Arctic Grand Tour - Lofoten & LaplandLofoten & Lapland

Umeå is known as Björkarnas stad because thousands of birches were planted after a city fire in 1888 as a natural firebreak. Next to the modern cultural center Väven, you can admire one of the world's largest collections of vintage electric guitars at Guitars – The Museum. At the open-air museum Gammlia, you can view historical buildings from the Västerbotten region near the banks of the Ume älv river.

Haparanda is a Swedish border town on the Torne älv river, where the border with Finnish Tornio runs right through the urban area. The town houses the northernmost IKEA store and marks the transition to a different time zone; when crossing the river to Finland, you set your clock forward an hour. From the banks, you look out over the Lappish wilderness and the nature of the far north.

The Arctic Circle crosses the inhabited world in Rovaniemi, making the legend of Santa Claus a reality here. In Santa Claus Village, you step over the white line of the Arctic Circle and meet Santa Claus himself. The Arktikum, in a glass tunnel, showcases the history of Lapland and the traditions of the Sámi. Those who venture into the forests experience the power of sled dogs during a husky ride. On a clear night, the Northern Lights paint the sky green above the frozen Ounasjoki River.

Ruka offers an extensive network of 35 ski slopes on its 492-meter-high hill, making it a leading winter sports area. You can explore the coniferous forests of the Kuusamo region or follow the Karhunkierros hiking trail through Oulanka National Park. There, the Oulankajoki river winds its way through deep ravines and past powerful rapids. Above the vast lakes, you can observe the Northern Lights in the evening, offering a serene and unforgettable experience in this Finnish landscape.

Saariselkä is a village in Finnish Lapland that directly borders the Urho Kekkonen National Park, Finland's second largest nature reserve with an area of over 2500 square kilometers. The 438-meter-high Kaunispää hill offers views over the fells and forests, where the Northern Lights appear in winter and the midnight sun shines in summer. You can explore this mountainous tundra landscape via an extensive network of cross-country ski trails.

Inari owes its atmospheric character to the Sámi culture, where ancient traditions merge with modern life above the Arctic Circle. In the Siida museum, handmade clothing and tools showcase the history of this indigenous people. On Lake Inari, boats sail between three thousand islands across the deep blue water. Paths through the vast taiga lead to the tops of the low fells. Serene tranquility prevails when the Northern Lights colour the shores of the lake green.

Nuorgam is the northernmost point of Finland and the European Union, located on the banks of the Tenojoki. This river is internationally known as one of Europe's richest salmon rivers. In the surrounding landscape of the Arctic tundra, reindeer roam freely, and from the fells, you can look out over the border with Norway.

Karasjok is the cultural center of the Sami in Norway and the seat of the Sami Parliament, the Sametinget. The Karasjok gamle kirke from 1807 is the oldest wooden building in Finnmark. In Sápmi Park, you learn about the history of the indigenous inhabitants on the tundra of the Finnmarksvidda.

The North Cape attracts travellers with a cliff face rising 307 metres vertically from the Barents Sea. From the plateau, you look out over the Arctic Ocean where the midnight sun never sets in summer. Those who walk to Knivskjellodden will see the characteristic shape of the steep cliff face in the distance. In winter, the Northern Lights appear above the Nordkapphallen with its underground exhibitions. A lively hustle and bustle prevails at the Globus-monumentet as you gaze out over the dark waves.

Alta is the site of over 6000 rock carvings in Hjemmeluft, dating from between 4200 and 500 BC and listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can view these prehistoric images of hunters and reindeer via a constructed path along the coast. In the city stands the Nordlyskatedralen from 2013, a building with a titanium facade that reflects the shapes of the Northern Lights. Due to its location above the Arctic Circle, you can observe the Northern Lights here in winter.

Tromsø brings modern architecture and the Arctic wilderness together amidst snow-capped mountain peaks. The Ishavskatedralen stands out with its triangular shape and large glass mosaic. Those who take the Fjellheisen cable car to the top of Storsteinen can overlook the fjords. On the water, whales can be seen during a whale safari. A lively atmosphere fills the streets as the Northern Lights appear above the snow-covered roofs.

Senja is Norway's second-largest island, where steep mountain walls rise directly from the ocean. Mount Segla rises 639 meters vertically from the Mefjorden. At the Tungeneset viewpoint, you walk along wooden paths to the surf for a view of the rock pinnacles of Djevelens tanngard.

Those who travel to Andenes will come face to face with sperm whales at the very tip of Vesterålen. The red Andenes fyr rises forty meters above the harbor near the deep waters where these animals live. Fishing boats sail into the Norwegian Sea for safaris where enormous whales swim right past the railing. Near Bleik, thousands of puffins fly around the pointed rock of Bleiksøya. The atmosphere is maritime and down-to-earth, with wooden houses set against a backdrop of pointed mountain peaks by the surf.

The striking rock formation Svolværgeita, with its two stone horns, towers high above Svolvær harbour. Between the houses, stockfish hangs to dry on wooden racks, making the village's maritime history visible. The yellow 19th-century Lofotkatedralen, with its pointed spire, stands out sharply against the steep mountain face. At Magic Ice, you can admire ice sculptures illuminated by colourful lights. Sea eagles often circle above the fishing boats entering the lively harbour on the Vestfjord.

Abisko immerses you in a vast Arctic wilderness, where nature takes center stage. Abisko National Park, established in 1909, stretches along the shore of Lake Torneträsk. Here you can hike through vast birch forests and along the deep canyon of the Abiskojåkka river. On Mount Nuolja, you'll find the Aurora Sky Station, a well-known spot for observing the Northern Lights. The clear nights offer a good chance to see this magical spectacle dance above the landscape.

The mighty Torne älv flows through Pajala as a natural border with Finland. At Polcirkelhuset in Juoksengi, you stand exactly on the invisible line of the Arctic Circle. Those who stay along the wide river can taste fresh fish or walk along its forested banks. In summer, the midnight sun illuminates the landscape, and in winter, the Northern Lights color the sky green. A subdued tranquility hangs over the quay as you gaze out over the water slowly flowing towards the Bothnian Bay.

The Arctic Circle crosses the inhabited world in Rovaniemi, making the legend of Santa Claus a reality here. In Santa Claus Village, you step over the white line of the Arctic Circle and meet Santa Claus himself. The Arktikum, in a glass tunnel, showcases the history of Lapland and the traditions of the Sámi. Those who venture into the forests experience the power of sled dogs during a husky ride. On a clear night, the Northern Lights paint the sky green above the frozen Ounasjoki River.

Hundreds of red wooden houses of the historic church town of Gammelstad stand in Luleå in a circle around a medieval stone church. In this UNESCO World Heritage site, the wooden houses formerly served as accommodation for believers at the Nederluleå Church. From the quay, boats sail to the vast Luleå Archipelago, a collection of over 1,300 islands in the Gulf of Bothnia. Along the tranquil waterfront, the midnight sun or the northern lights appear above the horizon of the coastline.

Umeå is known as Björkarnas stad because thousands of birches were planted after a city fire in 1888 as a natural firebreak. Next to the modern cultural center Väven, you can admire one of the world's largest collections of vintage electric guitars at Guitars – The Museum. At the open-air museum Gammlia, you can view historical buildings from the Västerbotten region near the banks of the Ume älv river.