tui lapland day trip itinerary

The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary

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Planning out the perfect 2, 3 or 4 days in Lapland itinerary can be a magical, if not overwhelming, experience when you consider all there is to see and do in this unique region of far northern Europe.

There are few more quintessential winter destinations and experiences than Finnish Lapland. Lapland is the northernmost region of Finland and is the pinnacle and epitome of a winter fairytale. From snow-covered boreal forests, dancing Northern Lights, energetic huskies and reindeer to the monumental moment of crossing into the Arctic circle, you’ll be hard-pressed not to have the experience of a lifetime.

Whether you’re interested in sipping hot chocolate during the winter polar night or forest hiking in the midnight sun, Lapland is the perfect destination for any travel seeker. Read this article to help plan your Finnish Lapland itinerary.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Lapland?

Lapland is a unique destination, and this can make it a bit harder when planning the duration of your trip. This is why many potential visitors wonder how many days to spend in Lapland.

To begin with, Finnish Lapland is far from a budget-friendly destination and the prices in Finland , in general, are high. With the costs of just about everything being higher than elsewhere in Europe, keep this in mind when you plan a trip to this area.

Taking this into consideration, I’d say that the minimum recommended amount of time to spend in Lapland is 2 full days. With 2 days in Lapland, you’ll be able to briefly experience the magic of the Arctic and do a few activities without taking too big of a chunk out of your budget.

The next best amount of time to spend in Lapland is 3 days, as you’ll experience everything you’d manage in 2 days but feel a lot less rushed, also with the opportunity to head to another part of the region.

Finally, in my opinion, 4 days in Lapland are ideal. If you’re able to spend 4 days in Lapland, you’re in for a real adventure. A trip of 4 days does the Finnish Lapland region justice as you’ll be able to visit multiple places and soak in what extraordinary Arctic life is like in the northernmost part of Finland.

Getting To & Around Lapland

Getting to lapland.

The most popular, affordable, and convenient option for getting to Finnish Lapland is by taking a flight into the capital city of Rovaniemi. By passenger numbers, Rovaniemi Airport is the third-busiest airport in Finland and is the main airport to fly into for a Lapland trip and Itinerary.

While there are other options for airports in Lapland such as Ivalo Airport in Northern Lapland, this itinerary begins in Rovaniemi so will be the focal point to start your trip.

Rovaniemi Airport serves direct routes from Helsinki year-round and seasonal winter routes from several European destinations, making it a pretty straightforward trip, especially for a winter getaway.

Another popular option to reach Rovaniemi is to take a 12-hour overnight train from Helsinki, whisking you away from the busy city, through snow-dusted forests, Finnish towns and straight into the heart of Arctic Lapland.

There is a noticeable difference in price and journey, but it’s completely worth it if you can afford it and have the time to spare for a long train journey.

Car rental is also another viable transportation option if you’re flying into Helsinki and would like to drive to Lapland. Summer is a great time to embark on a Finnish/Lapland road trip as you don’t need to worry about tough weather conditions and you will save money on transportation with a car rental in comparison to other methods.

If you’d like to rent a car to drive to Lapland in winter , make sure you feel confident in case of difficult weather and road conditions, and have the proper gear fitted to your car. You can browse car rental options here.

Getting Around Lapland

As for getting around Finnish Lapland, in my opinion, the best mode of transport is by car. Like any other rural and wild part of the world, renting a car gives you the most flexibility for your trip without having to worry about bus times and time crunches.

Lapland is vast and boundless with many different spots and sites being distant from each other, and although there is a great bus system within the region, you’ll have the utmost freedom this way. For example, one of the prime goals for many people visiting Lapland is to get the chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

While seeing the Northern Lights in most parts of Lapland is possible, your chances are higher the further away from light pollution and busy tourist areas. You can take a tour that will take you Northern Light hunting, but they can be expensive and give you just one chance. With your own car, you can search extensively to experience the enchanting Northern Lights.

If for whatever reason, renting a car isn’t an option for you, it’s still possible to have a thrilling Lapland adventure. With public transportation, you can get around Finland and Finnish Lapland in particular quite easily.

You’ll find a few different bus companies such as ExpressBus and Matkahuolto , both with frequent routes connecting different parts of the Lapland region. Prices differ depending on departure and arrival destinations but are generally quite affordable.

Most destinations on this itinerary have bus transport options available, either by the local bus system or by private bus/shuttle companies.

2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary

This Finnish Lapland itinerary will take you through Rovaniemi, the heart and capital of Lapland, through the magical timeless world of Santa Claus village, and to the Northern part of Lapland to further enjoy your fairytale – either by hitting the slopes or mingling with furry and friendly locals.

There are countless winter activities to enjoy on a trip to Finnish Lapland from husky safaris to ice fishing to warming up in a Finnish sauna and this is the perfect region to experience these things.

Day 1 – Lapland Capital, Rovaniemi

Explore the city of rovaniemi.

This itinerary for Lapland begins with 2 nights in the capital city of Rovaniemi. While Rovaniemi is a small city in comparison to other larger cities in Finland, there’s still much to do and discover.

Spending your first day in Lapland exploring the city of Rovaniemi is the perfect way to ease into Lappish life as well as arctic Lappish temperatures. This is also the perfect opportunity to find appropriate Arctic clothing for the rest of your trip if you weren’t already prepared.

If you’re visiting outside of the winter months, regular winter or spring/autumn clothing is acceptable but in the winter months you’ll want warm thermal clothing and boots to protect you from the bitter Arctic air.

If you take part in activities through any of the companies in Rovaniemi, you’ll have winter outerwear included for the duration of your stay. Otherwise, you can rent the same clothing from these companies for a pretty decent price.

Arktikum

If you’re looking to explore and learn more about Finland’s Arctic culture, science, and history, the Arktikum Museum is the perfect place to educate yourself on Lapland while also getting a break from the cold.

The museum is located on the northern end of Rovaniemi and is about a 15-minute walk from the center point of the city. Arktikum is open every day except Mondays from 10 AM – 6 PM with an adult admission cost of €18 and reduced ticket options available.

Arctic Sunset & Eat a Traditional Lappish Meal

Whether you’re visiting during the winter or the summer, one of the most beautiful experiences of a Rovaniemi itinerary is to walk by the River Kemijoki during “sunset”. The colours that you’ll witness are truly remarkable, as if they were a painting, and are only just the beginning of a fairytale trip to Finland.

Afterwards, I suggest heading to Nili Restaurant, in the heart of Rovaniemi city to experience delicious, traditional Lapland cuisine. If you want the full experience, I challenge you to try the reindeer, as it’s harder to try this Lapland classic food once you’ve met the adorable reindeer themselves.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

Arctic Light Hotel – This boutique hotel makes for the perfect base in Rovaniemi. They have a number of lovely rooms available and countless amenities like free parking, an airport shuttle and an on-site restaurant/bar. Click here to see their availability

Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – If you want a unique accommodation option in Rovaniemi then these igloos can be an interesting choice. There are a number of different glass igloos to choose from (some including saunas!) and there are also plenty of other amenities for guests to enjoy. Click here to see their availability

Hostel Cafe Koti – Those trying to save a bit of cash while visiting Rovaniemi will love this hip hostel. There are both dorms and private rooms on offer along with a kitchen, a sauna and breakfast included for guests. Click here to see their availability

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

Day 2 – Santa Claus Village or Exploring Rovaniemi Nature

Day 2 of this Rovaniemi itinerary will either be spent wandering the famous Santa Claus Village or exploring the incredible nature of the region. If you’re visiting in the winter, I’d undoubtedly recommend heading to Santa Claus Village.

More than just Santa and Christmas activities for children, it’s truly a winter wonderland village with plenty of space, nature, log cabins and activities to explore with something for everyone.

In the summer months, it’s still quite fun and unique to visit Santa Claus Village, cross the Arctic Circle Line, and enjoy the area without the winter visitor numbers. Otherwise, there’s plenty to explore in Rovaniemi under the midnight sun.

Santa Claus Village

If you have a car to drive on your trip to Lapland, Santa Claus Village is just a quick 10-minute drive from Rovaniemi city center. Otherwise, you can catch the Santa Express or local bus 8 from Rovaniemi city center with the journey being about 20 minutes.

It is also possible to take a guided tour that includes a visit to the village as well as a visit to a reindeer and husky farm.

Once you reach Santa Claus Village there’s so much to do and enjoy on a day trip here. There’s no cost to enter the village, with costs only for individual activities.

If you’re keen on doing a husky sled ride or reindeer sleigh ride, prices are less than half the cost of tour companies operating outside of Rovaniemi. The ride is a lot shorter, but it’s a special experience to wander through the snow-covered forests under a warm blanket while led by Lapland’s mascots; huskies and reindeer.

If you prefer to book tours in advance some options include this husky safari or this reindeer farm visit that includes a sleigh ride.

Visiting Santa’s Post Office and taking a picture with Santa is free, with the post office truly being like something out of a Christmas movie – a dream for both children and adults alike.

The entirety of the Village is a large area consisting not just of the concrete buildings and “town” part of the village but also a wide expanse of forest. Even just getting lost in the snowy forest, making snow angels, and warming up at one of the village’s many fires throughout the area is truly a special experience.

Once your appetite has opened and you’re ready for some warming food, there are plenty of options at the village; whether you’re looking for more cafeteria-style food or classic Lappish food in a traditional Arctic-style hut.

