Finland is one of the most magical places you can visit in winter! Snow-covered forests, peaceful sauna experiences, and the famous Santa Claus Village create a destination that feels straight out of a Christmas story. It’s the perfect place to experience true Arctic magic!
Last Christmas, my husband and I spent four days exploring the best things to do in Finnish Lapland. The winter activities, stunning nature, and relaxing wellness traditions completely amazed us. Our trip was part of a larger two-week holiday adventure through Scandinavia, where we visited four countries and six cities—but Finnish Lapland easily stole the show!
If you’re planning your own winter getaway, this travel guide will help you discover the top activities to do in Lapland and how to make the most of your time in the region. From thrilling winter sports to cozy wellness experiences, it’s a destination filled with unforgettable moments.
Keep reading to find the perfect 4-day Finnish Lapland itinerary.
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Short on time? My top tips for Finland travel✈️
Finnish Lapland Itinerary Overview
Ready to plan your long weekend vacation to Finland? Here’s what I recommend for a 4-day or 5-day trip to Lapland:
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Day 1: Visit Santa Claus Village and Snowman World -
Day 2: Go husky sledding, explore a reindeer safari, and relax in a sauna -
Day 3: Check out the winter sports like snowmobiling, skiing, and snowboarding -
Day 4: Spend the night in an igloo and see the Northern lights -
Bonus Day 5: Go ice fishing and visit the Arktikum Museum
💡 This is the most unique hotel for seeing the Northern Lights – Vikajärvi Lake View Experience Igloos. Cozy vibes. Starry nights. Free breakfast.
The Perfect 4-Day Itinerary in Finnish Lapland for First Timers
This destination is unlike any place I’ve ever been and is a dream vacation for Christmas fanatics! Mix and match the top things to do in Finnish Lapland to custom design your perfect itinerary. Then, get ready to immerse yourself in a true winter wonderland.
Day 1: Santa Claus Village and Snowman World
Santa Claus Village
- Price: Free
- Hours: Year round
Visiting Santa Claus Village is one of the best things to do in Lapland—it’s the classic Christmas village we all grew up imagining. From snow capped trees to elves greeting you with holiday cheer as you enter a cozy Christmas shop and reindeer walking by, this place is the epitome of winter magic.
This place is located so far north, you’ll find giant red pillars marking your entrance into the Arctic Circle.
Roam around the colorful decorated boutique stores and buy a gift handmade from the elves themselves. Take your picture with Santa Claus and devour the most delicious hot coco according to my husband. After, head over to Santa’s mail room to write a letter and send it to a loved one.
Honestly, the mail room was my favorite part of the village because it helped me share the Christmas magic with my family back in the States!
Here we wrote and mailed letters to our nieces sharing that we met Santa Clause and his reindeer – it was such a tender moment I’ll never forget. After we dropped the letters into the mailbox, the elves (aka the staff) time stamped each one with an official North Pole postmark!
Keep in mind this village is located in Rovaniemi and is open year around. For more info, click here.
Snowman World
- Price: $40 per person and up
- Hours:
- December 6th-January 6th – open daily from 10:00am-8:00pm
- January 7th-March 17th – open daily from 11:00am-7:00pm
- Get tickets here
If you’re a fan of winter activities, visiting Snowman World is a must if you love to tube. This attraction is located in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, but offers a completely different experience, catering to the adrenaline, adventurous side of the Christmas season.
Here you’ll find an ice bar, ice restaurant, icy hills for sledding, and a frozen rink for ice skating.
I was shocked by how much I enjoyed my experience here! I went snow tubing for the first time at Snowman World and screamed in excitement as I zoomed down the ramp. It was such a thrilling ride!
However, I did make one huge mistake here– I wore jeans and my butt was soaked by the end of my runs (this is one thing I wish I knew before I went).
Lesson learned; don’t wear jeans in Finland unless you’re going to dinner or shopping at the malls or boutique stores. Otherwise, snow proof pants are they way to go and this pair from REI are the ones I wish I had.
