Explore Lapland in Sweden and Norway

The far northern reaches of Sweden and Norway, known commonly as Lapland, are a wild and scenic region of mountains, glaciers, lakes and small towns.

The region presents numerous travel opportunities, most of which are still under the radar. Hardy travelers can head there in winter to ski (both cross-country and downhill), snowmobile and view the Northern Lights. And in summer, endless daylight enables long rambles in the wilderness on established trails that lead to epic scenery.

To get here, you’ll likely need to fly or take a train from a major city like Oslo or Stockholm in the southern areas of both countries. These will connect you to smaller airports and terminals farther north. You can also opt for the Norwegian Coastal Express (Hurtigruten) boat, a bit slower albeit extremely scenic.

Accommodations in Lapland range from hotels and hostels in cities and towns throughout the region to backcountry mountain huts run by the Swedish and Norwegian trekking associations. You can also camp just about anywhere, thanks to both countries’ right of access rules, as long as you’re a reasonable distance from a dwelling and don’t leave much of an impact of your presence.