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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Finnish Lapland

From the northern lights to the legendary sauna culture, this arctic destination has it all. Here's what you won't want to miss.

Milamai / Getty Images

Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, is the place to go to check more than a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list — like seeing the northern lights and experiencing the midnight sun. The arctic destination has stunning nighttime skies, wide-open landscapes, and air so fresh it can make you happier. Here’s how to plan a trip to Finnish Lapland that you’ll never forget. 

When to Go to Finnish Lapland

Here’s the good news about Lapland: It’s always beautiful out — well, depending on how you define “beautiful.” The region's peak travel season falls between December and February thanks to a natural phenomenon we’ll get to in a moment. During this period, the region’s average temperature ranges from 3 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, though it can get down to as low as minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit with added wind chill. 

By contrast, temperatures in the summer can be much milder, usually ranging from 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a prime time to visit the area for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures.

How to See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

Many visitors travel to Finnish Lapland to take in a few breathtaking natural occurrences — including the aurora borealis, or northern lights. You can see this phenomenon any time between August and April, though it occurs more frequently around the equinoxes in late September and late March. Visit then and look to the sky on clear nights for a chance to witness this incredible celestial light show.

Those looking for a more curated experience can ask their hotel for recommendations, or they can book a guided trip like a  three-hour aurora borealis picnic  in Rovaniemi, which includes a short hike to an outpost with warm drinks and food. You can also take  a snowmobile tour or, the most adventurous of all, an aurora ice floating experience in Rovaniemi . It's just as it sounds — guests don dry suits and set out on a frozen lake to lie back and blissfully gaze up into the night sky.

How to See the Midnight Sun in Finnish Lapland 

Giles Clarke / Getty Images

If you’re not much of a night owl, that’s okay because Finnish Lapland offers another spectacular show: the midnight sun. From late May until early August, the tilt of the Earth means the sky never gets dark. Make the most of the near-constant daylight by taking a hike, going fishing, or even playing a round of golf when you'd normally be asleep. 

What Else to Do in Finnish Lapland

Andrey-Kobylko / Getty Images

Go for a hike.

Finnish Lapland is chock full of  stellar hiking trails  fit for all levels. The Arctic Circle and Inari hiking areas offer everything from one-hour hikes to all-day wilderness adventures, as well as restrooms and visitor centers. 

Hit the sauna.

Sauna culture has long been an integral part of Finnish life , and there’s no better spot to experience it than in  Tampere , the sauna capital of the world. Come for the public spas, but stay for the arts, culture, and attractions like the Tampere Market Hall, the largest indoor market in Scandinavia. 

Paddle your way through the region.

Explore Finnish Lapland from a different perspective by taking to its rivers for a canoeing adventure. During the warmer months, you can take in the amazing views as you meander along calming waterways. Try this six-hour canoe trip  down the River Kapsajoki, which includes a campfire lunch and opportunities for fishing. 

Visit Santa Claus.

Fun fact: Santa lives in Finland. And you can visit him any time of year at the  Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Kris Kringle and his elves open their famous home and workshop all 365 days of the year. Meet the man himself, cross the Arctic Circle (which passes through the theme park), embark on a snowmobile safari adventure in the Lapland wilderness, and dine in a restaurant made of snow while you're there.

Where to Stay in Finnish Lapland 

Lingxiao Xie / Getty Images

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

At the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, guests can enjoy a host of creature comforts in a nature-centric setting. Every room comes with fur throws and floor-to-ceiling windows, while some even have soaking tubs, fireplaces, and decks from which to take in the surrounding forest. Book the chic two-bedroom Arctic GlassHouse  to enjoy all the bells and whistles.

Seaside Glass Villas

Need more of a view? Spend a few nights at  Seaside Glass Villas , a collection of box-shaped bungalows in the waterfront town of Kemi. Each one has a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Bothnian Bay, as well as a glass roof through which you can enjoy incredible views of the northern lights while lying in bed.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

You might recognize Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort's gorgeous glass-domed igloos from your Instagram feed, but even the best photos can't capture the magic of actually staying in one. Book the kelo-glass igloo to combine the privacy of a log chalet with the wow factor of the northern lights dancing over your bed.

Those seeking to stay in the lap of luxury need look no further than  Octola , an exclusive five-star hideaway with just 12 rooms and two chalets. Guests can book a single room or buy out the entire space if they want to bring along family and friends. 

What to Pack 

Packing for a summer trip to Finnish Lapland is relatively easy. Just bring whatever you normally would for any other summer getaway — shorts, T-shirts, a bathing suit, pants, and a light jacket for cooler nights. 

If you plan to visit in winter, you'll need to bust out the big checked bag and pack it with cozy thermal underwear, insulated snow boots with a grip, an insulated jacket, waterproof or snowproof pants , a few wool sweaters, warm gloves and socks, a hat, a scarf, and some instant heat packs to throw in your gloves and boots. Don’t forget your camera, and make sure to pack extra batteries — they will drain quickly in the cold weather. 

How to Get There 

Despite being located in Finland's far north, getting to Lapland isn’t nearly as difficult as you may think. First, fly into Helsinki, then, depending on your final destination, continue to either Kemi or Rovaniemi by regional flight. Finnair and Norwegian Air each offer a 90-minute nonstop to Rovaniemi, or you can board a one-stop Finnair flight to Kemi via Kokkola-Jakobstad Airport in Kronoby.

If you've got the time, a scenic seven-hour train ride will get you from Helsinki to Kemi (the ride to Rovaniemi takes 8.5 hours). You can also travel between Rovaniemi and Kemi by train for a 90-minute intra-Lapland adventure.

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The ultimate Lapland travel guide: How to travel & what to do in Lapland Finland

Located in the north of Finland, Lapland is very close to the North Pole, so there are 200 days of cold winter a year. Any visitor, whether a child or an adult, wishes to have a trip to this place to meet Santa Claus, along with the reindeers. Moreover, this place is also an extremely attractive destination with a lot of interesting experiences. Lapland Finland (Finnish Lapland) is world famous as “the Official Hometown of Santa Claus”. In addition to the above nickname, is there anything else that attracts tourists from all over the world? Let’s experience Finnish Lapland through the sharing below. So, what country is Lapland in, what to do in Lapland, how to travel to Lapland Finland and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Lapland for the first-time? Let’s check out our Lapland travel blog (Lapland blog) with the fullest Lapland travel guide (Lapland guide) from how to get to Lapland Finland, best time to come, where to stay, what to see in Lapland Finland, things to do in Lapland Finland as well as what to do in Rovaniemi to find out the answer!

Lapland travel blog: Where is Lapland Finland and what country is Lapland in?

Finnish Lapland is a very large region with an area of ​​about 100,367 square kilometers of which 92,667 square kilometers is land, 6,316 square kilometers is freshwater and 1,383 square kilometers is sea. Lapland stretching through 4 countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia’s Kola Peninsula with an area equivalent to 3 countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland combined.

In which the Lapland region in Finland (Finnish Lapland, Lapland Finland) occupies one third of the country’s area and the capital of the entire Lapland – the city of Rovaniemi is also located here. This is the official hometown of Santa Claus, so it is often said that Finnish Lapland (or Rovaniemi Finland) is the hometown of  Santa Claus .

Some interesting things about Finnish Lapland:

• Although this entire Lapland region spans 4 countries, the official name is widely known in 2 countries Sweden and Finland. Therefore, when it comes to the place of Lapland, you should often add the country name, so that people can clearly distinguish which region you are talking about.
• The population of Finnish Lapland is over 180,000 people, mainly concentrated in 4 big cities (Rovaniemi, Tornio, Kemi and Kemijärvi), the population density is about 1.98 people/km2 – the lowest in Europe and less than number of reindeer here (200,000).
• Reindeer here are popularly raised as a meat producing animal in other countries. Near the village of Santa Claus, there is an Artic Circle – marking the arctic circle of the earth. Therefore, there is a phenomenon of 2 months in the summer when the sun never sets (lighting all day and night).
• Lapland Finland is also a very large region rather than a specific city or place. So when someone talks about Finnish Lapland tourism, you should understand that they mention to traveling to Rovaniemi city – the capital of the whole Lapland Finland region, where the village of Santa Claus and some remote surrounding areas is upper it, where you can hunting aurora (the Northern Lights) and other winter activities.
• Rovaniemi was almost destroyed 90% in World War II, but then the great Finnish architect Alvar Aalto redesigned the whole city as it have the appearance as we see today. There is currently a top 2 Finnish university named after his name, Aalto University – the top 7th school in the world in art and design section.

Lapland travel blog: When should you visit Lapland Finland?

Tourists often come to Finnish Lapland with the desire to experience aurora borealis hunting and take part in some winter activities. That’s why I think the most suitable time and best time to travel to Finnish Lapland is in the period from November to March. Because this is the time when you have the highest opportunity to seeing the Northern Lights along with this place is completely covered with white snow creating a magical scene comes along with a special and vibrant Christmas atmosphere.

Personally, I would recommend going from the beginning of November to mid-December because at this time there will be also a Christmas atmosphere here and it is not as crowded as December. Meanwhile, January and February are the peak winter months, the temperature is usually in the range of -20 to -40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, for those who are not used to extreme cold temperatures, coming here in this season is no different from being tortured :). In addition, the aurora often appears when it is cold and clear. If there is too much snow, the opportunity of seeing it is also lower than other times. There are times from September to November when it is very cold but without snow, it is easy to see the aurora borealis.

Lapland travel guide: How to get and how to travel to Lapland Finland (How to get to Rovaniemi)?

How to travel to lapland finland from other finland’s cities.

To get to Rovaniemi Lapland, you usually need to get to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Then from here, you can take the train, onnibus or plane to getting here. The distance from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is about 700-800km.

• Onnibus:  Usually you will need to transfer in Oulu city. Total travel time is about 12 hours (8 hours to Oulu and 3 hours to 4 hours from Oulu to Rovaniemi). Ticket price is around €18-35.
• VR train  (the Finland’s national railway company) often runs 2 trips a day from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Travel time: 8 to 12 hours. Ticket price: €40-90/way. The fare of €40 usually only appears in the summer, when the travel demand to Lapland is less than other seasons.
• Airplane:  Finnair (the Finland’s flag carrier and largest airline) often has quite a few direct flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Ticket price is about €70-100/way.

If you depart from some countries with lot of demands for travel to Finnish Lapland such as the UK, the Netherlands, there are also direct flights from these countries to Rovaniemi. As far as I know, there are currently 7 airlines flying directly to Rovaniemi from 5 European countries which are the UK, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine in which the UK is the country with the largest number of tourists to Lapland Finland.

Lapland guide: Getting around Finnish Lapland

If you simply visit Rovaniemi, I think the most suitable means of transport is the public bus. Ticket price is €3.2/way and you can catch a bus from Rovaniemi center to Santa Claus village in 15 minutes.

However, if you want to participate in more winter activities, perhaps renting a self-drive car will be more appropriate. Because Lapland is a very large and extremely sparsely populated region, it will be quite difficult for you to participate in winter activities such as aurora hunting in the north, ice lake fishing, etc. without active means of transport.

Lapland travel blog: Where to stay in Lapland Finland?

Because Lapland is very large and the attractions are not gather in a single cluster like in other cities, finding a room here is not simple at all. Not only that, Lapland is also famous for various types of accommodation that are rarely found anywhere in the world. So, I will write a detailed article to guide you how to choose a hotel in Lapland later.

In general, in my travel experience, you should find a room and book it as soon as possible. Quality rooms in Lapland often sell out very quickly because here are few people, the hotel is not too abundant, but the number visitors flocking here from China, Japan, Germany, and Britain is quite a lot… Last time my friend searched for a room 4 months in advance but she still couldn’t find a good place to stay.

However, if you want to stay in upscale hotels, close to Santa Village, you can book hotels right in Santa Claus Village ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com ).

You can also refer to the two other luxury hotels:  Arctic TreeHouse Hotel  ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com ) built in a high hill, offer panoramic windows with beautiful nothern lights view.

Or  Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort  ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com ). This is a hotel that is extremely suitable for visitors to see and admire the Northern Lights.

At first glance, the Kaklauttanen looks like it just step out of a sci-fi movie. The hotel consists of many rooms like turtles located next to each other. “Tortoise shell” is made of glass, does not absorb water vapor no matter how cold it is, guaranteed, guests can see the Northern Lights anytime it appears. Each room has a comfortable bed and a comfortable bathroom.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Santa Claus Holiday Village ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com )
• Arctic Light Hotel ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com )
• Scandic Rovaniemi City ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com )
• Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com )
• Arctic City Hotel ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com )
• Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi ( Agoda.com  or  Booking.com )

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Home » Blog » The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Lapland, Finland in Winter

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Lapland, Finland in Winter

Lapland, Finland is the ultimate winter travel destination! This dreamy part of the world has it all… think reindeer sleigh rides, dog sledding, northern lights, amazing hotels, authentic saunas, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and much, much more!

In this blog post, I’m sharing all the insider tips on everything you need to know for planning your own trip to Lapland, Finland. Including how to get there, which regions to visit, the best things to do, and recommended places to stay.

This trip was in collaboration with Visit Finland. As always, all opinions and reviews are completely my own and truthful. We had such a great time in Finland and I’m excited to share what we got up to!

Lapland Travel Basics

Best time to go: Dec to March Visit time: 5 to 7 days Getting around: rental car Currency: euro

Getting to Lapland

It’s fairly easy to get to Lapland, Finland. The first step is to fly into Helsinki , which has daily flights to/from many major cities in North America, Europe, and Asia.

My husband and I flew with Finnair from Seattle to Helsinki, with a stopover in NYC. We opted to stay one night in Helsinki so we could explore a little of the city and get a feel of southern Finnish culture. In just one afternoon we managed to walk a few miles around the city, seeing places like Market Square, the Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral, and some of the picturesque residential streets.

We spent the night at Hotel St. George Helsinki , which was conveniently located alongside City Park and a short walk from the train station. Their rooms and customer service were impeccable – would highly recommend it! During your stay in Helsinki, I would also suggest eating at Pizzeria Via Tribunali . A reader recommended it to us and we had the most delicious and authentic pizza… which was not necessarily our expectation for a Nordic trip!

To get from Helsinki to Lapland you can either drive or catch a domestic flight from Helsinki Airport. The flights are fairly affordable with Finnair, so I would recommend that option over driving long hours on potentially icy winter roads.

During winter there are regular flights to destinations such as Kittila, Ivalo, Kuusamo, Kemi, and Rovaniemi. We opted to fly into Ivalo to begin our journey (more information below on how to choose the best Lapland destinations!)

Which region to visit

The Lapland region of Finland is made up of numerous municipalities and towns. Each destination offers different sights, activities, and hotels. Listed below are some of the main winter destinations and what they are best known for. Note that there are more locations than these, but I tried to keep things reasonably condensed!

• Levi: skiing, northern lights, beautiful hotels, reindeer excursions, husky safaris, snowshoeing
• Inari / Ivalo:  northern lights, reindeer excursions, husky safaris, snowmobiling, Sámi museums and cultural experiences
• Saariselkä: skiing, northern lights, snowshoeing, reindeer excursions, husky safaris
• Ruka / Kuusamo: skiing, snowshoeing, reindeer excursions, husky safaris
• Ylläs: skiing, snowshoeing, northern lights
• Kemi: sea icebreaker tours, arctic swimming in the Baltic Sea
• Kilpisjärvi: northern lights, snowshoeing, solitude
• Rovaniemi: Santa Claus and all things Christmas!

We opted to split our week-long trip into the following destinations and I think it was the perfect mix! I also felt like a week was a good amount of time to explore Lapland, though a couple more days would have been happily welcomed!

• 1 night in Helsinki
• 2 nights in Inari
• 1 night in Saariselkä
• 3 nights in Levi

This gave us some nice variation and a chance to explore multiple areas. You could also certainly stay one week in a single destination – either option would work and it depends on how you like to travel! The Visit Finland website has some great information about each destination if you want to delve further into the specifics. I will also be posting destination-specific blog posts within the coming weeks – so watch this space!

Where to stay

We’ve all seen those incredible photos featuring the aurora cabins and tree-houses of Lapland, right?! My husband and I were lucky enough to stay in a few bucket-list-worthy hotels during our trip BUT do keep in mind that they aren’t the only options available. There are a variety of lodging options to choose from in Lapland – ranging from more affordable to more pricey.

Traveling as a family or in a group ? You are probably best to rent a large cabin that has multiple rooms, a kitchen, communal areas, etc. This will help keep costs down and allow for more flexibility around meals and travel. In Levi, we stayed 2 nights in one of Polar Star Travel’s beautiful log cabins, which was even fitted with a private sauna!

You can still experience Lapland, Finland on a budget ! In saying that, I am not going to pretend it’s a super affordable place to travel during the winter months. Some more budget-friendly lodging options can be found on Airbnb , ranging from shared accommodation, private rooms, and even entire cabins/homes. You could also look into options such as couch-surfing and house-sitting/swaps.

Best things to do

Lapland, Finland is one of the world’s best destinations for unique winter adventures and activities. I mean, how many places can you take a sunrise husky sledding tour, a midday sauna experience, a sunset snowshoe, and finish the day with a northern lights snowmobiling tour?!

There are countless options of tours and self-guided adventures to take during the winter months in Lapland. I have listed some of the most common below and will go into more depth in my upcoming blog posts!

• Visit a reindeer farm and take a sleigh ride/safari
• Take a husky dog sledding adventure
• Try out skiing or snowboarding down a Finnish “fell” (mountain)
• Go on a snowshoe hiking adventure
• Enjoy an arctic hammock relaxation tour in the forest
• Have an authentic sauna and hot tub experience
• Watch the northern lights on a dedicated tour or from an aurora cabin
• Take a snowmobiling adventure on a frozen lake
• Walk through a man-made ice and snow gallery
• Toboggan down a fell under the northern lights
• Learn about and immerse yourself in the local Sámi culture
• Take a photography tour on capturing Lapland’s unique beauty
• Sample Lappish food and learn about local culinary culture
• Try out ice fishing on a frozen lake
• Take an arctic swim in the Baltic Sea
• Experience an icebreaker sea excursion
• Visit the home of Santa Claus

I would say my favorite activities of the trip were experiencing the northern lights, snowshoeing up a fell to watch the sunset, taking a reindeer sleigh ride, and being treated to an authentic Finnish sauna… but I LOVED everything we did!

One thing to keep in mind is that it can be quite cold when doing these activities.

For example, we had a cold snap during our visit and it was -35C the morning we took a reindeer sleigh ride and also in the evenings when we were viewing the northern lights. Having adequate winter clothing and gear is imperative – find out what to pack for a trip to the Arctic in this blog post !

I hope this blog post was a nice starting place for your Lapland, Finland trip planning. As previously mentioned, I will be publishing more blog posts on this topic (destination specific guides, how to best experience the northern lights and more) – watch this space! Let me know in the comments if there is something specific you would like me to share.

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16 comments

Great article about Finnish Lapland, thank you! If you are planning to revisit the Ruka area or if Finland is on your bucket list, welcome to our modern and spacious villa at Ruka 🙂

Wow 😲, really a great resources for visiting Lapland.

Hej renee, after reading your article,I have commented that Lapland is in my bucket list, finally I made Dog-sledding trip in Lapland. HUHU

Thank you! I am just beginning to look at planning a winter trip to Lapland for next year. Can you discuss how you traveled between the Lapland cities you visited? Is it possible to do this without a rental car or is it best to rent a car once you arrive in Lapland?

Hi Renee, thanks for an amazing post, actually I was thinking about to travel to Scandinavia, And this article is really helpful for me to find something special from there.

Amazing post Renee and comprehensive description. Lapland is in my bucket list too but I want to combine with Swedish and Finnish at once.

We’re planning. What a wonderful synopsis. We’re also going to be leaving out of Seattle.

Makes me wanna go there asap! 😍 I can’t wait for your more detailed lapland travel guide. 😍😍😍

This is my absolute dream!!!!

Greetings from Kuusamo! Nice blogpost! Next time visit Ruka, Kuusamo??

Thank you 🙂 We would love to next time!

I’m planning a trip to Finland for Winter next year and found this blog post very informative! Thanks Renee 🙂

Did you drive from Saariselka to Levi? How were the road conditions? Your photos from this trip are gorgeous!

I love Lapland!

This looks like an incredible trip! Finland is definitely on my bucket list, and the more I think about it the more I want to visit in winter.

Another wonderful blogpost Renee. I’m certainly putting Finland on my bucket list now I’ve seen all your stunning photos. Looking forward to your more detailed posts.

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The Mindful Traveller

Eco Travel Blog & Photography

Travel Guide to Lapland, Finland in Winter

29 April 2022 · In: Finland , Lapland , Travel

Are you planning a trip to Lapland in winter? This complete travel guide gives you everything you need to prepare for your dream vacation in magical Finland.

From reindeer to dog sledding and snowshoe hiking, Lapland has so much to offer and will not disappoint you! I stayed there for one week, and I loved it.

This article is also perfect for first-timers and covers all the best things to do for an unforgettable winter gateway. In addition, I share my 7-day experience for more travel tips and insights. Enjoy!

Disclosure : Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, read our full affiliate disclosure  here .

Day 7 – Another Day of Cross-Country Skiing

Where is lapland.

Lapland is not a country but a region of northern Europe lying within the Arctic Circle and stretching across northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland and into the Kola Peninsula of Russia.

Although Lapland is well-known in Finland, it occupies a good part of Sweden and Norway.

The reason why the Lapland region is underpopulated is mainly due to the rough climate. But, it does not mean that the area is empty. The native Sami people who have lived there since ancient times have managed to preserve their traditions, reindeer herding way of life and unique language.

In this article, we will be focusing exclusively on Finnish Lapland.

How to get to Lapland

Lapland is accessible and well-connected to the rest of the world by air, road and rail. 

• By air:  The easiest way to reach Lapland is by plane. The main airports with daily scheduled flights are Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Kuusamo and Ivalo. If you can not find direct routes from where you live, you can stop in Helsinki first and make a connection. 
• By rail:  A reliable rail network runs through Lapland, linking it to different parts of Finland, such as Helsinki. For example, you can take a night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Kemijarvi, Kemi and Kolari are also areas with well-served railway stations.
• By road:  You can reach Lapland by public transport and buses from almost any part of Finland. You can also rent a car and drive to Lapland. If you come from Helsinki , you will pass through Lahti, Jyvaskyla and Oulu. Finnish roads are in good condition, and it will take 10 to 15 hours to drive, depending on how far north you go. However, driving this route in winter is not recommended due to bad weather and lack of visibility. Read more below for winter driving tips.