💡Essential tip: Avoid my mistake and pack these waterproof pants for less than $150. You can thank me later.
Day 2: Husky safari, a reindeer sleigh ride, and sauna
Day 2 in the Lapland travel guide is all about connecting with the wildlife and nature in the area. After a day of high-energy thrills, reward yourself with a relaxing evening at a sauna.
Husky Safari
Dog sledding is extremely popular in Finland! It’s one of the top things to do in Lapland and trust me, it does not disappoint. Visit a Husky safari to greet these dogs up close and zoom around the frozen tundra as the dogs fiercely pull the sleigh.
We used this exact tour to book our Lapland husky ride!
In 3 hours we went dog sledding, on a reindeer ride, drank warm tea and coco, and enjoyed gingerbread cookies. It was a great experience with excellent guides!
One thing to know before you go is to dress warm and wear waterproof pants. I can’t stress this enough because I wore jeans with thermal pants and got wet from sitting on the sled. Again, once you’re wet, it’s really hard to stay warm, even with hand warmers.
Still, I absolutely loved my dog sledding experience! The rush you felt as you raced through the tundra was unlike anything I’ve ever felt or seen – a white, wintry paradise mixed with heart-pounding thrills and wind in your hair.
💡Essential tip: The husky safari tour sells fast, so book ahead on Viator!
Reindeer Safari
Visiting the reindeer safari in Rovaniemi was one of my highlights during this Finland trip. It’s a must-add to your Lapand itinerary as it’s one of the top activities to do in the city. Get ready to be whisked away into a magical white landscape blended with relaxing vibes and a cozy blanket to keep you warm.
After the sleigh ride, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the reindeer up close and feed them their favorite treat, lichens. Apparently it’s the reindeer equivalent of chocolate! Nutritious, loaded with antioxidants, and an excellent recovery snack after pulling people around the forest.
I still can’t believe I feed real reindeer in the North Pole!
Reindeer are incredible kind and gentle creatures. Going on a sleigh ride, then feeding them was a true “pinch me” moment and I’m thankful I get to relive as much as I choose with the priceless photos and video I took.
💡Want this exact tour? Book a spot here and meet these lovable huskies and reindeer yourself.
Experience a Finnish sauna
What I love most about Finland is that they don’t play when it comes saunas!
Every place we stayed at in Rovaniemi, in fact, had a sauna inside. Our apartment? You bet the bathroom doubled as a sauna. Our igloo? Step inside the giant main cabin and melt your snowy troubles away in the bathroom that converted into a sauna.
Check to see if your hotel offers one to get a taste of authentic Finnish culture. Otherwise, take it a step further and book a traditional sauna and ice swimming experience with Get Your Guide! It’s a relaxing way to boost your wellness, while also immersing yourself in the local heritage.
We booked one in Sweden and it was heavenly. After spending a couple hours switching between cold plunging in a frozen lake and sweating in a hot, dry room, we felt refreshed and rejuvenated.
We both agreed it was the best sleep we’ve had in a while – 9 hours of deep, non-interrupted sleep. Since we booked one in Sweden, we didn’t reserve one in Finland. But if we did, you betcha we’d be using Get Your Guide.
💡I love Get Your Guide for their top-tier, easy-to-book experiences—treat yourself to an unforgettable sauna session here.
Day 3: Winter sports
After a relaxing evening in the sauna, Day 3 is all about winter sports. From skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling, there’s options for every one. Choose one or all to add to your Finnish Lapland itinerary!
Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding
Finland is famous for it’s snowy slopes and amazing winter sports. Whether you’re new to snow sports or an esteemed pro, Lapland has options. I’ve only been skiing and snowboarding once in my life (I’m pretty sure it was in Denver), but the staff at one of the accommodations mentioned that Ounasvaara Ski Resort was the top place to go in Lapland.
