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Best Time to Visit Lapland

You are here.

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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Finland , Things to Do

31 amazing things to do in finnish lapland (for all seasons).

There are so many things to do in Finnish Lapland that creating a comprehensive guide is almost impossible… but I have tried my best!

This guide will take you through nearly everything you can do in Arctic Finland throughout the year. Some things are season-specific, and others are more general.

If you think I have missed anything on the list of things to do in Finnish Lapland, please leave a comment below!

Why Finnish Lapland?

Visiting Finnish Lapland may seem like a challenging and difficult trip, but fortunately, the Arctic in Europe is incredibly accessible compared to other places in the world.

Finnish Lapland is easy to reach with multiple small airports dotted throughout the towns and cities in the north. During the high season in winter, regular flights arrive at these airports directly from numerous cities throughout Europe.

Throughout summer, you will likely need to transfer through Helsinki. The Finnish Arctic is unbelievably beautiful with lakes spread out across the land and small peaks rising out of the forests.

Throughout the land, there are several settlements where you can find outstanding accommodations and plenty of activities to do during all seasons. This makes the Arctic in Finland one of the best places to visit year-round, in my opinion.

Season in Finnish Lapland

Past the Arctic Circle , seasons morph into a different beast, with long drawn-out winters that encroach well into what would normally be spring and summers that burst into life with never-ending days before fall quickly sneaks in.

Winter dominates the year running from December through to as late as the middle of May, when a thick blanket of snow covers Lapland . This is the perfect time for enjoying the many winter activities offered in the Arctic .

Spring and summer merge into one as the never-ending daylight speeds up the melting of the snow and life springs into action. The long days are perfect for hiking and exploring the countryside, but it does come with swarms of mosquitoes.

Fall arrives in early September, spreading from the north of Lapland down to the southern reaches quickly. This is one of the best times to see the northern lights . Called ruska in Finnish, the arrival of fall foliage brings out a new level of beauty in the Arctic.

When does it snow in Lapland?

The arrival of the snow that lasts throughout winter is becoming harder and harder to predict with the warming planet. It tends to arrive first in the northern areas of Lapland, around mid-November.

Then by late December, the snow should be further south in places like Rovaniemi . However, between September and November, you will see many snow flurries that will most likely not stick around long.

The snow will stay until April or May depending on how thick it is and how warm the weather gets. Most snow-based tours will stop in April.

Temperatures in Finnish Lapland

Lapland covers much of the northern reaches of Finland and temperature differences between the southern limits and the northern reaches can be around up to 10°C different.

I have provided average temperatures below for rough seasonal parameters.

• Winter: November to March temperatures are on average around -13°C
• Spring: April to May temperatures generally hover on average around 0°C
• Summer: June to August temperatures are in the high teens and often go above 20°C
• Fall: September to October average temperatures are around 10°C

Naturally, temperatures will wildly fluctuate depending on where you are. For example, winter in Rovaneimi is not as cold as Inari, given both its location and the size of the city.

Best things to do in Finnish Lapland

Here is my list of the most amazing things to do in Lapland.

This list is a mixture of year-round, summer, and winter activities. Is there something I have missed? Please add it to the comments below!

1. Explore the lakes and rivers of Finnish Lapland

One of the best summer activities in Lapland is canoeing. Known as the land of a thousand lakes (187,188 to be exact), there is no shortage of water throughout the country. Many of these lakes are located in Lapland with connecting rivers that flow south towards the northern edge of the Baltic Sea .

Thrill seekers should head to Kuusamo or Savukoski , where rapids form and white water rafting is the only way to travel down the river, especially once the meltwater starts to arrive.

For those looking to attempt rafting for the first time, I recommend visiting Kuusamo. Alternatively, the Teno River, which forms a natural border between Finland and Norway, is the perfect place to do multi-day kayak trips, with the river eventually tipping out into the Arctic Ocean .

For those looking for a more chilled-out experience or just wanting to learn to canoe, I recommend taking a tour canoeing under the midnight sun. There is something so peaceful about paddling through the water as the midnight sun basks upon you.

2. Try to land a catch ice fishing in Lapland

The clean clear waters of Lapland are the perfect habitat for fish. Once the lakes become encased in ice, the fish slow down and move to the warmer water towards the bottom of the lake. However, this does not mean they cannot be caught.

Throughout winter, locals head out onto frozen lakes, drill a hole through the thick ice, and patiently wait for a fish to bite. The most common fish you will catch are perch and Arctic char , both residing in the freshwater lakes and rivers of Lapland.

While those visiting Lapland may not be able to head out on their own to ice fish, many great tours will take you ice fishing and provide you with all the equipment you need.

Ice fishing is generally great all over Lapland, but the waters around Inari and Saariselkä are well stocked with fish.

Ice fishing tours generally run from December until April. However, this is entirely dependent on when the lakes freeze over and thaw.

The advantage of an ice fishing tour is it is often combined with another activity such as snowmobiling or snowshoeing, like the Rovaniemi ice fishing tour with snowshoeing I took.

3. Make your own path while snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the countryside of Lapland. Much of the countryside becomes completely inaccessible during winter apart from maintained paths, but with a pair of snowshoes, you can access places that haven’t seen humans since the start of winter.

Snowshoeing can be done from when the snow first starts to settle until the end of winter, but it is most fun when the snow is deeper and impassable by other means.

The best places to snowshoe are the Finnish national parks located in Lapland, like the famous Riisitunturi National Park . With over 40km of marked trails that will take you through the snow-covered forest, you can see the famous popcorn trees  here.

With snowshoes, you can leave the more congested paths and head deeper into the national park to find picture-perfect scenes. When snowshoeing, be sure not to walk on marked cross-country skiing trails.

Snowshoeing can be done on a tour, or you can alternatively rent a pair from most places and head out on your own.

4. Experience the thrill of dog sledding in Finnish Lapland

Dog sledding is one of the most exhilarating activities in Lapland. There is something about seeing the joy in the huskies as they get ready to run, barking with excitement as the breaks are taken off.

When choosing a husky tour, the most important thing is to consider the sustainability credentials of the tour operator. One of the most ethical tour operators in Lapland is Hetta Huskies based out of Enontekiö .

Located in the northern reaches of Lapland, Hetta Huskies offer short husky rides and multi-day trips where you venture out into the taiga or out onto the tundra for three to five days.

Alternatively, Bearhill Husky located close to Rovaniemi prides itself on being a sustainable farm whose top priority is the dog’s health. While the most popular time to visit husky farms is winter, the farms are open for visitors year-round.

Visiting during the snow-free months is just as fun as you can spend time getting to know the dogs and, if you are lucky, meet any new puppies born that spring!

Visiting a husky farm during the summer months is a great way to help the husky farms sustain themselves until winter. To learn more about sustainable dog sledding, I recommend reading this informative CNN article .

5. Learn about Sámi culture

For thousands of years, the Arctic has been home to the Sámi , the Indigenous people of the north. Their historical lands are referred to as Sápmi and stretch from Norway to the Kola Peninsula in Russia .

In Finland, there are around 10,000 Sámi with the biggest population being in Inari. Inari is the best place to learn about the Sámi people in Finland, with the Siida Sami Museum being at the forefront of preserving the Sámi culture.

While Inari is known as the cultural capital of the Sámi, Utsjoki is the only area where the majority of the population is Sámi.

The area is a great place to learn about other aspects of the Sámi culture such as salmon fishing practices, with the Teno River being one of the best salmon spots in Europe .

6. Put the pedal to the metal snowmobiling

One of the most fun and exciting things to do during winter in Lapland is snowmobiling. Powering through the snow at speed along designated snowmobile tracks or your own path is unbelievably exhilarating.

Throughout Lapland, there are some amazing places to go snowmobiling where you can explore different landscapes. Kuusamo and Ruka are the best for those wanting to weave in and out of the trees that make up the taiga.

Alternatively, the frozen rivers that run through Rovaniemi make for incredible snowmobile highways, allowing you to concentrate on traveling at speed (within the speed limits naturally).

In the north, Lake Inari , Finland’s third largest lake, is another great place to explore. Snowmobiles allow you to reach areas of the lake that are generally only accessible by boat.

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy snowmobiling is on a tour, where your tour guide will take you to the best spots and ensure you stay on the correct trails.

Modern advancements in snowmobiling mean that many tour providers are switching to electric snowmobiles, which are not only better for the environment but also drastically cut down noise pollution.

7. Spend the night bear-watching in Lapland

One of my all-time favorite experiences in Lapland was going bear-watching . While bears inhabit all of Finland, the population is largely concentrated in Eastern Finland and Lapland.

One of the best places to see bears is Kuusamo, right on the Russian border. During the bear-watching season between May and September, bears travel over the border in search of food.

In the carefully situated huts around Kuntilampi (bear pond), where the bears know there is the possibility of finding food, you can spend the evening watching these majestic animals going about their daily business.

Ninety-nine percent of visitors will see at least one bear, although occasionally, you will need a fair bit of patience as the bears can arrive late at night.

Fortunately, during the midnight sun , the constant daylight is perfect for photographing the bears throughout the early hours of the morning.

8. Go on a moose safari in Lapland

Moose are fairly prevalent throughout Finnish Lapland, but seeing one is often challenging. For such large animals, they hide themselves superbly. One of the best places to see moose during the summer and early fall is just south of Rovaniemi. Set your satnav to the northern end of the Pisantie Road.

Once you have reached your destination, follow Pisantie Road south, until it kind of forks and you will want to turn right onto Louejoentie. Follow the dirt road and scan for moose, which inhabit this area in large numbers due to a hunting ban.

Keep an eye out on the verges as sometimes they come out of nowhere, which has happened to me the two times I have seen them in the area. Once you reach the end of the road turn left onto the main road and rejoin the Pisantie road to finish the loop.

The best time to see moose is early fall during the mating season when they are most active. During summer they are around, but seeing them is hard due to the overgrowth, there is a higher chance during the evening and morning but I did see one in the middle of the day.

Alternatively, you can book a moose-watching tour that departs from Rovaniemi, where a guide will take you to the area and drive the circuit. The advantage of taking the tour is that the guides are well-adapted to seeing moose. You will also be provided with binoculars.

9. Explore Lapland while cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is the national pastime of the Finnish people, and there are ski tracks nearly everywhere! Saariselkä village alone has more than 200 km (124 mi) of ski tracks! For those wanting to learn to cross-country ski, it is best to stick around a ski resort such as Ylläs .

In Ylläs there are 314 km (195 mi) of cross-country skiing trails, throughout the resort and into Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park . Some of the trails through the national park are only maintained by snowmobiles as they head deep into the more inaccessible parts of the park, so after heavy snowfall, they may not be accessible straight away.

The Pyhä and Luosto National Park has 150 km (93 mi) of cross-country skiing paths that take you between the two sectors of the national park. The designated cross-country skiing routes should never be walked or snowshoed on!

10. Visit Rudolph at a reindeer farm

There are around 200,000 reindeer in Finland, nearly all of which are semi-wild. They spend spring, summer, and fall out in the forests and tundra, before being brought back to the farms for winter where they can be fed and kept safe.

Unlike the rest of the Nordics, reindeer farming in Finland is not reserved only for the Sámi. However, some of the best places to see reindeer are around Sámi-populated areas like Inari and Utsjoki.

In Utsjoki, there are around 10,000 reindeer to the 1,400 residents, and you will often see them on the roads or even hanging outside of hotels. To get up close to the reindeer and have the chance to feed them, you can visit a reindeer farm, like Reindeer Farm Petri Mattus close to Inari.

Here, you will be taken out to the forest to meet the reindeer and learn all about the Sámi traditions around reindeer herding. Further south in Finnish Lapland, Luosto is a great place to see reindeer, with a large herd often found wandering through the town and sitting outside of the Lapland Hotels Luostotunturi .

On the road between Rovaniemi and Luosto, you will often find yourself in reindeer traffic jams as they trot down the roads seemingly with no fear of cars. While reindeer are all owned, they are still wild animals and should be treated with respect and not disturbed .

11. Visit one of the best museums in Lapland

Many of the bigger settlements throughout Lapland have a range of interesting museums that you can visit throughout the year. The museums generally focus on life in the Arctic, the environment, and the Sami.

Museums are open year-round and provide the perfect getaway from the cold during the winter. Here are a few of the best museums located in Finnish Lapland.

Located in Rovaniemi, Artikum is a great place to learn about everything to do with the Arctic, from the animals of the far north to how we need to protect it for future generations.

Address: Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi

Siida is an incredible Sámi museum in Inari. For those staying in the region around Inari, it is a must-visit so that you can learn about the history of the Sámi and Sápmi. Tickets for Siida can be purchased in advance or at the museum.

Address: Inarintie 46, 99870 Inari

Särestöniemen Museosäätiö

Särestöniemen Museosäätiö is a museum dedicated to displaying the artwork of Reidar Särestöniemi, one of Lapland’s most famous artists. The museum buildings themselves make visitors feel like they are stepping back in time, having been in the Säarestöniemi family since the 19th century.

