lapland travel journal

Travel From Australia

Parker's From Australia

Home » Blog » Lapland Travel Journals & Notebooks

Lapland Travel Journals & Notebooks

Page Contents

MY LAPLAND ADVENTURE SERIES

Embark on your lapland adventure with our lapland travel journals and notebooks .

Are you ready to capture the magic of Lapland, Finland, in your own words and sketches? Introducing our series of “ My Lapland Adventure ” travel journals and notebooks, designed for both adults and children to document their Lappish adventures in style.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our  full disclosure  for further information.

Each of our notebooks and journals is thoughtfully crafted with a range of designs, line spacing and numbers of pages to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a compact travel diary to jot down daily highlights or a spacious journal to capture every detail of your Lapland adventure, we have the perfect book for you!

Capture the essence of your Lapland adventure and create lasting memories with “ My Lapland Adventure ” travel journals and notebooks .

Multipurpose Lapland Travel Journals

Use our My Lapland Adventure books for trip planning, documenting your travels, or as a journal to write in. Books can be multi-purpose book for writing and/or drawing.

Lapland Travel Journals and Notebooks – Cover Designs

Lapland travel journals and notebooks – comparison table.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Essential Camping Gear For Families
• Ultimate Guide To The Best Beach Chair Australia
• Ultimate Guide To The Best Camping Stoves Australia
• Ultimate Guide To The Best Hiking Boots Australia
• The Best Outdoor & Camping Stores & Providers

Search the Site

• Accommodation

The Ultimate Itinerary for Lapland and Arctic Circle, Finland

This article is  Part 1 of our 4 part series on planning the ultimate trip to Lapland, Finland 

Read Part 2 The Ultimate Guide to Packing for Finnish Lapland   (opens in a new tab)

Read Part 3 The Ultimate Guide to Lapland Safaris (opens in a new tab)

Read Part 4  Staring at the Northern Lights in Saariselka   (opens in a new tab)

Most people (us included!) wouldn’t blink an eyelid before planning a trip halfway around the world just for a single once-in-a-lifetime experience. Be it jumping off a bridge in South Africa , watching the sun rise at Angkor Wat (Cambodia) , participating in the Tomatina Festival in Bunol (Spain ), or staying in a villa suspended over water in Bora Bora – we’re all guilty of booking an air ticket just to tick one item off our bucket list.

But what if a trip promises not one or two but over a dozen once-in-a-lifetime experiences at one go? You’d jump right into it, wouldn’t you? Well that’s what we did.  We slept in an igloo, rode on reindeer sleighs, played with husky dogs, tobogganed down ice slides, walked on a frozen ocean, marvelled at the elusive Northern Lights, and even floated in water with icebergs for company. Phew!!

Finnish Lapland is a truly phenomenal corner of the world. We’ve been to over 45 countries and have experienced some crazy things but very rarely have we seen beauty that left us dumbstruck. Literally! I’ll let you into a secret – I carry a travel journal with me wherever I go. I’m perpetually scribbling notes in it. It’s somewhat of a ritual. But for one whole week in Finnish Lapland, I penned nothing in my journal. Yep, nothing, nada, zilch!!

That’s how long it took me to accustom myself to the surreal beauty of Finnish Lapland. This corner of the world, located at the Northernmost tip of Continental Europe is so special that I don’t know where to start. The air is clear (no pollution here!), water is sugary sweet, the sky sparkles with thousands of stars, and the snow-laden landscape seduces people into thinking this is paradise. It could well be!

If you want to explore this area for yourself, look no further. Here’s the ultimate itinerary for exploring Finnish Lapland.

Now for the fun stuff. Get ready, ladies and gentlemen, for the virtual ride of a lifetime. Don’t blame us if you’re tempted to book a flight to Lapland as soon as you finish looking at these photos. Here’s a summary of our experiences and our suggestions for planning an itinerary for Lapland 🙂

Day 1 – Fly into Oulu

Oulu is just over an hour away from Helsinki. The two cities are well connected through multiple flights a day. You will find a white landscape, laden with snow, when you land in Oulu. Once you’re in Oulu, you could stay there for the night or take the train to Kemi, a small Finnish city close to a deep harbour.

• Take bus no. 9 from Oulu Airport to the city centre/train station.
• You can book your train tickets to Kemi in advance on this website :  www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/

Days 2 and 3- Float with Icebergs in Kemi

This is when the fun begins in real ernest. On this day, you will witness a castle made entirely out of ice and hop aboard an ice-breaker cruise ship. Ice-breaker sampos are used to transport goods from one port to the other in this part of the world but Kemi’s ice-breaker sampo is one of the very few that allow tourists on board.

A free shuttle bus ferries passengers from Kemi’s train station to the Ice Breaker Sampo. A short drive later, you will see a ship looming large in the distance. Chunky boulders of ice surround it. This is the Gulf of Bothnia, Europe’s largest mass of frozen ice. You might have been on many a cruise but nothing like this one. A loud horn heralds the start of an unforgettable journey – the ship leaves the harbour, cutting through the frozen Baltic Sea.

It might be cold outside but it’s hard to tear yourself away from the surreal sight of a frozen sea stretching out in front of your eyes. Our favourite part? A short pit-stop in the middle of the journey where passengers are given the opportunity to don bright floatation suits and plunge in ice-cold waters with a few other fellow crazies for company. My heart was in my mouth for the first ten seconds of the plunge but I really really enjoyed the rest of it 🙂

The free shuttle bus is waiting for passengers when the cruise ship gets back. It drops tourists at the snow castle of Kemi, which is straight out of the fairytales. You could wander around and walk back to the train station (a pleasant 20 minute walk) or spend the night at one of their unique ice-rooms. Did you ever think you would be sleeping on a bed of ice? Now is the chance to make that dream come true

• This should be one of the first things you book because cruise tickets get sold out months in advance. The cruise can be booked here :-  www.visitkemi.fi . You could also send an email to  [email protected]
• The Sampo Icebreaker Cruise costs €270 per person. This cost includes food, polar plunge experience, and the return journey on the cruise ship
• There is a free shuttle bus that ferries tourists from Kemi train station to the Ice Breaker Sampo and the Snow Castle
• Entry to the Snow Castle costs €15. If you want to spend a night in the ice hotel, prices start at €155. More information on their website  www.visitkemi.fi/en/snowcastle

Day 4  – Settle into Rovaniemi

A short train ride will get you to Rovaniemi, the bustling capital of Lapland situated on the Arctic Circle. Rovaniemi is also famous for being the home of Santa Claus. Did we not say Lapland is straight out of our childhood fantasies? 🙂

Rovaniemi is the perfect base for exploring Lapland and all it has to offer. No wonder it features heavily on most itineraries of Lapland. We stayed at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus and loved it. The hotel’s location is perfect – it’s less than a five minute walk away from most of Rovaniemi’s supermarkets, restaurants, and excursion providers.

Our spacious suite was on the sixth floor, overlooking the river. The room was modern, kitted out with a private Finnish sauna (where Vid spent most of his time 😉 ). Breakfast was plentiful with a wide variety of vegetables, salmon, eggs, meat, fruits, cookies, and cheese on offer.

• Stay in a centrally-located hotel in Rovaniemi. We stayed at Santa’s hotel Santa Claus and will happily recommend it. You can find the best rates here
• Make sure you spend time in the Finnish sauna – it’s unique and rejuvenating

Days 5 and 6 – Experience the best of Lapland’s safaris

Once you’ve settled into Rovaniemi, it’s time for the adventures to begin. There are photo opportunities galore. You can spend your days snowmobiling on frozen rivers, driving through stunning Arctic forests, visiting husky dog farms and playing with furry creatures, or hunting for the mysterious Northern Lights. Northern Lights’ excursions in Rovaniemi involve driving out of town, spending hours listening to Sami folk tales and BBQing sausages in a tent in the Arctic Wilderness – SO good 🙂

• Lapland Safaris offer husky-dog safaris, snowmobiling, visits to reindeer farms, and Northern Lights excursions. Safaris start at €100/person.
• We recommend pre-booking all your safaris with Lapland Safaris. That way you can keep their Arctic overalls, ski gloves, even snow boots for the length of your stay in Rovaniemi for free. You’ll keep warm and you won’t need to pay a penny. You can thank us later 😉 More information on their website  www.laplandsafaris.com/en/

Day 7 – Meet Santa Claus on a day trip

Did you know that Finnish folklore has it that the ‘real’ Santa Claus resides in Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village with Mrs. Claus and an army of elves. No wonder it’s Christmas 365 days an year in Lapland 🙂

Santa Claus Village is a short bus ride away from the centre of Rovaniemi. You will hear Christmas carols and festive music as soon as you enter the hallowed gates of this dreamy village. Of course, there’s no better way to arrive at Mr. Claus’ house than on a reindeer sleigh. Now let me tell you something. This might not be your first skirmish with Arctic Safaris but one thing is for sure – it’ll be your favourite one. It belongs in a fairytale, nowhere else.

Once you’ve exhausted yourself by playing in the snow, giggled at the little elves in the village, and hugged snow-men, head to Kotahovi Restaurant  in Santa Claus Village for a warm meal. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Lappish wooden hut. The roaring fire at the centre of the restaurant is comforting and made us feel cosy almost immediately. We devoured the creamy salmon soup with rye bread (€14)  and the sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and pickled cucumbers (€26) and spent hours looking at the snow falling outside the window.

• Bus number 8 takes you from the Rovaniemi city centre to Santa Claus Village. Bus tickets cost €2.20/per person.
• Entry to Santa Claus Village is free. You can meet the ‘real’ Santa Claus for free too.
• Don’t leave Santa Claus Village without hopping on a reindeer sleigh. It will take you through magical snow-laden trains and Arctic forests. It was one of our favourite experiences on our entire trip of Lapland. The owner at Santa Claus Reindeer, Janne, is a great photographer. Make sure you ask him for a frame-worthy photograph once you’re in the sleigh 🙂
• Reindeer Sleigh rides start at €22/per person. We opted for the 3 km ride and loved it. You can book it here :-  www.santaclausreindeer.fi
• More information about Kotahovi Restaurant here :- www.santaclausreindeer.fi

Day 8 – Devour a traditional Lappish meal and say bye to Rovaniemi

Sampling local food is the easiest way to acquaint oneself with a new culture. If you’re a regular reader of Bruised Passports, you’d know we never leave a new place without trying out all the local delicacies we can get our paws on. We had a fair few Finnish meals in Lapland but Restaurant Nili came out triumphant by a mile (and a half).

The evening we spent at Restaurant Nili made us so happy that we just had to go to the kitchen to give the chef a hug. The unassuming exterior makes it seem like a small neighbourhood eatery but locals swear by Nili’s exquisitely-crafted Finnish food. We loved the fact that the food was modern without being excessively experimental.

We opted for the sensational set menu called The Rovaniemi Menu. The meal kicked off with a delectable Lappish blini, perfectly complimented by whipped sour cream and grainy fish roe. Main course was reindeer rack on a bed of fluffy parsnip purée, braised root vegetables, and a creamy sauce. We opted for a full-bodied Merlot with the reindeer meat and the two were a match made in heaven. A refreshing scoop of Nili’s black currant sorbet followed – the perfect palate cleaner to prepare our taste buds for the Cheese Plate. We wound up the feast with a glorious panna cotta (the creamiest I’ve ever had!) garnished with apples and wild raspberries. But we didn’t stop there – a couple of shots of Finnish Tar liqueur followed. We could fly back to Rovaniemi just to have a meal at Nili all over again 🙂

Take a bow Chef Marko, you did good 🙂

• Don’t leave Rovaniemi without trying delectable Finnish food at restaurant Nili.
• Reserve in advance because Restaurant Nili can get really busy in the evenings.
• We loved their sensational set menu called The Rovaniemi Menu (€58/per person) but you can go the à la carte route too. More information on their website  www.nili.fi

Day 9 – Sleep on a bed of ice at The Arctic Snow Hotel

After you’ve explored Rovaniemi to your heart’s content, it’s time to go to a snow haven 30 kms outside Rovaniemi. Arctic Snow Hotel is built from scratch in November every year. It’s nestled in Lappish wilderness and provides a fairytale experience.

The reception area, communal toilets, and breakfast rooms are heated. However the fun begins when you enter the main building made of ice. The corridors are full of ice-carvings and sculptures and bright LED lights lead visitors to the Ice Bar and Restaurant. Here drinks are served in glasses made of ice and food is served on intricately carved ice plates. Finnish specialities such as creamy soups and elk are on the menu. Stools and benches might be carved out of chunky blocks of ice but they’re covered with Finnish fur rugs that keep guests warm.

Each ice suite has a different theme – we loved the playful Angry Bird themed room. Stunning beds are carved out of ice. Artic-style sleeping bags are provided to guests so they keep warm as they doze off. But doze off you mustn’t. For there is a lot of fun to be had.

Don’t miss the outdoor jacuzzi for the world – there is nothing quite like sitting in a hot tub in the middle of an Arctic forest and feeling warm when it’s -20°C out. You can count stars and if you’re lucky, you can spot the mysterious Northern Lights. Bucket list or not, an open-air hot tub is one experience that NEEDS to feature on your itinerary of Lapland.

• Arctic Snow Hotel is open to visitors from November to April
• It is possible to visit only for a meal but we suggest sleeping in an ice room for 1 night for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Prices for overnight stays start at €125. You can compare and book here .

Days 10, 11, and 12 – Immerse yourself in Arctic Wilderness in Saariselka and spot the Northern Lights

It’s time to head north to delve deeper into the Arctic wilderness. Frozen slanting trees, ice-laden hills, and fields covered with untarnished snow – the scenery at the northern tip of Lapland is beyond your wildest imagination .

A 3 hour bus ride from Rovaniemi will get you to Saariselka. There is a variety of accommodation on offer in Saariselka – log cabins are a popular choice. But we are partial to the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, where you can sleep in a heated igloo under the Northern Lights. The bus will drop you at the gate of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. To say we had the time of our lives here would be the understatement of the decade. We spotted the Northern Lights ever so often while we were there. We were so taken in by the surreal beauty of this hotel that we decided to extend our stay by 2 days.

We spent our days trying to absorb the immense beauty of Finnish Lapland. Reindeer safaris provide a glimpse into the life of Sami people (indigenous people living at the very northern tip of Europe) and will convince you that you’re in a fairytale. Just when you’re drifting into your dream world, the reindeer will stop in the tracks to pee or grace the ground with perfectly-shaped reindeer droppings 😉

• The bus journey from Rovaniemi to Saariselka is gorgeous. The bus has wifi and is extremely punctual. Bus tickets can be bought in person or booked online on this website :-  https://www.matkahuolto.info/lippu/en/
• Read our detailed review of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort with photos, tips, and more before you flesh the itinerary for your trip to Lapland.
• We suggest staying in the glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort for 1-2 nights and their rustic log cabins for 2-4 nights depending on how much time you have. You can compare prices and book here .

Day 12 Take the flight back from Ivalo

Ivalo airport is close to Saariselka and Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offers regular transfers to the airport. Take the flight back to Helsinki – we promise you’ll spend the flight thinking about all the surreal panoramas you saw on your trip to Lapland and counting the crazy experiences you had. One thing is for sure – it’ll be hard to pick favourites. After all, how often does one get to pick between petting a reindeer and sleeping in an igloo 🙂

Planning your trip to Finland – The Essentials

If you’re there for winter sports and the Northern Lights, then visit Lapland between December and March. If you want to drive around, then summer is a good time since Finnish Lapland boasts of sunlight 24*7. Winter Wonderland transforms to the Land of the Midnight Sun during the months of June, July, and August.

