Plan your trip to Finnish Lapland: where to go, what to do? I’ll tell you all about it!

Finnish Lapland is a huuuuge territory in the north of the country (remember that Lapland is spread over 4 countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia), a magical place in winter to enjoy the snow, see Santa Claus, the Northern Lights and all those activities that totally disconnect you and make you forget the polar cold (well, more or less 😀 ). All right, it’s also a mosquito paradise if you go in summer, but it’s an excellent time of year to discover lakes, Finnish cottages, peace and pure serenity.

The trouble with Finnish Lapland is that you don’t really know where to go, because it’s so huge and there are so many interesting resorts. That’s the difficulty I had, knowing where to go, what the options were, the differences between one place and another, and all the different activities.

That’s why I’m making this guide for you. I’ll tell you where to go, where the best accommodation is, what activities you can do, what the aurora borealis is like (ah yes, you can’t escape it!).

This way, you’ll have a much clearer idea of what you want to do, and I hope I’ve made you want to go even more:)

Why go to Finnish Lapland

Well, if you’re already interested in finding out more about Finnish Lapland, you must have a little idea in the back of your head. An idea full of snow, northern lights and dog-sledding activities. Well, you’ve come to the right place! As we’ll see below, Finnish Lapland is a magnificent place to be in any season, and is the perfect place to spend a dream vacation.

In winter, you can take advantage of a few ski resorts, enjoy the thrills of snowmobiling or dog sledding, come across a herd of reindeer and spend nights watching the northern lights.

And that’s not all! Because during the other seasons, it’s also a great place to fill up on nature, far from any hassle or stress (okay, except for the mosquitoes).

What Finnish Lapland looks like

See the Norwegian mountains? Well… it’s just the opposite! Finnish Lapland is flat. Forests, lakes, then forests, then lakes. Small mountains, some with ski resorts. And it’s beautiful! It’s precisely these high vantage points that allow you to really admire Lapland. So if you see Yllas, Pyha, Levi and their cable cars, jump in and take in the sights.

The lakes, when they’re not frozen, are magnificent and very peaceful, offering a beautiful reflection of the trees that surround them. And, in my opinion, they’re best enjoyed in autumn, with its yellow-orange colors.

The best activities in Finnish Lapland

When you go to Lapland, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities. I’m going to tell you all about it, everything you can find, free or paid, everything you can (have to?) do.

I’ll give you a quick rundown below, but if you’d like to know more, then I recommend the following article on everything you need to do in Finnish Lapland

Dog sledding

This is just too good! These dogs, the huskies, are real athletes! They’re made to run, they love it, they give it their all and come back for more. If you’re unfortunate enough to slow down the sled a little, they’ll look at you like “what are you doing here? But afterwards, they won’t hold it against you, and you’ll get lots of hugs.

It’s not a difficult activity, it’s fun, a bit of a pain in the ass for the driver, but a great time. Especially as it’s done in sublime landscapes, on frozen lakes, in forests of trees petrified by the cold.
It’s probably the most “typical” activity in the far north once the snow arrives. It’s not cheap (around €150 per head), but I think it’s a must.

Read my guide to dog sledding in Finnish Lapland in this article!

• and in this blogpost, check out the best kennels in Rovaniemi

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing

Lapland’s landscapes are perfect for cross-country skiing, which is a national sport. First of all, it’s quite flat, admittedly. So it’s an ideal place to start, with cross-country ski trails absolutely everywhere. Individuals can set up trails in their own backyards (a few hectares in size, no less), and there are trails along roads, on frozen lakes, in forests… absolutely everywhere. And even better, there are some places dedicated to cross-country skiing, with facilities and equipment rental, like Yllasjärvi.

I love cross-country skiing, it’s great fun, sporty without being too difficult even at first, and less of a pain in the ass than normal skiing. And the setting is really idyllic. Okay, I’ll put a photo below where one of them is wallowing. But we were young, just starting out! 😀

Skiing in one of the few resorts

And yes, it is possible to ski in Finnish Lapland! There are several resorts. Okay, it’s not the 3 Valleys, but it’s not bad. These are small mountains, 400/600m high, with several slopes (in Levi there really are plenty).

