Lapland is now a trendy cottage destination—is it time to switch from south to north?
Lapland has become the fourth most-searched region for cottages on the market, writes Editor-in-Chief Kari-Otso Nevaluoma.
I heard someone claim the cottage boom was over and that spending time at a cottage wasn’t anywhere near as appealing as it was a few years ago. But no, that’s definitely not the case.
According to statistics compiled by the Federation of Real Estate Agency (KVKL), holiday home sales were 15 percent higher last year than in 2023, and their total value grew by more than 16 percent. The overall value of holiday home sales last year was nearly 460 million euros. That’s quite a pace!
I also learned from a press release that the biggest cottage trend at the moment is Lapland. That doesn’t surprise me at all, because tourism figures in Lapland have broken records in recent years.
“At our current cottage, all we can do is daydream about endless forests and fells, crystal-clear streams, and mesmerizing northern lights.”
Lapland has become the fourth most popular region in searches for cottages on the market. On the other hand, the number of vacation properties listed for sale in Lapland dropped by about ten percent last year.
By comparison, the latest statistics show that South Savo—a long-established cottage region—has been losing ground. Even though it has held its position in Eastern Finland for years, it was no longer ranked among the top ten search destinations earlier this year.
I immediately started reflecting on my own connection to Lapland and realized I’ve traveled far and wide in the north, always staying in rental cottages. I have no experience of real cottage life in Lapland.
I know a few people who spend a lot of time at their Lapland cottages, but personally, I’ve never caught the Lapland bug bad enough to consider buying a cottage or renting one long-term, even if it’s near a ski resort.
“To start, I could swap cottages with someone and see how soon I’d start to miss my own familiar cottage surroundings.”
I think the reason is clear. Tending my garden and vegetable patch is more important to me than roaming, hiking, fishing, watching reindeer herds, or skiing. But the views and natural wonders! At our current cottage, all we can do is dream about endless forests and fell ranges, crystal-clear streams, and spellbinding northern lights.
You never really know, how life will turn out or how your interests might shift. A change of scenery alone can be refreshing. Maybe now’s the time to go from south to north? To begin, I could swap cottages with someone and see how quickly I’d start to miss my own familiar spot. I’m guessing it wouldn’t take long.