Address: Särestöntie 880, 99110 Kittilä

12. Relax in a Finnish sauna

Saunas in Finland are a big business. Nearly every single housing building will come with a sauna for the residents or individual saunas in the apartment. For visitors, it is a must-do experience while staying in Lapland. While it can be done pretty much everywhere, here are a few more unique sauna experiences throughout Lapland.

Kiilopää Sauna World

Kiilopää Sauna World is located close to Saariselkä, forming part of the wonderful Suomen Latu Kiilopää resort. In the resort’s little world of saunas, you will find both a traditional smoke sauna and an electric sauna. After warming up in the sauna, take a plunge into the Kiikopää River pools.

Address: Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä

Apukka Ice Sauna

At Apukka Resort , you will find one of the world’s most unique sauna experiences, an ice sauna . Built each winter, the sauna is made up of ice logs and creates an odd feeling of both cold and hot.

Address: Tutkijantie 28, 96900 Rovaniemi

Floating Sauna

During summer, there is a chance for another unique sauna experience, the floating sauna . Departing from Rovaniemi, Nordic Unique Travels offers a special sauna lake cruise where you can spend the evening on their special sauna boat in the middle of the lake.

Once you are sufficiently hot, plunge into the lake under the glow of the midnight sun.

13. Eat traditional food from Finnish Lapland

The gastronomic scene in Lapland is superb, with plenty of incredible dishes that utilize fresh local ingredients. Despite short growing seasons, the lands in the north are productive and many fresh ingredients are unique to the Lapland and the Arctic.

Reindeer meat has sustained the people of the north for millennia. It is considered to not only be healthier lean meat, but it is also a more sustainable way of consuming meat .

Here are a few of the dishes you must try while in Lapland:

Sautéed Reindeer (Poronkäristys)

One of my all-time favorite dishes is sautéed reindeer, consisting of thin shavings of reindeer meat that have been sautéed and cooked in a delicate sauce, served over mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.

Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto)

Finland’s rivers in the north produce some of the most incredible salmon, and this traditional hearty soup is a great way to consume salmon in a delectable creamy sauce.

Finnish Squeaky Cheese (Leipäjuusto)

While not necessarily a dish of its own, Finnish squeaky cheese is a great way to finish off a meal and can make up part of a cheese board or be served with cloudberry jam for a traditional dessert.

14. Take a road trip during the midnight sun

Summer in the Arctic is perfect for epic road trips as the midnight sun shines throughout the night. The long days make road trips easy as you don’t feel the constraint of wanting to finish driving for the day before nightfall.

Take the opportunity to drive as far north as you can, taking in the sights and towns of the high Arctic. One of the most amazing road trips I have done is from Rovaniemi to Vardø in Northern Norway .

The journey from the Arctic Circle to the Arctic Ocean can be done in around eight hours without stops. Instead, I took the time to experience the towns of Ivalo , Inari, and Utsjoki along the way before heading into Norway and marveling at the drastically different scenery.

You can choose to stay in hotels along the way or you can wild camp on public land along the way.

15. Hunt for the Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland

The chance to see the A urora Borealis draws visitors in their droves to Lapland every year. Seeing this natural phenomenon is incredible and really should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Lapland is one of the best places to see the northern lights in the world. However, seeing the aurora does involve a little bit of luck, requiring both solar activity and clear skies that no one can control.

While clear skies are the most important thing, the location you choose will make the photo.

Lakes are a great place to view the lights early in the season before the water freezes as they reflect the aurora in the sky, making for epic pictures. Given the size of Lake Inari, it makes for an incredible picture.

During the depths of winter, the famous popcorn trees of Riisitunturi National Park make for incredible pictures. Rovaniemi is one of the best places for starting a northern lights adventure as the well-connected city has roads heading in pretty much every direction and makes it more convenient to hunt for clear skies.

I always try and take a Rovaniemi northern lights tour when I am there.

16. Pick wild berries

Throughout summer and fall, you will find thousands of berries that are growing wild and ready to pick!

Seasons for berry picking vary depending on the type of berry, but normally, by the end of July, you can find plenty of edible berries and the supermarkets will start selling numerous tools that help you pick them!

I have included some information about some of the berries you can expect to find in the Arctic.

Blueberries

Blueberries are abundant throughout Lapland. They start appearing in August and can be pretty much found everywhere in the forest. As they get older, they start to ferment a little, and they say they get the moose and reindeer a little drunk.

Cloudberries

Cloudberries are some of the most valuable berries in the world. They grow sporadically and are generally some of the first to be harvested due to their worth. Generally, they are best to be picked in August.

Lingonberries

One of the most iconic berries of northern Europe is the lingonberry. This sour berry is great in sauces and the perfect accompaniment for reindeer and moose dishes. They can be found pretty much anywhere and are picked from late August into fall.

17. Spend a day hiking

Hiking in Lapland is awesome. The terrain throughout Lapland is not super challenging with relatively small peaks that rise out of the boreal forest . Given the importance of nature in the Finnish way of life, there are plenty of marked trails and boardwalks that keep you raised above the boggy lands.

Along the routes, there are often little huts where you can light a fire and cook food on the grill; dry wood is generally available for free or for a small cost.

Here are a few of the best hikes in Lapland:

Karhunkierros Trail

Located largely in the Oulanka National Park , Karhunkierros Trail is one of the most famous and popular hiking trails in Lapland, full of scenic sites such as rapids, forests, and fells.

The route is an 82 km (51 mi) multiday hike that can begin In Ruka or Hautajärvi and is generally done over 4 days. Alternatively, you can take the shorter 12 km (7.5 mi) day hike that is a circular route from Oulanka Basecamp or Juuma village parking area.

The hikes are both quite demanding but can be done by those with basic hiking skills. They are not suitable for those with mobility issues.

Saana Fell popular hiking destination located in northern Lapland by Enontekiö. This short 4 km (2.5 mi) hike takes you to the summit of the Saana Fell at 1,029 m (3,376 ft).

Saana Fell is the starting point of the Scandinavian mountain range, offering incredible views out over the tundra below. The hike is not too strenuous but is not suitable for those with mobility issues.

Arctic Circle Hiking Area

The Arctic Circle Hiking area is a great location close to Rovaniemi where you can enjoy many different trails that are all well-marked and range from easy to medium difficulty.

This area has accessible trails for those with mobility issues, such as the Könkäänsaari Accessible Nature Trail. This trail is a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) circle trail and has access to accessible toilets too.

18. Stay in a Lapland glass igloo

Glass igloos are one of the most sought-after accommodation types in Lapland, with their promise of stunning views of the aurora overhead as you lie in bed.

However, not all of them are igloo-shaped! These hotels are generally on the higher end of the budget spectrum but are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I highly recommend for at least a night if your budget allows it.

Here are three glass igloo hotels that I highly recommend staying at throughout Lapland:

Glass Resort

Located behind Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is Glass Resort , which offers multi-level igloos that are perfect for those wanting to enjoy a luxury stay while visiting Rovaniemi.

Each igloo comes equipped with a sauna, kitchen, living area, and mezzanine bedroom. On the outside, every igloo has its own secluded outdoor hot tub.

Address: Tähtikuja 16, 96930 Rovaniemi

Aurora Village

Aurora Village is situated just outside of Ivalo and is, in my opinion, one of the best aurora resorts in Lapland. The glass-roofed cabins are cozy, with a large double bed, coffee and tea-making facilities, and a nice bathroom.

At night, the resort is away from any natural light. They also minimize their own light pollution as much as possible.

Address: Aurorakuja 38, 99800 Inari

Arctic Skylight Lodge

Found in Äkäslompolo , the Arctic Skylight Lodge has 10 secluded forest lodges, where you can look out over the forest and hopefully at the clear skies above.

Each lodge offers uninterrupted views of the sky and forest from a comfortable bed.

Address: Äkäslompolontie 2748, 95970 Äkäslompolo

19. Hit the slopes in Finnish Lapland

While Finland may not have the reputation of the Alps or even its neighbor Norway for skiing and snowboarding. there are several great resorts in Lapland that are perfect for beginners and those looking for a more relaxing ski trip where you can mix in some other winter activities.

Below I have listed some information about three amazing resorts in Lapland:

Located close to Kuusamo, Ruka has the longest ski season running from early October until May. Snow from the previous season is preserved so that the ski season can start in October before the snow arrives.

There are about 19 km (11.8 mi) of slopes in Ruka, most of which are blue runs, although there are some reds and blacks available for more advanced skiers and riders. The snowpark is known to be one of the best in Finland. The closest airport to Ruka is Kuusamo.

Levi is one of the most famous resorts in Finland and each year hosts a leg of the women’s alpine skiing World Cup. The winner of this stage of the World Cup is given a reindeer that they can name and visit whenever they want!

There are 38.5 km (23.92 mi) of ski slopes of varying difficulty with just under 50% of those being red runs. There are also several snowparks in Levi for those looking to improve their freestyle technique. The closest airport to Levi is Kittilä .

Ylläs is the largest resort in all of Lapland, boasting 53 km (32.93 mi) of slopes. Most of the slopes are of red and blue difficulty, but there are about 6 km (3.73 mi) of black runs.

There are also four snowparks in the resort. The closest airport to Ylläs is Kittilä.

20. Cook in the wild

Lapland is a paradise for those who love to spend time outdoors. Be it the well-built hiking routes or the endless summer days, there is very little reason to spend the day inside even during the middle of winter.

To make an outdoorsy life easier, there are hundreds if not thousands of public fireplaces located throughout the countryside. These little huts come in various sizes from small lean-to shelters called laavu to larger enclosed buildings where you can even spend the night.

Near many of the laavu is a shed containing free or cheap firewood so you can enjoy your meals outside.

There is nothing better than heading out into the wild with some food for grilling, knowing at the end of your hike or hunt of the aurora you can stop and warm and fill up by a roaring fire. Some of these laavu are located in the most scenic spots such as the Kuninkaanlaavu lean-to near Rovaniemi or Otsamo, Inari.

21. Celebrate Midsummer the Finnish way

One of the most significant dates in the Arctic is the arrival of Midsummer or Juhannus in Finnish. This is the day when the sun officially does not set and you can enjoy the endless daylight.

Experiencing the midnight sun is truly a unique experience and you will easily lose track of time. On the actual day of Midsummer, there are normally plenty of activities going on as people celebrate outdoors.

Look out for bonfires on the beach or sauna experiences where you slap each other with birch brushes, to name a few activities! As this is a celebratory time, there is often plenty of cake going around, utilising strawberries that are in season during this period. These are some of the best strawberries in the world!

Midsummer is a different day each year, but it is always between the 20th and 26th of June. Despite the potential for all-day sunshine, it will not necessarily be warm and it has snowed on occasion.

22. Revel at ruska

While Lapland may be known for its picturesque landscapes during winter, fall might just be the most beautiful time of year.

Known as ruska , the forests of Lapland begin to change their colors at the start of September. Ruska arrives in the north first where places like Utsjoki start seeing the trees with their fall foliage in early September.

By the end of September, ruska reaches the southern end of Lapland and the dense boreal forest is transformed into autumnal hues. During this period, the northern lights tend to be at their strongest, the forests are abundant with food, and the weather is perfect for hiking.

The ruska period ends when the snow starts to arrive and a white blanket is laid over Lapland.

23. Marvel at the Polar Night

When people imagine the Arctic during the winter, they assume it is plunged into complete darkness. However, this is only true for the high Arctic in places like Svalbard . The polar night in Finnish Lapland is dark, but during the middle of the day, there is a glimmer of light on the horizon as the sun fails to rise above it.

The further north you go in Lapland, the earlier the polar night starts and the longer it lasts. In Ruka there is an incredible Polar Night Light Festival , where light installations are lit around the resort, most of which can be seen for free. Others you will need to hit the slopes to experience. The festival runs every year throughout January.

24. Chase frozen waterfalls

As the winter freeze starts, little trickles of water down the sides of canyons and hills build into giant frozen waterfalls . This incredible transformation is one of the coolest things to see in Lapland and there is no better place to see frozen waterfalls than Korouoma Canyon in southern Lapland.

Numerous frozen waterfalls line the canyon, but most people, including myself, take a Korouoma Canyon hiking tour to see the three most famous ones. You will head down into the canyon approximately 5 km (3.11 mi), passing three frozen waterfalls.

The hike is relatively easy, but there are some challenging icy sections where you will need spikes on your shoes or help from a guide to navigate. Some of the waterfalls are used for ice climbing, which makes for pretty epic views as people attempt to get to the top of the frozen waterfall.

The frozen waterfalls form as the big freeze sets over the Arctic. However, I recommend going to see them in later winter when there is more daylight to really enjoy the hike and scenery.

I advise taking a tour of the canyon from Rovaniemi as the challenging parts are very difficult. I personally do not think I would have completed the hike without the knowledge of my tour guide.

25. Try local drinks

When it comes to the national drink of Finland, there is only one winner… black coffee. It is available everywhere, comes with free refills in most cafes, and seemingly powers the whole population.

As someone who doesn’t drink coffee, I do not understand the obsession! However, there are a few other must-try drinks when visiting Finnish Lapland.

Glögi is a spiced berry drink that can be with or without alcohol. This is traditionally consumed around Christmas time, but is a great winter warmer throughout the long Arctic winter.

