Traveling to Lapland (Finland) in winter: 20 places to see and activities to do

If you have come this far, it is because you are valuing travel to lapland in a winter getaway.

And I can tell you right now that with this guide you will have all the information you need for your trip very clear.

In recent winters we have had the opportunity to travel to the region of Lapland in Finland, in the most authentic time to know the place where Santa Claus lives.

And if you are going to make this same trip, you should keep several things in mind.

Tips for traveling to Lapland in winter

Si vas a travel to Lapland, It is very likely that you will experience the same thing that happened to us the first time we visited. There are many logistical questions.

Transfers, meals, travel insurance or what clothes to bring are questions that you usually ask us before visiting Lapland.

And that's why we've written several articles to help you.

What to see and do in Finnish Lapland in winter

At the outset, you should know what to know Lapland in winter It is living diverse experiences from which you have a great offer to choose from.

Due to the snow and the difficulty of getting around, most visits involve arriving at a city and then signing up for one of the many excursions the area offers.

It is different if you travel to other cities further south such as Helsinki which consists more of visiting the city.

And these are experiences that can only be had in this part of the world, some of which I really find mind-blowing and which I would do again and again. And I warn you that if you visit Lapland the same thing will happen to you.

Keep in mind that there are many more, this is just a small personal selection of those that I consider essential and the most curious.

Throughout the article you will see all the options you have, in addition to the ones I have just highlighted.

But let's start at the beginning, because if you've never been to Finnish Lapland, you probably don't know that there are several areas that you can visit.

Rovaniemi in Finland

The most famous and most important city in Finnish Lapland is Rovaniemi.

It is a city that is very close to the imaginary line of Arctic Circle and without a doubt, one of the star destinations in Finland.

The city is very beautiful and interesting as you will be able to see now when I break down the places to see in the city, but what makes it world famous is the daddy's house Noel.

As in the rest of Lapland, in Rovaniemi you also have the opportunity to see the northern lights, although I will tell you about that later.

• What are the tours like to see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi?

You can also visit the interesting Arktikum museum that brings you closer to the culture of the Arctic region.

And of course, you can also see Santa Claus, in addition to riding dog sledding and in reindeer sleigh, eat at an ice restaurant and slide on a large float on an ice rink.

What to see and do in Rovaniemi

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

La visit to Santa Claus has become an essential in a winter trip to Lapland in FinlandI would almost say that it is the main reason to visit this part of the world, especially for people who travel with their families.

His home and post office are located in the Santa Claus Village near Rovaniemi, a tourist enclave that arises from the line of the Polar Circle Arctic and you can learn more about it in the article below

• What to see and how to visit Santa Claus Village, the home of Santa Claus

Various facilities for tourist activities, as well as shops, are now concentrated in that place. remembrances or with a hotel where you can stay.

Snowman World Ice Bar and Restaurant

In the area known as Snowman world inside of the Santa Claus Village en Rovaniemi you find a ice bar and restaurant, and you can also sleep in your igloo hotel.

But in this true theme park of childhood illusions (and I assure you that of adults...) that is the Santa Claus Village, you can also see the Santa Claus Post Office.

Or walk through a farm husky dogs whose puppies will surely touch you.

Arktikum Museum in Rovaniemi

What's cool about Rovaniemi is that it's not just Santa's camp, there's a good-sized city with very interesting places like the Arktikum museum in Rovaniemi

It is the best place to learn about the history and geographical features of this Arctic region, as well as its historical inhabitants, the Samis.

Furthermore, due to the configuration of the building of this museum of science and ethnography, with a glass roof, is an ideal place to see northern lights sheltered from inclement weather.

Don't miss the beautiful multimedia presentation of the northern lights which takes place in the large auditorium of the Arktikum museum.

Northern Lights Photo Safari in Rovaniemi

They are diverse excursions which you can sign up for “hunt northern lights", as a photography tour that will allow you to get the best out of this incredible phenomenon of nature.

On this tour that takes place through the surroundings of Rovaniemi You will be able to visit several landscape settings whose beauty will be enhanced by the appearance of the northern lights.

And during the tour, a photography specialist guide will guide you on the best way to capture with your camera. the most beautiful photos of the northern lights.

