Lapland Summer Holidays: Midnight Sun, Wild Landscapes and What to Expect

Mention Lapland and most people picture snow-covered forests, husky sledges and Father Christmas. Visit in summer and you will find somewhere completely different.

The snow has disappeared, rivers and lakes have opened up and the forests are green again. Reindeer wander freely beside the roads, wildflowers cover the fells and the sun barely dips below the horizon. For a few remarkable weeks, it does not set at all.

A Lapland summer holiday is ideal if you enjoy wildlife, beautiful landscapes and the freedom to spend most of your time outdoors. However, choosing the right location and time of year makes an enormous difference to the holiday you will have.

Here is what you need to know before you begin planning.

What Is Lapland Like in Summer?

Summer arrives quickly in Lapland.

By June, frozen rivers are flowing again and the birch forests have burst into leaf. July is usually the warmest month, with temperatures sometimes reaching the low to mid-twenties, although this is still the Arctic and the weather can change.

The biggest surprise is the light.

There is no natural end to the day, so you might see families walking, fishing or sitting beside a lake long after midnight. It can be wonderfully freeing, although blackout curtains or an eye mask are helpful when you eventually decide it is time for bed.

Life in Lapland also feels very different during summer. Local families head to lakeside cabins, cafés and restaurants spill outdoors and the forests become places for walking, cycling, paddling and foraging.

It is less about filling every hour with organised activities and more about having the time and space to enjoy your surroundings.

When Can You See the Midnight Sun in Lapland?

The midnight sun occurs north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours a day during part of the summer.

The further north you travel, the longer it lasts.

In Rovaniemi, which sits on the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set from approximately 6 June until 7 July. Travel further north towards Inari, Utsjoki or Kiruna and the midnight sun season becomes longer. Even after the sun begins to set again, Lapland's light nights continue well into August. Visit Rovaniemi describes the light nights as lasting throughout the summer.

This gives you two slightly different holiday experiences:

• June and early July are best if seeing the true midnight sun is important to you.
• Late July and August bring softer evening light, generally fewer insects and increasingly autumnal colours.

Neither is necessarily better. The right choice depends on what you would most like to experience.

Is Every Summer Holiday Sold as Lapland Actually in Lapland?

Not always, which is why it is worth looking beyond the name in the brochure.

Some properties and activities associated with a Lapland summer are outside the Arctic Circle. That does not make them any less beautiful, but it may mean you experience very long, light evenings rather than the true midnight sun.

Bear-watching holidays are a good example. Many of Finland's best-known bear hides are around Kuhmo and Kuusamo. These areas offer magnificent forests and excellent wildlife experiences, but they are not as far north as places such as Rovaniemi, Inari or Utsjoki.

The same applies in Sweden, where properties can be described as being in Swedish Lapland while sitting below the Arctic Circle or outside the historic Lappland province.

This distinction will not matter to everyone. If your priority is staying in a lovely forest lodge, seeing wildlife or kayaking beneath a glowing night sky, the exact latitude may be unimportant.

If standing beneath a sun that truly never sets is one of the reasons for your trip, your location and dates need to be chosen more carefully.

This is one of the first things I would help you establish before recommending a particular holiday.

Finnish or Swedish Lapland in Summer?

Both Finnish and Swedish Lapland offer beautiful landscapes and long summer days, but they suit slightly different types of holiday.

Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland is often the easiest introduction, particularly for families.

Rovaniemi has a good choice of hotels, restaurants and activities, along with straightforward access to forests, rivers and the Arctic Circle. Santa Claus Village remains open throughout the summer, giving children the rather wonderful experience of meeting Father Christmas when it is warm and sunny outside. It's a very different experience to the one in my guide to glass igloo and ice hotel holidays in Finnish Lapland, but no less memorable.

Travel further north and the surroundings become wilder. Inari is particularly interesting for families or couples who would like to learn about Sámi culture as part of their holiday.

Finnish Lapland may suit you if you would like:

• An accessible first experience of the Arctic
• A family-friendly base with a choice of activities
• Forests, lakes and gentle outdoor adventures
• Sámi culture and reindeer experiences
• The option of combining nature with a town or small city

Swedish Lapland

Swedish Lapland feels more spacious and design-led.

It is home to some of Scandinavia's most distinctive places to stay, including Treehotel and ICEHOTEL 365. The latter remains open throughout the year, using solar energy during summer to keep its permanent ice rooms frozen. ICEHOTEL confirms that the building remains at around minus five degrees even during the warmer months.

There is also the Luleå archipelago, with its islands and waterways, and Abisko National Park, where you will find some of the finest walking landscapes in northern Scandinavia.