Lapland Brewery

Lapland Brewery is Finland’s most northern brewery. They look to be inspired by their Arctic surroundings, which are reflected in the names of their brews such as the Pyhä-Luosto Wilderness Lager.

The brewery is located in Rovaniemi and is open every day apart from Sundays. Tours of the brewery are offered every Friday, but you will need to book your visit in advance via their website.

Address: Teollisuustie 14 B, 96320 Rovaniemi

26. Visit incredible national parks

Lapland is home to some of Finland’s most amazing national parks. The great thing about the national parks of Lapland is they can be visited in every season! Summer is perfect for hiking with long drawn-out days, while fall brings the beautiful changing of colors, making for awe-inspiring and colorful vistas.

In winter, the thick covering of snow turns the parks into a winter wonderland, where you can enjoy various winter sports. Here are a few of my favorite national parks in Lapland:

Lemmenjoki National Park

Located in northern Lapland, Lemmenjoki National Park is the largest nature reserve in Finland. Located in the heart of the Finnish part of Sápmi, it’s a great place to see reindeer roam wild.

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park boasts to have the cleanest air in the world! The Taivaskeronkierros Circle Trail will lead you to the top of the Fell with panoramic views of the surrounding nature.

During winter, this is a great place to see the famed popcorn trees like those found in Riisitunturi National Park.

Hugging the Russian border, Oulanka is one of the most beautiful parks in Lapland, especially during fall. The park is home to awesome waterfalls that are some of the best in all of Finland.

27. Take an icebreaker cruise

During winter the Bothnian Bay , in the northern Baltic Sea freezes over, with thick sea ice blocking the shipping routes for busy ports.

To clear passages in the ice, special ice-breaking ships are called into action. This provides an opportunity for one of the most unique experiences in Lapland, where visitors can spend a day onboard an ice breaker ship.

Numerous tours depart from Rovaniemi, Kemi , and Tornio . These tours will either take you to a ship located in Kemi, Finland, or Axelsvik, Sweden . I recommend taking an icebreaker cruise that takes you to the port in Sweden, as onboard you will get a three-course dinner included in the cost of the tour.

Once on the boat, you will receive a guided tour of the seven decks and learn all about how these ships function in such challenging circumstances.

The boat will eventually stop and you will be given the opportunity to stand on the sea ice and then enjoy ice floating in the path the boat has cleared in the sea (providing the captain deems it safe to do so). If you take the tour from Rovaniemi, it will last for around 10-11 hours.

28. Forage for mushrooms

As summer in the Arctic draws to an end, the forests of Lapland become a treasure trove of forgeable mushrooms, which, thanks to everyman’s right, can be picked by anyone!

While most mushrooms in Lapland are edible, it is advisable to go with an expert the first time you head out to forage mushrooms.

You can also read a little more about mushrooms on the Arktiset Aromit website .

Matsutake (Pine Mushroom)

Matsutake is one of the most expensive types of mushrooms in the world. They are found amongst the pine trees and can be harvested between the end of July and October. You must partially boil them before they can be consumed.

Northern Milkcap

The northern milkcap is a common variety of mushrooms that can be found throughout Lapland. They can be harvested in August and September and should be boiled before being used. The water they are boiled in should be disposed of and not reused.

29. Visit a unique ice hotel in Lapland

One of the coolest things to do in Finnish Lapland during winter is visit an ice hotel . Built every year, these sculptured structures are both a functioning hotel and a work of art. Many of the rooms are individually designed by ice sculptors.

Staying in an ice hotel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and while the outside might be incredibly cold, the inside temperatures are comparably warm at -1°C (30.2°F) compared to up to -30°C (-22°F) outside. While staying the night in an icy room might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the hotels are open during the day for visitors to just walk around the structures and admire the rooms.

Below I have listed the best ice hotels in Lapland:

Arctic Snow Hotel

Arctic Snow Hotel is probably the most well-known of all the ice hotels in Finnish Lapland. Located close to Rovaniemi, it opens each year in mid-December and sleeps around 70 people.

Address: Lehtoahontie 27, 97220 Sinettä

Lapland Hotels Snow Village

Each year, close to Kittilä airport , the Lapland Hotels Snow Village is built. Every year the designers think up a new theme, taking inspiration from cities like New York to more mythical themes.

There are 12 ice rooms that sleep between 2-4 people and an on-site restaurant serving delicious three-course meals.

Address: Lainiotie 566, 99120 Kittilä

30. Meet Santa Claus at his office

Every year thousands of tourists flock to Lapland, to meet Santa Claus . Finnish Lapland is widely known to be the home of Santa Claus and you will not be short of opportunities to meet him.

While many locations in Lapland offer the chance to meet the big man, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is the official home of Santa Claus .

Santa Claus Village is a free-to-visit park on the outskirts of Rovaniemi, where you can meet Santa Claus in person, cross the Arctic Circle, and send mail from Santa’s own personal post office!

While Santa Claus Village is free and so is visiting Santa Claus, there are up-charges. For example, you can’t take your own photos with Santa. Instead, you must pay around 40 euros for the one they take.

Santa Claus Village is primarily designed for children, although adults love it just as much. Along with the numerous activities available, there are some fantastic places to eat.

My favorite by far is Santas Salmon Place , where you can devour a huge piece of salmon that has been cooked over an open fire in the middle of the restaurant.

31. Dive into culture at a festival

Throughout the year, some incredible festivals in the Arctic celebrate its rich culture, look to entertain after a long dark winter, or take advantage of the never-ending summer days.

Here are some of the best festivals and events that are held in Lapland each year:

Held between February and March, the Poro Cup is a reindeer racing event that guarantees to be entertaining.

The racers hold on behind the reindeer with skis as they compete in races across frozen lakes. However, reindeer are stubborn animals, so if they decide they don’t wish to run, they will not move, creating an open playing field, to say the least!

The event moves around with the final race always being held in Inari in March.

Midnight Sun Film Festival

Held in Sodankylä each year during Midsummer, the Midnight Sun Film Festival brings the heavyweights of Finnish and international cinema to the Arctic. Spread across four venues, you can watch films for 24 hours a day for five days straight.

The highlight of the festival each year is their silent movie concerts.

Ijahis Idja

Hosted in Inari, Ijahis Idja is the only Sámi music festival in Finland. Each year, new and established Sámi artists have the chance to perform for the crowds at this two-day festival.

After the live music stops, the night doesn’t end, with club nights featuring Sámi DJs, keeping the revelers going until the early hours.

I hope this post has helped you decide how to spend your time in Finnish Lapland! If you have any comments or additional things you feel should be included, please let me know in the comments below!

More Finnish Lapland travel guides

• Winter in Rovaniemi: The best things to do
• How to take a Rovaniemi ice fishing tour
• The perfect Korouoma Canyon tour
• My favourite Rovaniemi northern lights tour
• Incredible National Parks in Finnish Lapland
• 12 reasons to visit Rovaniemi in summer
• Incredible places to visit in Finnish Lapland

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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 in Finland 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 tyres – 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 stops 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 provides.

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 take 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-minute 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-minute 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
• 10 Best Ethical Coats for Iceland in Winter

10 Best Travel Apps for Exploring Sustainably

• 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles for Travel & Hiking

Download your free sustainable travel checklist ↓

Lapland travel planning guide

🚑 Should I buy travel insurance to travel to Lapland? 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 .

💧 Can you drink the water in Lapland? 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.

🚗 Is it easy to rent a car in Lapland? 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.

🏨 How to book accommodation in Lapland? 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.

✈️ What is the best site to buy a flight to Lapland? 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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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The Ultimate 7 Day Finland Itinerary for Winter

Last updated: April 17, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 22 Comments

If you’re looking for the perfect winter wonderland destination, look no further than Finland.

We’ve had some incredible trips to Finland in winter. It was the first place I saw the Northern Lights , the snowy landscapes are spectacular, and there are loads of fantastic winter activities to choose from.

Finland is a fairly big country though, so you might be wondering how best to spend your time here when visiting in winter. Well, wonder no more. With our detailed 1 week Finland itinerary we’ve got you covered.

This itinerary will have you visiting many of the highlights of Finland, including Finnish Lapland and the capital city of Helsinki. It will take you deep into the Arctic Circle, give you the chance to sleep in a glass igloo, and even have you meeting Santa himself.

We’ve also put this itinerary together to offer you flexible transport options. Whilst we generally prefer to hire a car and self-drive, we appreciate not everyone will be comfortable driving in Finland in winter. So this itinerary can be done with or without a car.

In terms of time, we’ve put this guide together for around a week in Finland. We think this is a good length of time to visit Finland in winter.

Of course, you can visit for as long or short a time as you want, but if you are hoping to experience phenomenon like the Northern Lights, giving yourself a bit of extra time will significantly increase the chances of experiencing them.

Ok, that’s enough preamble. Let’s take a look at our detailed day by day itinerary for visiting Finland in winter.

Finland Itinerary for Winter

This itinerary covers a range of activities and sights in Finland. Obviously everyone’s interests will vary, so do please adjust it to suit your personal preferences.

Also, don’t forget that it can be very cold in Finland in winter, with temperatures likely to be well below freezing throughout your visit. We have a detailed guide to what to pack for Finland in winter , which we recommend taking a look at so you are prepared for your trip.

Day 1: Helsinki

We recommend that you spend your first couple of days in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. There’s a huge amount to do in the city, which has a great many museums, restaurants, a historical sea fortress, and other attractions.

On your first day in Helsinki, we’d suggest getting acquainted with the city center and visiting some of the attractions. The city center of Helsinki is fairly compact, and you can get pretty much anywhere with public transportation and walking.

A great starting point is the Helsinki City Museum . Here, you will learn all about the history and development of the city. It’s free, and open every day.

Just near to the city museum is Helsinki Cathedral . This large white building is one of the more recognizable landmarks of Helsinki. It’s spectacular to view from the outside, but you can also go inside too of course. It’s open every day, and free to visit.

If you want a more in-depth overview of the history, culture and people of Finland, then we can recommend a visit to the National Museum of Finland . This covers a huge time period, from prehistoric times to the present day, and is an excellent way to learn a lot about the whole country. It’s open Tuesday – Sundays, and there’s an entry fee.

We could go on listing museums in Helsinki, as the city has a huge number to choose from, catering for almost every interest. From design , to contemporary art , to photography , to architecture , there’s really an incredible choice. There’s even a museum about hotels !

You won’t have time to visit all of these of course, but we can definitely recommend visiting a few during your time in the city. There are lots of choices, so you can just choose a few that appeal to you.

If you do plan on visiting a number of the museums or other attractions in Helsinki, consider investing in either a museum card or the Helsinki Card (buy the latter here ).

These cover a range of attractions, and the Helsinki card also includes transport around the city, which will save you walking around in the cold. The Helsinki card can be great value for money – see our full review of the Helsinki card to see if it’s worth investing in for your trip.

Of course, there’s also more to do in Helsinki than visit museums. We can suggest taking some time to go Christmas shopping (even if it’s after Christmas, you can stock up for the next one!).

If you do visit in December before Christmas, then you will also definitely want to check out the Helsinki Christmas market and try some traditional Christmas foods and drinks. These include Glögi (a type of mulled wine) and star-shaped Christmas pastries.

Kankurin Tupa would be our recommended destination for Christmas shopping in Helsinki. This is a department store which specialises in Finnish items, and has a whole section dedicated to Christmas.

We can also recommend getting coffee and cake at one of Finland’s best known cafes, Ekberg 1852 . This has been in Helsinki since, you guessed it, 1852, and they have an excellent selection of Finnish delicacies which obviously include baked goods.

Finally, find somewhere for a delicious evening meal, and retire, having gotten your first day of sight-seeing in Finland under your belt.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

We have stayed at a number of accommodation options in Helsinki, including apartment rentals and hotels.

Some options we suggest you take a look at include:

• Hostel Diana Park
• Hellsten Helsinki Senate
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
• Hotel Katajanokka .

You can also see listings for Helsinki on Vrbo here .

Day 2: Helsinki

For your second day in Helsinki our suggestion is to head out to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress .

This is a UNESCO world heritage site, and in our opinion is a must-do attraction when visiting Helsinki.

There is a huge amount to see and do on the island, and you could easily spend from half a day to a full day here, depending on what you want to see and do.

First, you can explore the six islands that the fortress spans on foot, admiring the impressive fortress construction. As you’re visiting in winter, you will of course want to wrap up warmly and have good footwear. Be wary of icy ground which can make for slippery conditions.

There are also five museums on the island, although not all of these are open year-round. The ones that are open in winter are the Suomenlinna Museum and the Military Museum. I would definitely encourage you to visit the former at least, as this details the history of the fortress and the island.

Both of these museums have an entry fee, and they are also both included on the  Helsinki Card . Holders of this card also get ferry transport to and from Suomenlinna Fortress, which otherwise costs €5. Ferries run every day, and you can see the schedule here .

After Suomenlinna Fortress, you might still have time to fit in a few more sights. Some other attractions in Helsinki we would suggest which are near the ferry point from the island include the Helsinki Skywheel for great views across the city, Uspenski Cathedral and the Old Market Hall for food.

