19 Things To Do In Lapland

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1. Santa Claus Village

Amusement & Theme Park

Santa Claus Village is a magical Christmas-themed destination located in Rovaniemi, Lapland. It is the official home of Santa Claus, where visitors can meet Santa all year round, cross the Arctic Circle, and experience winter wonderland activities like reindeer sleigh rides, husky safaris, snowmobile adventures, and the chance to see the Northern Lights.

Seasonal only

Things To Do

Thanks to its location above the Arctic Circle, Lapland offers some of the best chances to see the Northern lights, with visibility on clear nights from September to April. Popular locations for Northern Light or Aurora hunting include Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä, Ylläs, and Inari, where minimal light pollution allows for spectacular displays. Guided tours can be booked online or through local ope (Read More)rators, or through hotel.

Seasonal only

Stay Experience

A stay at an Ice Hotel or an igloo in Lapland is a one-of-a-kind experience where travelers can sleep in rooms crafted entirely from ice and snow. These hotels are rebuilt every winter, featuring intricately carved ice suites, glowing ice bars, and frozen art galleries. The most popular locations in Finnish Lapland include Rovaniemi, Levi, and Kemi, with bookings available from December to April t (Read More)hrough travel platforms or directly with the hotels.

Village

Rovaniemi, the administrative capital of Finnish Lapland, is situated at the confluence of the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers, just south of the Arctic Circle. Renowned as the official hometown of Santa Claus, it offers visitors a unique blend of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and seasonal phenomena. It is popular for experiences like viewing the midnight sun, northern lights, and a range of (Read More) outdoor activities, making it a year-round destination.

Village

Saariselka is a picturesque village and renowned outdoor resort nestled in Finland's northernmost Lapland, approximately 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Situated within the municipality of Inari, it serves as a gateway to the expansive Urho Kekkonen National Park. Tourists flock here for its pristine natural beauty, diverse outdoor activities, and the enchanting Northern Lights displays (Read More). The village offers a harmonious blend of modern amenities and unspoiled wilderness

Village

Ivalo is a charming village located along the Ivalo River, approximately 20 kilometers south of Lake Inari. It is renowned for its winter sports, including snowmobiling, husky sledding, and ice fishing along with Northern Lights viewing. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy hiking, canoeing, and mountain biking amidst the midnight sun.

Museum

Arktikum is a science and culture museum in Rovaniemi, dedicated to Arctic nature, indigenous cultures, and the history of Lapland. One of its most famous features is its stunning glass tunnel, which provides panoramic views of the Arctic sky—a great spot for seeing the Northern Lights in winter.

Seasonal only

Amusement & Theme Park

SantaPark is an indoor Christmas theme park located in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, just a few kilometers from Santa Claus Village. Built inside a cozy underground cave, this unique attraction offers visitors a chance to meet Santa Claus, cross the Arctic Circle, bake gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus, and enjoy festive shows.

Museum

Siida is a Sámi culture and nature museum located in Inari, Finnish Lapland. It is the most important cultural center for the indigenous Sámi people in Finland, offering insights into Sámi traditions, Arctic nature, and the unique way of life in the far north. open-air section includes buildings from the 1800s, showing traditional Sámi housing and storage methods. It features an Open-Air Museum, N (Read More)ature Center, a museum shop and cafe.

National Park

Urho Kekkonen National Park is one of Finland’s largest and most stunning national parks, covering over 2,550 square kilometers (985 square miles) in Lapland. Located near Saariselkä and Ivalo, this vast wilderness is known for its untouched Arctic landscapes, rolling fells, deep forests, abundant wildlife, and outdoor adventures, including hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and Northern L (Read More)ights viewing.

National Park

Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, located in Finnish Lapland between the towns of Muonio, Kolari, and Kittilä, is famous for its rolling fells, untouched forests, and some of the cleanest air in the world. It is a paradise for hikers and skiers, offering well-marked trails, breathtaking viewpoints, and excellent cross-country skiing routes. It also offers great Northern Lights viewing opportuniti (Read More)es.

National Park

Pyhä-Luosto National Park is a natural area renowned for its ancient forests, rugged fells, and unique geological formations. Spanning approximately 142 square kilometers, the park stretches between the villages of Pyhä and Luosto. It is known for its well-marked hiking trails, rich birdwatching and Northern Lights viewing opportunities.

Boating & Cruises

The Icebreaker Arktika Cruise is a thrilling experience that allows travelers to sail through the frozen waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. Departing from Kemi, Finnish Lapland, this cruise offers a ride on an icebreaker ship as it plows through solid ice, creating massive cracks and icy waves. Tours are available from December to April and can be booked online or through local operators. One of the (Read More)highlights of the tour is the chance to walk and float on the frozen sea once the ship makes a stop.

Skiing

Skiing in Finnish Lapland can be done from November to May, when the snow conditions are the best. The region is home to several top ski resorts, including Levi, Ylläs, Ruka, Pyhä, and Saariselkä, each offering a mix of downhill skiing, cross-country trails, and off-piste adventures. Ski passes, equipment rentals, and lessons are available at all major resorts, with options to book online or on-si (Read More)te.

Animal Rides

Husky safaris take travelers through snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and remote Arctic landscapes, with a team of eager huskies leading the way. Tours typically start from Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä, Ylläs, or Inari, where visitors receive a short introduction on how to drive a sled before heading out on the trail. Bookings are available online or through local operators, with tours ranging f (Read More)rom short 5-10 km rides to full-day expeditions.

Adventure Sports

Snowmobile rides in Lapland, through snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and remote tundra landscapes, offer breathtaking viewpoints, hidden wilderness spots, and even the chance to see the Northern Lights at night. These safaris are available in Rovaniemi, Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, and Inari and can be booked through your stay, a local operator or online.

Things To Do

Ice fishing in Lapland is a peaceful and authentic way to experience the Arctic wilderness while trying your luck at catching fish beneath frozen lakes. This traditional activity is popular in Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä, Ylläs, and Inari, where vast frozen waters provide excellent fishing spots. These tours can be booked through local tour operators or through the hotel.

Things To Do

A trip to Finland is incomplete without trying the Finnish Sauna in Lapland. It is an integral part of the Finish culture and a typical sauna experience involves heating up in a wood-fired or electric sauna, followed by a cold plunge in the snow, a frozen lake, or an ice hole to stimulate circulation and refresh the body. Almost every accommodation, from hotels and cabins to lakeside cottages, has (Read More) a sauna, where you can try to enjoy this centuries-old tradition.

Rocks & Canyons

Korouoma Canyon, located in Lapland, is a breathtaking natural reserve known for its dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and frozen waterfalls. Situated about 1.5 hours from Rovaniemi, this 30-kilometer-long canyon is a year-round destination, attracting visitors for hiking in summer and ice climbing in winter.