Located in the north of Finland, Lapland is a vast and beautiful region that covers a huge area of 98,984 km². Bordering Norway, Sweden and Russia, the region is easy to reach and is a popular holiday destination for tourists all year round, from the magical and festive winter season to the lush green landscapes of the summer.
Lapland is characterised by an arctic/continental climate that varies greatly throughout the year. Many people expect Lapland to be cold all year round, but in fact, temperatures can soar in summer as a result of influences from the North Atlantic Current which bring warm air to the region. While winters are icy and cold, summers are much warmer and milder.
July in particular is the hottest month of the year in Lapland. The average temperature is a pleasant 17°C while highs can hit 21°C on the hottest days. With very low levels of wind, conditions can feel very balmy in Lapland at this time. Unlike the chilly winter months, low temperatures hardly ever drop below 13°C.
July is also one of the sunniest months of the year, just behind June, with a 22% chance of a sunny day. Lapland sees sunshine for most of the day throughout the summer, with the famous Midnight sun occurring during this season. In July, Lapland sees 17-20 hours of sunshine a day, which is much more than more southerly parts of Europe. On average, the sun rises between 1.30am and 3.30am and sets between 1am and 11pm.
While you may picture Lapland covered in snow, the high summer temperatures mean that there is no snow in July. In fact, there's a 0% chance of snowfall. There is a good possibility of rainfall though, as July is the rainiest month of the year. Lapland has a 56% chance of a rainy day this month.
Though July is outside of peak tourist season, holiday makers will still find a great range of accommodation options to suit every need.
For a budget-friendly stay, head to Hotelli Aakenus which is located in the centre of Rovaniemi, making it a great base for exploring Lapland. Rooms here are simple but have everything you could wish for, including TVs, free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms while apartments are equipped with kitchens. Other facilities include an on-site restaurant, a bar and a traditional sauna.
Rantasipi Pohjanhovi is a legendary hotel in an amazing location, set by the river in the centre of Rovaniemi. Guests can enjoy easy access to attractions such as the Arktikum Science Centre and Museum while the area also offers summertime activities such as river-boat safaris, canoeing and backpacking. The hotel is bright and contemporary with spacious rooms that are perfect for couples and families.
If you're looking for a place to stay in Lapland's wilderness, Hotel Hetta is situated on the shores of Lake Ounasjärvi with views over Ounas-Pallastunturi National Park. From here, guests can organise day trips and excursions and can even cross over into nearby Norway.
One of the best meals in Lapland can be found at the fine dining Restaurant Lapland Hotel Sky Ounasvaara. The menu here is on the expensive side but the food is of very high quality and perfectly presented. Dishes are contemporary and inspired by Finnish and Scandinavian flavours made with fresh local and Arctic ingredients. Located on the top of the Fell Ounasvaara, the restaurant has panoramic windows and a roof terrace for amazing views.
For an affordable, easy-going lunch option in Rovaniemi, look no further than Fransmanni. Here, you'll find affordable dishes with a local twist such as reindeer meat and smoked fish. The restaurant has a cosy atmosphere with comfortable seating where guests can relax after a day of exploring Lapland's amazing landscape.
Finally, coffee connoisseurs will love Coffee House. Located in the centre of Rovaniemi, this bright and contemporary café serves some of the finest coffee around, alongside a range of cakes and desserts.
July is the start of cloudberry season in Lapland. These unusual orange berries, which are very popular in Finland, emerge in July and remain ripe for just three weeks. During this month, locals drop everything and start picking berries, which they then make into jam or eat with cheese. If you're visiting Lapland at this time of year, head to the town of Ranua. Here, weekends see the lively Golden Cloudberry Festival which tourists can take part in.
Summer in Lapland is a great time to explore the great outdoors while the weather is warm and pleasant, take a look at the weather forecast to help plan your trip.
The landscape is very different to the winter season, with sparkling lakes and rivers and lush green forests. Those looking for an active holiday should plan a trip to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, the third largest one in Finland. The park covers areas of Enontekiö, Kittilä, Kolari and Muonio and is full of walking and hiking trails; there are 19 marked nature trails and four long hiking trails. If you're an experienced walker, the Hetta-Pallas Trail is a pretty long distance trail of 30 miles that starts in Hetta and passes through the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. There are many traditional cabins to stay in along the way.