What I really like about these resorts is that you can take the cable car to the top, even if you’re a pedestrian, and the view from the top is often superb, ideal for sunsets. They’re not overcrowded, and you’re surrounded by beautiful nature.

All the equipment is available at the bottom of the slopes, so it’s very much like the resorts we know here, only a little smaller, but ultra-popular in Finland.

Here are a few resorts:

• Levi, the best-known and most famous
• Yllasjärvi in Pallas-Yllästunturi, the largest ski area
• Pyha, just north of Rovaniemi
• Ounasvaara in Rovaniemi, ideal for beginners
• Saariselkä, next to Inari and the famous Urho Kekkonen park

The thrill of snowmobiling

Now that’s just plain fun. Snowmobiling isn’t just an activity, it’s a real mode of transport in Lapland. In other words, there are real tracks along the roads, snowmobile “pedestrian” crossings, and a whole network to get you from your home to the supermarket, for example.

But for us tourists, snowmobiling is one hell of a thrill. It goes relatively fast (without being dangerous), you’re in the middle of nature and it’s cool. But that’s not all! It’s also an excellent way to take in the scenery, as you’ll go from frozen lakes to forests, see wide open spaces and come across reindeer.

It’s not an inexpensive activity, starting at €150 per head, but it’s something you won’t forget!

Fishing in a frozen lake

I’ve only done it once, a long, long time ago, but it’s fun. It’s not so much the fishing, but the incongruity of walking across a frozen lake, making a hole and letting your line soak. Making the hole is sporty if you’ve got a hand drill, but now agencies are increasingly using electric drills, which are a lot easier, especially if the ice is really thick!

This activity is often combined with a snowshoe hike, after which you’ll be asked to cook the fish you’ve caught

Seeing reindeer in a farm or in the wild

Reindeer are obviously emblematic of Lapland. Out of winter, they’re easy to spot – they’re everywhere (and you have to be careful on the road), as are elks. In winter, it’s less obvious, but it’s still possible, either in the wild or with the Sami, the original people of Lapland, who are the ones with the right to breed reindeer.

In these camps, the reindeer are less fearful, especially as they know you’re there to feed them! So they’ll come to you without a care in the world. Depending on the location and package, you can also go sledding (which is fun, but not as crazy as dogs), and learn all about the Sami people and their culture. Interesting stuff!

Simply enjoying the scenery and sunsets

In practical terms, if you have a car, take the time to walk around, really. In winter it’s a bit more complicated, but take the back roads (make sure they’re clear), wander through the forest, try to find the famous trees petrified by the cold and snow, if you’re in the right season.

Outside winter, take advantage of the many lakes, beautiful forests and endless hiking trails.

What also amazed me in winter were the colors of the sunrises and sunsets. Maybe I was lucky, but it was truly superb. So if it’s not too overcast, try to be outside at the end of the day. I also had some beautiful sunrises, but harder to catch as I’m not an early riser

See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

First of all, you should know that yes, Finnish Lapland is one of the favorite places to see the Northern Lights!

So seeing the northern lights in Lapland is both simple and not so simple. For one simple reason: Lapland is over 400km long from north to south, so you won’t get the same results, given that the further north you are, the better.

In Rovaniemi, you won’t have the northern lights above your head every night because we’re really in the south. If you have a car, don’t hesitate to use it to travel north. Towards Muonio/Levi, it’s a little better. Still not optimal, but already good. In Kilpisjärvi, we’re superbly located.

In terms of weather, on the other hand, Lapland is generally better than northern Norway (and obviously much better than Iceland). It’s colder, but much drier and less cloudy, so clear skies are a must.

But to find the Northern Lights, you’ll need to make a few preparations:

• Northern lights are visible from late august to mi april in Finnish Lapland
• Find a clear sky. To do this, you’ll need to take stock of the weather and cloud cover, and find out where the sun is going to shine. I recommend using an app or website, but I personally use Ventusky, which gives you cloud cover extremely precisely, hour by hour. This is the first step in seeing the aurora.
• Find a quiet spot free of light pollution. To see the aurora borealis, you really need to be far from cities, far from lights, far from street lamps. You can see them under the light, but it won’t be optimal, so you really need to isolate yourself… It’s even better if you have a car.
• Know the sun’s activity. Basically, knowing in advance whether the auroras are going to be potentially strong or not. This will influence where you go. It’s not compulsory, but it can help. In the middle of Lapland, a basic activity will bring you auroras visible on the horizon. A good activity will allow you to see them overhead. And that’s a party!
• So to find out what’s going on, you need to use an app. There are lots of them, and they all analyze the same data. I like Aurora Alerts’ display. Then, even if the KP is not THE right indicator, it gives a good idea of magnetic field disturbances. The more disturbed the magnetic field, the higher the probability, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see auroras. Look at the BZ, which has to go negative for it to explode.
• Be patient, because the aurora can arrive at any time. At 5 p.m. or midnight.
• Make sure you’re equipped, with camera ready, empty memory cards, full batteries, a thermos of coffee and good thick clothes, because it’s going to be cold!

You can go through an agency to see the Northern Lights. It’s a normal thing to do; I did it at the beginning, to see how they did it. The agencies will really follow all the information, find the right places according to weather and activity, so you can see them. It can be a bit expensive, but quite honestly, it’s much better than an evening without dawn.

Quality and price will depend on the size of the group, whether it’s a bus or a small group, and the efforts made by the guide. In Rovaniemi, for example, I recommend Beyond Arctic, which also offers aurora photography courses, or at a lower price you can find Lapin Taivas, which also has a very good reputation.

I’d also like to suggest the following article Everything you need to know about the northern lights

• How to see the northern lights in Finnish Lapland

See Santa’s village

Well, I did it a long, long time ago. I was an adult, but it still gave me great pleasure to meet Santa Claus, at last! All those years when I thought he didn’t exist and bang! there he was.

If it makes the adults happy, imagine what it will do to the kids 🙂 Admittedly, it’s quite touristy and commercial. But the center has grown, and you can of course take photos with Santa, but you can also see his reindeer, cross the Arctic Circle and take part in all kinds of activities. I’ve included a short video below to show that it’s still a beautiful, magical place. As soon as I visit again, I’ll write a more detailed article.

Getting there is pretty straightforward. Either by car from Rovaniemi (it takes 10min max), or by bus on line 8, or with a guide, and you’ll get a buffet in addition to the visit. But if you’ve got a car, you can do it all on your own.

Find out more about Santa Claus Village here!

If you wish, you can also sleep on site. Lots of possibilities (not cheap), but great things like the Santa Claus Holidays Village oruuuu sleeping in these glass igloos to sleep under the northern lights!

Where to go in Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland is really big. Really big. So if you don’t know your way around, wanting to get up there can be complicated, as there are so many choices.

My aim here is to show you different regions, towns and the advantages and disadvantages of each place. You can’t do the same thing in Rovaniemi as in Kilpisjärvi , for example. So I’m going to give you a brief description of these places. Obviously, the list is not complete, as it would be too long (and besides, I don’t know the others).

• if you’d like more information, then in the following article I’ll give you a comparison of Finnish resorts so you know where to go.

Map of Finnish Lapland

I’ve created a map of Finnish Lapland that includes everything you’ll need to plan your trip:

• accommodation, including ice igloos under the northern lights
• all the best activities, in every town, such as dog sledding and snowmobiling
• all reindeer farms
• aurora borealis agencies
• and lots more info for each resort!

Levi

Levi is probably Finland’s best-known ski resort. It has plenty of advantages, so it’s easy to see why, but it also has a few drawbacks. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, then don’t go to the resort, but stay away because it’s lively! On the other hand, you’ll find every comfort, every convenience, restaurants and bars, and a large ski area

• Benefits
  • Very easy to reach from France, Kittila airport is right next door.
  • Plenty of infrastructure, hotels, bars and restaurants (local and international), it’s lively.
  • Lots of activities
  • The ski area is big and really good
  • The view from Mount Levi (accessible by cable car)
  • It’s easy to get away from it all just a few km away
  • Great location for northern lights (better than Rovaniemi!)

