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30 Incredible Places To Visit In Finnish Lapland in 2024 (+ Map!)

Are you trying to find the best places in Finnish Lapland to visit ? This post is a guide to some of the most amazing towns, villages, and natural areas in Finnish Lapland .

Finnish Lapland is full of incredible places to visit and to curate a list of what I believe to be the best was a challenge!

This post not only focuses on visiting Lapland during winter , but I have also included highlights for each destination for those visiting Finnish Lapland in summer .

If you feel I have missed your favorite place in Finnish Lapland, please leave a comment below!

Best places to visit in Finnish Lapland

1. rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi is most famously known for being the capital of Lapland and the “official” home of Santa Claus . It is also one of the best places in Finland for catching a glimpse of the northern lights .

During World War II, Rovaniemi was almost destroyed, but today, it is a vibrant modern city jam-packed with things to do. Open all year, exploring Santa Claus Village is a must.

Be sure to stop by Rovaniemi church to admire local architecture and visit Arktikum if you want to learn more about the Arctic. Wildlife lovers will enjoy the husky and reindeer parks during winter in Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi in summer is perfect for adrenaline junkies who can try water sports at the Roiske – Center of Summer Activities .

2. Saariselka

Saariselka is a picturesque resort town that can be found 250km (155 mi) north of the Arctic Circle . It is the northernmost Ski Resort in Finland .

This resort village is a center for Lapland winter activities and it serves as a gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park . Saariselka is best known for its cross-country skiing and downhill skiing possibilities.

When you’re not tackling the slopes or admiring the snowy scenery, ride Lapland’s longest Toboggan Run at Aurora Tobogganing and eat at the Northern Lights Village restaurant .

In summer, you could go hiking with huskies on a safari tour . You’ll have the chance to meet the husky pups, take photographs of the scenery, and stop off at scenic viewpoints for something to eat.

Levi is a small city in western Lapland . It is home to frozen lakes, river valleys, ski resorts, and mindblowing views of the Arctic landscape. During the winter months, Levi is a popular ski resort. There are more than 40 slopes to ski down.

If you’re looking for an extreme winter activity, you could even try ice swimming ! Lying back on the icy water and staring up at the sky is seriously impressive.

Don’t worry about the cold- you’ll be given a survival suit. More reserved explorers might prefer to learn about Sámi culture at the nearby Samiland exhibition . Here, you’ll learn all about Sámi mythology and the Sámi people .

Popular summer activities include golfing, mountain biking, and relaxing at the lakeside beach.

Inari is a popular destination for tourists who want to spot the northern lights, ride a sleigh pulled by huskies, visit a reindeer farm, and try cross-country skiing. However, the biggest draw is the Sámi culture because the town is the cultural center for the Sámi .

Therefore, a trip to Inari wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Siida – The Sámi Museum and Nature Centre.

The museum offers a unique insight into the history, folklore, and culture of the ancient community. It features permanent and temporary exhibitions and is also home to a fascinating craft shop. Make sure you visit the stunning Lake Inari too, especially in summer!

If you’re looking for somewhere unique to stay, consider staying in a traditional cabin at Holiday Village Inari .

Ivalo is just a 25-minute drive away from Saariselka and a 30-minute drive from Inari. The beauty of Ivalo, aside from its impressive landscape, is how many things there are to do.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an active summer getaway or a cozy winter retreat- Ivalo has something for you! Sporty activities include snowmobiling , snowshoe hiking , and ice fishing .

Ivalo Trek Lapland offers unique Aurora Borealis snowmobile tours that take you out in search of the lights. More relaxing things to do include spa days and souvenir hunting in a local gift shop.

I recommend staying overnight in a glass igloo at Aurora Village during your trip!

Nuorgram is a small village with approximately 200 inhabitants in the Utsjoki municipality of Lapland. It is the most northern point of Finland and the European Union.

This area is best known for its salmon fishing, but there are plenty of things for travelers to do too. Most attractions in and around the village focus on sightseeing tours, adventure activities, and escapism.

In winter, you can explore Nuogram’s fell highlands with snowshoes and spend your time at the local reindeer farm. At the Nougram reindeer farm , you can learn how herding works and even help the local herder.

In summer, take a riverboat trip along the Tenojoki River and enjoy the peace and tranquility of Nuorgram Holiday Village .

Ruka is where you’ll find some of the best skiing slopes in Finland . Ruka Ski Resort offers thrill seekers a skiing season that lasts more than 200 days a year, so there’s a good chance a lot will be happening when you visit.

There are 39 slopes to race down and 22 ski lifts that will help you get to the top. Skiing isn’t the only activity on the agenda either!

You can also give snowboarding a go, get up close to Arctic animals like reindeer and huskies, and hit one of the many hiking trails. One of the most popular hiking trails in Ruka is the Pyhän Jyssäys trail , which leads to the top of Pikku-Pyhävaara and takes roughly 2-3 hours to complete.

Kuusamo is a 20-minute drive away from Ruka, near the Russian border. This town is also home to world-class skiing. However, Kuusamo does have more to offer than Ruka. Kuusamo is famous for its Sámi history , outdoor activities, and tranquility.

Oulanka National Park is one of the best places for exploring the Arctic wilderness, while Pohjolan Pirtti (aka Santa’s Cottage) is the perfect place to kick back and get cozy.

On this historic estate, you can learn about local culture, indulge in traditional food, and keep warm in the sauna. If you want to learn more about local history, visit the Pokkatörma outdoor museum .

In summer, Kuusamo is a popular bear-watching destination , with Karhu-Kuusamo offering overnight bear-watching cabins where there is a 99% chance you will see at least one bear.

Kemi, on the Bothnian Bay, is one of the larger towns in Arctic Finland, and its most famous attraction is t he Sampo Icebreaker . This is a large ship that is designed to break up the sea ice so ships can access the ports.

A cruise on this ship will take you out on the frozen sea. The scenery is mindblowing, and you’ll have the chance to walk on the ice.

You can even take a plunge into the sea behind the ship in a survival suit. In Kemi, you’ll find attractions like the SnowCastle and Kemi Lutheran church .

The SnowCastle is an ice castle that’s carved every year. In the summer, you can go boating in Bothnian Bay National Park. Stay at Seaside Glass Villas if you’re in the mood for a luxurious night’s stay in Kemi!

Ylläs, also known as Yllästunturi, is a 718-meter (2,355-foot) fell that’s 115km (71 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. The Ylläs area consists of two Lappish villages – Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi.

This area is best known for its Arctic wildlife, skiing slopes, hiking trails, and impressive Arctic terrain.

Along the Kesänkijärven Kierros trail , you might spot the Siberian jay , reindeer, Arctic fox , and the Eurasian three-toed woodpecker .

Ylläs is home to Finland’s largest ski resort , the most popular national park (Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park), and the only sauna gondola in the world.

The Ylläs Sauna Gondola is a 20-minute ride that takes you from the top of the fell to the gondola station and back.

Luosto is a fantastic place to visit if you want to spot the northern lights, explore the Arctic wilderness, ride a snowmobile, and learn more about Finnish culture and history.

A 510-meter (1,673 foot) fell in the Sodankylä municipality, Luosto makes up part of Pyhä-Luosto National Park . As a result, you’ll have easy access to nature trails and Lapland safari tours.

You can hike the trails in the summer and cross-country ski and snowshoe in winter. I recommend hiking the 7 km (4.3 mi) Tunturiaapa Nature Trail .

Thanks to a solid boardwalk, this trail makes it super easy to explore the area. Luosto is also near an Amethyst Mine . Here, you can dig for amethysts and learn more about the area’s history.

Posio is a smaller town in Lapland, but the town and surrounding areas pack a punch when it comes to things to do. It was the first destination in Finland to receive the Sustainable Travel Finland certification.

It is also the center of ceramics culture and home to Finland’s popular ice-climbing destination – Korouoma Canyon .

In Posio, you can explore endless landscapes, learn how to ice climb, and explore snow-capped forests.

If you want to take things a little slower, check out the Pentik Culture Centre , where you’ll find art galleries that display work from famous sculptures, furniture exhibits, and the International Coffee Cup Museum .

To learn about ceramic culture, visit The Arctic Ceramic Centre .

To escape the daily grind, visit Salla. Described as being in the middle of nowhere, this municipality is the land of Arctic adventures, the northern lights, and reindeer.

Skiing, feeding reindeer, hiking, and exploring the vast Arctic landscape are all on the agenda.

Salla is where you will find one of the starting points of the iconic Bear’s Trail , the most popular multi-day hike in Finland. Along the route, you will hike along gorges, ridges, and beside picturesque lakes.

This bucket list trail shows you the stunning views and unique nature of Arctic Finland.

Salla is also home to Salla National Park, where you can wildlife watch. You might spot reindeer, golden eagles, and bean geese. On cold or rainy days check out the Museum of War and Reconstruction in the center of town!

14. Kilpisjärvi

Kilpisjarvi is a small, yet vibrant village close to the Norwegian border . Sitting lakeside, the village is dominated by Saana Fell. You can also see the great fells of Finland and Norway in the distance from Kilpisjärvi.

This region is most popular among outdoor enthusiasts and hikers as it is super easy to explore the Arctic fells all year round.

Popular hiking trails include the Saana Path, Saana Nature Trail, and the Malla Trail.

Places you’ll want to see during your visit include Malla Strict Nature Reserve , Kilpisjärvi visitor centre , and the Three Nation’s Border Point. After a long day of hiking, enjoy traditional food at Ravintola Kilpis .

15. Utsjoki

Utsjoki’s colorful villages, rugged landscapes, and aurora borealis possibilities allow tourists to experience the true beauty and culture of Arctic Finland.

The small municipality has a population that is far outnumbered by reindeer. It is also the area in Finland with the largest number of Sámi speakers.

When you’re not searching for the aurora, head out and explore the fells and Ice Age glaciers. Popular activities include biking, snowshoeing, Arctic Ocean exploring, and shopping in the villages.

Cycling is particularly popular in the area and is expected to grow with the development of a new European Union bike road project called ‘ The Arctic Bikepacking Trail. ’

I recommend visiting the Sámi villages and River Teno during your trip too! Hotel Utskoki offers a stunning log igloo just 6 km (3.7 mi) away from the town center.

16. Sevettijärvi

Sevettijiärvi is a wilderness gateway that sits within reach of the Arctic Ocean. Despite offering some of the best views in Arctic Finland, Sevettijärvi is most famous for being the center of the Skolt Sámi .

The village is known for its Skolt Sámi population, with 90% of the people keeping the Skolt Sámi language alive. Today, it is only spoken by approximately 300 people, most of whom are in Finland.

To learn more about Sami culture, stop by the Skolt Sámi Heritage House . In winter and summer, you can explore the wilderness that surrounds Sevettijärvi on foot.