Where to go and stay in Lapland

Lapland offers many sights and activities. Whilst the best place to go depends on the season, most travellers will come to Lapland in winter to experience a magical snowy and festive paradise. 

But, how to decide which area is best for you and fits your trip? Here are some of the best-known winter wonderlands: 

1- Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the official capital of Lapland and one of the top places for a Christmas visit. It is well-located and close to many best sites. Additionally, it is an ideal base for tours and experiences that will allow you to discover Lapland in greater depth.

Where can I meet Santa? At Santa Park, an indoor Christmas theme park.

Kittilä is another popular holiday resort further north and a bit more remote, offering plenty of outdoor activities such as skiing, dog sledding, and snowshoe hiking. You can also meet reindeer and explore a snow village. It is where we decided to stay for a week, and we did not regret it. The area was great for relaxing and discovering the unique side of Lapland. 

Where can I meet Santa? At the Snow Village or Santa’s Secret Cabin.

Ivalo is a village on the Ivalo River known as a gateway to Saariselkä, an arctic resort area to the south. It is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and get away from it all. To its southeast, you can find Urho Kekkonen National Park, home to pine forests and reindeer. It has many trails and offers ideal viewpoints of the Northern Lights. 

Where can I meet Santa? At Santa’s Creek, a quaint log cabin in the woods.

Kuusamo is a town located southeast of Rovaniemi. It offers direct access to Ruka, a beautiful ski resort. It is also the area where you can discover Santa’s secret cottage and go on husky sledge rides.

Where can I meet Santa? At Santa’s secret cottage.

How to get around Lapland & road conditions

Lapland is an area well served by bus and train and is easy to explore using public transport , especially if you are staying in the same place. However, I would recommend renting a car if you are comfortable driving on snowy roads, as it will allow you to travel further and discover remote areas. 

Luckily, my brother lived in Helsinki and had his own, which was big enough for us, so it was easy to get around. You can rent yours at the airport when you arrive. Your car will be equipped for snowy roads. However, I recommend being careful: some areas, like the huskies, were challenging to access. 

DRIVING IN WINTER IN LAPLAND

Driving in winter in Lapland is possible but can be an adventure! The roads will be covered with snow and sometimes ice, but your car will have snow tires – although they are not magic. You will still need to drive slowly and take your time. 

Here are more tips for driving in Lapland in winter: 

• Always have your lights on, no matter what time of day.
• Go slowly! No need to rush. 
• Use the engine heater for a while before going, if possible.
• If your battery stop working, do not panic and call your rental company.
• Be warned: Lapland is a reindeer country, and they can sometimes appear in the middle of the road. 
•  If you come across an elk, stop immediately and wait for the elk to go.

Special note about electric cars : Electric car batteries will work in Lapland, but you might expect a reduced battery range due to cold weather. Keep that in mind when planning your trip.

Best time to visit Lapland

Lapland is a year-round destination offering many activities and possibilities whatever the season. From Northern Lights to Midnight Sun, here is an overview of the two main seasons in Lapland: 

• Summer (June-August) : Summer has many wonders to offer: from beautiful sceneries to the Midnight Sun, a natural phenomenon when the sun does not leave the sky for almost 24 hours every day. I experienced it in Helsinki in June, and it was impressive! In addition, the temperatures during this period will be mild but perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking or cycling.
• Winter (December-March) : Lapland is undoubtedly a perfect winter gateway. During this season, the landscapes are magical and covered in snow, the ice villages and hotels are open, and you can enjoy many unforgettable activities such as dog sledding or meeting reindeer. Of course, you can also observe the Northern Lights dance in the sky. But on the other hand, it will be peak tourist season, and the weather can be unpredictable and rough. 

READ MORE: 10 Best Northern Lights Holiday Tours in Norway

Best things to do in Lapland in winter

There are so many incredible things to do in Lapland in winter. This place is truly a winter wonderland. Whatever the length of your stay, you will have a memorable time!

Here is a short list of the top 10 things to do in Lapland in winter : 

• Chase the Northern Lights
• Take a husky safari
• Meet Santa Claus
• Encounter reindeer
• Go skiing on magical slopes
• Explore remote areas by snowshoe hiking
• Visit or/and sleep in an ice hotel
• Enjoy a Finnish sauna and ice bath
• Discover unique landscapes by cross-country skiing
• Learn more about the Sami culture 

READ MORE: 15 Best Things to Do in Levi, Finnish Lapland

Unforgettable experiences I recommend

What to pack for lapland in winter.

The best way to visit Lapland in winter and enjoy the cold weather is to arrive prepared. Being mindful of how you pack your suitcase is essential. Here are some clothing items and gear you need to be comfortable on your winter trip: 

• Boots : You will need good boots that keep your feet warm and dry during outdoor activities. I had some  Sorel boots , and they were perfect. Super comfortable, and my feet were never wet or cold – I strongly recommend them.
• Winter thermal socks : Wearing quality socks is essential to keeping your feet warm. Mine were  thick thermal socks   that I used for hiking or skiing,   and I loved them.
• Coat : One of the most necessary elements for a winter gateway! Choosing a coat that is right for you and can adapt to the types of activities you want to do is essential. I wore a  Fjällräven Nuuk parka , and once again, it was perfect. Buying a quality cold-weather jacket is expensive, but you will not regret it. This coat has kept me warm for my winter trips and adapted to all activities.
• Base layers and second layers : These layers are crucial if you want to stay warm. The base layers are usually long-sleeved thermal t-shirts, and the second layers can be thin thermal sweaters or thick jumpers, depending on the temperature and how many layers you want to wear. They do not need to be fancy, but I recommend having several to switch over the week.
• Gloves and hats : Once again, enjoying the cold weather of Lapland without gloves or a hat sounds impossible! You can not forget to protect your head and hands when visiting a Nordic country. I also recommend you wear waterproof gloves for extra protection and a padded hat.
• Scarf : The scarf will depend on your preferences, as many people do not enjoy feeling something around their neck, especially when hiking or skiing. But because the wind can be strong, I had a  Buff . It was one of my favourite items! The one I chose was lightweight and thermal and incredibly useful. Buff products are much easier to wear than long scarves and can adapt to different situations.
• Pants : The type of pants you wear will most likely depend on your activity. Most of the time, I wore my jeans with tights for this trip. However, for some places or activities like skiing, having windproof/waterproof pants was a must.

Lapland, Finland – Map

Click on the top left of the map to display the list of stops and locations.

Lapland travel guide: my 7-day winter experience

In the winter of 2020, my mum and I went to Lapland in Finland to meet my brother. During this trip, I journaled our adventures each day as a method to collect memories and reflect on what I learned.

I usually prefer to keep the journals for myself, but for this article, I decided to share a part of it and my thoughts in a raw format, hoping to inspire your next trip to Lapland and encourage you to slow travel. Take more time to discover the destination you visit and set aside a moment to write each day. You will be surprised by the incredible benefits travel journaling provide.

Day 1 – Discovering Levi

My mum and I left Manchester early in the morning to catch our flight to Lapland. I already visited Finland a few years ago, Helsinki and Turku, to be precise, and I liked it. I enjoyed the calm and peacefulness these places were bringing out. But this time, we were going north to Lapland, and I could not wait to discover this incredible region.

We spent the day on planes before arriving in  Kittila  at 6pm (the closest airport to where we were staying). It was already nighttime, and we could not see anything, but the surroundings looked beautiful.

My brother picked us up and drove to our cabin in  Levi . There was a lot of snow everywhere, although the temperature was not too bad, around minus three.

We arrived at the cabin where we met Annika, my brother’s girlfriend, and her dog Alma. They showed us around the chalet and our rooms. It was a traditional and lovely Finnish cottage, with a large living room to warm up by the fire and relax after a long day of skiing and a terrace with a beautiful and peaceful view.

We did not do much that night as we were all tired from the journey. We went to bed early, excited for the next day.

Day 2 – Skiing in Levi

We all woke up quite late that morning, at 10am ( sunrise = 11am / sunset = 2pm ). We had breakfast, got ready and went  skiing  for the day. I was a bit anxious as I had not skied for five years, but I remembered everything quickly and had so much fun!

We stopped skiing for lunch and headed back to the cabin to eat. It was nice to do a break, and the temperature was not too bad again, but the weather was quite cloudy.

We went back to ski after lunch. The sun was already setting, and the colours were beautiful, as was the view on top. We stopped for a drink in a small bar in the middle of a slope and gave back the skis around 6pm.

We spent the evening relaxing and playing some games. I also tried to look for the northern lights but did not see any.

Notes: life is expensive! 

Some Finnish words: yes = joo no = ti  thank you = kiitos  please = ole kilti hello = moi goodbye = hyvästi / moi moi (my favourite word)

Day 3 – Snowshoe Hiking to Kätkä

We woke up at 10am, and the sun was slowly rising. We had breakfast and got ready for a  snowshoe hike . The weather was sunny and beautiful. The temperature was colder than the other days, minus fifteen.

We put on snowshoes that we had rented nearby and started the hike to  Kätkä  (3,6km). The climb was tough, but the view at the end made it worth it. The colours were gorgeous. We enjoyed this moment for a bit and went back down before the sun was completely gone to give our snowshoes back.

After spending the evening shopping in the town centre of Levi, we went home to play new board games.

Day 4 – Cross-Country Skiing in Levi

As my brother was still sleeping, Annika, my mum and I decided to go  cross-country skiing , which was my first time. We left the house around 11am with our skis and walked to the starting point. The weather was very cloudy but still not too cold. I was warm most of the time as this type of ski is very physical. You have to push a lot on your legs and arms. I fell a few times but tried again. These skis were so much lighter and slicker than the ones I am used to usually, but I learnt a lot and enjoyed it.

We did a total of 3,5km, and I took a few pictures along the way. Alma, the dog, was with us, so Annika kept falling at first as Alma was running too fast! After that, we went back to the cabin around 1pm and had lunch.

We spent the afternoon relaxing inside. I took the time to write my Vietnam article, and Annika made a chocolate cake. Afterwards, we went to a local restaurant in Levi for the evening, serving only reindeer, which, unfortunately, was not my type of food – I had a bowl of fries.

We went back home and played some games before going to sleep. Our favourite game was Munchkin – I recommend you give it a try!

Notes: sunrise = 11am / sunset 2pm. Temperature = -10, but I am surprisingly never cold (we always do quite physical activities). / Finnish are very nice. / Landscapes and colours are incredible.

Day 5 – Reindeer at Lapinkylä Farm

After a good night sleep, I woke up at 9am and had breakfast. We left the house at 11am to  see reindeer at   Lapinkylä Farm , near our cabin. I was excited as I had never seen one before. The reindeer were all around the farm. We could still approach them with respect and not too close. The colours on that day were also beautiful – all blue and pink, the sky was clear, and the farm was in the middle of nowhere. It felt great.

We skied for the afternoon. The weather was still clear, so I went on my own to the top to take pictures. I took more time taking pictures than skiing, as the view and colours were absolutely gorgeous.

I then met up with Annika and my brother, and we went back down together, as the weather started to be suddenly cloudy and the sun was setting.

Day 6 – Snow Village & Dog Sledging

Snow village.

I woke up early that morning. I took the time to book the accommodation for my following trip to Iceland. Then, we got ready and left at 11am to visit a  snow village near Kittilä  (a 35-min drive). The entrance was 18€. It was nice, but nothing special in my opinion. It is also a hotel, so you can choose to sleep in ice rooms, which seems impossible to me as it is freezing. We ate there and continued our journey to the huskies (a 40-min drive).

Dog Sledging

We had an appointment for the huskies at 2pm, and I could not wait. When we arrived, we could already hear them. The place was called  Rami’s Husky , and it was beautiful, lost in the middle of nowhere. We said hi to the dogs, and the owner explained how to control the sledge. We were two people per sledge – one driver and one passenger. I did it with Annika. She started driving so I could take pictures, and we changed halfway (5km). It was going less fast than I expected, and we could use the breaks in case we needed them. It was incredible! My favourite experience of this trip.

The dogs were listening very well – we had 6, and the surroundings were stunning. It was not sunny, but it did not matter, as it was such a unique experience. After getting back to the camp, we cuddled with the dogs and went inside a cabin to eat sausages cooked on a fire, and we also had some tea. It was the perfect way to end the day.

Notes: you can have up to 12 dogs for the sledge. Minimum age = 1 year old / max = 12 years old. The owner had 120 dogs. They were Alaskan Huskies (faster) and Siberians (stronger). They love the cool temperature (fav = -20). During summer, they chill. They were all super cute and loved cuddles. The experience was just fantastic! I loved it and would love to work as a volunteer there. 

Evening Sauna

Then, we headed home, and the sun was already gone. The roads were all covered with snow, but the car had specific wheels for this kind of weather. Once home, we enjoyed the sauna all together. It felt incredible after this long day outside. (side note – every building, apartment, house and cabin has a sauna in Finland).

We ended the night playing more games.

Sunrise = 10:45am / sunset 2:15pm. Temperature = -10.

We woke up late and had breakfast. After that, I went  cross-country skiing  on a frozen lake with my mum. Cross-country skiing was so physical, and I did not enjoy it as much as slope skiing, but it was still great to try something new.

The sky was a bit cloudy, but the colours were still beautiful. I loved the peacefulness of this place.

Notes: in Finland, you say ski for cross-country skiing, as it is one of the principal sports in the country. 

We went through the lake and back for an hour. Then, we met my brother and Annika to eat. After that, Annika and my brother went cross-country skiing whilst my mum and I went shopping in the little town, where I found a lot of cute local crafts for my partner Matt and his family.

Finally, we went home and cooked our last meal together, enjoying the moment. I was sad to leave. I called Matt one more time whilst the others were playing a game and went to bed, ready to come home in the morning.

Sustainable travel in Lapland

Sustainable travel  means exploring the world whilst being aware of your surroundings and having a positive social, environmental and economic impact on the places you visit.

Finland is one of the greenest countries and is on a mission to fight climate change. So, what can you do to reduce your impact whilst exploring Lapland?

• Book direct flights and offset your carbon footprint . But, do not use carbon offsetting as a complete solution. Combine it with other sustainable practices, like avoiding single-use plastic on the plane and mindfully packing your suitcase to be ready for your green adventure. 
• Prioritise staying longer and not only one day . Lapland is the home of Santa Claus, and it is understandable why parents want to give their children the opportunity to meet the man himself, but it is essential to think about the impact these 24-hour visits have. They are not beneficial socially, environmentally, or economically. That is why you are better off spending at least four or five days in Lapland and immersing yourself in the unique Finnish culture.
• Take part in tourist activities benefiting the local community and economy or hire a local guide . Look for authentic experiences but avoid tours more rooted in money than traditional culture! And, of course, never participate in activities harmful to wildlife. – Check out this article for more ecotourism activity inspiration: Top Ecotourism Activities Around the World .
• Try to avoid snowmobiling . Instead, go cross-country skiing or snowshoe hiking to slow travel in remote places or ice skate on a frozen lake and experience nature cleanly!
• Buy and eat local and seasonal . Finland presents incredible produce ranging from fresh fish to tangy berries and reindeer. It has a lot to offer, so support local. It also applies to souvenirs. Shop local crafts and ask questions about the product and its origins.
• Always respect the local heritage . Treat people and their surroundings with respect. Sustainable travel is not only about the environment but also about the local communities. So, ask before taking a photo, always be respectful and try to learn a few Finnish words!

Want to know more?

• The Complete Guide to Sustainable Travel
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• 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles for Travel & Hiking

Download your free sustainable travel checklist ↓

Lapland travel planning guide

Yes, buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Enjoy your winter trip to Lapland stress-free with one of my favourite providers,  Nomad Insurance .

Yes, tap water is safe to drink all over Lapland. However, I also recommend travelling with the  UltraPress Purifier Bottle , a lightweight filtered water bottle perfect for reducing plastic and staying hydrated.

Yes, renting a car in Lapland is easy and is a great way to explore the Finnish region freely. I recommend booking yours with  Rentalcars.com  – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.

The best way to book your accommodation in Lapland is with  Booking.com  – my favourite platform to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.

I recommend booking your plane with  Skyscanner . It has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights whilst lowering my carbon emissions.

Winter in Lapland FAQ

4 to 5 days is an ideal amount of time to discover Finnish Lapland and experience the best of the region. However, staying as long as possible is always great as Lapland offers so many things to do: skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking, ice skating, fishing, dog sledging, visiting snow villages, and more.

Winter is the best season to visit Lapland and enjoy a unique snowy gateway. Between November and March, the landscapes are breathtaking, activities are endless, children can meet Santa, and you will have the chance to see the Northern Lights.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland is from mid-August until early April. However, contrary to what one might think, the best chances of spotting them are at the beginning and end of the season when the weather is less cloudy.

Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo and Kuusamo are some of the best regions to experience the best of Finnish Lapland. Each of these areas offers something unique depending on what you want to do and will provide you with unforgettable memories.

And you, have you ever visited Lapland or would you like to go one day?  Let me know in the comments below!

With love ♡ Lucie

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How to See the Best of Finnish Lapland in 7 Days

Going north of the Arctic Circle in the middle of winter isn’t everyone’s first thought when it comes to the perfect winter holiday. You might even think it sounds a little bit crazy. Prior to my first 1 week trip in Finland , many family & friends were puzzled by my desire to experience the Polar Night and frigid temperatures. 

But Lapland was one of the things I came to Finland to experience. I really wanted to feel the winter wonderland vibes. 

Embarking on a week-long trip through Finnish Lapland promises an enchanting journey complete with pristine landscapes, unique winter activities, and vibrant cultural offerings. This Arctic paradise is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m a Midwestern girl at heart, so the cold temperatures and snowy surroundings don’t really bother me. Winter makes you feel alive.

This comprehensive travel guide shares all my insights from 5 different trips to Lapland. From the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights to the thrill of husky sledding, Finnish Lapland encapsulates a unique blend of nature, adventure, and wintery goodness.

What You'll Find In This Post

The Perfect 1 Week Itinerary for Finnish Lapland

Overview of Itinerary

I designed this itinerary based on my experiences visiting Finnish Lapland multiple times as part of my job as a trip leader. This is a winter itinerary for Lapland. If you’re traveling to Lapland for winter activities and the Northern Lights, the best time of the year is February and March . There is enough (albeit still very little) daylight, and conditions tend to be clearer and warmer for Aurora hunting. 

This itinerary is done easiest as a self-driving road trip. If you want to drive in Finland using this itinerary, I’d recommend hiring a car in Rovaniemi for pickup from the airport. Car rental in Finland is comparable to other parts of Europe. In winter, cars will come with studded tires, and the roads are well maintained.

However, I specifically designed this itinerary for folks who DON’T want to rent a car. 

I totally appreciate that driving in the extreme Finnish winter conditions is not for everyone. As such, you can easily complete this itinerary using a combination of flights, public transit and organized tours which include transportation. I make suggestions about those transportation options throughout the post. 

Day 1 - Helsinki 

Nearly every trip to Finland will start in Helsinki, the country’s capital and home to the major international airport (HEL). A surprisingly vibrant and culturally rich city, you can see the highlights of Helsinki in just 24 hours. Although 1 day in Helsinki is enough to get a taste of Finland’s capital, you could easily add on an extra day or two to explore more deeply. And maybe even take a day trip to nearby Tallinn .

Begin your day in Helsinki by immersing yourself in the city's architectural marvels, such as the iconic Helsinki Cathedral and the modern masterpiece, Kamppi Chapel of Silence. Take a leisurely stroll through the historic Senate Square, surrounded by neoclassical buildings that offer a glimpse into the city's past. Delve into the local culinary scene by enjoying a traditional Finnish meal or international cuisine. Afterward, head to the Helsinki Design District to discover the city's creative side. Close out your day at Löyly sauna, a stylish spa where you can experience the authentic Finnish sauna culture . 

Day 2: Travel to Rovaniemi

It is time to begin your journey north to your next destination – Rovaniemi. Known as the official home of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is centrally located in Finnish Lapland. In fact, it can trace its history back over 8,000 years. Although the city itself leaves a lot to be desired, it is the perfect jumping off point for Lapland adventures.

There are two good options for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi:

• Flying: this is the fastest option. Airport code is RVN and the flight is about 1.5 hours. There are several departures on SAS and FinAir daily.
• Train: you can take an overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This route is known as the Santa Claus Express. It takes around 12 hours, but it is comfortable.  

I usually take the early morning flight to Rovaniemi, which arrives around 10am. There is a shuttle bus from the airport to the city center . You do not need to book reservations in advance. Tickets are 8€ per person and you can pay the driver by card on the bus. For the arrival day, you’ll probably want to take it easy, in case of any delays or weather issues. I would recommend doing just a few things around town, such as a visit to the Santa Claus Village and the Arktikum Museum . 

At Santa Claus Village, visitors can meet the real Santa Claus! Since moving to Germany, I have absolutely fallen in love with Christmas and Christmas Markets , so I was really excited about visiting. It is cheesy, but also very joyful and fun. Visitors can have their photo taken with Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes. There are a number of other activities to try at Santa’s Village including reindeer sleigh rides, gift shopping, and meeting Mrs. Claus. You can also find Santa Claus's Post Office in Santa’s Village, where you can send letters with a special seal.

Arktikum Museum is a science center and cultural museum featuring a range of interactive exhibits, displays, and multimedia installations that explore the Arctic's unique wildlife, indigenous peoples, and stunning natural landscapes. One of the most popular exhibits at Arktikum is the Northern Lights exhibit, which explores the science behind this natural phenomenon and showcases stunning images and videos of the Aurora Borealis. 

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

If you’re looking for something in the city center, Scandic City is the perfect choice. The hotel features modern and stylish rooms, and there is a large breakfast buffet each morning in the glass atrium in the center of the hotel. Plus, there is a small sauna on the top floor of the hotel for relaxing.

For a more upscale and boutique experience, check out the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel . Unique and luxurious treehouse-style cabins are nestled into the forest with a large window for viewing the natural surroundings and northern lights. 

Where to Eat in Rovaniemi

If you're a foodie, you'll be surprised by the number of tasty restaurants in this tiny town. I’ve got to admit, my culinary expectations weren’t high prior to my first trip. But turns out, there are a number of tasty eateries! Sample traditional Lappish cuisine, such as reindeer meat, wild berries, and fresh fish caught from the nearby rivers. I summarize all my favorite Rovaniemi restaurants in a separate blog post . And don't forget to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine!