Kemi in Finnish Lapland

En Kemi, a small town of 20.000 inhabitants in the Baltic coast of Lapland that we loved and that we always recommend to include in everything trip through finland.

If you like snowy landscapes, travel in winter to Finnish Lapland You can enjoy the most beautiful postcard scenes.

Come prepared with your camera to photograph large forests with snow-covered treetops, frozen lakes and cities and towns with colorful wooden houses, like this one from Kemi.

If you want to see a bit of the city, we recommend going up to the terrace of the building Kemi town hall, the highest in Lapland, where you can also eat at the restaurant Cafe Panorama.

From that location you have spectacular panoramic views of the city, its surroundings and the ice cream. Baltic Sea.

En Kemi you can live the experience of sleep in the SnowCastle ice hotel or stay in their Crystal Villas on the banks of the completely frozen Baltic Sea.

Among the annual what you can do has a snowmobile adventure safari and a snowmobile fishing trip at the Baltic Sea after making a hole in the ice.

But the most original experience you can live in Kemi es sail the Baltic aboard a real icebreaker ship and bathe in the sea in a waterproof suit, a 100% recommended excursion that I will now tell you about.

What to see and do in Kemi

SnowCastle in Kemi

The main Kemi tourist attraction, On the banks of Baltic Sea In Lapland, it is the aforementioned Snow Castle.

It is an ice enclosure which is set up every year incorporating a renewed decoration, and is visited every day by hundreds of tourists.

At the Snow Castle you will be surprised by the impressive Ice Chapel where several weddings are celebrated every winter, or the venue that emulates a library with ice books.

Kemi SnowCastle Ice Hotel

Spend a night in SnowCastle ice hotel Kemi is one of the unique experiences you can have during a trip through Finnish Lapland in winter.

I tell you that It is not an activity “suitable for all audiences”, both because of its really high price, and because the experience has its inconveniences and you shouldn't be particularly bothered by the cold.

But don't worry, I assure you that despite sleeping at a constant temperature of -5 degrees, you won't be cold at all if you're well equipped with a thermal sleeping bag for extreme temperatures.

I'll tell you more, I was hot and had to open my sleeping bag to cool off a bit.

Of course, I can tell you that there are only a few thousand people in the world who have experienced the experience of sleeping in an ice hotel that, if you don't know, each start of the winter season has to be built from scratch.

• Here you can see the price of the SnowCastle ice hotel

Icebreaker boat tour in Finnish Lapland

If there is an exclusive experience that can only be done in the finnish lapland that is undoubtedly the excursion aboard a real icebreaker ship.

It is the only tourist icebreaker in the world in which you will sail opening the route through the ice Baltic Sea.

On the excursion aboard the icebreaker ship (in our case, the Sampo) you will be able to learn in depth about the history of this ship and how it is possible for a ship to be able to do this.

It is a truly original experience, watching the ship open its route on the ice that covers the sea... and you will also have the opportunity to bathe in it Baltic Sea frozen.

Bathing in the frozen Baltic Sea in Lapland Finland

The highlight of the excursion aboard the Sampo icebreaker in Kemi is when the time comes bathroom in the Baltic Sea frozen.

Protected by a thermal suit you can bathe in the icy waters of the Baltic, regardless of how old you are.

A truly very special experience in which not only the youngest people participate, but people of all ages.

Arctic Adventure Safari in Kemi

In Kemi you can sign up for Arctic Adventure Safari, an interesting activity that will lead you over the frozen Baltic Sea to a small island.

This excursion takes place aboard Olokolo, a curious and comfortable traditional closed sled, with heating included, which is pulled by a snowmobile.

During this excursion you will be able to take beautiful photos, walk on the frozen sea with snow rackets and enjoy a snack in a camp with a bonfire.

Other areas and activities in Finnish Lapland

Activities in Kuusamo, on the border with Russia

Kuusamo It is another of the destinations that can be visited in Finnish Lapland that are well worth it.

It is located on the border with Russia and it is a less known area in winter than Rovaniemi, but In summer it is one of the top destinations in Finland.

This popularity in summer is explained by the fact that it is an area of ​​large lakes with beautiful cabins in the forest.

However, what is surprising to hear is that in winter you can do almost the same activities as in other areas of Lapland, and we have been able to see this first hand.