Length of the trip

We suggest setting aside at least 10-12 days for a trip of your lifetime to Finnish Lapland. A rough breakdown is as follows (scroll down for the detailed itinerary 🙂 ) :-

• Fly into Rovaniemi/Oulu from Helsinki
• Kemi: 2 nights
• Rovaniemi and surrounding areas: 4-5 nights
• Saariselka: 3-4 nights
• Fly back from Ivalo to Helsinki

Finnish Lapland is not the place for backpackers. Scandinavia is infamous for being notoriously expensive and Finnish Lapland is no exception. Moreover it’s an extremely remote corner of the world. Consequently transport, hotels, food, and excursions can get pricey here. Try to set aside approximately €200 per person/day when budgeting for your trip. This includes the  hotel rooms, excursions, food, and transportation within Lapland but excludes flights from your hometown. [box]

Don’t come back without trying these typical Finnish things

• Finnish Sauna (Finnish people are obsessed with it and with good reason!). We love Visit Finland’s introduction to the Finnish Sauna
• Reindeer meat – a local delicacy, Finns sure know how to dish up the perfect reindeer steak. Ok you can skip this and opt for creamy salmon soup if you’re a bit squeamish about devouring Rudolph’s li’l red nose 🙂
• Spending a lazy evening in a Sami lavu/teepee making pancakes, BBQing sausages or just acquainting yourself with Sami Folklore.
• Sipping on dozens of glasses of warm lingonberry juice – this local speciality the perfect antidote for Lapland’s Arctic winter.
• Spending an evening in an outdoor hot tub while it’s -20°C outside. It’s a surreal experience to watch your drink freeze as you lounge comfortably in warm water and stare at Lappish sky, coloured green by the Northern Lights. Words can’t do justice to such an experience, can they?!

[/box] That’s it – our itinerary and favourite things to do in Finnish Lapland. You need to put this corner of the world on your travel bucket list – it will leave you spellbound and you will come back, wanting more.

Leave us a comment below if you enjoyed reading about our journey or if you have any questions about planning a trip to Lapland – we’ll make sure we get back to you as soon as possible 🙂

Want to include some more offbeat places in your winter trip to Lapland? Check out this article on 10 Must Dos In Lapland for pointers 

Previous Post

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Truly ‘Once-in-a-lifetime’

Packing for Lapland, Finland : Staying warm in the Arctic

215 thoughts on “ the ultimate itinerary for lapland and arctic circle, finland ”.

That’s like the trip of dreams come true!!! So beautiful.. I have to find someone to go along with me . M saving up!!

Now you’ve found Madhuri 😉 Go, go, go. PS It really was the trip of our dreams

Sound amazing!! can I ask where you found the outdoor hot tub? or accommodation you would recommend with this.

OMG this is insanely awesome. I would love some dessert served on a carved piece of ice! The Northern Lights are definitely a bucketlist, along with a loooong list of thing! :-p

xox head2heels.co

I know right?! I want to have food on those plates everyday 😉 The Northern Lights were amazing, definitely the highlight of the trip

this is one of the most beautiful post !!! this seriously seems some magical stuff!!! i could not even imagine that something like this existed !!!! so so so beautiful !!!!

Thanks Kushagr – we couldn’t believe our eyes when we first saw the scenery at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort 🙂

hey could you guys please connect.Travelling this year with my girls.

We want a budget trip to Lapland & Estonia in January 24 – 1st or 2nd week for 10- 11 days.

Rashmi, can i tag along =p I LOVED this post. trip of dreams indeed. thanks for this post. this definitely goes on my bucket list.

hehehe!! Sure :P:P The more the merrier 😉

Love the sound of this 😉

Thanks Madhuri – this was a dream trip indeed! Rashmi and you better make it there quickly 😉

Hey can u plz suggest where is the best Sauna in rovenamemi …we leaving in 2 days for Finland for my birthday ?

Hi Harleen,

A belated happy birthday and hope you had a great time in Lapland 🙂

Wow, what an epic trip! Yes, I’d love to tick off all those things, except the reindeer meat (I’m a veggie)! I’m obsessed with Finland and I was there in December but not more northern than Tampere, I didn’t have the time or the money to head up to the

sorry! that cut out and posted unfinished!

I didn’t have time or enough budget to head to the arctic north and centred my trip in the south. I’m hopefully heading back in the summer to drive down from Norway to Helsinki and I can’t wait to experience the light nights and the far north!

I also can’t wait to get back to saunas! Oh how I miss them, absolutely the must do for Finland!

Such a great post guys!

Rachel I hear you – it’s so easy to fall completely in love with Finland 🙂 I hope you manage to make it to the North soon, Lapland is straight out of the fairytales

I decided to visit Finnish Lapland for my honeymoon as soon as I saw your first Facebook post on the Icebreaker Cruise in Kemi. Then when you posted about the Northern Lights, there was no looking back. I was looking forward to reading this post. It’s answered most of my questions and I will be following your itinerary. I have 1-2 questions about budgeting and flights- can I email you for that?

Sure Sher – drop us an email. Lapland is the perfect place for a honeymoon 🙂

What an awesome writeup – watching the northern lights has been on the bucket list for a while – had a couple of questions ?

– WHats the probability of seeing northern lights during the stay ? What are the best months for the same ? – I understand from the pictures that its cold – how cold does it actually feel ? At any ;point did u experience the feeling of unbearable cold ? – Availability of vegetarian food in the northern hinterlands ?

Hey Maulik – The chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland, especially in a place like Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort are very high between November & March. Vegetarian food is never a problem. One never feels unbearably cold because of snug Arctic jumpsuits which can be rented from a number of shops 🙂

Finnish Lapland looks like quite the chilly place – but it looks like you enjoyed yourself. Hope to do it myself soon!

We really loved it there Elaine – you must plan a trip to Lapland soon 🙂

One of the places we really enjoyed was a Thai Cultural Theme Park – Phuket FantaSea. Every service area there was beautiful and neat. We enjoyed watching their beautiful, costumed parade culminating at an outdoor stage with a Bangok theme show. The place is really somewhat like Disneyland of Thailand! The highlight their main show held at a beautiful Palace of the Elephants Theater. I must say it was pretty amazing, I left overwhelmed by their beautiful culture. International buffet dinner was good, particularly the noodle soup. We remember it as one of our nicest outings in Phuket and do recommend it for a quality evening-into-the-night entertainment. Don’t miss it!

Loved reading about your Lapland adventures! It was very inspirational so we are planning a trip for March next year. I’m hoping this will be a good time to go. How far in advance do you recommend booking? Is it worth staying in Oulu?

Hey Michelle,

March should be a good time to go. We booked 3-4 months in advance. We flew into Oulu and spent the night there – didn’t really see much there. You should try and go to Kemi from there to try out the Sampo ice-breaker cruise. It’s an amazing experience.

Straight out of my dreams!! I hate you guys hahhaha…so jealous!!! But on a serious note, thank you for sharing all this info!! Its a wonderfully written blog, and I can totally feel your excitement 🙂 Great stuff

Thanks a lot Pallavi 🙂

Your travel plan look really nice!! Can you please share me what is the destination from Kakslauttanen Artic resort stop name and Rovaniemi bus station (toward Santa Claus village) to take?

If you take the bus from Kakslauttanen towards Rovaniemi, it will stop at the Santa Claus Village. Just inform the driver that you wish to get off at the Santa Claus village 🙂

Awesome blog !!! I am from Norway,live in California.Go home to Norway quite often,and this trip is definitely on top of my bucket list. Thank you for great information…..and I have to tell you…..I love reindyr kjøtt og tyttebær syltetøy. Have a great day…?

Thanks for that. You should take a trip to this part of Scandinavia – I’m sure you’ll love it!

Hi guys, well written travel experience. quite inspiring. We are planning a trip this year in dec 15, we live in dubai and have children age 2 and 5, a little concerned to see if our kids can adjust to such severe weather conditions while living in a hot place like dubai. On your trip, did you see kids of similar ages? do you foresee any challenges that we may face?… any suggestions?

Given that its Santa’s hometown, we saw LOTS of kids in Rovaniemi and around. Just make sure that you wrap your kids warm (thermals are a must). I’m pretty sure your kids will love these experiences.

What an amazing read. I have been surfing for weeks but found everything I needed right here. I am staying at the Hotel Santa Claus with my daughter and widened how far the bus stop is from the Hotel to visit Santas Holiday Village. Also, I am going to book the 3km reindeer ride. The excursion states almost 2 hrs plus but only 40 mins ride, did you experience this? They only have 9am or pm and I wondered which would be the best time to ensure the most magical … I thought possibly the afternoon. I had so hope to arrange a private meeting with Santa but this isn’t possible unless staying much further North…. But maybe next time. :-). Could you tell me how expensive the meals are at the Hotel for the evening, the breakfast looks amazing. I am hoping we may sleep well there, but expect noise due to the location. Your trip looks truly perfect and I am glad you had such a wonderful experience. 🙂

Dear Debbie,

The stop from where you get the bus to the Santa Claus village is a straight 5 minute walk from the hotel. As for the excursion, not sure where you have booked but we were told the exact time of the ride – perhaps they have added the transfer times from Rovaniemi to the excursion time? Yes, afternoon will be amazing 🙂

We didn’t have evening meals at the hotel in Rovaniemi. We used to step out to try restaurants around the hotel. If you get a chance, have a meal at Restaurant Nili (not far from the hotel) – the food was really nice. Say hello to them from us 🙂

this is actually want I’m planning to do from years…just 2 questions – Is it doable in 7-8 days ? If yes, what can be shortened ? Is Dec a right time ?

Hello Upender,

December is a great month for this 🙂

You can certainly do it in 7-8 days – we’d cut out a day or two in Rovaniemi and a day and a half in Kakslauttanen!

Hope that helps

Ok so my husband and i are headed to the northern lights for 10 days max end of march. help us plan an itinerary. we will be staying here Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Dear Lauren,

You’ll have a great time 🙂 Not sure what exactly you need help with but you could drop us an email with any specific questions that you have and we’ll get back to you asap. Pretty much everything we did is documented in this article itself 🙂

Am looking at web page for sampo cruise and lowest rate is €385.00 for March 2016! With entrance to ice castle. We are Four and frankly I think it’ s too much! Could it be that rates went up since your blog? As you mention €270 per person – which is ” reasonable” can you help me with info where I can find costs you mention? Thank you

Thanks Toni- you’re right, €385.00 is extortionate for a family of 4 but we were told by another reader that prices have increased in the past year. Perhaps you could choose just the ice-breaker cruise and transfer package, which is for €339.00? I will update prices on our website now

I don’t seem to be able to search info about getting to Ivalo airport from Kakslauttanen Resort. On bus travel website it stop at the junction not at the airport. Any advice? And at the city of Rovaniemi where do I board the bus to Kakslauttanen? Lots of thanks!

In Rovaniemi, just go to the Rovaniemi coach station to board the bus to Kakslauttanen. It’s a short taxi ride from the centre.

As for Ivalo, you might have to change the bus i.e. take a bus from Kakslauttanen to Ivalo and from Ivalo take the airport bus to Ivalo Airport.

Which bus company have you checked?

This is really dreamy! If I plan a trip say in May/June, will I still have an opportunity for the husky safari, reindeer ride etc?

You might get to experience those activities in early May but June will be difficult. However, it’s best to drop an email to the activity provider to confirm 🙂

You guys have done a fantastic job of summarizing your entire itinerary and including all necessary details with the series of posts on your Lapland trip. Super exhaustive resource for planning my honeymoon. Quick questions for you – where can I find the following experiences in Lapland (we are staying in Rovaniemi for 3 nights, Kakslauttanen for 3 nights and Muotkan Wilderness Lodge for 6 nights)?

1. Spending a lazy evening in a Sami lavu/teepee making pancakes, BBQing sausages or just acquainting yourself with Sami Folklore. 2. Spending an evening in an outdoor hot tub while it’s -20°C outside. It’s a surreal experience to watch your drink freeze as you lounge comfortably in warm water and stare at Lappish sky, coloured green by the Northern Lights. Words can’t do justice to such an experience, can they?!

These sounds like lovely experiences and it’ll be great to know exactly what we should be looking for and where. Thanks a ton!

Hey there – you’ll love Lapland. It’s the perfect honeymoon destination 🙂 Here are the answers to your questions: 1) The perfect places for this is in Kakslauttanen – opt for the reindeer sleigh excursion to Penti’s farm and you will get an opportunity to make pancakes, BBQ sausages, and learn more about Sami folklore. We covered this excursion in our video on Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Just check it out on our Youtube channel 🙂 2) Most hotels and lodges in Lapland offer outdoor hot tubs, so this shouldn’t be tough to find. Arctic Snow Hotel, just outside Rovaniemi, has a magical outdoor hot tub. But just email the hotel you’re staying at in Rovaniemi and Muotkan Wilderness Lodge to confirm whether they have outdoor hot tubs too.

Awesome, thanks a lot! Can’t wait to experience the wilderness of Lapland. Hope you guys are enjoying Fiji.

Anytime 🙂 Do send us photos from Lapland

Dear Savi, It was lovely reading your post, as we were looking into finland and happend to step onto your blog.It just gave us a good itinerary of our trip. I have a couple of questions if you dont mind which can help us for our trip in march.

We will be visiting rovaniemi on march and we would like to do some excusrions but considering our 3 nights stay there iam a bit confused on this.

1. Firstly do we do the Reindeer and the snowbike in Rovaniemi or at the resort of Kakslautten ? as we are spending three nights there as well ? ( in terms of northern lights and experince )

2.I know you have suggested lapland safaris but what do you think of the tour company laplandwelcome ( the reason i ask is cz the snowmobile excursion in lapland safaris ends by 11, whereas the laplandwelcome starts at 11 and ends at 1 am.

3.can you explain the route for the bus as we are going to have suitcases with us ? is that okay to travel from rovaniemi to kakslautten ?

Great to know you found our posts helpful. You’ll have an amazing time in Lapland. Here are the answers to your questions: 1) You should go on the reindeer safari at Kakslauttan – you’ll be deeper in the countryside and the scenery is a lot prettier there 🙂 2) I can’t comment on Lapland Welcome because we don’t have personal experience with them – however you can read other reviews on Tripadvisor or another dependable forum and make a decision 🙂 Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful but I find it hard to recommend something unless we haven’t tried it out for ourselves 3)You can take the bus from Rovaniemi to Ivalo and get off at Kakslauttanen – just let the driver know you’re headed to the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort as well 🙂

Thank you so so much for such a detailed info.. I am planning a trip for my fam n having difficulty figuring out until I stumbled upon your blog, so much helpful info. Will be following your itinerary and am pretty sure we gonna have as much fun as you both. Keep posting! Am definitely going to be your obsessive follower from now. 🙂

Thank you so much Vic 🙂 So happy to hear that. Have a great time in Lapland – it’s one of the most magical places we have been to.

Great article, thanks so much! We are planning to travel there in late Jan 2017 – just made the award ticket booking – and as our route is pretty much like yours i was wondering if you could answer 1-2 questions.

we only have short time 6 might 7 days invluding overnight trip back to our country, but due to award booking condition due to availability of award ticket, seems like we’ll only have 1 night each, 1 at helsinki, 1 at kakslauttanen, 1 rovaniemi, 1 kemi, and 1 at Oulu. If we cough up extra 450 euro or so for plane ticket for 2 of us, we can probably add 1 night in kakslauttanen instead of Helsiinki.

