One of the defining features of a Lapland summer is space and tranquillity. Thanks to the Finnish Everyman’s Right, northern national parks, vast wilderness areas and crystal‑clear lakes are easy to access. These rights also allow visitors to enjoy nature’s seasonal harvest: summer plates may feature wild herbs, freshly caught fish, as well as berries and mushrooms.
Summer destinations for every taste
Lapland and Northern Finland offer a wide range of summer experiences, from more urban highlights to the untouched wilderness of the far north. Each destination has its own unique character. Arriving at Finavia’s Lapland airports, travellers are already surrounded by northern experiences.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is best known as the hometown of Santa Claus, whom visitors can meet every day of the year. Located right on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is considered the capital of Finnish Lapland. Here, lively city culture, services and nature come together in an exceptionally seamless way. The Arctic Circle surroundings, wide river landscapes and nearby nature destinations provide excellent opportunities for hiking, cycling and summer events, making Rovaniemi a natural base for an active holiday.
Rovaniemi also offers rich cultural experiences. The Arktikum Science Centre and Museum showcase northern history, culture and nature, while Korundi House of Culture and Alvar Aalto’s architectural heritage further enrich the city’s cultural scene. Finnish sauna culture is an essential part of any visit to Rovaniemi: in summer, you can enjoy riverside saunas or sauna rafts on the Kemijoki River.
Kittilä
Kittilä is best known for winter tourism, but in summer the area offers diverse experiences surrounded by fell nature. It serves as a gateway to the Levi and Ylläs regions and attracts hikers, walkers and cyclists with its well‑marked trails. The Ounasjoki River, along with numerous other rivers and lakes, provides excellent conditions for fishing and water activities, while berry picking is a natural part of summer life.
Kittilä is also known for having some of the cleanest air in the world. The summer season is enlivened by local events such as the Silence Festival and the Kittilä Summer Market. Cultural attractions include the historic Kittilä Church and sites linked to Sámi culture.
Ivalo
Ivalo is in the municipality of Inari, which is the largest in Finland by area. The region is known for its extensive wilderness areas and Lake Inari, and is particularly popular among anglers, paddlers and independent nature travellers.
Inari is also a centre of Sámi culture, where the history and present‑day life of Europe’s only Indigenous people is strongly present. Cultural sites and summer events complement the natural experiences and give the area its own distinctive identity.
Ivalo Airport is the northernmost airport in the European Union.
Kemi-Tornio
Kemi-Tornio offers maritime summer experiences along the coast of the Bothnian Bay. The archipelago and river landscapes are explored on unique cruises. Traditional passenger vessels and historic waterbuses operate day and charter cruises to nearby islands, providing a relaxed way to discover the region’s scenery and maritime heritage. The area also offers world‑unique icebreaker cruises.
Kuusamo
Located close to Lapland, Kuusamo is one of Northern Finland’s most popular summer destinations, especially among hiking enthusiasts. The area is home to one of Finland’s best‑known hiking routes, the Bear’s Trail (Karhunkierros), as well as shorter routes suitable for different skill levels in Oulanka, Riisitunturi and Hossa National Parks.
The landscapes can also be explored by mountain bike on the Ruka-Kuusamo trails, or through more adrenaline‑filled activities such as white‑water rafting on the Kitkajoki River. Summer in Kuusamo combines active pursuits, breathtaking scenery and easily accessible nature.
Smooth Connections to Northern Experiences
Finnish Lapland is easy to reach from Central Europe in summer as well. Discover Airlines operates direct scheduled flights from Frankfurt, Germany to Kittilä Airport, while Ryanair flies from Milan Bergamo, Italy to Rovaniemi Airport. In addition, Finnair offers direct flights to both airports from Northern Norway.
Finnair connects the extensive Helsinki‑Vantaa route network to all Lapland airports year‑round, providing smooth onward connections directly to northern destinations. During the summer season, flights from Helsinki‑Vantaa operate to Ivalo, Kittilä, Kemi–Tornio, Kuusamo and Rovaniemi airports five to seven days per week.
Read more:
Route overview: Where can you fly from Finavia airports in summer and autumn 2026
Flight and ticket information on the Finnair website.
Read more about the destinations from Visit Finland website.