Day 3 & 4: Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi offers a plethora of winter activities and stunning natural beauty that you won't want to miss. I have a separate guide specifically about planning a trip to Rovaniemi in the winter. There are LOTS of day trip providers based in town, offering a range of activities from ice climbing and ice fishing to Aurora hunting and snowshoeing. 

I strongly recommend Safarctica . I’ve had great experiences with them on a number of their excursions. Most of the tours don’t book up super far in advance, so you can visit their office on your first day in Rovaniemi and select a few tours that sound interesting to you.

Two day trip experiences that I think everyone should try on winter trip to Lapland are:

• Husky Dog Sledding
• Aurora Hunting

There are lots of husky safaris, ranging anywhere from a few hours to a few days. A standard dog sled package includes a 2 hour ride through the wilderness on a 2 person dog sled. One person mushes while the other sits in the sled, and there will be an opportunity to switch off during the trail ride. Most operators offer guests the option to wear a thick snowsuit, but you’ll want to pack appropriate warm layers to wear underneath the suit. 

It is important to ensure that you go with a reputable kennel that cares for the health of its dogs. As working dogs, they require thoughtful care, nutrition and veterinary services. I highly recommend Bearhill Husky . This no-kill, no-abandon kennel has a number of animal welfare and sustainability accreditations. Their dogs are very well-cared for. You can sense how connected the guides are to the dog teams, and they are incredibly knowledgeable. 

Also known as northern lights, the aurora borealis are a natural electrical phenomenon which occur when solar wind particles from the sun collide with Earth's atmosphere. The Earth's magnetic field deflects the electrically charged particles towards the poles, which is why you can only see them around the Arctic and Antarctic circles.

The particles interact with elements in Earth’s air, creating colorful streaks of purple, red or green waves of light, or aurora, in the sky. I first saw the Northern Lights in Iceland , and it was an incredible feeling. The displays I witnessed in Lapland were next level! There is something awe-inspiring about watching this natural phenomenon dance across the sky. I even cried a little bit – it is just so special! 

Auroras happen all year round, but they can only be seen at night in the winter because of low light pollution levels. You can hire a professional guide or photographer who can both teach you about the aurora and take you to particularly good photography and viewing locations. On clear nights in the winter in Lapland, you can also simply walk outside and look up to spot the Northern Lights. 

Day 5 & 6: Ivalo

Continuing your journey north, it’s time to go to Ivalo. You can quickly reach Finland's northernmost airport (IVL) on a short 30 minute flight from Rovaniemi airport. However, I think the nicer option is a three hour bus ride . It is cheaper and you can enjoy the beautiful Lapland scenery along the way. It is so picturesque! As we drove, my eyes were glued out the window. I was totally awestruck by the beauty of the dense pine forests covered in thick layers of snow around us. It feels like a true winter wonderland! Once you arrive in Ivalo, there are local public transit options or many of the hotel offer pick-up shuttles from the airport or town center. 

One of the main reasons why people travel to Ivalo is to stay at Kakslauttanen Glass Igloo Hotel & Resort. 

You can sleep under the stars and Aurora in a glass igloo. It is such a romantic experience, perfect for couples. I stayed in a Kelo cabin glass igloo at Kakslauttanen. You can read my full review of my experience staying at Kakslauttanen here . Naturally there’s more to Kakslauttanen than glass igloos. The resort has a wide range of accommodation options, as well as an in-house activity center, which bring all the arctic activities to you! 

Once at Kakslauttanen, you can try out any remaining Arctic activities you haven’t tried yet. Such as snowmobiling! With miles of snow-covered forests and frozen lakes, Finnish Lapland is the perfect destination to try snowmobiling. Riding a snowmobile allows you to access areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach, giving you unforgettable access to the Arctic wilderness. You can also typically pair snowmobiling with another activity, such as Northern Lights viewing or traversing the Arctic Circle. 

Another thing I can recommend while in Ivalo is a Sami experience. The Sami people are the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland. With a visit to Siida , a Sámi Museum and Nature Center in Inari, you can learn about their rich heritage, traditional clothing, and cultural customs. Additionally, consider a reindeer safari with a Sami guide, where you can experience the joy of gliding through the snow-covered landscapes on a reindeer-drawn sleigh.

Day 7: Return to Helsinki

Similar to the arrival in Lapland, there are daily direct connections from Ivalo Airport back to Helsinki. We booked a round trip ticket from the US to Helsinki, and then two one way tickets to Lapland and back. Make sure to leave enough time to connect to your international flight, and try to accommodate for winter weather disruptions. One extra night in Helsinki is the ideal option.

Have thoughts or questions about planning the perfect trip to Lapland? Tell me in the comments!

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Great itinerary – thanks for sharing! We’re planning to catch the aurora this year but we are only available to go at the end of november. Is your itinerary doable at this time as well? I would appreciate your insight/feedback! Happy travels!

Hi Felise! Thanks for the comment. Yeah, you could definitely do this itinerary in November. It’ll already be quite wintery that time of year. The daylight hours will be dropping, which should be good for aurora viewing!

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Lapland travel blog — the ultimate lapland travel guide: how to travel & what to do in lapland finland.

Located in the north of Finland, Lapland is very close to the North Pole, so there are 200 days of cold winter a year. Any visitor, whether a child or an adult, wishes to have a trip to this place to meet Santa Claus , along with the reindeers. Moreover, this place is also an extremely attractive destination with a lot of interesting experiences. Lapland Finland (Finnish Lapland) is world famous as “the Official Hometown of Santa Claus”. In addition to the above nickname, is there anything else that attracts tourists from all over the world? Let’s experience Finnish Lapland through the sharing below. So, what country is Lapland in, what to do in Lapland, how to travel to Lapland Finland and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Lapland for the first-time? Let’s check out our Lapland travel blog (Lapland blog) with the fullest Lapland travel guide (Lapland guide) from how to get to Lapland Finland, best time to come, where to stay, what to see in Lapland Finland, things to do in Lapland Finland as well as what to do in Rovaniemi to find out the answer!

• Lapland Finland hotels review — 10 best place to stay in Lapland Finland
• What to buy in Finland? — 21+ Top things to buy in Finland & best souvenirs from Finland
• Helsinki travel blog — The ultimate Helsinki travel guide for first-timers
• Trip review to the fairy tale Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi, Lapland – Finland

Where to go in Kunming? — 15+ top Kunming attractions & best places to visit in Kunming

Lapland travel blog: Where is Lapland Finland and what country is Lapland in?

Finnish Lapland is a very large region with an area of ​​about 100,367 square kilometers of which 92,667 square kilometers is land, 6,316 square kilometers is freshwater and 1,383 square kilometers is sea. Lapland stretching through 4 countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia’s Kola Peninsula with an area equivalent to 3 countries of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland combined.

In which the Lapland region in Finland (Finnish Lapland, Lapland Finland) occupies one third of the country’s area and the capital of the entire Lapland – the city of Rovaniemi is also located here. This is the official hometown of Santa Claus, so it is often said that Finnish Lapland (or Rovaniemi Finland) is the hometown of Santa Claus .

Some interesting things about Finnish Lapland:

• Although this entire Lapland region spans 4 countries, the official name is widely known in 2 countries Sweden and Finland. Therefore, when it comes to the place of Lapland, you should often add the country name, so that people can clearly distinguish which region you are talking about.
• The population of Finnish Lapland is over 180,000 people, mainly concentrated in 4 big cities (Rovaniemi, Tornio, Kemi and Kemijärvi), the population density is about 1.98 people/km2 – the lowest in Europe and less than number of reindeer here (200,000).
• Reindeer here are popularly raised as a meat producing animal in other countries. Near the village of Santa Claus, there is an Artic Circle – marking the arctic circle of the earth. Therefore, there is a phenomenon of 2 months in the summer when the sun never sets (lighting all day and night).
• Lapland Finland is also a very large region rather than a specific city or place. So when someone talks about Finnish Lapland tourism, you should understand that they mention to traveling to Rovaniemi city – the capital of the whole Lapland Finland region, where the village of Santa Claus and some remote surrounding areas is upper it, where you can hunting aurora (the Northern Lights) and other winter activities.
• Rovaniemi was almost destroyed 90% in World War II, but then the great Finnish architect Alvar Aalto redesigned the whole city as it have the appearance as we see today. There is currently a top 2 Finnish university named after his name, Aalto University – the top 7th school in the world in art and design section.

Lapland travel blog: When should you visit Lapland Finland?

Tourists often come to Finnish Lapland with the desire to experience aurora borealis hunting and take part in some winter activities. That’s why I think the most suitable time and best time to travel to Finnish Lapland is in the period from November to March. Because this is the time when you have the highest opportunity to seeing the Northern Lights along with this place is completely covered with white snow creating a magical scene comes along with a special and vibrant Christmas atmosphere.

Personally, I would recommend going from the beginning of November to mid-December because at this time there will be also a Christmas atmosphere here and it is not as crowded as December. Meanwhile, January and February are the peak winter months, the temperature is usually in the range of -20 to -40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, for those who are not used to extreme cold temperatures, coming here in this season is no different from being tortured :). In addition, the aurora often appears when it is cold and clear. If there is too much snow, the opportunity of seeing it is also lower than other times. There are times from September to November when it is very cold but without snow, it is easy to see the aurora borealis.

Lapland travel guide: How to get and how to travel to Lapland Finland (How to get to Rovaniemi)?

How to travel to lapland finland from other finland’s cities.

To get to Rovaniemi Lapland, you usually need to get to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Then from here, you can take the train, onnibus or plane to getting here. The distance from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is about 700-800km.

• Onnibus: Usually you will need to transfer in Oulu city. Total travel time is about 12 hours (8 hours to Oulu and 3 hours to 4 hours from Oulu to Rovaniemi). Ticket price is around €18-35.
• VR train (the Finland’s national railway company) often runs 2 trips a day from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Travel time: 8 to 12 hours. Ticket price: €40-90/way. The fare of €40 usually only appears in the summer, when the travel demand to Lapland is less than other seasons.
• Airplane: Finnair (the Finland’s flag carrier and largest airline) often has quite a few direct flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Ticket price is about €70-100/way.

If you depart from some countries with lot of demands for travel to Finnish Lapland such as the UK, the Netherlands, there are also direct flights from these countries to Rovaniemi. As far as I know, there are currently 7 airlines flying directly to Rovaniemi from 5 European countries which are the UK, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Turkey, Ukraine in which the UK is the country with the largest number of tourists to Lapland Finland.

Lapland guide: Getting around Finnish Lapland

If you simply visit Rovaniemi, I think the most suitable means of transport is the public bus. Ticket price is €3.2/way and you can catch a bus from Rovaniemi center to Santa Claus village in 15 minutes.

However, if you want to participate in more winter activities, perhaps renting a self-drive car will be more appropriate. Because Lapland is a very large and extremely sparsely populated region, it will be quite difficult for you to participate in winter activities such as aurora hunting in the north, ice lake fishing, etc. without active means of transport.

Lapland travel blog: Where to stay in Lapland Finland?

Because Lapland is very large and the attractions are not gather in a single cluster like in other cities, finding a room here is not simple at all. Not only that, Lapland is also famous for various types of accommodation that are rarely found anywhere in the world. So, I will write a detailed article to guide you how to choose a hotel in Lapland later.

In general, in my travel experience, you should find a room and book it as soon as possible. Quality rooms in Lapland often sell out very quickly because here are few people, the hotel is not too abundant, but the number visitors flocking here from China, Japan, Germany, and Britain is quite a lot… Last time my friend searched for a room 4 months in advance but she still couldn’t find a good place to stay.

However, if you want to stay in upscale hotels, close to Santa Village, you can book hotels right in Santa Claus Village ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

You can also refer to the two other luxury hotels: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ) built in a high hill, offer panoramic windows with beautiful nothern lights view.

Or Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ). This is a hotel that is extremely suitable for visitors to see and admire the Northern Lights.

At first glance, the Kaklauttanen looks like it just step out of a sci-fi movie. The hotel consists of many rooms like turtles located next to each other. “Tortoise shell” is made of glass, does not absorb water vapor no matter how cold it is, guaranteed, guests can see the Northern Lights anytime it appears. Each room has a comfortable bed and a comfortable bathroom.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Santa Claus Holiday Village ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Arctic Light Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Scandic Rovaniemi City ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Arctic City Hotel ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top and best hotels in Rovaniemi on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Lapland travel guide: Things to do in Lapland Finland, what to see and what to do in Lapland Finland

What to do in rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland which is considered the official hometown of Santa Claus . This place is famous for its Santa’s village and many other interesting winter activities such as reindeer riding, husky sledding, skiing, visiting museums…

Some indispensable places, things to do in Rovaniemi Lapland:

Santa Claus Village

Located about 8 km from the center of Rovaniemi city, Santa Claus Village is open all year round regardless of winter or summer. Here you will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, visit the post office where Santa works, send letters to people all over the world…

There are 3 most attractive places in this village are Santa Claus Office, Santa Claus Main Post Office and Arctic Circle. Ticket price: free. However, there are some other activities that still cost money. There is also a service to stamp your passport to certify that you have gone through the Arctic Circle for €1, and a service to take pictures with Santa Claus for €20-40. So, fun and interesting!

Arktikum Museum

The museum displays artifacts, provides information about people, animals and plants that have lived in the Arctic Circle of the earth during typical historical periods, such as during the World War II and the period that Finland was invaded and took part of the territory by Russia (1939-1940).

Address: Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland Hours: 10AM–5PM/Monday: Closed Ticket price: €9

SantaPark – the Home Cavern of Santa Claus

As an amusement park built in an underground cave with many recreational activities, especially suitable for families with young children.

Address: Tarvantie 1, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland Ticket price: €34.

Visit Raitola Reindeer & Husky Farm, experience reindeer riding and husky sledding

Near Santa’s village there is Raitola Reindeer & Husky Farm (Address: Välttikankaantie 11, 96900 Rovaniemi, Finland) that offers tours of reindeer sleigh riding sleds or husky safari sledding with various tour packages. Ride a reindeer-drawn sleigh like a horse-drawn carriage, while exprience a husky sledding like a thrilling game.

Driving in Lapland Finland needs to be careful because the reindeer often roam on the roads. Sometimes if you’re driving and see a couple of them suddenly crossing the road, don’t be surprised. Because the number of reindeers much more than residents living here.

Ounasvaaran Hiihtokeskus Ski Resort

You can come here to ski or hire a guide if you still don’t know how to ski. Ticket price €20 for 1 hour or day ticket of €40. Hire a guide costs about €30-50.

In addition, if you have children, you can go to the Science Centre Pilke museum (Address: Ounasjoentie 6, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland) and the Angry Birds Playground (Address: Valtakatu 4, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland).

Some other activities when traveling to Finnish Lapland

Explore the beautiful lakes and ice fishing.

Lapland is a place full of beautiful lakes. In which, the most beautiful and famous lake is Inari. This is also the largest lake in Lapland with an area of over 1,000 square kilometers. If you come to Lapland on cold winter days, you will see that the surface of Lake Inari is completely frozen to form a giant mirror. You can experience ice fishing.

In winter when the lake freezes, locals often have a hobby of walking on the ice, skating on the lake or punching holes in the ice for fishing. This is probably an experience that requires extremely high patience for tourists.

Hunting Aurora (Northern Lights)

According to an old legend, an arctic fox whipped its tail and sent twinkling lights into the sky, creating the aurora borealis. Lapland is located in the Arctic region, so you will have a higher chance of seeing this natural phenomenon than anywhere else. However, Rovaniemi is a city with a dense population and is “polluted” by lights, so it’s best to go to the very remote hills, the darker and less inhabited the better.

In fact, hunting the aurora is a very bad luck. You will have a hard time guessing exactly whether that time will have the aurora or not. Usually the forecast is only accurate within 1 week. If you wait until that date to book tickets for travel and accommodation, I guarantee that the possibility of staying in a “thousand-star hotel” is very high or else the cost will be sky-high.

In fact, hotel rooms in resorts and convenient locations in Lapland usually need to be booked at least 6 months in advance. So, when traveling to Lapland Finland, if you see the aurora borealis, you are lucky, if not, just unlucky :).

The more you traveling to the north, the clearer the visibility and the higher the chance, so many visitors flocking here because of that. However, there are also many days when the aurora is very visible, so you can see it right in the city of Rovaniemi or even in the southern provinces of Finland. Well, if you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights right in Rovaniemi, you should go to the Artikum Science Museum. This is the best spot to see the aurora borealis in the city. You download the “Aurora” app to monitor the possibility of aurora in specific locations.

Personally, I would not recommend you booking aurora hunting tour, the aurora appears or not depends mainly on the weather, not on people. If you book a tour but there is no aurora on that day, that’s okay. Instead, always monitor the weather and go up as close to the north as possible, especially in forests with less light pollution, the chances of seeing it will be high. Remember to prepare warm clothes, sleeping bags, food and water. It takes a lot of effort to hunt this “super picky girl”.

Camping in the forest

This activity is quite popular with nature lovers like Finnish. You should camp in national parks where firewood is available, free kitchens for grilling food, and tents near the lake. Camping in the winter is also quite interesting, but it is necessary to carefully prepare warm clothes, fully equipment as well as find out the places where camping and fire are allowed first.

As I mentioned in previous posts, sauna is a Finnish initiative and sauna bathing has become an indispensable part of their lives. Winter is probably the best time to try this experience. If possible, you should rent a hotel room with a sauna room, so that after every day of going out to explore the experience, when you return, you will be able to enjoy a body sauna for comfort and relief.

In fact, when bathing in a sauna, Finns often go nude and after each interval they will jump into the icy lakes outside or take a cold shower. You should try this feeling :D. An indispensable experience when traveling to Finland.

Besides activities such as skiing, husky sledding, reindeer riding… You can try the feeling of snowmobile in the forest or surrounding areas. Usually, tourists will go on a tour, but if you have experience driving this and are not afraid of getting lost, you can rent it. The price is around €150/basic package and €25 extra per hour you rent. You can refer at this progearmoto website . Regarding tours you can refer to Arctic Circle Snowmobile for €55 per person for 30 minutes — 1 hour with a driver. This is one of the experiences that many thrill-seeking travelers enjoy when traveling to Finnish Lapland on their own.

If you are interested in learning about Sámi culture, you should drive 4 hours from Rovaniemi to Inari. The winter nature here is also very impressive with many interesting sites such as The Sámi Cultural Center Sajos (Address: Menesjärventie 2A, 99870 Inari, Finland), Karhu souvenir shop. The Sámi is an ethnic minority of Finland and residents live in Lapland mainly are Sámi people.

Lapland travel tips

If you go with a few people but still want to experience all kinds of winter activities without spending too much, join the tour group of ESN (Erasmus Student Network) organized by the Finnish schools. Most of the people going are exchange students coming to study in Finland, so you will have the opportunity to meet many people, participate in many recreational activities at a very affordable price. The tour package usually includes accommodation with sauna, transportation, activities such as husky ride, snowmobile… are all included. You can choose to go with ESN with any school in Helsinki . In Helsinki, there are a number of schools such as Laurea, Haaga-Helia, Aalto, University of Helsinki, Arcada, Metropolia… Tour prices are around €340 for 7 days. The referal link at Timetravels .

What to do in Lapland: Shopping

Coming to Lapland, visitors will be fascinated to see very high quality products that are famous throughout the Nordic region and throughout Europe. All brands are manufactured according to Nordic standards for safety, accuracy, durability over the years, high applicability and smart and traditional designs such as Finnish Knives (Puukkos), Wooden handmade Kuksa Cups, Taigakoru jewelry, Marimekko fashion, Arabia porcelain,…

How to travel to Lapland Finland: Suggested Lapland itinerary 5 days 4 nights

• Day 1: Go to Rovaniemi and walk around the city
• Day 2: Visit Santa’s village, visit husky dog ​​farm, experience reindeer riding, husky safari…
• Day 3: Visit Santa park, Arkitum museum, aurora hunting
• Day 4: Snowmobile, ski resort
• Day 5: Bonfire camping, ice fishing, aurora hunting

Lapland travel blog: What to eat?

• Reindeer meat: The most popular livestock in Lapland. People in Lapland will often raise a lot of reindeer for fur and meat. Therefore, reindeer meat is a specialty that you must try!
• Smoked salmon
• Muikku fish

These are famous local dishes in Lapland. In addition, you should combine going to the supermarket in Rovaniemi if you want to have a cheap self-sufficient trip.

Lapland blog: Traveling cost

The cost of a self-sufficient travel, I think it largely depends on each individual. There are many factors that affect the trip costs such as where to stay, whether you rent a car, whether you participate in activities such as husky sledding, reindeer riding… I give a few basic costs below:

• Meals: €12/meal. If you buy food from the supermarket to cook, you can comfortably spend about €20 a day.
• Hotel: The lowest price is about €30 per person. The highest is about €300-400.
• Traveling: €12/day. If you rent a car, it will increase to €40-50/person/day. Participate in other activities: Each activity costs about €30-40.

I think for comfort, the traveling cost is about €150 a day, all inclusive. Of course, this cost is higher than in the capital Helsinki or other European countries but still lower than Norway, Switzerland…

Lapland travel guide: Some tips before you go

• The most commonly spoken languages ​​in Finnish Lapland are Swedish and Finnish. However, most people living in the city will speak English fluently. So, you can rest assured!
• You should exchange money at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. It is best to exchange at legitimate counters for the best and safe exchange rates.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Lapland you can refer to

• Lapland 2 Day Tour from Rovaniemi
• Highlights of Rovaniemi Day Tour
• The Frozen Waterfalls of Korouoma Day Tour from Rovaniemi
• [DISCONTINUED] Lapland Wellness and Relaxation Tour
• Aurora Borealis Small Group Tour with Free Photos from Rovaniemi
• Rovaniemi: Lapland Northern Lights Tour with BBQ
• Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle
• Rovaniemi: Snowman World Entrance Ticket
• Lapland: Husky Carriage Ride Under the Northern Lights
• Rovaniemi: Apukka Husky Adventure

Read more Trip review to the fairy tale Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi, Lapland – Finland , Where to stay in Lapland Findland and Finland travel guide here .