My question is:1) how high is out chance of catching aurora with our current achedule? Should we pay more to spend 1 more night in kakslauttanen? 2) what about ouliu? Is there any chance for catching aurora there? I’ve been trying to find info but there isn’t much…

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey Karen –

It’s hard to predict whether or not you’ll spot the Aurora, so it’s probably not worth paying so much jut for 1 extra night. Oulu isn’t particularly noteworthy for spotting the Northern Lights. Hope you have fun in Lapland 😀

Thank you very much for your wonderful post. It makes me more excited 😉 I would like to ask did you booked all the activities one by one or all from one tour operator? Coz i found one tour package it is for EUR 1600 and its for 5 days only. it includes ice breaker in kemi, santa clause village, 1 night stay at the ice hotel, safaris, accommodations and bus transfer you think the price is reasonable enough? or it will be better to booked it separately. This price doesn’t include the igloo arctic resort.

Thank you so much

Hey Vanessa – we booked all our activities with Lapland Safaris but booked the hotels and the Icebreaker Cruise individually. Hope this helps 🙂

Hi Savi, This is Manish from Mumbai, Read your experiences ,very refreshing.we r planning to go to Finland in the month of June ,is this the right time to go ,thnx.

Hey Manisha – June is summer season, so it isn’t the best time if you want to experience winter activities and the Northern Lights

Hi Savi, how long in advance should i book the train tickets from oulu to Kemi and from Kemi to Rovaniemi? I am planning to go next year march but when I try to search for the tickets it showed no result 🙁

Hey Daphne – the tickets usually go on sale 3 months before the travel period in question. You should check back around November/December 🙂

Hey Savi!!!

What a great article!!! It almost inspires one to book tickets immediately and travel to Finland! My husband and I are planning on travelling in January 2017 and i was looking at the Kakslauttanen Resort booking website and its already sold out!!!! However i managed to reserve two nights (only!) at the cottage. that is not the same as the igloo right? Any idea if the igloo will become available later maybe due to any cancellation? How can i book the same?

Thanks and cheers! 🙂

Thats a great post and a very detailed account of your travels! Thanks for inspiring us to book our tickets for Finland! 🙂 Had a quick question- I was looking at the Kakslauttanen Resort booking website and most of it is akready booked!!! However i managed to reserve two nights (only!) in January 2017 in a cottage.. that is not the same as the igloo right? Any chance the igloo might become available due to any cancellations? ca How can i ensure atleast one night stay in the igloo?

Hey Munira – the cottage isn’t the same as the igloo. It’s best to ask the hotel about availability of igloos in case of cancellation. Unfortunately advance booking is the only way of ensuring a night in the igloo. PS Do send us photos from Finland. We’d love to share them with our readers and tag you.

Hey! Sounds like an amazing place and trip. I just have one question – would you recommend this for a couple and their 10month old? Thanks in advance!

Hey Pieta – we did see a lot of people with young kids but I’d wait for your baby to be a bit older – it can be TOO cold for a 10 month old 🙂

Thanks for the very nice input. We’re a family of 5 – 4 adults and a 4 year old – and we do hope to spend Xmas in Lapland. We tried checking the Sta. Claus Village but it is not available anymore during our intended trip in December. What other hotel is best recommended that is very near the Village? Do we have to provide our snow shoes before embarking on the journey?

Hey Angie – unfortunately we don’t know of any other hotel nearby. Snow shoes are available for rent everywhere in Lapland, so you needn’t invest in them if you don’t already own some 🙂

I love your itinerary. I’ planning a family trip this December and would like to follow your itinerary. Do you know of any travel agents that can arrange this trip for us?

We planned this trip on our own so don’t really know any travel agents 🙁

Have a great time in Lapland 🙂

This is amazingly awesmmmm…I wish I cud find u guys earlier before visiting Finland…for more experiences…

Hey Ina – now you have a reason to go back to Finland, which is never a bad idea 😉

Hi Savi and Vid,

I have always wanted to go to this place and this is very helpful information. May I ask how much was the total cost of the trip including the glass resort stay and all activities(excluding flights since that would be different for me , I will fly from US) ? Also I believe, to see the northern lights winter is the time to go. so is christmas – new year time a good time? when did you guys go?

Hey Ananya – yep, the total cost depends on where you fly from and how many days you stay for. The glass igloos cost $450/night and good mid-range hotels in Finnish Lapland cost about $120/night 🙂 Winter is the only time to go for Northern Lights – December and January are perfect

Amazingly informative post. I am planning a trip for this December and would be obliged if you can help me with a few questions.

1. Can I copy paste this itinerary and avoid Tromso and Ice Hotel? 2. Any recommended agencies that dont overcharge and have experience of booking these? 3. Iceland or This trip? Which would be your recommendation.

Thanks, Govind

Hey Govind,

-Sure you can definitely avoid Tromso and Ice Hotel -Lapland Safaris are great to book day trips and other such in the area -If you’re keen on watching the Northern Lights, then Lapland is great. If you enjoy roadtrips, go for Iceland

Hi! I am planning a 10 day trip to Finland end of November. Given the temperatures and snow, did you guys use backpacks or a suitcase for your luggage? Any suggestions?

Thanks Shree – We took a suitcase but we’d strongly recommend taking a backpack because it’s so much easier to carry a backpack than drag a suitcase on snow laden roads and alleyways 🙂

Thanks for the amazing video and article! We are staying at Kakslauttanen in a few weeks and I wanted to ask what camera settings you used to capture the Northern Lights? I have a Samsung digital camera that I love but am debating also packing my DSLR so I have lens options. Any advice would be great! Could you see the Northern Lights with your GoPro? Your video was a great reminder to pack a tripod!

We are only staying 2 nights at the resort. With limited time, which safaris do you think are the best? Thank you so much!!

Apologies for the late reply. Definitely take your DSLR, your widest lens, and your tripod if you want to get great shots of the Northern Lights. I normally did a 10-15 sec exposure (depending on how intense the lights were) at f2.8 / f3.5 with the widest focal length possible. We could not see the lights with our GoPro but not sure if the newer GoPros have a better low-light performance.

As for the safaris, you should definitely go for the Reindeer safari at Penti’s farm (you can book through the resort) – he is quite a character and you’ll have a great time 🙂

Hey guys, big fans!!

Inspired by your blog, we have booked tickets for a 11 day trip in Feb’17 (arriving in Helsinki on the morning of day 1 and leaving from Helsinki the night of day 11). But now feels like a bit too long? Is there enough stuff to do for 11 days?

We are planning for 2 nights in Kemi, 3 in Rovaniemi, 1 in Arctic Snow hotel and 4 in Saariselka. Does it make sense? Considering the Sampo ice breaker is 4 hour cruise, what else can we do in Kemi on day 2/3? Also, whats a good place to stay in Kemi?

Much appreciate your inputs. Thanks a lot !!

Happy to hear that our blog has been helpful for you to plan your trip. Everything else looks great except for 2 nights in Kemi – you’d be better off making that 1 night and spending an extra night in Rovaniemi. Other than the ice-breaker cruise you can spend a few hours in the Kemi snow castle.

Have a great trip 🙂

Hi Your blog is amazing !! Thank you so much. I am planning a trip based on your itinerary . We live in Australia so would love a white Christmas. I was just wondering what your budget was for the entire 10 days. I’m looking at trying to do it for $10,000 Australian dollars. Thanks again for your tips!

Happy to hear about your upcoming trip to Finland and Lapland. If $10,000 includes flight to and back from Finland, then it might be short. However, if it’s just for the expenditure while you are in Lapland, it should suffice (on an average for 2 people).

Hii Guys, Thats an amazing trip. We are planning out Finnish getaway from 26th March to 31st March this year. Helsinki is just to get in and out and exploring the city. Not staying over. Then heading to Rovaniemi for 4-5 nights. Planning igloo for one nights and log cabins for remaining nights. Ice breaker cruise and arctic snow hotel from Rovaniemi. Husky, reindeer safari,snowmobiling as well as santa claus village and how can we forget one night is for Aurora hunting. All are morning activities except the Aurora hunting which is one night. Should we do more night tours for aurora hunting? So basically our base is only Rovaniemi. Also, we do not have snow shoes/boots – do we need to buy the same or renting is good enough. Then back to Helsinki. Do you suggest any changes? Also, we are based in Mumbai, need to buy good warm hats and scarves for me as well as my husband, can you suggest some places. Hope we have a good holiday, considering I feel very very cold gemerally – any tips for that?

Hey Priya – renting snow shoes works perfectly. You needn’t buy them 🙂 Also more than one aurora hunting trip shouldn’t be needed – if you’re lucky you’ll see Northern Lights at the Ice Hotel or Rovaniemi itself 🙂

Thats one beautiful trip. We are planning Finland from 25th March to 31st March. In and out from Helsinki. Helsinki to Rovaniemi and back in overnight train. We have 5 nights in Rovaniemi, which we have made our base. We are planning to do husky safari, reindeer sleigh ride, santa village, snow mobiling, arctic snow hotel, ice breaker cruise, northern lights hunting and a night in the igloo, all in Rovaniemi. Would you suggest anything on the same. Also, I am based in Mumbai and looking to buy some good warm caps and scarves, can you suggest where i can find one.

Hey Priya – that sounds like a great itinerary. We would suggest picking up woollens from a reputed brand like North Face or Jack Wolfskin online 🙂

Hi. your blog on finland trip is very nice. i wanted to ask you what month of the year did you go to finland. i am planning a trip in january and was thinking of tromso in norway and rovaniemi in finland. could you suggest me if january would be good and also how best to travel about from norway to finland in your opinion. thank you

We went in Feb. January is a great time to visit especially if you are interested in seeing the Northern Lights. The best way to get from Norway to Rovaniemi will be to fly – Norwegian has regular and reasonably priced flights 🙂

What are your thoughts on visiting Finland in December to see the northern lights? Do you suggest Feb to be a better time?

Yes Feb will be better because there’ll be more daylight as compared to December so that you can do other things too ☺️

Just back from our trip !!! What a amazing one n truly once in a lifetime trip. I was searching for an itinerary for Finnish Lapland when I came across your blog and I had to look no further. We visited Santa, did husky safari , slept in an ice hotel , saw the northern lights in d forest while on a reindeer sledge etc etc…everything was so surreal….!!! A big thank you for penning down such a detailed itinerary…was truly helpful.

Keep travelling…keep inspiring!!!

Love Vanessa

Hey Vanessa we’re well and truly grateful that you stopped by to leave a comment AFTER your trip – it means the world. Do send us some photos from your trip – would love to share them with our readers 🙂 So happy you enjoyed Lapland as much as we did

Hey! Thanks for sharing. Is like an amazing place and trip. Planning to bring my dad and mum to Lapland this December as they loved to see snow and northern light. My concern is it may be too cold for them. Would you recommend this for a couple and their parents at the age of beginning 60? Thanks in advance!

Dear Lilian,

Apologies for not replying sooner.

It does get really cold up there, but if you’re wearing the right clothes, we don’t see why it’ll be a problem for your parents. We met plenty of elder people and they all seemed to be having the time of their lives 😀

Hope you have a great trip.

Hi, can I know how much you spent on this trip throughout Finland excluding international flight?

We spent around 2000 GBP per person including the hotels, meals, activities (which end up being expensive), and internal transport.

Hope that helps 🙂

v r planning during late october for 1 week only. what do you suggest? primary interest is northern lights and snow. any suggestions for self drive in the lapland.

Self-drive is always an option, but we chose to use the public transport when we went. You could spend 4 days in Rovaniemi and 3 in Kakslauttanen/Saariselka

Have a great trip!

Hi Guys, great trip and pics/description. Thank you !!!

I am taking the family in Novemeber for 8 days to Rovaniemi and Saariselka. What activities do you recommend in Rovaniemi and what do you receommend in Saariselka? I dont want to do the husky ride, reindeer farm etc at both locations and I am trying to determine what activities in what area. Thank you!!

To be honest, you can pick either place for the tours and they’ll be equally gorgeous. We did the reindeer ride and husky ride near Rovaniemi and really enjoyed both. Perhaps you could do these 2 just like us and do a Northern Light chasing snowmobile tour in Saariselka?

Yes ! Thank you. Saw pictures of you guys in ALberta. We were in Switzerland this summer – it was amazing up in the Oberland/Jungfrau region. I think you will love it. Thanks again for the blog, I always wanted to travel to the area but had a hard time with an itinerary, no I have one. THANK YOU !!!

That’s great 🙂 We’re sure Jungfrau is amazing – can’t wait to go there 🙂

Happy to hear you enjoyed our article on Alberta!

This is gorgeous!! Thanks for all the great info. I’ve been sharing this post with so many friends and family. Definitely on my wish-list! 🙂

Thank you so much for all the love Shruti 🙂

Hey I needed some suggestions regarding this trip. I am going to Finland in November and we are staying at kakslauttanen but we don’t know how to go to roveneimi from kakslauttanen? Also, I would like to know a few brands where to shop from for the thermal inners, jackets, hats and gloves and all the other things that we would require. Waiting for a reply soon. Thanks.

Hey there – we took a bus from Rovaniemi to Kakslauttanen. Inform the driver and he will drop you at the door of the hotel. Please look at our guides for packing for Finland and Iceland. Brands don’t matter as much – just choose 100% merino wool thermals, skiing gloves, and good quality down jackets. If you live in a hot place and don’t want to invest in those things, you can get them for rent in Rovaniemi. https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wears/packing-for-lapland-finland-staying-warm-in-the-arctic https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wears/packing-for-iceland-road-trip

Hey Guys, great information. In which month you traveled there because we are planning to go there in Feb so wanted to know if it is good time to go.

Hey February is a great month to visit (we visited at the same time too!)- All the best for the Northern Lights 🙂

hey guys…. i have been planning to go to the kakslauttanen resort for almost an year.i just love the place !!! was looking at some videos and came across yours ,you guys are so cute .i loved the video and i cant wait to go there and explore it myself.any clue how late October or november will be??(any snow?? and northern lights?)

Hey there – thanks for the kind words. The place gets snowed under only by late November 🙂 Northern Lights are unpredictable of course but there’s a good change of you catching them in November

Hey savi and vid. Your itineraries are to die for. I mean how can anyone not get tempted to travel to such mind blowing locations. Reading your Finland itinerary my husband was more than convinced to travel to the Lapland. Now the confusion is here we wanna do iceland Finland and norway together with in 15 days. I am really confuse where should I start from. We plan to go in mid of november. We are keen for northern lights ofcourse. Can you please help me just to plan where should I start from and where should I end. Rest details your itinerary has already done it for me. Thanks. Much love from India. Keep travelling and keep making memories. You inspire world to travel. Best wishes.

Hey Khevna – just choose whichever destination offers better connectivity from your hometown as the first stop followed by the next one. You can do Tromso and Lapland for a combination of winter activities and Northern Lights

Hello, your blog post is awesome. We are planning a trip to Finland this December and your list looks like the absolute bucket list for it!

Can I ask what is the difference between Rovaneimi and Saariselka? Rovaneimi seems to be the more popular and major place to go – are there things to do in Saariselka that are not available in Rovaneimi? And would u recommend an equal length of stay in both places?

Hi Rovaniemi is a bit more crowded and touristy wherease Saarisielka is more peaceful. You can visit Reindeer farms etc in Saarisielka and experience the Finnish countryside in its full glory

Such an amazing post summing up your experiences. I already feel like I am in the Lapland. Few quick suggestions needed.

I have booked a 8 nights trip to and from Oslo for me and my wife in Jan, 2018. Main moto is to enjoy the northern lights and the chilly northern winters. Our itinerary is sumdn like 1 night in Oslo… 2 in Kakslauttanen.. 2 in tromso and 2 in bergen and last night in Oslo again. do u think we should tweak it a bit in terms of your experience and change Tromso or Bergen with any Finnish place? Also, how is d internal road transport from Finland to Norway as we could not see much direct flights from Kakslauttanen to Tromso. Do u suggest self drive in snow considering that we have never really driven in snow. Also, reading that you have been in both Artic snow hotel and Kakslauttanen, which is a better place to stay? Thanks

You could look at replacing one of those places with Rovaniemi if you like. Not so sure about road routes between Norway and Finland. If you have never driven in snow then it might be a better idea to take public transport.