Rovaniemi Nature

If you’re in Rovaniemi during the warmer months and prefer to skip Santa Claus Village, there’s still plenty to do and explore and I recommend taking advantage of the extraordinary nature of Rovaniemi Lapland.

Rovaniemi is a dream world for nature lovers and my suggestion is to spend a day on the trails, hiking throughout the Arctic Circle while experiencing the ethereal midnight sun. If you don’t want to walk, you can organise a snowmobile adventure through the forest as an alternative.

A great place to start to plan your time in Rovaniemi nature is at the Finnish National Park authority, where you’ll find ideal hiking trails and paths to take in Finnish Lapland.

There’s no better way to watch the midnight sun than in the lush Finnish forest, with a picnic and a cold drink either by yourself or with close friends/family.

Day 3 – Northern Lapland, Levi & Samiland Exhibition

In this itinerary, with a 3-day trip to Lapland or 4 days in Lapland, you’ll head out of Rovaniemi and Southern Lapland to Northern Lapland. While Rovaniemi is all about Santa and Christmas joy, Levi , the main resort city in Northern Lapland is all about nature, the Northern Lights, and indigenous Sami culture.

If you’re driving during your Lapland itinerary, the drive from Rovaniemi to Levi is just over 2 hours and is an exquisitely stunning drive. Much of the drive is through Lapland nature and it’s hard to regret making the journey north.

If you don’t have a car, there are a few bus companies with direct transport from Rovaniemi to Levi. OmniBus is a great option as services are frequent, the buses are comfortable and can be pretty affordable for Finland prices.

Levi is the ski resort in the area and is the biggest ski resort town in Finland. The village that Levi is located in is Sirkka , and there aren’t a lack of things to do, places to stay, things to see, or food to eat.

If you like to be in the center of the action on your travels, I suggest staying in the center of Sirkka. Otherwise, it’s worth spending a little more to stay outside of the town to sleep amongst the magical Lapland wilderness.

Samiland Exhibition

If you want to learn more about Sami, the local indigenous culture then make sure to visit the Samiland Exhibition.

The Sami are the descendants of the nomadic people of Northern Scandinavia traced back thousands of years ago and Sami culture is rich in history, mythology, and folklore. The perfect place to learn more about this integral part of Lapland and Finnish culture is to head to the Samiland Exhibition in Levi.

The exhibition does a wonderful and interesting job educating on Sami culture, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits in both winter and summer seasons. Samiland is open every day of the winter from 10 AM – 8 PM, most days of the summer (check hours in advance), and admission tickets for adults cost €13 with reduced ticket options available.

Northern Light Safari

Other than slope seekers and ski aficionados, the main pull for visitors coming to Levi is easily the famous conquest for the Northern Lights. During the Aurora season, you’re almost guaranteed to see the Northern Lights if you’re visiting Levi.

If you have a car, you’ll have a lot more freedom to follow more remote and forecasted Aurora areas with less light pollution, although it is possible and common to see the dancing Northern Lights in the town itself. With your own transportation, you can come and go as you choose and watch from your car to stay warm!

The best spots to seek the Northern Lights in/outside of Levi are at the top of Kätkä Fell, Tonttula (Elves Village), and quite honestly, anywhere further from town lights with large areas of open land.

If you don’t have a car, I suggest taking part in a Northern Light safari tour out of Levi. Costs for these are cheaper than in Rovaniemi, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see the Aurora if you’re visiting during the Aurora season.

These tours typically pick you up from your hotel/accommodation and bring you to Aurora hot spots either by snowmobile or bus/car transportation. You’ll spend time learning about the area and Lapland with a local guide, while drinking hot chocolate or grilling sausages, and keeping warm by a hot, open fire.

Hopefully, before you know it, you’ll soon witness the out-of-this-world experience and natural phenomenon of the colorful, elegant Northern Lights dancing above your eyes.

Where to Stay in Levi

Break Sokos Hotel Levi – This hotel is an excellent base for exploring Levi and the surrounding area. They have a range of bright, clean and comfortable rooms to choose from, they’re pet-friendly and there is even a restaurant and cafe/bar on site for guests to enjoy. Click here to see their availability

Northern Lights Village Levi – For those after a unique and unforgettable stay in Levi, this hotel is a great option. They have a number of rooms on offer – all with windows over the bed for some cosy Aurora viewings. Rooms are also equipped with fireplaces, breakfast is available and there is an on-site bar. Click here to see their availability

Levi Suites Levi Gold – If you want your own space while exploring Lapland, then these suites in Levi are a good option. They have a number of flats available, all fully furnished with everything you may need. Click here to see their availability

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

Day 4 – Skiing or Winter Activities

On the 4th and last day of your time in Lapland, you’ll have two different options for enjoying the last day of your Finnish Lapland adventure; skiing the slopes of Levi or taking the time to enjoy more winter activities that you may not have already done in Rovaniemi. Some options include this husky sled ride or a snowmobile safari.

Skiing in Levi

Being the biggest ski resort in Finland, Levi is a great spot to either practice and enjoy as a novice skier or try your hand on the slopes for the first time – under the arctic sky.

Levi has mostly intermediate slopes, with 28 lifts and 48 slopes as well as just about 4 hours of sunshine during the winter. Luckily, the slopes are kept open late giving you enough time to enjoy either an old or newfound activity.

Skiing under the beautifully pink pastel polar night sky is something you’ll likely never experience out of Finnish Lapland, and it truly deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.

Apres-Ski/Dinner at Tuikku

There’s no better way to end your trip to Lapland and day on the slopes than at Tuikku, Levi’s oldest restaurant as well as where you’ll find the most extraordinary slope side and Lapland views. In the winter, there’s live music and DJ, offering the perfect closing to a magical trip.

Prices are pretty affordable, whether you’re interested in having a cocktail, hot chocolate, or a long day of skiing and adventuring that has left you hungry for their delicious buffet meals.

It’s safe to say that Lapland is one of the most magical destinations in the world. Whether you’re an adult or a child, this enchanting Finnish region is undoubtedly going to touch your heart and sprinkle fairy-tale magic into your trip to make it one of the most unforgettable adventures of a lifetime.

Are you planning to visit Finnish Lapland? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Olivia Ellis

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

Is everything open during 24th to 31st December??

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

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

Lapland itinerary

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

Round trip in Finnish Lapland

The northernmost part of finnish lapland.

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

Ivalo or Rovaniemi / Levi?

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

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

5-day itinerary for Lapland

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

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

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

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

Ivalo (arrival & departure).

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

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

Inari (2 nights)

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

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

Hotel tip: Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos

Travel time from Ivalo to Inari: 30 minutes by car

Kaamanen / Kielajoki (2 nights)

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

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

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

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

Back to Ivalo via Saariselkä

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

Hotel tip: Top Star Saariselkä

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

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

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

Tips itinerary Finnish Lapland

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

The Northern Lights in Lapland

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

Flying on Ivalo:

Driving a car in lapland.

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

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

Other destinations in Finland

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

More blogs on Finland

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

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

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

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Things to do in Luosto Lapland

Price (per adult), pickup at hotel.

Lapland Hotel Luostotunturi

Tickets option

Activity languages.

Luosto Husky Sleigh Tour

If there's one way to travel in Lapland, then it has to be by husky. And this husky sleigh ride takes you through dreamy snowcapped landscapes while you tick off a bucket list experience. You'll also get to hang out with elves and hear their fantastic tales

Luosto Reindeer Sleigh Tour

Nothing says Lapland more than a traditional sleigh ride through dreamy snowy landscape. You'll enjoy a Santa-style sleigh ride pulled by reindeers past wintery scenes, and warm up your fingertips at the end with a hot berry drink and Lappish snack over an open fire as you learn all about reindeer herding.

Luosto Snowmobile Night Tour

For an Arctic adventure that combines speed, stars and snow, look no further than this adults-only night-time snowmobile safari. You'll zoom along under the stars with one eye on the skies for the illusive Northern Lights.

Luosto Snowmobile Day Tour

This adventure sees you revving and zooming through the frostbitten landscapes of Lapland. You'll hop on a snowmobile and bump past snow-capped forests to enjoy the beauty of the region – with an injection of adrenaline – during this two-hour guided daytime exploration.

View all activities in Luosto Lapland

Lapland Day Trips 2024

Tucked far away in northernmost Finland lies the magical place that Santa Claus calls home. This is a region deep inside the Arctic Circle; a land of wonder and enchantment that really comes alive with the spirit of Christmas. You never know just who you might see...

Whether you're looking to explore pretty snow-clad pine forests in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, search for Santa and his elves, or indulge in adrenaline-charged activities like snowmobile safaris, we can offer something that will tick most boxes. Lapland is a winter wonderland with a difference.

EXAMPLE 2024 ITINERARY

SNOW VILLAGE Kittila’s Snow Village is home to an ice hotel with igloo-like rooms and impressive sculptures carved from frozen water, an ice bar and an ice chapel. You’ll land in Kittila around midday and pick up your snowsuit and boots. Then, it’s on to the Snow Village, where your action-packed day takes place. Just so you know, lunch and all the activities below are included in the price of your trip. That said, it's worth bringing extra euros for any other food and drink you might want to buy.

HUSKY ADVENTURE Hop on the back of a husky-led sleigh and you’ll be taken on a short tour of the Lappish countryside. There’ll be time to find out how the dogs are trained, plus Santa’s elves have an interesting story to tell about how the huskies saved Christmas.

REINDEER SLEIGH RIDE Climb into a sleigh and let Rudolph and Co. guide you through snow-covered forests on a short ride.