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Authored by ThePickyTraveller

Located above the Arctic Circle (from the “capital city” Rovaniemi in the south all the way up to Utsjoki in the north), Finnish Lapland is an exotic region in northern Finland sculpted by round-shaped rugged mountains ( tunturi ), extensive pine forests ( taiga ), treeless flat lands ( tundra ), pristine lakes and rivers with gold nuggets.

Lapland is a unique destination which casts a powerful spell. Offering a wide array of activities for any nature lover, and with a certain sense of magic in the air, travelers visit for the midnight sun, the Sámi peoples, the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and roaming reindeer.

This is as close as reality gets for those who dream of a winter wonderland, and even with four very distinct seasons , contrasts are a key factor in the allure here; where 24-hour sunlight in the summer replaces the dark winter days, and the hustle and bustle of towns and ski resorts is just minutes away from the peace and quiet of the wild wilderness.

Whether you’re looking for tours to Lapland or plan to put together your own trip, the folloing is our travel guide on when, where and how to go.

A Travel Guide to Finnish Lapland: When, Where & How to Go

You can hover over these (or any image) to quickly pin it.

When to Go: Winter

A visit in winter means you will experience the phenomenon of the polar night; when the sun doesn’t rise at all (the exact dates depend on how north you go, but the phenomenon is visible as soon as you cross the Arctic Circle).

The Northern lights are visible almost every night, which makes Lapland one of the best places on Earth to experience them ! The lack of daylight may seem scary at first, but is in fact a very interesting thing: besides the northern lights, stars shine incredibly bright thanks to very low light pollution (no big cities here).

Around noon and for a few hours the atmosphere goes from different shades of blue (the  blue hour  is quite impressive on crisp cloudless winter days) to golden rays of light coming from the sun staying right below the horizon, before the sky turns soft pink, purple and blue again.

A thick layer of snow covers everything from early November to late April. Temperatures are freezing (usually between -5C and -30C all the time, with periodical drops to even as low as -50C) but there is no humidity in the air and usually no wind either, which makes them totally bearable if you dress accordingly.

When to Go: Summer

Visit in summer to experience the famous midnight sun; a period where the sun doesn’t set at all! It’s amazing how much you can fit into your day when you have 24 hours to play, and is quite something to see the sun hit horizon, but immediately start to rise again!

Personally I find the midnight sun more difficult to cope with than the polar night as it’s difficult to sleep when the sun never sets, but is quite comforting warming up in front of the fireplace and burning candles during polar nights.

Summer in Lapland (after the last remains of snow have melted in May, until October and the first snowfalls) is a paradise for hikers, from short, easy and well-marked scenic paths to many days long treks in the wilderness.

Shorter walks near the main tourist spots are suitable for almost anyone, but you should be well prepared for longer hikes and consider hiring a guide.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning on wilderness hiking, we recommend brushing up on your orientation skills, as paths are not well marked the further you head in (though cell phone coverage in Finland is pretty amazing, even in remote areas). 

In addition to a good map, also stock up on efficient mosquito-repellent. it’s surprising how fierce and numerous mosquitoes are in Lapland. Really.

When to Go: Autumn / Fall

When fall comes, nature becomes truly magnificent; leaves and needles vary from evergreen (spruces and pines) to golden yellow (birches), orange and red (aspens and rowans).

We can all conjure stunning pictures of autumnal colors in destinations like New England and Canada, but in Lapland they don’t just stick to trees, spreading across the ground vegetation as well (in gorgeous bright red tint).

This special time of the year is short but intense, usually lasting only for the first 2 or 3 weeks of September.

Where to go?

For skiing head to Levi, Saariselkä, Pyhätunturi, Ylläs or Ruka (technically not in Lapland but close enough). For snowmobile safaris, in addition to those same locations you can go to Kilpisjärvi close to the Norwegian border, with higher mountains and less trees around.

Snowshoeing can be done pretty much anywhere in Lapland. Book a room or a  chalet  in a modern ski station if you don’t like the idea of finding yourself alone in a remote area (but then what’s the point of going all the way to Lapland?). I’d rather recommend to rent a traditional wooden cabin with all commodities and enjoy the unique sensation of being in the middle of nowhere.

To visit Santa Claus Village (this is a tourist trap) and/or the very interesting Arktikum museum, head to Rovaniemi. In summertime go to national parks for great hiking opportunities: Urho Kekkonen, Pallas-Ylläs, Pyhä-Luosto, or trek the 65 kilometers long trail to Kevo Canyon.

The area around Kilpisjärvi is also very beautiful in summer (climbing up Mount Saana is a must). In Tankavaara you have the special opportunity to experience some real gold panning!

The easiest way to access Finnish Lapland from Helsinki is by plane. Main airports with scheduled daily flights are in Rovaniemi (for Santa Claus village, Arktikum museum and Pyhä-Luosto), Kittilä (for Levi and Pallas-Ylläs), Kuusamo (for Ruka) and Ivalo (for Saariselkä, Urho-Kekkonen and Tankavaara).

During Christmas season there are also direct flights from some major European hubs to Rovaniemi. A nice way to get to Lapland (my favourite) is to take the night train from Helsinki. It’s clean, modern, comfortable (there are cabins with 2 beds and private bathroom or cabins with 4 beds and shared bathroom) and sharply on time.

Once in Lapland it’s recommended to rent a car, unless you want to stick to one small area. Driving in summer is very easy (be careful of reindeers on the road though) but in winter, as you can imagine, it requires skills to drive on icy and snowy roads.

You can also drive to Lapland all the way from Helsinki, as Finnish roads are in very good condition (it will take you 10 to 15 hours depending on how far north you go). This option is not recommended in winter though, because of potentially bad weather, lack of light and lower speed limitations.

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ThePickyTraveller is always searching for the best travel opportunities, and paying attention to the small details that make an experience unique. His goal is to inform you about everything he experiences during his trips, including airlines, hotels, restaurants, and destinations themselves.

Specialized in upscale travelling, he is open to all kind of travel experiences…as long as there is access to a comfy bed and a shower in the morning! To ensure unbiased reviews, thepickytraveller remains anonymous.

Visit  www.thepickytraveller. com or connect with him on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Photo credits:   Pinterest image, reindeer & handler by  sangak . Northern lights in order of appearance by  Chris ,  Timo Newton-Syms , &  Timo Newton-Syms . Grassy pond by  Mild Delirium . Reindeer pulling a sleigh by  zsoolt .

31 Comments

The northern lights can be seen almost every night….

I work in the pyhä region. People come with high expectations and leave dissapointed. Aurora activity is there…. But… You need a clear sky, it has to be active in the dark hours and you have to be out to spot it. When it snows it is overcast. It can snow for weeks at a time. Last year we had 4 weeks without a clear sky. It is like comming to europe to see rainbows ☺️ And… Northern lights can be seen as far south as northern Denmark. So if you stay below the polar circle you can still see plenty

Very true! Tricky weather makes it somehow difficult to be there at the right moment, as you said… I recommend the following website for real time aurora forecast: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/Europe/ Aurora activity is usually at its highest around midnight (local time). You should also check hour-by-hour weather forecast according to your specific location: http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/ An unusual but good way to experience the northern lights is on a plane (clear sky guaranteed). If money isn’t a problem, you can even contact Finnair for a personal charter flight above the clouds on a polar night!

Very good points, Blue Wanderer. I saw them well addressed on a Northern Lights article.

The pictures of the Northern Lights are amazing! I think I would have a hard time with both the midnight sun and the polar nights but both are something I would like to experience one day. As for the cold, I live in Canada and I get enough of it already…lol!

Aren’t the Northern Lights just incredible! Do you ever see them in Canada?

Wow the pictures look amazing! I tried to find this in Iceland but didn’t get a chance to see it. I would love to visit this place and try to catch it there. Summer also seems like a great time to visit.

Hope you have the chance to visit Finland then Christine! One of those places which is so spectacular in all seasons, and really needs multiple trips! :)

These pictures are out of control! I always knew about Lapland but it didn’t come on my radar again until this Chrsitmas season. The Sami are so interesting (cultural anthropology major right here). Thank you for adding the actual words of these places, most bloggers forget to do that! Haha while I love Santa, no thank you to tourist traps and yes please to snowshoeing!

Aren’t they just!! Sounds like you would really love Lapland Izzy! Especially as a cultural anthropology major :)

Hope you have the chance to visit soon!

There are no words to describe how pretty these photos are! They’re absolutely amazing.It makes me want to travel there so badly!

Hope you have the chance to travel soon! :)

I’ve been to see the Aurora Borealis last year in Tromso, Norway. I recognize many of the experiences I had there. I was very thrilled to eat and see reindeers.

I can’t wait to get to Tromso, Norway as well. So glad you got to see the lights and interact with reindeer! I had reindeer on pizza while in Lapland … it was interesting to get my head around lol!

Lapland is my dream destination. Who wouldn’t want to visit Santa village, enjoy sledging and see the northern lights? Would love to visit one day and explore myself.

Hope you have the chance to visit Lapland soon Jo! It really is one of those rare destinations where magic exists :D!

Wow your photos are awesome! I just got back from a trip in north Norway and sounds very similar. Dark days and northern lights shows! It was truly magical and I can’t wait to experience Lapland as well, even more so after seeing your post!

Looking forward to getting to Norway in summer this year, sadly won’t see the Northern Lights, but looking forward to enjoying the midnight sun! If you loved Norway you’ll love Lapland too!

Finnish Lapland sounds magical — and like a place I’m going to need during multiple times during the year. I want to see the aurora borealis, and the midnight sun (I got close in Norway, but it was a little too early to get the full impact). And, of course, I want to see the roaming reindeer.

Roaming reindeers are fortunately very easy to spot in Finnish Lapland :) Beware though if you drive there, as they often cross the road unexpectedly and are not afraid of cars!

OMG, summer, winter, autumn. It seems like you could go anytime and the trip would be just stunning. This is definitely on my must sees. That midnight sun sounds amazing.

Yes, Finnish Lapland is one of those very few regions of the world that always look different and all the time stunning :)

I would love to see the Northern Lights. Good to know it;s almost a sure thing. I would also love to experience I midnight sun. Summer in Paris was pretty cool when the sun set very late, around 10-11pm, but this sounds like a very unique experience.

Almost a sure thing indeed, but keep im my mind you need clear skies to be able to see them from the ground.

The pictures are awesome. The experience to passing through the higher mountain must be something extraordinary!!

Glad you enjoyed the post Miranda … hope you have the chance to travel to Lapland yourself soon!

Finnish Lapland is a proof that miracles exist! They are everywhere in fact! Aurora Boraelis is so beautiful!

Absolutely – it’s a land of pure magic!

Hi im impressed reading your blog and all the destination you had visit. im planning of my trip for this year to Finland, Norway and Sweden. Me came from Southeast Asia country(Singapore) which does not has 4 season and ofcoz we would dream to have the snow activities like snomobile husky ride, reindeer and visit to Santa Claus. Me going with family of 4, myself, husband and 2 gals. During Christmas 24 and 25th December will the places of im mention Closed? You was saying of staying in wooden cabin which we delighted to feel it. If we are touch at Helsinki to Lapland or Rovianemi theres plane, may i know what airline and how many hours? And from the Rovianemi airport to the safari destination theres shuttle? Need your advice and guide. Thanks & Regards

Don’t worry, everything will be open during Christmas as it’s high season in Lapland. There are many daily flights from Helsinki to different cities in Lapland and flight time varies between 1 hour and 1h30. For transfers between the airport and your places of interests, you can contact your hotel directly or a tour operator.

Thank you for this guide. Yes, it is an amazing place, Finnish Lapland is great for beautiful and peaceful escapes from modern life. I’ve been there many times Wintertimes and it’s gorgeous!

You’re welcome, glad it brought back fond memories! Really is such a magical place, I loved my time there though I think a return trip is well overdue!

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Set off to wonderful Finland and hunt the spectacular Aurora

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Best Time to Visit Lapland

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If you've already added Lapland to your itinerary but still wondering what is the best time to visit this region, here is the answer. There is no bad time for that. It only depends on what you will do there because each season offers you various activities to take and places to visit.

Lapland in Autumn

Lapland in autumn, or ruska, as locals say, will surely surprise you with its trees dressed in carnival clothes, magnificent landscapes, and astonishing Northern Lights.

Many people believe that Nothern Lights can be seen only in winter. But did you know that the first auroras appear in September or sometimes even in August? The weather is milder than in winter, and it is much more pleasant to admire auroras in autumn without getting too cold.

Another highly recommended activity is hiking. If you are a huge fan of a decent hike, you will definitely like Lapland for its trails because they are among the best in the world. Comparing with winter, autumn trails are accessible and not buried under thick snow, so you can fully appreciate the beauty of Lapland's nature.

Don't forget that autumn is a harvest season, so you can fully enjoy nature's gifts. Also, there are many local harvest markets in this season, and you can buy some Lappish honey, fish products, or even jewelry that could be an excellent and memorable souvenir.

Last but not least, the hotels are much cheaper in autumn since winter is the high season in Lapland. It is a pleasant bonus to save money.

Quick Lapland Facts

• Location : vast region in north of the Arctic circle
• Currency: the Euro (EUR)
• Population: 178.522

Lapland in Winter

Needless to say that Lapland in winter is a perfect destination for those who are not afraid of cold weather. It offers you an endless amount of activities, and you surely won't get bored this season.

Once you are there, take an excursion. Wondering which one? The list is enormous, but here is one of the most popular.

In case you like fast-paced activities and want to have fun, take the snowmobile excursion, or as locals say, winter safari. Have a ride over frozen lakes and through the tall, snow-covered trees. Take the ultimate sightseeing adventure through Lapland's stunning natural surroundings. But before that, make sure you have a valid driving license to drive a snowmobile.

Another worth-taking activity is the reindeer excursion . As you may know, reindeer occupied an integral part of Sami People's culture and became the symbol of Lapland. Don't miss your chance to experience one of the most wonderful activities in Lapland.

One more exciting activity is the husky safari excursion. If the reindeer excursion is a little slow for you, you will indeed like this one. The husky safari excursion is more dynamic and fast.

Also, going to the Finnish sauna would be a great decision. Of course, you can do that any time of the year, but the temperature difference outside is quite significant. Just imagine, one moment you are in a hot wooden room sweating, and the other you go outside, and it is crisp and cold. You would probably agree that a sauna in the warm season is not so appealing.

Lapland in Spring

Spring in Lapland is when nature wakes up from the cold, dark, and long winter. It is the time of rebirth and celebration when the sun comes back and illuminates everything. Depending on the location, there is usually quite much snow still on the ground. And when it is combined with the sun, the landscape is breathtaking.

Spring is a trendy season among the locals. They prefer to go skiing and ice fishing. You should tread in their steps and do the same to feel the Finnish spirit.

Also, it should be noted that spring in Lapland is a unique phenomenon due to its geography. It's possible to experience very different stages of spring in a relatively small area. At the same time, there can be fully blossoming trees in Southern Lapland and snow on the ground in the Northern parts. This is an experience that is difficult to find anywhere else.

Lapland in Summer

Lapland in summer is incredibly gorgeous. Did you know that in summer there is another unique nature phenomenon? It is called the Midnight Sun . It happens when the sun does not set under the horizon in Lapland during the summer months. You can experience these nightless nights in the north of the Arctic Circle. Whether it's 4 PM or 4 AM, it's bright all day and all night.

To add more magic to your Lapland itinerary, try Midnight Sun floating. This is a perfect way to escape from the city's noise and relax while you're floating in Finland's lake, listening to the silence, and enjoying the moment.

Hiking in summer could be one of the most favorite memories from Lapland. Take a chance and explore the magnificent nature of Lapland with its flora and fauna. Lapland in summer has so much to offer to you. Take the best out of Finnish nature, and try canoeing, fishing, hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities.

Don't forget to say hi to Santa and visit him in a village near Rovaniëmi. Wondering why this activity wasn't mentioned in the section about winter? In summer, you'll probably have a lot more privacy than in winter, which is the highest peak with thousands of other tourists around you. There you can find some shops and a post office. The good news, there is no entrance fee, and also you can leave your address at the post office and later get a letter from Santa. Isn't it great? Make your childhood dream come true.

All in all, as you see, every season is the best time to visit Lapland because each of them has its perks. Choose the season that suits you the best and cross Lapland off the bucket list and enjoy a memorable tour to Lapland . Watch the Midnight Sun, take excursions, visit Santa, go fishing, and do other outdoor activities to make the most of the Lapland trip.

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Lapland itinerary: the ultimate travel itinerary through Finnish Lapland in winter!

A tour through Finnish Lapland : the ultimate winter experience! In this blog, you will find an itinerary for a five-day trip through the north of Finland: one of the most beautiful parts of Lapland. During this itinerary, you will have the chance to see the northern lights several times or to enjoy the other magical things that Lapland has to offer. We also give you tips on other highlights of Finland. This gives you a good idea of what there is to see in Finland and which destinations you want to include on your Finland itinerary.

Lapland itinerary

A trip to Lapland: the number one thing on Ries’s bucket list before he turned 30. Especially because of the northern lights that you can see well above Lapland in the winter months. But there are many more reasons to take a tour of Finnish Lapland. For instance to visit Santa Claus Village (together with your kids). You can also take a husky ride through the thick snow, or drive a snowmobile. All in all, a winter trip to Finnish Lapland is magical!

Round trip in Finnish Lapland

The northernmost part of finnish lapland.

In this blog, we focus on the northernmost part of Finnish Lapland, the region around Ivalo . A little further south are the cities of Rovaniemi, Levi & Kiitala. Here too you have the real Lapland feeling in winter. With snow-covered lakes and igloos to sleep in. However, here you are in a more southern part of the polar circle, which reduces the chance of seeing the northern lights. These areas are also more touristy.

Ivalo or Rovaniemi / Levi?

Not sure whether you should visit Ivalo (northernmost region of Finnish Lapland) or Rovanimie / Levi (southern region of Lapland)? Then consider what kind of a holiday you would like to have. If you go with small children , and you want to visit Santa’s village ( Santa Clause Village ), to sleep in an igloo or ice hotel, and you don’t mind if the region is touristy, visit Rovanimie or Levi . Also nice, in the surroundings of Levi you can ski and from here you can take a day trip to go out to sea with an icebreaker .

How expensive is a trip to Lapland Finland? Read all about prices and a realistic Lapland budget during your trip in this blog!

5-day itinerary for Lapland

The Lapland itinerary below is based on our own experience in the area around Ivalo (the northernmost tip of Finnish Lapland). And those experiences were great, so we would like to share this Finnish Lapland itinerary with you.

You start your journey (after a short stopover in Helsinki) in the city of Ivalo. Here you will pick up your rental car and then drive to the village of Inari . Inari is located on the beautiful Lake Inari which you can walk on in winter. After two days you drive on to Kaamanen , an even more northern area. Here you are close to the border with Norway. You will stay here for two days.

On the way back to Ivalo , it is nice to make a stopover in Saariselkä ! This is a large tourist village with a Christmas atmosphere, an ice bar and shops. Nice to have seen to complete your trip through Lapland.

The 5-day route through Finnish Lapland is as follows:

Ivalo (arrival & departure).

Your itinerary through the north of Lapland starts in Ivalo. This small village with an airport is located 300 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. If you have rented a car, this village is the place to do some shopping. We cooked in our lodges almost every day, and the supermarket in Finland is not much more expensive than the one in the Netherlands.

An activity that you should definitely not miss here is a snowmobile safari ! The lakes in Finnish Lapland are frozen over from mid-October to mid-April and therefore ideal to drive over with your snowmobile! So special how fast these snowmobiles go! Our snowmobile tour departed from Ivalo. For this, we drove up and down from Inari, the place where we slept. The distance Ivalo – Inari is only 35 km , you are already there in half an hour.

Inari (2 nights)

The snowy lake Inari: really a picture-perfect! We stayed in Inari for 2 nights, and highly recommend this to you too! This is the least populated municipality of Finnish Lapland and therefore perfect for star photography and for photographing the aurora (northern lights). We stayed in a lodge that was on the lake on which we created some snow angels! In the morning when we came out of the lodge, we saw fresh traces of reindeer everywhere. We also saw these beautiful animals in the wild several times around the lake.

From Inari you can do a cool activity: visiting a husky farm and then taking a husky sledge tour ! Seeing these beautiful dogs with their bright blue eyes was truly a highlight of our Lapland trip. Curious about what you can expect from this? Read our tips in the blog about a husky tour in Lapland !

Hotel tip: Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos

Travel time from Ivalo to Inari: 30 minutes by car

Kaamanen / Kielajoki (2 nights)

Kaamanen is a small village, even further north in Finnish Lapland. The village lies on a swamp and is surrounded by rivers and lakes. It’s a peaceful destination, really off the beaten path ! A stay near Kaamanen guarantees an authentic experience. No tour buses here full of tourists, but peace and a lot of space! We stayed near Kaamanen in the village of Kielajoki and the Giellajohka  hotel of the same name.

Activities you can do here include enjoying a Finnish sauna, ice fishing, hiking on the frozen lakes and cross-country skiing. In addition, you are so northern and with little light pollution that the chance of spotting the northern lights is even bigger here!

Kaamanen will always have a special place in our hearts. Here, in the snow on a frozen lake, Ries got on his knees to ask me to marry him ! It was amazing! And as icing on the cake, it was so bright that same evening that we saw the northern lights dance from our bedroom while we were warm in bed.

Hotel tip: Giellajohka Travel time Inari to Kaamanen: 30 minutes by car

Back to Ivalo via Saariselkä

If your journey is almost over but you still have some time to spare, consider heading back from Kaamanen to Ivalo, passing the village of Saariselkä . This nice and touristic village is about 30 minutes drive from Ivalo. Surrounded by mountains, Saariselkä is a good base for activities such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and hiking. We made a beautiful aurora night walk in Saariselkä where we saw the northern lights dance beautifully above the snow.

Hotel tip: Top Star Saariselkä

Travel time Kaamanen to Ivalo Airport: 1-hour drive.

Curious about what we packed and wore to stay warm in Lapland? Then read our Lapland packing list tips !

What are the most special & unique hotels to sleep in Finnish Lapland? Read this blog with the best hotels in Lapland !

Tips itinerary Finnish Lapland

Now that you’ve read the Lapland itinerary above, we have a few more tips to help you create your ultimate Lapland trip!