Popular destinations include the Sevetti-Pulmanki Trail , Vätsäri Wilderness Area , and River Näätämöjoki , which is a popular salmon fishing spot too (although river fishing can only be done with a license).

After a long day of hiking, tuck into authentic reindeer herring with mashed potatoes at Sevetin bar .

17. Kaamanen

Kaamanen is a small village in the Inari municipality. There are only 200 residents in the village and almost all of them rely on reindeer herding and tourism.

This part of Arctic Finland is most famous for bird watching and hiking. Species of birds you can expect to see in the area include Siberian jay, pine grosbeak , willow grouse , and gray-headed chickadee .

You might spot these species of bird along the Tuuruharju Nature Trail . However, the best place to spot birds in the area is at the Kaamasjoki River , which is a 12-minute drive away.

Kaamanen is also close to Lake Inari, the third-largest lake in Finland . Here, there are over 3,000 islands to explore, some of which were sacrificial grounds for ancient people.

The town of Muonio is surrounded by Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park , making it one of the best places for exploring the wilderness.

Muonio is also an excellent place to spot the northern lights. However, you’ll need luck on your side and a perfectly clear night!

In winter, hit the snowy trails with your snowshoes on, visit the resident reindeer, play with local huskies, and visit the Pallastunturi visitor centre.

In summer, look for bears on a wildlife safari, and mountain bike the Olos Peak Trail . This is a rugged 6.1 km (3.7-mile) loop trail through the local forests. Check out Ravintola Karmmari and their reindeer menu for something interesting to eat.

19. Kittila

Kittila is a popular holiday resort in the Lapland region. One of the best attractions in Kittila is a hotel called Lapland Hotels Snow Village .

This is a famous ice hotel that turns into a winter wonderland with sculptures, suites, restaurants, and bars made out of ice. Every year, the hotel is built in a new design.

The resort is also home to several adventure tour companies that will take you into the wilderness to explore. You can ride snowmobiles, go ice-karting, and ski amongst other activities.

I highly recommend visiting Maglelin . This husky safari allows you to stay overnight on-site, giving you more time to get to know the huskies.

20. Kemijärvi

Kemijärvi is a stunning lakeside town in eastern Lapland. This charming town offers travelers the best of both worlds. There are plenty of things to do in the town and endless options in the wilderness that surrounds it.

What I love most about Kemijärvi is the array of things to do in summer and winter. In winter, you can check out the local museums (the Museum of Local History is one of the best), head out on a scenic day trip, and huddle around a campfire with a hot chocolate.

In the summer, you can boat along the lakes, relax at the beach, and enjoy the summertime music festival. This midnight summer festival brings together a renowned line-up of artists.

21. Sodankylä

If you’re looking for lots of things to do in Arctic Finland, visit Sodankylä. Just 1 hour from Rovaniemi, Sodankylä offers everything from winter sports activities and the northern lights to wildlife activities and cultural experiences.

In terms of winter activities, you can ski, dog sleigh ride, and ice swim. You can also head out on winter photography trips or watch the local reindeer races .

If you visit Sodankylä in June, you can enjoy the Midnight Sun Film Festival . This is a 5-day film festival that sees venues across Sodankylä play films 24 hours a day.

Key highlights in the town include Nilimella Beach, The Old Church, The Old Saami Marketplace , and Piitsi pub .

22. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

The iconic Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is a dream destination for any nature lover. This national park has some of the world’s most breathtaking views, extremely pure air, and an abundance of wildlife.

Super accessible, the park is suitable for both inexperienced and experienced hikers, and families with children.

The trails will allow you to admire the rich Arctic landscapes. My favorite trail is the Varkaankurunpolku Trail . This trail is only 3.5 km (2.1 mi) long and it winds through dense forest to the bottom of a ravine, where you can see the fell stream.

In terms of wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for brown bears, lynx , willow grouse, and reindeer.

23. Lemmenjoki National Park

Lemmenjoki National Park was founded in 1956 and it currently spans 2,850 km (1,770 mi), which makes it the largest national park in Finland.

Aside from offering one of the biggest wilderness areas to explore in Europe, Lemmenjoki National Park is considered the gateway to the homelands of the Sámi people.

After learning about the Sámi people, head into the park to hike ( the Joenkielinen Loop is one of my favorites), boat, cross-country ski, and pan for gold.

A guided river trip will help you explore the wild. After a busy day, tuck into a hearty bowl of reindeer stew and look out for the Northern Lights at Ahkun Tupa .

24. Urho Kekkonen National Park

Urho Kekkonen National Park is one of Finland’s largest protected areas. It extends eastwards towards the Russian border.

This remote part of Arctic Finland is best known for its trekking. Whether on foot in the summer or on skis in the winter, Urho has more than 200 km (124 mi) of trails to explore.

Popular trails you should consider hiking include Aurorapolku , Kiirunapolku , and Luulampi . As you trek through the park, you’ll pass through reindeer herding areas, where during the round-up times, huge herds of reindeer may gather!

You’ll also have a great chance to spot golden eagles, wolverines , and bears. Korvatunturi fell inside the national park and it is famously the home of Santa Claus in Finnish culture. For a romantic getaway, check out Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos .

25. Oulanka National Park

Oulanka is an epic Finnish national park that combines northern, eastern, and southern nature.

Protected by the World Wide Fund for Nature , Oulanka has a unique river ecosystem and untouched boreal forest that features river valleys and rapids. The best way to explore this park is by hiking or on a guided tour.

There are hiking trails open all year round ( Kiutakönkään Polku Trail and the Hiiden Hurmos Trail ) and guided tours leave from the visitor center.

I recommend visiting the visitor center because you’ll be able to learn more about the park through exhibitions and presentations.

On a guided tour, you’ll cross hanging bridges, walk alongside the rapids, and find impressive waterfalls.

26. Riisitunturi National Park

Riisitunturi National Park was established in 1982 and it covers 77 square km (30 square mi) of mountainous area near Posio.

Incredibly photogenic, this national park is a great destination for snowshoers, cross-country skiers, bird watchers, and trekkers.

In winter, spruce trees cover most of the national park’s hillsides with a layer of thick frost, creating the perfect winter scene for hiking day trips.

Once winter has passed, the park comes to life with vibrant colors. There are over 40 km (25 mi) of marked trails to walk.

Two of the best are Riisin rääpäsy and Riisin rietas . You can also tackle the summit of Riisituntrui. Some hikes will also take you to the old hunting pits.

After a day of hiking in the park stop by Erakahvila Tykky at the park entrance for a cup of coffee or tea by the fire place.

27. Äkäslompolo

Äkäslompolo is a small village with a population of less than 500. It is one of the Ylläs villages, and it’s situated next to a large lake.

Äkäslompolo is famous for its snowy terrain, Arctic wildlife, and ski slopes. If you’re not exploring the wilderness or meeting the local husky and reindeer residents, you’ll probably find yourself getting a sweat on in a traditional Finnish sauna .

At Ylläsen’s Night Tree , you can rest by the fire in a sauna before taking a refreshing dip in the ice-cold sea. If you want to try something different, you could also do an escape room at Arctic Secrets .

28. Enontekiö

Enontekiö is a sparsely populated region of Finnish Lapland that has a wide range of attractions. Finland’s highest point is found in this region: the Halti fell. It stands at 1,324 meters (4,343 feet) and is a prime location for hiking.

However, the hike to the Halti is intense. It consists of a multi-day wilderness trek and requires excellent fitness. You could hike the Tsahkaljärvi – Saanajärven Kota out-and-back 10.8 km (6.7 mi) trail near Enontekiö instead.

In winter, this nature paradise is a popular winter sports destination too. You can ski, ride with huskies, and sit in saunas by the lakes.

29. Käsivarsi Wilderness Area

Käsivarsi Wilderness Area is where you can find Finland’s most mountainous scenery. As such, this area is best known for its nature and outdoor activities. Of course, the most popular thing to do here is hike.

All year round, you can reach Halti Fell from along the Nordkalott Trail . The Saana Fell walk from Kilpisjärvi village is more appropriate for less experienced hikers though.

The Nordkalott Trail is 800 km (497 mi) long in total, so you’ll never run out of scenic walks and viewpoints.

You can also go fishing (on moving water you will need a license), skiing, kayaking, and sledding in this wilderness area. If you want to learn about nature in the region, visit the Kilpisjärvi visitor centre .

The city of Tornio sits on the border between Finland and Sweden. Tornio was developed into a Lapland trade hub in the 16th century, and for almost 170 years, it was the northernmost city in the world.

Today, the city has more than 21,000 residents and a huge variety of different things to see and do.

Major points of interest in the city include the Church of Tornio, Aine Art Museum , Museum of Tornio Valley , and Duudsonit Activity Park .

Tornio also has a lively jazz scene, so you might want to listen to some live music in the evening. Kalott Jazz & Blues hosts regular events across the city.

Best places to visit in Finnish Lapland (on a map!)

🗺️  HOW TO USE THIS MAP: You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).

Did I miss any of your favorite places to visit in Finnish Lapland? If so, please share your suggestions in the comments below!

More Finnish Lapland travel guides

• 31 epic things to do in Finnish Lapland
• Visit the 7 best national parks in Finnish lapland
• 12 reasons to visit Rovaniemi in summer
• How to go bear watching in Kuusamo
• How to see the northern lights in Finnish Lapland
• Visiting a Rovaniemi reindeer farm in the summer
• 19 fun things to do in Rovaniemi in winter and at Christmas!
• How to go ice fishing in Rovaniemi on snowshoes! 

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Finnish Lapland

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

Milamai / Getty Images

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

When to Go to Finnish Lapland

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

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

How to See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

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

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

How to See the Midnight Sun in Finnish Lapland 

Giles Clarke / Getty Images

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

What Else to Do in Finnish Lapland

Andrey-Kobylko / Getty Images

Go for a hike.

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

Hit the sauna.

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

Paddle your way through the region.

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

Visit Santa Claus.

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

Where to Stay in Finnish Lapland 

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Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

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

Seaside Glass Villas

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

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

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

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

What to Pack 

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

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

How to Get There 

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

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

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Map of Lapland — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Lapland, Finland for travelers! Check out Lapland’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Lapland? See our Lapland Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Lapland. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Lapland map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Lapland by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 20 attractions in Lapland

Siida - sámi museum and nature center.

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Urho Kekkonen National Park

Icekarting levi.

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Salla Ski Resort

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Rakas Restaurant & Bar

Laanilan kievari, ravintola pirkon pirtti, ravintola umpitunneli, lapland hotels sky ounasvaara, ice restaurant of arctic snowhotel, restaurant gaissa, restaurant aanaar, transportation in lapland, nearby airports, ivalo airport, highways and major roads.