House of Father Noel in Kuusamo

En Kuusamo You can also visit another Santa Claus House.

And it's not that it's a copy, it's that in many cities in Lapland there are houses of Papai Noel so that you don't miss out on the experience no matter which city you visit.

Easy to understand because we all know that Santa Claus is able to go to several places very quickly.

In fact, we have to admit that it is a much more personal, individual and authentic experience than in Rovaniemi, where you still feel like you are in an amusement park.

Ice-floating to see the Northern Lights in Lapland

Another of the tremendously top experiences that we have been able to do in Finnish Lapland is the Ice-Floating.

And if the experience of floating on ice in a dry suit was mind-blowing when we did it on the icebreaker Sampo in Kemi, this one surpasses it.

Pay attention to the experience, because what you live is the same but improved.

They put on a dry suit and you let yourself drift through the water of a river or a lake, looking up at the sky. And why is that so? Because you can do it while the Northern Lights are in the sky.

It is something truly incredible that you can do in various places in Lapland, although it cannot be guaranteed that there will be auroras in the sky, but if there are not, the experience of floating like this is highly recommended.

Activities in Ruka

Not far from Kuusamo, in Hand, you can visit a ski resort, make a snow motor excursion, and of course, enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna.

You can also walk with snowshoeing through the Ruka natural park, an amazing experience since you can feel the pure air of the forest as well as you can see it in the trees that have a tremendous layer of lichens.

Something that only happens in places with 0 pollution.

You can also take a trip on a dog sled huskies.

See the Northern Lights on your trip to Lapland

Clearly see northern lights It will be a goal that will haunt you during your winter trip to Finnish Lapland.

The funny thing is that it is so common to want to see them, that there are activities of all kinds, of which you have several examples here.

Due to its geographical location, Lapland is an ideal place to enjoy the so-called "Northern Lights"; You just have to have some luck so that the weather conditions allow it.

I tell you that it is essential to have a night with a clear sky and clean of light pollution from towns or cities.

Therefore, if you want to see them, you need to try for several days, because as you can understand, in winter at this latitude most days are cloudy.

And if you travel during the time when there is northern lights activity, something common throughout the winter, you will enjoy one of the greatest and most beautiful spectacles that nature offers us.

Finnish sauna, ice lake bath and Jacuzzi

Whenever we travel we like to experience the country we visit according to its traditions.

And in Finland one of the most authentic ones that we have been able to enjoy is the full sauna experience.

It is a ritual where business meetings are held, deals are closed and friends meet.

First, you go through the inside of the wooden sauna, with water vapor to open the pores.

When your body is already quite hot, you go down to the frozen lake where there is a hole so you can get into the water that is almost 0 degrees.

After the rejuvenating shock, you finally get into a hot water jacuzzi.

An experience that I assure you your body will appreciate.

Other activities to do in Lapland

Camping with bonfires in Lapland Finland

In the snowmobile tours or for hunt northern lights, camping with bonfires They take center stage at the end of the night shift.

It is a good way to end the excursion, sharing some sausages and some snacks to the warm fire of a bonfire, which you will be grateful for given the great cold that prevails.

Ice Fishing Snowmobile Tour

Other activities you can do in your trip to Finnish Lapland is a Baltic Sea Ice Fishing Snowmobile Tour.

This excursion that you can do in Kemi it allows you drive your snowmobile over the frozen sea until you reach a point where, after making your own hole in the ice, you can fish.

And I can tell you from experience that fish bite!

Where to sleep in Finnish Lapland

To prepare your trip, it is essential to search in advance for the accommodations that, due to their comfort and price, best suit your preferences and budget, for which this website will be very useful.

Here you have the most complete offer of hotels in Finnish Lapland, and more specifically, it will surely be useful for you to check the availability of hotels in Rovaniemi.

The experience of sleeping in Villas de Cristal

An exclusive experience that we recommend and that you can experience in your winter trip to Lapland is sleeping in a very cozy Crystal Villa On the banks of Baltic Sea ice cream.

You can do it in Snow Castle by Kemi, and if you also enjoy a starry night with northern lights, I won't even tell you..., although you already know that for that it is essential that you coincide with a completely clear night.