Finally, a really popular activity that you must try while you are in Finland is to take a sauna. This is one of the most traditional Finnish experiences you can have.

There are a few options when it comes having a sauna in Finland. Most hotels and even some apartments will come with a sauna, which will often be the easiest way. There are also public saunas in Helsinki.

You can also take a tour which includes a sauna. From Helsinki for example, take a look at this tour , which includes a traditional smoke sauna and the chance to do a cold icy plunge – if you’re feeling brave!

And that wraps up your second day in Finland and your last day in Helsinki. If you’d like some more ideas for what to do in the city, see our guide to things to do in Helsinki , which has many more ideas.

How to Get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki

Your next destination is Rovaniemi. You have a few options for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The fastest option will be to fly. There are a number of airlines offering flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, with the flight time being around an hour. Flights are relatively inexpensive and there are multiple departures a day.

If you fly, you can either depart on the evening of day 2 or early in the morning of day 3. You can check flight times and prices, and  book online here .

You can also take the overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This route is known as the Santa Claus Express, and the journey takes around 12 hours. If you choose to do this, you will need to leave on the evening on day 2. You can see timetables and book this train online  here .

It’s also possible to take a bus from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This takes around 13 hours. Just note that taking the bus will eat up quite a bit of your day so is the least time efficient option. Check bus times and prices, and book tickets here .

You can also drive to Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This is around a 9.5 hour drive of 500 miles / 800km. Again, this is a long journey and we’d advise against this as well as it will be a tiring journey that will use up your holiday. However, if you want to do this, you can compare car rental prices across a range of suppliers  on Discover Cars here .

If you are planning your own trip and booking your own transport, our recommendation for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi would be to either fly or take the overnight train.

If you’d rather not have to worry about planning your own transport, you might also consider taking a guided tour. These will generally cover your transport and accommodation as well as some meals and activities, leaving you to focus on just enjoying yourself.

There are a few tours we suggest that have similar itineraries and activities to our itinerary, and include Helsinki, Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle. Note that most tours from Helsinki use the overnight train service, and focus on activities in and around Rovaniemi.

• this 6 day tour which includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi, and a number of activities
• this 5 day tour which includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi
• this 7 day tour which also includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi

If you take one of these tours, they will arrange all your transport and connections for you during your trip, which is definitely an option to think about.

Day 3: Rovaniemi

Welcome to Lapland! Rovaniemi sits right on the edge of the Arctic Circle, the most northerly of the lines of latitude. Above this line you can experience the Midnight Sun in summer, as well as days in winter when the sun never rises at all!

Rovaniemi makes an excellent base for a wide range of winter activities in Finland . These includes Northern Lights viewing, ice karting, snowmobiling, husky sledding, reindeer sledding, sleeping in a snow hotel, ice fishing – the list goes on!

For this itinerary, which I’ve put together on the basis that you don’t need a car, the plan is to base yourself in Rovaniemi for three days and to do a number of winter activities from the city. There are also several attractions in and around Rovaniemi to visit.

This itinerary will of course also work perfectly well with a car. I’ve visited Rovaniemi in winter with and without a car on my two visits. If you plan to rent a car, you can arrange to pick up a rental car either at the airport or in the town center once you arrive. The only consideration if you do hire a car is to ensure that your accommodation includes free parking.

Now, on with the itinerary. Note that many of the museums and attractions in Rovaniemi are not open every day, with Monday being a popular day for them to close. So depending on your timings you might want to juggle this itinerary around a little bit.

First, I’m going to suggest you head to the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. This is around a 10-minute drive outside the city. If you’re arriving from the airport, it’s between the airport and Rovaniemi, so makes for a logical first stop if you arrive in the morning.

You can get to Santa Claus Village by driving, taking the   S anta’s Express bus , a local bus, or by taxi.

There’s a lot to do at the Santa Claus village, and it’s a great place to check off a few of your winter activities. First though, you’re going to want to actually meet the man himself.

Yep, as the name suggests, the Santa Claus village is actually home to Santa Claus himself. He lives here year round with his elves, planning for the big day, and sorting and reading all the mail he receives.

It’s free to visit Santa, although if you want a photo or video with him there’s a fee for that.

As well as visiting Santa, you can also visit Santa’s post office. A fun thing you can do here is mail a Christmas card that will be kept and posted at Christmas time. So even if you visit Rovaniemi in January, you can get all your Christmas cards mailed!

Beyond Santa, there’s plenty more to see and do at Santa’s Village. You can take a photo of you standing on the Arctic Circle marker, and can also arrange other activities such as a reindeer sled ride, a husky ride, or a snowmobile ride.

Of these, we’d suggest that a husky ride would be a great option. Bear Hill husky is our favourite husky operator in this region, and I actually took a two day husky safari with them. They operate a number of tours with pickup from Santa’s village, including this one .

You can also book an experience like this which includes your visit to Santa Claus and a snowmobile ride to a reindeer farm.

You can also do a longer 7 hour tour if you want a more complete experience.

Assuming you take the shorter tour, our suggestion for the rest of your day is to visit Rovaniemi and familiarise yourself with the town. There’s plenty to do here. We’d particularly recommend a visit to Arktikum .

This museum and science center is perfect for learning all about the people, history and culture of the area. There are a number of permanent exhibits here, with the content on life in the arctic being my favourite.

Once you have explored some of the highlights of Rovaniemi, you will likely want to have your evening meal.

If you’re still feeling adventurous, we can highly recommend scheduling some time to try and spot the Northern Lights. You can do this yourself by finding somewhere away from the city lights. If you don’t have a car, the area by Arktikum is a popular spot.

Alternatively, you can take a dedicated Northern Lights tour. Some of these also include other activities like snowmobiling or a traditional Finnish sauna. These are a good option because the Northern Lights are definitely not guaranteed, so doing another activity will ensure you are occupied and having fun, with seeing the Northern Lights as a bonus!

Some options to consider for seeing the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi are:

• This 5 hour tour where you look for the Northern Lights whilst having a traditional firewood sauna experience
• This photography-focused Northern Lights tour
• There are lots more Northern Lights tours from Rovaniemi to choose from, which you can see here .

If you want to get photos of the Northern Lights, you will need to read up a little in advance as they can be quite challenging to photograph. I have a complete guide to how to photograph the Northern Lights , which I can definitely suggest you take a look at so you are prepared.

I also recommend you download an app for your smartphone that will notify you of aurora activity. I have tried a few of these, and have settled on My Aurora Forecast Pro.

I have found it to be the most reliable app that doesn’t drain my phone battery, but has always reliably alerted me to aurora activity. This is available for both Android  and  iOS , and is available in both free (ad-supported) and paid versions.

We think that’s enough for your third day in Finland! Of course, you can schedule a Northern Lights tour for any of your days in Rovaniemi, but we recommend popping out every evening if you can to at least try and see them yourself, as they can be fickle. If you have a car, driving a little out of the city will afford you the best viewing experience.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

You’re obviously going to need somewhere to stay for your time in Rovaniemi. We’ve tried a few different accommodation options, and have shortlisted the following as our favourites.

• Hostel Cafe Koti – a well rated hostel with a good restaurant on site
• Guesthouse Borealis – convenient for the train station and great value
• Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus – centrally located well rated 3* hotel
• Arctic Light Hotel – boutique hotel in the centre of Rovaniemi
• Arctic Treehouse Hotel – unique accommodation just outside Santa Claus village

We can also recommend checking out the options for Rovaniemi on Vrbo here .

Day 4: Rovaniemi

We’re going to suggest a full day trip today out of Rovaniemi and down to the town of Kemi on the coast.

Here, you’re going to take a truly unique trip – a ride on an icebreaker boat!

Launched in 1961, the Sampo is a genuine icebreaker built for serious arctic conditions. She had a long and distinguished career in the Gulf of Bothnia, where for thirty years she kept the shipping lanes clear of ice.

In 1987, the town of Kemi bought the Sampo, and since 1988 she has been operating as a tourist attraction from the town port.

This was one of the most fun experiences that I had in Finland in winter. Riding an ice breaker across a frozen sea is a really amazing adventure that is quite unique. The sound of the breaking as the ship ploughs through it is incredible, and I could have just watched the ice breaking and the bow and the frozen sea stretching off to the horizon all day.

However, there’s more to a trip on the Sampo than just watching the ship do her thing. You can also don a full dry suit, and go for a swim in the frozen sea! The ship creates a hole in the ice, and the passengers then take it in turns to don full dry suits and bob around.

This was a lot of fun, although it was definitely less like swimming and more like floating. During this time, it was also possible to take a walk on the snow covered ice, which was also a unique experience.

All in all, I can highly recommend the trip on the Sampo icebreaker. The ship is also very comfortable, and there’s a restaurant on board. Depending on the ticket you choose, there’s an option which includes a buffet meal on board as well.

It’s worth checking the dates and times for the icebreaker well in advance of your trip as it doesn’t sail every day, so if this is something you want to do you will need to plan your trip around it. It also often sells out in advance. You can see times and prices here .

If you are driving, it’s around 90 minutes each way from Rovaniemi to Kemi. If you want to travel by train you can take the train from Rovaniemi to Kemi, and select shuttle pick-up from the Kemi train station to the harbor.

Or you can book a day tour which includes your round-trip transport directly from Rovaniemi to the ice breaker.

Day 5: Rovaniemi

For your last full day in Rovaniemi I’m going to suggest you have a full day of winter activities. After all, you came to Finland in winter to have a winter adventure!

There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to winter adventures, so I’ll just provide some options and let you decide what you might enjoy the most. Some of these activities are shorter, so you could do more than one if you wanted, whilst others are full day trips.

Hiking / Snowshoeing

One of the best way to experience winter in Finland is to get out into the countryside and take a walk!

Of course, walking in snow can be a bit challenging, as we tend to sink in. The solution? Snowshoes! These are large and wide devices which clip onto your shoes, and spread your weight out on the snow. This lets you walk without sinking in.

If you want to explore on your own, you can either buy a pair of snowshoes or rent them.

Another option is to take a tour. For example, this tour has you snowshoeing through the snow covered forests near Rovaniemi, before trying your hand at another popular Finnish winter activity – ice fishing!

There are some other great hiking tours you can take from Rovaniemi. I’d particularly recommend going hiking in the Korouoma National Park. This is found 160km from Rovaniemi, so will take a couple of hours to drive to. However, in winter the park is famed for its frozen waterfalls, of which there 14.

The best way to see these is to take a hike in the park. You can either drive yourself, or you can take a tour from Rovaniemi which should include an experienced guide and the correct outerwear and footwear.

We’d recommend either this half day hike or this full day hike .

Ice Fishing

A really popular activity amongst Finnish people in winter is ice fishing. This sport has you drilling a hole into the ice on a frozen lake or river, and then using special ice fishing equipment to try and catch a fish.

We have tried ice fishing a few times, and to be honest, we have never caught a fish.

That said, other people on the tours we’ve taken have caught fish, as has our guide, so it is definitely possible!

Even though we’ve never caught a fish, we’ve always had a lot of fun ice fishing. It’s a wonderful way to get out into the outdoors, and most tours include some kind of food or at least hot drinks cooked over a fire.

The best way to go ice fishing is definitely to take a tour. Whilst you could hire your own equipment and go yourself, it is definitely a lot safer to accompany a local expert when heading out onto frozen lakes and rivers!

There are a number of ice fishing tours that depart from Rovaniemi, including the following.

• A 2.5 hour tour which focuses on ice fishing – great if you just want to get an idea of what it’s all about without committing to a longer trip.
• This 4 hour tour includes both snowshoeing and ice fishing
• A 7 hour full day tour that includes ice fishing, a traditional Finnish sauna experience as well as a BBQ lunch – which will include your fish if you catch any!

You can also pair up an ice fishing experience with snowmobiling. For example, this is a 5 hour snowmobile and ice fishing day, whilst this is a half day tour with snowmobiling and ice fishing .

Snowmobiling

I love snowmobiling, and every time we’ve visited Finland I’ve done my best to go snowmobiling at least once.

Snowmobiling is, in my opinion, a huge amount of fun. It’s also a great activity to pair with other activities, such as watching the Northern Lights or going ice fishing. You use the snowmobile to get to where you are going, do the activity, and then ride the snowmobile back.

Of course, you can also have a “pure” snowmobiling experience too, where you just ride the vehicle.

Snowmobiles are nearly all for two people, so when you go on a snowmobile tour there will usually always be one person driving, and one person as the passenger. On all the tours I’ve been on the guides have always ensured that people swap so both can have the experience of driving if they want. Additionally, it’s usually possible to pay a supplement to ride on your own if you prefer.

If you are visiting Finland with children, you should be aware that most snowmobiles can’t be operated by children under 15 years of age.

Some children can ride as passengers, but this isn’t universal, so you will want to check the tour details and contact the company to be sure before booking. For example, this is a family friendly snowmobile tour.

Some snowmobiling tours from Rovaniemi to consider include the following.