My, my wife and my daughter are planning a trip to the paradise land of Finland between Jan 11-18. I have been reading reviews about Lapland and yours stand out as the best one written. A hearty congratulations!

Now the question: You are advising to set aside 12 days or so for this experience but unfortunately we don’t have that many days. Could we still enjoy the trip with say 6 – 7 days if we “cut corners”? (Sadly 🙁

Any tips you could offer will be greatly appreciated.

Hey Omer – thank you for the kind worlds. 6-7 days are great for Lapland. We’d suggest spending 3 days in Rovaniemi and 3 in Saarisielka/surroundings and you’ll be good 🙂

Hey Guys! thank you so much for sharing such an informative itinerary. Much helpful 🙂 Could you please advise how you traveled from one place to another? car or bus? We were planning to rent a car and travel from Rovaniemi to Akaslompolo and the to Saariselka.. But car is not being possible now coz of license issues. Could you advise if you are aware of any bus services that could assist us with such itinerary? Thank you so much. – Niharika

Hey Niharika – we flew to Rovaniemi and took a convenient bus (specified in the article) to Saariselka 🙂

Hey what months were these?? Dates ? I am planning Finland this year December and your itinerary is just perfecto !

February 🙂 Hope you had a great time in Finland

Guys please tell me what is the total cost for spending 4 nights in kakslatunnen artic resort approximately…

Hey Ranjani,

As prices keep changing, it’s best to check the Kakslauttanen website for latest prices and availability 🙂

Hi…. I really love all of your posts and I am a travel freak myself …. I just wanted to know if I can have vegetarian meals there?? Because I am die hard vegetarian and I have no idea if pure veg meals will be available there…

Hey Manika – most resorts do have a vegetarian meal option but there isn’t much variety. would suggest carrying some instant food along 🙂

I love Lapand. I’ll be there next week. I think I’m lucky to be there

Hi, thanks for the itinerary, it’s very helpful. I wanted to know if you have any accommodation recommendations for Saariselka, as Kakslauttanen is booked out for the dates I am planning around Christmas :/ Any other good resorts/hotels which you would recommend?

Thanks Sonali

Hey Sonali,

We haven’t stayed in Saariselka so won’t be able to recommend. You could consult our latest article on a winter road trip in Finland: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/lapland-finland-winter-road-trip-guide for some alternatives to Kakslauttanen 🙂

What time of the year did you guys visit? I plan to tea so with my daughter’s 5 &7. Too cold?

We visited in Feb. Yes it is quite cold but if you’re dressed properly and good woolens, not such a big issue 🙂

What an amazing and a fascinating place to visit. I really didn’t know much about this but after reading this post I will surely visit one day. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post.

I think you mentioned before that you went during February. Do you mind me asking what time of the month? We’re kind of wide open with dates and have been back and forth between a week in February or March. We would love to see the northern lights and take in all the winter activities, but we’re not exactly sure about timing. I read February is the coldest month, but you get more snowy days, with the snowy trees you see in pictures of husky safaris and reindeers. In March, it sounds like you still have the snow beneath your feet to do the winter activities, it starts to warm up a bit, you have more daylight, but you miss out on the snow covered trees. I also read that you have a greater chance of seeing the northern lights near the equinox which is March 20. Any suggestions on deciding between February and March as I continue to overthink the decision 🙂

Hey unfortunately natural phenomenons are hard to predict. You could do the best research and still end up with no northern lights. So it’s best not to overthink and go at a time that suits you best. The beginning of February is a better time as the scenery is prettier! 🙂

Hey! This looks magical. We are planning our honeymoon in Lapland from 1 Jan until 6 Jan. We have 6 days in Lapland. How do you suggest we plan our trip? Do you think 4 days in Rovaneimi and 2 days in Saariselka is ok? Or should we do 3 days each? We are planning to do a day tour to Kemi from Rovaneimi for the ice breaking cruise. Thank you!

Hey Ravina – the first option is great. 4 days in Rovaniemi and 2 in Saariselka 🙂

I wonna go like now. Oh my God. Your story telling is so great.

Hey we are planning a trip to Finland in early feb for our 19th anniversary. You have mentioned a visit to the Santa Claus village while in rovaniemi, which is very much in our plans.. would it be open for visit in Feb or is this only a pre Christmas destination?

Will deeply appreciate your input on this please.

Thanks Sohini

It should be open in Feb – in fact that is the month we visited too so you shouldn’t have any problems 🙂

Hi Savi , I stumbled across your wonderful itinerary, I’m staring to plan my trip for March 2019 , I only have 9 days , how would you suggest spend my time wisely ? Do you also know anything about skiing in Sally ? Thanks so much for your help !!! Chantay

No we don’t know much about skiing in Salla 🙂 We’d suggest spending a few days in Rovaniemi, a few in Saariselka/Kakslauttanen, and then perhaps Levi.

Hey guys, I wanted to search for a Lapland Itinerary post your pictures on Insat for the past few days. And guess what? Yours was the one i ended up reading eventually. And now I am day dreaming about it already. Gosh ! So beautiful. I have to start saving for it right now man. Its gorgeous. And beautiful. Also just so detailed and helpful Savi. Thankeeeee.

Love to you guys.

Enjoy your trip to Lapland Asmita and share photos with us 🙂

Hey savi, was great to read your post, we are 2 families 4 adults and 4 children planning to go in april 3rd week, we plan 1 day for kemi 3 days for rovaniemi and 2 for saariselka, please advice about transport, should we rent a vehicle or should we use bus or train services.

thanks vishal

If you’re travelling to Kemi, Rovaniemi, and Saariselka I’d suggest renting a car 🙂

Hi, would driving in December be possible and travelling in end December feasible? Since we read up that sunlight is rather sparse at this time of the year and was wondering whether it would be a limiting factor during our trip! Thank you!! Awesome itinerary

Yes, daylight is only for a few hours so that would restrict your sightseeing but will also give you more time to hunt for Northern Lights. That said, we always recommend Feb to visit Lapland as it offers the best balance in terms of daylight hours, chances of viewing Northern Lights, and the snow cover 🙂

Hi Savi,, thanks for writing this amazing trip details.. we are planning a trip in dec 2019 and this itinerary is just so amazing that i will be following it like a copy paste ?? Just one question there is a direct flight to kemi from helsinki – is there any particular reason that you have suggested to go to oulu and stay for night there.. kindly let me know.. m traveling with my family with 2 kids Thankssss

Hey not really – we were flying from London so got a good connection to Oulu that’s it 🙂 You can fly to Kemi if there is a flight from Helsinki

Hi , could you let me know when was it that you’ll visited? Sunlight time frame when you’ll visited

It would be great help 🙂

We visited in Feb 🙂

This piece is indeed helpful…I and my husband are planning for Finland next year and we were very curious to know if we will get activities like husky rides, reindeer rides and northern lights in probably a summer month in Finland, we were considering October to travel. Can you kindly give some details. We are quite skeptical to travel in their winter months, thereby planning for summer months. Thanks.

Doubt you’ll get those experiences in summer months. (definitely not the northern lights) We’d say go in October / November.

Thank you, it was really informative, your post ended my search for perfect itineary!!! Thanks

Happy to hear that Keshav 🙂

Hey, is it a good idea to do this is November?

Yes November is just the right time to visit Lapland 🙂

Absolutely – better towards the end of November as in the beginning there might not be enough snow 🙂

Planning to travel between 2nd december to 15th december. Will we able to see northern lights or is it better in Feb?

Hey December is a good time to see Northern Lights in Lapland 🙂 That said, in the end it all depends on the weather 🙂

Greetings Vid & Savi, Firstly, thank you so much for providing such a detailed itinerary of Finland. Looks like ya’ll had time of your lives. 🙂

I have been a fan of you both for the longest of times now 🙂 Loved your Finland itinerary and has inspired me and my fiance to plan our Honeymoon trip in the Month of March to Finland.It might be 11N 12D trip covering Helsinki (2N) Vuokatti (7N) (Since we have an option of RCI booking) and Saariselka (2N).

1) We are working on a tight budget hence we have restricted ourselves only to the Eastern and Central part of Finland apart from Helsinki.

2) How is the public transport service at Finland ? I mean, would you advise a Train or a Bus for inter-city travel (since internal flights are quite heavy on the pocket) ? Is RailEurope a good option to consider ?

3) Would you recommend a rent-a-car and do some of part of the inter-city travel by road ?

4) Open to all kinds of other suggestions as well.

Thanks once again in advance.

Thanks for all the love and support 🙂 Hope you have a great honeymoon in Finland 🙂

Public transport is decent in Finland – both train and bus. However, we’d suggest renting a car for inter-city travel! Otherwise buses are most convenient

You’ll find all our suggestions in our Finland guides and articles on this website!

Have a great trip to Finland

Dear Savi and Vid, absolutely love your work guys. I am planning a trip for 12 days after 15th December . I had a few questions if you can help me out.

1) choose Lapland or Iceland as both look magical (the purpose to visit is to gaze the mother lights and do winter activities) 2) I was very attracted to the Kakslauttanen artic resort , but have seen a lot of negative reviews about the service off lately hence in 2 minds. I cam across The Artic Fox Igloos through your post, is that a better place to stay ? in terms of price and view of northern lights. read about this another property ‘Golden Crown- Levin Iglut’ which have glass rooms. can you please suggest me.

Thank you! Here are our thoughts on your questions:

1) Either will be amazing. Iceland is better if you love rugged landscapes. Finland is better if you prefer doing lots of winter activities like reindeer sleigh, husky safaris etc. You can’t really go wrong choosing either 🙂

2) Yes Arctic Fox Igloos were nice and better priced than Kakslauttanen- the igloos are great to see the Northern Lights (if they appear) and we also loved the kitchenette in there. Not sure about the Golden Crown – Levin Iglut as we haven’t stayed there and so we can’t personally recommend them 🙂

We are planning between January 15 and january 26. Can you let us know if this time is good ? How will be the snowfall during this time ?

That’s a great time to go Abhishek. Most probably you’ll get snowfall in Lapland in January – however since it’s a natural phenomenon it can’t be predicted to the tee

Can you let us know which app can we download to track northern lights? We are 3 nights in Saariselka and 4 nights in Rovaniemi. 1) Can we hire a car from Ivalo airport and park / leave it in Saariselka itself before leaving for Rovaneimi from Saariselka ? 2) Do we need international license for hiring a car ?

Hi Abhishek,

Most of the towns have their own local apps/messaging services for notifications about Northern Light sightings. I also used an app called “Northern Lights” (and there are many similar ones that will tell you the KP number and probability of seeing the lights in your area. I’m not sure what you mean by “leave the car in Saariselka” – you can talk to to the hotel staff or find a parking garage for long term parking perhaps?

We did not need to show International license for hiring a car, only our Indian driving licenses.

This is a great blog. We have booked tickets based on the blog. You have mentioned – there is nothing quite like sitting in a hot tub in the middle of an Arctic forest and feeling warm when it’s -20°C out. Where can we find this hot tub? Do we need to book it? How does it work?

Hey Abhishek – no bookings required. Most hotels & apartments have open-air hot tubs in Finland 🙂

Hey guys, how did you travel from rovaniemi to Arctic snow hotel ? Is there a direct bus ?

We had rented a car. However I do believe that there is a shuttle arranged by Arctic Snow Hotel – best to drop them an email and confirm

This is incredibly helpful!! Thank you for sharing!!

Glad you liked it 🙂 Lapland is such an amazing place to plan a trip to!

A wonderful life in Finland! I hope that I can visit there with my family in the future.

Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you had a great time!

we are planning a 5 days trip to Rovaniemi from Germany. Would you suggest following: 1. Renting a car? 2. Is it (especially The safari’s which you mentioned) safe for kid of 1.8 years old?

Yes renting a car is a great idea. The safaris are safe for kids no problem 🙂

Loved your Lapland post! My husband and I traveled to Levi in Lapland via Helsinki and Kittilä and spent 5 nights at The Northern Lights House, which we absolutely recommend. We really enjoyed our dining experiences, a midnight pony ride through the forest, some skiing, and sightseeing. Lapland is magical!

That’s exactly what I was looking for, saving me a few hours of research, Thanks for sharing this for travelers.

Great post thanks buddy.

Hello Finland is straight out of fantasy world. I am planning a 8 day trip in jan first week. Can u help me with couple of things 1. Which month u traveled? 2. I have read many articles that march is best time to see northern lights. But many places its written nov to march is good time so I am bit confused here

Hi Savi I read that you have been to Finland in Feb, and recently I am also planning my trip for feb only.

1. However I am bit skeptical about jan or feb as many articles have mentioned that it snows a lot during these months and spotting Northern lights could be a problem. 2. Also I included Ivalo and Inari in my itinerary since these are away from the city crowd and spotting lights could be easier here. What you suggest Ivalo, Inari or Saariselka? 3. This is my itinerary as of now

1 day Helsinki tour[ Can skip this and directly head to Rovaniemi? ] 3-4 days Rovaniemi -[ Santa village, Reindeer safari, snowshoeing, Sami Farm visit, Northern light tour, snowshoeing arctic forest] 1-night Kakslauttanen igloo 1 day Kemi [ Ice breaker] 1 or 2 days Inari —- Should I replace this with Saariselka?

Hey your itinerary looks great. February is actually a great time to visit 🙂

Thats pretty insanely beautiful blog about Lapland, which has let our wanderlust craving for this Finnish adventure more than ever before!! Would be great it you could give us the details of northern light hunting…is there some dedicated package we can book !!

Great blog post.Helpful and informative tips. I like it thanks for sharing this information with us

your post is amazing and awsome. i really like your post. Thanks for all the great info. I’ve sharing this post with my friends family and relatives. thanks for sharing this awsome and amazing blog.

Hi can we plan the same Itinerary in this November 2022

Yes you can as Finland is open without any restrictions from 1 July 🙂

Do they ask and check for driving license for snowmobile riding during safari? I only have two wheeler license Indian license.

They often ask for licences, yes 🙂

Hey, How is Finland in first week of November? how much of daylight is there?

It’s great for seeing the Northern Lights. But day light hours are very limited 🙂

Hello Savi and Vid, looking forward to travel to this beautiful country during this Christmas. I would like to know, where you guys stayed at, during your trip in KEMI.

Looking forwards to hearing from you!

Cheers from a fellow traveller!

Hey there – we did a day trip to Kemi and didn’t end up staying overnight 🙂

This is a very awesome and cool trip. I would like to visit these places.. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful trip plan.

This is a wonderful Place to visit. I like it.

Hi! Can we do this in 7 days? Basically 5 coz the 1st and last are flight days.

Hi Savi/Vid,

Can you please advise if the below itinerary looks ok to visit Finland in feb ? Is ice breaking cruise experience available in any other countries ?

2 Night Helsinki 2 Night kemi 2 Night Salla 2 Night Roveniami 2 Night Saariselka 2 Night Inari

This looks lovely. We haven’t seen the ice breaker day trip in another country

We have been looking for information on how to organize a trip to Lapland, so thank you for the wonderful and informative article. It was a pleasure to peruse this article! For individuals like me who are attempting to learn more about it, it can be really beneficial. This site is excellent.

Hi Vid/Savi I would like to experience the northern lights and staying in an igloo – is august end a good time for these? Are igloo stays operative then?

Hey Pooja – for both those experiences the time b/w September end and March beginning is the best

Thanks for sharing informative article.

