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<\/p>\nWinter is rarely people\u2019s favourite time of the year \u2013 I mean, the idea of frostbite and dressing up as the Michelin man is rather off-putting. Despite chunky layers taking away full use of your limbs and an endless supply of handkerchiefs up your sleeve to fix your runny nose, the cold can be magical. Especially when experienced in the northernmost edges of Europe – Lapland. If you\u2019re a backpacker looking for the best things to do in Lapland, I\u2019d recommend a trip to Rovaniemi, with the option of traveling onwards to the more remote town of \u00c4k\u00e4slompolo.<\/p>\n
Snuggling up indoors with a mug of hot chocolate when it\u2019s frosty outside might feel like the best part of winter, but there are so many things to do in Lapland when it\u2019s beyond freezing. This beautiful region within the Finnish Arctic Circle experiences a long period of 200 days every year when it\u2019s heavily covered by glistening, shimmering expanses of snow. It truly is a magical winter experience that goes beyond the Christmas stereotypes! Here are 10 of the top things to do in Lapland.<\/p>\n
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\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@ethanhjy<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Think of Lapland and the first thought that comes to most people\u2019s minds are the spectacular Aurora Borealis. This spellbinding show in the night sky is truly one of nature\u2019s mystic miracles. The Northern Lights<\/a> come out to play on the Arctic sky between October and April. Due to climate change and other calamities caused by us humans, it\u2019s become harder to predict the occurrence of this incredible phenomena. But on clear winter nights, the show is often out in full force.<\/p>\n You can enjoy this experience free of charge wherever you fancy, but promise to keep your eyes peeled and put away your phone – the internet doesn’t need another photo of the lights! Some of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland include the Arktikum shore and Ounasvaara Fell in Rovaniemi<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@vingtcent<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n No, I don’t think you\u2019re gullible enough to fall for a tourist trap. But think about it, you cannot come to the birthplace of Father Christmas and not pay a visit to the dude himself! If it helps, you are not obliged to sit on his lap\u2026<\/p>\n The best part about the experience is that you can explore Santa Claus\u2019s Post Office, where you can write and send letters of your own. And if meeting Santa isn’t the highlight of your winter, you\u2019ll be happy to know that the village also plays host to a wonderful variety of restaurants, souvenir shops and colourfully lit ice sculptures. No entrance fee is required to meet Santa, so what have you got to lose?<\/p>\n Santa Claus Village<\/a> is located 8km north of Rovaniemi<\/a> and can be reached on local bus 8.<\/p>\n The notion that Finns are an eccentric bunch is not helped by the fact that we also enjoy a spot of swimming in the freezing cold. You might think when the temperature drops well below zero, how on earth can you go swimming? Well us Finns simply drill a hole in a frozen lake and dive into the water that is probably more suitable for polar bears. But please don’t grab the tranquilliser gun, we aren’t dangerous, just peculiar \u2013 a bit like your grandpa who is adamant that climate change is a government conspiracy.<\/p>\n So for an authentic, soul-enriching and loin freezing experience, head to Koskipuisto Park in Rovaniemi and take a dip in the grand River Kemijoki. Locals swear that swimming in water well below zero is revitalising and healthy. For the full Finnish experience combine it with a sauna, followed by a shot of salmiakki liquor. It really can\u2019t hurt after you’ve beaten the odds against hypothermia!<\/p>\n The price for a single dip is \u20ac3, with sauna admission an extra \u20ac3.<\/p>\n Every country has an official national sport, but not all of them do people truly love and engage in themselves. For Finns it\u2019s cross-country skiing. Perhaps its popularity could be put down to the fact that it\u2019s suitable for everybody \u2013 you can go at your own ability – and extremely good for the body and mind, with beautiful winter scenery serving as a breathtaking backdrop.<\/p>\n Renting skis for the day will set you back around \u20ac30.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@8moments<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Locals and tourists alike can enjoy ice skating on the famous rink that\u2019s frozen in the centre of Rovaniemi during the winter months. Set at Lordi\u2019s Square (yep, it\u2019s named after our heavy metal Eurovision winners), it\u2019s the perfect place to engage in the local city culture, have a stroll, take Instagram-worthy snaps with the giant Christmas tree that dominates the main square, go shopping and discover impressive Nordic architecture. This is one of the most quintessential wintery things to do in Lapland!<\/p>\n Ice skating costs \u20ac10 per person, which includes daily rental of ice skates as well as any useful equipment to help out first timers.<\/p>\n One of Lapland\u2019s most celebrated museums, the Arktikum Science Centre<\/a> in Rovaniemi is a journey that all backpackers must make. The museum is devoted to teaching visitors all about the protected Arctic regions, as well as preserving local history, culture and nature.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re visiting for the permanent and rotating exhibitions or the stunning architecture of the museum, you won\u2019t be disappointed. There\u2019s even a glass ceiling over the main exhibition space that allows visitors to witness the Northern Lights from indoors \u2013 in the warm!<\/p>\n Entrance fee: \u20ac13 for adults.<\/p>\n Okay, this one might surprise you. It\u2019s not for the faint-hearted, or people who would call sun-bathing and lying on a beach an adventure. But if it\u2019s real adventure<\/a> you\u2019re after then the opportunity to mountain bike through Rovaniemi could be exactly what you need.