• Disadvantages
  • I wasn’t expecting to find a real resort with all its activity, so it surprised me, I was looking for peace and quiet 😀

• Where to stay

The advantage of big resorts (well, big is relative here) is that the range of accommodation is really wide, and you’ll find lots of interesting things, and not particularly expensive. From the classic hotel to the ice hotel, ending up in a cottage lost in the forest. Here are a few examples:

• • Levin Alppitalot Alpine Chalets: very nice apartments at the foot of the slopes from 75€. I was there and frankly very happy.
  • Northern lights Village Levi: located 15km from Levi, you’ll sleep under the northern lights, in“igloo” chalets with glass roofs. Exceptional (but not cheap! around €200 a night).
  • Lapland Cabin: a magnificent wooden chalet, in the middle of the forest but just outside town.
  • Golden Crown – Levin Iglut: probably the best view in Finnish Lapland!

Find all Levi accommodation here!

• Activities

As you’ll see, there are all the classic activities (and more!) available in and around Levi:

• • Dog sledding
  • See the northern lights, alone or with a guide
  • Skiing in Levi’s superb ski area (ski passes and equipment available at the foot of the slopes)
  • Snowshoeing, alone or with a guide
  • Snowmobiling, 60km or shorter (ideal with children)
  • Fishing in a frozen lake, with a snowmobile ride
  • See reindeer on a farm

Yllasjärvi

I discovered Yllasjärvi last winter and it was a great surprise. I was in the area for a week, so I had plenty of time to explore. There’s a plethora of skiing and snowboarding activities, especially thanks to the small mountain and its large (for Finland) ski area. Nature is really beautiful here, and the view from the summit (accessible to pedestrians via the telephérique) is fantastic, especially for the sunset (watch out, it’s freezing!).

Far from the hustle and bustle, Yllasjärvi itself is a mini winter sports resort with a few hotels and restaurants, but there are plenty of chalets around too

• Benefits
  • Finland’s largest ski area
  • Plenty of snowmobiling possibilities, a real means of locomotion there
  • In the middle of Lapland, it’s possible to see the northern lights at least on the horizon
  • Lots of wide-open spaces
  • Easy access from Kittila
  • Good for northern lights

• Disadvantages
  • Several providers but not many agencies to do the activities
  • Honestly, I don’t see

• Where to stay
  • Korpikelo, a magnificent wooden chalet in the heart of nature for less than 100€.
  • Large apartments at the foot of the slopes also for under €100

Discover all Yllasjärvi accommodation here!

• Activities

In Yllasjärvi (and Äkäslompolo, 5km away), you won’t find many service providers like in Levi or Rovaniemi. I’ll list a few, but as we’re close to Kittila and Levi, we can fall back on these towns, which offer a wider choice.

• • See the northern lights on snowshoes!
  • Go snowmobiling in Äkäslompolo (just around the corner).
  • See reindeer on a ranch in Levi
  • Snowshoeing in Yllastunturi Park
  • Snowmobiling under the northern lights!
  • Dog sledding in Ylläsjärvi

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is considered the capital of the Arctic. It’s the city with the most infrastructure, where it’s easiest to go, with a huge number of activities. This is Lapland, and even though the city is relatively large, you’re soon out in nature

• Benefits
  • Very easy to get to, with direct flights from France to the airport.
  • Plenty of infrastructure, hotels
  • Lots of activities
  • Nature is right next door
  • You can ski either at Ounasvaara or Pyhä a little further north

• Disadvantages
  • In the south, so not the best for northern lights. Well, it’s still good, but let’s just say it’s further south than Levi and especially Inari, so they’re more often on the horizon than overhead, unless you drive quite a bit north.
  • It’s still a pretty big town, but it’s easy to get out.

• Where to stay
  • the Arctic City Hotel, one of the city’s best hotels at a fair price
  • Aurora Suite, a lovely apartment with sauna!
  • Ukonloma Cottages, an exceptional cottage in the middle of nature, on the shores of a lake!

Discover all Rovaniemi accommodation here

• Activities
  • See the Northern Lights
  • See reindeer on a ranch
  • Visit Santa’s village
  • Snowmobiling
  • Dog sledding
  • Bonus (practical!): go snowmobiling + huskies + see reindeer!