• E4 (European route)
• Oulu-Kuusamo Highway (Highway 20)
• Finnish national road 4 (E8)
• Tornio-Haaparanta motorway (Highway 29)
• Finnish national road 21
• Finnish national road 78
• Rovaniemi-Sodankylä Highway (Highway 4)
• Kittilä-Ylläsjärvi Road (Highway 21)
• Finnish national road 5 (E63)
• Inari-Varanger Road (Highway 92)

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What's the weather like in lapland.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Lapland for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Lapland in January
• Weather in Lapland in February
• Weather in Lapland in March
• Weather in Lapland in April
• Weather in Lapland in May
• Weather in Lapland in June
• Weather in Lapland in July
• Weather in Lapland in August
• Weather in Lapland in September
• Weather in Lapland in October
• Weather in Lapland in November
• Weather in Lapland in December

Explore nearby places

• Pelkosenniemi
• Pyhatunturi
• Akaslompolo
• Muonionalusta

All related maps of Lapland

• Map of Tankavaara
• Map of Sodankyla
• Map of Saariselka
• Map of Kongas
• Map of Levi
• Map of Kittila
• Map of Luosto
• Map of Ivalo
• Map of Savukoski
• Map of Pelkosenniemi
• Map of Pyhatunturi
• Map of Inari
• Map of Yllasjarvi
• Map of Akaslompolo
• Map of Nellim
• Map of Meltaus
• Map of Muonio
• Map of Muonionalusta
• Map of Kaamanen
• Map of Kemijarvi
• Map of Enontekio
• Map of Kolari
• Map of Salla
• Map of Napapiiri
• Map of Suomu
• Map of Kovdor
• Map of Rovaniemi
• Map of Pajala
• Map of Pello
• Map of Karasjok

Lapland throughout the year

• Lapland in January
• Lapland in February
• Lapland in March
• Lapland in April
• Lapland in May
• Lapland in June
• Lapland in July
• Lapland in August
• Lapland in September
• Lapland in October
• Lapland in November
• Lapland in December

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Lapland casts a powerful spell: there's something lonely and intangible here that fills it with Arctic magic. The midnight sun, the Sámi peoples, the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) and roaming reindeer are all components of this – as is Santa Claus himself, who ‘officially’ resides here – along with the awesome latitudes: at Nuorgam, the northernmost point, you have passed Iceland and nearly all of Canada and Alaska.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Lapland. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Few things conjure fairy-tale romance like a snow castle. First built in 1996 as a Unicef project, this is a Lapland winter highlight and a favoured…

One of Finland's most absorbing museums, state-of-the-art Siida offers a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment. The main exhibition…

With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with…

Pilke Tiedekeskus

Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish…

The spectacular wood-and-glass Sámi cultural centre stands proud in the middle of town. It holds the Sámi parliament as well as a library and music…

Kevo Strict Nature Reserve

Northern Lapland

Some of Finland's most breathtaking scenery is within the 712-sq-km Kevo Strict Nature Reserve along the splendid 40km gorge of the Kevojoki (off-limits…

Auttiköngäs

The highlight of this protected old-growth forest, 80km southeast of Rovaniemi off Rd 81, is the 16m-high Auttiköngäs waterfall. It's reached by a 3.5km…

Bears' Nest

At the edge of Myössäjärvi, 16km south of Inari, look out for the Karhunpesäkivi rest stop. From here, a 300m timber boardwalk (mainly comprising steps)…

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Nov 1, 2023 • 4 min read

Every year, Santa is the main attraction in Finnish Lapland. But there’s so much more to discover in this winter wonderland.

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Lapland and beyond

Authored by ThePickyTraveller

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

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

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

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

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

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When to Go: Winter

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

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

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

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

When to Go: Summer

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

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

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

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

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

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

When to Go: Autumn / Fall

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

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

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

Where to go?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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If You Liked This Post You May Also Like:

Where to See the Northern Lights in Norway

Things to Do in Italy for an Unforgettable Winter Break

7 Reasons You Should Spend Winter Among the Wonders of Jilin

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

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

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

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

31 Comments

The northern lights can be seen almost every night….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope you have the chance to visit soon!

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

Hope you have the chance to travel soon! :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Absolutely – it’s a land of pure magic!

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

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

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

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

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Finnish Lapland

• 3.1 National parks and wilderness areas
• 3.2 Ski resorts
• 4.1 When to go
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.2 By train
• 6.5 By bicycle
• 7.2 By train
• 7.3 By taxi
• 7.4.1 Roadkill
• 7.4.2 Winter driving
• 7.5 Hitchhiking
• 7.6 By snowmobile
• 8.1 Northern lights
• 8.2 Reindeer and snowmobiles
• 8.3 Skiing and snowshoeing
• 8.4 Father Christmas
• 8.5 Fishing
• 8.6 Hunting
• 13.1 Hospitals

Finnish Lapland ( Finnish and Sámi : Lappi , Swedish (and Norwegian): Lappland ) is the Arctic far north in Finland , strictly defined as the province of the same name, but in practice starting near the Arctic Circle. Most Finnish ski resorts are here, as well as the biggest national parks. Lots of wilderness, much of it quite accessible also for those who are not seasoned hikers.

Temperatures can plunge as low as -50°C (-60°F) in midwinter and the sun is not seen for days on end during the polar night (Finnish: kaamos , Sámi: skábma ). By contrast, summer brings out the Midnight Sun and temperatures can occasionally rise to 30°C. Popular seasons include the time around Easter, when the freezing nights keep skiing conditions good despite strong sunshine in the day, and early autumn, when leaves turn red and yellow and the mosquitos are gone.

Regions [ edit ]

Comprising almost a third of Finland, different parts of Lapland have a somewhat different character.

•      South-east Lapland — including Rovaniemi at the Arctic circle. With forests and lakes, the region is landscape-wise a kind of border region between Lapland and inland Finland further south, though the landscape does feature some mountains, hills and ski resorts.
•      Sea Lapland and Torne River Valley — Mostly south of the Arctic Circle, much of it not part of the reindeer husbandry area, this is a rather flat part of Lapland with water (the Bothnian Bay and Torne River) and Sweden to the west.
•      North-east Lapland — The northernmost part of Finland, and indeed of the European Union, features Sámi culture and landscapes typical to many people's perception of Lapland. Much of the region is covered by national parks and wilderness areas, and here you can find Lake Inari with holy sites of the traditional Sámi religion and a shoreline of over 3000 km.
•      North-west Lapland — As the alternative name Fell Lapland reveals, much of the landscape is dominated by fells, in particular in the "arm" where the highest mountains in Finland are. Like the northeast, much of it belongs to the Sámi native region and there are many protected areas. You can experience barren landscapes above the treeline that are unlike anywhere further south in the country. Although much of the region is off the beaten path, in season you will have company on some of the wilderness trails, and two of the most popular ski resort in the country are here.

Cities [ edit ]

Lapland is divided into twenty municipalities, four of which (Tornio, Kemi, Rovaniemi, and Kemijärvi) are denoted as a city. Some of the other "cities" have just a few hundred inhabitants, if that, but here we go.

• 66.5 25.727 1 Rovaniemi – Entrance to the Lapland for most. The province capital, the main transport hub, a university town, and the only city of any size. At the Arctic Circle with workshops of Santa Claus , where most people go to meet him.
• 68.386 23.644 2 Hetta — administrative centre of Enontekiö; gateway to some northern national parks and wilderness areas
• 65.735 24.565 4 Kemi – a bleak paper industry town best known for Arctic icebreaker cruises for tourists and the world's largest snow castle
• 69.01 20.873 5 Kilpisjärvi – alpine village at the border of Finland, Sweden and Norway, near the tallest fells of Finland
• 65.928 26.517 6 Ranua – wildlife park having the only polar bears in Finland
• 65.842 24.186 7 Tornio – a town that together with its Swedish half Haparanda is a prime example of cross-border cooperation
• 67.41 26.58 8 Sodankylä – Midnight Sun Film Festival
• 69.904 27.026 9 Utsjoki – the salmon river Teno, border crossing to Norway

Other destinations [ edit ]

National parks and wilderness areas [ edit ].

• 69.580833 26.715556 2 Kevo Strict Nature Reserve – an impressive canyon with a 64-km hiking trail
• 68.83523 21.75535 3 Käsivarsi Wilderness Area – this is where the Finland's highest fells are
• 68.61185 25.87152 4 Lemmenjoki National Park – river valley with riverboats, gold digging grounds, some fells and vast surrounding wilderness
• 69.19656 26.27941 5 Muotkatunturit Wilderness Area – true wilderness with quite easy terrain, partly above the treeline, with few marked trails and few services
• 66.373056 29.338611 6 Oulanka National Park on the Salla-Kuusamo border, with the northern end of the Karhunkierros trail
• 68.0931 24.01989 7 Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park – fell range on the border between Forest-Lapland and Fell-Lapland, protected as one of the first national parks in Finland, good communications and services
• 66.233333 28.5 8 Riisitunturi National Park – small but nice national park around the fell Riisitunturi
• 68.33878 28.34516 9 Urho Kekkonen National Park – national park by Saariselkä and all its services, with vast backcountry, including the home of Joulupukki , Santa Claus himself

Ski resorts [ edit ]

• 67.016667 27.133333 10 Pyhä – quite large ski resort and a nature lover's destination by the popular Pyhä-Luosto National Park
• 67.799167 24.821389 11 Levi – The biggest winter sports resort in Finland, popular especially among young people
• 67.15 26.883333 12 Luosto – ski and safari resort, home to the only open amethyst mine in Europe
• 66.5598 28.0224 14 Suomu – a small but popular ski resort
• 67.60502 24.145848 15 Äkäslompolo and Ylläs – two ski resorts by the Ylläs fell

Understand [ edit ]

Lapland is the Wild North of Finland. Outside cities wilderness – with half-wild reindeer – is everywhere. Even by the roads the distances between villages are long and villages on the map may be home only to a few families, some even uninhabited part of the year.

Lapland has traditionally been home for the Sámi people , who for centuries have got their living from this barren region, mainly from fishing, hunting and reindeer husbandry. In the northernmost municipalities they are a sizeable minority, within some regions even majority. Most tourist enterprises – especially those not Sámi – from Rovaniemi onward draw on Sámi culture, offering you invented "genuine" rituals etc. Take it for what it is and just enjoy – or avoid such programmes. Genuine Sámi culture is better experienced in community centres, at cultural events and using services of Sámi tourist businesses (which often do not make any notion about their ethnicity). In southern Lapland the original Sámi population integrated with the Finnish and disappeared, but many from the North study or work in Rovaniemi or the southern cities. Rovaniemi, Oulu, and Helsinki have the largest Sámi population in Finland by the number!

