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.
Lapland is an extremely safe destination with very low levels of crime. The primary safety concerns are environmental: extreme cold in winter, wilderness navigation challenges, frozen lake safety, and high-speed driving hazards from reindeer and icy roads.
Current safety advisory
Low
Lapland is one of the world's safest travel destinations. Finland consistently ranks among the top 5 safest countries globally. Arctic environmental hazards are the main safety concern for visitors.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Normal Precautions
Exercise normal precautions in Finland. The main risks are environmental, particularly in the Arctic wilderness of Lapland.
Exercise Normal Caution
Finland is rated Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Lapland-specific risks relate to winter driving and wilderness safety.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Always dress in proper layered Arctic clothing when outdoors in winter—hypothermia can occur quickly at -20°C or below
Carry emergency supplies in your car in winter: thermal blanket, hand warmers, high-visibility vest, tow rope, and a charged phone
Inform someone of your route and expected return time before any solo wilderness hiking or skiing trip
Watch for reindeer on roads at all hours, especially at dawn and dusk—they can appear suddenly and cause serious accidents
Never drive on frozen lake ice without first checking load capacity with local authorities or established marked routes
Download offline maps before venturing into remote Lapland; mobile coverage is very poor in wilderness areas
Be aware of frostbite risk on extremities (fingers, toes, nose, ears) in temperatures below -15°C; cover all exposed skin
Beware of whiteout conditions in snowstorms—visibility can drop to zero; pull over and wait if driving
In summer, use strong insect repellent (DEET-based); mosquitoes and black flies are extremely numerous in June–July
Respect the Northern Lights forecast apps and check weather before going on wilderness Aurora hunts at night
Never approach or feed wild reindeer, elk (moose), or other wildlife, even if they seem tame
Check national park and hiking conditions at the Metsähallitus website (luontoon.fi) before multi-day treks
Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger on remote multi-day hikes
Ice swimming after sauna is a Finnish tradition but take it gradually if new—never swim alone in frozen lakes
Flash floods can occur on fell rivers during spring snowmelt (April–May); avoid camping in narrow valleys
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Overpriced Taxi to Remote Resorts
Unlicensed or opportunistic taxi drivers at Rovaniemi Airport may charge inflated rates for rides to distant resorts
How to avoid: Book in advance through your hotel or use official taxi companies. Confirm the price before getting in.
Activity Overbooking / Cancellation
Some operators cancel activities due to weather without offering proper refunds
How to avoid: Book activities through reputable operators with clear cancellation policies; check reviews on TripAdvisor
Inflated Tourist Souvenir Prices
Some souvenir shops near Santa Claus Village sell mass-produced 'Finnish' goods at significantly inflated prices
How to avoid: Buy genuine Sámi handicrafts (duodji) from certified artisans; look for the Sámi Duodji trademark label
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No specific vaccinations required for Finland. Routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A/B) should be up to date. Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine recommended for summer hiking in forested areas.
- Water
- Tap water is excellent quality and safe to drink throughout Lapland. Many wilderness streams are also clean but boiling is recommended in heavily grazed reindeer areas.
- Food
- Finnish food safety standards are very high. No specific food safety concerns. Wild mushroom picking is popular but ensure correct identification.
- Facilities
- Rovaniemi has a well-equipped central hospital. Smaller communities have health centres (terveyskeskus). The nearest major hospital for northern Lapland residents is Rovaniemi or the Oulu University Hospital. Emergency services are excellent but response times in remote wilderness can be long—prevention is key.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Lapland is excellent for solo travel with very low crime rates. Solo hikers and skiers should always register their route with accommodation staff or park visitor centres, carry appropriate emergency gear, and not rely solely on mobile phones in remote areas with poor coverage. Solo late-night Aurora hunting is safe but dress warmly and stay near your vehicle.
Female travellers
Finland is one of the world's safest countries for women travellers, consistently ranking in the top 5 globally for gender equality. Solo female travel in Lapland is entirely safe. Standard precautions apply in bars and nightlife areas in Rovaniemi.
Families
Lapland is a superb family destination with extremely low crime. Children are very welcome everywhere. Main family safety considerations are extreme cold for young children (cover all exposed skin), ensuring car seats are available in rental cars (book in advance), and keeping children supervised near frozen lakes and rivers.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex marriage is legal in Finland (since 2017) and the country has strong anti-discrimination laws. Lapland is socially conservative compared to Helsinki but LGBTQ+ travellers will generally experience no issues. Public displays of affection may attract attention in very rural areas. Finland scores highly on LGBTQ+ acceptance in European surveys.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 112 (emergency) / 0295 419 800 (non-emergency national)
- Medical
- 112 (emergency ambulance) / 116 117 (non-emergency medical advice in Finnish)
- Embassy
- British Embassy Helsinki: +358 9 2286 5100; US Embassy Helsinki: +358 9 616 250; Embassy contacts available at Gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/finland
- Tourist Police
- No dedicated tourist police in Lapland; use 112 for all emergencies