The Northern Lights in Lapland

It was a big dream of Ries to have seen the northern lights for its 30th year. Unfortunately, he did not succeed, he was 30 years and 3 months. But don’t feel sorry, because, during the 4 nights in Lapland, he was able to see the northern lights not once, but four times. Every night it was spot on! This is not normal, it can just as easily happen that there are clouds every day and unfortunately you do not see the northern lights once. You do have some influence on your chance of seeing the Northern Lights! How? You can read that in our blog about the northern lights in Lapland !

Flying on Ivalo:

Driving a car in lapland.

Although buses run between the villages in Finland, we recommend that you rent a car. We picked up this car immediately upon arrival at Ivalo airport. A rental car gives you all the freedom you want. In the evening, for example, we went for a drive by car to a place where there were no clouds. Because of this we also saw the northern lights that evening. We recommend renting a car through Sunny Cars . We are a big fan of Sunny Cars ourselves because it saves a lot of hassle, as you are always fully insured, and you can easily (and often free of charge) change or cancel your booking.

Driving a car in Lapland is not nearly as scary as it sounds. Cars have good winter tires and the roads are kept free of snow. In the evening there is good street lighting and everyone drives quietly and obeys the traffic rules.

Other destinations in Finland

Finland is not only a nice destination in the winter but also a great destination during summertime. An additional advantage: you are in the north, so you have very long summer days and you will find beautiful nature parks in Finland. A trip to Finland is a great adventure! You can do outdoor activities here such as canoe trips, multi-day treks and (wild) camping. See below a map of Finland with the best destinations.

Read more about Finnish Lapland here! 

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More blogs on Finland

Lapland tips: all you need to know for a winter holiday to lapland in finland, budget finnish lapland: costs and prices of a trip to (finnish) lapland, what to pack for lapland our packing list for lapland in finland.

Thanks for the great blogposts about visiting Lapland! We are currently planning our trip for March, and we probably only want to stay in the most Northern part (Inari/Saariselka) because we want the least touristy area and highest chances for seeing the Northern lights. In your experience, how different is the Inari area from the Saariselka area? We are debating whether it is worth the hassle to stay in two different places, or just book one hotel and do all activities from there.

Hi Kirsten, Oooo nice!! Well Saariselka is more touristic (with a whole village focused on tourisme) then Ivalo. So I would recommend Inari or even more north, Kaamanen. It isn't far from Saariselka so you can still do activities there. Northern light chances are highest in the most Northern and less light polluted area so that would also be Inari. Enjoy!

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Home » Travel Guides » Finland » 15 Best Things to Do in Lapland (Finland)

15 Best Things to Do in Lapland (Finland)

The first thing that most people know about Lapland is that it’s the home of Santa Claus, and nothing could make a child’s Christmas more magical than a trip to where that very magic happens. For older people there’s magic of a different kind: The ghostly Northern Lights, the heart-melting beauty of Nordic woodland in autumn, or the endless days during the midnight sun in summer. In the long winters you’ll also be able to dabble in those Arctic activities you’ll know from movies, going ice-fishing, cross-country skiing or on a reindeer ride.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Lapland :

1. Aurora Borealis

For about 200 nights a year from the end of August to April you have the chance to see one of the great natural spectacles.

Unless you live close to the Arctic Circle this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Northern Lights appear on clear nights, so you might need a bit of luck with the weather.

How you see them is up to you. In winter you could get intrepid and speed out into the icy wilds on a snowmobile or trudge to a vantage point with snowshoes.

If this sounds like entirely too much effort there are a wealth of luxury suites and glass igloos that let you gaze up at the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your accommodation.

For a two-week in mid-September Lapland’s forests are at their most beautiful.

This is period, known as Ruska, is when locals and visitors set out for some “leaf-peeping”.

Forests in Lapland are most coniferous, but these pines and firs and interspersed by hardwood trees.

In autumn this creates a beautiful jumble of soft tones, as oranges, reds and light browns contrast with a canvas of deep greens.

Around a month before the snows settle and long after the mid-summer mosquitoes, autumn is a fine time for walks in Lapland.

If you’re in search of gargantuan slops, Lapland might not be for you.

Rather, the region is a cross-country skier’s El Dorado and is under a deep blanket of snow from October right through to April.

Cross-country skiing is a national pastime, and throughout the year it’s just the easiest way to get out and about.

In Lapland’s rounded fells are where most of the region’s “big four” ski resorts can be found.

On these smooth hills are Levi,  Pyhä-Luosto, Ruka and Ylläs.

If you’d like big resort facilities then Levi is definitely the place to go, with 43 slopes, nearly half of which are floodlit.

4. Meet Santa Claus

Lapland’s main town, Rovaniemi is officially the hometown of Santa Claus.

For kids it would be unheard of to visit Lapland and not bring them to meet Santa.

There are three big Santa-themed attractions around Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village is where you can see his office and the post office where children’s letters from around the world end up.

Santa Park is more of a Christmas theme park with rides and shows for little ones.

Jolukka meanwhile is a rural attraction, where kids can hang out with Santa’s elves at any time of year, going fishing, looking after reindeer and picking berries.

The northernmost point of Lapland (and the EU!) is a region that is also the sparsest-populated in Finland.

There are plenty of excuses to venture so far north: The scenery is unspoiled, with glistening rivers and low fell ranges that roll through a sea of coniferous woodland.

Culturally, you can discover the indigenous Sámi people who inhabit the uppermost parts of the Nordic countries and Russia’s Kola Peninsula.

In the village of Inari is Siida, a museum that will tell you all about Sámi belief systems, history and way of life.

6. Ranua Zoo

In the town of Ranua you’ll have the pleasure of visiting the northernmost zoo on the planet.

This isn’t a place to see exotic species; rather Ranua Zoo brings the wildlife of Finland’s polar region into one place.

You can check out 50 different arctic species, including top predators like brown bears, polar bears, lynxes and wolves.

There are also more benign herds of moose and deer.

The zoo is open every day of the year, and a visit in mid-summer couldn’t be a more distinct experience from the depths of winter when snow abounds at the attraction.

You can book tickets (including transfer) right here .

7. Levi Ice Gallery

Around six kilometres along a cross-country trail from the Levi ski resort is this “cool” attraction containing structures carved completely from ice.

It’s possible to book a room here, but most people will stop by to stare in awe at the sculptures over a meal or beer.

If you’re only staying for a drink you can take part in what will be the strangest venue for a karaoke sing-song  ever!

The gallery’s facilities can be booked for events, so you might be one of the lucky ones to attend a wedding in a real ice palace.

8. Lappish cuisine

Well, here’s your chance to try sautéed reindeer (poronkäristys), and if you’re a meat-eater you’ll probably love it.

This dish starts with frying thin strips of meat in reindeer fat or butter.

After that beer or cream is added and the broth is cooked down until the meat is completely tender.

It’s then served on a bed of mashed potatoes with preserves and pickled cucumber.

At festivals  in summer you’ll see Suovaskebabs, which is a real north-meets-south combination: Smoked reindeer meat in a pita bread with salad and garlic sauce!

9. Midnight Sun

Of course, the upside to perpetual darkness in winter is the Midnight Sun in summer.

In the northern reaches of Lapland the sun is above the horizon for 70 days.

Further south the sun will dip down but the sky will still be illuminated.

To see the Midnight Sun like a Finn you should escape to a remote cottage and use the extra hours of the day walking, fishing or even teeing off at one of the golf courses that extend their playing hours in summer.

If you’re near a fell, there’s nothing quite like cresting a hill and looking down on vast woodland glowing in the soft sunlight.

10. Trekking

Lapland has a web of walking trails that are perhaps best tackled in August.

This is when there’s still loads of light and the days are mild.

What surprised many people about Lapland is how flat the terrain can be.

It’s easy-going when nosquito season is long gone, so you can stride off into some of the remotest country you’ll ever know.

In National Parks are trail-side log cabins to give you the shelter you need, as well as occasional information boards to tell you more about the ecology of a given area.

Naturally, the remoteness poses certain risks, but detailed guides are available for download online.

11. Reindeer experiences

Reindeer are so central to Lappish life that there are almost as many as humans here!

Any town or resort in Lapland will have a company offering reindeer rides, and of course, as well as being able to see these graceful creatures working in tandem, you’ll see the landscapes that give Lapland its “winter wonderland” tag.

In northern Lapland all of the reindeer are rounded up two times a year to do a headcount.

Reindeer are semi-domesticated and people take a lot of pride in them in Lapland.

This goes especially for the Sámi culture, to whom reindeer husbandry is second nature.

12. Ice Fishing

Could there be a more fitting pastime for such a reserved and meditative nation as Finland?

Because, truth is that when you come ice fishing you’ve got to be ready for nothing to happen for hours on end.

It will be you and your companions alone in the beautiful nature at the centre of a frozen lake ringed by deep green forest.

You’ll get a lot of thinking done, that’s for sure.

In the winter months all of Lapland’s lakes will have the five centimetres of ice needed for this activity.

You just need to spend a few minutes etching a hole, bait your hook and then cast off.

After that you sit back and wait…

Finland is a sauna-crazy country!

There’s more than one sauna for every three people here, and in Lapland you’ll really appreciate the benefits of sitting in a hot room and whacking yourself with birch bouquets for a few minutes.

In the bitter winters it’s the ultimate escape from the cold. And if you’ve been out trekking in the summer it’s a great remedy for aching feet and backs.

The general rule is to try to be quiet and relax when you’re in a sauna.

You’ll probably only be able to stand a few minutes at a time, so you can cool off and then come back for a bit more punishment.

14. Husky Safaris

Another semi-domesticated animal that Lapland couldn’t do without is the husky.

A dog-sledding safari is another of those classic Lappish experiences and is a available at the major ski resorts like Luosto, Levi and Suomo, as well as the town of Rovaniemi.

After a bit of training you can become a “musher” controlling your own pack of dogs and gliding through Nordic woodland and over frozen lakes at high speed.

15. Luosto Amethyst Mine

Open daily for tours in summer, this mine exploits a seam of amethyst south of the town of Luosto that formed 2,000 million years ago.

The entrance to the mine is at the top of the Lampivaara Hill, with fine views of the northern side of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

You can spend a few minutes mining for your own amethyst, which you’ll be able to take home with you, and the guide will bring you up to speed on the history and culture around these precious stones.

Further reading: Places to visit in Finland

15 Best Things to Do in Lapland (Finland):

• Aurora Borealis
• Meet Santa Claus
• Levi Ice Gallery
• Lappish cuisine
• Midnight Sun
• Reindeer experiences
• Ice Fishing
• Husky Safaris
• Luosto Amethyst Mine

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Lapland at a Glance

Why visit Lapland? This beautiful region is a festive wonderland, with surreal wintry landscapes that feature a vast snow-covered countryside. There are many ways to explore depending on your interests, from a Santa getaway to an active snowmobile and dog sledding adventure.

WHY VISIT LAPLAND?

Lapland is a region that encompasses the northernmost parts of Sweden and Finland. What you'll find here is a destination for all ages, with exciting excursions and adventures. 

Owing to its location above the Arctic Circle, Lapland is best known for its magical winter landscapes and  northern lights  viewing. If you can think of a winter outdoor activity, you can probably find it here, including reindeer and  dog sledding ,  snowmobiling , ice fishing and snowshoeing.

Lapland is home to some of Scandinavia’s most unique attractions, like the Santa Claus Village , the original  ICEHOTEL and the Sampo icebreaker ship. There are also plenty of opportunities to experience the culture and traditions of the Sami, the native people of Lapland.

 View all  Lapland holiday packages

Discover more useful planning and trip information in our Lapland Travel Guide

DESTINATIONS IN LAPLAND

There are countless small towns and villages in Lapland that are worth a visit, depending on what you want to see and do. These are the top destinations: Kiruna, Sweden Kiruna , the northernmost city in Sweden, is surrounded by striking landscapes, ranging from rivers and crystal-clear lakes to ancient boreal forests and snow-capped mountains. The most famous attractions here are the original  ICEHOTEL  and the Aurora Sky Station in nearby Abisko National Park .

Check out Lapland tours in Kiruna . Rovaniemi, Finland Situated next to the Arctic Circle line, Rovaniemi is considered the capital of Finnish Lapland. This town is best known as the hometown of Santa Claus, whom you could visit at any time of the year at the Santa Claus Village .

View all Lapland tours to Rovaniemi .

HOW TO GET TO LAPLAND

Depending on where you're flying from, you may notice that there aren't any direct flights to Lapland from your local airport. Instead, you should fly via the capital city of the country you intend to visit: Stockholm for Swedish Lapland or Helsinki for Finnish Lapland. Both Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in Sweden and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland are served by several international and regional airlines. Many of the local domestic carriers in Sweden and Finland have partnerships with international airlines, so it is possible to purchase your airfare to Lapland in just one booking. These airlines usually operate their routes from the capital cities to the tour destinations in Lapland.

• Flights to Swedish Lapland
• Flights to Finnish Lapland

GETTING AROUND

The land connections between destinations in Lapland are generally poor. That said, there are some well-linked towns that you could combine during your visit: Swedish Lapland Kiruna - Abisko: Connected by train ( www.sj.se ) Finnish Lapland Rovaniemi - Kemi: Connected by train ( www.vr.fi ) As far as language is concerned, if you speak English, you should not encounter any problems getting around in Lapland. Most people in Scandinavia, especially in popular destinations, can speak English. Even Santa Claus is multilingual!

 Browse all classic holiday packages in Lapland

Or discover Lapland ice and snow hotel tours 

WHEN TO VISIT & WEATHER

The winter season, December to March, is an ideal time for a  winter holiday in Lapland . At that time of year both snow conditions and  northern lights  displays are at their best. This is also during this season that you could visit and stay at one of the famous  ice and snow hotels  and try a snowmobile excursion or husky tour.

Christmas and New Year’s  are popular times to visit, with festive spirit filling the atmosphere. If you're looking for a quieter time, February and March may be better suited to you. 

The Lapland region has a subarctic to continental climate characterised by mild summers and cold, snowy winters.  During the peak travel season, December to February, the region experiences an average temperature range of about -16 °C (3 °F) to 3 °C (37 °F) depending on location. On occasion, it can get as low as - 30 °C (-22 °F) or colder with wind chill.

Thankfully, the dry, crisp air has a moderating effect on the temperatures.

The amount and duration of snowfall also varies by location, but the average number of days with snow cover is around 175 to 225 days per year between mid-October and mid-May.

Learn more about visiting Lapland in December ,  January ,  February  or  March

Or browse all  winter holiday packages in Lapland  and northern lights tours

See more information about climate, daylight and time zones in Lapland.

TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO

There are countless things to do and see in Lapland, including these most popular highlights:

• Visit a reindeer farm  and learn about the daily lives and history of the Sami people
• Enjoy traditional slow food such as souvas made from reindeer meat and locally caught Arctic char
• Take a guided tour or spend the night at one of the fabulous ice or snow hotels
• See the northern lights , perhaps with a visit to the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko
• Go on a thrilling dogsled tour
• Drive a snowmobile through the snowy wilderness
• Learn how to drive a reindeer sleigh
• Visit Santa Claus Village and meet the "man in red"
• Explore the great outdoors by cross-country skiing or snowshoe walking
• Try your luck at ice fishing

Nordic Visitor itineraries are designed to be flexible, allowing you to add your choice of optional activities and day tours. To guarantee availability for the activities you want to do, we recommend you book in advance. Your dedicated travel consultant will be able to advise you.

View  active tours of Lapland

Discover tours of Lapland with snowmobiling or dog sledding

POPULAR ITINERARIES

An average stay in Lapland is usually 4 days. This is a short getaway that can also be easily extended with extra nights and optional activities. But don't let that restrict you, pick what interests you the most and Nordic Visitor can tailor your dream trip.

To help you make the most of your time in Lapland, see these helpful winter itinerary suggestions with themes to match. 

Swedish Lapland 3–4 days : Stay in Kiruna and enjoy daily excursions. This includes a  northern lights safari by snowmobile, a dog sledding tour, a visit to a reindeer farm and maybe even an overnight stay at the magical ICEHOTEL . Look up  Lapland 3-day itineraries or 4-day Lapland tours . Ice hotels / Romance / Northern lights  / Snowmobile / Active / Partially guided   5–7 days : Start in Kiruna before heading off to the  Aurora Sky Station  in Abisko National Park. You'll enjoy a snowmobile safari, a dog sledding tour, a visit to a reindeer farm and an overnight at the ICEHOTEL . Abisko is the ideal place for aurora hunting far from the city lights.  View Lapland 5-day itineraries or 6-day Lapland tours . Northern lights  /  Snowmobile  /  Active  /  Partially guided  /  Ice hotels  /  Romance   7+ days : Combine your stay in Lapland with some extra days in Stockholm and visit famous attractions like the Royal Palace, the Vasa Ship Museum and City Hall. Contact our Swedish travel consultant  to tailor a longer itinerary for you.

Finnish Lapland 3–4 days : Stay in Rovaniemi. Visit the famous Santa Claus Village , where you can meet the jolly elves in person. Then enjoy thrilling activities like a husky tour, a reindeer sleigh ride, and a snowmobile safari in search of the northern lights. View  Lapland 3-day itineraries  or  4-day Lapland tours Active  /  Christmas  /  Santa Claus Village  /  Dog sledding  /  Romance  /  Northern lights  /  Ice hotels  /  Snowmobile  /  Partially guided   5 + days : Combine your stay in Lapland with a few days in Helsinki. In the Finnish capital, you could visit popular attractions like Senate Square, Uspenski Cathedral, the Parliament building and the Olympic Stadium.

Contact our travel consultants  to tailor a longer itinerary for you.  

Need more help with your Lapland itinerary?  Get in touch  to start planning your  holiday.

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

A Guide to Visiting Finnish Lapland in Winter

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Those who want to experience a true winter wonderland should very much consider planning a trip to Lapland in winter. Visiting Finnish Lapland is a holy-grail trip for winter travel enthusiasts, snow wonderland seekers, and anyone keen on the classic winter and holiday feeling that only seems to come from childhood fantasies and winter wonderland films.

While Lapland in the summer, spring & autumn is a delight in its own right, winter in Lapland is unlike anything else. With that being said, the region is certainly one of the extremes, and being prepared is key to experiencing Lapland to its fullest.

Read further to get a better idea of what’s necessary to be most prepared for an unforgettable experience in Finnish Lapland.

Table of Contents

Lapland Weather in Winter

Located in Northern Finland, in & around the Arctic Circle, it’s no surprise that temperatures in Lapland reach extreme levels during the winter.

Throughout the winter months, beginning in November and typically lasting throughout March/May, Lapland experiences subarctic and polar climates, around -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F). If you’re hoping to visit during the winter months but prefer to skip the peak of the cold, November can be the best time to visit if you’re keen to travel to Lapland before Christmas.

While this is pretty cold and likely unlike any temperatures you’ve experienced before (unless you’re from a similar part of the world), it’s completely manageable with the correct clothing, which we’ll cover later on in the article.

Getting Around Lapland in Winter

Lapland is a vast and, in some parts, remote region, so planning your transportation before you arrive is an important part of planning a trip to Lapland. There are a few different ways to get around Lapland, but the best option for you will depend on your budget as well as a few other factors.

To begin with, you can rent a car for your trip to Lapland. This is the most convenient way to get around, as you’ll have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

However, it’s important to note that the roads in Lapland (especially more remote areas) can be icy and snow-covered during the winter, so it’s important to be prepared and experienced if you’re planning on driving.

If you prefer to have flexibility during your travels and time in Finnish Lapland, with the freedom to go to/from whenever and wherever you like, renting a car is the best option for your time in Lapland. You can browse car rental options here.

Additionally, you may be visiting Lapland intending to experience the ethereal Aurora Borealis and in this case, renting a car is your prime option as you’ll be able to leave whenever you want to chase after and see the Northern Lights.

Train and bus transportation are other possible options to get around the region as a whole, as well as a great way to see the scenery and to travel between major cities in Lapland.

However, it’s important to note that the train network in Lapland is not as extensive as in other parts of Europe. You’ll be able to reach other major towns/cities by public transportation in Lapland, but not remote areas and smaller towns.

While there are quite a few bus services in the region, the services can be slow, and you may need to wait, & if staying in the Arctic cold longer than necessary isn’t something you are too excited about, I’d go with renting a car if it’s an option for your budget, and you are a confident driver. Your other option is to rely on organised tours from Rovaniemi such as this guided tour.

If you plan to visit Finland in winter and your trip itinerary primarily consists of spending time between Rovaniemi, and Santa’s Village, as well as maybe taking part in an excursion or two, public transportation is a great way to get around this area.

Public transportation options in Lapland range from public buses such as ExpressBus & Matkahuolto to private shuttles around Rovaniemi such as The Santa Claus Express & The Arctic Circle Line. Prices are quite affordable with daily and week passes available as well to give you the most cost-effective options.

Which Month to Visit Lapland?

Lapland in november.

If you’re trying to decide when to visit Lapland and hope to skip the massive crowds of holiday tourism while still visiting in the lead-up to Christmas, Lapland in November is ideal.

While winter is pretty much in full force in Finnish Lapland in November, the majority of tourism peaks during December, leading to many benefits.

Due to the lower tourist numbers in November, besides the region being void of fewer tourists, costs are also dramatically lower, for both accommodation and activity costs. For example, the price of a hotel room at the same hotel in Rovaniemi is known to typically double in December compared to the cost in November.

All in all, if you’re looking to visit save money and visit Lapland at a quieter time of year with still the Christmas festivity, November is the perfect month. There are fewer crowds and you can still experience all of the great winter activities in Lapland.

Lapland in December

December is truly the most magical time to visit Lapland, as the region is transformed into a winter and Christmas wonderland. The days are short, and the nights are long, but the snow-covered landscape is simply stunning during the short window of the day that the region twinkles beneath the Arctic sun.

If you’re able to brave one of the coldest months of the year in Rovaniemi, December is an exciting and enchanting time to visit Finnish Lapland.

If you’re visiting Lapland with children or are hoping to satisfy your inner child, visiting Santa’s Village is one of the best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter, with an extra special ambiance in December and the days leading up to Christmas.

With that being said, all of this does come at a price; both literally and figuratively. Due to the high demand and popularity of visiting Lapland in December, prices are steep for both activities and accommodation, so if you do decide to visit in December, make sure to plan far in advance to have the best trip possible.

Lapland in January

As December and the holiday season close, tourist numbers in Lapland dwindle, along with the arctic temperatures. While December is the season for Santa’s Village and all things Christmas-related, January is the season in Lapland for all things winter sports.

