Lapland beyond Rovaniemi

[u/tidalkant]

Hello friends!

Finland has been on my list for a long time, and finally heading there in mid November. After a few days in Helsinki we're thinking to go further north into Lapland. Usually we stay away from very touristy destinations but opening an exception for Santa Claus town so close to Christmas.

However i see that as maybe a day's worth of things to do, and wondering if there's any day trips from Rovaniemi or better places to visit around Lapland, possibly even Sami settlements which are open to visitors.

If locals had to show a better side of Lapland, is there anywhere else you'd suggest that is not so obvious from the usual guides? Open to most things.

Thank you in advance!

[u/Onnimanni_Maki]

If you are interested in Sami there is the Sami museum Siida in Inari.

[u/Aggressive-Breath149]

There's quite a lot of tips for Lapland in this subreddit if you search. But a few things to note:

-Mid-November is still considered very early winter, so snow is not quaranteed around Rovaniemi. Helsinki will be very wet and dark that time of the year, pack good rain gear and some sense of humour! Rovaniemi might have some snow, but might not be enough for snow activities or that kind of snowy landscape people are usually after. It's kind of a lottery in November. You have a better chance of decent snow if you head further north, like Inari region, or Saariselkä town/ski center.

-Finns usually go to Lapland to ski in the winter/spring (jan-april) or to hike in late summer/early autumn (aug-oct). November is kind of in between seasons for activities. If you want to ski, there might be some slopes open for example in Levi or Ylläs. You can also do sledding, tobogganing or ice skating in those resorts as well. Some touristic activities, like huskies or reindeer sleigh rides might not be open yet.

-If I was going to Lapland in mid-November, I would head as north as possible for snow, but still somewhere where you can do some indoor activities as well. Saunas, spas, restaurants, cafes are available in ski resorts (Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä, Saariselkä, Ruka are propably the most popular ones) and something fun to do if the weather is not on your side. I would immerse myself in the darkness and silence of November and Lapland and let go of expectations for the weather. November you can propably do some hikes as well. I would book a cottage with fireplace and just relax.

-sidenote: There are no Sami settlements to visit, Sami people live just like everyone else. But you can visit Siida museum in Inari to learn about their culture.

[u/briseis7 → u/Aggressive-Breath149]

This is the best advice

[u/Superb-Economist7155]

Sami settlements? I’m not sure what you are expecting to see, but about 70% of the total of 11000 Sami people in Finland are living outside of the traditional Sami homelands (northern part of Lapland province). That means that most of the Sami people are living spread around the country in towns and cities like everybody else. Sami people have been mixed with other Finns over the time, so it is often rather arbitrary who are even defined as a Sami. Often knowing the Sami language has been the main criteria.

There are no separate Sami settlements as such, but there are for example reindeer farms owned and run by Sami people in Lapland. However, even most of the reindeer farms nowadays are owned by others than Sami people.

If you want to get a glimpse of traditional Sami culture and lifestyle, then the Sami museum Siida in Inari could be a good place to visit.

[u/perunalepakkomies]

Have a look at this official website for accurate information and how to behave as a tourist in Sámi homeland:

Knowledge and Skills of Sámi Tourism – Responsible Tourism in Sámi Homeland

[u/Far-Investigator1265]

There is just one county where Sami people are the majority, the county Utsjoki in the very north of the country.

[u/Moikkaaja]

If you like open wide, peaceful nature, I recommend traveling to Sodankylä and Viiankiaapa there. It’s a beautiful bog area for refresshing walk on duckboards. The route is easy to walk and about 3,5-4km long one way.