Best time to go to Lapland for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Lapland?
From a weather point of view, the best time to visit Lapland is undoubtedly the month of July. Indeed, it is the time of year when the weather is most pleasant, nature is reborn, and you can explore the region through hiking and enjoy many outdoor activities, even camping for the most adventurous! It is also the perfect season to experience something extraordinary: the famous midnight sun, which illuminates Rovaniemi between June 6 and July 7. In the northernmost regions, for example around Utsjoki in Finland, the window is longer as the sun hardly sets from mid-May to late July.
However, it is entirely possible to spend holidays in Lapland at other times, as winter offers a completely different experience, depending on the travelers' interests:
- For an unforgettable stay in the Santa Claus Village, go in December. During the Advent season, Rovaniemi in Finland turns into an absolutely magical place. A must-see if you are traveling with family!
- Throughout the winter, between October and April, Lapland becomes enchanting with its landscapes covered in a thick layer of snow. You can go snowshoeing or dog sledding to meet reindeer. The rest of the time, enjoy cozy moments with hot chocolates by the fire and plenty of sauna sessions!
- When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Lapland? Opt for a trip between November and March. The advantage is that it gets dark very early, maximizing your chances of witnessing this incredible natural spectacle.
- On a tight budget? Choose the intermediate seasons: April-May and September-October. Indeed, from December to March and in June-July, it is high season, and flight and accommodation prices tend to skyrocket.
What should you pack in your suitcase for a trip to Lapland? Regardless of the season, this is a trip that requires careful planning and meticulous preparation of your equipment:
- In winter, thermal underwear and technical clothing are essential, along with a warm parka, waterproof pants, and gear to cover all parts of your body (hat, gloves, neck warmer, etc.). Just like for a ski trip, it is also important to protect yourself from the sun with suitable sunglasses and sunscreen.
- In summer, from June to August, the atmosphere remains cool, even cold in some areas, and it may rain. Therefore, opt for waterproof yet breathable clothing, good hiking shoes, and use the layering technique with multiple removable layers depending on the weather.##
Annual weather in Lapland
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Lapland for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°F to 32°F | very bad weather | |||
| February | 5°F to 32°F | very bad weather | |||
| March | 13°F to 32°F | very bad weather | |||
| April | 22°F to 40°F | very bad weather | |||
| May | 29°F to 54°F | very bad weather* | |||
| June | 40°F to 65°F | bad weather* | |||
| July | 50°F to 70°F | good weather* | |||
| August | 47°F to 65°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| September | 38°F to 58°F | bad weather* | |||
| October | 23°F to 43°F | very bad weather | |||
| November | 14°F to 40°F | very bad weather | |||
| December | 9°F to 36°F | very bad weather |
Best time to travel to Lapland by cities
Climate and Weather in Lapland
Lapland is not a country, but a region that is the northernmost in Europe. It is located above the Arctic Circle and encompasses the north of Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
The climate of Lapland is of two types:
- Subarctic with cold winters in Rovaniemi and most of the territory.
- Tundra polar in the northernmost parts, for example in the Abisko region, Sweden.
Due to its geographical location, the weather in Lapland is characterized by low temperatures for much of the year, and the territory is covered in snow from October to April. Like everywhere in Europe, there are four seasons: 6 months of winter, nearly 3 months of summer, 1 month of spring, and finally, 1 month of autumn.
Climate of Lapland in Summer
Summer is short in Lapland: between June and August, with a particularly pleasant season in July. During the day, the sun is often shining and the temperature averages between 17 and 20°C (68°F) in Rovaniemi. Expect 2 to 4 degrees less in regions further north. In June, snow can still fall during the coldest hours and rain can be present throughout the season with about 7 rainy days per month.
Climate of Lapland in Autumn
The season actually lasts only one month: September. The weather gradually cools down, nature offers a beautiful display of colors, and there is less rain than during the summer season. To top it off, this is the time when migratory birds head south before winter.
In terms of temperatures, the highs range between 10 and 12°C (54°F) , and it drops to between 6 and 8°C (47°F) at night. By the end of the month, the first snowfalls may occur, heralding the arrival of winter.
Climate of Lapland in Winter
Winter starts as early as October in Lapland. Temperatures then drop significantly with negative lows and highs not exceeding 5°C (41°F) . The first heavy snowfalls appear, and the days shorten.
In November, the thermometer no longer rises above 0: it ranges between -4 and -1°C during the day and between -7 and -4°C at night. This temperature drop intensifies between December and February with averages ranging between -5 and -10°C. However, extremely cold days are common, with temperatures dropping to -40°C in record time. Moreover, the sun tends to stay below the horizon, providing a faint light for only a few hours a day in favor of polar night. This is the period when snowfalls are most abundant.
In March and April, the atmosphere slowly warms up, signaling the onset of spring. Most of the time, the sun is shining, but the temperature hovers around 0°C (32°F) in the Rovaniemi region and -10°C in Enontekiö.