SNOWMOBILING Buckle up for the drive of your life. After learning to manoeuvre your snowmobile, you can head off to explore the winter wilderness. For this activity, you'll need your driving license.

MEET SANTA Get your festive wish-list at the ready because now’s your chance to meet Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas. The elves will help you impress him by teaching you how to say hello in Finnish.

ARCTIC STORYTELLING You’ll get a real taste of tradition when you meet a Lapland local. You can poke around his tent, and listen as he tells age-old stories and legends about the region.

SNOW FUN You can’t come to Lapland without playing in the snow. Start a friendly snowball fight, build a snowman, or learn how to drive a miniature skidoo. Afterwards, warm up by the campfire with hot berry juice.

HOME TIME When your day comes to an end, Santa’s elves will take you to the airport for your flight home.

Lapland Day Trips

Search For Santa

This trip is packed with outdoor adventures from start to finish. Your venue for the day is Kittila’s Snow Village, which is home to an ice hotel, an ice bar and an ice chapel. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the igloo-like hotel rooms and admire the impressive sculptures that have been carved from frozen water.

Lapland Santa Experience

In December, take the kids on the trip of a lifetime, and watch their faces light up when they see Santa in a true Winter Wonderland.

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The Ultimate 7 Day Finland Itinerary for Winter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finland Itinerary for Winter

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

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

Day 1: Helsinki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay in Helsinki

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

Some options we suggest you take a look at include:

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

You can also see listings for Helsinki on Vrbo here .

Day 2: Helsinki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3: Rovaniemi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

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

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

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

Day 4: Rovaniemi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 5: Rovaniemi

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

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

Hiking / Snowshoeing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ice Fishing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Snowmobiling

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some snowmobiling tours from Rovaniemi to consider include the following.

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

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

Husky Sledding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visiting an Amethyst mine

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

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

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

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

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

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

Days 6 & 7: Head North

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can see our full review of Kakslauttanen here .

Where to stay in Saariselka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where to stay in Kittilä

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

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

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

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

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

Map of 7 Day Finland Winter Itinerary

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

Finland Itinerary Overview

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

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

How to Get Around Finland in Winter

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

Well, you have a number of options.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tours of Finland in Winter

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

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

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

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

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

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!

5 comments on “The Ultimate Lapland Itinerary”

Thank you very much for your detailed information with pictures .This will surely help to our up coming trip to the Lapland. We are doing almost the same trip and hope the weather is kind. Our trip starts from the 20th feb 2019,

Glad you liked the post 🙂 February is a great time too.. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful trip!

You have explained your stay in Lapland in great detail. The sledge ride looks very tantalizing. The food also looks amazing. Your post has ignited in me a sudden urge to visit Finland. Your article is very informative and I learnt a lot from it! It is definitely an experience to cherish!

This is great! Thanks much for detailed information. I am visiting Finland in Feb 2020. This is helping me plan out my trip.

Glad you liked the post 🙂 Have a great trip

Tui Lapland day trip tips

Tiamipoodle · 27/11/2023 22:16

We're booked to go on a Lapland day trip with Tui shortly - does anyone have any recent experience of this and can share some tips? Some questions I'm unsure of- do I need to buy snow boots for the short trip to collect snow suits/boots? Do they look after our coats or do we have to take them with us? Did you take backpacks with you for the day? I'm thinking packing a light change of clothes, some spare hats and gloves and some snacks, but anything else? Anything we should do or give a miss?

Not Tui but we did it with Canterbury Travel, it was brilliant and everything was provided, we just wore layers. They had a big cloakroom for bags and coats once we were changed.

We did TUI but 3 nights. There was about 50 metres of snow to get through to where you get stuff, we did have own cheap snowboots but lots didn't. They gave you snowsuit with hood, gloves, snowboots, we took our stuff to hotel staying at. We took snacks but don't know if you would need them just for the day, maybe if you have a fussy eater. Have a good time, it's great.

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Winter Wonderland

Search for santa on a lapland day trip.

> Winter Wonderland

Tour Details

Thermal suits and boots

From £599

Returns flights and transfers

Lapland? In a day? And back in time for supper?

Exceptionality is the basis of all adventures. Journeying to a new place and living the stories to be told is all part of the fun - and a Winter Wonderland day trip to Lapland is certainly exceptional: it’s a family adventure for the festive period.

From the moment the early morning alarm clock rings, there is great anticipation: a trip to Lapland to visit the REAL Father Christmas is no ordinary day! After descending from the clouds and seeing the sprawling snow-capped vastness of Lapland below, the excitement continues to build. This is a land of jolly snowball fights, perfect snow angels, and spritely tobogganing – and who can wait to get going?!

Of course, no trip to Lapland would be complete without calling in on Santa himself – you’ve travelled a long way to see him. Don’t forget to bring a letter, he’d love to know what’s on your Christmas wish list! But it’s not time to head home yet, not without trying your hand at the winter experiences that Lapland is famous for: husky sledding, snowmobiling, and a reindeer sleigh ride are all waiting to be sampled!

What an adventure! What memories! What fun!

For overnight stays in Lapland during the countdown to Christmas, you may like to consider our Snow is Falling holiday, or our Wonderful Christmas Time holiday for stays during the festive period itself.

What's Included

Return flights with hot meals onboard
Private family meeting with Santa
Small gift for children from Santa
Taster husky experience
Taster snowmobile adventure
Taster reindeer sleigh ride
Warming lunch
Loan of thermal suit and boots
Government air passenger duty

What we love

Fitting so many winter activities into one day!
Seeing the children’s faces when they meet the REAL Santa
Spending quality family time surrounded by the magical Arctic wilderness

Departing From

Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Teesside International, Exeter, Glasgow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich

Suitable For

Families, Groups

Included Activities

Our one-day Winter Wonderland trips run throughout December until Christmas Eve, with convenient departures from regional airports across the UK, from as far north as Aberdeen, to as far south as Exeter – making Lapland easily accessible to all.

Upon arrival in Lapland, you’ll be taken to collect your all-in-one thermal snow suits and winter boots – essential to keep warm in the Arctic climate, where temperatures can drop to a chilly -30C! And then, into the crisp snowscapes which Lapland is famed for.

All of our Winter Wonderland day trips take place in uncommercial, wilderness locations, unspoiled by mass-market tourism or crowds of Santa pilgrims. It’s an outdoors day, filled with Lapland’s favourite activities: snowmobiling, husky sledding, and a reindeer sleigh ride. Activities take place around a frozen river or a frozen lake – your base from which to set off on a search for Santa!

A warming lunch is included, and provides much needed energy for more playing in the snow. Hot inflight meals on both flights are also included, usually a breakfast on the outbound flight and a dinner on the return to the UK.

Family Meeting With Santa

Duration: Variable

You’ve travelled a long way to see him! Every family has a private meting with Santa, where you can tell him of your Christmas wish list!

Snowmobiling

Duration: Taster Session

Dash through the snow on a snowmobile – propelled by engine and excitement! A driving licence is required for drivers; children are pulled in a sled.

Husky Sledding

Glide through the snow on a sled pulled by an eager team of huskies. Each family shares a sled, led by your newest four-legged friends!

Reindeer Sleigh Ride

A gentle, peaceful ride, meandering through crunched paths of pristine snow in a sleigh led by Santa’s faithful reindeer!

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone. We have had an epic experience with so may memories made.

- Peter Smith

Went to Lapland on Christmas Eve, and got the truly magical day we were hoping for.

- Fleur Tedstill

Well done to the whole team for a truly magical experience and making our Christmas extra special.

- Wendy Hodge

Winter Wonderland was fantastic! The food, the snow, the husky rides, Santa, the reindeer.... Everything you could wish for to get you into the Christmas spirit. We all had the best time and made some...

- Alexandra Readman

Frequently asked questions, what is the deposit.

To confirm the holiday, the deposit is £200 per person. The final balance is due ten weeks before departure, though these terms may differ if you have booked through a travel agent.

Is the day trip suitable for infants?

The majority of the day is spent outdoors in the snow and temperatures can plummet to -40c. Given the extremely cold weather conditions, we generally do not recommend the day trip for infants under the age of 2 since children feel the cold most.

What happens if there is a delay on the flight?

If there is a delay leaving the UK on the outbound flight, we will endeavour to delay the return inbound flight by the same duration, so you do not lose time in resort. A delay of the return flight is at the discretion of the operating captain and cannot always be guaranteed. If the delay to the outbound flight is likely to exceed three hours, it may be necessary to cancel the departure since we may not be able to provide a full day’s activities in resort, but such an occurrence is very rare.

What currency should I take?

The currency in Finland is the Euro. Many establishments in Nordic countries will not accept cash and only accept payment by debit or credit card. Please note that additional drinks throughout the day are not included.

What should I wear?

Temperatures can reach as low as -40c in the winter and so it is imperative that you bring adequate clothing for the weather. We provide a thermal all-in-one snow suit and snow boots on arrival in Lapland, but you should wear multiple under layers and bring hats, scarves and gloves (and plenty of pairs of socks!) We give further details of what to wear in our brochure and in the pre-departure booklet in the My Booking section of our website.

WE CAN HELP YOU START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP

Book online today.

* Please note: All snowmobile activities carry a €980.00 damage deposit which is payable locally. The driver of the snowmobile must be at least 18 years old and be in possession of a valid driving licence.