While winter sports are possible and popular in both November and December, the smaller crowds make January the perfect time to get out and enjoy the crisp Lapland scenery. If you’re keen to try skiing among one of Finland’s most stunning backdrops, Northern Lapland is an ideal destination to get away in January and enjoy a winter retreat.

Lapland in February

February is another ideal time to visit Lapland if you’re seeking a winter adventure or a romantic Valentine’s getaway to one of the cosiest corners of the world, along with the caveat that February is the coldest month of the year in the region.

After the Winter Solstice at the end of January, temperatures plummet quite low and if you’re hoping to spend time in Lapland taking part in outdoor activities without the ability to handle cold temperatures, Lapland in February may not be the best time of year for you to visit.

Furthermore, February is winter break for many Finnish people and other Europeans abroad, so there’s a peak in visitors, especially throughout the ski resorts in February.

What to Wear When Visiting Lapland in Winter

When preparing for a trip to Finnish Lapland, one of the most important factors to consider and prepare is what to pack and what to wear when visiting Lapland in the winter.

Having the appropriate clothing for Lapland’s Arctic temperatures is a necessity to making the most of your trip and being able to experience all the outdoor adventure’s that you’ve likely dreamed of.

To begin with, layers and waterproof outerwear are the most important aspects of clothing to keep in mind while planning what to wear in Lapland.

Basic long sleeve thermal shirts and leggings along with warm sweaters/fleece and wool socks are important as base layers and regarding outerwear, make sure that you have a waterproof coat, waterproof trousers/snow pants, snow boots, heavy-duty cold-resistant gloves, and a warm hat. Any additional layers or outdoor clothing is helpful and is never too much!

If you’re not keen to travel with such heavy-duty outerwear, especially if you’re travelling via airplane, my favourite option for being decked out in the necessary Lapland clothing is to rent gear from one of the local tour companies in Rovaniemi.

If you’re taking part in any excursions or tours, these companies supply the necessary thermal gear from head to toe, from wool socks and scarves to a complete thermal suit, designed for the Arctic, Lapland temperatures.

Otherwise, you can stop by most of the companies and rent the same clothing for the duration of your visit at an affordable price, including a fitting for the clothing.

Things to do in Lapland in Winter

The Lapland region is a vast area of Finland with many options for things to do depending on your interests and time of year that you visit.

Explore Rovaniemi

When searching for things to do in Lapland in winter, one of the most popular destinations and bases for any Lapland itinerary is Rovaniemi. The capital city of Lapland and “the gate to the Arctic”,

Rovaniemi is a popular destination for winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. It is also a Lapland cultural hub with a number of museums, including the Arktikum, which explores the history and culture of the Arctic region.

In Rovaniemi, you’ll also find many traditional Lapland restaurants as well as shopping areas if you’re looking to do some Nordic shopping during your visit.

Santa’s Village

Easily one of the most drawing factors for many people visiting and planning a trip to Lapland, especially families with children, is Santa’s Village. Santa’s Village in Lapland is a magical place where you can meet Santa Claus, his elves, and even reindeer while exploring the large winter village “village”.

While you would expect Santa’s Village to be more catered towards children, it’s actually a place that suits all ages, with a magic atmosphere just around every corner and free admission to the village.

Whether you’re keen to go on a reindeer ride throughout the whitewashed boreal forests or eat traditional open-fire Finnish salmon in a hut, spending time at Santa’s Village is a must, and you may even want to return for additional days.

It is also possible to  take a guided tour  that includes a visit to the village as well as some nearby attractions.

Northern Lapland

Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus, is a city all about Christmas joy and festive cheer. But if you’re looking for a more immersive Lapland experience when planning things to do in Lapland in winter, head to Levi, the main resort city in Northern Lapland.

Here, you can connect with nature in all its forms, from the stunning Northern Lights to the indigenous Sami culture. Levi is a true winter wonderland, with miles of snow-covered trails perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing and fewer tourist numbers as it’s much further in the region.

In the evenings, you’ll have a clearer view of the sky and can gaze up at the sky in search, and hopefully delight, of the incredible Northern Lights. You can organise a Northern Light safari tour from Levi.

Excursions in Lapland

While visiting Lapland in winter, one of the most common ways to experience the Lapland culture and magical outdoors is to take part in one of the many tours and excursions offered in the Lapland region.

In my opinion, this is the best way to enjoy what Lapland is known for and has to offer, even if you just take part in one activity and these activities vary widely, from husky sled rides to Northern Light safaris and snow-shoeing.

Prices certainly vary depending on the tour/excursion that you choose, but are also a great option if you’re visiting the region without a car as transportation is included, as well as outdoor Arctic gear.

Where to Stay in Lapland

Arctic Light Hotel – Located in Rovaniemi, this hotel is a great choice for your winter escape to Finnish Lapland. They have a number of great rooms to choose from, an airport shuttle and there’s even a restaurant/bar on the premises. Click here to see their availability

Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – Those after a unique accommodation option while on their winter trip to Lapland will love these cool glass igloos in Rovaniemi. They have a number of different igloos to choose from and lots of great amenities available for guests. Click here to see their availability

Hostel Cafe Koti – Budget and solo travellers looking for an escape from the ice and snow will love this cool hostel in Rovaniemi. They have both dorms and private rooms on offer, an on-site sauna, breakfast daily and self-catering facilities. Click here to see their availability

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Rovaniemi hotels!

For travellers looking for an authentic and astonishingly magical winter destination, it’s hard to find anywhere like Finnish Lapland. Whether you want to visit Santa himself or dream of witnessing the Northern Lights, Lapland offers itself to anyone hoping to find a winter wonderland.

Do you want to experience a Lapland winter? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Helsinki vs Stockholm: Which Nordic Capital to Visit?

The Essential Guide to Visiting Helsinki in Winter

Is Finland Expensive? A Finland Trip Cost Guide

About Olivia Ellis

Olivia is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Michigan, USA, she is currently living in Athens, Greece exploring Europe and filmmaking. When she’s not travelling or writing, Olivia can be found cooking delicious new recipes from around the world, reading, and spending time outdoors.

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The Ultimate Guide: When to Visit Lapland for the Best Experience

Traveling to Lapland is a unique experience that not many people have the opportunity to enjoy. With its magnificent natural beauty, this region located in the northernmost part of Finland is an ideal destination for those who love to enjoy the outdoors and the cold climate. However, many people wonder What is the best month to go to Lapland? and the answer to this question may vary depending on the type of experience you are looking for. In this article, we will explore all the options to help you decide when is the best time to visit Lapland.

Winter season: December to March – Best time for Northern Lights, Snow Activities, and Christmas festivities If you are looking to experience the magical Northern Lights, the winter season in Lapland is the best time to visit. December to March is the ideal time to spot the aurora borealis as the nights are long and dark. The snow-laden forest landscape makes the perfect backdrop for this natural phenomenon. Lapland offers some of the best places in the world for Northern Lights viewing. In addition to this, the winter season in Lapland is perfect for snow activities like skiing, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, and reindeer sleigh rides. The Christmas festivities in Lapland are also something not to be missed if you are traveling with kids.

Spring season: April to May – Best time for Skiing and Snow Activities The spring season in Lapland is perfect for those who want to enjoy skiing and other snow activities. With the sun shining bright, the temperatures are milder than in winter, but there is still plenty of snow. You can also try ice fishing or take a snowmobile tour that will take you closer to the Arctic Circle.

Summer season: June to August – Best time for Hiking, Biking and enjoying the Midnight Sun The summer season in Lapland is the perfect time to enjoy the midnight sun. From June to August, the sun never sets in Lapland, which means you have 24 hours of daylight to explore. This is the best time to enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking. You can also visit the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and Santa’s official hometown all year round!

Fall season: September to November – Best time for Autumn Colors, Fewer Crowds and Northern Lights The fall season in Lapland is perfect for those who want to see the Northern Lights but avoid the crowds of the winter months. As the nights become longer and darker, Lapland is once again an ideal place for Northern Lights viewing. This is also the time when nature in Lapland is at its most beautiful, with trees painted in autumnal hues.

In conclusion, the best time to visit Lapland depends on what you are looking to do. If you are seeking winter activities and Northern Lights, then the winter season is the best time to go. However, if you want to enjoy the long days of the midnight sun, then summer is the perfect time to visit Lapland. Finally, if you are looking for the best of both worlds, then the spring and fall seasons offer plenty of opportunities to explore and have unique experiences in Lapland.

Remember, Lapland is an extraordinary destination that can be enjoyed all year round. Whenever you decide to go, pack accordingly, and be ready to explore the unique beauty this region has to offer.

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9 Best Reasons to Visit Finnish Lapland in Winter

Snowfall and safety. Unbroken wilderness and environmental responsibility. Lapland in winter is like nowhere else on Earth. Here’s why it’s perfect for your next winter holiday.

If you asked three travelers what’s the best reason to visit Finnish Lapland during winter, you’d likely get three different answers. For some, it’s the boundless nature and experiences exclusive to the Arctic like the Northern Lights. For others, it’s the safety afforded anyone who visits Lapland, no matter creed, gender or sexual orientation. And for some, it’s just the fun of snowballs, reindeer and Santa Claus.

We’ve collected some of the best reasons to spend your holiday in northern Finland, so read on and find out why your next adventure should be Arctic.

Our Wilderness & Nature

Finnish Lapland is bigger than the countries of South Korea, Hungary or Jordan, and the vast majority is unpopulated, as it has been since the Ice Age. Wilderness that dates back to a time before written language is virtually around every corner. With so much space and so few people, it’s easy to find isolation and privacy in the snowscapes and frozen forests. In fact, unless you’re downtown, you’re more likely to run into an errant reindeer than another person.

Ultimately, our wilderness allows you to experience the peace and quiet to sooth your mind, body and soul. It’s an integral part of Lapland’s culture, and after a few minutes breathing clouds of mist in one of our national parks or just the fairy tale forests that grow just outside our cities, you’ll understand. The last wilderness in Europe, and all the things you can do there, is the number one reason to visit Lapland in the winter.

Come experience the crunchy snow and gentle winter winds at Virtual Lapland .

Safe and Sound

No one likes to think about whether their holiday is going to be safe—you just want to know that you won’t have to worry about cheating taxi drivers, pickpockets, typhoons or anything else you might see on a Buzzfeed article or exposé. Here are some of the ways Lapland is one of the safest places in the world to visit.

According to Travel Safe Abroad , Finland (and by extension Lapland) “is a very safe country to visit.” Finnish culture emphasizes law and rules, so you don’t have to worry much about trickster transports or street crime, as you might in other destinations. According to the US State Department, Finland has a low rate of crime and violent crime is uncommon. And the tourism industry is generally regulated, and those rules are regularly enforced. Of course, common sense is a must, but by and large, Finland is a very safe country for a traveler.

If you read that previous section about the scale and isolation of Lapland, you might wonder how safe it is to travel by car (or bus) in mid-winter. But fear not, Lapland maintains its roads, streets and highways all year round , snow and ice be damned.

Speaking of winter, you might be concerned about weather-related events or problems. But Lapland has thousands of years’ experience dealing with snow and sub-zero temperatures, and there are very few surprises in winter.

What about health, you ask (because you were a living, breathing human in 2020). Finland has a modern and efficient health care system. Health care in Lapland suffers somewhat due to the long distances between villages, towns and cities, but all the major destinations have health care services and transportation can always be arranged for more serious problems. The long distances between population centers also acts as a buffer against viral and infectious disease transmission.

Finland is a member of the European Union and has a stable economy. According to US World & News , Finland has a very transparent government, in line with the other Nordic countries (and our brother from another mother, Canada). Any dealings you have with police or other officials are open and honest. Finns wouldn’t accept it any other way.

While some other European countries struggle with internal strife or extremist violence, according to the 2019 Global Peace Index, Finland has a high state of peace, ranking Europe’s 9 th most peaceful country. While no one can predict tomorrow, the trend in Lapland points toward more peace and lasting safety.

Women travelers can rest easy in Lapland, as Finland ranks as the 3 rd most gender equal country in the world (and we’re always top 5 year after year). Women are full members of society and are treated with the same respect and courtesy due everyone. People are generally helpful, and if there are problems or trouble, help is never far. Some service operators like Discover Lapland  even offer women-exclusive tours and events.

LGBT travelers visiting Lapland are welcome to express themselves openly and honestly. According to Rainbow Europe , we rank 6 th in Europe in terms of laws and policies that protect the rights of the queer community. Discrimination is illegal here, and Finland is considered one of the safest countries for LGBT travel. While the locals of Lapland can skew a bit more conservative than metropolitan Finland, there are regular pride parades and queer events and celebrations at destinations across northern Finland.

When you think of Lapland, there’s a good chance you’re also thinking of snow . That’s natural—snow covers Lapland for six months a year. The first snowflakes drift down in September and by January, the ground is blanketed and stays that way until May. With all that snow, there’s no end to the kinds of fun and adventures you can have.

Winter outdoor activities are one of the biggest draws to Lapland. When you step off an airplane to a world covered in half a meter of snow and ice, your first thoughts turn to skis, snowshoes, toboggans and frozen waterfalls, fatbikes and ice-skates. Those looking for more speed can hop on a snowmobile and drive across frozen rivers and expansive lakes , not to mention explorations of snow-capped forests and rising fells. Combine a trip across the snow with a furry friend and take a husky sleigh ride. Or you can travel like Santa Claus and have a reindeer take you on a gentle journey. No matter what your speed, you’ll find fun and exciting things to do in northern Finland.

With all that snow lying around all winter long, it’s no wonder some Finns have taken to using it as a construction material . Finnish Lapland is the best place in the world to see, enter and experience snow buildings such as igloos and ice saunas, as well as bigger buildings like snow hotels and the famous Lainio SnowVillage . And of course, you can’t talk snow buildings without mentioning the biggest in the world: the Kemi SnowCastle .

Sustainable Travel

Balancing the desire for an unforgettable Arctic holiday and the necessity of responsible travel is not always easy. Luckily for you, Lapland has always kept sustainability a priority. It’s not just a matter of bring visitors to Lapland—we take great pride in our magical forests and snowswept landscapes. There’s a lot we could say about our responsible tourism operators, our eco-hotels and green adventures. That’s why we wrote a Sustainable Travel Guide .

Northern Lights & #darkskies

If you visit Lapland anytime around Christmas, you might notice … the sun doesn’t rise. Well, not really. Instead, the horizon glows in pastel colors. This is called Polar Night, and it’s one of the reasons it’s so easy to experiences the dark skies and Northern Lights. From September to March, nights grow longer and longer, and if you look to the north, chances are very good you’ll see the magical aurora borealis swirling in front of the majestic Milky Way. At the Arctic Circle, the Northern Lights appear about every other night , but increase in frequency the farther north you travel. In northernmost Lapland, auroras are an almost nightly occurrence. Virtually anywhere you go in Lapland, you’ll find operators who are happy to take you to their favorite spots for seeing skyfire for yourself.

Special Accommodation

Here in Lapland, we know that hotel rooms are pretty much the same everywhere, whether it’s desert sands, tropical jungles or snow-crowned trees outside your window. That’s why you’ll find many different places to rest your head that you can’t find anywhere else . Like aurora igloos , for example. These glass domes combine modern, minimalist design with large glass domes that reveal the sparkling stars and (fingers crossed) the Northern Lights.

Lapland is also home to many different glamping sites, where you can sleep in luxury while still being only a tent flap away from the endless snow and thrilling chill of winter. For those that prefer fireplaces and bear skins, you’ll find log cabins ranging from traditional, rustic cubes far from the civilized world to modern alpine chalets slopeside.

And there’s no shame in wanting to spend your nights in a hotel—that’s why they exist. But Lapland offers a variety of suites to make your hotel experience as memorable as any reindeer ride or Northern Lights trek. For those who want the convenience of a hotel and the novelty of something truly Lapland, try a night or two in a SnowHotel , snoozing on a bed made of ice and snow.

Winter Events

Finns don’t just pack up and head inside when the snowflakes start falling. Winter is full of sport competitions, parties, celebrations and more. Ski competitions are the norm at many ski resorts across Lapland, followed by After Ski parties and events in April as the season winds down. Ice hockey games—not overly dependent on the weather—happen in many cities and towns throughout winter. And far to the north, there’s the Skábmagovat Film Festival , no doubt the coolest film festival you’ll ever attend.

Culture & Wellbeing

Winter is such an important part of Finnish culture , from the sports that are part of our active lifestyles to age-old traditions that have existed for thousands of years. Cross-country skiing , or as Finns refer to it— skiing —has been practiced in Lapland for nearly five thousand years . But some other winter sports that Finns and winter travelers love include ice swimming. This is when some crazy person has carved a hole in the ice, and you’re expected to voluntarily enter that hole and not die. Fortunately, ice swimming is almost always paired with sauna, and a few trips back and forth is just the thing to get your skin tingling and your heart pumping. Another fun sport in the winter is ice fishing. This too involves a hole in the ice, but it’s the fish that swim, not you.

Part of Lapland’s winter culture also includes the notion of well-being, or as Finns might call it, just being. Saunas, a Finnish creation, come in different sizes and shapes, smoky and steamy, (and occasionally Turkish for some eastern flavor), and you’ll find them everywhere. Many apartment buildings, if not the apartments themselves, have saunas, as well as many hotels rooms and cabins. There are unique saunas like the ice saunas at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos , or the and tent saunas that pop up wherever someone needs to disrobe and steam themselves alive again.

There is no place like silent Lapland for yoga, no disturbances and clean air to cleanse the body while breathing in and out…. A modern fusion of wellbeing practices is Arctic Yoga , which can help you focus your mind and energy among silent Arctic landscapes and extreme conditions.

And lastly, who doesn’t love a hot tub? There’s nothing better than melting under the bubbles as snowflakes alight on your nose. You can find hot tubs just about everywhere in Lapland, but they are also sometimes offered by accommodation providers and in some apartments. And nothing compares to sitting outdoors, in a wood-fired hot tub, as the auroras celebrate in the dark sky.

Christmas & Santa Claus

One of the main reasons people come to Lapland in winter is because we’re home of the most famous holiday icon of all time: the Easter Bunny.

Just kidding, of course. Lapland is the home of the real Santa Claus , with his secret workshop under Korvatunturi Mountain, and his hometown in Rovaniemi. You can visit Santa any day of the year at Santa Claus Village , but to really understand how beloved our most famous resident is, you’ll have to come in the weeks before Christmas, when it seems that every other person in the world stops by to give holiday greetings to Big Red.

Santa Claus Village in the winter is the perfect place to stay, with holiday cabins, aurora igloos, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, and more. You can even have Santa stop by and say a few words. Santa Claus Village is also a hub of winter activities, whether it’s snowmobiles, husky dogs, reindeer rides , aurora hunting … whatever winter wonder you’re looking for, you’ll find it at Santa Claus Village.

The rest of Lapland is also a magical place to spend the darkest days of the year, as snow covers the world—especially the farther north you travel. Twenty-plus hours of dark means sparkling stars and great opportunities for spending time with your loved ones.

Looking for more winter fun?

• 8 Best Ways to Experience the Northern Lights
• Keeping Up – Your Luxury Winter Bucket List

Related posts

Eco-hotels & sustainable accommodation in lapland, the 8 best seasons in lapland, taste of northern nature - local food from lapland, how to make a campfire, the magical colors of polar night, don’t miss these 8 hidden gems in lapland, do the social.

• @onlyinlapland
• OnlyInLapland

Visiting Lapland in the Summer: A Good Idea or Not?

Once in a while, this question comes up from my readers: is it worth it to go to Lapland in the summer?

The answer is yes! After I fell in love with Lapland, I have visited at different times – in the summer, autumn, and during winter months.

But there are also things you should consider when you plan your trip that I will go through in this post.

So let’s explore why visiting Lapland in the summer might be a wonderful idea and what you can expect during your visit.

Ready to discover the wonders of Lapland during the summer months? Great, keep reading and open this article on ideas for Lapland holidays , for when you’re done.

Table of Contents

Is Lapland worth visiting in the summer? What is Lapland like in the summer?

Is lapland warm in the summer how cold is lapland in july or august, what is finnish lapland like in july: watch out for mosquitoes, nightless night and midnight sun in finland, how many days to spend and how many days in lapland are enough, accommodation and summer activities in lapland, is rovaniemi worth visiting in the summer, is a lapland trip worth it.

First things first, Lapland does not have ice or snow in the summer. You probably knew this already, having looked into visiting at this time of the year. Still, there are plenty of questions online about snow and if ice hotels will be open.

Generally speaking, the snow melts in May. Ice hotels, igloos , riding sleighs or snowmobiles, and beautiful Christmas wonderland landscapes are all limited to the winter months. However, you can meet Santa in the summer too! More about that later.

You won’t be able to see the northern lights during the light summer months but you will catch the breathtaking midnight sun.

Lapland is a magical place that offers visitors unforgettable experiences all year round . You should go specifically in the summer to experience the stunning natural beauty without having to endure sub-zero temperatures and the northern summer nights when the sun never sets.

Finns appreciate the unique arctic landscapes and visit all year round throughout the different seasons.

Many fantastic hiking opportunities are much easier to take on in the summer and autumn and there are activities like fishing, cycling, and even small cruises and boat trips on arctic lakes. Because the sun never sets, you can go hiking in the middle of the night, if you want.

Summer in Lapland is a different experience that can be just as exciting and exotic. It is an amazing place that offers incredible adventures in the arctic wilderness .

It can get hot in Lapland in the summer, with the highest temperature in 2022 reaching 32,9 degrees Celsius. That’s 91 degrees Fahrenheit! It is much safer to expect around 15 degrees on average in July.

The temperature can go up towards the end of the summer, and northern cities like Rovaniemi can get heat waves when the temperature consistently exceeds 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). It is good to keep in mind some summers this is rare even in southern Finland, though.

Summer in Lapland is more likely to resemble autumn temperatures. Note that in the most northern Lapland summer is super short. The ice on the surface of lake Kilpisjärvi melts around midsummer, so if you travel in June, it will still be pretty chilly.

Grab the free kit

What is the best month to go to Lapland?

If you have read this far, you have probably decided to consider the summer or autumn months, which offer a different experience to going in the winter. This is a key thing to consider: what do you want to experience?

If you want to see the beautiful autumn foliage and the northern lights in the dark sky, you should travel to Lapland at the very end of August or during the first 2-3 weeks of September.

