Lapland is a region located in the northernmost part of Finland, and it is nothing less than a pristine wilderness that feels like a world apart from the everyday. Encompassing vast stretches of forests, fells, rivers, and lakes, Lapland offers an unforgettable escape into nature’s untouched beauty. Known for its magical atmosphere, Lapland is a place where natural phenomena take center stage, and the changing seasons dramatically transform the landscape into entirely different realms of experience.
One of the most awe-inspiring features of Lapland is the northern lights, or aurora borealis, which dance across the dark winter skies in green, purple, and pink hues. These natural light displays attract thousands of visitors each year, especially during the long polar nights between November and March, when the sun remains below the horizon and the sky is at its darkest. Viewing the aurora in Lapland is an almost mystical experience, particularly when surrounded by snowy forests or watching the reflections shimmer across frozen lakes.
In stark contrast to the polar night is the midnight sun, a phenomenon that occurs during the summer months, particularly in June and July. During this period, the sun remains visible 24 hours a day, casting a golden glow across the landscape at all hours. This creates a surreal, timeless feeling that is both energizing and disorienting. It’s the perfect time for hiking, kayaking, cycling, or simply basking in the endless daylight surrounded by serene natural scenery.
Lapland is also a deeply cultural destination, home to the Sámi people, the only Indigenous people of the European Union. Visitors can learn about Sámi traditions, language, handicrafts (duodji), and their centuries-old way of life, closely tied to reindeer herding. Various cultural centers and museums across Lapland, such as the Siida Museum in Inari, offer insight into this rich heritage and allow visitors to connect with the deep-rooted human history of the region.
I stayed at the place for one night, specifically to witness the Aadhar game—something I’d heard whispers about but never truly experienced until that evening. As night fell, the entire atmosphere began to transform. It was as if the world held its breath, waiting for something extraordinary to happen.
Slowly, lights began to appear, faint at first, like distant stars twinkling on the horizon. Then, without warning, the darkness shattered—a burst of light cut through the night like a blade, and waves of illumination started to spread in every direction. The sky above took on a surreal hue, a soft shade of green that shimmered like silk. It wasn’t just light; it was movement, color, energy—like the heavens were dancing.
Everywhere I looked, it seemed the light had touched something—trees glowed with a gentle aura, the ground sparkled as if dusted with tiny stars, and the silence was replaced by a kind of hushed wonder. I found myself standing still, barely blinking, not wanting to miss a second of this otherworldly display.
In that moment, I felt completely immersed. The beauty of it all pulled me in, wrapping me in a sense of calm and awe. It was easy to forget everything else—time, worries, even where I was. The environment became more than just a place to watch lights; it became a space where you could lose yourself, float within the spectacle, and feel something deep and pure.
It wasn’t just a night. It was a memory etched in green light and silence—a brief escape into a world shaped by beauty and brilliance.