Climate of Lapland in Spring
It is in May that the snowmelt truly begins, marking the spring season. The downside is that precipitation is more significant, with rain falling an average of 6 days per month.
In terms of temperatures, there is a significant difference between the north and south of the region. While it reaches around 10°C (50°F) during the day in Rovaniemi, the temperature barely exceeds 5°C (41°F) in Enontekiö.
Temperatures and rainfall in Lapland
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Lapland and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Rovaniemi, Enontekiö, Ivalo, Alta and Inari (Lake Inari), as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Lapland
Find out when Lapland has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Lapland
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, March, April, May, September, October and November. The number of visitors to Lapland is high in: February, June, July, August and December.
- Very low season in Lapland: May and October.
- Low season in Lapland: January, March, April, September and November.
- High season in Lapland: February, June and August.
- Peak season in Lapland: July and December.
Figure: Visitor index for Lapland month by month
Average price for flights to Lapland
A return flight between London and Tromso is generally cheaper if you go in january ($ 199 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 140 more for your airline ticket to Tromso if you go in july.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Lapland
Where to go in Lapland?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Rovaniemi | 18°F | 20°F | 27°F | 36°F | 52°F | 63°F | 68°F | 65°F | 54°F | 40°F | 31°F | 25°F |
| Enontekiö | 16°F | 16°F | 22°F | 31°F | 41°F | 56°F | 63°F | 59°F | 50°F | 34°F | 25°F | 22°F |
| Ivalo | 18°F | 18°F | 25°F | 32°F | 45°F | 58°F | 63°F | 59°F | 50°F | 36°F | 29°F | 23°F |
| Alta | 23°F | 23°F | 27°F | 34°F | 41°F | 52°F | 61°F | 58°F | 52°F | 40°F | 32°F | 27°F |
| Inari (Lake Inari) | 18°F | 18°F | 25°F | 34°F | 47°F | 58°F | 65°F | 61°F | 52°F | 38°F | 29°F | 23°F |
| Kemi | 22°F | 23°F | 29°F | 36°F | 49°F | 58°F | 65°F | 63°F | 56°F | 43°F | 36°F | 29°F |
| Lulea | 23°F | 23°F | 29°F | 38°F | 49°F | 58°F | 65°F | 63°F | 56°F | 43°F | 36°F | 31°F |
| Oulanka National Park | 18°F | 20°F | 27°F | 36°F | 50°F | 61°F | 68°F | 63°F | 52°F | 38°F | 31°F | 23°F |
| Saariselkä | 18°F | 18°F | 25°F | 32°F | 45°F | 58°F | 63°F | 59°F | 50°F | 36°F | 29°F | 23°F |
| Tromso | 23°F | 23°F | 29°F | 36°F | 43°F | 50°F | 58°F | 56°F | 50°F | 38°F | 32°F | 29°F |
| Abisko | 14°F | 16°F | 22°F | 29°F | 34°F | 45°F | 56°F | 52°F | 45°F | 31°F | 23°F | 18°F |
| Honningsvåg | 32°F | 32°F | 32°F | 38°F | 43°F | 49°F | 54°F | 54°F | 50°F | 43°F | 40°F | 36°F |
| Kilpisjärvi | 16°F | 16°F | 20°F | 29°F | 36°F | 49°F | 58°F | 54°F | 45°F | 32°F | 25°F | 22°F |
| Kirkenes | 22°F | 22°F | 27°F | 34°F | 45°F | 52°F | 59°F | 58°F | 50°F | 40°F | 32°F | 27°F |
| Kiruna | 14°F | 16°F | 23°F | 32°F | 41°F | 58°F | 63°F | 59°F | 50°F | 34°F | 25°F | 20°F |
| Kittilä | 18°F | 20°F | 27°F | 36°F | 50°F | 61°F | 68°F | 63°F | 54°F | 38°F | 29°F | 23°F |
| Lemmenjoki National park (Lemmenjoen kansallispuisto) | 18°F | 18°F | 25°F | 32°F | 45°F | 58°F | 63°F | 59°F | 50°F | 36°F | 29°F | 23°F |
| Lyngen Alps (Lyngsalpan) | 25°F | 25°F | 31°F | 36°F | 43°F | 50°F | 59°F | 58°F | 52°F | 40°F | 34°F | 29°F |
| Padjelanta nationalpark | 13°F | 14°F | 20°F | 27°F | 36°F | 47°F | 56°F | 54°F | 43°F | 31°F | 22°F | 16°F |
| Pajala | 18°F | 20°F | 27°F | 36°F | 50°F | 63°F | 68°F | 63°F | 54°F | 38°F | 29°F | 23°F |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Lapland
What can I do in Lapland?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Lapland reliable?
Climate data for Lapland has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Lapland allows us to determine the average for each month in Rovaniemi, Enontekiö, Ivalo, Alta, Inari (Lake Inari), Kemi, Lulea, Oulanka National Park, and 37 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.