Best time to visit Lapland & the Arctic

The best time to visit Lapland & the Arctic is June to August, judged across 11 places; December to February are its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · Europe · 11 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Lapland & the Arctic month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januarylow seasonpolar night · -7°C highs · best Jun–AugRuka, Levi, Longyearbyen
Februarylow season8 h daylight · -5°C highs · best Jun–AugRuka, Levi, Bodø
Marchnot its best-1°C highs · best Jun–AugRuka, Levi, Bodø
Aprilnot its best3°C highs · best Jun–AugLevi, Ruka, Bodø
Maygoodmidnight sun · 9°C highs · 12 h sunBodø, Rovaniemi, Longyearbyen
Junein seasonmidnight sun · 15°C highs · 13 h sunRovaniemi, Longyearbyen, Kiruna
Julyin seasonmidnight sun · 18°C highs · 12 h sunRovaniemi, Longyearbyen, Murmansk
Augustin seasonaurora · 16°C highs · 9 h sunBodø, Longyearbyen, Rovaniemi
Septembernot its best12°C highs · best Jun–AugLongyearbyen, Bodø, Rovaniemi
Octobernot its best3°C highs · best Jun–AugLevi, Ruka, Bodø
Novembernot its bestpolar night · -1°C highs · best Jun–AugLevi, Ruka, Longyearbyen
Decemberlow seasonpolar night · -4°C highs · best Jun–Aug · still good for snowRuka, Levi, Longyearbyen

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 11 places in Lapland & the Arctic

Lapland & the Arctic — FAQ

When is the best time to visit Lapland & the Arctic?
June to August. In July: midnight sun · 18°C highs · 12 h sun.
When is the low season in Lapland & the Arctic?
December to February. In January: polar night · -7°C highs · best Jun–Aug.
Which months are in season in Lapland & the Arctic?
June to August — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.