Muonio

I really liked the area around Muonio. We’re almost 100km north of Kolari, Kittila and Levi, so it’s not bad at all for the Northern Lights. There’s less infrastructure, fewer hotels, more nature, more lakes, more hiking. The only problem is that we’re a long way from the airport (1h, which is still OK), so it’s not the easiest place to get to. There are also fewer activity providers, but you can still find them. There’s even a mini ski resort with 10 runs

• Benefits
  • The Olos ski area, small but worthwhile!
  • Very little infrastructure, and therefore very few tourists, but plenty of opportunities to get moving.
  • Magnificent autumn scenery with all its lakes and forests
  • Good for northern lights

• Disadvantages
  • Very little in the way of infrastructure, hotels or organized activities.
  • It’s not the easiest place to get to from Kittila (1h drive).
  • You absolutely need a car

• Where to stay
  • Keimiölahen Maja, in the middle of a forest and on the edge of a lake, a fantastic setting for this hotel from under €100.
  • A charming chalet in the heart of nature, from 75€.
  • Lapland Dream Villas, large chalets in an exceptional setting

Discover all Muonio accommodation here!

• Activities

In the area around Muonio, there are several small service providers, not necessarily the easiest to find, but there are some! Especially when it comes to dog sledding.

• • Dog sledding with Wild Motion Siberian Huskies or Äkäskero Sleddogcenter
  • Snowmobiling with Lapland Safaris
  • For reindeer, I remember seeing a Sami camp at Torassieppi.

The nature of Muonio

Kilpisjärvi

I know Kilpisjärvi well because it’s on the border with Norway. And very often, when the weather is bad towards Tromso, I head for Kilpisjärvi where the weather is generally better. It’s very small, with 2/3 hotels, restaurants and a supermarket (open every day!), but there’s plenty to do. The scenery is lovely, and we still have a few mountains. It’s not a seaside resort like Yllasjärvi or Levi. No ski resorts.
In the following article, I’ll give you a brief introduction to Kilpisjarvi.

• Benefits

I like it because it’s super convenient from Norway. The location is great for the Northern Lights, with unobstructed views, no light and generally good weather.

• Disadvantages

Not necessarily easy to get to, as there’s no airport or train station. So you have to come by car, or by bus (but it’s long!), usually as a stopover on the way to Norway or further south like Muonio or Rovaniemi.

It’s a small strip of land heading south, with only one road. It’s hard to get away from it all (Muonio is 2h30 away, and so is Tromso).

• Activities

There are the classics: dog sledding, snowmobiling, northern lights, skiing/snowshoeing… although there aren’t many service providers as it’s such a small area. So almost everything goes through Kilpissafarit (but they’re very good).

• Where to stay

It’s pretty easy: we don’t have much accommodation, but it’s good quality. So you’ll find :

• • Tundrea Holiday Resort, with good facilities and a great setting.

Ivalo / Inari / Saariselkä

So I don’t really know this place, at least I’ve never (for the moment) landed here like in other places in Finnish Lapland. But this region between Ivalo and Saariselkä is also famous and has, I think, many advantages! Towards Inari, you’ll find large forests, lots of lakes, superb nature, great peace and quiet, but still a lot of infrastructure. Whereas towards Saariselkä, a little further south, you’ll find lots of activities and a large, renowned ski resort. All served by an airport. What more could you ask for?

• Benefits
  • The small but renowned Saariselkä ski area!
  • The nature! The forests are magnificent all year round, dense and superbly photogenic in winter with the snow.
  • Plenty of activities between Inari and especially Saariselkä
  • Very good for northern lights , as it’s located very far north in Lapland
  • Ivalo airport nearby
  • Less touristy than Yllas or Rovaniemi

• Disadvantages
  • The ski area is good, but not as good as Yllas or Levi.
  • That’s all there is to it!

• Where to stay
  • Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos, superb chalets and even igloos to see the auroras from 100€, in a crazy setting!
  • Aurora Village Ivalo, magnificent glass igloos from 250€.
  • Guesthouse Husky, sleep with husky breeders in Ivalo!
  • Star Arctic Hotel, in Saariselka, chalets in the heart of nature but next to the slopes, ideal for the aurora.

Discover all accommodation in the region here

• Activities

Many hotels and accommodations offer their own activities. Their snowmobile outings, the husky breeder next door, their cross-country skiing equipment, for example. Especially those that are a little lost in the forest (paradise).

In Saariselkä, you’ll find the main activities, including :

• • Dog sledding
  • Seeing reindeer on a farm
  • Experience the thrill of snowmobiling
  • See the northern lights with or without a guide
  • Learn to cross-country ski

Don’t forget that in the following article you can find the best activities in Inari and other Lapland towns!