1.u had suggested to stay overnight in pulp or kemi -for icebreaker cruise So on reaching Helsinki-would u suggest to stay overnight which of these places for next day cruise -and wgich hotel The snowcastke hotel do not have ice hotel rooms -so do u suggest stay there or anywhere else in kemi or do u suggest to base in rovaniemi and do sampro cruise from there ??- 2. and in December how many hours daylight available?- 3. and do u suggest morning or afternoon icebreaker cruise — 4. secondly how many days u suggest igloo and log cabins each -is the igloo cramped ?there r diff varieties in igloo and which do u suggest – dr mythily

Hello – you can base yourself in Rovaniemi and explore from there! Afternoon Ice breaker cruise is great as there are only a few hours of daylight in December (5-6, sometimes even less depending on the time of the month)

Hello, we are planning to travel here in Feb. Is it safe to rent a car, given no experience in driving on snow roads? (have driven in other countries during summer though). Or using public transport a better bet? Planning to do Helsinki – Kemi – Rovaniemi – Saariselka. Thanks

Hey Pratik,

You should be fine. Roads are cleared of snow regularly so that’s not an issue. Just take it slow in the first few days – you’ll see that you’ll find it quite easy to drive in Finland even in snow. Not much traffic – be careful of reindeer appearing on the roads though 🙂

thank you for the information

Hi Savi and Vid, this looks fantastic. I am planning a trip with my two daughters – 23 and 16 – thinking of Dec-Jan 2024-25. I am disabled as in I can’t walk very well – can manage/get around with help. How hard is it to get to the igloos and cabins? Can I rent something to get around? I plan to book activities for my kids and stay back reading. Mainly want to see the Northern Lights before I am fully non-functional 🙂 Thanks in advance 🙂

Dear Apuroopa,

It can be a bit challenging to get to the igloos and cabins, as there is quite a lot of snow around at that time.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yes, add me to your mailing list.

• Children's Books
• Geography & Cultures

Return this item for free

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. For a full refund with no deduction for return shipping, you can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition.

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Lapland! Children's Travel Activity Book and Journal: travel guide and activity book in one child-friendly interactive activity book Paperback – 11 Dec. 2017

Purchase options and add-ons.

Have a magical adventure to Lapland coming up? This guidebook and activity book will entertain and inspire your kids about all they're about to see!

From Elf spot the difference, reindeer mazes, carrot measuring, ski designing, keeping-warm sudoku, northern light drawings and Father Christmas colouring, this full-colour Lapland kids activity book is jam-packed with puzzles, activities, language nuggets and fun facts appropriate for budding tiny tourists visiting Lapland. With plenty of places to draw, write and stick to create a brilliant on-the-go travel memory book too.

Pass on your own passion for travel and give them something topical to do when they're warming up indoors

Use the world as a classroom - make travel meaningful, memorable, educational and fun!

Endorsed by educational professionals; loved by children.

Suitable for young children aged 5+

Suited for family holidays to Finland, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, the Arctic Circle!

• Print length 48 pages
• Language English
• Publication date 11 Dec. 2017
• Dimensions 20.32 x 0.3 x 25.4 cm
• ISBN-10 1912293560
• ISBN-13 978-1912293568
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Product description

About the author.

Have a magical adventure in Lapland coming up? This book will entertain and inspire your kids about all they're about to see!

From Elf spot the difference, reindeer mazes, carrot measuring, ski designing, keeping warm sudoku, northern lights drawings and Father Christmas colouring, this full-colour kids activity book is jam-packed with puzzles, activities, language nuggets and fun facts appropriate for budding tiny tourists visiting Lapland. With plenty of places to draw, write and stick to create a brilliant on-the-go travel memory book too.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beans and Joy Publishing Ltd (11 Dec. 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1912293560
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1912293568
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20.32 x 0.3 x 25.4 cm
• 445 in Children's Books on Travel
• 17,049 in Travel & Tourism (Books)

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

• UK Modern Slavery Statement
• Sustainability
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell on Amazon Handmade
• Sell on Amazon Launchpad
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect and build your brand
• Associates Programme
• Fulfilment by Amazon
• Seller Fulfilled Prime
• Advertise Your Products
• Independently Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Instalments by Barclays
• Amazon Platinum Mastercard
• Amazon Classic Mastercard
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Payment Methods Help
• Shop with Points
• Top Up Your Account
• Top Up Your Account in Store
• COVID-19 and Amazon
• Track Packages or View Orders
• Delivery Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Amazon Mobile App
• Customer Service
• Accessibility
• Conditions of Use & Sale
• Privacy Notice
• Cookies Notice
• Interest-Based Ads Notice

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Return this item for free

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select your preferred free shipping option
• Drop off and leave!

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Lapland! Children's Travel Activity Book and Journal: travel guide and activity book in one child-friendly interactive activity book Paperback – December 11, 2017

Purchase options and add-ons.

Have a magical adventure to Lapland coming up? This guidebook and activity book will entertain and inspire your kids about all they're about to see!

From Elf spot the difference, reindeer mazes, carrot measuring, ski designing, keeping-warm sudoku, northern light drawings and Father Christmas colouring, this full-colour Lapland kids activity book is jam-packed with puzzles, activities, language nuggets and fun facts appropriate for budding tiny tourists visiting Lapland. With plenty of places to draw, write and stick to create a brilliant on-the-go travel memory book too.

Pass on your own passion for travel and give them something topical to do when they're warming up indoors

Use the world as a classroom - make travel meaningful, memorable, educational and fun!

Endorsed by educational professionals; loved by children.

Suitable for young children aged 5+

Suited for family holidays to Finland, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, the Arctic Circle!

• Print length 48 pages
• Language English
• Publication date December 11, 2017
• Dimensions 8 x 0.12 x 10 inches
• ISBN-10 1912293560
• ISBN-13 978-1912293568
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

About the author.

Have a magical adventure in Lapland coming up? This book will entertain and inspire your kids about all they're about to see!

From Elf spot the difference, reindeer mazes, carrot measuring, ski designing, keeping warm sudoku, northern lights drawings and Father Christmas colouring, this full-colour kids activity book is jam-packed with puzzles, activities, language nuggets and fun facts appropriate for budding tiny tourists visiting Lapland. With plenty of places to draw, write and stick to create a brilliant on-the-go travel memory book too.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beans and Joy Publishing Ltd (December 11, 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1912293560
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1912293568
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.12 x 10 inches
• #213 in Finland Travel Guides
• #285 in General Denmark Travel Guides
• #396 in General Sweden Travel Guides

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

Top reviews from other countries.

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• Travel Journal
• Travel Advice
• Travel Inspiration
• Photo Diary
• Photography Tips
• Photography Inspiration
• Destinations
• Home Inspiration
• Blogging Tips
• Work With Us

12 Best Things to Do in Lapland, Finland

Perched in the northernmost part of Finland , Lapland is a stunning and pristine wilderness to explore that’s got everything from the northern lights, polar nights and the midnight sun (in the summer months). Trust me when I say, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for the best things to do in Lapland.

Whether you’re going for a festive getaway, to explore more about Sami culture or to experience some of that winter-wonderland like landscapes, you’ll honestly find so much to do on your visit to Finnish Lapland .

It’s a gorgeous part of the world to explore.

After our most recent trip to Swedish Lapland, which you might have seen on Instagram , I wanted to share some of my top places and the best things to do in Lapland that’ll suit any taste.

Take a look below for some of the best things to do in Lapland. You’re gonna love it here. 🇫🇮

1.) See the Northern Lights 

The northern lights are a sight to behold, especially on a clear day and when the solar flare is forecast to be high. It really is one of the best things to do in Lapland, especially as you’re so far north.

Now, there are lots of opportunities to spot the northern lights but you will need to get away from light pollution if you really want to see the full spectrum of colours. That being said, some hotels and lodges will wake you up (on request) when the lights begin to appear.

Just remember to have your warm clothes ready (and your tripod if you want to photograph them). It really is a special thing to see.

2.) The Amethyst Mines

Located in Lampivaara, the amethyst mines are one of the best things to do in Lapland, especially if you’re already in the area and love crystals.

Interestingly enough, in the winter months, there are no roads that connect the mines to the towns themselves.

This is when you have to either hop on the winter viechle (Which looks like a cross between a tractor and a tank) or find you’re own way to the mines. If you are looking for a challenge, a fairly strenuous snowshoe hike will take you there as well.

This ancient place is the only active amethyst mine remaining in all of Europe. Whilst you’re here, you’ll get an opportunity to plan for your own crystals too.

3.) Arktikum Science Museum

If you fancy a little break from the sub-arctic winter, head over to the  Arktikum Science Museum that showcases how the Arctic is changing and what life is life so far north.

Plus, the museum has a gorgeous glass walk-through tunnel that leads to the Ounasjoki River. This is an excellent spot to catch unreal views of the Northern Lights on a dark evening or afternoon.

4.) Husky Sledding 

Husky sledging is one of the best things to do in Lapland and has been an integral part of Sami culture for centuries.

Husky sledging is an essential, time-honoured practise in this region, and not surprisingly, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the type of tours that are offered. Some will be long runs that involve lots of mushing and a little running when you’re heading up steeper gradients.

Other tours will be much more relaxing where you’ll be nestled up in blankets while a team of huskies, malamutes and other seasoned sled dogs take you on an exhilarating trip around Lapland.

5.) Pyha-Luosto National Park

An ideal day-trip away from the hustle and bustle of Rovaniemi, this is a forest with a uniquely beautiful landscape dominated by ancient pines and picturesque lakes. Pyha-Luosto National Park is just stunning.

There are a number of trails available here, fit for most abilities, making it one of the best things to do in Lapland. That being said, do make sure you check local conditions and always speak with or go out with a guide.

The landscape can be very different from what most of us are used to and no one likes a careless hiker.

Along your way, keep your eyes peeled for Rykimäkero Storage Holds (tiny houses) where hunters used to store their catches.

Oh, and before embarking on your adventures, start your morning with a stop at Café Loimu for a refreshing cup of strong coffee paired with the chef’s famous black bread.

6.) Saariselka

Being one of the northernmost ski resorts in Europe,  Saariselka ski resort is one of the best things to do in Lapland if you love outdoor sports.

Now, the resort is divided into two separate sections, Kaunispaa and Ilisakkipa, which is a total paradise if you’re a winter thrill-seeker! Best of all, Saariselka has the longest toboggan run in all of Finland.

7.) Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village , is what you’d expect, the place where Santa Claus lives!

Filled to the brim with everything Christmas, it’s one of the best things to do in Lapland, especially in the festive winter months.

Whilst here, explore everything from Santa’s Workshop to visiting the reindeers and spot Rudolph! From August to April, you can sit at the Arctic Garden after dark to witness some spectacular displays of the Northern Lights. This is, in fact, THE actual article circle that cuts through the heart of the amusement park, marked by a bright white line.

Fun fact: If you send a letter from this location, it actually arrives at the recipient as postmarked by Santa Claus’s Main Post Office!

8.) Santa Park

A short walk away from Santa Claus’s Village is a magical underground themed park that has everything from; fluffy reindeers, sleigh rides and performances.

Whilst you’re here, make sure Mrs Gingerbread’s Bakery, the cutest elf workshop and Santa’s office. Oh, and hop on Santa’s train to take a journey through his journey. It really is a family-friendly spot that kids and grown-ups will love.

9.) Snow Village

Located in Kittila, this is a hotel that is made completely from ice and snow from the region.

It is reconstructed each year, which means that the experience is never the same. The frosty setting is backlit by stunning lights, which gives it a fairy-tale-like appearance that’s so gorgeous at Christmas.

Aside from the rooms (to stay in), there’s also an ice slide for the kids (or big kids) along with an ice bar, restaurant and even a chapel for a unique wedding!

10.) Gorge on Lohikeitto

Probably one of my favourite meals to have in Scandinavia, Lohikeitto is a creamy soup filled with chunky salmon pieces, potatoes, leek and dill. Served piping hot, it’s so nice and really warms you up after a day exploring in the sub-zero temperatures.

Lots of the places you visit will serve some form of this (or possibly a beef goulash) but my favourite has to be Lohikeitto. It’s so yummy.

11.) Stay in a Glass Igloo

Perched in the Star Arctic Hotel , these glass igloos are some of the best things to do in Lapland. Especially if you want a unique experience.

Perched in one of the world’s best places to watch the northern lights, the igloos are the perfect spot to stay tucked up, nice and warm, in bed watching them dance overhead.

Read more: Seeing the Northern Lights at the Star Arctic Hotel

12.) Snowmobile safari

Passing over frozen lakes, thick sub-arctic forests and across rivers, a snowmobile safari is one of the best things to do in Lapland, especially if you’re a thrill-seeker.

Ranging from around 2-6 hours, there are a number of different options you can experience depending on what you like. From visiting the reindeer, watching the northern lights, stopping for lunch, there’s a stop that’ll suit everyone.

Just make sure you have a driving license and remember not to drink alcohol before heading out.

Read more: The best towns and cities to visit in Finland

11 Beautiful Cities and Towns To Visit In Finland

Check Out The Very Best Of Great Britain!

Pop Over To Our YouTube Channel For Travel Videos!

Puppy Defender. Foodie. Chocolate Fiend and Custard Lover. Dip, Cover or Wrap anything in sugar and I'm Yours!

The Departure Lounge is now open

11 Best Things To Do In Dubrovnik

You may also like.

Exploring Historic Mahon In Menorca, Spain

11 Best Things To Do In Ireland

8 Cheap And Free Things To Do In Prague

Looking for something, fellow connected travellers.

• 565k Facebook
• 0 Pinterest
• 1,202,450 TikTok
• 355,142 Instagram
• 23,800 X (Twitter)
• 33,257 Email Subscribers

Adventure Awaits!

Have You Seen These Yet?

14 Quirky and Interesting Facts About The USA

12 Best Beaches In The USA To Visit

7 Magical Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit The Black Forest In Germany

Future Travel: Santorini, Greece

Finding Alligators In Sawgrass Recreation Park, Florida

• Privacy Policy

Email address:

Winter magic: My Lapland experience with Timetravels

So I’ve just returned from a four-day trip to Levi, in Finnish Lapland (not including travel time!) and what an amazing experience it was! Lapland is a must-visit for many of us international students in Sweden, and as a result there are numerous group trips to choose from throughout the semester – even our professor, when we told him we’d be absent for a week, was more than happy to let us go, insisting that Lapland is simply something we have to do. I was intending to plan my own trip up there, so that I could customise the itinerary and destination to my liking, but eventually, time got the better of me and I settled for a group trip which I signed up for with some friends. This meant a full 24 hours or more spent on a bus to get there, but it was (just about) worth it.

Between travel details, information about the destination, my own reflections, and some information about the town, this post will become a long one! Feel free to use the contents list below to skip to the section that most interests you, and see the section at the bottom for other pages that will be useful for planning your trip.

Where is Lapland?

Visiting lapland with timetravels, our itinerary, things to do in levi.

• Lapland tour operators and other useful links

Lapland is an area of land covering thenorthernmost regions of Norway, Sweden and Finland, mostly within the arctic circle, and also extending onto the Kola Peninsula in Russia. It is the historical home of the nomadic Sami people, and the history of their movements in the area, as well as the influence of various other people, such as Kola people, and attempted assimilation from Finns and Swedes, is very complex. More on that later!

It’s a popular tourist destination for those looking for incredible scenery, as it’s home to incredible lakes as well as icy scenes. It’s also an ideal location for viewing the aurora borealis, taking part in winter sports, or enjoying some Christmassy activities. I actually visited the same town with my family as a child and remember the trip fairly well, so I can definitely see that it would be a great destination for kids.