• This tour which just has you snowmobiling and is a good way to get a feel for riding these machines.
• This half day tour which includes snowmobiling, a visit to a reindeer farm, and a husky and reindeer sled ride. If you want to experience a number of activities in one tour, this is a great option.
• This half day tour which includes snowmobiling, ice fishing, campfire, and lunch.
• This evening snowmobile tour to see the Northern Lights which also includes a traditional Lappish BBQ. This tour is family friendly, and would make a great evening out after doing other activities in the daytime. Plus you might catch the Northern Lights!

Hopefully this gives you plenty of ideas for the types of snowmobiling tours you can do from Rovaniemi.

Husky Sledding

If you prefer your snow transport to be bit more traditional but still lots of fun, then husky sledding is likely going to be something you’ll enjoy a great deal.

As the name suggests, husky sledding involves a team of huskies, and a sled. Huskies are a special breed of dog which are well adapted to long periods of intense activity as well as cold conditions. Put more simply, they love running in the snow.

Husky sledding has you harnessing a team of husky dogs to a sled. There are usually between six and eight dogs, and each sled will generally have a driver and a passenger. The driver will stand at the back of the sled to steer and brake, whilst the passenger relaxes and enjoys the view.

Husky sledding is a really popular activity when visiting Finland in winter, and one we highly recommend. I’ve written a whole post outlining my experience dog sledding in Lapland , which you should find useful.

Like most of the other activities on our list, there are lots of operators running husky sledding tours in Rovaniemi. We recommend and have used Bear Hill Husky, they really care about their dogs, and they have a range of sledding experience to suit everyone. Some examples to consider are as follows.

• The offer shorter tours which usually include 45 minutes of actual dog sledding over a 2.5 hour visit. As well as the sledding, you also get the opportunity to learn about and meet the dogs – and get plenty of photos. For example, see this morning tour .
• If you want a more immersive and complete experience, they also offer a longer full day tour which includes around seven hours of husky sledding as you cover a distance of 30-40km. This also includes a campfire lunch, hot juice, and cookies.

We think one of these options would be great for anyone looking for a wonderful husky sledding experience in Lapland.

Visiting an Amethyst mine

The final option we have on our list of things you could do on your last day in Rovaniemi is to visit an Amethyst mine .

There’s one working amethyst mine in Finland, and it’s found on the top of a hill in the Pyha-Luosto National Park .

This national park is home to the remnants of a mountain chain which is over two billion years old. It’s a popular place for a range of outdoor activities, including snowshoeing, hiking and skiing.

However, it’s the amethyst mine that I think you should visit. This is found in Lampivaara, and here you can learn all about amethyst mining, as well as having a go at mining for amethyst yourself!

If you have your own vehicle it’s around a 90 minute ride from Rovaniemi to Lampivaara. Here, there’s a tracked vehicle which ferries people up to the top of the mountain to visit the mine. This experience needs to be booked in advance, which you can do here .

Of course, there’s lots more to do be in Rovaniemi and surrounds beyond everything we’ve listed here, which is why we think it makes for a great base to explore. For more inspiration, see our guide to things to do in Rovaniemi .

Days 6 & 7: Head North

From Rovaniemi, my suggestion is to head further north into Lapland. This will give you even more chances to see the Northern Lights, as well as stay at some really unique and more remote locations.

You’ll also have more chances to do lots of winter activities including dog sledding, ice fishing, ice karting, seeing Santa, staying in ice hotels, spending time in a Finnish sauna, snowmobiling, and skiing.

As always, you have choices for where you decide to go! Here are our three suggested options for you to choose from, depending on your interests. Of course, if you are driving yourself, you can visit more than one of these options.

The first option you have is to head north to Saariselka. This is found 250km / 155mi north of the arctic circle, making this an excellent place to see the Northern Lights.

You can reach Saariselka by car or public bus from Rovaniemi. There’s also Ivalo airport , 25km to the north of the city, which has services to Helsinki and other European destinations.

When we visited Saariselka, we stayed in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort . This is one of the most popular places to stay in a glass igloo in Finland, and was where the concept of glass igloos first originated.

I stayed in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen, and it was a night I will never forget.

Naturally there’s more to Kakslauttanen than glass igloos. The resort has a wide range of accommodation options, depending on what you are interested in. I can definitely recommend staying in a glass igloo for one night on your trip just for the experience. There’s also a range of winter activities available here.

You can see our full review of Kakslauttanen here .

Where to stay in Saariselka

Whilst we very much enjoyed our stay at Kakslauttanen, it’s not the only option in Saariselka. You might consider one of the following options:

• Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos – A well reviewed and popular option with cottages featuring glass domed ceilings and a private sauna
• Log House Kuukkeli – if you’d prefer to stay in a more traditional property, this guesthouse is built in the traditional log cabin style and offers great value accommodation
• Northern Lights Village – features glass roofed cabins with private bathrooms and its own reindeer paddock.
• Saariselkä Kuukkeli Inn – a well reviewed more budget oriented option. Rooms have free-wifi, and shared bathrooms

During your time visiting Saariselka you’ll find plenty to do to keep you occupied. If there are any winter activities you want to take part in, you can of course do them, including snowmobiling, ice fishing, husky sledding, snowshoeing and more. Naturally, you’ll also want to spend time searching for the Northern Lights!

Most accommodation providers will be able to arrange these activities for you directly.

Another popular area you can visit from Saariselka, either as a day trip or overnight, is Inari. This is a little further north,  and is in fact home to Finland’s northernmost holiday resort.

This is a very sparsely populated region, and is a focal point of the Sámi culture. You can learn about this culture and people at Siida , home to the Sámi Museum and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre. This is open throughout the winter on every day except Monday, and there’s a fee to visit.

Another option is to visit the Kittilä region. This is a particularly good option if you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, as it’s home to Levi , Finland’s largest ski resort.

So if you want to get some skiing or snowboarding in on your trip to Finland, this would be the best place to do just that.

There’s lots more to do in the Kittilä area than skiing though.

The area is popular for a range of winter activities, with hiking and cross-country skiing in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park being a popular option. You can also go snowshoeing, ice fishing , ice karting, husky sledding and snowmobiling of course!

In Lanio, you’ll find the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage . This village is made every year from thousands of tonnes of ice and snow, and features a hotel, restaurant, bar, and even a chapel. There are also log cabins on site. You can stay here overnight or just visit for the day. The theme varies each year, with 2018-19 having a Game of Thrones focus.

Another excellent attraction that we enjoyed visiting in Kittilä was Samiland . This is found at Levi Summit, which you can reach by taking a lift from the ski resort.

Samiland features an indoor and outdoor exhibit space dedicated to the Sami people, and covers the history, culture and mythology of the people, as well as their traditional building and mythology. There’s a small entry fee which is well worth it.

You can reach Kittilä by car or bus from Rovaniemi. The distance is 150km / 93mi. Kittilä airport serves Kittila/Levi, with flights from Helsinki and a number of destinations across Europe.

Where to stay in Kittilä

There are a range of accommodation options in Kittilä. Some options to consider are as follows.

• Design Hotel Levi – perfect for those of you wanting to be able to ski from your door, this hotel is found right at the foot of the Levi resort ski lifts
• Lapland Hotels SnowVillage – if you want to live out your dream of sleeping in a snow hotel while in Finland, this is the place to come!
• Hotel Kittilä – 15 minutes from the Levi Ski resort, this is a great value option
• Guesthouse Golden Goose – found in the centre of Kittilä village, this is a well rated guesthouse with an on-site sauna
• Levi Northern Lights Huts – found on an old reindeer farm, this is the place to stay in Levi if you want the glass roof experience

Wherever you choose to go from Rovaniemi, we think that spending your last couple of days deep inside the arctic circle, chasing the Northern Lights and taking part in more winter activities, would be the perfect way to end your trip in Finland.

Then, you can return to Rovaniemi, drop off your hire car if you have one, and fly home. Alternatively, there are flights available from Kittilä or Ivalo airports.

That’s it for our winter itinerary of Finland! Now we want to share some practical advice to help you plan your trip.

Map of 7 Day Finland Winter Itinerary

To help you visualise this itinerary we’ve put together a map, which you can also see on Google Maps here .

Finland Itinerary Overview

Here’s an overview of this itinerary for quick reference:

• Day 1: Helsinki – Helsinki City Museum, Helsinki Cathedral, National Museum of Finland
• Day 2: Helsinki – Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki Skywheel, Uspenski Cathedral, Old Market Hall
• Day 3: Rovaniemi – Santa Claus Village, Husky Tour, Arktikum
• Day 4: Rovaniemi – Day trip on Sampo ice breaker, Northern Lights
• Day 5: Rovaniemi – Snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, husky sledding, amethyst mine
• Day 6 & 7: North Finland – Saariselka, Kittilä

How to Get Around Finland in Winter

You might be wondering what the best way to get around Finland in winter is.

Well, you have a number of options.

For longer distances, such as the trip between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, we would recommend either taking the train or flying.

Flying will be the fastest option, and is likely to be the cheapest as well if you book well in advance. You can check flight times and prices, and  book online here . For the train, you can see timetables and book online here .

For shorter distances, such as exploring around Rovaniemi and getting between the sights on our itinerary, you have a couple of options.

First, you can rent a car and drive. We prefer to self-drive when we travel where possible as it gives us more flexibility with what we stop to see, where we go and when we leave.

Car rental in Finland is comparable to other parts of Europe. In winter, cars will come with studded tyres, and the roads are well maintained.

If you want to drive in Finland using this itinerary, we’d recommend hiring a car in Rovaniemi for pickup from the airport. You can compare car rental prices and book online here .

Of course, we appreciate that driving in the extreme winter conditions that Finland experiences is not going to be for everyone. With this in mind we have set this itinerary up so you don’t have to drive if you don’t want to.

By combining public transport and a variety of tours which include transport, you can absolutely experience Finland in winter without needing to hire a car or worry about driving.

Tours of Finland in Winter

If you love the sound of the trip I’ve put together, but don’t like the thought of planning it all out, booking activities, hotels and transport, then you might consider taking a tour instead.

There are of many tour options to consider, which we have summarised as follow.

• this selection of tours which includes a number of options in Lapland

Hopefully one of these works out for you if you choose to take a tour of Finland in winter.

You can see more tour options for Finland on TourRadar here , they list tours from a wide range of operators at various price points, so you can find the one you want. We have used TourRadar to book tours in destinations around the world and always had a good experience.

Further Reading for Visiting Finland in Winter

And that’s it for our one week winter itinerary for Finland. We hope it’s given you lots of ideas to help you plan your trip. Before you head off and start booking your adventure, we did just want to share with you some more resources we’ve put together on our time in Finland, to help you with your planning.

• We have a guide to things to do in Rovaniemi , to give you more inspiration for what to do in the town
• We have a comprehensive guide to all our favourite winter activities in Finland
• Finland is very cold in winter, and the key to a good trip is to pack appropriately! To help you out, we have put together a detailed guide to what to pack for Finland in winter
• If you’re looking for more destinations to visit in Finland, see our guides to visiting Porvoo , visiting Oulu and visiting Rauma
• Helsinki is the capital city of Finland, and one we definitely recommend you spend some time. See our guide to things to do in Helsinki , a suggested 1 day Helsinki itinerary , and our review of the Helsinki card to help you plan your time here
• Another of our favourite winter locations in Finland is Iso Syote. See our guide to visiting Iso Syote here .
• Want to try some unique accommodation? See our review of this famous glass igloo hotel in Finland
• It’s not all about winter – Finland is an awesome summer destination too! See our guide to visiting Finland in summer
• Finally, if you’re looking for a guidebook, you might checkout the Lonely Planet guide to Finland or the Insight Guide to Finland

And that’s it for our 7 day itinerary for Finland in winter. As always, we are happy to answer your questions – just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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There are 22 comments on this post

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Cyndi Puah says

8th March 2024 at 3:22 pm

may i know itinerary and the cost of the package

Laurence Norah says

8th March 2024 at 3:52 pm

The itinerary is laid out in the guide above, and it’s designed for people to follow themselves, it’s not a guided experience. If you’d like a guided tour of Finland, I can recommend checking out the options on TourRadar for Finland here , they have lots of tours at different prices from many operators, so you can choose one that suits your needs.

Have a great time in Finland!

19th June 2023 at 3:36 pm

Do you have any suggestions on extending this to Northern Norway. Perhaps a 10-14 day trip?

19th June 2023 at 4:13 pm

You absolutely could extend this trip to Northern Norway and that would make for a wonderful adventure. However as we’ve only visited southern Norway, we don’t have any specific advice for you. We hope you have a great trip though!

17th December 2022 at 2:10 pm

hi, thanks for the detailed blog. do you have any contacts for local private driver that we can engaged to bring us around or see northern lights?

18th December 2022 at 11:51 am

We don’t have any personal contacts for drivers, however, there are plenty of operators who can drive you to see the northern lights. Here is a list of some examples. So this is definitely a service you can book! If you wanted a longer tour, over multiple days, I’d suggest checking on sites like Viator or TourRadar to see what is available.