How to plan your trip to Finnish Lapland

Organizing your own trip to Finnish Lapland

This doesn’t have to be the hardest part. But you will have to ask yourself the following questions (and this guide is mainly here to help you find the answers!):

• Do you want to see Lapland in the snow?
  • If yes: then from January (because it can be really bleak before then, due to the lack of light and not necessarily the snow) to April.
  • If no: then June to August for the midnight sun and summer. September to mid-October for beautiful autumn colors.
• Do you want to go during the Northern Lights period?
  • If so: from early September to early April
• Do you want to give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights?
  • If yes: I recommend Inari above all, Levi, Muonio and Yllas to a certain extent.
  • If it’s not too important: then Rovaniemi, as it’s much further south.
• Do you want to go downhill skiing and therefore have a mountain nearby?
  • If so, then Yllas and Levi are just right for you (the other areas are good too, but smaller).
  • If not, then you’ve got the whole of Lapland!
• Do you want to do these activities that are almost indispensable (I’m totally impartial, of course):
  • Dog sledding, reindeer watching, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
• What type of accommodation would you like :
  • a pretty chalet lost in the forest, as here (it’s heavenly)
  • an apartment at the foot of the slopes, as here in Yllas
  • a pretty group of chalets in a quiet location, but with hotel comforts, as here in Saariselka
  • glass igloos for sleeping under the northern lights, as here in Ivalo

So with all these questions, you should know a little more about where to go, when to go and what you want to do. After that, I’ve given you lots of links for accommodation and activities, so the rest shouldn’t be too difficult!

To sum up, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Snow or not
2. Northern lights or not
3. Car or no car
4. Convenient city or more intimate location
5. What activities do you want to do?

Then you’ll know:

• when to go
• which Lapland resort is right for you
• how to get organized, because if you don’t have a car, agencies will come and pick you up
• what activities you’d like to do, and where to book them

Practical information about Finnish Lapland

When to go to Finnish Lapland

Well… it depends! (obviously 😀 ) On what you want to see and do. Lapland is best known for its winter snow and northern lights. But summer is great, with its lush nature and voracious mosquitoes.

One season I really enjoyed was autumn. There’s no snow yet, the days are still long, there’s the northern lights, lots of hiking to be done, beautiful nature and autumn colors.

I’d avoid November/December. First of all, the snow arrives later and later, the days are short and depressing, it’s raining and it’s not winter yet.

So basically:

• for the magic of winter and snow: to get snow, from mid-November normally, until the end of March easy (there they still have some, early April). It depends a little on the year, but it used to be possible to get snow in October, but now it’s starting to arrive later. Usually it’s late October/early November, but if you’re coming for the snow activities, don’t take any chances and come a little later, mid/late November.
• Northern lights: to see them, you’ll need to come between early September and early April. So it’s up to you whether you prefer to see them under the snow or in autumn when the lakes aren’t frozen. Two different atmospheres, two opposite temperatures! In autumn, you’ve got the magnificent colors, you’ve got the hiking. In winter, it’s all the activities that go with snow.
• Autumn: early September to mid-October. It’s usually the end of mosquitoes, lots of hiking, it’s not cold, and you get the northern lights. It’s a great time to take in the scenery and go for a walk, while enjoying the aurora!
• summer: June to August, with the midnight sun. Mosquitoes are your companions! Sometimes a few, sometimes too many. But above all, this is the time when you understand why Finns love their country. Everyone heads for the cottage by the lake, to enjoy nature. Because that’s what Finland is all about: nature!
• spring: april and may. The snow is melting, the days are long and the weather is generally fine, but with some rain. There are no more northern lights to be seen, and it’s an in-between time that’s not at all touristy.

How long to stay

It’s not the easiest place to get to (as we’ll see below). And as there are plenty of activities to do, less than a week would be a shame and you’d be running out of time.

So a week is enough time to enjoy it, to have good weather at least once, and to do the main activities, see the Northern Lights (if it’s the right season, of course)

What’s your budget?

