Lapland Tours & Holidays

The Lapland Santa Experience day trip by Newmarket Holidays is an ideal way to experience the magic of Lapland.

Ride in a traditional reindeer-drawn sleigh, enjoy a thrilling ride on a snowmobile, be pulled through the snow on a dog-sled by huskies, have fun in the snow and meet Santa all in one day.

Lapland is a region in Scandinavia, comprising about one third of Finland’s total landmass, along with parts of Sweden, Norway and Russia. The northern part of Lapland sits within the Arctic Circle. 

Lapland comprises an area of 38,752 square miles, which is larger than the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland combined. Of that area, 35,779 square miles is land.

No, Lapland is part of Finland. Despite straddling parts of Sweden, Norway and Russia, most of Lapland is within Finland, with the region encompassing roughly one-third of the country’s total landmass. There are 21 municipalities in Lapland that cooperate in a regional council, occupying seven seats of the 200-seat Finnish parliament. 

Lapland has a population of around 177,000, which is roughly 3.5% of Finland’s total population. Lapland is by far the least densely populated region of the country, and one of the lowest in Europe. The population of Lapland has been in decline since 1990.

The most widely spoken languages in Lapland are Finnish and Swedish. Sami, a group of related languages, is also common in Lapland. Here are a few useful phrases in each of the three most common languages:

Finnish

Hello – Hei

Goodbye – Hyvästi

Please – Ole kiltti

Thank you – Kiitos

Do you speak English? – Puhutko Englantia?

Swedish

Hello –  Hej

Goodbye – Adjö

Please – Snälla du

Thank you – Tack

Do you speak English? – Pratar du Engelska?

Sami 

Hello – Bures

Goodbye – Báze dearvan

Please – Leage buorre

Thank you – Giitu

Do you speak English? – Hálatgo Eaŋgalasgiela?

Unsurprisingly, Lapland is very cold in the winter when temperatures have been known to drop to minus 30°C. Average temperatures in winter (November to April) range from minus 16–3°, so make sure to take a warm coat, hat and gloves if visiting during this period. Summer (mid-May to late July) temperatures can climb to between 10–15°C. On average, snow falls in Lapland between 175 and 225 days per year. During peak winter, the sun rises around 10am and sets again around 2pm, with the long, dark nights ideal for seeing the Northern Lights. By contrast, in summer, the sun does not dip below the horizon at night, creating a polar phenomenon known as Midnight Sun. 

In Lapland, they use the Swedish Krona (SEK), for this trip British pounds may be used to purchase drinks, snacks and souvenirs in the small gift shop. Valid credit/debit cards will be accepted but these transactions will be charged in Swedish Krona.

Lapland is famous for its vast, pristine wintry landscape, which is carpeted in spruce and fir trees, and arctic wildlife. Roughly as many reindeer as people inhabit the region. As a result, Lapland has long been associated with Christmas, and is home to several Santa villages, where children can ‘meet Santa’. These villages also offer winter activities such as dog-sledding and snow-walking. Thanks to its location in the Arctic Circle, northern Lapland is also famous as a destination for spotting the Northern Lights.

Lapland is one of the most remote parts of Europe, but can be reached via road and train from Finland or neighbouring countries. However, it is much easier to fly. There are five main domestic airports in Lapland, at Kemi, Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Enontekiö and Ivalo, as well as several smaller airports for charter flights, including Pajala.