Ounasvaara is a family-run ski resort just outside the city of Rovaniemi. Similar to Santa Claus Village, it’s located in the Arctic Circle so you can expected tons of snowy downhill slopes and tracks for cross-country skiing. It’s well maintained and rumor has it that it’s home to many Olympic Champions like Tanja Poutiainen and Kalle Palander.
Ski trekking
Ski trekking is popular thing to do during the winter in Lapland. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the magical white landscape up-close on backcountry skis. Glide through the snowy terrain with a local guide to learn about native plants, trekking techniques, and different animal footprints you may see along the journey.
The best way to go ski trekking in Finland as a tourist is to book a guided tour. This will cover rental fees, guide fees (tips aren’t usually included), entrance fees, and sometimes a meal is included.
I love booking on Viator! It’s convenient, easy to use, and you can find the best tour deals.
💡 Click here to book the best ski trekking tours on Viator.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is another popular winter activity in Finland. The thick blanket of snow that covers the ground creates the perfect environment for this high adrenaline sport and offers a unique way to connect with nature. Get ready for high-energy thrills and stunning beauty as you jet around the snowy Lapland terrain.
While we weren’t able to go snowmobiling due to time constraints, it’s top of our list for our next Finland trip.
This tour–snowmobile safari to lake Inari, meet and greet with reindeer, and lunch– checks all the boxes to fully immerse yourself in Finnish culture. Cuteness overload with reindeer, a homemade Finnish meal comprised of warm soup, and exploring the wilderness–sign me up!
💡Love high thrills? Book this snowmobile tour using Viator–one of my go to places to book tours abroad.
Day 4: Northern Lights
Today is all about chasing the northern lights. I’ve dedicated a full day in this guide to the best things to do in Finland because you’re likely stay up extremely late to catch the Aurora Borealis. Think 3:30am bedtime. So, you’ll want to make sure you’re well rested.
Northern Lights Safari
The number one thing to do in Finland is to watch the northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. When solar particles come into contact with the Earth’s atmosphere, it creates a streak of brightly colored lights that dance through the sky.
To see these picturesque streaks of green, blue, and yellow floating high above you, clear skies are needed. Our igloo listed a locally updated app that tracked the clouds and allowed people to log sightings nearby. That’s how we chased the lights ourselves!
Otherwise, the best way to see the northern lights is to book a guided tour, also known as a northern lights safari. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll see the lights since it’s dependent on the weather, but if you’re a beginner, like us, you’ll definitely have the better luck going with a local.
I highly recommend this tour – Unlimited Range Northern Lights Hunt with VIP Van – in Rovaniemi. It’s highly-rated, the guides are incredible, and they will take you to the finest lookout spots. All the things that we love!
💡 Click here to book the best northern lights safari on Viator.
Bonus Day 5: Ice Fishing and the Arktikum Museum
Have an extra day in Finnish Lapand? If you’re nodding yes, then a trip to the Arktikum Museum and going ice fishing may be right up your alley.
Ice Fishing
Nothing screams winter like ice fishing. It’s a staple outdoor winter activity across numerous cultures because it’s entertaining, peaceful, and an excellent way to spend quality time with loved ones. Plus, the frozen lakes offer a stunning backdrop for nature photography!
Try out ice fishing yourself or book a guided tour on Viator with a top-rated guide for the full Finnish experience! Choose from classic ice fishing (and frying your catch) to an ice fishing and snowmobiling combo.
We almost booked this tour – Ice fishing on a frozen lake – since it’s highly reviewed, but ran out of time. Still, we’ve heard great things about the ice fishing culture in Finland and can’t wait to try it out next time.
Arktikum Museum
There’s no better way to wrap up your trip to Finland than by embracing the Arctic lifestyle and the wisdom that comes with it. The Arktikum Museum is both a local museum and science center featuring exhibitions around northern ways, season of the arctic, and the historical significance of the coast.