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Northern Lights 3 or 4 nights from £949
Festive Lights 3 or 4 nights from £1059
Aurora Hunter 7 nights from £1439
Snowmobile Voyager 3 or 4 nights from £1239
Santa's On His Way 3 or 4 nights from £1199
Winter Wonderland Daybreak from £599
Sleigh Bells Ringing 3 or 4 nights from £1399
Snow is Falling 2, 3 or 4 nights from £1099
Dashing Through the Snow 3 or 4 nights from £1299
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See the Northern Lights
Real Snow Igloos
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The Reindeer of Lapland
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ROAD TRIP IDEAS & HIKING INSPIRATION FOR OUTDOORSY TRAVELERS

Ultimate Lapland Itinerary – Winter Road Trip in 10 Days (or 7 Days!)

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Do you want to see the highlights of Lapland on a 10-day road trip? Do you fancy exciting and interesting winter sports such as cross country skiing or snowshoeing? Are the northern lights on your bucket list? And overnight in an ice igloo ? Lapland offers all of these, and reindeer, huskies, and Santa Claus too! Using our local expertise, we planned a dream Lapland holiday for you in 10 days Lapland. All you need is a car and start driving!

Check out this Lapland – Finland itinerary for the perfect winter vacation if you want to explore southern Finland, such as Helsinki , too! PS. At the bottom, we also suggest how you can do this Lapland itinerary in 7 days only.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Day 1. Arrival to Helsinki

Most likely, your flight arrives in Helsinki, and as the capital of Finland, you don’t want to miss it anyway. The airport train takes you directly to the city in half an hour, or crash one of the airport hotels. We like this with our toddler.

To be honest, winter is the least favorable of the eight Finnish seasons in the southern seaside. It can be cold, windy, and wet, so be prepared and dress already warm . My first visit to Helsinki was on a freezing weekend in February 2011, and it was everything I mentioned above. If you don’t have one yet, think about getting a proper winter jacket that keeps you warm during your trip.

Easy to explore Helsinki’s sight by foot, the Senate Square , the Helsinki Cathedral , and the Church in the Rock ( Temppeliaukio ) do not miss attractions. Depending on the weather and mood, visit the Suomenlinna fortress , or enjoy your first sauna at your accommodation or in the city.

You can find guided Helsinki city tours here. If you prefer to plan your own itinerary, our post about Helsinki’s best and unique places will definitely help you out.

Budget accommodation: Omena Hotel – Check availability

Luxury Stay: Hotel Lilla Roberts – Check availability

Near the Airport: Clarion Hotel Helsinki – Check availability

Visiting Santa Claus at his Office on Finland winter tour

It’s time to rent a car for your road trip! The most economical option is to rent already at the airport upon arrival, save on hefty taxi fees, and be flexible from the beginning. The next day you will need a car anyway!

Car rental options: SiXT

Travel Resources

There is nothing better than a relaxed holiday. To ensure your rest, make sure you reserve and book your accommodation and transportation in advance of your trip.

Don’t forget to insure yourself during your travels: SafetyWing . Check out their policies HERE . It also covers several virus-related expenses.
Look for the best prices on flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals: Expedia
Car rental: SIXt
Accommodation: Booking.com , Agoda or Hostelworld if you travel on a budget. Don’t forget that you can search for Apartments also on Booking.
Activities: GetYourGuide
Opinions on hotels and restaurants: TripAdvisor
Was your flight canceled or delayed? Get up to 600€ back with the help of Compansair!

Driving in Lapland in winter

Driving in Finland in winter can be a totally new experience. Especially in Lapland, the snow covers the roads for several months, and you need to make sure you know how to drive in winter conditions before you rent a car. It is handy when it comes to northern lights too.

The speed limits in winter are lower (80 km/h), and the roads are regularly plowed, but the conditions are always ideal. Most locals have studs on their winter tires, and most rental cars have them too. They provide a better grip, especially on slippery icy surfaces.

In case you see cars flashing their headlight at you, it means that animals are on the road (or very close to it), so make sure you safely reduce your speed until you see them. Reindeer are smaller and less dangerous, but moose are huge deers that you definitely don’t want to crash with.

2. Day: Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle

On the next day, take a flight to Rovaniemi, Lapland, in the morning. This is our beloved (current) hometown. Please read our full Rovaniemi guide too! It is possible to see the city’s highlights on a 3 day trip to Lapland as well but recommended to spend a couple of days more in the area. If you are on a one-day trip to Lapland, Santa Claus and the Arktikum are musts!

Meet with Santa Claus (free)

Every kid’s dream of meeting with Santa , and you are lucky. Santa lives near the Arctic Circle in the Santa Claus Village (quite obvious, isn’t it?) in Rovaniemi. Take bus number 8 from the center, and prepare for the holiday mood. He is there the whole year-round so that you can have a free visit every day of the year, but the snowy season is the most special time for this attraction. We recommend visiting the Village when it is already dark to enjoy the experience fully. And it is not that difficult as in December the sunset is before 14 🙂

Other popular activities in the Santa Claus Village involve reindeer and huskies sled rides. Depending on your budget and willingness, you can take a shorter or longer ride with them. When there is no snow, you can travel in a wheeled cart. You can find out more about reindeer and husky visits here .

Time: 3-8 hours

Explore Rovaniemi Center

If you still have energy, you should have a walk around Lordi’s square , check the Lumberjack’s bridge and walk along the river.

Time: 1 hour

Northern Lights Hunt in the Evening

You’ll find many northern lights tours organized by local businesses. Check out some here ! If you want to opt for a tour with us , take a look here or read our Lapland Northern Lights Guide .

Time: 3-4 hours

Where to eat: Nili Restaurant

Budget accommodation: Berry Apartments – Check availability

Lifetime memory: Sleeping in an Igloo – Check availability

For the best hotels and luxury accommodations , check this out!

Read our guide to the best glass igloos in Lapland

Ranua Zoo polar bear cub and mommy - Finland winter itinerary

3. Day: Get to Know the Nature and Culture of Lapland

Meet with arctic animals at ranua zoo.

Ranua Zoo has located about 70 km from Rovaniemi. You can get there by car, bus or take a tour of Wildlife Park. You will spend 2-3 hours in the Zoo to spot moose, reindeer and polar bears, and other animals that live in the region.

Whole trip: 3-6 hours

Visit the Arktikum Museum

My favorite museum in Finland. You will learn about life in Lapland, animals, northern lights, and Sami culture too. There is a separate kids section for the younger generation that includes an ice cave. If you were not lucky to see real auroras, you could see the museum’s northern lights show.

Time: 2-3 hours

Ice Swimming on Wednesdays (optional)

Nothing is more refreshing than dipping into the freezing Kemijoki during the winter! Luckily, afterward (and before too), the sauna will warm you up. Ice swimming is a popular activity among Finns and a not to miss adventure for every visitor. I really liked my first try and every other visit. Make sure it is part of your Lapland itinerary in winter!

Time: 1-2 hours

4. Amethyst Mine and Snowshoeing Day at Luosto National Park

Time to launch your Lapland road trip and start driving.

Drive: Rovaniemi-Luosto (1.5h) (2 hours by bus)

Snowshoeing to the top of Luosto Fell . If you haven’t already, here, you really can feel yourself in a winter wonderland. The trees are covered with thick white snow, and you walk on the top of at least half a meter deep snow using the snowshoes.

And as you are already in the national park, make sure to visit the amethyst mine as well, where you will be able to excavate your own amethyst. Excursions are available from Rovaniemi too. Check availability .

Luxury accommodation in Luosto: Lapland Hotels Luostotunturi & Amethyst Spa – Check availability

Budget accommodation: Holiday Home Kantapää – Check availability

Hotel beds at Lainio Snow Village in Lapland.

5. Lainio Snow Hotel and Bar

Drive from Luosto to Kittilä direction and visit the Lainio Snow Hotel on the way. Every year the hotel looks different (in 2017-2018, it had the Game of Thrones decorations, for example), but always gorgeous. One of our favorite places, we always bring our friends here on their Finland winter tour. Maybe we are biased, though, as it was our wedding venue too 🙂 Remember to have a drink at the ice bar!

Budget accommodation: Drive to Levi

Luxury Stay & Lifetime experience: Lainio Village Snow Hotel – check availability

Riding a snowmobile around Levi, Finland - Finland itinerary winter

6. Day: Bucket List Activities in Levi

You can drive straight from Rovaniemi to Levi if you prefer to spend more time in nature than driving.

Snowmobile Driving

I was excited about our first trip to Levi, where we finally drove a snowmobile for a whole day (!!!) and explored cool places like Valtavaara hill 🙂 Check out our photos of the snowmobile driving day here!

If it is your first time driving one, we highly recommend you to take a tour with an experienced guide. He will do all the navigation. You drive and enjoy the scenery. You can combine the tour with northern lights hunt, reindeer farm visit, ice fishing, and other cool activities!

Reindeer Farm Visit

Not a surprise, you can visit reindeer farms everywhere in Lapland. You can connect the activity with the snowmobile ride.

Guides are available throughout the winter season to find you the best spot for northern lights, or you can try your luck on your own. Remember to find a spot without light pollution.

Budget accommodation: (note: Levi is quite expensive): Polar Star Apartments – Check availability

Luxury Stay: Break Sokos Hotel Levi – Check availability

7. Day: Explore Levi More (& Drive to Pallas)

Downhill skiing.

Downhill skiing, snowmobile riding, and cross-country skiing are all possible. Spend your day outdoors!

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a unique activity that you should try during your trip. Would you like to catch a fish from under the thick layer of ice? That’s how you do it!