In my opinion, the main appeal for visiting Lapland specifically is to learn about Sami culture, as the only indigenous people living in the EU. All of Scandinavia has incredible scenery which make them well worth a visit, but the views up in Lapland are so stunning that it’s really worth going up that far. Between the polar night, midnight sun, northern lights, and harsh but beautiful snowy landscapes, it’s really incredible to take in.

Destinations in Lapland

Popular Lapland destinations in Finland include Levi, a ski town and the exact place I visited, and Rovaniemi, the “home of Santa Claus”, as well as Saariselkä and Kilpisjärvi. In Sweden, it’s common to visit Kiruna and Abisko, which are part of the Abisko national park. But there are countless ways to visit the region, including road trips, guided tours, and the arctic circle train, and many different appeals. Perhaps the buzz and action of a ski resort is your cup of tea, or perhaps you’d prefer the peaceful solitude of a small, remote town. It’s for you to decide!

Group travel isn’t something I’ve done since school trips, but we chose to go with Timetravels, a tour operator based in Finland who work with international student groups (such as the Erasmus Student Network) to put together travel experiences. As such, they’re kind of the “go to” company that people use for trips up here, as they’ ve got local knowledge, local guides, and close ties with our universities.

It was quite bizarre to be back on a bus of forty students. At first, I was slightly bugged by not having full independence, but it was the best and easiest way to get a great experience, with guided tours, transport between activities, and the perfect balance between a touristy holiday and an educational experience. Our guide, Uuno, oozed enthusiasm and was endlessly energetic (I have no idea how). He really enhanced our trip with his “Radio Uuno” commentary while we were in the bus, giving us information, stories, and a taste of Finnish music!

I see no reason why you should necessarily book a guided trip; you could of course plan your own itinerary and just use tour companies for any individual experiences you want to try. And, of course, if it’s just skiing you’re interested in, that’s easy enough to organise on your own. The benefit of a guided trip was having one person look after our whole itinerary, hostel check-in, kit allocation, and transport. All we had to do was be in the right pick up location at the right time, and everything else was taken care of. In an area as vast and harsh as Lapland, that was quite the bonus. At the same time though, some more freedom over my plans wouldn’t have hurt.

Booking with Timetravels, you got travel and accommodation sorted, and could add on as many experiences as you wanted. Some people did everything, some chose none, and (I assume) spent the week skiing or just exploring the area on their own time. Our itinerary wouldn’t suit everyone, between the long journey and short trip duration – I certainly wouldn’t do it in this way again. But, I’m really glad I did it: without an introduction to the area, I couldn’t have planned a better trip alone, and I was thankful for our guide’s knowledge and help. Here’s what our itinerary would have looked like if you did everything:

Travel day 1: Depart Linköping 18:45, start the journey north, via Stockholm for another pickup at 21:15. We got a Flixbus to Linköping, where we met the group bus.

Travel day 2: We crossed the border and stopped for a rest in Tornio at around 14:00, before arriving in Levi at 18:00. We were introduced to our guide, got a brief driven tour of the town, and checked into our accommodation.

Trip day 1: Arctic Ocean Tour – all day. An early 07:00 start and not arriving home until around 20:00.

Trip day 2: Mid morning – Husky safari. Evening – snowshoe hike

Trip day 3: Morning – Reindeer herding. Afternoon – cross country skiing

Trip day 4: Visit Santa’s village (included in basic package, as it was incorporated with the journey home)

Days 4/5: Travel home. Depart Santa’s village at 14:30, arrive in Linkoping 09:00 day 6

Enough of the pre-amble – here’s what I got up to! On our first night, exhausted from the long and sleepless journey, we settled in and explored our new digs. Our accommodation, Lost in Levi , was exceptional; a corridor of self-catered apartments, with a well-stocked kitchen, and a sauna and drying cabinet in the bathroom! Ours had a double bedroom, a twin room, and a sofa bed in the open plan kitchen and living room. There was a cupboard of cleaning supplies, spare blankets and pillows, and a large TV. We were only a short walk from the town centre, with a supermarket directly opposite, and a small Thai restaurant just downstairs for those days where you’re too tired to go out.

We then headed into town to unwind. We ended up in Old Mates “British” pub, enjoying some beer and games, before heading to the frozen over lake for our first glimpse of the northern lights. I was not expecting to see them, keeping myself pesimistic to avoid disappointment! But lo and behold, one started blossoming directly above our heads, and they did not calm down until the early hours of the morning. Even so close to the town, they were quite bright. My highlight was disappearing down a dark path, lying in the snow, and watching one dance directly above our heads.

The next day, after only a few hours sleep, we were on the bus by 7, bleary eyed but excited, for even more driving. We took a trip up to Lyngen fjord, in Norway, for some arctic swimming and a proper wood fired sauna. It was an absolute white-out, but the drive over snow capped mountains to get there was sublime. Cabins and cars almost disappeared under piles of snow. I’ve discovered a bit of a love for ice swimming – as much as I think is possible, considering it’s actually not that pleasant – so it’s pretty cool to be able to say that I swam in the ocean at the top of Norway. The wind was brutal, with hail as an added insult, but with the sauna to warm us up, and a warm bus waiting for us afterwards, I managed three or four dips into the water of a couple of minutes each. This was all located at a campsite, which you can find here .

On the way back, we stopped at Lapintyttö restaurant , which is attached to a series of guesthouses, for a buffet of homecooked Finnish food, where I had my first taste of reindeer meat, traditionally eaten with mashed potato, lingonberry jam, and pickled cucumber. But there was also soup, pasta, various vegetables, and a huge display of desserts. We ate and we ate until we could barely bring ourselves to bundle up and venture back into the storm.

On our various journeys, our guide Uuno treated us to his own “Radio Uuno” broadcast, featuring jokes, anecdotes, information about Finnish life and Sámi culture, and a selection of songs to break up the journey. These included joiks – traditional Sámi songs – right through to Finnish heavy metal. You can find a few of them embedded throughout this post! He really emphasised the importance of making memories, which is a mindset I personally resonate with. The aurora followed us home on the bus that evening, and we watched out of the window as he talked.

Later that night, we found one of the many fire pits in Levi, where they leave free firewood! So we toasted some marshmallows until we were far too cold to enjoy it anymore, and then – the best part – slid back down the bank to get home! We were incredibly lucky with the weather that week, between the mild temperatures, and the perfectly-timed solar wind. It wasn’t half as cold as I was expecting, but the wind was brutal most days, cutting into your face and hands at every opportunity.

My next morning was relaxed – some people hit the slopes, some went on a husky safari, but I enjoyed climbing several hundred very slippery steps to a cafe on one of the slopes. It boasted a panoramic view, but I also wanted to go there because downstairs was the Samiland exhibition . It was located in the Levi Summit conference centre, so if you’re interested, do be sure to check it’s still there – I think they rotate various exhibitions. Tickets were eleven euros, which was more than I anticipated, but I’m glad I went for it anyway. It was incredibly informative, with information about the various communities, their practices and their reindeer. There were also some reindeer in the outdoor exhibition, if that persuades you!

That evening, the group tried their collective hands at showshoe hiking, which was all kinds of hilarity. The walk was only a few kilometres, but even with plenty of breaks, I was dripping with sweat. It was so much fun, even though I think we fell more than we walked. But Uuno was smart enough to get us to race a small section without the shoes on, to make it obvious how much they help. Later that evening, after refueling with some food, we made use of the sauna in our apartment, Finnish style, with some lagers! I’m not sure squeezing seven people in there was its intended use, but it certainly was cosy! We went to bed super happy and cosy, ready for an action packed next day.

On day three, we headed straight to a nearby reindeer farm to have a go at “reindeer herding” – learning the correct way to capture a reindeer’s antlers (with a lasso-style rope, the name of which has completely escaped me) – before listening to a talk all about Sámi reindeer herding practices. This was particularly interesting, as reindeer herding has long been a source of income for Sámi communities, and in many places is legally reserved to be carried out by them. As the only indigenous people in the EU, there are all sorts of ongoing debates about Sámi rights, and for a while their languages and culture were completely outlawed, with children being sent to schools to assimilate them with Finnish culture. Now, they have much more protection, although battles for rights are still ongoing. When state borders separated Finland, Russia, Norway, and Sweden, for example, the Sámi could no longer follow with the normal seasonal movements of the reindeer like they had done for hundreds of years. Furthermore, various development on land, such as new farms being built, or windfarms, affect the land that reindeer can inhabit. It was a fascinating talk, and I’m glad I attended – “reindeer herding” sounded a bit too “touristy”, so I almost didn’t go for it.

Then, as a bonus, we got to feed said reindeer!

That afternoon was a much different activity which really got the blood pumping – cross country skiing. I’ll be honest – I discovered something of a talent! (Not really, but it was fun). Our guides were great instructors, and the location was perfect for beginners to give it a go. We learned that ski tracks are almost sacred to Finns, so be careful not to ruin them! There’s also a word for “track rage” in Finnish, which really goes to illustrate the cultural importance! That said, whilst it was great fun, there’s something of a knack to it, and I worked up quite a sweat. We also had quite sore legs the next day, in muscles I really wasn’t expecting.

So after such a long day, and as this was our last night in Levi, we headed home for a much needed shower and started to pack up our cases, before heading into town for some drinks and dinner. We ate in Kota bar, which served delicious and affordable food. We then ended up in Lift bar, which was a cool, grungy sort of place with great music and some games. I imagine in peak time it’s the perfect place for après-ski! We couldn’t find the energy to stay for too long though, so we soon headed out to fall into bed.

On our final morning, we checked out at a very civilised 10am, congregated on the bus, and said out final goodbye to our guide Uuno. He had a final gift for us in the form of a fabric patch to commemorate our trip. From there, we headed to Santa Claus village in Rovaniemi, where you can find festive decoration, souvenir shops, cafes, and the big man himself! Santa is working every day of the year and you can send postcards with the Arctic Circle postage stamp, so this would be the perfect destination for children.

That said, it really wasn’t the most worthwhile stop on our trip! I could have left it out happily, but, I suppose it was on our way. I wouldn’t recommend adding it to your itinerary unless you’re passing, or, like I said, unless you’re bringing children.

From there, we continued the loooooong drive home. This one went much more smoothly than the outbound journey, but it was still farily horrific, to be honest! We were very lucky to have made some lovely new friends who let us hang around in their flat in between buses for a few hours, but we were all incredibly relieved to finally arrive home.

All in all, it was a terrific trip. To say we booked it only a couple of weeks in advance, and considering the cost, I thought it was very well organised and brilliant value for money. Time and budget dependent, I’d be very happy to plan myself another trip – independently this time – up north, perhaps to Abisko, for some summer hiking, but nothing will compare to the wonderland that is Lapland in winter! It’s both fed – and strengthened – a love for winter and snow, and I’ve decided I need some more active winter trips in my life!

There’s a wealth of information out there about the various destinations in Lapland, so there’s no point in me reiterating those articles here. And, since I was in the hands of a guide for most of this trip, my knowledge of the town isn’t quite what I usually come away with! That said, I think I did a pretty good job of exploring in the short amount of time I spent there, so, without further ado, here are some things you can get up to in Levi, Finland.

Winter sports

Most famously, Levi is a ski resort, so if you’re the skiing or boarding type, it’s a great place to hit the slopes, perhaps with a change of scenery from your usual ski trips. Hill kit hire is (or was, when I was there) the cheapest in the town, although lift passes have to be bought from Zero Point.

Not the skiing type, or fancying a change of scenery? In Levi, you can test your skills at snowshoe hiking and cross country skiing, both of which are lots of fun but more challenging than they look.

Tourist experiences

Travelling to the arctil circle is a huge selling point for various trips and tour companies, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of this by trying out some unusual experiences! You could get a ride in a sled pulled by huskies, or visit a reindeer farm and learn about Sámi practices, both of which are fun and very informative.

Food and drink

It wouldn’t be a ski town without plenty of opportunities for the “après” part. That means that in Levi, you’ve got bars and restaurants galore to choose from. I enjoyed Old Mates for a relaxed drink, Lift for good music and games, and Kota for some delicious food. But it doesn’t stop there. You’ve also got tons of souvenir shops, tour shops, and even fast food including Burger King and Subway.

Also – various tour companies might have agreements which entitle you to discounts at some businesses – remember to ask!

Other experiences

There are various outdoor huts and fireplaces around Levi, and you’ll usually find free firewood nearby, so you can watch the northern lights next to a cracking bonfire. Our guide shared this “Suna Bar” with us, but we never got to check it out, so go at your own risk!

Ultimately, Lapland can be whatever you make of it. A cosy, relaxing getaway, to a quiet and isolated destination, or an action-packed trip filled with new experiences. Whichever suits you best, I would recommend taking some time to learn about the history and significance of the region first, but apart from that, travel in whichever style you want.

Would you ever visit the arctic circle, or is a chilly holiday not your stlye? Let me know in a comment, and feel free to ask any questions you may have!

Where to stay

Pin this post.

Tour operators and other useful websites

Timetravels – the company I travelled with and the only one on this list I can vouch for as being absolutely incredible! For all the others, make sure to do your research

Routes North – a Scandinavia travel guide

Wild Nordic – Arctic expeditions in Levi and beyond

King Crab Safari from Levi – not quite the Arctic Ocean tour I did, but I wanted to include some kind of Norway experience in the list!

Nordic Visitor – Lapland tours

90 Degree s North – another tour company popular with students here in Gothenburg

Luleå Travel and Jokkmokk Guiderna – Swedish Lapland

Information about the Sámi people, their culture and their history

Sápmi – The Land of the Sámi

The Saami in Lapland

[…] February I was in Finnish Lapland for a magical few days of snow and the northern lights; in March, I found myself in Spain, Belgium […]

[…] Winter Magic: My Lapland Experience with Timetravels […]

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

You may also like

Reflecting on my year abroad in gothenburg, sweden, solitary introspection: a brief solo trip to gdańsk, twierdza fort iv: staying in a fort in poland, sleeping in a boeing 747 at jumbo stay stockholm, reflecting on an incredible first semester in sweden, spain travel diaries: córdoba, privacy overview.

• Скидки дня
• Справка и помощь
• Адрес доставки Идет загрузка... Ошибка: повторите попытку ОК
• Продажи
• Список отслеживания Развернуть список отслеживаемых товаров Идет загрузка... Войдите в систему , чтобы просмотреть свои сведения о пользователе
• Краткий обзор
• Недавно просмотренные
• Ставки/предложения
• Список отслеживания
• История покупок
• Купить опять
• Объявления о товарах
• Сохраненные запросы поиска
• Сохраненные продавцы
• Сообщения
• Уведомление
• Развернуть корзину Идет загрузка... Произошла ошибка. Чтобы узнать подробнее, посмотрите корзину.

Oops! Looks like we're having trouble connecting to our server.

Refresh your browser window to try again.

Lapland Holidays with Kids

Lapland, Finland is a delight for everyone, including families. The Santa Claus Village is located in Rovaniemi, Finland steps from the Arctic Circle. It delights with a magical Santa Claus Holiday Village where you can mail letters to your family, ride in a reindeer sleigh through the Finnish forests and visit the jolly fellow himself. 

A Santa Claus visit complete with a photo opportunity and time to tell him all of your wishes. This guide will cover everything from where we stayed, to where we ate and what winter activities you should try for you visit to Lapland with kids. I’ll also give you tips on what to wear in the winter weather to stay nice and warm!

Connect with me on Social Media!

When is the best time to visit Lapland? 

If you want to enjoy a bit of Christmas magic, then I suggest booking your trip for early to mid-December. You’ll get slightly cheaper rates compared to Christmas/New Year’s, but it will be in perfect time for the holiday season. Be sure to book early! The Santa Claus Holiday Village is quite popular and often sells out almost a year in advance. 