Swedish Lapland may suit you if you would like:

• Striking or unusual accommodation
• Plenty of space and a strong sense of wilderness
• Kayaking, hiking and cycling
• A multi-centre journey
• A combination of forest, mountains and archipelago

You do not necessarily need to choose between the two. Finland and Sweden can work beautifully together, although the route needs to be planned carefully to avoid spending too much of the holiday in transit.

Things to Do in Lapland During Summer

Lapland does not simply offer summer versions of its winter activities. It becomes an entirely different destination.

Canoeing and Kayaking

The rivers, lakes and archipelagos are at their most accessible during summer. You might paddle gently around forest-edged lakes, follow a section of river or spend a day exploring the islands near Luleå.

There are options for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers, so this can work well for both couples and families.

Hiking and Walking

Summer opens up a huge network of forest paths and fell trails.

These range from short family walks to longer routes through national parks such as Abisko and Pallas-Yllästunturi. With so much daylight, there is no need to rush back before it gets dark, although you will still need to watch the time. If you love the idea of long days on the trails, it's the same pull I write about in my guide to mountain holidays.

Cycling

Mountain biking and fat biking are widely available, with guided rides through forests and along quiet trails.

This can be particularly good for families with older children and teenagers who want something more active than sightseeing.

Meeting Huskies and Reindeer

Husky farms remain open during summer, although the dogs will usually join you for walks rather than pulling sledges.

Reindeer visits also feel different at this time of year. They tend to be quieter and provide more opportunity to learn about the animals, the landscape and the lives of the people who care for them.

Foraging and Wildlife

Summer is a wonderful time to learn about Lapland's plants, berries and wildlife.

Cloudberries begin to appear in July, followed by blueberries and other forest fruits. Guided foraging trips can be a gentle way for children to explore the landscape without it feeling like a lesson.

Depending on where you stay, you may also have opportunities to see reindeer, elk, birds and other wildlife. If Arctic wildlife is a big part of the appeal, you might also enjoy my guide to the best time for whale watching in Iceland.

Sauna and Lake Swimming

Sauna is an important part of life in Finland throughout the year, but summer brings the chance to step outside afterwards and swim in an open lake.

Some lodges have private saunas, outdoor hot tubs or decks overlooking the water, making this as much a part of the holiday as the organised excursions.

Lapland Summer Holiday Ideas

There is no single way to experience Lapland in summer. These are a few starting points that could be adapted around your interests, travelling companions and preferred pace.

Rovaniemi for Families

Rovaniemi is one of the simplest choices for a first family holiday to Lapland.

You could stay in a treehouse-style hotel close to the Arctic Circle and combine Santa Claus Village with gentle outdoor activities, husky walks, berry picking and a visit to a reindeer farm.

Four or five nights would give you time to enjoy the activities without turning every day into a timetable.

This is particularly well suited to primary-aged children and younger teenagers, although the accommodation and activity choices would need to reflect your children's ages.

A Swedish Forest Lodge

A small lodge in one of Swedish Lapland's river valleys provides a quieter experience.

Days might include canoeing, walking with huskies, fishing or cycling through the forest. Full-board accommodation often works well in remote locations because there may be nowhere else to eat nearby.

This could suit a couple wanting to switch off or a family that enjoys spending time outdoors without needing constant entertainment.

Some lodges sit below the Arctic Circle, so it is important to check whether you will see the true midnight sun or simply enjoy beautifully light evenings.

Treehotel and ICEHOTEL

For a more unusual journey, you could combine Treehotel with ICEHOTEL 365.

Treehotel's rooms are suspended among the trees and include distinctive designs such as the Mirrorcube and Bird's Nest. Further north, ICEHOTEL 365 lets you experience ice and snow in the middle of summer.

Add a waterfront stay near Luleå and you could also include kayaking through the archipelago.

This works particularly well as a self-drive holiday, giving you the freedom to stop along the way and explore at your own pace.

An Arctic Rail Journey

The railway between Narvik and Kiruna passes through mountain scenery and Abisko National Park, making it one of the most memorable ways to reach Swedish Lapland.

You could begin with a few nights in northern Norway before travelling by train into Sweden and ending at ICEHOTEL.

As you would be arriving and departing from different places, this type of itinerary usually needs carefully planned flights. It is a good example of where looking at the whole journey, rather than booking each element separately, makes the holiday much easier.

These are not fixed packages. They are simply different ways of putting the pieces together. Accommodation, activities and the number of stops can all be adjusted to suit you.

What You Need to Know About Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are part of a Lapland summer and it is better to know that before you travel.

They are usually most noticeable from around Midsummer until late July, particularly in still, damp and wooded areas. You may also encounter midges, blackflies and horseflies.

This should not put you off, but it does need to be considered when choosing your dates and location.