The beautiful leaves are usually at their best during the first weeks of September, and you can start seeing northern lights as the August nights get dark.

If you want to hike, fish, and experience the endless light during the nights in the summer months, you must go earlier in the summer. The longest days when the sun doesn’t set are around midsummer and early summer.

If you are not a big fan of buzzing insects that sting and want to avoid them, it is best to avoid visiting Lapland from around midsummer to the end of July.

While mosquitoes are common everywhere in Finland around this time, they are often especially abundant in Lapland.

There are plenty of things you can do not to get stung and keep the mosquitoes at an arm’s distance, but in all honesty, it is possible there are so many, even covering in clothes and using insect repellants (Off is one of the popular ones to look for in Finnish grocery stores) won’t fend off all of them.

You should also be aware that there are other insects in Lapland like blackfly and deer fly around this time.

The first two weeks of June and all of August are a great time to visit as you can go anywhere in Lapland without having to worry about the pesky creatures buzzing around you constantly.

That all being said, the mosquito situation varies depending on location and on a weekly basis. For example, it can be so that the higher you go (for example to Kilpisjärvi) the fewer the flying insects.

Towards June, the dark part of the night in Finland keeps getting shorter until the nights are very light and the sun barely sets.

Lapland is a great place to experience these extremes, as the winter is darker and in the summer the nightless night means the sun doesn’t set below the horizon at all during the night.

The closer you are to the arctic circle, the longer nightless nights will be around during the summer.

The number of nightless nights increases the further north you go. In the very northern parts of Finland, the sun won’t set at all from mid-May until the last days of July for a total of 74 days. In Rovaniemi, you should time your visit within the 29 days of the nightless night.

It is quite common for people to ask questions like “Is two nights enough in Lapland?” There are many right answers to this question.

You could plan a long hiking trip that would take you across the wilderness or simply stop by in Rovaniemi and visit Santa.

If you go beyond the arctic circle, it would be a shame to leave without experiencing the unique nature. There are hiking trails with different difficulties or you can rent a car or take a day trip following roads that will take you through Lapland landscapes.

It is also possible to explore your surroundings by driving to places like Kilpisjärvi or even all the way to Norway . Make the most of your visit!

If you plan to spend some time exploring the unique arctic nature, the accommodation prices can be lower in the summer than during the peak seasons in spring and winter.

Some of the tourist spots have plenty of outdoor activities on offer from husky puppy visits to cycling.

Most people who travel to Lapland in the summer want to do some form of hiking. If you are unsure and would like some inspiration, I have written about a multi-day hiking trip in Lapland which was one of the best holidays of my life. Planning something like this can be the highlight of your trip. Hopefully, by the end of it the time spent in Lapland will feel much too short and you can’t wait to come back!

Rovaniemi is a city that will surprise you with how it combines town life with arctic wilderness.

There are obvious things to do in Rovaniemi, like a visit to Santa Claus Village which might not seem like a summer activity, but it is also really easy to explore nature from the city. Santas Lapland is, of course, a little different without the snow, but you can meet him all through summer in Santa Claus Village.

It is not worth it to try to get an authentic winter and Christmas experience in the summer, but you can definitely get a lot out of your visit to Rovaniemi if you come with an open mind with summer activities in mind. I have introduced Rovaniemi a little in this blog post, including some museums and restaurants to visit.

To really experience Lapland, consider something like this day-trip to Pyhä during your visit. Make sure you go outside the city to see the wilderness if you travel this far north.

I might be biased, but after visiting Lapland for the first time I fell in love with it and have wanted to go back at different times of the year. Sure, it might take a bit more planning before you travel to make sure you make the most of your time in the arctic wilderness, but I’m sure it will be a wonderfully unique experience.

One of the most famous poems by the Finnish poet Eino Leino is called the summer of Lapland. It talks about swans returning after the harsh winter and making the most of the short summer months. A line from this poem was even featured in Finnish passports:

“Learn from the swans, they leave in the autumn and return in the spring. It is calm on our shores and safe next to the side of the fell.”

Will you consider seeing the summer of Lapland for yourself?

If I can help you make up your mind or you have any questions I didn’t answer in this post, leave a comment and I will try to answer it. And please share your own experiences of the wonderful summer in Lapland!

Here are some more articles that will help you plan your trip and packing:

https://herfinland.com/lapland-night-train/

https://herfinland.com/what-to-wear-finland-summer/

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Ontdek het Noorderlicht, geniet van een husky safari, maak een sneeuwscooter tocht door de wilde natuur en beleef het adembenemende Lapland tijdens een zevendaagse reis in deze wondermooie regio.

Ontdek onze bestemmingen

Je verblijft in onze lodges in het hartje van Fins Lapland. We selecteerden de meest typisch Finse en betaalbare blokhutten in 3 van Lapland’s mooiste regio’s. Al onze accommodaties zijn omringd door de ongerepte Lapse natuur.

Inbegrepen activiteiten

We bieden je standaard enkele top-activiteiten aan, die inbegrepen zijn in jouw reis naar Lapland: een husky safari, sneeuwscooter tocht, sneeuwschoen hike & noorderlicht experience.

Husky safari

Voor velen een droom die uitkomt. Na een rit van ongeveer een halfuur arriveren we in het territorium van deze enthousiaste viervoeters. De honden staan te popelen om ons te laten zien wat ze kunnen en ons 10 kilometer door hun gebied mee te voeren.

Vooraleer je op je eigen slee stapt, krijg je instructies over hoe je de slee moet besturen, hoe je kan afremmen en hoe je de honden moet behandelen. Daarna kies je per twee een team van 5 tot 6 honden uit die je tot de eindmeet zullen brengen. Je staat zelf aan het stuur van je slee. Halverwege krijg je de mogelijkheid om van plaats te wisselen met je passagier. Na de tocht krijgen we de tijd om op te warmen in een Finse hut met (natuurlijk) een kop warm bessensap.

Snowmobile tour

Sinds de Sami (het oudste, onafhankelijke, erkende volk in Lapland) dit gemotoriseerde voertuig ontdekten, lieten ze hun rendieren de vrije loop en ruilden hun trekkracht in voor stevige paardenkracht. Vandaag gebruiken veel van hen sneeuwscooters voor hun dagelijkse verplaatsingen en wat waaghalserij, maar vooral om hun kudde rendieren samen te drijven.

Nadat ons duidelijk wordt uitgelegd hoe we deze machines veilig kunnen besturen vertrekken we per twee voor een tocht van 20 kilometer door het Laps landschap. Halverwege houden we even halt om van bestuurder* te wisselen.

* Indien je niet in het bezit bent van een rijbewijs B, kun je als passagier de tocht ervaren. Kinderen vanaf 4 jaar kunnen plaatsnemen in een slee die aan de sneeuwscooter van de instructeur wordt bevestigd. Kinderen groter dan 140 cm mogen, mits de instructeur akkoord is, plaatsnemen als passagier bij een volwassene.

Aurora experience

Om het noorderlicht zo goed mogelijk te kunnen waarnemen, neemt je ranger je mee naar een perfect gelegen plekje. Terwijl we vol spanning wachten op het spektakel, maken we een kampvuurtje en vertelt je gids je alles over de lokale mythen en legenden, maar natuurlijk ook de wetenschappelijke verklaring van dit schouwspel, vergezeld van een worstje of wat marshmallows.

Sneeuwschoen hike

Onze eigen Lapland Travel gids neemt jullie mee door prachtige bossen, langs zacht stromende riviertjes en over bevroren meren om het prachtige winter wonderland dat Lapland te bieden heeft in haar puurste vorm te ontdekken.

De gids zal je zo veel mogelijk verschillende landschappen laten zien en je tijdens de tocht wat meer vertellen over de fauna en flora in Lapland. Tijdens de wandeling kan er halt gehouden worden om een vuurtje te maken en even te genieten alvorens verder te gaan.

Waarom Lapland Travel

Prijs – Kwaliteit

We bieden je de beste prijs-kwaliteit van de markt. Je prijs bij het boeken ligt vast en er zijn geen onnodige toeslagen of verborgen kosten. Je kunt al mee vanaf € 1.225 per persoon incl. vluchten.

Rechtstreekse vlucht

Met Lapland Travel vlieg je rechtstreeks van Brussel (Zaventem) en Amsterdam (Schiphol) naar Fins Lapland (Kittilä) met vaste prijzen.

Kleinschalige organisatie

Waardoor je zelfstandig met je eigen reisgezelschap kan genieten en persoonlijk begeleid kan worden voor, tijdens en na je reis.

Authentieke dorpen

Bij Lapland Travel geen hotels of resorts waar je de hele week vast zit maar drie authentieke Lapse dorpen omgeven door uitgestrekte bossen: Akäslompolo, Rovaniemi & Levi.

Zij hadden de tijd van hun leven

Zit je nog met wat vragen of twijfels?

Ons  magazine  biedt een duidelijk overzicht van ons aanbod. Je kunt hem via onderstaande knop downloaden.

Heb je toch nog een paar bedenkingen? Plan gerust een  telefoongesprek  in met onze experte Delphine en zie al je vragen beantwoord!

Zij gingen je voor

Het Vlaamse koppel Yannick en Lesley (van hetisdemerckx.be ) maakte een reisverslag over hun reis met Lapland Travel.

Zij spendeerden hun week in een Santa Claus Village blokhut in Rovaniemi en bezochten de rendierboerderij, gingen langlaufen en doorkruiste de bossen met een fatbike als optionele activiteiten. Daarnaast sliepen ze, als kers op hun Lapse taart, ook een nacht in een glazen iglo.

Lapland Travel in de media

Zevendaagse route door Lapland

Ver van het massatoerisme

De ultieme Lapland ervaring

Een betaalbare winterreis

De leukste outdooractiviteiten

Ontdek lapland travel ook op instagram, enkele van onze andere reisconcepten.

Arctic Travel

Namibië Nomads

The Vespa Trip

Lapland on a budget

• Cheap Travel
• Family Travel

A complete guide to planning a magical DIY trip

• The Travel Mum

UPDATE: easyJet flights were released today (21/3/24) and prices have climbed to extortionate levels already (£800 return per person?! No thanks.) Don’t worry, these prices will fall as demand falls. easyJet price their flights based on demand, and with the tons of people searching this morning, they have shot through the roof. Most people aren’t booking at these crazy prices. Availability is still there. Hold tight! 

We can now see the dates and times of the flights, so one option is to choose an ideal time you would like to go, set price notifications for those flights and keep an eye on the prices. In the mean time you can book accommodation with free cancellation for those ideal dates. That way you have it booked and ready whenever the flights fall. If they don’t, you can cancel for free. Just make a note of the date that the free cancellation ends.

Visiting Lapland on a budget may seem like an impossible dream. With some package holidays costing upwards of £10k, lots of families have been left feeling like a trip to Santas homeland will never become a reality for them. Lucky for us all, budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet have recently changed the game. The introduction of their direct budget flights to Rovaniemi, Finland (From the UK) mean your Christmas dreams can now become a reality.

Our mission…

We are strong believers that travel experiences should be available to everyone, regardless of their income. As soon as we heard about these new budget flights, we had to go and check it all out for ourselves. With a maximum budget of £3000 for a 7 nights trip, we had a strict budget. This was for all three of us, and had to cover EVERYTHING. From airport parking, flights, petrol, food, activities… not one penny more was going to leave our pockets (spoiler alert: we kept it below budget even with some more luxury additions!)

In this post I will cover everything you need to plan your trip to Lapland on a budget, as well as detail every penny we spent. It’s a long one, but you won’t need anything else to help you plan your perfect budget trip to Lapland.

To make this post easier to read for our majority UK audience, I have converted prices into GBP. Note exchange rates may vary slightly and prices can change. I have added red text when discussing specifics of what we spent. 

Where is Lapland?!

Lapland is a region located in the northernmost part of Europe and spans across multiple countries. The majority of Lapland lies within Finland, with smaller portions extending into Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Lapland is famous for being an enchanting winter wonderland and being the legendary home of Santa. Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland is known as the official hometown of Father Christmas and where we will be flying to for this trip.  

Flying to Lapland.

First things first you need to research where you can fly to Rovaniemi from . I see a lot of people on our website trying to find trips from airports that don’t offer any direct flights to Rovaniemi. For this winter ( January – March 2024 ) Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Stansted and Dublin are offering the best prices. Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester are also offering direct routes, but for a much higher cost. Also note what day the flights are scheduled, as they wont be daily. This means although you may want to go away for 3 nights, your closest airport may only offer flights on a Monday and Saturday.

As with all DIY trips, you should be considering flights before you book any accommodation. Flights prices can vary massively from day to day, whereas accommodation prices are much more stable in their nightly rates. If by the end of this article you still feel this is too much effort, we are happy to plan these trips for our premium members who pay £30 for the year . This comes with other benefits such as weekly cheap flights/hotel notifications. Note that we can only do personalised trip plans once the membership is paid, we can’t do this for people using the free trial due to the amount of time it takes.

Our flights were £75pp from London Gatwick travelling 4th – 11th December. We travelled with the free under seat allowance plus one carry on suitcase to share between the three of us. Flight total: £225 for a family of three.

When to travel to Lapland?

November – March are the most popular months for a trip to Lapland, with December naturally peaking in price and popularity due to the Christmas period. That’s not to say Lapland isn’t a beautiful place to explore all year round, but for the purpose of this post we will assume you are looking for the winter wonderland experience.

November is an affordable and popular time to visit, but snow isn’t guaranteed. That being said, the snow came really early this year near the start of November.

January will definitely have snow, and prices are excellent.

We visited in December to show it is possible to get some great prices in the peak Christmas month.

Whenever you decide to visit, Santa Claus village is open all year round. Remind the kids that Santa is a lot less busy after he has delivered all of the presents in December!

We visited on the 4th – 11th December, a peak time to visit but we were able to get decent prices on flights and accommodation by booking our trip early in June. I would recommend looking at flights as early as possible when they are released around March 2024, especially if you are wanting to travel in December / during the school holidays. 

If you are limited to the school holidays you can save a lot by setting off a day or two before the holidays start. Alternatively return a day or two after the kids return to school. Most schools wont issue fines for a day or two missed, and you will likely save a lot of money on your flights. We took Leo out of school for the whole trip but he hasn’t reached his 5th birthday yet.

So you’ve found your flights?

Don’t book them JUST yet, we need the whole puzzle to come together before we pay for anything. You may find cheap flights but then discover there are only really expensive accommodation options available on those particular dates. I know a lot of people who snapped up last minute December flights this month, only to then discover accommodation prices are currently extortionate due to the high demand.

When to book?

Ryanair and easyJet often release their flights around 9 months in advance, easyJet have announced they will be releasing their winter flights on the 21st March. Ryanair flights are likely to be released in April.

We booked in June and found a central apartment that was just over £100 per night, it slept up to 4 adults making it just £25 per person per night! This is the type of price you should be aiming for. This is the apartment we stayed in.  

You always need to take flight and accommodation prices into consideration together. It may be that it is worth paying £100 more for flights on a different date if this saves you £500 on accommodation and vice versa.

We can help you!

Our websites search feature can help you by finding great flights on dates that also have great hotels available. You can’t use this until the December flights are released. With one search you are looking for a cheap combination, saving you lots of time and effort. Make sure you know the available duration from your chosen airport. For example, last year Manchester to Rovaniemi flights were on a Tuesday and Saturday, so a 1 night overnight trip from Manchester isn’t possible.

Alternatively join our premium membership and let us do it for you!

Where should you stay?

The most popular area for families looking to book a trip to Lapland on a budget is Rovaniemi. It offers that traditional Christmas experience within a relatively small area that is easy to get around. The city is close to the airport, with easy access to Santa Claus village and Santa park via the Santa bus. We stayed here for three nights and felt that was just enough. On our first full day we visited Santa Claus village, on the next we went to Santa park, and on the morning before we drove north to Levi, we visited Snowman World. I’ll discuss attractions further down this post.

Our thoughts…

Our overall opinion of Rovaniemi was that it is perfect for families wanting a short and cheap trip with lots of magic for the little ones. It offers all the standard experiences (husky’s, reindeer, Santa, sledging) in a small convenient area. At Santa Claus Village you can queue and do activities on the day without pre booking, which is great for families like ours who lack organisation! Rovaniemi also gives you the chance of seeing the northern lights.

We did feel it was a little commercialised and although the big city is a convenient place to stay, it lacked that cozy Christmas atmosphere we were hoping for. That’s not to say it isn’t a wonderful place to stay, thousands of families return home saying their stay there was the best holiday they’ve ever had.

Levi was our second stop during this trip and we stayed there for two nights. It was just over a 2 hour drive north from where we stayed in Rovaniemi and the roads leading there were great. Kittilä airport is only a 19 minute drive to Levi and you may wish to consider flying here if you are staying solely in Levi. Bear in mind these flights are much more expensive.

Where we stayed in Levi.

We stayed at Levi Suites Levin Klubi which was great value. We paid £269 for two nights . Our two bedroom apartment was lovely and even had a sauna. The location was fine with a car, but would have been a little far out from the centre without. A more central option is at Levi Suites Levi Gold which is bang in the centre.

Levi is primarily a ski resort with a lot of the cozy Christmas charm we were looking for. A cute festive village in comparison to the large city we had just driven from. Whether you are a skiing pro or a complete beginner, this is a great option for anyone wanting a more active trip. The traditional Christmas experiences are more spread out than in Rovaniemi, but all are still available.

We didn’t ski but still really enjoyed our time here. ‘Kids Land’ is a great area with a small slope for sledging. There are lots of sledges to use for free and there is a small building with a log fire to pop into and get warm. We had a packed lunch which we ate in there and then toasted some marshmallows for desert.

I’ll list the activities we did whilst here below. Overall we preferred Levi to Rovaniemi, but Leo would tell you he preferred Rovaniemi to Levi! Levi is definitely better suited to older children and adults. We noticed tons of cozy cabins within the forest which we will definitely look into if we visit again.

After our stay in Levi we drove even further north to a small town called Inari. Lake Inari is the third largest lake in Finland and was the base for our two night stay here. The drive from Levi to Inari takes around 2.5 hours and the roads are beautiful and remote. We barely saw another car the whole time. Make sure you stock up on water and snacks as services along the route are limited. If you choose to drive to Inari from Rovaniemi (or drive straight back for your flight home) it will take around 3 hours 50 minutes.

Where we stayed in Inari.

I found some amazing cabins whilst researching the cheapest way to sleep under the northern lights. Inari Mobile Cabins are pulled out to the middle of the frozen lake at night to get the best views of the northern lights. I’d decided we had to stay there, even though it was pricey. Some experiences are so unique we just can’t miss them! As we had been so tight with our budget up to this point, we had the spare cash to book two nights here. The nightly rate was around £400, you get a 10% discount when booking directly with them (and not through booking.com). We justified this as a normal hotel was coming up at around £200 a night. With northern lights tours around £100 per person, we felt it would be better to stay in the cabins and keep an eye on the sky all night, instead of doing a tour.

The further north we drove, the less commercialised things became and the more authentic it felt. At the same time it also became less catered towards kids (and consequently better for adults travelling without kids). We are lucky that Leo has been travelling from birth, so he is pretty tolerant of long drives, uncomfortable weather and a lack of specific facilities just for him.

Inari is widely known as the capital of Finnish Sámi culture and houses the Sámi parliment of Finland. There is a Sámi museum as well as lots of other activities to enjoy. Whether you fancy husky sledging, reindeer experiences, ice fishing or cross country skiing – you won’t have time to get bored. The owner of Inari Mobile Cabins also helps arrange tours, so contact him through the website linked above if you need help planning your stay.

What to wear

A lot of people worry about how they will keep warm in the freezing temperatures. It was -22C whilst we were there, but we managed to stay toasty. Whether you buy your own items or rent will depend on how long you are visiting and what you already have at home. You can rent snow suits and boots for around £20 a day. Lapland Safaris is a good option and they operate in both Rovaniemi and Levi. If you are only staying for 2 or 3 days, this may be worth doing. If you plan to visit a cold climate again, or are visiting for a week like we did, it ends up being better value to buy your own things and have them to use again. My snow boots are so comfortable I have been wearing them back in the UK!

What we bought and prices

We bought our snow clothes from Aldi, Lidl, Decathlon and Vinted.  We already had some things like base layers, hats and my husband had boots. Essentially you need three layers of clothes. A warm base layer, wooly mid layer and a waterproof outer layer. As well as this you want a thin sock like bamboo plus a warm thick wooly sock on top. We had normal gloves with ski gloves over the top. We took hats, scarfs and balaclavas which we had already at home. I’ll list what we each bought and the cost below. The ski ranges at Aldi and Lidl were released in November last year.

Snow coat (Lidl) £25

Snow trousers (Aldi) £12

Snow boots (Aldi) £20

Ski gloves (Aldi) £6

Already had warm mid layers, base layers and socks.

Snow trousers (Aldi) £16

Gloves (Aldi) £6

Already had a coat, mid layers, base layers, socks and boots.

Snow suit (Vinted) £8

Snow boots (Decathlon) £25

3 x base layers (Decathlon) £36

3 x ski socks (Decathlon) £9

Ski mittens (Decathlon) £20

Total spent on clothes: £183 for the three of us

Getting around once in Lapland

For convenience we hired a car. We find with an impatient and unpredictable 4 year old, a car is always a good idea. It also meant we could easily go on our adventure into the north without worrying about public transport schedules. If we were only staying in Rovaniemi a car would have been completely unnecessary.  

Car Hire.  

Our car hire was £254 for 7 nights and we booked with the controversial company Green Motion. They had the cheapest prices by far but have a lot of complaints about them overcharging for minor damage/scratches. For this reason a lot of car hire excess insurance companies won’t cover them. When you hire a car you are covered for the basics, but you will usually have to leave a deposit which will be used as the excess should you do major damage to the car. This is often around €2000 and is held on a credit card. Excess insurance means that if you write the car off, the car hire company will keep your deposit, but then you can claim the money back through your excess insurance provider. The excess cover offered by Green Motion starts at €10 per day and goes up to €50 a day if you want to be able to reclaim all of your deposit. This adds a hefty sum onto the base price. easyJet car hire offer green motion cars and use AXA as their excess insurance. Leisure guard is another company that will cover Green Motion. (Research done by one of our lovely followers).

