As far north as you’ve ever been

Land in Ivalo and you’ll probably be as far north as you’ve ever been in your life. In the northernmost area of Finnish Lapland, Ivalo and its environs are already several hundred kilometres inside of the Arctic Circle and a full 1000km north of the capital, Helsinki, and temperatures can drop to -30C.

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Must see:
Not so much as ‘must see’ as a ‘must do’, Ivalo, and especially its near neighbour Saariselka are a true winter sports paradise, with a lot more than skiing on offer. From husky safaris to reindeer sleighs, ice fishing and snow-mobiling, there’s no end of choice.

Must eat at:
Petronella in Saariselka is a charming spot that comes highly recommended for local delicacies including locally caught reindeer and whitefish.

Must be there for:
When you’re this far north, winter can be harsh and dark for long periods... summer, however, can be mild (but never hot) with midnight sun. The long winter season extends as late as April in some parts of Lapland, becoming progressively lighter, so be sure to carefully choose the timing of your holiday.

Well-travelled tips:
If you’re out and about near Ivalo you could watch the pan-handlers in action. There was a gold rush here in the 1870s and some hardy souls still try their luck in the local river!
Get a private guide to take you out into the tundra of an evening. Wrap up warm and look up. If you’re lucky enough to get an evening without cloud, there’s a 75% probability of a free light show courtesy of the aurora borealis.

Visa:
British citizens do not need a visa to visit Finland.