Lapland Winter Travel Guide: Itinerary, Activities & Rovaniemi Tips

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Of all the amazing regions we visited, Lapland is definitely in the top 3. This is especially true for Lapland in the winter, which is the best real life, winter wonderland, postcard experience you’ll ever get! It can be a difficult region to traverse during winter, but with this blog you’ll have the ultimate guide to explore Finnish Lapland!

The difference between Lapland and Sápmi explained

Did you know: Lapland is often referred to as Sápmi these days (except for the travel industry), which is the traditional cultural region of the indigenous Sámi people that covers more or less the same area. We like to use the term Lapland here due to its familiarity for most people looking for information of this region.

How to get around in Finnish Lapland

Getting around, especially during the popular winter tourist season, can be difficult and pricey. Here are two popular and common options:

1. To get to the heart of Lapland and explore everything it has to offer in its raw beauty, a lot of people book a pre-arranged trip at a specialized travel agency. They will arrange a combination of typical Lapland activities, small scale lodging and transport between them. All of which can be quite difficult to do on your own when you’re not looking for the touristy spots but when you want to enjoy one of the major Lapland perks; the quiet endless landscapes without a single person in sight. This is a costly option, but we reckon the best one when you want to make this once in a lifetime experience a truly memorable one.

2. Fly into Rovaniemi, the heart of Finnish Lapland, and arrange all the activities you like from the comfort of your hotel. True, this place can get busy with tourists, but can offer the perfect one stop shop to get a taste of the Lapland experience.

#tictip: Keep in mind that preparation is key when getting around. Getting a cab isn’t as easy due to the big distances, low population count and difficult weather conditions. This also means transportation can get expensive. Don’t assume you can just Uber your way home but check your options before hand.

Best travel plan to discover Lapland

📍 Kuusamo (convenient airport)

It's one of the “bigger” cities in Lapland with an airport, in the eastern part close to the Russian border. It’s conveniently located in the remote part of Lapland and is often at the start or finish of option 1 in how to get around. It gathers almost a million tourists a year for a dose of skiing and winter fun, mainly heading to nearby Ruka.

📍 Posio (snow fun)

A small town in the middle of Finnish Lapland, which is not swarmed by tourists. It's the perfect base for trips in the vast and quiet forests and for some good old snow fun; snowshoeing, ice fishing and cross-country skiing!

#tictip: Holiday Village Himmerki is the perfect spot to experience the raw essence of Lapland. The wooden cabins are in the middle of a serene forest next to a beautiful lake, which is the perfect backdrop for spotting the Aurora.

📍 Kota-Husky (husky sleigh ride)

One of the best things to do in Lapland, paws down. It’s a two person ride through a surreal snowy landscape that’s truly jaw dropping (which we’re not recommending as you will get really cold…).

📍 Kumpuniemi (reindeer adventure)

At Valkean Peuran Valtakunta you'll find all the classic Lapland family activities that you'll want to cross off your list. Take photo's with Reindeers, hop on a Reindeer safari and dine on a reindeer dish in the hut.

📍 Ruka Valley (snow scooter & ski)

Ruka (Valley) is a winter wonderland filled with ski resorts that offer all kinds of winter fun and activities. The beautiful environment is filled with hills and dense snow white forests, it’s a perfect base to snowmobile to or from. Especially when going on a tour through the forests or further down the middle of nowhere, take an experienced guide with you. If you run into engine trouble, crash against a tree or get stuck between some stones, it can get pretty lonely out there. (#tictip)

Check out this video for the full itinerary map:

📍 Korouoma (ice waterfalls)

Korouoma is known as one of the biggest ice climbing regions in Finland. Wondering how people climb on ice? Korouoma is a canyon with steep cliffs on both sides were usually waterstreams poor over the sides, which freeze in the winter. The result; big ice waterfalls that can be climbed (by experts). It’s an awesome extra sight in a nature reserve that’s already absolutely stunning. The perfect place for a hike with snow spike shoes through a white forest with a lot of elevation, epic views and cozy cabin fireplaces.

📍 Arctic SnowHotel (sleeping in an iglo)

An experience you won’t easily find somewhere else; dining and sleeping in an iglo! The fairytale rooms in the Arctic SnowHotel are beautifully decorated with ice sculptures and murals on the walls. It’s almost unbelievable that this entire place melts down in the summer and gets build up again each year during winter. Having a drink in the bar or a fancy dinner in your winter jacket on plates of ice is truly a unique and once in a lifetime experience.

Sleeping is a bit more intense; you’ll need to wrap yourself into a cocoon with a cold breeze on your face the whole time. It feels a bit claustrophobic and getting to the toilet is quite difficult. Personally we would recommend skipping this and book an overnight stay at one of the glass igloos (#tictip). You can still tour through the rooms at the snow hotel when you have dinner or drinks over there for some great pictures. 

When sleeping at the snow hotel you can request an Aurora warning and someone would wake you up (if you can sleep) and you’ll need to get dressed and go outside. Within the Iglo you need to stay awake yourself to spot the Aurora but you can do so from the comfort of your own bed!

📍 Rovaniemi (santa claus village & Articum museum)

The capital of Finnish Lapland and an easy access point to the region (see point 2 in how to get around). Besides the very popular Santa Claus Village there are heaps of fun winter activities to do (including all the classics like snowmobiling). If your looking for a change of pace, you can head over to the Articum. This museum shows you everything there is to know about nature in the Arctic region. Very insightful and fun for the kids as well!

Don't go to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

Before you checkout our experience so you can decide if it's worth it for you. For kids the Santa Claus Village is definitely a lot of fun and no brainer to add to your itinerary. 

1. Go by night
The lights give the perfect Christmas vibe. Even though the decorations are year-round, it’s obvious experiences best during winter!

2. Dress warm
It's on the Arctic circle and easily gets -15 degrees Celsius during winter. Like in all other places in Lapland, dress accordingly and layer up.

3. Send a Christmas card
It is home to the official Santa Claus post office. You can send postcards to your loved ones with an original stamp or kids can send their card to Santa Claus on this address.

4. It's a bit commercial
There are many ways to part with your holiday budget. Souvenirs can be quite costly but you’ll find a wide variety, including the reindeer skins. Some shops offer tax free shopping for non-eu visitors.

5. Take a picture with Santa Claus!
Time it well, as there is a waiting time.

#tictip: add Helsinki to your Finland trip!

Combine your Lapland adventure with a stop in Helsinki; the vibrant capital of Finland! Perfect to get into the Christmas vibes before heading out into the wild or perfect to celebrate New Years Eve after a long cold journey through Finnish Lapland.

The seven best things to do in Helsinki Finland:

☑️ Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
☑️ Helsinki Cathedral & Senate Square
☑️ Central Railway Station
☑️ Uspenski Cathedral
☑️ Vodka Boat
☑️ Ateneum Art Museum
☑️ Porvoo (Day trip)