Pearlyn says

29th September 2022 at 6:00 am

Hi Laurence, this is really a great post that summarises what I need ! I’m planning to head to rovaniemi and lapland for 8 days ,would you recommend signing up tours from websites like nordic visitor etc? Do you have a recommended tour that covers both rovaniemi and lapland ? if the transport is included then that will really make it a lot more fuss free Thank you !

1st October 2022 at 5:47 pm

Hi Pearlyn!

Thanks very much! So I’ve not used Nordic Visitor before but I am aware of them and they get good reviews I believe, so that should be fine. What I would suggest is taking a look at the Finland tours on TourRadar here – they list tours from most of the companies who run tours, and you can filter by duration and price. So that should help you narrow down your options. For example, a tour like this might be an option, but there are quite a few to choose from 🙂

Have a great trip!

Shelly says

30th August 2022 at 1:56 am

Hi, So I’m really interested in the ice breaker tour but if I go in Dec. would the tour be mostly be in the dark? Would we be able to see the ice and things around us?

30th August 2022 at 11:14 am

Great question. So daylight hours in December are definitely limited. A great website is this one , where you can plug in a location and it will show you the sunrise and sunset times, as well as the dawk/dusk times (civil twilight).

For December it shows that you are looking at sunrise between 10am and 10.45 (depending on when in December), and sunset between 2.17pm and 2.50pm. Dawn and dusk add just under two hours to that, so it won’t be totally dark, but it will be definitely be darker.

So yes, you should be able to see the ice around you, and you will also get either a sunrise or sunset from the boat, depending on which cruise you take.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Shelly Mcintosh says

30th August 2022 at 12:19 pm

Thank you so much! In your opinion what is the best time to go? What gives me the best chance to see the northern lights and also do all the wonderful winter activities. I was planning a trip in Nov but I see the ice breaker doesn’t start till dec and I see Dec has Limited daylight. By the way this was by far the best blog I have come across! So useful and informative.

30th August 2022 at 1:01 pm

My pleasure Shelly, and thanks! So we have visited Finland in December and the days are definitely quite short, especially in the northern areas. My favourite time is February, there is more guarantee of snow, the days are already a lot longer and there is still a good chance of seeing the northern lights. My best Northern lights experience was actually in February. So if that’s an option that would be my preference.

Have a wonderful trip, and feel free to ask any more questions as you plan!

20th April 2022 at 2:57 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica,

This is amazing blog I have never come across. It’s so detailed and to the extend you’d brought me into Finland while reading. Phenomenal!

I am planning to make a December family trip with 3 children from age 11 to 15. Your itinerary definitely suit to my plan. I am wondering how easy of the public transportation like bus from point to point as you’ve mentioned? It’s unlike other EU countries where we can get train easily.

20th April 2022 at 4:36 pm

Thanks very much, we’re glad you found it helpful 🙂 So the public transport is pretty easy to use in Finland. You will just want to check schedules for where you plan on going. If you are following this itinerary, then the easiest option is to take the train (or fly) from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. If you plan on going further north, you’ll need to take a bus. We’ve taken a few long distance buses in Finland and they have all been fine. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Samir Patrawala says

12th October 2021 at 1:20 am

Dear Laurence,

I am Sameer from Explorus Travel, India. Just read your detailed itinerary for Finland in Winter. It’s a kind of encyclopaedia for me. Amazing!

I have a question: Most of the photos on this page are clicked in daylight (they are bright, sunny pics). But what I read is that Sun almost doesn’t rise at all in Dec / Jan in Rovaniemi. So how can one get an opportunity to click such sunny and bright photos in absence of sun light / day light? Isn’t the stay experience in Dec boring and dull in absence of light? I mean how much can one enjoy darkness without good photos? Or are your photos clicked during those two hours when there’s little day light?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

12th October 2021 at 10:53 am

Great to hear from you! So these photos are from a few different visits, some in January and some in February. The experience of how much light there is will vary depending on where you are in Finland. In Rovaniemi, the darkest day of the year is the 22nd December, where there’s only 2.5 hours of sunlight. However, there is still sunlight. If you visit in mid-February, you get 8.5 hours between sunrise and sunset. So there is plenty of light. I would generally suggest not visiting over the very darkest days in December, but it quickly changes and the days get longer if you visit in February or even late January.

Hope this helps!

Sameer Patrawala says

12th October 2021 at 11:35 am

Thank you so much for your prompt and satisfactory response.

Would you recommend Northern Norway for Northern Lights in December last week or Rovaniemi Finland? I am asking in terms of maximum available day-light.

Kind regards Sameer Patrawala Explorus

12th October 2021 at 12:25 pm

My pleasure 🙂

So Northern Norway is way inside the Arctic Circle. In the last week of December, or in December at all in fact, you won’t get any sunlight. You can see sunrise and sunset times for a place like Tromso in Northern Norway here: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/norway/tromso?month=12&year=2021

Rovaniemi is on the edge of the Arctic circle, which is why you don’t get the permanent darkness. If you are looking for the northern lights, then usually the further north you go the better your chances. However, I have seen incredible displays from southern Finland too, so it’s all just a question of luck really. If you want some sunlight though, northern Norway in December might not be the best option!

Trizzy says

26th September 2021 at 6:50 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica, First off, amazing and detailed itinerary! This is the type of blog I love to read when researching- keep it up! 🙂 Also, would you say early November is a good time to visit Finland and see the northern lights?

Many thanks again!

26th September 2021 at 10:36 am

Thank you very much Trizzy! So yes, November would be a fine month to see the northern lights. The only thing to bear in mind is that there might not be snow everywhere in early November (this changes each year of course), so if you wanted snowy landscapes as well as the northern lights, it’s something to keep in mind. Of course, there could also be lots of snow! But it’s not guaranteed.

I hope this helps!

Jessica says

9th April 2020 at 5:27 pm

I am following your travel blog for a while now. Love your content and photos. I am actually planing to visit Finland later this year as soon as this quarantine is over and I have one question. Do you recommend visiting smaller cities in Finland? For example this town Sastamala – I have friend there and don’t know what to expect as it is small town and there isn’t as much information online.

9th April 2020 at 6:50 pm

Hi Jessica!

Thanks very much. So the smaller cities in Finland are worth visiting, we have been to places like Oulu, Rauma and so on. There is usually something of interest in each town or city, and if you have a friend there they should be able to give you some advice as to what there is to do and see 🙂 So I would check with them and see what they say!

have a great trip when you get to go, and stay well!

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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.

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Best Lapland Holidays for a Winter Getaway

Lapland is an enchanting winter wonderland waiting to draw you in with its sparkling white landscapes, cosy log cabins, and thrilling adventures in the snow. 

Whether you’re planning your dream winter escape or need inspiration for your travel wish list, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for insider tips and ideas on the best Lapland holidays for you. 

While it may be the home of Santa Claus Village, the “Man in Red” is certainly not the only attraction. In fact, there’s plenty to see and do that’ll delight kids and grown-ups alike. 

So as well as immersing yourself in the magic of Christmas all winter long, what else can you do on a getaway to Lapland? For starters, picture yourself chasing the northern lights, sleeping in a dazzling ice hotel, and exploring snow-dusted forests. Scroll down to find out more. 

• Check out these holidays in Lapland  and browse a selection of popular short breaks

Where is Lapland?

The region of Lapland spans the northerly reaches of Sweden and Finland, along with small areas of Norway and Russia. Sometimes known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”, you’ll find that much of this pristine landscape lies with the Arctic Circle. 

You may already know that Lapland’s lofty position near the top of the Earth means it overlaps with the “northern lights belt”. Also referred to as the “aurora zone”, this band encircles the Earth at latitudes of 65-72°N. 

In this region, the conditions are just right for you to spot the aurora borealis, which can be seen here at their greatest intensity and frequency. So travel to Lapland in winter and you could be lucky enough to witness the spectacle of the northern lights. 

Please do keep in mind that the aurora are a natural phenomenon, so sightings aren’t guaranteed. 

• Find out how to go on a Lapland tour from the UK
• Related: 7 reasons to visit Lapland in winter

When to go?

The winter months – December , January , February and March – are undoubtedly the best time to visit Swedish and Finnish Lapland. 

No matter when you choose to travel between December and March, you’ll experience the ultimate in festive fun. As well as revelling in the local Christmas celebrations, you can also make the most of a variety of activities in the snow. 

If you’d like to visit Lapland at Christmas or New Year it’s worth making arrangements well in advance, as this is a popular time of year. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a more peaceful experience then January to March is a better time to travel. 

Throughout the winter season the weather in Lapland is undeniably nippy (it is in the Arctic Circle after all!), so you’ll need to wrap up warm. But knowing there’s a cosy retreat waiting for you at the end of each day will surely banish any chill. And, on most outdoor excursions you’ll be given thermal gear to borrow. 

Plus, as we mentioned before, this time of year brings the most promising conditions for seeing the northern lights. 

• Get tips and advice on what to pack for a trip to Lapland in this helpful travel guide
• Related: Christmas in Lapland – Your complete guide

Who goes on Lapland trips?

The first things that come to mind when you think about Santa’s homeland may be Lapland family trips and kid-friendly fun. And although the chance to meet Santa is high on the list of many travellers, the region’s beautiful landscapes hold other possibilities. 

For instance, Lapland is also ideal if you’re looking for an action-packed winter escape or a romantic trip for two . 

Happily, there’s also a choice of places to stay in Lapland . You could cosy up in a private family lodge, sleep in a glistening ice hotel, or rest your head in a glass igloo looking up at the northern lights.

• Related: Lapland for grown-ups: why Lapland isn’t just for kids

The best trips to Lapland

Now you know there’s something for everyone in Lapland, it's time to discover what the best Lapland package holidays are for you. Scroll on to find out the various ways that you can enjoy enchanting Lapland. 

1. Festive breaks for kids and grown-ups

Head to Lapland anytime from December to March and you’ll be swept off your feet by the region’s abundance of Yuletide fun. This means that you don’t need to visit at Christmastime for an unapologetic helping of festive cheer. 

Whenever you choose to travel, you’ll have the opportunity of experiencing Christmas traditions in the Nordics . For example, you could listen to tales from Finnish folklore, celebrate St Lucia’s festival of light in Sweden, and sample the local Christmas cuisine. 

All sorts of festive fun is waiting for you in Lapland. These are some of the top experiences that you can have: 

• Visiting Santa’s workshop at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi – it’s the “official hometown” of Father Christmas in Finland
• Meeting Santa Claus and enjoying Swedish Christmas traditions in a peaceful cabin near Kiruna
• Learning how to drive a reindeer sleigh and channelling your inner Mr or Mrs Claus
• Relaxing in a Finnish sauna and leaving a bucket of water for Saunatonttu, the friendly "sauna elf"

And remember, you don’t need to be visiting with kids to have a memorable Christmas getaway in this captivating winter wonderland. Lapland is the perfect destination for couples, grown-up families, and groups of friends, as well as little ones.

• Browse these Lapland Santa holidays
• Related: Santa Claus Village Lapland: activities and things to do

2. Northern lights tours 

Is seeing the northern lights on your travel wish list? If so, then a winter break in Lapland could be the answer to ticking off this unforgettable experience. 

Although the aurora borealis occurs all year round, they are only visible during the hours of darkness. Because of its northerly latitude, Lapland’s winter nights are long, which makes this the time of year that you’re most likely to see the northern lights. 

So visit from December to March when the dark nights and snow-covered countryside form the perfect backdrop for chasing the aurora borealis . 

Another bonus of seeking the northern lights in Lapland? As the scenery here is remote, there is low light pollution which makes the colours of the aurora appear to be even more striking. 

Top tip:  Set up alerts on your smartphone from aurora forecast websites and apps in the area that you’re visiting. 

These are some of the best ways that you can appreciate this natural phenomenon:

• Head to Swedish Lapland’s Aurora Sky Station , one of the region’s top vantage points for glimpsing the lights
• Join a guided snowmobile safari and chase the aurora as you zip through the glistening white landscape
• Go on an evening snowshoe hike accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who’ll take you to the top viewing spots
• Stay in a glass-fronted seaside cabin and watch the northern lights from your room for a more relaxing encounter
• Browse these northern lights tours in Lapland
• Related: Best time and place to see the northern lights in Finland and Sweden

3. Active getaways

When you leave Lapland’s charming villages and the twinkling town lights behind, you’ll find vast, boreal forests dotted with frozen lakes. 

This winter playground is a dream come true if you love being out and about in the snow. Indeed, you can explore your stunning surroundings by including a variety of exciting winter excursions in your trip. 

Does indulging your adventurous side sound appealing? Whether you’re looking for an exhilarating or easygoing excursion, you’ll find something that’s right for you. We recommend trying a few of these activities during your visit:

• Join a thrilling snowmobile tour in Lapland and whizz across frozen lakes
• Glide and mush your way along forest trails on a husky sledding trip
• Try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in Abisko National Park
• Take the reins on a reindeer sleigh ride and learn about Lapland’s Sámi culture
• Set sail on the Sampo Icebreaker then don a drysuit and float in the icy water 
• Have the ultimate snowy adventure on one of these  active winter getaways
• Related: Sweden in winter: what to do and where to go

4. Romantic escapes  

It’s not all about fast-paced outdoor pursuits though. You can also savour a more leisurely winter retreat for two. 

