Finland, Europe
Finnish Lapland in May
Snow melts, rivers flood, and many activities and hotels close. No aurora, no snow, no hiking yet.
The straight answer
May is a month to think twice about visiting Finnish Lapland. Snow melts, rivers flood, and many activities and hotels close. No aurora, no snow, no hiking yet.
- Weather
- Thawing, highs near 50F (10C), slush and mud
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What May is like in Finnish Lapland
May is the melt season. Highs climb to about 50F (10C), snow turns to slush and mud, and rivers flood. Many activities, safaris, hotels, and restaurants close or run limited service. There is no aurora, no snow for sledding, and it is too early for hiking. Trails are wet and snowy, and some roads and paths flood. In the far north, the sun barely sets by the end of the month, so nights are bright but there is little to fill them.
This is a month to avoid. There is little to do and many places are shut. For snow, go in March; for the midnight sun and summer hiking, wait until late June or July.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Finnish Lapland this month.
The start of the midnight sun
Late in the month, the sun stops setting in the far north, an odd and fun thing to see.
Rivers in full flood
The melt swells rivers and waterfalls, which can be dramatic to watch from a safe spot.
Very low prices
The few hotels that stay open offer some of the lowest rates of the year.
What to pack for May
- Waterproof boots for mud and slush
- A rain jacket
- Layers for cool days
- An eye mask for bright nights
Our timing tip
If you must come in May, confirm every hotel and activity is open, since many close for the melt season.
Book Finnish Lapland for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Finnish LaplandOpens a hotel search for Finnish Lapland in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Finnish LaplandWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Finnish LaplandTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Finnish Lapland for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Finnish Lapland
Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle
The regional capital and the gateway for most visitors, with Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle line just outside town.
Santa Claus Village
Open every day of the year. Go in the morning to avoid the longest lines to meet Santa in December.
Arktikum
Science center and museum in Rovaniemi on Arctic nature and people. A great first stop to understand the region.
Siida, Inari
The Sami museum and nature center on Lake Inari. Well worth the drive north.
Levi and Yllas
The two biggest fell resorts, with downhill and cross-country skiing in winter and hiking and biking in summer.
Husky and reindeer safaris
Most run from December to early April, with the best snow conditions from February to March. Book ahead in peak weeks.
Beat the crowds
- For a winter trip, aim for March instead of December or February school holidays: better light, lower prices, and still excellent snow.
- Stay outside Rovaniemi, for example in Saariselka, Levi, Yllas, or Inari, for darker skies and fewer tour buses.
- Book safaris, glass cabins, and flights for December months ahead; prices and demand peak around Christmas.
- Summer and September hiking trails are uncrowded almost everywhere; the national park huts rarely feel busy outside holiday weeks.
Know before you go
- May and early June (the melt season) and October to November (before snow) are gaps: many safaris, hotels, and restaurants close or run limited service.
- Snow-dependent activities like husky and snowmobile safaris usually run from December to April. In some years, early December snow can be thin.
- Around Christmas, restaurants and activities can be booked out; confirm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining in advance.
- Some ski lifts and resort services close in late April or May, depending on snow.
Finnish Lapland in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Finnish Lapland?
May is a month to think twice about visiting Finnish Lapland. Snow melts, rivers flood, and many activities and hotels close. No aurora, no snow, no hiking yet.
What is the weather like in Finnish Lapland in May?
Thawing, highs near 50F (10C), slush and mud.
Is Finnish Lapland crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in Finnish Lapland; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Finnish Lapland.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
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