It’s that time of year again! The holidays are rapidly approaching, and many travelers are already busy making plans for wintertime getaways. A lot of people associate Lapland, Finland with Santa Claus. In fact, you just might have heard that Lapland is where old Father Christmas has a headquarters. While Lapland certainly is famous for pumping out Christmas cheer, the magical wonderland offers numerous many other exciting activities that you can experience in the area throughout the year. After visiting, you’ll be sure to fall in love with it’s natural beauty and countless thrilling attractions.
Lapland spans across the norther region of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Much of it’s nature is untouched, the winters are long, and the aurora borealis can often be seen dancing about in the sky. Lapland clearly is one of most fascinating and intriguing places in Europe.
In this video, We’ll be sharing with you some of the best sights, attractions, and exciting diversions that await you in one of Europe’s most festive areas. Be prepared to make unforgettable memories. And don’t forget to bring your warmest clothes, because you’re gonna need them. Without further ado, Viewcation is proud to present to you, the best things to do in Lapland, Finland.
See The Northern Lights
Frequently regarded as being one of mother nature’s most mesmerizing shows, the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, can be seen dancing about in the Arctic night sky over Finnish Lapland between the months of January and April. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to accurately predict precisely when this ethereal phenomena can be observed. Even so, when the night is dark and clear, you should keep your eyes open. This is one natural wonder that you won’t want to miss if you’re lucky enough to witness it.
The resorts of Saariselka and Kittila are known for being some of the best places in Finnish Lapland to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Santa Claus Village
While this place can be classified as a tourist trap – and for a number of good reasons – it’s impossible to deny that Santa Clause Village is one of the absolute best and most festive attractions in Lapland. It is known for being the only official home of ol’ Saint Nick in the world, and the experiences that await you inside are quite unique. It can be found just 8 kilometers north of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. You can navigate there by hopping aboard a bus in the city. The journey to the village takes about 30 minutes.
Young visitors are greeted with Christmas treats at the Santa Claus Post Office. You can also visit Santa’s personal office, where you can meet the big guy himself in person. Another memorable attraction is the white painted line which designates the Arctic Circle. There are also a ton of restaurants, shops, and impressive ice sculptures located inside the village.
Ice Hotels
Paying a visit to an ice hotel is one of the most relaxing activities that Lapland has to offer. As the name implies, an ice hotel has everything from eateries to churches and rooms made of solid ice. There really isn’t an excuse for passing on a visit to a hotel constructed entirely out of ice and snow. At the risk of sounding a little cheesy, these hotels are pretty cool!
Igloo hotels, glass dome sleeping quarters, and ice hotels are some of the most exotic attractions in Lapland. Where else can you find the opportunity to spend the evening in a room made completely out of frozen water? It’s one of the most popular activities for the people of Finnish Lapland and tourists find it pretty incredible as well.
You can either opt to stay in the ice hotel or igloo hotel which are entirely made of snow and ice or you can opt for a nice relaxing stay in a glass igloo. Regardless of how chilly the temperatures get outside, you’ll remain warm and cozy while sleeping on your bed made of soft and warm reindeer hide in a well-insulated sleeping bag.
If that still sounds a little too frigid for your tastes, the glass igloos offer 360-degree views of the sky, which is perfect for seeing the Northern Lights, while still maintaining warm and comfortable temperatures that far exceed those experienced in the ice hotels.
Meet The Indigenous Sami People
The Sami people live in northern Lapland. They have a rich and colorful culture as well as their own language. As of 2022, the Sami population in Finland alone is about 10,500. Reindeer herding is a central component of the Sami people’s culture. They are also renowned for their expertise in activities like handcrafts, hunting, and fishing.
They have a remarkably beautiful way of adorning themselves. Traditional Sami dress is brimming with color and style, making the Smai really stand out.
If you’re really curious about learning about the Sami culture, we recommend a visit to Inari. Here you’ll discover authentic Sami craft shops as well as an enlightening Sami museum.
Take a Husky, Snowmobile, or Reindeer Safari
Ever wonder what it would be like to be pulled along on a sled by husky dogs or reindeer while experiencing the natural fairytalish beauty of the Lapland countryside? Well, if so, you’re in luck, because such exotic adventures await you in Finnish Lapland. Whether you choose to take a husky, reindeer, or snowmobile safari, you’re in for an experience of a lifetime.
All three types of safari excursions are common in Lapland. They are often organized throughout the populated regions. You can either opt for a short journey or a longer ride overs tens of kilometers. Longer outings typically are accompanied by hot beverages and a traditional lunch. By taking a safari, you’ll get the chance to explore the frozen wilderness while soaking up a bit of the unique local culture.