Spa in Levi

After a cold day is always good to relax and warm up your limbs in the evening at the spa.

Stay one more night in Levi, or head to Pallas in the evening.

Hotel next to Pallastunturi: Lapland Hotels Pallas – Check availability

Luxury Stay in a Cabin: Lapland Dream Villas – Check availability

Glass Igloo – read our whole guide

8. Day: Cross Country Skiing in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park

Perfect place to explore the snow-covered fells and ski a bit. There is a downhill skiing resort too, but I’d recommend trying cross-country skiing as well.

If you don’t feel comfortable on skis, you can rent snowshoes and climb to one of the fells or explore on foot around the hotel. This day is for the outdoors! Read more on the different trails and activity options.

Accommodation near Pallas: same as the previous night.

9. Day: Inari

After breakfast time to head to Inari to indulge in the Sami culture more. Siida , the National Museum of Finnish Sami, is the best place to spend the rest of your day.

In the evening, you can hunt for northern lights, enjoy the sauna once more. All other winter activities are available (snowmobile ride, reindeer farms, etc.) in Inari, so choose your favorite!

Budget accommodation: Villa Lanca – Check availability

Luxury Stay: Wilderness Hotel & Igloos Inari – Check availability

10. Day: Inari – Flight Home

Time to say goodbye to mesmerizing Lapland. Fly back to Helsinki.

Finland 1 Week Itinerary Winter

If you have time constraints, you can condense this Lapland itinerary in 7 days if you fly directly to Lapland and shorten your stay in Levi or Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park.

Lapland Itinerary with Kids

Lapland is a perfect destination for families with kids too. If you travel with younger children, spend more time in Rovaniemi . Guaranteed, they will love all the Christmas-themed activities and Santa Claus in the Santa Claus Village and Santa Park. Ensure you don’t skip the Arctic Wildlife Park in Ranua and visit at least one of the National Parks. We suggest Pallas.

Finland Lapland Itinerary Winter Checklist from our Finland Travel Guide :

+ See the northern lights

+ Stand on top of a fell

+ Try Finnish sauna and ice swimming

+ Meet with reindeer

+ Shake hands with Santa Claus

+ Jump into the snow

Additional items for trips to Lapland Finland:

+ Watch a reindeer race

+ Drive a snowmobile

+ Try the smoke sauna

Pin for later!

Best Road Trip in Finnish Lapland in 10 Days | Ultimate Winter Road Trip | Best Places to See in Lapland | Lapland Itinerary by Car | Finnish Lapland | #lapland #helsinki #rovaniemi #inari #levi #pallas #roadtrip

Best Things to Do in Finland | Finland Travel Guide

*marked photos are under the copyright of VisitRovaniemi, and thank you for letting us use them

About the Author

Katalin Katalin is a Lapland-based outdoor enthusiast who loves hiking, road-tripping, and traveling with her family. She spends her free time far away from civilization in one of the national parks around the world, explores off-the-beaten-path places, or hops on a road trip with her kids in an RV. Read more about her adventures and the blog .

11 thoughts on “Ultimate Lapland Itinerary – Winter Road Trip in 10 Days (or 7 Days!)”

Hi, I’m going to Lapland Finland this December. I have some knee problems. Is snowshoeing ok for me?

Snowshoeing is harder than normal walking. If you are in doubt, consult with your doctor.

Gah! This looks amazing! My question is, how the heck do you manage driving in those conditions? I’m from Arizona myself so I am always scared to plan a winter road trip. XD I really would love to see the northern lights someday though!

Haha, I guess you get used to it. I (Katalin) got my license here, so it feels normal. I prefer snow over anxious drivers and traffic jams.

This itinerary is epic! I’ve always wanted to visit Finland in winter but I’m so bad with the cold! I think reading this though I need to go in the next couple of years, I’ll just skip the ice swimming! Thanks for sharing!

Oh, no! That’s so much fun!

how much time can you be in ice swimming

During one round, we spend usually up to 1 minute in the water. And that is the maximum we still enjoy.

What a gorgeous place! I would freeze there, but it would be worth a visit. Eight seasons? And I’m sure they are all different varieties of cold, like we have different varieties of hot… I’d love to visit Lapland though; thanks for all the tips. Love your photos!

A great guide – this is something Im hoping to do this year or next, so I’ll be saving! 😉

Finnish Lapland is one of the places that keeps climbing higher on my list. It looks beautiful. Wonderful post with some great ideas for a trip!

3-Day Tours in Lapland

Enjoy 3 days in Lapland on a magical winter trip planned by the regional travel experts at Nordic Visitor. Hunt for the northern lights, have fun in the snow, or meet Father Christmas on your 2-night break. Your package includes accommodation, excursions, and airport transfers.

VISIT LAPLAND ON A 3-DAY TRIP

Want to spend 3 days in Lapland? We can help!

Take a short break to Lapland in winter for an unforgettable trip to the Arctic Circle. With 3 days to explore, you’d have time to go dog sledding and stay in a hotel made of snow and ice. You could also chase the northern lights on a snowmobile excursion.

Choose between visiting Swedish or Finnish Lapland for your 3-day tour. Read on to find out more about each region and see which one would suit you best.

When you book a trip to Lapland with Nordic Visitor, you get handpicked accommodation, airport transfers, access to our 24/7 helpline, and many other benefits. You also enjoy personal service from your own dedicated travel consultant.

Get in touch via our contact form, live chat or toll-free numbers and we'll gladly plan your Lapland getaway.

— WHY US?

Why book with nordic visitor.

All bookings protected by our package travel insurance
Accommodation, activities, transfers & breakfasts included
Professional service from Scandinavian-based travel experts
Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
Flexible & customisable tour options

Experience Lapland in 3 Days

Enjoy an action-packed winter getaway with a 3-day Lapland tour. Accommodation, airport transfers and activities are included in your travel package.

Winter Getaway at the Arctic Snowhotel

Stay longer in lapland.

Extend your stay to experience more of Lapland in one trip. You’d get to try more activities and increase your chances of spotting the northern lights.

Lapland Adventure - Aurora Sky Station

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As a travel agency based in the Scandinavia region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Lapland. Choose from a variety of tours that include the must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights, all handpicked by our own Scandinavian travel experts.

To ensure a stress-free Lapland trip, Nordic Visitor handles all the local details for you: accommodation, activities, airport transfers and other services.

Oh, and we can customise your itinerary! For example, you might decide you want to add extra nights at a certain location. In that case, your personal Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be happy to make suggestions and modify your itinerary.

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Camilla Thom, Spain

Icehotel winter adventure, january 2017, i will never forget this experience.

The tour guides were excellent. Especially Emile and Maurice. This was a huge adventure for us both, starting with the dog sled picking us up , going to the Ice Hotel and then the fabulous evening on the snowmobile. Even though we weren't lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, it was still wonderful. What good cooks all the guides were too! I will never forget this experience.

George, United States

Best of lapland classic - rovaniemi, march 2017, experience of a lifetime.

Everything was wonderful. It was the experience of a lifetime. My daughter and I had a blast!

Nilima, India

Lapland - land of the midnight sun, june 2015, lapland is beautiful.

Day tours were excellent, guide and service was excellent

Lapland is beautiful. We were able to see the midnight sun because of nordic visitor they have planned our tour very well and the local guides were very co operative.

Vandana, United States

Classic lapland adventure & icehotel, february 2015, everything went smoothly.

Cicci Erikson customized our trip exactly the way we wanted, every thing went smoothly, the employees at Kiruna tours were very friendly and cordial, I would recommend Nordic Visitor to my friends and will use them in the future.

Arkadiusz, Singapore

Classic lapland adventure & icehotel, december 2014, worked perfectly well without any glitches.

My Travel Consultant, Cecilia, was extremely helpful and professional in all aspects of dealing with the customer. Her invaluable assistance allowed me to choose, modify, and combine the existing tours to fulfill all my needs. The hotel locations were excellent and the arrangements made by Cecilia ensured that everything worked perfectly well without any glitches. I would strongly recommend such excellent services to anyone who would like to have an unforgettably pleasant holiday.

Christy, United States

Icehotel winter adventure, january 2015, overall a great experience.

Overall a great experience. Cecilia was very helpful and responsive.

Mariana, Hong Kong, SAR

Classic lapland adventure & icehotel, january 2017, excellent time in kiruna.

My daughter and I had an excellent time in Kiruna during the Chinese New Year. I would like to thank Sofia Sundkvist who assisted us throughout the trip. She is very responsive and accomodating. We slightly changed our plans and she always quickly responded to me by email and helped us with what we needed. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to meet her in person, but all the people (from Nordic Visitor) whom we met throughout this trip are excellent people. They always carry a smile, happy with what they are doing, experienced and knowledgeable.

Carla, United States

Lapland - land of the midnight sun, june 2017, outstanding in every way.

Your company is outstanding in every way. The booking agents were responsive when we had questions. The information provided was excellent. The tour guides and the company's you contracted with are without exception outstanding. I would recommend your company to anyone who is planning a Scandinavian trip

Olga, Israel

Husky tour in the wilderness of lapland, march 2015, beyond my expectations.

Thank you so much for being there and helping people to discover those incredible places around the Scandinavia. I've met so many great people and had such a splendid time, that I will never forget. My main purpose was to see the Northen Lights, but I've got so much more and everything was just beyond my expectations! I would like to thank our Nordic Visitor agent Jennie Elofsson for a great assistance, she's been very helpful and super quick giving us all the answers we need. Also I would like to thank our amazing guides, who made our tour so very special and intimate: Emil and Jenny.