Note: If you choose to go earlier in the season, such as Thanksgiving, snow is not guaranteed and winter activities may be limited. 

How do I get to Lapland? 

Unless you plan to arrive from Europe, you’ll need to fly into the capital city of Helsinki. From there you can book a smaller commuter flight or take the Santa Claus Express Train (read more about our experience on the train using the link). 

We flew from Munich, Germany (which meant we were able to enjoy the Munich Christmas markets) to Helsinki and then onto Rovaniemi on Finnair. For our return, it was cheaper (and more fun) to take the Santa Claus Express Train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki, spend the day in Helsinki and then fly out back to Munich. We finished the drive back to Stuttgart where we lived.

If you are headed to Rovaniemi from the US and worried about jet lag ruining the first day or two of your trip, read these great tips for adjusting your child to a new time zone and dealing with jet lag.

To Rent a Car or Not to Rent a Car…. 

We decided to rent a car from Hertz at the airport. You don’t have to rent a car because the Santa Claus Holiday Village offers free pick up from the airport (a 10-15 minute drive). However, we wanted to do a bit of Northern Lights chasing and be able to visit an Arctic zoo. Since my husband is from Alaska, we knew driving in the snow wouldn’t be an issue.

What to pack for your Lapland Vacation? 

Finland is cold! It’s up by the Arctic circle and temperatures can range from above freezing to below freezing. Honestly, the temperature doesn’t feel that much different once you pass the freezing level. You’ll need to pack lots of layers. Quality snow gear is essential. If you aren’t sure how to dress for winter weather , I’ve got a whole blog post to help you out.

If you’re not sure how to mash all the winter gear into a few bags, I can also help you out with using packing cubes and more on this blog post: Travel Packing List Tips .

What are some guides to help me plan my trip?

I’m a planner and enjoy reading different guide books to help me plan my trip. I also like to get some fun children’s books to get my son excited about the trip. Here are some of our favorites. 

I also love this idea from our friends at Travel with Meraki, buy a travel journal and document your adventures in Finland. I know I wish I had journaled during our trip with all the fantastic experiences we had. Check out their post about travel journal ideas . 

What is the Best Place to Stay in Lapland? 

We decided to stay at the Santa Claus Holiday Village .

They have two options: a classic cottage, and a superior cottage. The superior cottage includes daily cleaning, luggage handling, and slippers. You can also select to have a cottage with a separate bedroom instead of a studio style. We picked the classic cottage because the extras weren’t worth the cost for us.

The price is based on two adults, you’ll pay extra for children or adults using the sofa bed.

They also required half board during the Christmas season (which starts at the end of November). More on this later….

It was around 350 euro per night for Christmas season with half board for our family in 2017.

You can also book via booking for the Santa Claus Holiday Village . Great if you are a frequent traveler and have received a discount voucher. It is also nice to check the pricing compared to the offer that the reception desk makes directly.

Santa Claus Holiday Village Review 

We really loved the location! We were right next to the Santa Claus attractions and we could walk back to our cozy cottage after playing in the snow. It was a studio style with two twin sized bed for my husband and I and a pull out sofa for our son. There was also a little kitchenette with basic supplies and a table for 3. There are plenty of cabinets to store your gear and the bathroom has a sauna! Perfect for warming up and combating any cold.

It is a duplex style, so you walk into the front door into an entryway, then there is a door to the left and a door to the right. It’s nice to be able to keep your winter gear and wet boots just outside the door in the entry. They also leave a broom and shovel for clearing off the snow.

Next to each cottage is a parking space with a plug to keep your car battery from dying in the bitter cold. We rented a car, so this was much appreciated.

What we DIDN’T like….. the food. Is was awful! The Santa Claus holiday village breakfast was fake eggs that tasted like watery rubber, fruit from a can and thin waffles that you have to wait in line to make. The early bird gets the better of the options, but honestly, it was packed and not great quality. I wish they wouldn’t force you to pay for 1/2 board. The dinner wasn’t much better. There was a salad bar and then you could order from the 3-4 items on their fixed menu. My husband and I would always order something different. It was hit or miss. Nothing was amazing.

The food is really the only negative for the whole trip. I hope that they read the Santa Claus Holiday Village TripAdvisor reviews and make some changes.

*There was an option to upgrade our meal plan and eat in the restaurant, but when I looked at the price increase, it was a lot. If you have the budget and want to stay in the cottages, I would upgrade. You can order off a traditional menu in a sit down restaurant and the quality looked much nicer.

Santa Claus Holiday Village

SLEDS: Since we were staying in the village, we had free use of the sleds. There are often sleds scattered throughout the village. For elderly visitors, tour buses and guests can arrange for a sit style sled. 

SLED HILL: The sledding and snow hills are easy to find throughout the village since the snowplow frequently clears the village roads and piles the snow up at the ends of the streets and in the large field.  Gear up in your snow clothing, grab a sled and have some winter fun!

It was peaceful in the village, especially if you walked just beyond the cottages. We visited in early December to avoid the higher Christmas season rates, but all the cottages were still booked. Nonetheless, we typically had an entire sled hill to ourselves.

Santa Claus Village Opening Hours

The Santa Claus office is open 365 days a year! I highly recommend going first thing in the morning or waiting until 1 hour before closing for the shortest wait times. Bonus: Santa Claus is FREE to visit!

Santa Claus Holiday Village Activities

The majority of the things to do and see are located off the Central Square at the heart of the Santa Claus Village, Finland

Santa Claus Main Post Office: This is where you can buy postcards, write your letters, buy stamps and mail them to friends and family with a special seal from the Arctic Circle. Be sure to bring a list with everyone’s address. 

You can see my pile of postcards for family and friends. Don’t forget to mail yourself and the kids some as well! (Tip: bring your own postcards pre-filled and then just mail them here).

Then when you are done writing them and you’ve purchased your international stamps, pop them into the mailbox!

PS: Did you know that Santa Claus get over 1/2 a million letters to his mailbox in the Arctic Circe? That is a lot of mail to read!

Santa Claus Office: 

Finally! It’s time to visit the big man himself….SANTA!

This is where you want to visit the jolly fellow. There is a bit of confusion because there is also a Santa located near the road in the “Christmas House”. It can be confusing for kids to see Santa twice, so skip the one near the road and head further into the park to see him at the Santa Claus Office. 

When you look at the map, Santa is located in the Stanta Claus Office. There is a large steeple roof and no parking nearby. When you enter, go straight and you’ll find the line and entrance just on your left. You’ll walk through a fun little path with Christmas decorations and up the stairs to a balcony. Before you enter, you’ll see a little desk with a helpful elf. Try to have one parent distract the kids so that the other parent can purchase some fun items for the elf to give Santa, who will then present it to your children. We ordered a little bell and he still cherishes it. 

You’ll pass a ticket to the elf in charge before you enter and she will make sure everything is all set for you. Then they open the door and in you go!

Santa really takes the time to talk to you and talk to your child. Sure, I was disappointed that it isn’t his real beard, but everything else is very nicely done.

You will take a family photo for a quick minute and then continue on with your visit. Santa presented my son with his gift (that we purchased earlier) and he even explained a bit about the magic of the reindeer bell. My son was certainly smiling from ear to ear!

I loved how much time Santa spent with our family and how friendly he was. He is an amazingly patient man to meet with so many children each day.

You can purchase a video and photo package at the end of your visit. We thought the family photo turned out really nicely.

TIP: Go early or go late to see Santa. Otherwise, the line can get long and that’s never fun. It’s easy to circle back and check the line often throughout the day. We ended up visiting an hour before it closed and waited maybe 15-20 minutes.

If you want to see the quality of the video, check ours out below.

Arctic Circle:  Part of the fun of traveling this far north is standing on the Arctic Circle. We found a line inside the shops (across from Santa’s Office). There is also a fun digital sign with the temperatures. 

Playground:  If the kids need a bit of time to play, head to the left of the Santa Claus Office to play on the playground. Watch for the ice at the end of the slide! 

Santa Claus Reindeer Park :  There are so many options for a reindeer sleigh ride, but if you plan on visiting the Santa Claus Holiday Village, then doing the Reindeer sleigh rides in the park is perfect. They have 3 different options and a nighttime tour (Northern Lights Tour). You can pick what works best for you. Want to read more about our Reindeer Sleigh ride? Click Here. 

We showed up a few minutes early, check in at the little hut and waited near the fire for our group. The best part about having reservations was skipping the line and getting a longer ride. The reindeer sleigh was so peaceful through the beautiful Finnish forest. 

If you want to experience what is it like, view our short video below.

Snowman World: 

Snowman World is a separate paid attraction located in the Santa Claus Village. They also have additional accommodations including a glass resort and snowmobile rides. If you have kids that love ice and snow, then this is another wonderful place to enjoy and experience.  A winter ticket will cost 25 euros (free for children under 3) and will get you access to snow tubing, ice skating, the ice restaurant and bar with ice sculptures from 11 am-5 pm mid December till the end of March. 

Moomin Snowcastle Finland:  A snow and ice sculpture play area for the whole family is located just outside the main village area. 

What is there to do? Check out the ice and snow sculptures, see if you can escape the snow maze and squeal with delight on the 50-meter long slide. They also offer mini snowmobiles and husky rides just outside the 10,000 square meter snow fun zone. In addition, there is an ice bar for cold drinks!

Cost to enter is 30 euros for adults, 18 euros for children 4-11 years old, children 0-3 are free of charge. They are open from 9 am – 7 pm throughout the Winter (Mid-December-March). 

Elf’s Farm Yard and Petting Zoo:  Visit with some furry and cuddle animals at the Petting Zoo. Meet the sheep, goats, rabbits, roosters and hens. In the Winter, try out some skiing or slide down the small snow slides. In the summer, climb on the equipment and swing in the trees. A campfire is always available for s’mores or lunch. 

Tour Operators:  There are a plethora of options for different tours inside the Santa Claus Village. You can do any winter activity you can dream of! From multiple snowmobiling options, reindeer sleigh rides, northern lights tours, skiing, husky dog sled rides and helicopter tours. If you can think of it, it is probably offered.  We only used the reindeer sleigh ride tour operator. For our husky sled dog ride, we used Lapland Safaris, more on that later. 

Where to eat in Santa’s Village?

Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi:  Dine on traditional food in a Lappish-style hut within the village. The hut is located across the wooden bridge over the reindeer sleigh track. Be sure to arrive early or make a reservation since the hut only seats 50 at a time. 

Santa’s Salmon Place:  This is a must visit restaurant if you like Salmon! It is smoked on an open fire in the traditional style with sides of your choice. 

Santa Claus Office Coffee Shop:  If you are looking to warm up and enjoy a small bite to eat, the Santa Claus Office Coffee shop is perfect. We were frequent visitors to enjoy some hot chocolate. 

What to do in Finland in Winter?

Finland is a winter wonderland full of activities and adventures in the snow! There are many Lapland tours and I’ll share a few of the tours that we took with various companies. 

Visit a Castle: 

Ranua arctic zoo: .

Located an hour outside Rovaniemi is the arctic zoo or wildlife park. It features over 50 specifies of animals in a woodland setting. The enclosures are large and the wildlife park works hard to ensure the survival of many endangered species. 

If you are interested in visiting, click the link below to read all the details about a day trip to the Ranua Zoo . 

Lapland Safaris-Dog Sledding: 

There are many options for dog sled rides in the Rovaniemi area. You’ll see them offered at the wildlife park I mentioned above, in the Santa Village and many tour operators that base themselves in Rovaniemi. So how do you choose? 

We picked Lapland Safaris because the dog sled area was located close to the town of Rovaniemi, limiting the amount of time spent on the coach bus. They also offered a variety of options and length for their dog sledding tours. Lapland Safaris also offers free winter gear if you did not bring your own. 

Read more about our dog sledding experience by clicking the link below. 

– Things to do in Rovaniemi –

Rovaniemi city centre:.

Rovaniemi is a wonderful city and it is a great location if you are looking at renting an Airbnb or you prefer hotel stays. You can eat where ever you choose and a rental car isn’t needed with easy public transportation as well as many tour operators at your doorstep.

You can book all of your tours including transportation. Pickups from Rovaniemi are frequent or you can walk to the office of the tour operator. Also, a great option if you are on a budget and want to eat in. There are grocery stores as well as public transportation.

Pilke Science Centre:

Our next stop was the Pilke Science Centre . Parking was plentiful and free and the entrance is not too far of a walk. We brought our stroller but were told we had to park it and couldn’t take it into the exhibits, so I wouldn’t recommend bringing one unless you are walking from town.

The Science Centre is super kid-friendly. The whole bottom floor is full of exhibits are interactive and fun. We enjoyed the train table, logging vehicle that you can climb into and the ATV. There is also a log house building zone and information about Finland’s trade and sustainability.

At the end of our visit, we went out to dinner at Ravintola Roka Street Bistro. The food was amazing and I highly recommend it as a great place to eat. We were even able to sneak in our sleeping toddler in the stroller, major plus!

Ready to book some awesome activities? Check out some tour operators below with great reviews. 

Santa claus express train.

Finally, our time in Lapland, Finland was coming to an end. Instead of flying back home, we found a cheaper flight out of Helsinki and that gave us the opportunity to take the overnight Santa Claus Express train from Rovaniemi to Helskini. It was another favorite part of the trip, so check that post out HERE .

Our Lapland trip was absolutely amazing! I’m so glad that we took the trip, even with a young child. The whole atmosphere was magical and we were able to do many activities that are unique to Lapland. It was easy to book the trip on my own, saving us hundreds of dollars and allowing us to be flexible with what we wanted to do.

Not sure how to dress to stay warm? Checking out my guide to dressing your children for the winter weather HERE .

Looking for more destination guides and travel tips? Head back to my homepage HERE .

Check out these products from Amazon to help make your trip to Finland a success!

If you like this article, use one of these pins below to save it to Pinterest!

Disclaimer: Pack More Into Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and its partners. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. 

Check out some more of our popular posts!

Renting an RV? Check out this list of must haves for RV living!

Sharing is caring! 129 shares Share Pin Ok, you’ve rented an RV and you’re ready to hit the road, right? Well, hold up just a minute. Let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need for a successful trip. If you were like us, we’d never rented an RV before and we weren’t sure what to

Global Citizens Club for Kids: Virtual Trip to Brazil: Brazilian Arts and Crafts for Kids

Join us for a trip around the world as we “virtually” learn about different countries, cultures, foods, music, and famous landmarks with Brazilian arts and crafts. Each week we will post about a different country with tons of great activities to engage with children of all ages. This week we will be learning about Brazil.

Global Citizens Club for Kids: Virtual Trip to Switzerland: Homeschooling Switzerland: Switzerland Crafts for Kids & Activities

Join us for a trip around the world as we “virtually” learn about different countries, cultures, foods, music and famous landmarks with Switzerland crafts and activities. Each week we will post about a different country with tons of great activities to engage with children of all ages. This week we will be learning about Switzerland.

Global Citizens Club for Kids: Virtual Trip to China: Homeschooling China: Chinese Crafts for Kids & Activities

Join us for a trip around the world as we “virtually” learn about different countries, cultures, foods, music and famous landmarks with Chinese crafts and activities. Each week we will post about a different country with tons of great activities to engage with children of all ages. This week we will be learning about China.