If you’re looking for a warm indoor activity to do or obsessed with museums, visit this museum during your vacation. It’s located in Rovaniemi and is an enjoyable pastime for the entire family.
It’s open daily, Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00pm and closed on Christmas Eve. Tickets are about $23 for adults, and $6 for kids 7-15 years old.
💡 Save time and get your tickets online here.
When is the best time to visit?
Finland is a beautiful year round destination. Each season, you’ll find natural attractions that will leave you awestruck, from summer sunsets at midnight to snow-capped trees and brightly colored fall foliage. But if you’re looking for the top winter activities, November to February are the best times to visit.
While the Santa Claus Village is open all year, winter is when this magical place shines and comes fully alive. I visited during the first two weeks of December and loved how enchanting the entire city felt. From the heart-warming greetings to the late sunrises and early sunsets, this city was more than I hoped for.
Not to mention, it’s also the ideal time to try your hand at winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or ice fishing. Sleigh rides and dog sledding are also some of the top things to do during winter. I did both and was pleasantly surprised by how alive I felt after each experience.
What to wear and pack for Finland?
Finland is extremely cold during the winter. I brought jeans and thermal layers, but wish I packed more gear suited for the wet cold. Because no matter how many layers you have, once you’re wet, you’ll get cold.
And I can’t tell you how cold I was in my wet jeans. All I can say is thank goodness we had a car with a great heater and rechargeable hand warmers!
With that in mind, below is a brief packing list for Finland holiday. Remember, layering is your friend.
4-Day Finland Packing List 🎒
How much does a 4-day trip cost?
I haven’t ever shared numbers on my blog before, so this is a BIG deal! I wanted to share what we spent during our 4-day trip to Finland, in hopes that it will inspire you to visit this stunning destination, especially if it’s been on your bucket list.
It can be affordable depending on the activities you choose.
- Car rental from booking.com – $162 for four days. Convenient. Safe. I thought this was a steal to be honest! It’s the same price as in the USA. The roads were all well maintained and plowed constantly.
- Gas – $45
- One night in an igloo – $731. My top 5 stays of all time! It is truly magical to sleep beneath the northern lights (if you’re lucky) and the quietness was extremely peaceful.
- Hotels – $696. After our one night stay in an igloo we moved to a hotel.
- Winter activities –$300 pp
- Food – $150
- Souvenirs – $100
- Flights – $429 per person. We flew from Stockholm, Sweden to Rovaniemi, Finland and then from Rovaniemi, Finland to Copenhagen, Denmark. Our flight got canceled, thank goodness we had travel insurance to offset this cost.
- Travel insurance – $100 for two people. Safetywing is my favorite for digital nomads, while Travel Insurance Master is the best for groups and family travel.
- Train – $386 for two people
TOTAL – $2799 for a 4-day trip including flights for two people.
Finland can be a pricey destination, but picking budget activities can help with the cost. Winter is their peak season, so book accommodations and activities early to help with cost.
We decided to go all in, because for us, this was a once-in-lifetime opportunity. If you’re on a budget, consider doing one activity and booking an apartment on Booking.com. I can’t tell you how much money we’ve saved on all our trips combined by cooking our meals on vacation!
💡Did you get travel insurance? It’s my #1 favorite hack to protect both my health and trip.
How to get to Finnish Lapland?
There are several ways to get to Finnish Lapland from Helsinki.
By plane: The easiest way is take a direct flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. It’s takes about 4 hours and typically costs anywhere from $100-$300. We flew from Stockholm, Sweden and it was super convenient, easy flight.
By train: The train takes about 12 hours and costs between $40-$120. We took the 8-hour express train to Helsinki since our first train was delayed due to weather. I really enjoyed how relaxing and spacious the train car was, giving us plenty of downtime to watch a movie, journal, and sleep.
By car: The last option is to road trip from Helsinki. It’s a great option if you love a good road trip, are a local resident, or have plenty of time to spare.