Lapland Adventure - Aurora Sky Station, February 2015

Made every experience unforgettable.

Genuinely - one of the best trips we have ever undertaken. We received a great welcome in Kiruna, our guides were excellent - and made every experience unforgettable! The Aurora... was glorious!

Sue, Australia

Classic lapland adventure & icehotel, january 2014, suggestions were all great for limited time.

Jennie, our agent, was fantastic. She sorted everything out in the limited time we had in Kiruna and her suggestions to fit in as much as we did in three days were all great.

Hwee Hwee, Singapore

Best of lapland classic - rovaniemi, january 2017, enjoyable beyond our expectations.

Our experience with Nordic Visitor is absolutely delightful! We are very impressed by the professionalism of the staff and the seamless organisation of the tour. Our holiday was enjoyable beyond our expectations!

Gianguido and Romana

Service was impeccable under all aspects.

A long sought after vacation resulted in a fascinating experience, and this result must also be credited to the careful preparation and to the friendly professional assistance of your consultants. On site, the service was impeccable under all aspects.

Cold, silence and nature conjure in suggesting me to summarize what we have lived through with words from Sweden’s national anthem. "TYSTA, GLÄDJERIKA, SKÖNA".

Annette, Australia

Custom booking, march 2015, i am very glad to have chosen nordic visitor.

Everything went very smoothly and with great ease! Being greeted by the chauffer and shiny black Mercedes in Copenhagen and driven to the Scandic Palace Hotel right in the city centre was a real treat. Thank you. I am very glad to have chosen Nordic Visitor because you are based in these wonderful Nordic Countries and I wanted to experience local culture. Many thanks to Cecilia for helping us to achieve this.

Icehotel Winter Adventure, February 2015

One of the most amazing trips I've ever done and one of the best in regards of organization.

Geoff and Maria, Australia

Icehotel winter adventure, december 2013, a must for something completely different.

The Ice Hotel was AMAZING, what a concept. The dogsled from the airport was a fun experience. The Scandic Ferrum for the rest of the stay was fantastic. The staff at both places were exceptional. The snowmobile tour, although eventful, was just a hoot. The most fun we have had in ages. All the meals in all locations were just great and good value. Kiruna is a lovely town and the people are terrific. There aren't enough adjectives to describe it all. Just a load of fun. A must for something completely different. Everything was organised beyond expectation. Just do it!!!

Icehotel Winter Adventure, December 2016

Exceeded our expectations.

The overall experience exceeded our expectations and was a truly wonderful experience. The husky sled transfer from the airport was amazing. Every trip we did had helpful, happy and informative staff.

Irene and Sarah

Lapland adventure - aurora sky station & icehotel, january 2013, a more beautiful place would be hard to find.

We have just got back home after probably the best holiday we have ever had! Everything was superbly planned and the guys at Kiruna Guidetur were fantastic. In fact everyone we met was friendly and so helpful. The hotels were excellent and the food really great - especially at the Abisko Tourist Station and when we went up to the Aurora Sky Station the girl who did the dinner there was world class, especially when she had to prepare the meal in such cramped conditions,

The activities were wonderful - the snowmobiles, the husky sleds, the horse and sleigh ride, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The Ice Hotel was fantastic too. It is such a magical place - the snow, the clear air - all absolutely wonderful. A more beautiful place would be hard to find. Thank you so much for organising the holiday for us. I have been on the phone this morning urging all my friends to go there!

Adam, Italy

Would definitely recommend nordic visitor.

Everything was great. The tour guides and employees were extremely friendly and professional. They accommodated us as best they could whenever we needed something. I would definitely recommend Nordic Visitor and this package to anyone. Dress warm!

Once in a lifetime experience! Thank you! It couldn't have gone better.

Paddy, New Zealand

Lapland adventure - aurora sky station & icehotel, january 2015, inside the artic circle at kiruna.

We booked through Nordic Visitor and they organised the activities with Kiruna Tourism and we had an amazing trip, meet at the airport -23 C, deck out in clothing which we kept for the 4 days, transported around, good hotel and had great guides who were welcoming, knowledgeable and communicative. Couldn't ask for anything more, Went snow walking, dog sledding, visited Abisko viewing station, Ice hotel and Sami Village.

C S, Australia

Icehotel winter adventure, february 2013, friendly efficient and very helpful.

We would like to say that our consultant Cecilia was fantastic, we travel widely and she is the best consultant we have dealt with, friendly efficient and very helpful.

Getting to Lapland

Nordic Visitor tours of Lapland begin in either Kiruna, for Sweden itineraries, or Kemi or Rovaniemi for Finland trips. You can find some direct flights from airports across Europe.

Otherwise, you can reach Lapland with connecting flights from Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, or Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Another option is to fly to Copenhagen in Denmark and travel to Lapland from there.

Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main gateway for international air travel in Sweden. From Stockholm, you can fly to Kiruna with SAS or Norwegian. The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is Finland’s main air travel hub. From here, you’ll be able to take a direct flight to either Kemi or Rovaniemi with Finnair or Norwegian. Both journeys take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

We recommend checking airline websites directly for flight availability and timetables. You can also use an airfare search engine, such as Skyscanner, Dohop or Kayak, for example.

Flights are not included in Nordic Visitor packages. However, all of our itineraries can be customised with extra nights in your arrival city if you’d like to rest up after your flight.

Different ways you can experience Lapland

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Lapland below.

ICE & SNOW HOTELS

Santa claus, snowmobile adventures, culture & history, reindeer & sami culture, winter tours, what to see and do on lapland 2-night breaks.

Imagine jetting off to a winter wonderland in Northern Europe, discovering pristine scenery laden with snow. You could find yourself in this enchanting landscape on a 3-day Lapland holiday.

Lapland is situated in the far north of Sweden and Finland, within the Arctic Circle. It is a region characterised by beautiful forests, lakes and rivers. Here the dark night skies of winter light up with the shimmering colours of the aurora borealis.

Spend your 3-day tour enjoying activities in the snow, soaking up the native Sami culture, and cosying up by the fireplace.

Explore these Lapland winter trips
Discover 7 reasons to visit Lapland in winter

TOP THINGS TO DO IN LAPLAND

Lapland offers opportunities for adventures and indulgent experiences in equal measure. This means that you can be as active or relaxed as you wish on your winter trip!

Here are the top things to do in Lapland :

Go mushing through the snow on a dog sled
Marvel at the otherworldly northern lights
Explore the countryside by snowmobile
Search for Santa Claus in his homeland
Sleep in an ice room or a glass igloo
Try skiing, ice fishing or snowshoeing
Experience local Sami customs and cuisine
Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve
See Arctic animals in their native habitat
Warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna

When you book a Lapland tour with Nordic Visitor, you can add optional activities and day trips to your itinerary. We recommend that you reserve any extras in advance to guarantee availability.

Speak to your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor about the excursions you’d like to incorporate into your Lapland itinerary. They will organise everything on your behalf, while you relax and look forward to your winter escape.

Browse these classic Lapland holidays to start planning your trip
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Lapland travel experts

TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN LAPLAND

Where you go in Lapland will largely depend on the activities and sights you want to enjoy. You can read Nordic Visitor’s Lapland travel guide to learn more about each area, which will help you decide where to visit.

Here are the best places to go in Finnish Lapland :

Santa Claus Village
Kemi

These are the top places to visit in Swedish Lapland :

Abisko National Park
Aurora Sky Station

VISIT ONE OF LAPLAND’S ICE HOTELS OR GLASS IGLOOS

One of the “coolest” things you can do in Lapland is stay in an ice hotel. Marvel at the ice sculptures, imaginative themed rooms, and restaurants and bars crafted from frozen water. Since many of the hotels melt in the spring, artists start from scratch and rebuild them each winter.

Spending the night in an ice suite is an experience you’ll never forget. You are kept cosy thanks to thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides, with the chance to step into a hot sauna in the morning.

If you’d rather sleep in a warm room, you can take a guided tour of these ice hotels instead.

A great alternative is staying in a glass igloo in Lapland. Snuggle up in your heated dome, looking through the clear glass up to the night sky. You might even be treated to a northern lights show from your bed!

Here are the best ice hotels and glass igloos to visit in Lapland:

ICEHOTEL (Kiruna)
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos (Rovaniemi)
SnowCastle (Kemi)
Choose from one of these Lapland ice and snow hotel packages
Learn more about the best ice hotels in Finland and the ICEHOTEL in Sweden

VISIT SWEDISH OR FINNISH LAPLAND

For your 3-day trip to Lapland, take your pick from visiting Swedish or Finnish Lapland. Both destinations offer similar experiences, such as the chance to hunt for the northern lights, go snowmobiling, and ride in a dog sled.

However, Swedish and Finnish Lapland each have particular highlights that you should know about before you decide where to go. Take a look at these itinerary recommendations for a taste of what to expect in Sweden and Finland, respectively.

Check out the best Lapland holidays for a winter getaway

3-DAY ITINERARY SUGGESTION FOR SWEDISH LAPLAND:

Day 1 - Arrival in Kiruna and snowmobile safari After touching down at Kiruna Airport, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure, perhaps getting to know the town or simply relaxing before you head out later.

In the evening you’ll get to explore the countryside on a snowmobile excursion, searching for the northern lights. Follow your guide through the snow as they lead you to the best spots to look for the aurora. Feel the thrill of the ride as you go.

Then, sit beside the fireplace in a wooden hut and tuck into a rustic dinner of traditional local food. Afterwards, your guide will take you back to your accommodation.

