Your Guide To The Russian Lapland

DigitalrezaidPlanning, COUNTRY GUIDES, DESTINATIONS, CITY GUIDES, TRAVEL TIPS2 weeks ago4.1K Views

The Arctic Side of Russia That’s Cold, Wild, and Kinda Magical

You know how everyone goes on and on about Lapland in Finland? Reindeer rides, Santa’s hometown, the Northern Lights—yeah, that whole thing. But what no one really talks about is that Lapland actually stretches into Russia, too. And let me tell you, Russian Lapland is… different in a good way. It’s like the wilder, quieter cousin that doesn’t care about getting attention but ends up being way more interesting once you meet them.

I didn’t really plan on going there at first. It sort of just happened—one of those trips where you’re looking at a map, wondering, “What’s way up there?” And then you realize there’s this giant chunk of Arctic wilderness at the very top of Russia.

Cold? Yep. Remote? Big time. Worth it? More than I expected.

Lapland’s reach spans four countries—Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia—but Russia’s side is the least commercialized, giving you raw nature without the tourist gloss.

Wait, What Even Is Russian Lapland?

So, Russian Lapland belongs to the larger Murmansk Oblast region found way up in Russia’s northwest and north of the Arctic Circle. Most of the region’s life centers on Murmansk, even though the city is often enveloped in total darkness for much of the year. Honestly, it’s not cute or pretty on Instagram. It’s more… industrial. But oddly fascinating. Ships, icebreakers, grey Soviet-style buildings—it kind of grows on you.

But the true essence of Russian Lapland is in the wilderness beyond the cities. Traveling cheap is doable here—overnight trains and local guesthouses make remote adventures accessible without fancy budgets.

Nature That Doesn't Mess Around

The cold here is no joke. I had on two pairs of socks, thermal pants, a sweater, a jacket, gloves, and a scarf, and I still felt like my eyelashes were turning into icicles.

But wow, the landscape makes up for it. There’s this place called the Khibiny Mountains—not super tall, but dramatic in a quiet, powerful kind of way. Just snowy ridges stretching for miles, and you can actually ski here if you’re into that sort of thing.

I remember standing in this clearing, not a sound anywhere, and thinking, “This is what untouched means.” No traffic noise. No background hum. Just wind and snow crunching under your boots.

Northern Lights? Yeah, They Show Off Here Too

One night, we drove out past Kirovsk to this frozen lake someone told us about. Totally dark. No lights around. I was kind of thinking, “This is either going to be amazing or I’m just freezing for nothing.” But then—bam—the sky just lit up. Green and purple streaks, moving like curtains in the wind. I couldn’t stop staring. I didn’t even take that many photos. It felt too sacred to snap through a screen. Like one of those moments you just let happen.

Visit Lapland to see Northern Lights—the Arctic darkness and low light pollution make it one of the best places in the world to witness the auroras dance in full clarity. The page highlights how remote locations like Kirovsk offer raw, untouched skies ideal for moments like this.

Not Just Snow and Ice—There’s Culture Here Too

What surprised me most? The people. I expected it to be quiet, cold, maybe a little rough around the edges—and sure, parts of it were. But there’s also this deep culture here. The Sámi people have lived here for ages, long before borders were drawn. Some still herd reindeer and live close to the land.

I got to visit a small Sámi village, and they made this stew (reindeer, I think) over a fire. We sat inside this wooden hut, drinking tea, and someone started playing music I couldn’t understand but felt anyway. You don’t need to speak the same language to feel something real, you know?

Getting There Isn’t Fancy—But It’s Real

Okay, I’ll be honest. Getting to Russian Lapland isn’t the easiest thing in the world. You’ll probably need to fly into Murmansk, most likely through Moscow. From there, it’s buses, trains, or private drivers. Roads can be rough. English isn’t widely spoken. But if you’re okay with stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s all part of the story.

One guy I met had been hiking solo for a week. Another was photographing Arctic foxes. It gives your soul a chance to relax and recharge. You don’t go here to relax; you come alive and forget all your worries.

So... Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. But only if you’re the kind of person who likes weird places, cold noses, raw experiences, and quiet that cuts through the noise in your head.

Russian Lapland won’t hold your hand or give you cute souvenir shops on every corner. But if you want something real—untamed forests, harsh beauty, Northern Lights—it’ll give you that.

FAQs

Is Russian Lapland safe for travelers?

Pretty much, yes. The cities are calm, and the countryside is empty, in a peaceful way. Just be smart, and maybe don’t go wandering solo into snowstorms.