Well… it’s expensive. But it’s cheaper than Norway 😀

Roughly speaking, count at least :

• 2/300€ return airfare (for Rovaniemi, Kittilä is more expensive)
• 130€ per night accommodation (nice cottages are more expensive)
• 150€ per activity on average (dog sledding, snowmobiling…)
• 25€ a dish in a restaurant, beers at 8€.
• 40€ per day for car rental

And of course, the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Or at least you have access to accessible accommodation

How to get to Finnish Lapland

Oh well, the easiest way is by plane. There are three airports: Kittila, Rovaniemi, Ivalo.

There are many flights per day, most of the european capitals have, at least, a weekly flight with Rovaniemi and Kittila. Otherwise you’ll have a stopover at Helsinki.

But if you want to find the best prices, you need to compare. It varies enormously from one company to another, from one day to the next. I use Kayak but above all Booking Flights because it’s practical, but there are lots of other comparators.

Otherwise, from Helsinki, there’s the train to Rovaniemi and Kolari, and you can reach resorts like Levi by bus. See the Finnish train website

Find the best prices for Finnish Lapland!

Finnish Lapland and children

Lapland is obviously child-friendly!

Just imagine, you’ve got :

• Santa Claus in his village, with his reindeer and gnomes
• reindeer absolutely everywhere in the region, and if you go to a farm then you’ll have the chance to feed them. I know from experience that children love it! You can also take a sleigh ride, which is much quieter than dogs.
• plenty of kennels for dog sledding. Be careful, though, as there is an age limit for riding in a sled. It depends on each kennel: sometimes it’s 7 years old, sometimes 4, sometimes more relaxed, there’s nothing fixed.
• snow everywhere, so the kids are bound to be happy!

But beware of the cold! Kids are super tough (did you know that here they make newborns sleep outside in winter 😀 ), but they still need to be well wrapped up.

How cold is it in Finnish Lapland?

So in winter, it’s cold, yes. Like a lot. The locals say -25 is normal, but we’ll get between -10 and -30 in the middle of winter. But honestly, it’s okay because it’s a dry cold, there’s not much wind and we’ll be super well equipped. So it’s a good experience. You need to add layers, protect your extremities (very important) and have good shoes.

Outside winter, it’ll be between 5 and 15 degrees, so it’s easier to manage!

Be careful at night! When you’re hunting for the northern lights, that’s when you’ll feel the cold most. Because at night it’s colder (logically), so -25/-30, but above all you’re immobile, with your feet in the snow, in the cold, without stopping, without moving. And that’s the hardest part. Most of the cold will come up through your feet. And that can be terrible!

That’s why heaters are so useful.

Should I rent a car?

It depends. If you’re in a place, a hotel that lists all the activities, where you’re taken care of, it’s not necessarily worth it. Well, in that case there is one advantage in my opinion: looking for the Northern Lights. Because in general, if you’re in this kind of place, it’s lit up, so there’s light pollution. So it’s good to have a car to get away and avoid the clouds too.

In all other cases , I strongly recommend a car. Driving on snow and ice is easy, so you don’t need to be apprehensive, just anticipate (longer safety distances, braking too, no sudden movements…). And watch out for reindeer crossing without looking.

Having a car allows you to be free, to wander around, see the countryside and get away from the city.

After that, budgets start at €30 a day if you get in early, and can rise to €50 quite quickly. Petrol is more expensive than back home. Around 1.70€ a liter.

The most important thing is to compare. Use comparators, really. Look at the direct rental companies, but it really pays to take 30 minutes to compare. And compare the comparators!

I use two comparators, because they don’t have the same commercial agreements:

• Discover Cars
• Booking Cars (formerly Rental Cars)

Conclusion

So there you have it, you know almost everything about Finnish Lapland! I hope I’ve been able to enlighten you and answer any questions you may have had. What activities to do, especially where to go, which region of Lapland, because we’ve seen that each has its own specificities. So I really encourage you to go, whatever the season, but in winter it’s really magical!

Here are our other resources on Finnish Lapland:

• Which Lapland town to go to: I’ll tell you the differences between Rovaniemi and Levi, Ylläs and Inari, so you can choose your vacation destination!
• Sleeping in a glass igloo in Lapland: how about sleeping under the northern lights? I tell you all about it!
• The best things to do in Finnish Lapland: dog sledding, reindeer watching and snowmobiling are the classics, but there are plenty of others!
• See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland: I explain how to see them, and why this region is one of the best in the world!