Spend the night in Kiruna.

Day 2 - Dog sledding and night at the ICEHOTEL Today you can enjoy one of the most special activities and traditions in Lapland: dog sledding.

Meet the huskies at the kennel and learn how to drive your sled from an expert guide. Head out onto the trails and glide through the woods and snowy plains, soaking up the views as you go. Afterwards, fuel up with a hot cup of coffee and a light lunch by the campfire.

Next up, you’ll visit the famous ICEHOTEL, situated in the village of Jukkasjärvi just outside Kiruna. This was the original ice hotel that set a trend for the many others that now exist around the world.

Begin with a guided tour of this extraordinary hotel, learning how artists build it using ice from the Torne River nearby. Then comes the highlight: sleeping in a room made entirely from ice and snow!

Spend the night at the ICEHOTEL or ICEHOTEL 365.

Day 3 - Departure Start the day with a warming cup of lingonberry juice served in your ice room before heading to the restaurant for a delicious breakfast. You might like to follow that with a relaxing visit to the sauna.

Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to Kiruna Airport where you’ll fly home from your Lapland holiday.

Explore these Kiruna tour packages to experience Swedish Lapland
Find out the top 10 reasons to take a winter break in Kiruna, Sweden

Or you could visit Finnish Lapland for your short break. We’d recommend adding an extra night, staying for 4 days.

4-DAY ITINERARY SUGGESTION FOR FINNISH LAPLAND:

Day 1 – Arrival in Rovaniemi and snowmobile safari After touching down in Rovaniemi Airport a driver will meet you for your transfer to your centrally located accommodation. Unwind after your journey or explore the town a little before your first adventure in Lapland.

Snowmobile safaris are one of the most thrilling ways to chase the northern lights! This evening, you can ride a snowmobile through the snowy countryside around Rovaniemi. Follow your guide as they lead you to their favourite places for spotting the aurora.

Before returning to your hotel, warm yourself by the fire and enjoy a hot drink and snack with your guide.

Spend the night in Rovaniemi.

Day 2 – Dog sledding and Finnish sauna

Wake this morning for a transfer to a local kennel and dog sledding excursion. Here you will meet the huskies and learn all about this traditional mode of transport in Lapland: mushing.

After a lesson in driving your sled, you and your team of excited huskies are ready to follow your guide along the snowy trails.

Return from the surrounding forests and plains to refuel with a warming beverage around a campfire, a cosy setting for sharing stories with your fellow mushers.

Bring the day to a close by returning to the twinkling lights of Rovaniemi and indulging in Finnish sauna culture.

Day 3 – Reindeer farm and Santa Claus Village

Today, hop on a snowmobile and make your way to a traditional reindeer farm. Here you can learn about the culture of Lapland’s native people, the Sami, and enjoy a sleigh ride.

Next, prepare to meet the “man in red” with a visit to Santa Claus Village, just outside Rovaniemi.

Soak up the festive atmosphere of this Christmassy haven, which is open year-round. Enjoy a private meeting with Santa with the elves on hand, and send a postcard from the Santa Claus Post Office. Then why not browse for souvenirs at the craft shops?

Spend the night in Rovaniemi or upgrade to a warm glass igloo at the Arctic SnowHotel.

Day 4 - Departure Today you’ll be transferred back to Rovaniemi Airport where you’ll fly home from your Lapland holiday.

Discover Finnish Lapland with one of these Rovaniemi tours or Kemi packages
Read this guide to Finland in winter for more inspiration

BEST TIME TO VISIT LAPLAND

The best time to visit Lapland is between December and March, when you can enjoy the magical white scenery, northern lights, and excursions in the snow.

Certain activities are available in Lapland year round. For example, in summer you can meet Father Christmas, or even visit certain ice hotels that use solar power to keep some of their rooms frozen. However, we recommend travelling in winter for the quintessential Lapland experience.

Learn more about visiting Lapland in December or January
Check out Lapland tours in February or March

Thanks to snowfall from mid-October to mid-May, you’ll be surrounded by snow-blanketed scenery between December and March. What’s more, in winter you have the best chances of seeing the northern lights. The long, dark nights provide the ideal backdrop for watching the aurora borealis.

In summer, on the other hand, there are long daylight hours in Lapland – a phenomenon called the “midnight sun”. With light skies all night long, it is too bright to see the northern lights.

Find out how to increase your chances of spotting the aurora borealis with these guides:

• Best time and place to see the northern lights in Sweden • Best time and place to see the northern lights in Finland • What are the northern lights? Aurora borealis explained

Explore these northern light tours in Lapland to hunt for the aurora
Read about Lapland’s daylight hours and climate on the Nordic Visitor travel guide

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IN LAPLAND

Perhaps you want to time your Lapland trip for December to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve in this winter wonderland?

Spend Christmas in Lapland and you could attend a festive gala dinner for Christmas Eve, accompanied by Santa’s elves. Join in the fun and help to decorate the Christmas tree before you tuck into the big feast.

You could then have the ultimate Christmas Day in Santa’s homeland. Whizz through the snow on a reindeer sleigh, meet Santa in his workshop, and taste delicious Christmas food. Think freshly baked gingerbread biscuits and a warm glass of glögg (mulled wine).

Or visit Lapland at New Year for a celebration to remember. You could attend a New Year’s Eve party in a wooden hut in the middle of a Finnish forest, experiencing local customs and cuisine. And, of course, you’d get to watch a spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.

Don’t forget, you can get into the festive spirit at any time of year when you visit Santa Claus Village in Finnish Lapland!

Check out these Lapland Santa holidays
Find out about spending 4 days , 5 days or 6 days in Lapland

— REGIONAL SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE

Get the most out of your holiday.

Explore places handpicked for you by regional experts
Save time and effort with everything arranged for you
Relax knowing you can reach us 24/7 during your trip

About Nordic Visitor Tours

Nordic Visitor is a Lapland tour operator and has been creating incredible travel experiences for customers in the region since 2010. Our Scandinavian travel experts know Lapland inside out, and will use their knowledge to craft your perfect itinerary.

With your Nordic Visitor package, you can expect personal service from your own designated travel consultant and a tailor-made itinerary with quality travel documents. Furthermore, we have long-standing professional relationships with trusted local partners, which are carefully selected by our staff for their high standards of service.

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We’re here to help, so get in touch with our friendly team to book your package or add extra nights and activities to an existing booking.

Our Swedish phone number is +46 8 666 23 30

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Blog posts you might like

Lapland for grown-ups: why lapland isn’t just for kids, a few fun facts about swedish lapland, 7 reasons to visit lapland in winter, how to eat like a local in lapland.

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I am stressing over what the included Tui trips will be like, particularly the Santa visit.

Has anyone done this recently and can provide any feedback on how they found it? Wondering whether I should book any other trips with tourist board or with hotel when I get there.

We did it today and assuming you go to the snow village I’d recommend you book either a husky or reindeer safari trip as well but make sure you take lots of warm clothes for the kids it really is cold sat on the sleighs.

There was no reindeer sleigh rides today (but reindeer’s to look at) and the husky ride is only a few minutes.

The kids seemed to enjoy it but personally I thought Santa was disappointing, and the cookie decorating hut needed doubling in size. For me it hasn’t been the highlight of the trip.

You get a snow mobil out to Santa.

That said Lapland is amazing and magical.

The Tui trips are more like tasters to be honest. You can of course pay extra was out there for an extended trip. With them or at the tourist centre.

I have done the Snow village twice, I recommended it. Tui took us by coach.

Thanks, is the snow village included in the Tui package? I have emailed them for a detailed itinerary of the trip but had very poor response

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Lapland Holidays

Why Lapland

What better way to enjoy the magic of Christmas and make your child’s dreams come true than a trip to see Santa on a Lapland holiday? Think crisp white snow, reindeers, huskies and elves – it’s a place where childhood dreams can become reality. Father Christmas has put some time aside in his busy December schedule to welcome you into his hideaway Lapland home, with the elves on hand to join in the fun – all you need to do is wrap up warm and bring your Christmas list! Experience the thrill of Husky Sledding, Tobogganing or take a ride through the stunning landscape on a magical Reindeer Sleigh. And at the end of the day look out for nature’s very own light show, the Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights. We can offer Lapland Day Trips throughout the month of December - flying out early morning and returning late at night. Extend your stay on a 2, 3 or 4 night break staying in 3 or 4 star hotels in various resorts, including Saariselka and Rovaniemi, both a short transfer from the airport.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable last minute Lapland break or a luxury Lapland holiday , you’ll find your perfect snowy escape with Hays Travel. To book yours, chat to one of our travel experts today. Alternatively, take a look at some of our other winter holidays .

Want to know more about our Lapland holidays? Browse our FAQs below to learn more about Santa’s magical home.

You’ll find Lapland in the northernmost region of Finland, bordering Norway and Sweden. The Arctic Circle crosses into Lapland too, which is why Lapland holidays are known for their magical wintery settings.

The flight time from the UK to Lapland is approximately 3 hours. Its short flight time is why Lapland day trips and mini breaks are so popular!

Yes! A chance to spot the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is just one of the things that make Lapland holidays so special.

A day trip to Lapland for a family of 3 usually costs around £1660. At Hays Travel, we offer low deposits and pay monthly options on all our Lapland holidays to help make your trip as affordable as possible.

To book your Lapland holiday, chat to a member of Hays Travel now.

