Why some of the best summer experiences in Lapland happen by the water
When people imagine Lapland, they often picture snow-covered forests, Northern Lights, and winter adventures beneath a dark Arctic sky.
In reality, the Summer season in Finnish Lapland tells a different story.
The snow has melted from the fells, the forests are bright green, and the sun lingers long into the evening. Life moves outdoors. Days are spent on hiking trails, by the water, and around campfires. The pace feels slower, and there is time to enjoy the simple things that make the Finnish summer special.
At Sunday Morning Collection, summer is closely connected to Lake Pyhäjärvi. The lake shapes the rhythm of the season, from quiet mornings and afternoons on the water to long evenings in the sauna as the light slowly softens across the landscape. The landscapes surrounding Lake Pyhäjärvi are also part of one of Finland's oldest national park areas.
The Rhythm of a Summer Day in Pyhä
A summer day in Pyhä rarely begins in a hurry.
You might wake up to a still lake and a quiet view across the surrounding forests. Breakfast can be enjoyed at your own pace before heading out to explore the nearby trails of Pyhä-Luosto National Park.
During the day, the landscape invites you outside. Some visitors spend hours hiking through ancient forests and along fell ridges. Others stay closer to the water, where the lake offers a different way to experience the northern nature.
As evening approaches, there is rarely any rush to return indoors. The light remains soft and bright long after dinner, creating a feeling that the day is still unfolding.
This is one of the reasons so many visitors are surprised by summer in Lapland. The season feels open, spacious, and unhurried.
Why Finns Always Return to the Water
For many Finns, summer and water belong together.
Across the country, lakes are places where people gather with family, enjoy nature, and step away from everyday routines. Finland is also often called the Land of a Thousand Lakes, as there are almost 188,000 lakes across the country. Time by the water is rarely about doing as much as possible. Instead, it is about slowing down and enjoying where you are.
In Pyhä, Lake Pyhäjärvi offers that same feeling. The shoreline becomes a place to swim, paddle, sit quietly on a pier, or simply watch the changing light across the water.
For visitors from abroad, this connection between lakes, nature, and daily life often becomes one of the most memorable parts of a Finnish summer holiday.
Exploring Lake Pyhäjärvi by Canoe
One of the most peaceful ways to experience the landscape is from the water itself.
A canoe moves quietly across the lake, allowing you to take in the surrounding forests and fell scenery from a different perspective. The only sounds are often the paddle entering the water and the occasional call of a bird overhead.
Our guided canoeing experience on Lake Pyhäjärvi is suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Along the way, there is time to pause, enjoy refreshments, and appreciate the calm atmosphere of the northern summer.
It is a simple experience, yet one that often stays with visitors long after the holiday has ended.
Seeing the Landscape from a SUP Board
Stand-up paddleboarding has become one of the most popular ways to enjoy Finnish lakes during the summer months.
The calm waters of Lake Pyhäjärvi provide ideal conditions for beginners. Standing on the board offers a unique viewpoint, allowing you to see the reflections of the sky, the surrounding shoreline, and the open landscape stretching beyond the water.
There is no need to move quickly. Many guests find that paddleboarding becomes less about exercise and more about taking in the scenery at a comfortable pace.
It is an easy and enjoyable way to spend a summer afternoon outdoors.
The Finnish Tradition of Sauna by the Lake
Few experiences are more closely connected to Finland than a sauna by the water.
For generations, the sauna has been a place to relax, recover, and spend time together. Sauna culture is considered such an important part of Finnish life that it was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. In summer, the experience naturally extends outdoors. The warmth of the sauna is followed by a walk to the lakeshore, a swim in fresh water, or a moment of quiet on the pier.
At Sunday Morning Resort, guests can enjoy a traditional smoke sauna by Lake Pyhäjärvi. The soft heat of the sauna, the scent of wood, and the nearby lake create an atmosphere that feels both simple and deeply rooted in Finnish culture.
With more than three million saunas for a population of around 5.6 million people, sauna is definitely part of everyday life throughout Finland - and many visitors arrive expecting a sauna. What they often remember most is the feeling afterwards: sitting outside, listening to the water, and watching the evening light over the lake.
Summer Nights That Never Quite End
One of the most remarkable parts of summer in Lapland is the light.
Around midsummer, darkness barely arrives. This is because at the latitudes of Pyhä-Luosto, the nights are very bright from June to July and the sun only briefly sets below the horizon. Even late in the evening, the landscape remains illuminated by a soft northern glow. The fells, forests, and lakes take on new colours as the sun circles close to the horizon.
These are the hours when many visitors find themselves lingering outdoors a little longer than planned. A walk by the shore, an evening paddle, or simply sitting outside with a warm drink can become the highlight of the day.
The midnight sun is not only something to see. It changes the entire feeling of summer.
Experience Summer at Your Own Pace
Summer in Lapland does not need to be filled with constant activity.
Sometimes the most memorable moments happen on a quiet lake, in a warm sauna, or during an evening that never seems to end.
At Sunday Morning Resort, summer is shaped by the landscape around us: Lake Pyhäjärvi, the nearby national park, and the calm rhythm of the northern season. Whether you spend your days paddling across the lake, exploring the fells, or simply enjoying the view from the shore, there is space to experience Lapland at your own pace.
And often, that is exactly what makes it unforgettable.
Further Reading
Get In Touch
Whether or not you're a guest at Sunday Morning Collection, our most of services are available to you throughout the year. To begin planning your much-deserved getaway in Finnish Lapland, book your stay online or contact sales@sundaymorning.fi. We look forward to welcoming you to a world of relaxation, refined tradition, and unparalleled natural beauty.