There is not too much history to see. At the end of the Second World War , the retreating German troops implemented a scorched Earth policy to punish their Finnish allies for agreeing to peace with the Soviet Union, razing everything in their path. This episode is known as the Lapland War (Finnish: Lapin sota , Sámi: Lappi soahti ). The war lasted only from September 1944 to April 1945 but by the time they were done, some 100,000 people had fled, 675 bridges were blown up, all major roads were mined, and the capital Rovaniemi had only 13 houses left standing. However, it might be useful to understand that before this sad episode, locals and the German troops had a rather deep friendship from which the tourist can still find exciting relics.

But then, people don't come to Lapland for the architecture, they come here for the nature (and Santa). While there are no craggy mountains or fjords here, the endless pine forests and the treeless rounded fells (Finnish: tunturi , Sámi: duottar , várri , oaivi , čearru , etc.) poking out between them can also be breathtakingly beautiful. Finns talk about the " Lapland fever " because of so many who have lost their heart to this land forever.

When to go [ edit ]

Christmas in Lapland sounds appealing, but this is the time of the polar night ; it is dark and it can be very cold (−30°C/−25°F is common, records are around −50°C/−60°F). There are businesses happy to arrange meetings with Joulupukki (Santa Claus) in Rovaniemi and at some other destinations, and snowmobile or husky safaris. With some luck these are arranged in the light of aurora borealis (Finnish: revontulet , Sámi: guovssahasat ) visible quite anywhere at these latitudes. Such organised trips are safe, but independent backcountry adventures require adequate skill and experience. If you happen to be in Lapland the first day the sun is seen again in the north, check whether there is a local celebration you could join.

By the end of February both the weather and the light improve, with temperatures on the better side of −10 °C (14 °F) and nearly 12 hours of light a day, although the sun is low and it still feels like perpetual dusk. Most Finns only start to pack in at Easter, when it often is possible to ski in bright sunshine wearing only a T-shirt. It takes quite some time for the accumulated snow (often more than a metre) to melt off, and skiing may be possible as late as May.

In late spring and early summer, the landscape turns muddy as the snow melts, bringing on the curse of the Lapish mosquito and its friends (collectively known as räkkä ), and if you think this sounds like a trivial nuisance you have never had to face up to the hordes that inhabit Lapland – do not venture out without industrial-strength insect repellent. Mosquitoes are far less present in the centres of the cities (and above the tree line, especially in sunny weather with some wind) but it is virtually impossible to avoid the bite. The mosquitoes' bites are itchy and their noise is irritating, but they spread no diseases. There is a week or two between the spring floods and the räkkä season, when water levels are manageable and mosquitoes still few, around the end of May and early June. Get advice on local conditions if heading out for the wilderness, as routes and footwear may have to be chosen with some care. During the spring flood, wilderness hikes are only for those truly prepared, as every brook and wadi may have transformed into a river of icy water, partly still covered with snow.

Summer temperatures are usually in the 10–20°C (50–70°F) range, but both freezing nights and +30°C (90°F) days are possible. July is the warmest month.

On the upside, the famous midnight sun is visible in Midsummer in large parts of Lapland (Rovaniemi is at the Arctic Circle, but it can be seen also a tad southward from there) – and middle May through July in Utsjoki. Special events are held to celebrate the equinox and the midnight sun. Many foreigners have difficulty sleeping during these nightless periods, though a simple sleep mask should go a long way.

By late July the mosquitoes start to vanish and they're usually gone by late August. Hiking in the middle of ruska (Sámi: ruški ), the colourful time of autumn, is a worthwhile experience. Towards the end of September, you are increasingly likely to get some snowfall, although the first snow usually comes in October.

While ski resorts usually open in November, a reliable natural deep snow cover usually comes quite a bit later; for skiing in the backcountry, you may need to wait until after Christmas or choose routes where the snow cover is sufficient.

Talk [ edit ]

The local language is mostly Finnish . The spoken dialects belong to the Peräpohjola (far-north) subgroup of Finnish western dialects and have certain archaic features that often culminate in the characteristic use of the h-sound. You may encounter some humour based on this. The highly distinctive Torne river valley dialect is known as meänkieli ("Our Language") and has an official minority language status in Sweden.

Three Sámi languages – Northern Sami , Inari Sami, and Skolt Sami – are spoken sparsely to commonly in the northernmost areas. The Sámi languages ​​have an official status in the region designated as the Sámi homeland . Swedish (though official in Finland) is rarely spoken in this area (as adjacent regions in Sweden have traditionally been Finnish speaking), but the closely related Norwegian is often heard in the border region, thanks to the lively shopping Norwegians.

As everywhere in Finland, you will survive very well with English, and it is the main option for those who don't speak Finnish. German and other languages up to Chinese or Japanese might be known at hotels and tourist attractions. Thanks to extensive international tourism, tourist materials are usually available in a wide variety of languages!

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

Flying is the fastest means of reaching much of Lapland, but for most destinations services are sparse and prices often steep. There are commercial airports in Hetta (" Enontekiö "), Ivalo , Kemi , Kittilä and Rovaniemi . Best options for airlines are Finnair and Norwegian. Air Baltic flies to Rovaniemi and Kittilä from Riga . The coaches mostly drive via the airports. In addition to the regular flights, mostly from Helsinki, there are seasonal flights and charter flights from abroad in season.

By train [ edit ]

Most of Lapland is reachable only by bus or car, but even when there is no train service to your destination, using the train for the first leg often makes sense. For some destinations you can buy a combined train/coach-ticket, also otherwise the transfer is usually smooth.

Trains will get you to the towns, most notably to the provincial capital Rovaniemi at the Arctic Circle, or to the northernmost railway station in Kolari . The overnight trains from the south have sleepers and some also take cars . There are two kinds of sleeper trains: the old "blue" pikajuna , mostly used as a complement in peak season, and the modern two-storey ones. The old ones have 3-person cabins and no showers, the new ones 2-person cabins, some of which can be combined for a family, and shared or en-suite showers. There is a cabin for a wheelchair user and an accompanying person in each modern sleeper, and one for those travelling with a pet. During COVID-19, you always get the cabin for yourselves, so filling it up saves in price. The price for a journey from the south to Rovaniemi or Kemijärvi for two people in a sleeper cabin is about €150–300.

If entering from Sweden , there is a gap in the passenger train network before the border at Haparanda / Tornio , but the connecting bus from Luleå is free with Inter Rail and Scanrail . There are again trains from Luleå to Haparanda (terminating some 3.5 km from the Finnish train station in Tornio).

From Russia you can get to Murmansk and continue by bus to Ivalo or get off at Kandalaksha and continue by bus to Rovaniemi. The services might have been suspended in 2022.

By bus [ edit ]

There are coach connections from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (15 hours), which is the hub of most connections. Northern Norway ( Troms and Finnmark ) has daily connections at least in summer. From Sweden, you will probably come via Haparanda / Tornio , with other options making sense for certain destinations. From Russia , there are bus connections from Murmansk to Ivalo thrice and from Kandalaksha to Rovaniemi twice a week (check!).

Matkahuolto has timetables for most connections, although you may have to try with different place names.

By car [ edit ]

There are good roads to Lapland, but instead of using a day on driving, you might want to get your car on an overnight train and wake up fresh in the morning to enjoy the landscape while driving only the remaining distance – which may certainly be long enough. But you might want to use a few days to see the length of Finland on the E75 (national road 4), or the west coast on E8 (national road 8). The two roads share tarmac on the leg between Oulu and Kemi.

If you drive from southern Finland, these routes can be recommended:

• To Kemi, Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi, Sodankylä, Ivalo, Inari, Utjoki: E75 or E8 to Kemi, then E75
• To Kolari, Muonio, Kilpisjärvi: E75/E8 to Kemi, then E8 through Tornio
• Alternatively through Kajaani, using road 5 instead of road 4 (E75). This route is more rural and has less traffic.

If you drive through Sweden, these routes can be recommended:

• To Tornio, Kemi: E4 to Tornio, continue to Kemi along E8
• To Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi, Sodankylä, Ivalo: E4 to Tornio, a short leg south along E8, then E75
• To Kolari, Kittilä, Levi: E10 , 392, 403 etc. through Pajala
• Alternatively through Kolari and route 955, which is 70 km shorter and slightly faster, but the road is of less good quality, more adventurous.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Four EuroVelo cycling routes reach the region (mostly under development as of 2023):

• EV 7 (Middle Europe Route): Malta to Nordkapp along the Swedish coast and via Gällivare , Karesuvanto and Hetta.
• EV 10 (Baltic Sea Route/Hansa circuit): around the Baltic Sea by the coast via Kemi and Tornio.
• EV 11 (East European Route): Athens to Nordkapp) via Helsinki, Kajaani, Oulu, Kemi, Rovaniemi and Karigasniemi
• EV 13 (Iron Curtain Trail): Rezovo to Grense Jakobselv via Kuusamo , Salla, Sodankylä, Inari, Näätämö and Kirkenes

There are not too many cycleways in sparsely inhabited areas like this, but there isn't too much traffic either on most roads. Check route descriptions. You also have to be prepared for the long distances and the climate – although Oulu is one of the Finnish towns with most cyclists.

Get around [ edit ]

Distances in Finnish Lapland are great and train service extends only to Kemijärvi (80 km northeast Rovaniemi ) and Kolari , so the independent traveler will thus have to rely on slightly cheaper but infrequent buses to get around. There is little competition in public transport in Lapland and indeed the voyage from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is easily cheaper than the voyage from Rovaniemi onwards!

Long distance coaches or minibuses cover most of even the smallest places, often with sparse schedules (typically one or a few services a day along the main roads). They are the cheapest and slowest means of transportation. Although there are bus stops of course, they can also be stopped by hand sign when you happen to meet one as a hiker on a lonely countryside road. Express coaches usually turn into regular ones somewhere north of Rovaniemi. Matkahuolto has timetables for most of these. For some destinations you should look for school buses, postal carriers or shuttle taxis.

The main companies for northern Lapland are Eskelisen Lapinlinjat and Koiviston auto . For smaller places, check also municipal pages (or the destinations guides). Onnibus offers cheaper bus service by a few intercity routes and has cooperation on some other legs (" Onniflex ", meaning you find the services also through the Onnibus site, usually with the same price as through Matkahuolto). Generally coach prices are stable; low-cost offers are not something to expect. This also means that you don't have to buy tickets on the net – paying to the driver will usually be at the same price. However, a few connections need to be ordered in advance, as you might be the only passenger.

If you are waiting for a coach at the bus stop, note that the vehicle on the scheduled route may not actually be a bus , but a smaller car like a taxi. A coach ticket will still apply.

The long-distance trains are usable on two routes: from Oulu to Kemi and farther north-east to Tervola, Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi, or northwards via Tornio, Ylitornio and Pello all the way up to Kolari.

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxis are not necessarily connected to any call centres. Ask locally for phone numbers of individual taxi businesses. You don't want to have a taxi drive 100 km to fetch you, if that can be avoided; the fetching distance may show in the price (or you might want to tip generously). Often there is just one or two family businesses serving an area, other taxis may have to drive a long way.

