Lapland is Finland's vast, mystical northern wilderness, stretching above the Arctic Circle and home to the Northern Lights, endless fells, pristine national parks, and the legendary Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. This subarctic region offers extraordinary experiences year-round, from dogsled adventures and snowmobile safaris in winter to midnight sun hiking and wild berry picking in summer. Lapland is also the ancestral homeland of the indigenous Sámi people, whose rich culture and reindeer-herding traditions add a unique dimension to any visit.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Kakslauttanen Glass Igloo Village
The illuminated glass igloos clustered in the snowy Saariselkä forest create a surreal and uniquely photogenic scene, especially when the Northern Lights arc overhead. The combination of warm amber igloo glow against cold blue skies is iconic.
Best time: midnight (Northern Lights season, Sep–Mar)
Santa Claus Village at Night, Rovaniemi
The illuminated Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle in deep midwinter creates a fairytale scene of snow-laden pine trees, glowing lanterns, and colourful buildings. The Northern Lights occasionally appear directly above.
Best time: blue hour and night (December–January)
Saana Fell Summit, Kilpisjärvi
The dramatic Saana fell rises above Kilpisjärvi to offer the finest panoramic views in Finnish Lapland—a vast sweep taking in the Norwegian mountain massif, Lake Kilpisjärvi, and seemingly endless Arctic wilderness.
Best time: sunrise or during ruska (September)
Ounasjoki Riverside, Rovaniemi
The Ounasjoki River reflects the endless Midnight Sun in June and July, creating extraordinary golden reflections that feel otherworldly. The iconic Arktikum building's glass tunnel is beautifully lit against the golden sky.
Best time: sunrise and Midnight Sun (June–July)
Urho Kekkonen National Park Fells
The vast fell plateaus of UKK National Park offer some of the most remote and dramatic landscape photography in northern Europe—boundless Arctic wilderness in every direction with no human structures in sight.
Best time: dawn and ruska (September)
Reindeer Herding Scenes
Photographing reindeer herding in Lapland—roundups, reindeer on snowy roads, herders on snowmobiles—captures an authentic cultural practice unique to this region. Winter snowscapes provide the best backdrop.
Best time: autumn roundup (September–October) and winter
Pyhäkuru Canyon, Pyhä
The dramatic ancient gorge carved through the Pyhä fell creates stunning compositions with layered rock faces, rowan trees draped in red, and shafts of autumn light. One of Lapland's most photographed natural features in September.
Best time: ruska (September), afternoon
Inari Lakeside Sunset and Aurora
Lake Inari's vast surface offers perfect long-exposure reflections of the Northern Lights dancing overhead, with the dark silhouettes of islands and shoreline creating layered compositions. One of Lapland's least-visited Aurora spots.
Best time: Northern Lights season (Sep–Mar), clear nights
Lemmenjoki River Valley
Finland's largest national park's namesake river winds through ancient wilderness displaying both brilliant ruska autumn colors and ethereal midnight sun golden light. The boat taxi viewpoint looking upriver is exceptional.
Best time: ruska (late September) and Midnight Sun (June)
Ylläs or Levi Fell at Night
The ski resort fells offer elevated positions for Northern Lights photography, with snow-covered slopes and resort lights creating interesting contrast compositions with the Aurora overhead.
Best time: Northern Lights (Sep–Mar), clear cold nights
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Lapland's strengths.
Sunrise photography
Fell summits (Saana, Kiilopää, Pallastunturi) and riverside locations (Rovaniemi's Ounasjoki) for golden Arctic light
Sunset photography
West-facing fell slopes and lakeshores; Midnight Sun replaces sunset June–July (sun barely dips below horizon)
Architecture photography
Rovaniemi Alvar Aalto buildings (City Library, Arktikum), Santa Claus Village, and various glass igloo resorts
Street photography
Rovaniemi market area, Sámi cultural events in Inari, reindeer races in March
Nature photography
National parks (UKK, Oulanka, Lemmenjoki), fell plateaus, river valleys, and wilderness forests
Night photography
Northern Lights over wilderness locations, glass igloo resorts, and dark rural roads; Midnight Sun surreal scenes in June
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
- Sunrise
- Summer: 2AM–4AM (constant during June); Winter: 10AM–11AM (late sunrise during polar night)
- Midday
- Winter midday sun is low and creates excellent long shadows; summer midday is harsh but still manageable in forests
- Sunset
- Summer: midnight (the sun barely dips); Winter: 2PM–3PM (early winter sunset)
- Blue Hour
- Winter blue hour (1–2PM in December) creates beautiful pastel sky tones ideal for landscape photography
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
For Northern Lights photography: ISO 1600–3200, f/2.8 or wider, 5–15 second exposures; use a sturdy tripod
Cold batteries die fast—keep spare batteries in an inside pocket close to body heat
Condensation will form on lenses when moving from cold outdoors to warm indoors; let gear acclimatise gradually
For Midnight Sun long exposures, use an ND filter to prevent overexposure during very bright 'nights' in June
Always get permission before photographing Sámi people in traditional dress; their culture deserves respect
Reindeer often appear on roads—pull over safely for road reindeer shots but never approach them
Pack microfibre cloths for wiping condensation from lens elements
Wide-angle lenses (14–24mm full frame equivalent) are essential for Northern Lights photography
Ruska autumn colors peak quickly—plan your visit for early-to-mid September and check local hiking forums for timing