Why not relish the simple joy of unwinding with these Nordic spa and wellness traditions ? Or add a winter activity, or two, to your trip. For instance, imagine weaving your way between powder-laden trees on a snowshoe hike together. 

These are some of our favourite things to do on a romantic trip to Lapland: 

• Spend an unforgettable night under the stars in a glass igloo
• Embrace the magical scenery on a guided snowshoe excursion
• Indulge in a gourmet dinner at the Aurora Sky Station 
• Have a traditional Finnish sauna experience
• You could also consider these honeymoon and romance trips in the Nordics
• Related: Unique honeymoons in Northern Europe

5. Ice hotel stays

Lapland is home to a handful of snow and ice hotels . Each has its own character and is reimagined each year by teams of skilled builders and artists. 

If you’re tempted by the thought of cocooning yourself in blankets and soaking up your mesmerising surroundings, then this is for you. Here’s a round-up of the best ice and snow hotels in Lapland:

• ICEHOTEL , Jukkasjärvi, Sweden: Founded in 1989, this is the original ice hotel
• SnowCastle , Kemi, Finland: A frosted fairytale fortress on the shores of the Bay of Bothnia
• Arctic SnowHotel , Rovaniemi, Finland: Close to Santa Claus Village, this ice hotel also has a snow chapel

Although spending the night in an ice hotel is definitely a “cool” experience, it isn’t for everyone. If you can relate to this, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on visiting an ice hotel. 

Thankfully, many of these extraordinary hotels offer tours. So, you’ll be able to spend time admiring their icy splendour on a day trip before returning to your warm accommodation. 

• Check out these popular itineraries for ice and snow hotel packages in Lapland
• Related: ICEHOTEL in Sweden: your complete guide

If all of this has got you started on dreaming up your next winter adventure, check out these Lapland holiday packages for inspiration. 

Find out how to get there by reading our helpful Lapland Travel Guide , where you’ll find information on which airlines operate Lapland flights. Hotels, airport transfers, a selection of guided excursions, and insider tips from our local experts are included if you book your trip with Nordic Visitor. 

If you want to know more about Lapland, and what you can do there just ask our regional travel consultants. They’re ready to share their in-depth knowledge of the area with you.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to start planning your trip. Soon you could be uncovering the magic of a Lapland winter getaway for yourself.

Born and raised in Scotland, Catherine has a background in trip organisation and design. When not travelling, or writing about travels, you can find her rock climbing and exploring remote corners of Scotland. Her top travel experiences include cycling along India’s Brahmaputra River, wandering the souks of Marrakech, and mountaineering in the Alps.

Getting there

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

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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.

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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

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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 

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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.

Related Articles

Seasons in Lapland

TRAVELERS' CHOICE 2023

Lapland North Destinations offers year-round activities to everyone no matter what season you prefer. The Sámi traditionally divide the year into 8 seasons. Get to know the year in Northernmost Finnish Lapland and experience all the seasons.

8 seasons of the North Lapland

From North Lapland you can find a suitable season that you prefer. Whether you enjoy summer or winter there are lots to do and explore during the eight seasons of the year. The Sámi traditionally divide the year into eight seasons so you have multiple chances to travel to North Lapland to experience all of the seasons and their unique profile.

Lapland North gets its first white snow veil usually towards the end of October. The lakes freeze and nature falls into the wintery hibernation.

Activities and experiences during first snow include for example

• Cross country skiing
• Horseback riding
• Northern light gazing and tours
• Photography

Months : October, November

The winter season begins from first snow and often the skiing tracks open already in the beginning of November. Spend your first snow vacation by skiing, downhill skiing and northern lights gazing as the aurora season is already ongoing.

Saariselkä is known for being a paradise for a skier. In addition to skiing offering other winter activities has developed and alongside of the skiing tracks there are routes for winter biking, snow shoeing, snowmobiling and walking. In Inari and Utsjoki you can get to know authentic Sámi culture and modern day life of the Sámi.

Polar night magic

Winter in North continues with mystical polar night when the sun stays below the horizon. Polar night begins in Utsjoki and Nuorgam at the end of November and more South in Ivalo and Saariselkä it begins in December. The first rays of sunshine in January end the polar night.

Activities during polar night include for example

• Winter biking on over 80km of trails
• Snow shoeing on marked paths
• Cross country skiing on over 200km of tracks
• Downhill skiing on two fells
• Snowmobiling all around the region
• Reindeer safaris and farm visits
• Husky safaris and farm visits

Months: December

During polar night the sky glows in shades of pink, blue and purple and paints the landscape with pastel colors. Polar night doesn’t mean pitch black darkness and northern lights are dancing brightly in the night sky. Snow pack is thick pure and soft during polar night.

Frosty winter

Quiet frosty days are lit by dancing northern lights up in the sky and snow falls sculpt a new scenery over the terrain shapes underneath the snow pack.

In winter wonderland temperatures can drop drastically and that is why mid winter is often described as the frosty winter. With a thick snow pack already formed all the winter activities are now available to experience the arctic.

Activities during frosty winter include for example

Months:  January, February

Take your toboggan and go to the longest toboggan run in Finland, go on a snowmobile safari or go skiing on over 200 km of skiing tracks.

Sparkling snowscapes

During spring the sun glimmers on snowscapes. Spring winter is best time to explore and do outdoors as light and warmth linger long in the evening. Snow packs are thickest during end of March to the beginning of April reaching almost to one meter in thickness. Among the fells you can still ski in May!

Activities during spring winter include for example

Months:  March, April

In spring winter birds migrate to the region and nature wakes up after several months of hibernation. Without a warning seasons start all over again with reindeer calving. From late spring summer starts fast and with force.

Spring time ice break-up

Snow melts away fast in the sun and winds of late spring. Nature wakes up and you may see green peaking through the snow. After the snow has melted away summer takes over. Reindeer calves stand up and fresh food grows to everyone’s reach.

Activities during ice break-up include for example

• Snow shoeing on higher grounds is still possible
• Cross country skiing on higher grounds is still possible
• Downhill skiing on two fells is still possible
• Reindeer farm visits
• Husky farm visits
• River rafting

Months:  May

Lakes and rivers slowly let go of their ice cover. Sometimes ice breaks and forms a damn downstream of the river and makes water levels rise. Fell streams flow to rivers and water level rises even more causing huge rapids. During floods which are fairly minor here, part of the river crossings on hiking paths are closed for a short period of time. On the other hand more of the paddling routes are open during this time when water levels are higher. This time usually lasts for only a few weeks if it happens at all.

Midnight sun

Energy from the Nightless Night. Throughout the night sun gives soft golden light and energy to nature and people. On midnight sun tours it is quiet and spectacularly beautiful. The sun shines around the clock for over two months gracefully warming your cheeks from half way through May till the end of July. In the far North you can hike up a fell day and night, take a breather and just be. Experience the nightless nights unique atmosphere on a midnight sun cruise or on a guided paddling adventure.

Activities during Midnight sun include for example

• Biking on over 200km of marked trails
• Lake cruises and riverboat cruises
• sup boarding

Months:  June, July

The greatest treasure nature gives us food wise is during harvest time. Ripe berries and mushrooms await when autumn arrives. Gathering them and storing for the upcoming winter makes sure these healthy treats are available during winter as well for animals and people in the area. Summer in Lapland fills the berries and other collectable food fused with vitamins and other ingredients which can support your wellbeing.

Activities during harvest include for example

Months: August

Fall foliage is the best time to explore outdoors and that’s when nature also offers it’s treats. You can explore fall by hiking, biking, with a canoe or a boat and for example horseback riding. During your fall holiday you can get to know local Sámi culture and gold prospecting.

When fall arrives, turn leaves of plants and trees to different shades of yellow and red. Foliage of the ground is also spectacular here when twigs and shrubs change in to fall colors. During day time it is still quite warm outside but during night time the temperature can drop close to zero. In the morning time you can see misty landscape and frosty terrain from the cold weather during night time. On river banks colorful trees reflect from river surface and thin ice from the frost of previous night crackles against rocks on the shoreline.

Activities during foliage include for example

Months:  September

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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!

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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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Traveling Through Autumn Foliage In Lapland

Written by  visit lapland.

Traveling through autumn foliage in Lapland 2022

Lapland is well-known for its intense seasons, and autumn is not an exception. People all over from Finland (and abroad) voyage to see the beautiful colors of foliage, which happens to be more intense in the north, than anywhere else. Additionally, the lofty nature of Lapland is an attraction itself, but when it all turns into the colors of yellow, red and orange – it’s pure magic.

What is foliage?

  The nature’s own color carnival in the north usually starts within the first weeks of September, when the temperature and daylight length is decreasing. This is a clear sign for the nature to start getting ready for the winter. The exact timing of the foliage cannot be predicted, and it can last anywhere between couple of days to couple of weeks. The peak of foliage moves from north to south, so if you’re up for a grand adventure, your best bet is to start from the northernmost parts of Finland, such as Kilpisjärvi or Utsjoki, and slowly make your way down to southern Lapland. Eventually, the leaves will fall and colors fade, as the nature prepares itself for the winter and snow.

Fell hiking destinations in Lapland

Kilpisjärvi is a small town in the northwest, or in ‘’the arm’’ of the Maiden of Finland, and it’s located near the borders of Sweden and Norway.  The most famous sight and hiking destination in Kilpisjärvi is the Saana fell (1029m). The hike is 8 kilometers return and will surely reward you with amazing 360 views without borders. There are lots of other hiking options in Kilpisjärvi, as well, my personal favorites being Tshahkajärvi and Salmivaara. As for accommodation and dining, Kilpisjärvi Retkeilykeskus has everything to offer from rooms, cabins, camping, restaurant, café, saunas, rental equipment, and the views. What else could you ask for?

Pallas-Yllästunturi national park consist of many fells, which are standing within the clearest air in the whole world. Pallastunturi in Muonio is exceptionally famous for its red maaruska, which represents the foliage in the bushes and plants on the ground. Pallas is known as a very calm and quiet destination, as there is just one small nature center and hotel in the heart of the park. There is also lots of parking space and starting points for several hiking trails. The restaurant at the hotel, as well as the food truck outside serves foods and drinks of many options to fuel you up post hike. And don’t be surprised to meet a bunch of reindeer hanging around the area 🙂

Ylläs , the other half of Pallas-Yllästunturi national park, is more populated and has more services to offer, including the most popular ski resort of Finland. During fall foliage, however, Yllästunturi has many gorgeous trails for different levels and desires. Some hikes worth mentioning being Kesänkitunturi, Aakenustunturi and Särkitunturi. Other famous spots in Ylläs include the Ylläs swing and Jounin kauppa (grocery store with a huge reindeer standing in front of it). Outside of hiking, there are so many autumn activities available in Lapland, such as biking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, frisbee golf and so on. Don’t forget to experience (ice) swimming and sauna while in Finland! 🙂

Levi is one of the most popular winter destinations of Finland, but there is lots to see and do during other seasons, as well. One of the most wanted sights of Levi is the Santa’s cabin, which was used in a movie set of Joulutarina (Christmas story), which is a must-see film if you’re traveling to Lapland for Christmas season, or if you just want to get your Christmas spirit up! 🙂

Saariselkä is in the Eastern part of Lapland and is most well-known for the second largest national park of Finland, UKK (Urho Kekkosen kansallispuisto), which is named after the former president of Finland, Urho Kaleva Kekkonen. This large national park has a ton of different hiking trails to be explored, many of them starting from different villages and roadsides. Kiilopää (546m) is one of the highest fells in Saariselkä, and only 2 kilometers from the parking lot. Saariselkä also has the very first and most famous glass igloo village, Kakslauttanen. By today, however, there is much more competition and many igloo villages to choose from – all with a price tag.

Pyhä-Luosto national park has the most southern fells of Lapland and is easily reachable for a day trip from Rovaniemi (1,5hr). However, there is nature, activities, and sights to be seen and experienced for several days, if you’re up for it. The most well-known trail of Pyhä-Luosto is Karhunjuomalampi, which is a 10 km trail, and it includes many famous sights of the national park. My personal favorite is Tunturiaapa, which is a 7 km loop trail, offering the best panoramic views of the national park.

In addition to the amazing autumn foliage colors, fells and wildlife, Lapland has even more to offer during this time of the year… It’s the time of the year when the sky starts to turn into different colors, as well, the colors of green, purple and blue – The aurora season . During my 7-day autumn trip, I was extremely lucky to see the northern lights almost every night. The sky was mostly clear without any clouds in sight, which resulted in me staring at the starry, dancing skies for hours during my trip altogether. That’s what a lot of people travel here for, and they can’t be blamed. It’s an extremely unique phenomena that simply can’t be explained in words or shown in photos – it has to be lived. And same goes for the autumn foliage. Can you imagine combining these two phenomena in one trip? Unforgettable.

⇐  By Erika Katainen / Visit Lapland ⇒

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Ylläs- Kolari

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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Bart Torvik Projects Louisville's 2024-25 Season

Matthew mcgavic | jun 5, 2024.