<\/p>\n No car ride or bus tour will allow you to appreciate the Arctic beauty in the same raw way as biking will. In order to enjoy the epic scenery to its fullest, it\u2019s important to pick the base of your trail wisely. I\u2019d advise you to start from Rovaniemi, as it\u2019s the hub for all kinds of outdoor activities. This one can be performed all year-round, so you can choose between blue skies or a wintry route.<\/p>\n The rental price of a traditional bike starts at around \u20ac25 for 3 hours.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@mikakor<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n S\u00e1mi people are the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland, and if you want to learn about their unique culture, the Lauri Handicraft Shop<\/a> in Rovaniemi is a great place to start. Here you can see true S\u00e1mi artwork and craftmanship, with both traditional pieces and modern re-interpretations. They\u2019re made from renewable natural materials to keep the values of S\u00e1mi ancestors in mind. You can also opt to create a unique piece of S\u00e1mi artwork by yourself, as masterclasses are taught at the shop by the local S\u00e1mi population!<\/p>\n Fees for classes are dependent on the kind of piece you choose to make. Prices start from \u20ac39 per person, including materials, for a class that lasts an hour. A fantastic price for a one-of-a-kind class with an authentic, local creator!<\/p>\n Another peculiar activity that you can take part in free of charge is frisbee golf. One of the top things to do in Lapland, it\u2019s best enjoyed in Finnish summers when Lapland is luscious and full of greenery. It might sound completely random (because it is), but the sport involves using a frisbee and a metal basket with the same concept as golf. It\u2019s completely free and a fun group activity. There are two frisbee golf courses in Finnish Lapland, and you won\u2019t find many locations to lob a disk around that are as picturesque as this. Grab mates from your hostel<\/a> for a bit of fun, then spend a couple of hours exploring the nature that surrounds the courses.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@saadchdhry<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Though an amazing winter spot, Lapland is a different kind of beautiful in the summer. In order to appreciate the epic nature and everlasting summer lights, stay at the beyond incredible 7 Fells Hostel<\/a> near Yll\u00e4s Fell and Kes\u00e4nkij\u00e4rvi. The hostel rents its guests bikes free of charge during the summer months. But if biking isn\u2019t your cup of tea, you can also opt to hike up the Yll\u00e4s Fell in the summer and catch the awe-inspiring views from the top. Just beware of mosquitoes, especially towards the evening!<\/p>\n The hike around Kes\u00e4nkij\u00e4rvi gives you the option to rest up, fill your lungs with unpolluted, fresh air and cook a meal for yourself at the Laavu rest stop. Then take a dip in the fresh river water \u2013 a perfect Lapland summer\u2019s day. There are plenty of trail guides available online that give different route options if you\u2019re keen on challenging those glutes.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 7 Fells Hostel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re basing your adventure in Rovaniemi, the Wherever Boutique Hostel<\/a> offers a central location with modern interior design, intimate social spaces and rates ideal for a budget-conscious backpacker travelling through this expensive region.\u00a0 Check out more Rovaniemi hostel<\/a> options here.<\/p>\n If you choose to further explore into the town of \u00c4k\u00e4slompolo<\/a>, stay at the 7 Fells Hostel<\/a> or its recently opened, even more glamorous sister the 7 Fells Boutique Hostel<\/a>. The cosy atmosphere and ecologically conscious living at these two lodgings will give you a true experience of the remote, forested areas of the north. Free bikes in the summer or sleds in the winter, plus proximity to epic skiing and hiking trails make them the ideal places to stay. If you\u2019re flying into Rovaniemi, simply take a long distance bus into town.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 7 Fells Boutique Hostel<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re the cranky sort of person who doesn’t get excited by the idea of thick snow and even thicker parkas, then hopefully this list of the best things to do in Lapland might have changed your mind. You\u2019ll surely fall in love with nature and the cold if you properly embrace the winter life. The Finns have cracked it – we know how to freeze our genitals in the frozen lakes and in long cross country skiing trips, but then we relish the thaw that the sauna provides! Clearly that must be the secret for the long, healthy lifespans in this part of the world \ud83d\ude09.<\/p>\n Find more\u00a0hostels in Finland<\/a><\/p>\n Karan Ahluwalia is a Finnish writer studying in London, about to embark on great adventures after her MA studies. She knows her way around five languages, food from all corners of the world, and misses the snow and seasons from back home.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f\u00a0The hosteller’s guide to the Northern Lights<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f\u00a0Best Christmas destinations<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n
Witness the magnificent Northern Lights<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Visit Santa Claus Village<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Koskipuisto Park ice swimming and sauna<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Cross-country ski through the magical forests<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Ice skating in Rovaniemi Central Square<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Visit the Arktikum Museum<\/a> in Rovaniemi<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Go mountain biking<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Visit Lauri Handicraft Shop<\/a> in Rovaniemi<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Play frisbee golf at \u00c4k\u00e4slompolo or Yll\u00e4sj\u00e4rvi<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Hike and swim at Yll\u00e4s Fell in the Neverending Summer Light<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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<\/p>\nBest places to stay in Lapland<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAbout the author:<\/h2>\n
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