If you use any local businesses, you could ask them about transport. They probably know all taxi drivers, might know the quirks of local public transport, and might be willing to offer a ride themselves.

• Smartphone apps (don't expect them to be usable or sensible everywhere): Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Taxi Booker (iTaksi), Taksi Helsinki

You can reach most places in Lapland by car (yes, there are still villages without road connection!), but traffic even on main roads is sparse and distances are great. Minor roads are sometimes truly minor, even the longest ones. By selecting the shortest route shown on the map, you may not get the fastest route. The roads are at least in moderate condition though – in summer. The northernmost motorway in the world is between Kemi and Tornio, the other highways are undivided two-lane roads, some minor roads are narrow enough that there are signposted meeting places.

Bring emergency supplies in case of a collision or breakdown, especially in winter. Locals will help if they can, but you may be in for a long, very cold wait.

If you want to make a one-way hike, some businesses may offer to drive your car to the destination.

If you are going to rent your car, check availability and prices beforehand. In Rovaniemi and Kittilä there are probably enough businesses, but in the far north you may have to take what is offered, and call to have anything offered.

Roadkill [ edit ]

Stay very alert, particularly at dawn and dusk, for wild animals. Reindeer are a common cause of accidents, while collisions with much larger elk (moose) are rarer but very often lethal. If you hit an animal, you must always inform the locals (or 112), even if the animal seems to be unharmed, as they will in turn inform the owner of the deer, or local hunters. Mark the place so that it can be found. You won't be charged with anything unless you were drunk or speeding.

Unlike moose, which usually runs to the road suddenly and alone, the reindeer hang around peacefully in groups and collisions are usually easy to avoid if slowing down at once when the first reindeer appear in sight (drive carefully, as they may suddenly regroup in front of your car).

Winter driving [ edit ]

Driving in Arctic conditions can be hazardous in winter . Ask about conditions for the minor roads, as winter maintenance may not be what you expected. You will certainly not want to use summer tyres in wintry conditions; use Nordic winter tyres , which are soft enough also at low temperatures.

The most dangerous weather is when the temperature is around freezing, when slippery but near-invisible black ice forms on the roads or the icy surface is wet. Do not venture out before you understand the issues, and make sure the windows are clear from snow and moisture. Locals are trained for those slippery conditions already in the driving school, are you?

Main roads are cleared from loose snow, but you'll drive on packed snow. Some small roads are not maintained in winter at all. Small roads that are cleared may still have issues with a slippery ice slope sideways, as water flowing down a hillside under the snow freezes on the exposed road ("naled", Finnish: paannejää ).

Liikenneturva, the Finnish road safety agency, maintains a [hhttps://www.liikenneturva.fi/en/road-safety/difficult-driving-conditions/ Difficult driving conditions] page in English.

Hitchhiking [ edit ]

Hichhiking is possible and in fact quite popular. Also the locals commonly use Facebook groups for intervillage commuting. However, true hitchhiking can only be recommended during the brief summer season. Traffic is sparse even on the main roads and outside the town you're very, very much on your own. On the other hand the likeliness of getting a lift is quite high once a car passes! Far more likely than in the southern cities. Close to the borders people are usually more likely to drive towards the border than into the inland. Especially, getting a hike from Utsjoki to Inari or from Enentekiö to Kittilä may appear tricky as few have any need to drive south. Always make sure that you are able to survive if the next car won't come. Thanks to the Finnish rescue system, by calling 112 you will eventually be taken to safety. However, it may take hours. Realize the distances, necessity of the mosquito repellent, and make sure that someone always knows where you should be.

By snowmobile [ edit ]

In winter there are some 20,000 km of snowmobile routes and tracks in Finland maintained by municipalities or the forestry administration (Metsähallitus), mostly in Lapland but stretching down to Central Finland and Northern Karelia. The routes often pass by campfire sites, day huts, reservation huts and other infrastructure in the wilderness (but using open wilderness huts for overnight stay is allowed only for those coming by own muscle, you have to pay for beds in reservation huts or other lodgings unless sleeping in tents).

You need the vehicle, suitable gear, helmets, a driving licence (one for cars or motorbikes is enough) for the "routes" or a permit for most "tracks"; "routes" are counted as public roads, the permits count as landowner permission for the specific tracks. The Metsähallitus permit costs €9/3h, €15/day, €30/week, €50/year, the last covering all family (not independent children). In many areas the municipality or tourist businesses maintain their own track network. Snowmobiling along roads or off the specific routes and tracks is not permitted (exceptions for reindeer husbandry etc., which may apply to your tour guide); on frozen water driving is free where not specifically restricted, but mind ice safety ! Check route maps and driving rules. Drive gently and follow advice, as it is easy for the less seasoned to make fatal mistakes.

There is an OSM based colour coded route and track map in Finnish; click the leg you are interested in: Moottorikelkkareitti (blue) means snowmobile route, Maksuton moottorikelkkaura (purple) free track, Maksullinen moottorikelkkaura (red) permit-for-pay, Vesistön ylitys (grey) by water, Tuntematon (black) unknown type. Add layers for cafés, wilderness huts etc. depending on needs. Metsähallitus has their own map emphasizing their own tracks (in black, routes and tracks maintained by others in green; many local tracks probably missing).

Snowmobile "safaris" (i.e. tours) are offered by many tourist businesses. The locals, especially those in reindeer husbandry or fishing, use snowmobiles extensively. They were the main invention that allowed people to live in a fixed home while living from reindeer husbandry.

See and do [ edit ]

Bitterly cold in winter, usually not very warm in summer, and sparsely populated, the main draws for visitors are the desolate yet majestic nature and the unparalleled opportunities for trekking and winter sports . Many businesses know how to help inexperienced foreigners enjoy their stay, e.g. arranging husky or snowmobile safaris, fishing trips, canoeing and northern light watching expeditions.

Finland had its own gold rushes, to Lapland. The heritage is preserved in Lemmenjoki National Park , the nearby Hammastunturi Wilderness Area and the village Tankavaara . In the national park, digging by machine is nowadays forbidden, but gold panners can still be found – as can traces of the activity. In the Hammastunturi area, where gold was found in the 19th century, before roads reached this north, there is an old crown station. Tankavaara has tourist facilities, a mineral exhibition and gold panning championships.

Several national parks can be found in Lapland with marked hiking trails and log cabins open to the public for free. But in contrast to most of Norway, they are only equipped with a stove and wood for heating, no food is provided. For the hardcore trekker there are wilderness areas , with even fewer people and services. To go on your own, basic hiking skills suffice in summer (be sure to know how to use a map and compass). During the spring floods and in winter you should have a guide on any longer trek unless you really know what you are doing.

Lapland is locally known for its fells ( tunturi ), but these are not any soaring mountains of the alpine kind, but gentle, rounded ones high enough to reach above the treeline (which is much below 1000 m at these latitudes). There are also vast forests and mires in hilly or flat terrain. In the northernmost regions ( Utsjoki and Enontekiö ) you will find also treeless areas, but real tundra is absent in Finland. The highest mountains are located in the "arm of Finland" in Enontekiö , but because of the location of the road right next to the fells, best views are actually towards Sweden. Still there are magnificent environments available for hikers!

Finland's highest mountain, Halti (1328m) in the farthest north west end of Lapland is not much more than a higher hill of loose rocks, the lower summit of a mountain with its top on the Norwegian side of the border. The surroundings are still very special and a popular, demanding destination. You are nowadays free to cross the border to Norway or Sweden and back where you want (customs formalities, if needed, can probably be taken care of beforehand). An itinerary that takes full advantage of this is the Nordkalottleden hiking trail through the Arctic of the three countries.

For hikers, fishermen and hunters, there is a nice online map of Finland with most trails and huts marked, and a website about most important hiking terrains . Both are maintained by Metsähallitus, an agency that also administers the national parks.

There are of course also cultural events. You might want to attend the international Midnight Sun film festival of Sodankylä or Sámi events such as the St Mary's Day Celebrations .

Northern lights [ edit ]

Spotting the eerie northern lights ( aurora borealis , Finnish: revontulet , Northern Sámi: guovssahas , Skolt Sami: kuuskõõzz ) glowing in the winter sky is on the agenda of many visitors. Northern Lapland is one of the best places to observe aurorae, as it has good accessibility, high-quality accommodation and a nearly continental climate with relatively clear skies. The probability of some northern lights is 50–70 % (most often 22:00–24:00) any night with clear skies, and light pollution is quite easy to avoid here – but there are cloudy periods, so do not count on seeing them.

Also in southern Lapland, where probability is about 20 %, you might want to take a walk somewhere out of the light pollution any night with clear skies. If you do not spot northern lights, you will at least get a tremendous view of stars, compared to what you see in most cities.

To have a good chance to see northern lights you should stay at least a few days, preferably a week or more, in the far north in the right season. Probability for aurorae and clear skies varies somewhat from place to place, but all of northern Lapland, about from Sodankylä onwards, should be quite good. More importantly, as you need some luck and persistence, you want to go somewhere where you can enjoy yourself regardless. The ski resort of Saariselkä , easily accessible by plane and with plenty of facilities, is particularly popular among aurora hunters. If you enjoy wilderness and solitude, e.g. areas around Kilpisjärvi and Karigasniemi might be good choices. The village of Nellim is even more remote, being situated on the almost uninhabited eastern side of Lake Inari, where light pollution is at a minimum.

Cloudiness can be quite accurately estimated some hours, chance for major aurorae a few days in advance, so you can know when to go for a tour and when to spend the night in other ways – but as also minor aurorae are well visible in Lapland, you might want to be out any night with clear skies. Intense aurorae occur for 5–15 minutes at a time, so taking a look at the northern sky every now and then over a longer period will increase your chances.

Many businesses arrange northern light watching tours. Usually the tours also have some other theme, such that not seeing the aurorae will not spoil it, but taking care of being in the right place would the aurorae be visible. A week of backcountry skiing will offer even better opportunities unless you spend the best hours in your tent or a hut. A hotel in Kakslauttanen has glass-domed igloo rooms where you can watch northern lights indoors the whole night.

Reindeer and snowmobiles [ edit ]

Most of Lapland belongs to the reindeer husbandry area, and nearly all wilderness is in use as reindeer pasture (mostly forested areas in winter and treeless areas in summer). On a week-long hike you are nearly guaranteed to see them in the wild, but at most locations there will also be at least some tourist business having a few tame ones to show, or even to offer rides with (usually by sled). If you make friends with locals you might have a chance to see the round-ups.

Other standard tourist programmes include snowmobile "safaris", i.e. tours, where you usually are allowed to drive your own vehicle (children are probably put in a sled behind your guide), and husky safaris, where you get to try being pulled by dogs. Snowmobiles are probably available for hire if you want to make longer tours on your own.