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Lapland daytrip itinerary
Lapland daytrip itinerary
Lapland day trip itinerary I TUI
Lapland day trip itinerary I TUI
Things to do in Lapland
Lapland daytrip itinerary

COMMENTS

Lapland Holidays 2024 / 2025
Discover your smile with TUI%2C the world%27s biggest travel group%2E We offer you even more handpicked holiday choices%2C city breaks%2C short breaks%2C cruises %26 more%2E. Travel Information; ... The four-night trip departing on the 22nd of December lets you experience Christmas Day in Lapland. Winter sports, activities and entertainment ...
Discover Lapland by TUI
8 reasons to visit Lapland at Christmas. Tucked inside the Arctic Circle, Lapland's snow-drenched landscapes are the stuff of fairy tales. And it doesn't get much more festive than frosted forests, frozen lakes and furry reindeers. So, if you've.
Search for Santa Day Trip in Lapland
Search for Santa Day Trip. This one-day adventure to Lapland is packed with activities from start to finish, including a meeting with Santa himself. Your day will take place at Kittila's Snow Village, where you'll have a huge choice of things to do. Little ones can zoom down the snow slide, or learn how to drive a miniature skidoo.
15 tips to do Lapland on a budget
A few tour operators run one-day trips to Lapland, usually with packed itineraries. Depending on other deals available, they can work out cheapest overall. For example, we saw a Tui one-day trip to Kittilä at £381pp for a family of four, including meeting Santa in a log cabin in the woods, arctic storytelling, and husky and reindeer rides.
The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary
Day 3 - Northern Lapland, Levi & Samiland Exhibition. In this itinerary, with a 3-day trip to Lapland or 4 days in Lapland, you'll head out of Rovaniemi and Southern Lapland to Northern Lapland. While Rovaniemi is all about Santa and Christmas joy, Levi, the main resort city in Northern Lapland is all about nature, the Northern Lights, and ...
Charlotte Plans a Trip » Lapland itinerary: the ultimate itinerary
A tour through Finnish Lapland: the ultimate winter experience! In this blog, you will find an itinerary for a five-day trip through the north of Finland: one of the most beautiful parts of Lapland. During this itinerary, you will have the chance to see the northern lights several times or to enjoy the other magical things that Lapland has to offer. We also give you tips on other highlights of
Lapland Travel Advice
Discover your smile with TUI%2C the world%27s biggest travel group%2E We offer you even more handpicked holiday choices%2C city breaks%2C short breaks%2C cruises %26 more%2E. Travel Information; ... If you're coming to Lapland for the day, wear warm clothes and only take hand luggage on the plane. We'll lend you a cosy all-in-one thermal ...
Luosto Lapland
Luosto Snowmobile Day Tour. This adventure sees you revving and zooming through the frostbitten landscapes of Lapland. You'll hop on a snowmobile and bump past snow-capped forests to enjoy the beauty of the region - with an injection of adrenaline - during this two-hour guided daytime exploration. free cancellation. Available in:
Search for Santa Day Trip in Lapland
Search for Santa Day Trip. This one-day adventure to Lapland is packed with activities from start to finish, including a meeting with Santa himself. Your day will take place at Kittila's Snow Village, where you'll have a huge choice of things to do. Little ones can zoom down the snow slide, or learn how to drive a miniature skidoo.
Lapland Day Trips 2024, Family Holidays in Lapland
EXAMPLE 2024 ITINERARY. SNOW VILLAGE. Kittila's Snow Village is home to an ice hotel with igloo-like rooms and impressive sculptures carved from frozen water, an ice bar and an ice chapel. You'll land in Kittila around midday and pick up your snowsuit and boots. Then, it's on to the Snow Village, where your action-packed day takes place.
The Ultimate 7 Day Finland Itinerary for Winter
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.
Holidays to Lapland
Please note, the below only apply to Lapland holidays booked through TUI.co.uk and NOT Crystal Ski Lapland holidays. Lapland day trips Lapland day trips include: - Meeting with Santa - Present from Santa for each child - Taster activities - Thermal clothing (all-in-one suit, boots and socks) - Free time - In-flight meals - Santa's elves and TUI ...
1 Day in Lapland for First Timers
1 Day in Lapland for First Timers. Curated by Zoe Smith writer and editor who's lived in six continents. Finland's northernmost district and the home of Santa Claus, Lapland offers endless opportunities for Arctic adventure. With just one day to explore, base yourself at a resort town such as Rovaniemi or Levi, keep traveling distances to a ...
The Ultimate Lapland Itinerary
Since this is not so easy to plan I've put down a detailed itinerary of Lapland including tips, suggestions and all my personal experiences. Day 1- Fly to Helsinki We flew in from Dubai to Helsinki with Finnair. It is the only direct flight from the Middle East to Finland. Upon landing, we took the free shuttle and checked in to Holiday Inn ...
Tui Lapland day trip tips
Silkiefloof · 03/12/2023 02:50. We did TUI but 3 nights. There was about 50 metres of snow to get through to where you get stuff, we did have own cheap snowboots but lots didn't. They gave you snowsuit with hood, gloves, snowboots, we took our stuff to hotel staying at. We took snacks but don't know if you would need them just for the day ...
How to get the best out of four nights in Lapland
Day 1: Arrival. Day 2: Snowboarding in Pyhä and Northern Lights. Day 3: Visit a reindeer farm / Snowmobiling to the amethyst mine. Day 4: Husky safari and Northern Lights hunt with snowshoeing. Day 5: Ice hotel and departure. Top travel tips for Lapland in winter. Tours to book in Lapland.
Winter Wonderland in Lapland Day Trip with Santa
Included Activities. Our one-day Winter Wonderland trips run throughout December until Christmas Eve, with convenient departures from regional airports across the UK, from as far north as Aberdeen, to as far south as Exeter - making Lapland easily accessible to all. Upon arrival in Lapland, you'll be taken to collect your all-in-one thermal ...
What to pack for a Lapland trip
Either way, temps can be as low as -40 degrees celcius so wrapping up is a must - Lapland's part of the Arctic Circle, after all. It doesn't matter whether you're on a Lapland daytrip or short stay holiday, there'll be an all-in-one thermal suit waiting for you when you arrive, as well as boots and socks. There's gloves and hats ...
Winter Road Trip in 10 Days (or 7 Days!)
Lapland offers all of these, and reindeer, huskies, and Santa Claus too! Using our local expertise, we planned a dream Lapland holiday for you in 10 days Lapland. All you need is a car and start driving! Check out this Lapland - Finland itinerary for the perfect winter vacation if you want to explore southern Finland, such as Helsinki, too!
3 Days in Lapland : Tours 2024/2025 : Nordic Visitor
3-Day Tours in Lapland. Enjoy 3 days in Lapland on a magical winter trip planned by the regional travel experts at Nordic Visitor. Hunt for the northern lights, have fun in the snow, or meet Father Christmas on your 2-night break. Your package includes accommodation, excursions, and airport transfers. view tours. Suggested Tours. Client Reviews.
Levi Tui 4 day trip
Car rental + winter activities (without shuttle services) 12 April 2024. Lapland Summer 11 April 2024. Rovaniemi Hotel, Shopping, Restaurants 10 April 2024. Christmas in Levi 07 April 2024. Dec 1-3 in Ivalo - Average snow for activities 05 April 2024.
Lapland Holidays 2023/2024
We can offer Lapland Day Trips throughout the month of December - flying out early morning and returning late at night. Extend your stay on a 2, 3 or 4 night break staying in 3 or 4 star hotels in various resorts, including Saariselka and Rovaniemi, both a short transfer from the airport. Whether you're looking for an affordable last minute ...

The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary

How Many Days in Lapland?

Getting To & Around Lapland

Getting Around Lapland

2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary

Day 1 – Lapland Capital, Rovaniemi

Arktikum

Arctic Sunset & Eat a Traditional Lappish Meal

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

Day 2 – Santa Claus Village or Exploring Rovaniemi Nature

Santa Claus Village

Rovaniemi Nature

Day 3 – Northern Lapland, Levi & Samiland Exhibition

Samiland Exhibition

Northern Light Safari

Where to Stay in Levi

Day 4 – Skiing or Winter Activities

Skiing in Levi

Apres-Ski/Dinner at Tuikku

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

Lapland itinerary

Round trip in Finnish Lapland

Ivalo or Rovaniemi / Levi?

5-day itinerary for Lapland

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

Inari (2 nights)

Kaamanen / Kielajoki (2 nights)

Back to Ivalo via Saariselkä

Tips itinerary Finnish Lapland

The Northern Lights in Lapland

Flying on Ivalo:

Other destinations in Finland

More blogs on Finland

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Things to do in Luosto Lapland

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Lapland Day Trips 2024

EXAMPLE 2024 ITINERARY

Lapland Day Trips

Search For Santa

Lapland Santa Experience

The Ultimate 7 Day Finland Itinerary for Winter

Finland Itinerary for Winter

Day 1: Helsinki

Where to Stay in Helsinki

Day 2: Helsinki

How to Get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki

Day 3: Rovaniemi

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

Day 4: Rovaniemi

Day 5: Rovaniemi

Hiking / Snowshoeing

Ice Fishing

Snowmobiling

Husky Sledding

Visiting an Amethyst mine

Days 6 & 7: Head North

Where to stay in Saariselka

Where to stay in Kittilä

Map of 7 Day Finland Winter Itinerary

Finland Itinerary Overview

How to Get Around Finland in Winter

Tours of Finland in Winter

Further Reading for Visiting Finland in Winter

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