Is it safe to drive in Finland?
Yes, yes, yes! We rented a car on booking.com once we arrived in Rovaniemi and it came in clutch. The deal we found was such a steal and the car gave us the freedom to move from one activity to the other without being on strict time schedule. It also made it easy for us to chase the northern lights throughout the area!
I can confidently say during our trip we always felt completely safe driving in Finland during the winter. We always let the car warm up properly, drove slow, and blasted Christmas music (aka ‘All I want for Christmas’ on repeat) while we enjoyed the picturesque snow-covered scenery.
💡Need a rental car? Book early on booking.com to save more during peak season in Finland.
Where to stay?
Vikajärvi Lake View Experience Igloos – a unique way to see the Northern Lights
From cozy romantic vibes and stunning views of the lake, I love that an igloo is a magical gateway into the heart of the Finnish wilderness. I’ve stayed in several igloos or bubble hotels and have learned that it’s the easiest (and my favorite) way to immerse myself in the local culture!
We absolutely loved our stay at Vikajärvi Lake View Experience Igloos – the solitude was peaceful and the complimentary breakfast was outstanding!
All the igloos are equipped with heat and a toilet. The main house offers a full kitchen, a cozy living room with a tv and fireplace, showers, and a charming sauna for warming up after a long day exploring in the cold. I like to think of it as the comfy and cozy lobby for the individual igloos.
Arctic Light Hotel – a modern hotel close to Santa
This modern boutique hotel is filled with all the creature comforts (i.e. slippers, robe, and sauna) for a warm, cozy stay in the middle of winter. It’s centrally located and only 5 miles away from both the Santa’s Village and the airport. The Arktikum Science Center is right next door along with the Sampokeskus Shopping Center which is great for buying souvenirs or last minute travel essentials.
Trust me, we spent a lot time in this shopping mall hunting for unique Christmas presents for the family like reindeer jerky, as well as using it as a respite from the cold by warming up indoors.
Visiting Finnish Lapland: FAQs
✅ How many days should I spend in Lapland, Finland?
After spending over two weeks exploring the Scandinavian region (aka Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland), I think the ideal amount of time to spend in Lapland is 4 days. This gives you plenty of time to experience the best things to do, see, and eat without emptying out your pockets completely. Ultimately, the amount of time you spend here depends on your budget and how much time you have.
✅ Is Lapland, Finland worth visiting?
Do you love adventure, snow, wildlife and Santa Claus? If you’re nodding yes, then Lapland is 100% worth visiting! It was hands-down one of my favorite stops on our Scandinavian itinerary because of the stunning snow-capped wilderness and, come on, I got to feed a reindeer (seriously, where else can you do that?).
I found this destination to be family-friendly and bae-cation approved. It serves up some serious winter wonderland vibes–I loved Finland!
✅ What is Lapland most famous for?
Lapland is famously known for being the home of Santa Claus, but it’s also home to Santa’s trusty steed, the reindeer. In fact, there’s more reindeer living in Lapland than there are people! For more than 5,000 years, the Sámi, Finland’s indigenous people, have also called Lapland home.
✅ Can I wear jeans in Lapland?
Absolutely! Although, I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re visiting during winter because it’s extremely cold and snowy. I wore jeans and I can’t tell you how many times they got wet from winter activities like sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and more.
Save the jeans for a nice dinner out, otherwise snow pants are better suited for this winter holiday.
Final thoughts
With snow-covered forests, soothing sauna rituals, festive markets, and the iconic Santa Claus Village, Lapland delivers Christmas magic at every turn. It’s a winter wellness paradise for Christmas lovers and adrenaline seekers–and quickly became one of our favorite stops during our Scandinavia trip.
I hope this curated list of the best things to do in Lapland inspires your next or first trip to Finland! Whether you stay 4-days or one-week, you’re bound to have an amazing time in this stunning country.
Happy adventuring!
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