The tours with dogs, reindeer and snowmobiles can be combined with fishing (ice-fishing in the winter), admiring northern lights or the midnight sun, story-telling and roasting salmon by a campfire, sauna, overnight stay in a goahti and the like. What is available depends on who happens to have a business in the neighbourhood, check what is offered at the business where you intend to be lodging, at least if you do not stay at the bigger resorts. You might want to stay with a family business with the right spirit, especially if you have come to enjoy silence.

Skiing and snowshoeing [ edit ]

The ski resorts do not have the greatest pists , if you compare to the Alps or Norway, but they are good enough for most. On the balance they have lots of accessible wilderness close by, to be experienced by snowmobile or by ski. There are great networks of cross-country skiing tracks around any ski resort, often even a large national park. And tourist businesses eager to offer you other programmes.

For shorter excursions, as along signposted nature trails, you can often use snowshoes. For longer hikes, of more than about a kilometre, skis are much better, easily giving you a jogging speed on any level track. Around the resorts and town centres there are illuminated tracks with space also for "freestyle" skiing. Many businesses offer ten-minutes courses combined with tours in the forest, showing signs of the local wildlife and letting you enjoy the peace and possibly a marvellous view of stars.

For overnight (or multiple-day) hikes on ski you usually want skis that don't let you down even if you leave the tracks. There are ready made tracks for "classic" skiing extending far into the wilderness, but they are not necessarily maintained very soon after snowfall – and you might want to choose routes where no tracks have been made. There are lean-to shelters (Finnish: laavu ) and wilderness huts ( autiotupa and varaustupa ), so overnighting in a tent is seldom necessary, but sleeping bags and other adequate equipment may be needed.

Most tourists want a lot of action in a tight package, so that is what most businesses offer (even if peace and silence, in a suitable packing, often is included). If you really want peace and silence, as on a multi-day skiing tour through the wilderness, you should search for such offers in time – there are guides specializing in that, but they may not be available on short notice.

Father Christmas [ edit ]

Activities related to Santa Claus, or Joulupukki as the Finns call him, are arranged at least in Rovaniemi and Luosto, probably in most resorts. His main reception and workshop is in Rovaniemi, for tourists' convenience, but most Finns grew up knowing his home is at the fell Korvatunturi. Usually he arrives by foot, having left his sled somewhere farther away, but he can also turn up by a sled pulled by a horse, and possibly reindeer (the flying ones are disappointingly on vacation by themselves when not doing their yearly main job).

Korvatunturi is secluded, in Urho Kekkonen National Park at the Russian border and thus in the border zone, so visiting the fell requires effort and paperwork. Even if you get the permit, it is rare that Joulupukki lets strangers see him there, and his home is not easy to find. There is a hiking trail to Korvatunturinmurusta (2·20 km, the trailhead requiring a long journey along small and even smaller roads), from where you can get a glimpse of the fell, and who knows, he might reward you for the effort by really showing up! At least he will answer mail addressed to Korvatunturi (write to: Joulupukki, FIN-99999 Korvatunturi).

Fishing [ edit ]

Fishing is an important reason for Finns to come to Lapland, and traditionally it was an essential food source up north. Many villages have formed at good fishing sites. There are some great salmon rivers, Teno being the most productive salmon river in all of Europe. Also e.g. trout, greyling and Arctic char are common catches. Catch-and-release fishing is generally not practised.

Angling without reel and without artificial lure, or with a special ice angling rod, is generally included to the right to access – but in any river with salmonoids and in many lakes, there are restrictions in place, and there are also general restrictions on minimum sizes etc. According to Finnish law it is always the fisherman's own responsibility to find out whether there are restrictions on the area.

If you come for the fishing, you probably want to have a reel or use one of the restricted locations. You then need a national fishing permit and a day card for the specific area . Most tourist businesses will gladly fix those for you, explain the regulations, and rent you equipment you need. Notice that in Northern Lapland the locals enjoy privileges that visitors will not have.

For rivers flowing to the Atlantic (the Barents and White Sea, including those flowing into Lake Inari), all your equipment must be disinfected (e.g. by thorough drying) in advance. This is to prevent the Gyrodactylus salaris parasite from spreading from the Baltic Sea basin, as it would be catastrophic in these rivers. Some Atlantic rivers have got it, so disinfection is necessary unless you know you come from a "clean" one. Disinfection applies also to canoe and boots – and don't let birds carry it over with your gutting waste. The easiest way is to let your host do the disinfection as disinfection services are available somewhat everywhere in the areas where the procedure is mandatory. If you cross the border to Norway the law is tighter; you need to possess a written certificate on disinfection even if you wouldn't go ashore.

Hunting [ edit ]

Hunting is popular in Lapland but is usually off-limits for an ordinary visitor. Some tourist businesses take you on tours where you hunt under the close supervision of your guide, which means you do not need own licences. If you have qualifications in your home country you may apply for corresponding licences from Finnish authorities or they might suffice as such, and you might be able to get a permit for some areas. Prepare for bureaucracy.

Work [ edit ]

The ski resorts and many other tourist businesses depend on seasonal workers. As a significant part of the clients are from abroad, being a foreigner is not necessarily a drawback in getting jobs, especially if you know the right languages or cultures – as long as you have or can get a work permit, possibly with help from your to-be employer (reserve enough time for the bureaucracy). Skiing teachers, restaurant and bar personnel, entertainment, child care, what have you. Some jobs require formal qualifications or advanced skills and experience, while for some the right attitude will get you a long way, much more so than for most jobs in Finland.

Common languages to use with clients include English, Russian, German and French, but also some languages from the Far East, where competition from Finns is very limited. Different resorts to some extent concentrate on different groups; try to find an employer who needs your specialities.

Foreign seasonal workers (especially those from outside the EU/EEA) have a weak position and some employers do exploit the fact. Make sure you get a proper employment contract, make notes and keep evidence on any irregularities and don't make yourself reliant on a possibly untrustworthy employer. Overtime, night-time work and any expectations to be available on "free" time should get compensated according to the contract, the trade union agreements and labour law; in many places such issues are handled informally, but then the employer should be equally flexible regarding your wishes and you should be happy about the arrangements. If you think things aren't handled as they should, don't hesitate to ask for outside advice (if you are afraid to do that, or to discuss them with your colleagues, you should definitely find a way out).

Eat [ edit ]

Lapland is the place to sample reindeer ( poro ) dishes, which are not too common elsewhere in Finland. The traditional way to eat this is as sautéed reindeer aka reindeer hash ( poronkäristys ), usually eaten with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Also smoked cold cuts and dried reindeer meat are definitely worth trying. In very rare occasions you could face some really interesting reindeer dishes like kampsut made of blood and flour, or koparakeitto , a traditional reindeer hoof soup.

Other Lapland specialties worth looking for are willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan ( riekko and kiiruna , respectively) and fish such as arctic char ( rautu ) or lavaret ( siika ). The delectable cloudberry ( hilla or lakka ) is one of the most expensive berries in the world. It grows on mires, unripe it is red, ripe it is light orange, containing a lot of vitamin C. In shops you find it most likely as jam ( lakkahillo ) or syrup. The Crowberry ( kaarnikka or variksenmarja ) is also a delicious specialty that is rarely encountered any place elsewhere, and usually sold as juice (you will found it abundantly in the fells, but it is small with big seeds, so not as tempting to eat directly).

The Norwegian angelica ( väinönputki ) is a traditional herb highly appreciated by the Sámi; the angelica is also used e.g. in the French chartreuse and bénédictine liqueurs. It has found its way to some handicraft delicacies. Some related species are very poisonous, so check if you want to look for it yourself.

Rieska is a barley flatbread traditional to the area. The almond-shaped puikula (often as Lapin puikula ) potatoes are also a local specialty, although sold and appreciated around the country.

NB! Reindeer meat and cloudberry products are always relatively expensive; especially when buying cold cuts make sure the package says poro somewhere. Seeing similar looking but much cheaper horsemeat and beef cuts sold right next to the reindeer meat is unfortunately common. Cheap cloudberry jams usually contain orange ( appelsiini ). Check the small-print mandatory ingredients list, to see not only what the producers want to tell.

Drink [ edit ]

Most nightlife is concentrated to Kemi and Rovaniemi , and especially at wintertime: to the skiing resorts!

When hiking in wilderness it is quite safe to drink water directly from rivers. Most hikers use water also from lakes and small clear streams untreated, but you might want to boil that for a few minutes.

Sleep [ edit ]

There are lots of good quality hotels and hostels around Lapland. The scale goes from luxury suites to pole tents where you can sleep next to an open fire. There are also glass igloos for watching northern lights and hotels within snow castles. At least for a longer stay or away from towns you might want to rent a cottage instead. Know what kind of cottage you want, they and their environment and nearby services vary widely. Also check the specific location; a search often suggests cottages that actually are a hundred kilometres from the intended destination.

Most accommodations also have programme services (and may market other available programmes as their own).

Many of the hotels and programme services are owned by big companies and largely staffed with seasonal workers mostly from elsewhere. If you want to use a local business or to interact with local staff, you have to search carefully. Some small businesses are run by people with roots elsewhere who fell in love with Lapland; those may also be interesting options.

At many hiking destinations there are Spartan open wilderness huts available for free, or reservation huts with some equipment for a very moderate price (€15/person/night, check where to get the key). These have firewood, a wood stove for heat and possibly cooking, sometimes a gas stove and pots for cooking, bunk beds with or without mattresses (reservation respectively open huts), an outhouse toilet (use own toilet paper), and some sort of water resource nearby, but hardly anything else (no electricity, no lights). In the open wilderness huts you may stay a night or two, but if the place gets crowded the ones who have had their rest should leave – the ones who come last have an indisputable right to the facilities. Leave the hut in better condition than it was when you arrived. In addition to these there are lean-to shelters and "lapp pole tents", which give some protection from the elements, and "day huts", meant for breaks but usable for overnight stay in emergencies.

According to the Everyman's Right ( jokamiehenoikeus ) one can set up a "temporary" camp (at least a night or two) nearly anywhere in the forest or on the fell, no matter who owns the land. However, making a fire is allowed only in extreme situations or by permission of landowner. For the campfire sites in national parks, and some wilderness and backcountry areas, there is a general permit. If a wildfire warning is in effect making a fire is forbidden, no matter whether or not you have a permission. In protected areas, such as national parks, there are restrictions also on camping.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Know your limits. The winter environment is perfectly capable of killing the unwary tourist who gets lost in the fells. The rescue service works well – each year several tourists are rescued and only rarely any serious injury is sustained – but taking your chances is not recommended.

Avalanches are possible in winter. Check with the national parks or ski resorts and make sure you know what you are doing or how to avoid affected areas, if venturing out in wilderness or on non-maintained slopes.

