and car-carriers here.
Ylläs – the mountain biker’s paradise
The peaceful Ylläs offers activities and the village atmosphere of Lapland in the villages of Ylläsjärvi and Äkäslompolo. Ylläs is a great destination for an active but relaxing summer holiday in Lapland.
What can you do in Ylläs in the summer?
Ylläs is one of the best mountain biking destinations in Finland. Cycle down the long slopes of Finland’s largest Bike Park or enjoy the midnight sun on numerous mountain biking trails. You can reserve a seat for your bike on a train when purchasing a ticket or afterwards at vr.fi or in the VR Matkalla app.
In Ylläs, you can take a day trip or a longer hike to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. Have you heard that Pallas-Yllästunturi has been shown to have the cleanest air in the world? You can also easily get to the top of Yllästunturi to admire the landscape with the gondola lift from Ylläsjärvi. Many fishers also enjoy Lapland’s destinations in the summer, and there are good fishing places near Ylläs.
Ylläs also offers plenty of activities to do with children. Go horseback riding, go mountain biking at Ylläs Bike Park or spend time in the indoor playroom.
How can I get to Ylläs by train?
From Kolari railway station, it is 35 km to Ylläs. You can easily get to Ylläs with a connecting bus in 30–60 minutes. You can search for a direct journey to Ylläs through our trip search, which will show you the connecting buses that fit the train timetables and allow you to buy train and bus tickets at the same time.
Lapland in summer with children – Levi offers activities for the whole family in the same centre
If you’re looking for plenty of activities, head to Levi! Staying near the centre of Levi makes it easy to go on a holiday without your own car.
What can you do in Levi in the summer?
Levi offers an excellent setting for various activities, from downhill biking to hiking. The centre has two scenic lifts, and the Gondoli2000 lift will take you to the iconic Santa’s Cabin at the top of Levi. At the beach by Lake Immeljärvi, you can go swimming, SUP boarding and paddling. Or would you like to go disc golfing in the fells in the nightless night?
If you’re heading to Lapland with children in the summer, Levi offers fun activities for the whole family. At the Levi Activity Park, you can find the Adventure Park, the Trampoline Park and the Bike Park, among other things. If you want to go swimming, head to the beaches of Kätkänranta or Immeljärvi, or spend a day at the spa in Levi. From the centre of Levi, you can also visit the Tonttula Elves Village on the free Elves Express Bus. If you enjoy activities, don't forget to visit the summer sled track on the Front Slopes of Levi!
When you want to get into nature in Lapland, hike to the top of Kätkätunturi, for example, to admire the landscape. If you want to go on a longer hike, you can also get to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park from Levi.
How can I get to Levi by train?
You can get to Levi via Kolari or Rovaniemi. The distance from Kolari railway station to Levi is 80 kilometres, which takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with a connecting bus. The distance from Rovaniemi railway station is 170 kilometres and it takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by bus.
You can search for a direct journey to Levi through our trip search. Then you can view the connecting buses that fit the train timetables and buy train and bus tickets at the same time.
Peace of nature in Pyhä
If you want a peaceful holiday with easy transport connections, you should choose Pyhä. In Pyhä, everything you need is located in the same centre, without the hustle and bustle of a large tourist centre.
What can you do in Pyhä in the summer?
It’s a good idea to start hiking in Pyhä, as Pyhä-Luosto National Park has easy trails for beginners and those hiking with children. Pyhä-Luosto National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Finland, and many of the trails start directly from the Pyhätunturi Visitor Centre. For example, you can admire the view from the birdwatching tower along the Tunturiaapa Nature Trail or visit Finland’s deepest gorge, Isokuru. At the back of the Isokuru gorge is the culturally and historically significant Pyhänkaste waterfall, which was once a sacred site for the Sámi.
Before your hike, stop by Visitor Centre Naava and check out the free exhibition to learn more about the area’s fascinating history. You can also take a bus to Luosto and explore the Amethyst Mine in Lampivaara on a guided tour. If you want to admire the landscape without climbing, the PyhäExpress lift takes you directly to the top of Pyhä.
How can I get to Pyhä by train?
You can easily travel to Pyhä via either Kemijärvi or Rovaniemi. The distance from Kemijärvi railway station to Pyhä is 50 kilometres, and you can get there with a connecting bus in approximately one hour. The distance from Rovaniemi station to Pyhä is 130 kilometres and the bus journey takes approximately 2 to 2 and a half hours.
You can search for a direct journey to Pyhä through our trip search, which will show you the connecting buses that fit the train timetables and allow you to buy train and bus tickets at the same time.