Open areas, fell tops and breezy archipelagos tend to have fewer insects than forests close to wetlands. Numbers usually begin to fall during August, making late summer a particularly appealing time for walking.

Insect repellent, suitable clothing and a head net can make outdoor activities much more comfortable. Hotels and lodges are accustomed to the summer insects and can advise on the best local precautions. Visit Finland also recommends being prepared for mosquitoes when walking in Lapland during summer, as its Visit Finland weather guidance explains.

For many travellers, the decision comes down to this:

• Choose late June or early July for the strongest midnight sun.
• Choose August for gentler light, fewer insects and more comfortable walking.

Who Would Enjoy a Lapland Summer Holiday?

Lapland in summer suits almost everyone. It works particularly well for curious families who enjoy being outdoors, but couples and groups of friends are just as at home here.

For families, children can paddle, forage, meet animals and stay up late beneath the midnight sun. There is plenty to learn, but it happens naturally through the experiences rather than feeling educational.

It is an equally lovely choice for active couples, or a group of friends travelling together, who have already visited some of Europe's better-known summer destinations and would like to try something different.

You may enjoy Lapland in summer if you like:

• Wildlife and beautiful natural surroundings
• Walking, cycling or paddling
• Small lodges and unusual accommodation
• Cooler summer destinations
• Holidays with a mixture of activity and quiet time
• The idea of visiting the Arctic without winter temperatures

It may be less suitable if your priority is a traditional beach holiday, lively nightlife or reliably hot weather.

Summer temperatures can be surprisingly warm, but this is still northern Scandinavia. You might enjoy several bright days in the twenties or have a cooler spell with rain, so layers and waterproofs need to be included in the suitcase.

How to Choose the Right Lapland Summer Holiday

Before I begin researching this type of trip, I would want to know four things:

• Is seeing the true midnight sun important to you?
• Would you prefer a single base or a journey through several locations?
• How active would you like the holiday to be?
• Are you more interested in unusual accommodation, wildlife, culture or the landscape itself?

Your answers will shape the destination, dates and route.

Flights can be one of the more complicated parts of a Lapland summer holiday. Some journeys involve travelling through Helsinki, Stockholm or Oslo, while a multi-centre route may work better with flights into one airport and home from another.

Popular lodges and distinctive rooms can also book well ahead, particularly around Midsummer when Scandinavian families are travelling too.

This is where careful planning matters. A beautiful property is only the right choice if it is in the right location and gives you the experience you had in mind. Getting all of that to line up is exactly the kind of thing I love working through with clients. Ready to start planning? Fill in my enquiry form and I'll put something together for you.

Lapland Summer Holidays: Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time for a Lapland summer holiday?

It depends on what matters most to you. June and early July are best if seeing the true midnight sun is the priority, as the sun does not set at all north of the Arctic Circle. Late July and August bring softer evening light, generally fewer insects and more comfortable walking, so they suit anyone who would rather hike and explore without the height of the mosquito season.

Can you see the midnight sun in Lapland in summer?

Yes, north of the Arctic Circle the sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours a day during part of the summer. In Rovaniemi, which sits on the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set from approximately 6 June until 7 July. Travel further north towards Inari, Utsjoki or Kiruna and the midnight sun season lasts longer, and light nights continue well into August.

Are there mosquitoes in Lapland in summer?

Yes. Mosquitoes are usually most noticeable from around Midsummer until late July, particularly in still, damp and wooded areas, and you may also encounter midges, blackflies and horseflies. Open areas, fell tops and breezy archipelagos tend to have far fewer insects, and numbers begin to fall in August, which makes late summer a lovely time for walking.

Is Finnish or Swedish Lapland better for a summer holiday?

Both are beautiful and simply suit different holidays. Finnish Lapland is often the easiest introduction, particularly for families, with Rovaniemi offering hotels, restaurants and straightforward access to the Arctic Circle. Swedish Lapland feels more spacious and design-led, with distinctive places to stay and superb kayaking and hiking. The two can also be combined, although the route needs careful planning.

Discover Lapland Beyond the Snow

Winter Lapland is magical, but it is not the only version worth seeing.

Summer is greener, quieter and perhaps more surprising. It brings rivers, forests, wildlife and days that seem to carry on forever. You can paddle after dinner, walk beneath a midnight sun or sit beside a lake without feeling that you need to be anywhere else.

The best Lapland summer holiday will depend on the light you want, the activities you enjoy and how far into the Arctic you would like to travel.

Tell me who is travelling, when you would like to go and what you would love the holiday to be. I will research the options, work out the route and recommend the Lapland experience I genuinely believe is the best fit for you. Just fill in my enquiry form to get started.

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