If you plan to travel alone or, for example in your own car, remember that distances are great and getting help for any unexpected situation may take time. Plan accordingly; take extra warm clothes in your car and tell the hotel staff where you are heading and when you expect to come back.

Also mind the hunting season: Natives are usually very keen of hunting, and the start of the season draws most hunters into the wilderness. Potential dangers can be countered by wearing a red cap or some other easily identified garment.

When stopping on the road to enjoy the landscape, don't forget the traffic. Park at a safe spot and keep to the roadside.

Otherwise, there are few serious dangers to your well-being. Tap water and even water of most lakes and creeks is potable (in most places, bottled water contains more harmful compounds than tap water) and foods are almost without exception safe to eat. Crime rates are low and people are helpful and nice. Probability to get robbed or getting any other harm is extremely low. Still avoid getting drunk and noisy at ski resorts (either alone is probably not a big problem safety-wise).

There are rescue helicopters, which should be able to reach you in an hour or two even in the wilderness, weather permitting. There are prepared landing spots by many wilderness huts. If venturing out, you might want to check instructions, otherwise just know your coordinates and some landmarks to make any confusion obvious (the operators have maps to which to compare your description), let the crew decide on where to land, and stay clear of landing aircraft (stones and branches may transform into projectiles). Often a snowmobile or other land vehicles may be enough to reach you.

Hospitals [ edit ]

• Central Hospital of Lapland ( Lapin Keskussairaala ) is in Rovaniemi taking care of tourists with acute illnesses or accidents. The general emergency clinic is open 24 hr daily ( ☏ +358 16 328 2140 ).
• Länsi-Pohja Central Hospital] ( Länsi-Pohjan keskussairaala ) in Kemi has a 24 hr daily emergency clinic, ( ☏ +358 40-149-1340 ).

Go next [ edit ]

• Finnmark – the Norwegian equivalent, still more to the north, bordering the Arctic Ocean.
• Murmansk Oblast — though voyagers of most nationalities need a visa to visit Russia.
• Swedish Lapland in Norrland – with higher mountains.

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Lapland at a Glance

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

WHY VISIT LAPLAND?

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

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

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

 View all  Lapland holiday packages

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

DESTINATIONS IN LAPLAND

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

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

View all Lapland tours to Rovaniemi .

HOW TO GET TO LAPLAND

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

• Flights to Swedish Lapland
• Flights to Finnish Lapland

GETTING AROUND

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

 Browse all classic holiday packages in Lapland

Or discover Lapland ice and snow hotel tours 

WHEN TO VISIT & WEATHER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO

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

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

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

View  active tours of Lapland

Discover tours of Lapland with snowmobiling or dog sledding

POPULAR ITINERARIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lapland North travel region maps collected together. Below you can find maps of the region.

Maps of national parks include a lot of paths and trails you can discover while being at the region. Wilderness areas located amongst national parks hold in a lot of opportunities for the ones journeying in the wild. On this page relevant maps to winter and summer activities are collected together. You can also find village maps here.

Get to know the Tourist guide map with useful contact information and service selection for your trip to Northernmost Lapland.

Saariselkä cross country skiing tracks

Follow the real-time map that you can also use to calculate the length of your skiing trip. From the map you can also see when was the last time that the track you are planning to go was last maintained. You can look for good places to take a break on your journey from the map as well. Change the language from the top of the page.

Slope map and slope information

From the ski centre of two fells you can find things to experience for everyone. From the slope map you are able to see the difficulty levels of every slope. You are also able to find other useful information regarding the ski centre area.

Mountain biking

Biking around the region is a versatile way to discover the area. From the map you are able to see the trails in the national park of Urho Kekkonen and the length of each trail between checkpoints. Read also the instructions for mountain bikers below the map.

Saariselkä village map

From this map you can see the whole area of Saariselkä. You can easily navigate to different places in Saariselkä with the map. You may download the map to yourself through the link.

Ivalo village map

The Ivalo river floats calmly through the Ivalo village. Use the map and get to know the beautiful village located in a wide area. Follow reindeers frolicking on the frozen river or take cross country skis to ski on the frozen river track.

Maps of national parks at the region

Lemmenjoki national park

Experience the unforgettable river experience and print out the most suitably scaled map for you from the excursion map service.

Urho Kekkonen national park

Open fells and valleys full of green forests await you in the national park of Urho Kekkonen. Laying in the embrace of the national park Saariselkä is located as the perfect place to start your hiking trip or for example fell skiing excursion. The map helps you to examine the area but will not help you locate yourself in the wilderness.

Kevo strict nature reserve

The view at the strict nature reserve of Kevo is truly breathtaking. Trekking and camping is guided by the rules of a strict nature reserve. Print out or save a map to guide you through the trails.

Wilderness areas of the region

Wilderness area of Paistunturi

The wilderness area of Paistunturi offers you a possibility to hike longer and shorter trails at the region of Utsjoki. The view from the fells seems infinite. The nature has some of the best survivors in the arctic as the downy birch. See and print out the most suitable map for you.

Wilderness area of Hammastunturi

Hammastunturi fell rises towards the sky right from the lake Hammasjärvi. The steep slopes and bare top makes it impressive to look at. The wilderness area is located between the national parks of Urho Kekkonen and Lemmenjoki. This area has the high peaks of two fells which are the Hammastunturi and Appistunturi. In the wilderness area you can experience the ever changing nature as the border of spruce growth goes through it.

Get to know the area

68°43’55.9″n 27°30’52.9″e inari, 68°39’30.5″n 27°32’24.5″e ivalo, 69°23’52.4″n 25°51’21.8″e , 69°06’16.0″n 27°11’40.5″e karigasniemi & kaamanen, 68°45’16.0″n 26°13’29.9″e lemmenjoki, 69°40’14.9″n 29°07’24.4″e , 69°30’21.1″n 28°35’30.1″e näätämö & sevettijärvi, 68°50’44.5″n 28°18’54.2″e nellim, 70°04’57.0″n 27°52’16.1″e nuorgam, 68°25’13.4″n 27°24’37.0″e saariselkä, 69°54’33.9″n 27°01’42.9″e utsjoki, subscribe to our newsletter.

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

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

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

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

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

Some interesting things about Finnish Lapland:

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

Lapland travel blog: When should you visit Lapland Finland?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lapland guide: Getting around Finnish Lapland

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

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

Lapland travel blog: Where to stay in Lapland Finland?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Ultimate 7 Day Finland Itinerary for Winter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finland Itinerary for Winter

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

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

Day 1: Helsinki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay in Helsinki

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

Some options we suggest you take a look at include:

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

You can also see listings for Helsinki on Vrbo here .

Day 2: Helsinki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3: Rovaniemi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

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

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

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

Day 4: Rovaniemi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 5: Rovaniemi

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

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

Hiking / Snowshoeing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ice Fishing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Snowmobiling

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some snowmobiling tours from Rovaniemi to consider include the following.

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

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

Husky Sledding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visiting an Amethyst mine

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

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

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

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

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

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

Days 6 & 7: Head North

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can see our full review of Kakslauttanen here .

Where to stay in Saariselka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to stay in Kittilä

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

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

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

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

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

Map of 7 Day Finland Winter Itinerary

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

Finland Itinerary Overview

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

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

How to Get Around Finland in Winter

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

Well, you have a number of options.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tours of Finland in Winter

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

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

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

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

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

Further Reading for Visiting Finland in Winter

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

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

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

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There are 22 comments on this post

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Cyndi Puah says

8th March 2024 at 3:22 pm

may i know itinerary and the cost of the package

Laurence Norah says

8th March 2024 at 3:52 pm

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

Have a great time in Finland!

19th June 2023 at 3:36 pm

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

19th June 2023 at 4:13 pm

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

17th December 2022 at 2:10 pm

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

18th December 2022 at 11:51 am

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

Pearlyn says

29th September 2022 at 6:00 am

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

1st October 2022 at 5:47 pm

Hi Pearlyn!

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

Have a great trip!

Shelly says

30th August 2022 at 1:56 am

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

30th August 2022 at 11:14 am

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

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

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

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Shelly Mcintosh says

30th August 2022 at 12:19 pm

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

30th August 2022 at 1:01 pm

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

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

20th April 2022 at 2:57 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica,

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

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

20th April 2022 at 4:36 pm

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

Samir Patrawala says

12th October 2021 at 1:20 am

Dear Laurence,

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

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

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

12th October 2021 at 10:53 am

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

Hope this helps!

Sameer Patrawala says

12th October 2021 at 11:35 am

Thank you so much for your prompt and satisfactory response.

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

Kind regards Sameer Patrawala Explorus

12th October 2021 at 12:25 pm

My pleasure 🙂

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

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

Trizzy says

26th September 2021 at 6:50 am

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

Many thanks again!

26th September 2021 at 10:36 am

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

I hope this helps!

Jessica says

9th April 2020 at 5:27 pm

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

9th April 2020 at 6:50 pm

Hi Jessica!

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

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

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Map of Lapland

Lapland is about a third of Finland’s overall area. It is the northernmost part as you can see from the map. Our Lapland map tells you also the location of Rovaniemi , often called as the capital of Lapland, and also the capital of Finland, Helsinki. So, from the map you can see that Lapland covers a good part of Finland.

• Google Maps Lapland map in Google’s map service.
• Bing Maps Lapland Finland Map in Bing.

You should also read where is Lapland to find out more about Lapland.

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Some might think that there are polar bears in Lapland. Well, that’s not true. You will have no fear of meeting a polar bear in Lapland, unless you are visiting the Ranua Zoo Wildlife Park, where you can see a real polar bear.

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

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

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

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

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

Some interesting things about Finnish Lapland:

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

Lapland travel blog: When should you visit Lapland Finland?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lapland guide: Getting around Finnish Lapland

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

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

Lapland travel blog: Where to stay in Lapland Finland?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to do in rovaniemi.

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

Some indispensable places, things to do in Rovaniemi Lapland:

Santa Claus Village

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

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

Arktikum Museum

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

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

SantaPark – the Home Cavern of Santa Claus

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

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

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

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

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

Ounasvaaran Hiihtokeskus Ski Resort

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

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

Some other activities when traveling to Finnish Lapland

Explore the beautiful lakes and ice fishing.

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

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

Hunting Aurora (Northern Lights)

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

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

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

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

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

Camping in the forest

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

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

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

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

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

Lapland travel tips

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

What to do in Lapland: Shopping

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

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

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

Lapland travel blog: What to eat?

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

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

Lapland blog: Traveling cost

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

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

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

Lapland travel guide: Some tips before you go

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

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

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

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

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Where is Lapland, and which countries does it include?

You’ve probably heard of Lapland, but do you know where it is? Also, is it even a proper country? And is it covered in snow all year?

We’ve looked into the facts and figures and found some fab fun activities and tours that you can do in Lapland.