Santa Park
Within walking distance of Santa Claus Village is Santa Park. This subterranean amusement park is one of the most popular attractions in Rovaniemi.
The Christmas-themed park welcomes visitors with intriguing attractions and activities including sleigh rides, ice galleries, numerous family-friendly workshops, and even some elf shows. There is also an ice bar, a Christmas carousel, and Mrs. Gingerbread’s famous kitchen, where visitors of all ages can decorate cookies in a warm, cozy environment.
Yilas Ski Resort
This resort is home to the longest ski runs in Finland. Yilas is an especially popular ski destination that spans across two villages, Yilasjarvi and Akaslompolo. It’s a veritable paradise for both skiers and avid snowboarders. Tourists looking for dramatically beautiful alpine surroundings might be a bit disappointed, but those in search of high-adrenaline snowboarding, Telemark Ski, off-piste slopes, and an abundance of fun in the snow will be pleased by the remarkable variety of opportunities on offer.
Aside from winter sports, the resort offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, accommodations, and other entertainment options to choose from. The resort is a great place to book a safari, snowmobiling trek, horseback excursion, or even a winter swimming session in an ice hole for the most daring of visitors.
Levin Lapinkyla
This traditional Finnish farm allows guests to immerse themselves in the enchanting culture and traditions of the region. Attractions include smoke saunas, reindeer rides, and craft workshops. There are also a few fantastic restaurants and cafes to choose from that serve up authentic Lappish delicacies in a quint and thoroughly charming traditional atmosphere.
Levin Lapinkyla’s biggest draw, however, is the domestic animal farm where guests can come face to face with creatures like alpacas, sheep, reindeer, bunnies, goats, guinea pigs, gerbils, and a wide variety of colorful birds.
They also offer sleeping accommodations in modern glass-roof huts, which are designed specifically for viewing the Aurora Borealis.
Arktikum
Located along the banks of the river Ounasjoki, Arktikum is one of Rovaniemi’s primary cultural attractions. It’s also the fourth-best travel destination in Finland. This beautiful museum displays the history and culture of Lapland and the surrounding Arctic region while offering visitors a comprehensive deep dive into the local’s lifestyle, culture, folklore, and traditions ranging from prehistoric times to the modern day.
One of the coolest attractions at the Arktikum Science Museum is the Arctic Centre Library. There is also a lovely souvenir shop that sells authentic Sami craft goods and high-quality reindeer hide accessories. If you work up an appetite, the museum has a charming cafe where visitors can warm up with a fresh cup of coffee while dining on delicious Nordic foods.
Take A Ride In A Sauna Gondola
Often considered to be one of Finland’s most quintessential attractions, the sauna has long been an ideal way to relax and bathe in this frigid part of the world. But while many Arctic countries have embraced and even modernized this invigorating practice, for Finns, it has long been a sacred custom that is firmly rooted in their traditional culture.
Fascinatingly, in Finland, there are more saunas than there are vehicles. So, you don’t have to go that far out of your way to find one. Pretty much every hotel, cottage, and home rental is equipped with one, but for the ultimate sauna experience, you should definitely check out the one-of-a-kind sauna gondola at Yilas Ski Resort. This marvelous 2-hour experience lets you take in the natural beauty of the snow-capped surroundings from the comfort of a specially designed gondola equipped with an electric sauna.
Experience the Midnight Sun Of Summer
If you visit Lapland in the summer months, you’ll be treated to something that few get to experience. While during the winter months, the arctic region experiences absolute darkness 24/7, during the summer, the sun remains at the top of the horizon for 70 long days if you’re in northern Lapland. Further south, the sun will dip beneath the horizon, but you will still be able to witness the illuminated night sky.
Take an Icebreaker Cruise
One of the most exciting and peculiar things to do in Lapland is taking a cruise on the icy waters of the Bothnian Sea. For several hours, you’ll sail through large blocks of solid ice. When the Icebreaker makes a stop, you can walk out on the frozen sea and take a few frigid selfies. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can put on a flotation suit and jump into the freezing water. After an experience like that, however, you’d be wise to find the closest sauna to warm your bones.
Finnish Lapland might be best known for it’s close-knit relationship with Santa Claus, but there are so many amazing things to see and do while exploring this culturally-rich arctic region.
What are you most excited to experience when you visit Lapland? If you’ve already been before, what were some of your favorite attractions? Let us know in the comments.