Global Citizens Club for Kids: Virtual Trip to France: Homeschooling France: French Crafts, Activities for Kids

Join us for a trip around the world as we “virtually” learn about different countries, cultures, foods, music and famous landmarks with crafts and activities. Each week we will post about a different country with tons of great activities to engage with children of all ages. This week we will be learning about France. Join

Global Citizens Club for Kids: Virtual Trip to Japan: Japanese Crafts, Activities for Kids

Join us for a trip around the world as we “virtually” learn about different countries, cultures, foods, music and famous landmarks with crafts and activities. Each week we will post about a different country with tons of great activities to engage with children of all ages. This week we will be learning about Japan. Join

8 thoughts on “Lapland Holidays with Kids”

Hi Chelsea! I found your posting on Club Bebe Voyage and I’m amazed by the detailed information you gathered here, thank you! Do you remember exactly what week did you go? I did read your comment about going there on Thanksgiving (so late Nov/early Dec), but we are a bit afraid (and late for planning) for mid-late December. Do you think it is best to wait until after Christmas to enjoy the winter activities? Also, how many days do you think one needs in Rovaniemi, including all the activities you described above? Would you stay outside of Santa Claus Village? Thank you SO much and safe travels to you and your family! Ellie

Hi Ellie! So happy to hear from you and I’m glad you enjoyed my post! We actually went in Mid-December in order to have the best chance of snow, but avoided the peak pricing! Snow isn’t guaranteed around Thanksgiving, so we went to Budapest and then two weeks later to Finland.

I think it’s fun to get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to Finland, but everything is open after Christmas as well and the pricing will be better (but not around New Years).

We spent 3 full days in Rovanaimi and then an almost full day before the train. Day One: Santa Claus Village and reindeer sleigh with lots of snow play. Day Two: Santa Park and back to the Santa Claus Village to play in the snow and chase the Northern Lights. Day Three: Arctic Zoo and indoor playground. Day Four: Dog sledding, exploring the town, overnight train to Helsinki.

Hopefully that helps. Happy to answer any questions that come up!

Thank you for your detailed and amazing stories of Finland. When we went with children we did most of the activities except for snowman world which was closed until the begining of December. This was by far the best trip we had ever taken with children and adults. It was a total magical experience for all and many firsts, like northern lights, reindeer rides, husky rides etc. since you are very detailed and experienced I am wondering if you could please recommend another location that was just as magical as Finland with many things to do with children that are captivating for adults as well. Thank you so much. Looking forward to reading more about your voyages.

Steph, sounds like you had a fabulous trip! So happy to hear my tips helped with your planning.

Other favorites include the Netherlands in the Spring with cheese farms where children can feed baby animals. Then walking through the tulip fields and exploring Amsterdam. There is so much to enjoy. I have a few posts on my website about the Netherlands.

Another favorite if your kids are five and older is Costa Rica. We just returned from 10 days exploring three different regions and it has been one of our favorite trips. We spent time walking trails to find monkeys, slobs and toucans. Going snorkeling on a catamaran cruise and zip lining across the cloud forest. I’m just finishing up my posts, but there is plenty on the Manuel Antonio region if you’d like to take a look.

Happy Travels!

Thank you so much for sharing your trip to Rovaniemi! My husband and I are seriously considering to spent new year 20/21 at the santa claus holiday village with our then 2 yo son. Yes, new years, peak season. There comes my question. I have been browsing on the official website and booking sites to look for availability, but it seems it’s already fully booked! Even if I input early (!) december dates, it seems to be all gone! How far beforehand did you book? Since you went during the december period as well? Do you reckon travel tours will have cottages available for this period, cause at this moment, I can’t seem to find them for december 2020. Also, will the official website themselves offer packages for December later this year? I was so excited in planning our trip but now my hope is almost gone… Thank you so much

How exciting! You’ll have such a great time in Lapland. We hope to return next year as well. I did a quick search for New Years (12/30/2020 for 5 nights) and found quite a few options ranging from 2k – 3k Euros. Did you check this website: https://santaclausholidayvillage.infogate.fi/infogate/online/en/haku

I think we booked 10 months before our trip and then made reservations for dog sledding, the reindeer sleigh and car rental 60 days before we arrived.

Thank you so much for your reply! And how did I miss that!! I probably put in the wrong dates or something! Glad I asked haha. So would you recommend to make reservations for the dog sledding beforehand as well instead of at the village on the same day? Thanks

So glad you got it sorted! We did the dog sledding through a different company, not the one at the village. We wanted to be out in the woods and have a bit longer of a ride. Did you see the post about it with Lapland Safaris?

I’m a planner, so everything was booked ahead of time. That way I know everything is squared away and I can just enjoy the trip.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Thanks for visiting nordicvisitor.com! For the very best browsing experience on our website, we urge you to upgrade to the most recent version of your browser . Some of our site features may not function properly on older versions.

• Travel Update
• Search Suggested Results View All Results
• EUR (€)
• GBP (£)
• Ice & Snow Hotels i
• Santa Claus i
• Glass Igloos i
• Northern Lights i
• Christmas i
• Family Travel i
• Honeymoon & Romance i
• Rovaniemi i
• Best Sellers
• All Lapland Tours
• All Types & Themes
• Why book with us i
• Booking Terms i
• Sustainability Policy i
• Lapland at a Glance i
• Useful Information i
• Lapland Attractions i
• Lapland Blog i
• Scandinavia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Manage Booking
• Privacy policy

Iceland Bíldshöfði 20 110 Reykjavík +354 578 20 80 View Map

Sweden Scotland View Details

Your Lapland Travel Agency

Visit the Arctic Circle with Nordic Visitor for the chance to see the northern lights and enjoy magical winter landscapes. As a Lapland travel agency and tour operator, our knowledgeable experts take care of arranging your special trip for you, providing personal service and 24/7 support.

Top Lapland Travel Ideas

Discover the best way to explore and experience Lapland.

Cool Nights in Ice hotels

Stay the night in the famed SnowCastle and ICEHOTEL.

Feel the festive cheer when meeting Father Christmas.

Sleep Under The Stars

Look out for the aurora and stargaze from a glass igloo.

Chase the Northern Lights

Find and experience the aurora borealis.

Most Popular Lapland Tours

Travel to Lapland with these highly rated and best-selling tours. Created by our travel specialists with you in mind, these packages will give you an amazing Lapland experience.

Best of Rovaniemi - Classic

Santa claus village & dog sledding, best of lapland classic - rovaniemi, classic lapland adventure & icehotel, lapland adventure - aurora sky station, our lapland tour reviews.

Find out what our wonderful customers have experienced on their Lapland adventures.

Ranae United States

We absolutely loved our experience with Nordic Visitor! From our first inquiry to our last goodbye, we had... read more

We absolutely loved our experience with Nordic Visitor! From our first inquiry to our last goodbye, we had exceptional service and attention. It quite literally was everything we asked for and more! Our travel consultant worked diligently to accommodate our every wish, was always in communication with us, and was simply amazing! This was a trip of a lifetime!

Natalie Netherlands

Professional, well organised, friendly and extremely helpful consultant helped plan a holiday of a lifetime.... read more

Professional, well organised, friendly and extremely helpful consultant helped plan a holiday of a lifetime. Instructions were very clear and all activities were planned perfectly.

Depend on our Lapland travel experts to plan your next adventure. They’ve explored Lapland and its festive hidden gems, and know the best spots for northern lights sightings and outdoor activities. Enjoy your stay in the knowledge that all of your tour is booked and organised for you.

Lapland Facts

Why choose Nordic Visitor

Trusted local travel experts

Established in 2002, Nordic Visitor has been creating unforgettable travel experiences in Lapland since 2010. Our local experts have all toured around the region, and they will use their experience to create your ideal itinerary. Choose our Lapland packages and you’ll take home unforgettable memories.

Great reviews

Nordic Visitor is dedicated to the best service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence . We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travellers say they would recommend us to friends and family.

Hassle-free experience

We take care of all the details and practicalities for you. You will receive a comprehensive itinerary with any additional extras you’ve requested, plus tried-and-tested accommodation. As well as this, one of our travel experts is always on call 24/7 to handle any unforeseen situations.

Flexible tour options

Everyone’s travel wish list is different and we are here to find the right package for you. We’ll enhance your stay with upgrades in glass igloos and hotels made of ice (depending on destination). We will also organise extra nights and activities that you’re keen to do.

Full financial protection

With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your holiday arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event that the company experiences insolvency.

Value for money

Nordic Visitor is a travel agency with a trusted network of hotels, local guides and suppliers, so when you book with us, you know that we’ve done the legwork and have extensively tested every aspect of a package. This also saves you time, meaning you can focus on enjoying your epic Lapland adventure.

Different Ways to Explore Lapland

Whatever you want to see and experience, we have the perfect Lapland package for you.

Visit Rovaniemi

Experience kiruna, honeymoon & romance, snowmobile adventures, journey by dogsled, new year trips, exploring lapland.

Soon the crunch of fresh snow will sound your every step, and the cold crisp air fill your lungs. Each morning, you’ll have a new adventure to remember. Get ready to…

• Meet Father Christmas and visit his festive Santa Claus Village
• Take a chair lift up to the Aurora Sky Station for a northern lights viewing
• Gaze upon the tranquil wilderness of Abisko National Park
• Mush across the vast Rovaniemi countryside on a husky sledding adventure
• Sleep under the stars in a cosy glass igloo , where you’ll get a clear view of the skies above
• Experience Lapland's peaceful forests on a guided  snowshoe excursion
• Learn about Sámi traditions and culture in the city of Kiruna
• Embark on a guided snowmobile excursion   through snow-blanketed countryside
• Visit a Sámi reindeer farm and enjoy a thrilling guided sleigh ride
• Stay in the dazzling ICEHOTEL , where everything from the bed to the bar is made of snow and ice

Lapland Travel Advice

Get ready for your brilliant trip to Lapland by exploring our handy travel guide.

What to pack for Lapland

How to dress warmly and be ready for adventure

Climate and daylight

When does the sun set? And what will the weather be like?

Northern Lights in Lapland

Find out how to witness the magical northern lights

Accommodation in Lapland

Glittering ice hotels, cosy cabins, and more

Frequently Asked Questions About Lapland

You may want more information on visiting Lapland, so we’ve answered the most commonly asked questions for your peace of mind. If you want more information on Lapland then we suggest having a read of our Lapland travel guide . If you'd like to learn more about booking with us, check out our FAQs or contact our team of travel specialists.

1. Is Lapland a real country?

Lapland isn’t a country but a region of Northern Europe with over 170,000 inhabitants and 100,366 square kilometres of sparsely populated land. Rumoured to be the home of Santa Claus and his workshop, Lapland also has a reputation as a winter wonderland, with snow blanketing the land for a lot of the year.

2. Is Lapland in Sweden or Finland?

Lapland is a region within the Arctic Circle that is spread across both Sweden and Finland. Parts of Lapland also cover Norway and the Kola Peninsula of Russia.

3. When should I visit Lapland?

A popular time to visit Lapland is during the winter months between December and March, as this is when you can experience thrilling excursions like snowmobiling, cross country skiing and reindeer sleigh rides. As well as this, it’s peak northern lights viewing season so you’ll have a good chance of seeing them “dancing”.

In our blog, we’ve written about visiting Lapland in the winter and chasing the northern lights .

4. Which airport do you fly to for Lapland?

Depending on where you’re visiting from and whether you decide to fly to Swedish Lapland or Finnish Lapland , the airport you fly into could be Kiruna, Rovaniemi or Kemi. If you’re not sure which would be best for you, get in touch with our team of travel consultants as they’ll be able to advise which airport you’ll need to travel to.

5. Do they speak English in Finland?

Yes – English is widely spoken in Finland. English is taught in schools so most people will know basic phrases. When you travel on our tours, this isn’t something you’ll have to worry about as your guides will be English speaking.

6. Is Lapland in the North Pole?

Lapland is far north and located in the Arctic Circle, but it is not in the North Pole. However, Rovaniemi is home to Santa Claus Village , "the official North Pole residence" of Father Christmas.

7. How many days do you need in Lapland?

Depending on the attractions and activities you want to see and do, you can spend anywhere from a long weekend to a week in Lapland. However, for the sake of enjoyment, you won’t want to rush your visit. This is why all of our holidays are tried and tested by staff to ensure you get to experience the best of Lapland at a comfortable pace.

8. What country does Lapland belong to?

Lapland is a region that is spread across many countries, and so does not technically belong to any one of them. Finnish Lapland makes up for almost one third of Finland, and Swedish Lapland a quarter of Sweden, but the region also covers Norway and part of the Kola Peninsula in Russia.

9. Does Lapland have snow all year round?

It snows in Lapland for a lot of the year due to its subarctic climate and location within the Arctic Circle. This is why it’s a popular destination for winter trips and ski holidays. However, in the summer months, the snow and ice melts to reveal green forests and tranquil lakes and rivers.

For a detailed guide to Lapland’s climate, read our weather guide .

10. Can I choose the arrival date?

Yes, you can choose the best arrival dates to suit you, however we advise that you book as soon as possible as accommodation is limited and in-demand, especially in the ICEHOTEL and Arctic SnowHotel. All of our tours are available to book online, so secure your chosen dates as soon as you find them.

11. How much can I customise my tour?

All our packages are created to give you the best experience in Lapland, so whether you’re keen to explore the wilderness, add a meeting with Santa to your visit or stay in the ICEHOTEL, we have a tour to suit you.

However, if you want to do something extra, like spending additional days at either end of your journey or adding on another destination like Iceland or Norway , then all you have to do is ask.

Simply choose the Lapland package that best suits you and then contact our travel consultants about customising it. We’re happy to modify your itinerary where we can so you can tick off more attractions and areas on your travel wish list.

12. When should I book my flight tickets?

We’d advise that you look over flights for timings and dates, but hold off purchasing until you’ve booked your preferred tour. Once you’ve had a confirmation email from your personal travel consultant, you should then choose and pay for your flights. This is especially important as Lapland has the popular SnowCastle and ICEHOTEL to stay in and rooms can go quickly.

Our packages come with daily itineraries and all of your accommodation organised for you, so once you have all of the information you can make an informed choice on your flight times. If you have any questions, you can always contact your consultant for advice.

13. How should I dress for Lapland in winter?

We advise that you dress for the cold weather as you’ll be spending some of your tour in the outdoors. The snow-covered countryside can be uneven or slippery, so sensible footwear like walking shoes or boots is a must. Here are a few more of our suggestions:

• Thick woollen socks, ideally several pairs
• Thermal base layers
• Warm woollen sweater
• Jeans or other casual trousers
• Thin wool or fleece gloves (ideal as a base layer under snowmobile gloves)
• Warm gloves, scarf and cap
• Camera with extra batteries
• Small backpack/rucksack for day tours
• Heat pads for hands and feet  

For a more detailed list of what to bring, read our Lapland packing guide .

About Nordic Visitor Tours

Nordic Visitor is a Lapland tour operator and has been creating incredible travel experiences for customers in the region since 2010. Since then, we have grown across the Nordic region, while retaining our passionate belief that your trip should be memorable for all the right reasons. These include:

• Tailor-made itinerary: we personalise the itinerary with your dreams and needs in mind, and add on our recommended hidden gems, so you have the vacation of a lifetime.
• Quality checked accommodation: wherever you stay is guaranteed to be tried by our travel specialists and tested to our exacting standards, so whether it's a cosy glass igloo or charming hotel, you’re going to have a comfortable stay.
• Travel guide: add some secret sauce to your getaway with our insider travel tips and recommendations.
• 24/7 helpline: for your peace of mind, there’s always a travel expert on the other end of our 24/7 helpline.

Get social with us

Follow our adventures in the North and share your own with us.

Sign up for our newsletter

Want to find out more about our Lapland trips and holiday packages? Get in touch with our team to help you plan your tour.

Our Swedish phone number is +46 8 666 23 30

How about a live chat with one of our local travel experts?

Read about Lapland

Top 15 european christmas markets, glass igloos in finland: your guide, a few fun facts about swedish lapland, 7 reasons to visit lapland in winter.

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