Where exactly is Lapland? 

Lapland is a large region in northern Europe, much of which lies within the Arctic Circle . It covers an area of around 100,000 square kilometres – about the size of Belgium, Holland and Switzerland put together! 

The region is bordered by the Norwegian Sea to the west, the Barents Sea to the north, and the White Sea to the east.

Which countries does Lapland stretch across?

Lapland stretches across northern Norway , northern Sweden , northern Finland and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. 

Is Lapland a country?

Lapland isn’t a country; it’s a region that was traditionally where the native nomadic Sámi, Inari, Utsjoki and Hetta people lived.

Is Lapland a real place? And how many Laplands are there?

Lapland is definitely a real place, but it is a region not an autonomous unified entity. There is only one Lapland but it is governed and administrated by four separate countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

So you may hear people refer to Swedish Lapland or Finnish Lapland, which refers to the part of Lapland that is in Sweden or Finland. The Norwegian section of Lapland is, confusingly, also known as Finnmark!

To further complicate the issue the northernmost province of Finland is also called Lapland (or Lappi in Finnish), which covers around a third of Finland’s total area.

Hold up, is Lapland a derogatory term? 

The name Lapland is derived from the word Lapp, which is the name the Scandinavians gave to the indigenous Sámi people who have lived and herded reindeer in the region for thousands of years.

The Sámi themselves consider the name Lapland to be derogatory, and call the region Sápmi.

Where is Lapland on a map? 

So, if we look at the map below, we can see that Lapland is the area marked Sapmi in yellow, that stretches across the north of the Scandinavian peninsula . 

Who rules Lapland?

The Sámi people have little autonomy over their own laws or governance, but are dependent on the rights granted to them by each of the four individual countries.

Under the Finnish national constitution, for example, the Sámi have the right to maintain and develop their own language and culture, and the government is obliged to consult with the Sámi parliament on issues that affect them.

And, whilst the democratically elected Sámi parliament is recognised by Sweden, Norway and Finland, it has limited powers if its interests are in conflict with those of the ruling governments.

However, the Sámi people do have a degree of self-determination and are working towards increasing it.

Is there a Lapland flag?

Yes, the Sámi flag was approved as the official flag of Lapland in August 1992. It was designed by Sámi artist, Astrid Båhl. 

Its colours – red, blue, green and yellow – represent the Sámi national costume, with green symbolising nature, blue water, red fire and yellow the sun.

Who actually lives in Lapland? 

The Sámi, of course, are the original inhabitants but there are also large settlements within the region where citizens of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia live.

What are the biggest cities in Lapland, and what can you do there? 

As you can see from the table below, the largest settlements in Lapland are actually in Russia. But there are plenty of smaller towns and villages in Finland, Sweden and Norway that you can visit in Lapland. 

Just click on the links below for more info about the towns and some ideas of cool things to do in Lapland.

• Murmansk, Russia 288,000
• Rovaniemi , Finland 64,200
• Tromsø , Norway 59,500
• Apatity, Russia 56,700
• Severomorsk, Russia 51,000
• Monchegorsk, Russia 42,900
• Bodø , Norway 42,600
• Kandalaksha, Russia 32,600
• Kirovsk, Russia 27,000 
• Kiruna , Sweden 23,178 
• Tornio, Finland 21,300
• Olenegorsk, Russia 21,100.
• Harstad, Norway 21,000
• Gällivare , Sweden 18,100
• Alta, Norway 15,000

What’s the climate like in Lapland? 

Since most of Lapland lies within the Arctic Circle, the climate is – unsurprisingly – cold! However it’s a large area, so the climate varies within it.

Finnish Lapland, for example, has a subarctic to continental climate, with relatively mild summers and long, cold, snowy winters.

Lapland gets snow from as early as September through to April, with peak snow cover being in January and February.

And its average temperatures range from about 10–15ºC in summer to -16–3ºC in winter, though they can go as low as -30ºC!

What is Laponia? 

Laponia, or the Laponian area, is a region of pristine wilderness in Swedish Lapland that includes four national parks and two nature reserves. 

With primeval forests, marshes, lakes and mountains, its rich biodiversity has been granted Unesco world heritage protection.

And what is Finlandia?

Finlandia is a piece of music written by the Finnish composer Sibelius in support of the Finnish free press to protest against the censorship of the Russian empire.

It’s also the name of a brand of Finnish vodka!

What are the Lapland Mountains?

The Lapland Mountains is just another name for the Scandinavian Mountains , along with the Kjølen or Kölen mountains.

Is it easy to travel around Lapland?

Since much of Lapland is remote wilderness, it’s hard to access the more off-the-beaten track parts without your own transport.  

Some of the larger cities have train connections, such as Kiruna in Sweden which has direct trains from Stockholm, and Rovaniemi in Finland which has direct trains from Helsinki . 

However, the easiest way to really explore the area is on a guided tour, such as this two-day trip which includes all transport, an expert guide, plus a reindeer sleigh ride, ice fishing and an insight in Sámi culture and traditions. 

What are some of the best things to see and do in Lapland? 

Lapland is a great place for adventure sports, such as this snowmobile safari from Tromsø in Norway or this snowshoe and ice fishing trip from Kiruna in Sweden.

It’s also a good region for wildlife tours. You can ride on a reindeer sleigh or drive a husky sled from Rovaniemi in Finland, and even go whale-watching from Tromsø .

And since Lapland is in the Arctic Circle all three countries offer great opportunities to see the northern lights in winter, such as this northern lights photo tour from Abisko in Sweden.

Visiting Lapland – FAQs

Can you visit lapland.

Yes, you can easily visit Lapland in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Visiting Russian Lapland is more problematic at the moment.

Can you do Lapland yourself?

If you rent a car (for more info, see our guides to renting in Sweden and Norway ) you can visit Lapland independently, though if you’re going in winter make sure you and your vehicle are well-equipped for snow and harsh weather conditions.

Can you do Lapland in a day? 

Bearing in mind how far north Lapland is compared to the Scandinavian capitals, it would be a shame to come all this way and just spend a day.

To make the most of the region, you want to factor in enough time for a few activities, such as a husky trip, a reindeer sleigh ride or a snowmobile tour.

Is Lapland safe to visit when you’re pregnant?

Sweden, Finland and Norway all have good healthcare facilities, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t visit Lapland while pregnant.

Obviously, you may want to avoid any potentially dangerous sports such as skiing or snowmobiling, but provided you take the usual precautions, you should be fine.

Which airports can you fly to in Lapland?

There are airports in Kirkenes, Tromsø and Alta (Norway); Ivalo, Kittilä  and Rovaniemi (Finland); and Gällivare, Kiruna and Luleå (Sweden).

Can you visit Lapland without a car?

Yes, you can get a train, a bus or fly to one of the main activity centres and take tours out from there.

Can wheelchair users visit Lapland?

Yes, Lapland is generally regarded as having good provision for wheelchair users. Despite the rough terrain and potential snow, there are companies that can provide wheelchair adapted tours and hotels with wheelchair access. 

The Friendly Moose in Övertorneå, Sweden is a guesthouse in Swedish Lapland that specialises in trips tailored to people with a range of different abilities. 

Can you visit the North Pole from Lapland?

Not really, no. Although both are within the Arctic Circle, the North Pole lies some 1700 miles north of Lapland.

The nearest settlement to the North Pole is Longyearbyen on Svalbard .

Since the North Pole is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean it’s most usually accessed by boat, though you can ski or go there by dog-sled in winter when the sea is frozen over. 

See also: How to see Swedish Lapland on a budget Where to stay in Swedish Lapland Spa experiences in Swedish Lapland

Kungsleden: walking the King’s Trail in Sweden

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• This is Kiruna
• LKAB’s Visitor Centre
• About Kiruna Lappland

Kiruna Lappland Tourist Center

200 km north of the Arctic Circle, you will experience contrasts from northern lights to the midnight sun, the highest mountain in Sweden to the world's largest underground iron-ore mine, ancient Sámi culture to an ongoing city transformation.

The Arctic Capital of Swedish Lapland

Welcome to Kiruna - come and share our everyday lives, which are far from ordinary.

OUR EIGHT SEASONS

Some say we have four seasons, but the Sámi people have taught us there are actually eight. The climate and seasons are very important to the Sámi people for their reindeer herding.

THIS IS KIRUNA

Kiruna is unique. If you follow our latitude, 68° N, around the world, you’ll discover that it runs through uninhabited wilderness on much of the globe.

KIRUNA - MONTH BY MONTH

Are you planning to visit Kiruna but are a little unsure when? Kiruna has a lot to offer in all seasons. Here you get a short guide to the months in Kiruna as a little help in your planning.

LKAB's Visitor Centre

The mine in Kiruna is the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine. It is a fascinating operation where the ore is mined far below the surface using remotely operated machines and driverless trains. One of the best attractions in Sweden, the LKAB’s Visitor Centre, is located here – a show mine that the Lonely Planet international guide book gave its highest rating.

Get inspired

Kiruna - we are moving, aurora borealis - the northern lights, icehotel - circle of ice, the arctic summer.

Climb Kebnekaise in the summer

Midnight sun

20 tips for the childrens summer in Kiruna

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Exciting activities year round

Reindeer herder tour

Låktatjåkko Mountain Lodge

Arctic wildlife safari with snowmobile

Arctic Gourmet Cabin

Arctic wilderness tour

Midnight sun hike in Abisko

Moose safari on horseback

Northern lights memory

Combining dogsled & snowmobile, mountain hike in abisko, king's trail (7 days), long weekend hiking experience, northern lights photo tour by car, private snowmobile overnight tour, aurora zen husky tur, arctic afternoon eco experience, accommodation.

How do you want to spend the night?

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Enjoy local cuisine

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Kirunafestivalen

The Kiruna Festival is Scandinavia's northernmost and by far the largest festival north of the Arctic Circle! Since its inception, the Kiruna Festival has been established as Kiruna's premier cultural and music event. It's a big folk party where everyone is invited.

Upcoming events

Textile Magic with Doris Wiklund, Kristina Pasjkova, Maja Fredin och Matilda Kenttä

Fjällräven Classic

Kiruna Snow Festival - celebrating 40 years!

The Observatory: Art and Life in the Critical Zone

Escape-ism live at tusen toner, riksgränsen banked slalom, discover the destinations.

When you travel to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland, you also travel to a part of the Arctic and get to experience our Arctic lifestyle. The great distances and the harsh climate have created a very special lifestyle, centered around nature and the seasons. Planning the trip well in advance gives you the best conditions to enjoy your stay here.

Explore our winter wonderland

Northern lights – Aurora Borealis

About dogsledding

Ice fishing – wellness on ice

Polar night in Kiruna

Northern lights - aurora borealis, ice fishing - wellness on ice, some tips on the way.

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