As a family we are quite risk averse, possibly too laid back! We meticulously film the car before we set off and on dropping it back off so we have evidence of its condition. We are pretty confident that we won’t damage the car (but also appreciate we don’t have control of all situations). I’d like to think if a hire company tried to scam us, we would be well prepared with evidence! We didn’t cause any damage to the car and luckily we had no issues with returning it. I mention the controversial history of this company as I know many people would rather avoid them and use one of the many other companies operating out there.

Do a search here to find the best value car hire for your dates. Looking at December 2024 you can get lots of similar prices to what we paid.

Public transport

Buses run often in all of the places we visited. Rovaniemi has the Santa bus which is €4 one way or €7 return. It stops at the train station, airport, Santa Claus Village and Santa Park. If you are staying within the centre it is really easy to access a lot of the main attractions.  

Lot’s of people choose to use taxis to get around. This will be more convenient than public transport, but will likely cost more (depending on how many people are splitting the fare of course).   Personally we found that with the intense cold and having a child with us, we didn’t want to be outside any longer than we had to. We had planned to use some buses for the experience and to get the content for you all, but in the end the convenience of the car being sat outside meant we could never bring ourselves to do it!  

Eating and drinking in Lapland on a budget

Self catering.

Lapland is a place where you will definitely benefit from having an apartment with a kitchen. Eating out is pricey whereas supermarket food is quite reasonable. On arriving in Rovaniemi we went to a supermarket near our apartment (K-Supermarket) and spent £66 on food. This included breakfast, things to make packed lunches, snacks and some dinners. Joao bought a few beers to have in the evenings and Leo got a £5 giant kinder egg (just to show we weren’t being completely tight!) We weren’t cooking fancy evening meals, we were eating things like pasta, pizza, salad, chips and fruit. For breakfast we were having cereal and some fruit and coffee. Lunches were sandwiches with some crisps/fruit/protein bars. We were drinking tap water and had brought our own hot chocolate. We did a second £40 shop on arriving in Levi and that covered all of our ‘home cooked’ meals for the trip.  

Leo is a very picky eater, so we always take a lot of super noodles away with us (he will only eat one flavour from one brand) just incase we are struggling to get him to eat. This covered a couple of his evening meals along with some fruit. We packed a lot of protein bars to take out and curb our hunger during the day. We also took a flask and some hot chocolate powder to have our own hot chocolate whilst out (this saved us £5 per cup).  

Total £106 spent on supermarket food.  

We always want to enjoy a few meals out, and the joy of being so budget conscious means you are left with spare money to splash out on a few nicer things.

We would rather provide our own sandwiches than buy expensive sandwiches in a cafe and by doing this a few times you are left with extra money to spend on a nice dinner. It’s not all about being as tight as possible, it’s about spending wisely. We could spend £10+ each on breakfast with a coffee, or we can eat before we go out and save that money. Preparing our own meals isn’t a sacrifice for us; rather, it’s a way to save money for the experiences that are more important to us.

At Snowman world we booked to have lunch in the ice restaurant and have a drink at the ice bar. It is a unique experience that we haven’t had before, so we didn’t want to miss out. You can have lunch or dinner there, lunch being the much cheaper option. It was a two course meal with a main and a desert. Joao and I had reindeer soup for our main and Leo had pasta bolognaise (prices detailed in the attractions section). All of the food was delicious, it was expensive for what it was but you are paying for the experience. We drank tap water so we didn’t spend extra on drinks and we ate a lot of bread! While it’s probably obvious for an ‘ice restaurant,’ it was quite chilly! To be honest, I don’t know what I was expecting, but dining with gloves on isn’t exactly ideal! After lunch we went to warm up in the cafe area overlooking Santa Claus Village. We got two glasses of Golgi (a traditional drink similar to mulled wine but without the alcohol) and this cost £5 for the two.  

During our visit to Santa Park, we stuck to our normal routine of bringing our own packed lunch. However, Leo decided he wanted the buffet food. Given his selective eating habits, we never turn down the opportunity for him to enjoy a hearty meal. Consequently, we bought him a child’s buffet lunch priced at £12. This ended up being ideal as he sat and ate it in the central restaurant area just as the Elf show was starting. The adults buffet is £20 but the food didn’t look fantastic so we gave it a miss. Joao and I ate our packed lunches and had prime seats for the show. We also spent £2.60 on a gingerbread cookie for Leo to decorate in Mrs Gingerbreads Bakery.

Whilst in Levi we had heard about a restaurant called Niliporo . Owned by a local reindeer herder, it has a menu full of traditional reindeer dishes. It is located right in the centre so we decided we would have dinner there. The restaurant is cozy with some interesting items on the menu. Leo didn’t fancy anything except mash potato and a hot chocolate. I ordered a reindeer burger and Joao had reindeer meat balls and some local beer. We also had the reindeer tapas as a starter to share. All of the food was amazing, really delicious and although a little expensive, it was worth it to try some traditional dishes. The meal with drinks came to around £82.

Our accommodation in Inari offered free breakfast. They also prepared a traditional grill hut dinner in the evening for around £30pp. We booked to have dinner with our hosts on our last night and Leo ate for free. The food was delicious, we had gingerbread and Golgi for dessert. A lovely end to the trip.

Total spent on food and drink bought whilst out: £199.10

(Relatively) cheap activities when visiting Lapland on a budget.

Rovaniemi  .

Visiting Santa – Rovaniemi is a great place to see Santa with Santa Claus Village and Santa Park being the go to spots for most. The Santa at Santa Claus Village is free to visit, but then you have to spend a fortune on the photos. They won’t let you use your own camera to take your own.

Santa Park is a paid attraction currently costing £36.50 for adults and £31 for children (age 3 – 12).  Once in there you can see Santa and take your own videos and photos. Overall if you want a photo, this ends up being better value than seeing him for free at Santa Claus village. The park has a variety of other activities, mainly aimed at younger kids. You can ride a magic train, do some crafting, attend elf school, decorate gingerbread cookies, watch the elf show and much more. It is all located inside a cavern and is lovely and warm.

Santa Claus Village – There are lots of things to do here. This outdoor village is free to enter and have a mooch around. You will find sledges with SCHV written on them, these are free to use and provide some free fun for the kids. You can do a husky ride, reindeer sleigh ride, visit the elf farmyard and feed reindeer, visit Santa or Mrs Claus and much more. I will list the current prices for these activities below. You can turn up and queue for these activities without pre booking. The Husky park recommends you book in advance, especially if you want to ride whilst it is still light. Leo enjoyed visiting Santas post office and sending some post cards home. Post cards can be bought for €1 and Lapland stamps are €2.50.

Santa Clause village prices

Visit Mrs Claus – we did this and the session lasted around 10 minutes. We didn’t buy the photo as we felt it was extortionate. €5 per person to visit – €20 digital photo – €30 printed photo – €40 for both Digital and printed.

Reindeer Sleigh Ride – We didn’t do this, but the queue wasn’t too long. People hadn’t pre booked.

400m path – Adults €25 Children €20

1000m forest path – Adults €40 Children €30

3km winter adventure – Adults €99 Children €75

Elf farmyard – We went here and felt it was relatively good value. We really enjoyed seeing the reindeer up close and feeding them. There is a slope for sledging in the farmyard, a little playground and a fire for toasting marshmallows. As well as reindeer there are also alpacas and sheep. You can pay to  

€15 per Adult

€10 per Child (age 3 – 15)

Additional €5 for a bag of reindeer food.  

Visit plus 15 minute walk with reindeer €38 adults €25 children  

Visit plus 1 hour walk with reindeer €70 per person

Husky park prices – We did the 2km ride. It lasts around 8 minutes and it a beautiful route through the forest. Sitting still and being pulled through the cold gets quite uncomfortable really quickly, so we felt this was the perfect duration. You can book your ride here .

Tour of park plus 2km ride: Adults €75 Child €45 (age 4 – 12)

2km ride only: Adults €45 Child €30

Elf hat academy – We were advised not to do this as it is a pricey experience for what it is. It is a 25 minutes session where you get to learn how to be an elf. Elf school is included with your Santa Park ticket.

€39 for a 25 minute session

Mini snow mobiles – suitable for ages 4-13. We didn’t feel Leo would be able to sensibly drive around the track so didn’t do this.  

€22 for 10 minutes (so we would have tried to distract him from these even if he was capable!)

Snowman World – This was one of our favourite things to do with Leo. Tickets are £25/person for all day access. This includes the tube snow slides, a snow maze, ice skating, an ice slide plus you can pay extra to get a drink at the ice bar or a meal in the ice restaurant. We booked our tickets in advance which included lunch and we saved a little by doing this.   By booking in advance it was £41 per adult for entry plus lunch and £35.50 for Leo . We pre booked 2 non alcoholic drinks in ice glasses too for £9. To book lunch on the day it was £21 for adults (plus the £25 entry – £46 total) and £15 for children (plus £25 entry – £40 total). The ice drinks were £5.20 each to buy at the bar, so we saved a euro each pre booking them. There is a luggage storage room here so it could be a great thing to do on your last day if you fly later in the evening.  

Angry birds park – Located in the city centre, this large park is free to enter and offers some great sledging opportunities. We saw a few sledges lying around here but we had bought our own in Santa Claus Village for €15. There is a big slope at the back of the park leading down to the river.  

Toast marshmallows – You will find lots of open fires around Santa Claus Village where you can sit and toast marshmallows. We took our own marshmallows along with some hot chocolate, a lovely way to have a rest and warm up plus a novelty for the kids.  

We only had two nights in Levi, so we were limited in time for what we could do. As we had already done the Santa / traditional Christmas activities, we were on a mission to fill our day with cheap but memorable experiences.

Drive up to the ‘Panorama hotel’ ( you can also take a gondola up there ) and find the ‘Levi summit’ cafe. This building houses a Sami museum, perfect if you want to learn a little about the culture and history. The museum was £11.20 per adult and came with a free hot drink at the cafe. Leo entered the museum for free.  

From here you can then walk to the “Secret cafe” . I show how to get there on my instagram highlight for Lapland, but it is pretty straight forward and people will be able to point you in the right direction. The walk to get there is mainly flat and takes around 5/10 minutes. The cafe is essentially a small shed with an open fire and a great view! Hot drinks are £3. There is an open fire to toast sausages (£3.50), marshmallows (£1.70) or prepare a hot crepe (£5.20). You can also get a Jagermeister for £6.

Kids Land – This small area set aside from the main slopes is perfect for little ones. There are lots of sledges there to pick up and play with. A hut with a little fire to warm up in and eat a packed lunch. It is free to access.

Sledging at the bottom of the main slope is very popular and occupied Leo for a long time. In the evening when the slopes close, kids can use the bottom of the main slope for sledging.

Christmas market – There is a small Christmas market in Levi – worth having a look around.  

Find Santas Secret cabin – We were excited about this one. Apparently it is best to book a guided tour but being the forever optimists, with a super tight budget, we decided to go and find it our selves. You need to take Gondola 2000 up to the top, and then head right towards the cabin which is apparently sign posted. Many people told us this was fairly easy, but they clearly hadn’t been up there during the snow storm we encountered! If someone told me it was -50C up there I would have believed them. Our hair froze, Leo’s eyelashes were frozen, Leo was being very dramatic and screaming ‘We need to get indoors!!’ – It was like something from an armageddon movie. So we pretty much called it a day and went back down. The gondola ride was beautiful, but it was not pleasant at the top! Please do let us know if you ever make it successfully!

I have shared A LOT of information above, but in summary.  

• Find cheap flights and self catering accommodation.  
• Plan what you will wear (buying vs renting)
• Work out how you will get around (Car / Buses / Taxi)
• Plan to do budget friendly activities.  

Ways to keep costs down:

• Buy budget friendly snow clothes (Aldi/Lidl/Vinted)
• Pack light and don’t pay for check in luggage.
• Do lots of free/cheap activities.
• Take your own pics with Santa at Santa park.
• Do short experiences rather than long ones.
• Bring hot chocolate and marshmallows for toasting.
• Cook most of your own meals, but do treat yourself to some nice meals too.

What we spent on our 7 nights budget trip to Lapland:

Flights and Accommodation:

Return flights: £224.87 (£75pp)

Airport Parking £59

3 nights Rovaniemi- £309

2 nights Levi: £269

2 nights inari: £800

TOTAL: £1661.87

Getting around

7 nights car hire – £254.88

£34 excess insurance  

TOTAL: £348.88

Food and drink:

Food shopping – £106

Eating out – £199.10

TOTAL: £305.10

Snow clothes – £183

Attractions – £384 (Mrs Claus, 2km husky ride, elf farmyard, reindeer food, 2 x post cards and stamps, Santa park, Snowman World, Gondola 2000, Sami museum, sausage and crepe at secret cafe)

Sledge – £13

TOTAL: £580

Lapland on a budget overall spend for the 7 night trip – £2895.85

This could be MUCH cheaper by staying for less nights, not hiring a car, not staying in a £400 per night cabin in Inari and eating out less!

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post and that it can help you plan your budget trip to Lapland!

If you would like us to plan your trip for you, sign up for our premium membership and get in touch!

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Een betoverend winters sprookje.

Besneeuwde landschappen, het magische noorderlicht, tochten met een husky- of rendierenslee, onvergetelijke ritjes op een sneeuwscooter en nog veel meer! Tijdens deze avontuurlijke reis trek je er elke dag op uit. Daarnaast kan je ook naar hartenlust skiën. Kortom, de ultieme reisformule voor natuur- en wintersportliefhebbers en een échte ontdekkingstocht naar de laatste wildernis van Europa. 

Ter plaatse word je begeleid door de Thema Travel bestemmingsspecialist en een team van ervaren plaatselijke gidsen. Zo kan je zorgeloos genieten van al het moois dat deze bijzondere plek te bieden heeft. Hoewel de activiteiten een avontuurlijk karakter hebben, is deze Thema Travel formule toegankelijk voor iedereen. Ook als je dus geen doorwinterde poolreiziger bent, maar wel openstaat voor een actieve vakantie, is dit helemaal iets voor jou.

Jolien Luyten

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Guide on How to Travel from Helsinki to Lapland

A re you heading to Finland and wondering what the best way to travel from Helsinki to Lapland? Did you know that for most visitors to Finland, these are the two most visited areas? It makes sense as most visitors fly into Helsinki, spend a day or two and then head off into the vast wilderness of Finnish Lapland.

In this guide I will help you in your travel research by providing up to date information on how to travel to/from these regions of Finland, whether its by plane, train or even car. 

One of the biggest factors in your decision about how to get from Helsinki to Lapland will be the amount of time you have and your budget. Below I go through the practical details on the three main transport options, providing the positives and negatives for each so you can make the most informed decision. Let get into it!

What are the airports in Lapland?

As I mentioned there are currently 5 airports in Lapland. Below are the airports with the main locations serviced from them.

Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)

Rovaniemi is the third busiest airport in Finland and is the most popular of the ones in Lapland. Located in the south of Lapland, just near the Arctic Circle, this airport is seen as the gateway to Santa Claus Village. Given the towns popularity, there are several flights a day between Helsinki and Rovaniemi. This is one of the few that also is international airport accepting flights from several major European cities. 

In general, Rovaniemi can feel a quite commercial and crowded, especially during the peak winter season. This airport also serves as the hub for Pyhä  and  Salla which are popular for their natural beauty and skiing, both downhill and cross country. 

Ivalo Airport (IVL)

Two popular destinations with skiers and snowboarders include Inari and Saariselka , which are both serviced by the Ivalo airport. The airport is within 30 minutes of both destinations and is the northernmost airport in Finland.

Kittilä Airport (KTT)

Kittila is one of the main airports in the northernmost region of Finland, and the only other accepting international flights. This airport services the popular ski area of Levi. Levi is a popular spot for families during the festive season, but is smaller and quieter than Rovaniemi. Additionally, the popular Snow Village can be found here.

Our favorite destination serviced by this airport is Muonio which is a laid back destination offering all the popular touristy activities found in Rovaniemi but without the crowds and is excellent for spotting the Northern Lights. 

Kemi Airport (KEM)

Kemi-Tornio Airport is located on the coast of the Bay of Bothnia, serving travelers heading to Southern Lapland. Kemi has slowly become more popular in the tourist circuits for their magnificent Snow Castle that is built there every winter and for the famous Sampo icebreaker cruise. 

Kuusamo Airport (KAO)

Lastly, the Kuusamo Airport serves one of Finland’s major holiday destinations Kuusamo, attracting almost a million tourists annually. Many of these arrive for skiing at nearby ski resorts, especially Ruka Ski Resort , one of the largest in Finland.

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Flying from Helsinki to Lapland

Domestic flights from the capital Helsinki to Lapland airports are operated by Finnair. While the flights can be reasonably priced if booked well in advance, domestic flights on Finnair do impose an extra fee for checked luggage. Additionally, the new Finnair carry on limits are quite strict with a maximum of 8 kg for all carry on items combined. This means, that for most travelers,  it makes most sense to upgrade to the main fare price which includes both carry on and checked baggage. Once you upgrade your flight, a round-trip flight will cost a minimum of €200.  Note, if you are looking for cheap flights, sign up for Finnair’s email blast and keep an eye out for flash sales.

That said, this is still the quickest way to travel between Helsinki and Lapland. It can be cost effective if you are a solo traveler and/or traveling with extremely light luggage. However, it can be get expensive if you need to check a bag or are traveling in high season with several people

Traveling by Train from Helsinki to Lapland

Next we will move on to traveling by train from Helsinki to Lapland , which is the second most popular option.

I personally find travelling by train in Finland to be a wonderful experience and the most convenient way to get around the country. The trains are clean and reasonably reliable depending on weather conditions of course. Additionally, it is better for the environment and saves you money on accommodation if you can take an overnight train to travel while you sleep. All long-distance trains in Finland are operated by VR Train. 

Day vs. Night Trains

The most popular train that visitors take to Lapland from Helsinki is the Santa Claus Express train which ends in Rovaniemi. It leaves close to midnight and arrives around 11 a.m. the next morning. If you are traveling with children, this train is great as the sleeper cabins are essentially sold as a two person cabin. Prices for an upstairs private compartment sleeper cabin which includes a private toilet run around 300 Euro one way. The train also has a restaurant car for snacks and meals while on the train. Note, Rovaniemi train tickets for the sleeper cars can sell out quickly, so book well in advance to ensure you have a cabin.

Another popular route is to Kolari, which is the northernmost railway station in Finland. Travel here from Helsinki takes approximately 14 hours. Boarding is around 7:45 p.m. in Helsinki with a 10 a.m. arrival.  Even though it sounds like a long trip, it goes by quite quickly once you get settled in your sleeper cabin, grab some food from the restaurant car and then hit the sack. 

If you are unable to secure a sleeper cabin, you can consider a day train. With free Wifi, power sockets and the ability to walk around, an 8 hour train would actually go quite quickly if you can keep yourself occupied! These tickets run around €75 per ticket during high season. 

Take Your Car on the Train

For readers who live in Europe or have a rental car already booked, they can consider putting the vehicle on the train as well! These trains depart from Pasila Station and can be extremely handy if you have brought your car over from mainland Europe, but don’t want to drive all the way to Lapland. This is not cheap, but is a dobale option to ensure you have more access to explore around Lapland.

Train Stations in Lapland

There are many train stations in Lapland that I can’t list them all, but the main ending/starting point for the major lines include Kolari as the furthest north, Rovaniemi and Kemijarvi in the east. 

Kolari is in the far north of Finland, northeast of Rovaniemi, and very close to the Swedish border. This station is perfect for those traveling to Levi or Muonio. You can reserve a shared taxi or bus from the station to both locations. 

Kemijärvi is located east of Rovaniemi and from here you can easily access Salla and Pyhä.

Overall, I personally feel that if you are traveling with others or even on your own that taking an overnight train to or from Lapland is a great option. Train travel is scenic, cost effective if you have a family or a lot of luggage and you also have the option of taking a vehicle. The negatives are that it does take a long time and there are times that the trains leave late at night making it awkward for families with smaller children. 

Driving from Helsinki to Lapland by Car

For many travelers further afield, this would mean renting a car and needing to return it either in Lapland or back to Helsinki which can be quite an expense.

I am not sure I would recommend this option for many, but if you have your car and you are confident on driving on the right hand side of the road, in snow or inclimate weather, you will most likely be fine.

But you must be aware that this journey is at least 800 kilometers and can take around 10 hours. That said, the journey up to Rovaniemi is along one main road and the views will be stunning for much of the way.

In general, I’d only advise driving to Lapland from Helsinki if you’re touring elsewhere in Finland, have your own vehicle and have at least a couple of weeks here to make it worthwhile and cost-effective.

Important Information for Your Finland Trip

When is the best time to visit finland.

In reality, you can visit Finland at any time of the year as there are a multitude of activities to suit any weather condition. That said, in my opinion, the best time to visit Finland is definitely during the winter months between December and February. This is when you will see the most beautiful winter wonderland landscapes and you have a great chance to see the aurora borealis. Note, it is also the coldest time of the year, so you will need to prepare for that!

What is the best way to get to Finland?

Finnair offers direct flights to Helsinki Airport from all over the world, including from here in Los Angeles. The international flights are on newer Airbus A350 planes which have ample legroom, flight cameras and more. Subscribe to their newsletter for deals and special offers if this is a trip you are looking to plan far in advance. 

If you are in mainland Europe, you can also make your way overland to Tallinn and take the Viking Express over to Helsinki for a very affordable rate. Note, this is also a great day trip idea from Helsinki.

Where do you recommend to stay in Helsinki?

There are so many amazing options to stay in Helsinki. I think where you stay is dependent on what you want out of your visit. During my stay in the city I was leaving on an early morning ferry and arriving late at night from the airport so I chose the Noli Studio Apartments which were cheap, clean and convenient to everywhere I wanted to go. There are several of them located throughout the city, so pay attention to the neighborhood that you wish to be in! 

If you want a little more luxury and don’t mind being a little further out, consider the Clarion Hotel which is a favorite for repeat visitors to the city. 

What are the best things to do in Finland?

There are so many amazing things to do in Finland that I can’t list them all here. But a start would be to check out our top experiences in Lapland that you can find all over the region. Winter activities are some of the best on offer here in Finland.

What do I need to pack for Finland?

Layers is the short answer. The longer answer will depend on what time of year you are visiting. Assuming you visit during the high season of winter, you will need to pack a lot of warm breathable layers such as merino wool . Overall, I would say to focus on layers, good boots that have room for several pairs of socks, good gloves or mittens and a warm hat.

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