• Louisville Cardinals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The upcoming 2024-25 college basketball season will mark the start of a new era for the Louisville men's basketball program.

Following an abysmal two-year run as the head coach, Kenny Payne was dismissed one day removed from the end of the Cardinals' 2023-24 season. Louisville then went on to name College of Charleston's Pat Kelsey as the program's next head coach.

Just over two months later, Kelsey and his staff have done a masterful job on the roster construction front, and buzz surrounding the program is the highest it has been in years. But how well will Louisville perform in year one under his guidance?

It is a little early to tell, considering the full schedule hasn't even been released yet, but we already have some idea thanks to the college basketball analytics site Bart Torvik.

Despite tipoff not coming for another five-and-a-half months, Torvik already has running projections for the upcoming 2024-25 season . This includes overall ranking, offensive and defensive ratings, projected win/loss totals, and more.

That being said, Bart Torvik is not high on the Cardinals heading into year one of the Kelsey era, ranking Louisville as the No. 89 team in college basketball. They are the fourth-lowest ranked team in the now 18-member ACC, ahead of only Virginia Tech at 96th, Stanford at 98th, Florida State at 121st and Boston College at 147th.

Louisville sports an adjusted offensive efficiency of 109.1, which comes in as the 92nd-best mark in Division I, whereas their adjusted defensive efficiency of 98.8 sits at 88th. Despite bringing in a highly-ranked transfer class, Torvik tabs UofL as the 131st-most talented team in D1 with projected effective talent rating of 21.7.

Put it all together, and Torvik projects Louisville to go 16-15 over the course of the regular season, and 8-12 in conference play. 

While the early computer models might not be high on Louisville at this juncture, various national analysts are. 247Sports' Isaac Trotter recently placed Louisville at No. 4 in his ACC Power Rankings , while the Field of 68's Jeff Goodman went as far to say the Cards are a preseason top-25 team .

Not long after the end of Louisville's disastrous 2023-24 campaign, the Cardinals' roster began to flip. All 12 of Louisville's scholarship players entered the portal, with only walk-on guard Aidan McCool in line to return.

Fortunately, Kelsey has done a fantastic job of roster construction since his hiring on Mar. 28, bringing in 12 Division I transfers and one high school prospect. Their transfer portal class ranks No. 1 in the nation,  according to  On3 .

(Photo of Louie: Jeff Faughender - Courier Journal and USA)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: Facebook -  @LouisvilleReport Twitter -  @UofLReport Instagram -  @louisville_report You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at  @Matt_McGavic  on Twitter

MATTHEW MCGAVIC

McGavic is a 2016 Sport Administration graduate of the University of Louisville, and a native of the Derby City. He has been covering the Cardinals in various capacities since 2017, with a brief stop in Atlanta, Ga. on the Georgia Tech beat. He is also a co-host of the 'From The Pink Seats' podcast on the State of Louisville network. Video gamer, bourbon drinker and dog lover. Find him on Twitter at @Matt_McGavic

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TSA at RNO and nationally prepared for busy summer season of air travel

RENO, Nevada - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for high passenger volumes throughout the summer at airports nationwide including Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). TSA projects it will screen a record number of people now through the Labor Day weekend.

AT RNO, TSA expects to screen about 6% more travelers this summer than last year’s summer season. During the four-day Memorial Day weekend, TSA screened about 24,000 departing passengers through the security checkpoint. This was an increase of 6.7% over 2023 Memorial Day weekend volumes.

The busiest times at the RNO checkpoint daily are 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The busiest days to travel any week are Sunday and Monday as well as Thursday and Friday. Regardless of your flight departure time or day of the week, this summer all travelers - no matter at what airport - will need to arrive early and prepared for every step of the air travel experience.

“The summer travel season is here and Reno is a prime destination for those who are looking to enjoy the outdoors, recreational opportunities at nearby Lake Tahoe or the area’s beautiful scenery. Whether you live in the High Eastern Sierra foothills or are just visiting, TSA will be on the job to ensure your trip through RNO is second to none,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Nevada Karen Burke. “We have been planning summer travel operations for months and are looking forward to making good on those plans to deliver top notch security in the most efficient manner.”

"RNO is preparing for a very busy summer travel season," said Nicolle Staten, Manager of Public Affairs at the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. "Over 90,000 seats are being added this summer with our returning seasonal flights and some new routes coming soon. With this added passenger traffic, we are grateful for the enhanced security screening technologies implemented by TSA to get our passengers to their gate quickly and efficiently."

Travelers may notice that security screening procedures can vary by airport. While TSA follows strict standardized screening protocols, those procedures are dependent upon the equipment and technologies in use at any given airport. Due to these variances, it is important for travelers to listen to guidance provided by TSA officers on-site.

Below are some examples of technologies in use at RNO that travelers may encounter and how those will impact the screening process.

Do I need to show a boarding pass to the TSA officer? If Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) is in use at the entrance to the security checkpoint, no boarding pass is needed. Travelers will need to present only their photo ID to the TSA officer.

CAT units are designed to scan a traveler’s photo identification and confirm the traveler’s identity on-screen for the TSA officer. Through a secure Internet connection, CAT is also able to verify that the traveler is ticketed for travel that day and indicate the type of screening status (such as TSA PreCheck®) that the traveler is eligible for.

Because travelers under age 18 are not required to present photo identification to the TSA officer, anyone 17 and younger will need to show a boarding pass to gain entry into the security checkpoint.

TSA does recommend all travelers have their boarding pass available in case the TSA officer needs to manually inspect it or CAT is not in use. TSA has more than 2,000 CAT units deployed nationwide at 228 airports including RNO.

Do I have to get my picture taken when verifying my identity? It is never required that a traveler have a photo taken during the travel document checking process, but travelers departing RNO will have that option.

TSA at RNO is using the latest generation of CAT units (referred to as CAT-2) and they are equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler in addition to scanning their photo identification. CAT-2 is able to compare the traveler’s photo on the state-issued ID against the in-person, real-time photo. Once the unit confirms a match, a TSA officer verifies it and the traveler can proceed to security screening. TSA officers can perform additional passenger verification if needed. 

Photos captured by a CAT-2 unit are never stored or used for any other purpose than immediate identity verification. Travelers who do not want to participate in the facial matching process can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process conducted by the TSA officer.

RNO is one of 84 airports with CAT-2 units in use.

Do I need to remove electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids from my carry-on?

That will be determined by the type of X-ray scanner in use. Some airports have computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanners installed and in use at the security checkpoint. TSA at RNO has two CT scanners located in the security checkpoint.

The state-of-the-art CT scanners create a 3D image of the contents of the bag, giving the X-ray operator enhanced screening capabilities. If a CT scanner is in use, the TSA officer will advise people to leave their electronics and travel size liquids in their carry-on bags.

Some airports have X-ray units that provide traditional 2D X-ray images, which require electronics and liquids to be removed from carry-on bags to ensure the X-ray operator gets a clear view of them, ensuring they aren’t a potential security threat. There are currently 820 CT scanners in use at 236 airports nationwide.

Does my carry-on property have to go in a bin during screening? Yes, if your carry-on is screened through the CT scanner, place all items in a bin. Every CT bin is equipped with an RFID tag that allows the traveler’s personal property and the associated X-ray image to be tracked throughout the screening process.

In all other lanes, your carry-on items can be placed directly on the conveyor belt. For smaller items, please secure them in your carry-on so they don’t inadvertently get left behind.

Do I need to take off my shoes? TSA requires travelers in general screening lanes to remove their shoes during the screening process. However, travelers 12 and under as well as those 75 and older are always permitted to keep on their shoes during the security screening process.

TSA PreCheck®-eligible travelers can leave on their shoes as long as they do not alarm the security screening equipment. TSA operates dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at RNO during some peak hours. During other times, TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers are screened through the general screening lanes, but receive the benefits of TSA PreCheck.

Can family members go through the TSA PreCheck lane with me? Any traveler 17 years old and under can accompany a TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. TSA operates a dedicated TSA PreCheck screening lane at RNO.

This benefit is another reason to join the more than 18 million people who have enrolled in TSA PreCheck. On average, 99% of TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers wait 10 minutes or less to be screened TSA PreCheck enrollment is now offered by three companies including Telos, CLEAR and Idemia.

Local travelers can enroll in TSA PreCheck at RNO in the ticketing area of the airport. There is also an enrollment center at 10350 N McCarran Boulevard. For more information and to start the enrollment process, visit www.tsa.gov/precheck . An in-person visit is required to complete enrollment in TSA PreCheck.  

Final advice from TSA and RNO With 434 federalized, commercial airports nationwide, 685 security checkpoints and 2,412 security screening lanes, it can be challenging to know what to expect at any airport. Here are some tips to help all travelers have a smooth trip through the security checkpoint at any airport:

• Arrive at the airport at least two hours before scheduled boarding time of flight. Allow ample time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage and proceed through the TSA security screening checkpoint. Most flights board 30-45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
• Review guidelines for traveling with children. Airlines can request proof of age documentation during check-in for children under age 12 traveling unaccompanied. Proof of age documentation must also be provided for children two years of age or younger planning to sit on an adult passenger’s lap. A birth certificate is acceptable proof of age. 
• Be prepared for any scenario. In the security checkpoint, have your photo identification and boarding pass ready just in case you are unexpectedly asked for it. This will keep you from slowing down the screening process for you and everyone behind you.
• Listen to directions provided by TSA officers. The advisements are specific to the type of screening you will experience. The information given will make your screening experience quicker and smoother.
• Pack smart. Always start with an empty bag to ensure you don’t inadvertently bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint. Place electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids at the top of your carry-on so they can be easily accessed if you are required to remove them. Also, be sure that all liquids are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less if transporting them through the security checkpoint.
• Get assistance prior to traveling. Ensure that carry-ons do not contain prohibited items since they slow down the security screening process. To determine whether an item is allowed or prohibited in carry-on luggage, download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
• Double-check your luggage. Many bags look alike. Prior to traveling, passengers should tag every piece of luggage with their name and address and include additional addresses inside each bag in the event the outside tag falls off. When retrieving luggage at baggage claim, it’s important for passengers to check these tags to ensure they’ve picked up the correct bag. 

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American Airlines hits rough air after strategic missteps

By Kate Gibson

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: May 29, 2024 / 5:44 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

American Airlines is cutting its financial outlook, with CEO Robert Isom acknowledging the carrier misjudged travel demand before the peak summer season. 

The carrier's total revenue per available seat mile is expected to be off about 5% to 6%, versus its previous forecast calling for a decline of about 1% to 3%.

"The guidance cut seems to e a combination of both higher domestic competition (competitor fare sales and higher capacity) as well as a loss of corporate share given a de-emphasis post-pandemic," BofA Global analysts Andrew Didora and Samuel Clough said in a research note.

In a regulatory filing, American said it now forecasts second-quarter adjusted earnings in a range of $1 to $1.15 a share, versus its prior forecast was of $1.15 to $1.45 a share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast second-quarter earnings per share of $1.20, on average.

The airline's shares tumbled nearly 14% Wednesday to close at $11.62. The nosedive came a day after American disclosed that Vasu Raja, its chief commercial officer, would depart in June. Raja oversaw an apparently backfired effort to push customers to book travel directly from American through its app and website instead of third-party sites. 

The strategy including eliminating American's corporate sales team, which helped save on distribution costs. But "American is now losing share as corporate travel recovers," Didora and Clough noted.

Isom offered a similarly bleak view at an industry conference on Wednesday.

"Our expectation for domestic performance has worsened materially since we provided guidance in April for a few reasons," Isom said. "We're seeing softness in customer bookings relative to our expectations that we believe is in part due to the changes that we have made to our sales and distribution strategy."

After praising Raja as an "innovator, a disruptor" and good friend, Isom added "sometimes we need to reset." 

In February American announced that as of May 1, customers would have to buy tickets directly from the airline, its partner carriers or preferred online travel agencies if they wanted to earn points in its AAdvantage loyalty program. 

When the changes were announced, Raja said in a prepared statement that American was looking to make travel more convenient for customers and that by booking directly with the airline customers would get the best fares and it would be the most rewarding for its loyalty program members.

But the changes were met with criticism by some, who voiced displeasure with restrictions placed on how they could earn points for the loyalty program.

Isom said at the conference that American no longer plans to differentiate who earns AAdvantage miles and who doesn't, based on where they booked.

"We're not doing that because it would create confusion and disruption for our end customer, and we're going to make sure that we take care of it," he said. "We're listening to feedback. We're learning and adapting."

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• American Airlines

Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York, where she covers business and consumer finance.

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• Four Seasons’ Private Jet Trips Will Take You to Asia, Africa, and Beyond in 2026

The six 2026 itineraries range from 13 to 21 days and cost between $159,000 and $229,000 per person.

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“Our goal is to create connections with travelers of this generation and the next, fostering a legacy of transformative experiences that extend far beyond the journey,” Marc Speichert, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Four Seasons, said in a statement.

The 2026 itineraries range from 13 to 21 days and cost between $159,000 and $229,000 per person. To start planning your trip, visit the Four Seasons website or email the team at [email protected].

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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