Saariselkä – a summer holiday in Lapland full of culture and hiking
Located approximately 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä is a dream destination for hikers and lovers of the culture of Lapland.
What can you do in Saariselkä in the summer?
In Saariselkä, you can enjoy the nature of Lapland by hiking, mountain biking or paddling, and learn about traditional Lapland and Sámi culture.
After the gold rush that began in the 1800s, Saariselkä has been famous for its gold. Finland’s largest piece of gold has been found in the area! If you are also interested in gold, stop by at the old Prospektori gold mine and miner’s hut or visit the Tankavaara Gold Village approximately 30 kilometres away. From Saariselkä, you can also easily take a day trip by bus to the northern village of Inari to discover the Sámi Museum Siida.
In Saariselkä, many hiking trails start directly from the village. Would you take a chairlift to the top of Kaunispää or go hiking to Urho Kekkonen National Park? Urho Kekkonen National Park is a famous hiking destination with its fells, valleys and clear rivers. You can also easily reach the famous Kiilopää fell located 16 kilometres from the Saariselkä village by local bus or taxi.
How can I get to Saariselkä by train?
From the Rovaniemi railway station, it is 260 kilometres to Saariselkä. With a connecting bus, the journey takes 3-4 hours. You can search for a direct journey to Saariselkä through our trip search, which will show you the connecting buses that fit the train timetables and allow you to buy train and bus tickets at the same time.
Book your train tickets for a summer holiday in Lapland!
- Helsinki-Rovaniemi, Opens in a new tab starting from EUR 22.90
- Oulu-Rovaniemi, Opens in a new tab starting from EUR 8.60
- Night train cabins starting from EUR 49
Article's images: Visit Rovaniemi, Visit Ylläs, Visit Levi, Pyhätunturi Oy, Lapland North Destinations
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Pia Kojo- Who believes that train trips provide the best insights.
Tips for a summer holiday in Finnish Lapland
Lapland’s summer destinations are just a train trip away! Here are some tips for your summer trip to Finnish Lapland:
Get ready for summer in Finnish Lapland with layers, long-sleeved clothes to keep insects away and proper footwear. It’s a good idea to prepare for changes in the weather by bringing at least sunscreen and a raincoat. And remember, it’s always cooler at the top of the fells!
When you travel to Lapland with a bike in the summer, remember to reserve a bike space on the train for your bike in good time. The transport fee for a bike is EUR 4.10-8.30, depending on the length of the journey. Several night trains have a separate baggage car with eight bicycle spaces. Read more about taking bikes on trains here.
Depending on the year and weather in Lapland, the mosquito season is between Midsummer and mid-July or the end of July. Fortunately, the worst mosquito season only lasts for a few weeks.
The safest time to travel to Lapland in the summer is at the beginning of June and August. However, if you have planned your trip for July and the mosquitoes in Lapland concern you, there's no need to worry. In Lapland, you can cope even during the mosquito season, as long as you take mosquitoes into account when getting dressed and use mosquito repellent when necessary.
If you want to travel to Lapland by car, you should consider taking your car on a train. On a car-carrier, you save travel time, your own strength and the environment. Leave for your trip in the evening and arrive while sleeping in your own cabin, so that you can wake up in the morning directly at the destination feeling refreshed for your first day of holiday. In addition to being convenient, the train is also by far the most ecological option: for example, on the journey between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, you will save over 55 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions compared to travelling by car. Learn more about car-carriers here.
The nightless night is the time when the sun constantly stays above the horizon. In Finnish Lapland, you can enjoy this phenomenon for a long time in the summer. For example, in Rovaniemi, the nightless night is between 7 June and 6 July and in Levi, it is between 30 May and 15 July. Summer is a very bright time in Lapland, as there are typically approximately 300 hours of sunshine in June-July and 150-200 hours of sunshine in August.
Where in Lapland would you visit?
Search for a direct journey to see connecting buses that fit train timetables. Buy train and bus tickets together.
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What to do in Finland on a summer holiday? Summer is the perfect time to try new experiences, relax and explore Finland's destinations. In this article, we have compiled summer activities in Finland, from which you can pick your favourites for your own summer bucket list. Best of all, you can get to these summer holiday activities in peace by train!
Discover Finland’s top attractions and enjoy a relaxing summer holiday by train. Travelling by train lets you start your holiday feeling refreshed while reducing your emissions, without spending hours behind the wheel. We’ve put together our favourite summer destinations across Finland to inspire your next trip. Choose one destination or explore as many of Finland’s top attractions as you can this summer!