Welcome to Lapland—a place that feels like it came straight out of a magical snow globe. Lapland makes every winter dream come true with its stunning landscapes, the Northern Lights, and guaranteed snow. In this article, I’ll share the best travel tips for Lapland and the most beautiful activities you must experience during your winter vacation there!
Lapland is much larger than most people think. It starts just before the Arctic Circle and stretches beyond the borders of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and even Russia. However, when traveling to Lapland, most people think of Finnish Lapland, which makes up almost half of Finland. In this article, I focus on the Finnish part of Lapland, where you'll find the most beautiful places to visit and the best activities.
What’s the best way to travel to Lapland?
To get to Finnish Lapland, you usually fly to Rovaniemi, right on the Arctic Circle, or to Ivalo, which is around 250KM further north. The Santa Claus Express is also very popular. This train runs overnight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.
When is the best time to visit Lapland?
Lapland is a beautiful destination all year round. However, to enjoy the snowy paradise and see the Northern Lights, I recommend visiting during the winter months. The first snow in the far north can fall as early as October, but it usually doesn't fully cover the ground until December, and the snowy landscape lasts until March. From early December to early January, it is very dark. In Rovaniemi, you'll have only about 2 hours of daylight, while 300KM further north in Ivalo, the sun doesn't rise at all during this time. Although this darkness increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, you won't have much time to enjoy the sparkling snow in the sunlight.
The most popular time to visit Lapland is therefore mid-January to early March. These months offer the perfect mix of winter weather, dark nights for the Northern Lights and daylight with fantastic sunrises and sunsets.
Rovaniemi or Ivalo: Which city is better for your Lapland holiday?
Rovaniemi:
+ Advantage: Rovaniemi, with about 65,000 people, is the biggest city in Finnish Lapland and has the largest airport. This means there are direct flights from Germany, saving you a stopover in Helsinki. You can reach this winter wonderland in just 3 hours by plane. Plus, the famous Santa Claus Village is nearby, only a short drive from the airport.
– Cons: Although Lapland is generally very quiet and deserted, Rovaniemi is the more “touristy” part of Lapland with the most travelers, tour buses etc.
Ivalo:
+ Advantage: The region around Ivalo is incredibly quiet. You won’t see any tour buses and generally won’t even meet another soul. In addition, the best ski resort in Lapland, Saariselkä, is located here in the far north.
– Disadvantage: There are hardly any or no direct flight connections from Germany to Ivalo, but you will usually have to fly via Helsinki which makes for a longer journey.
Conclusion:
Depending on which accommodation you choose, I would choose Rovaniemi Airport or Ivalo Airport. We ourselves travelled in both areas as we didn’t want to miss out on any of the advantages of either region. That’s why we flew directly to and from Rovaniemi on the way to Lapland and on the way back and rented a car there. From Rovaniemi, it is around 3 hours (288km) by car to Ivalo.
Is it worth renting a car in Lapland?
This question really depends on how flexible you want to be during your trip to Lapland and how much you plan to explore. Renting a car in Lapland is not cheap, but local taxi fares can be quite high too. Friends of ours paid 100 Euros for a 10-minute ride to their hotel. You can rent a car in Lapland for about 90 – 150 Euros per day. Even though it might seem pricey at first, having your own car is usually worth it and gives you more flexibility.
How many days are ideal for a trip to Lapland?
The perfect length of your Lapland trip depends on how much you want to explore and relax and whether you want to go skiing. If you are focusing on just one region and only want to experience the basics, three nights is enough. However, if you want to travel around, have a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights and explore more remote places, then six to seven nights are ideal.
What to pack for your Lapland Trip
You definitely need to pack these essentials in your suitcase:
Warm clothing: At minus 25 degrees Celsius, it's crucial to dress warmly with several layers. Pack long merino underwear, merino wool socks, a fleece jumper, ski trousers, a thick winter jacket, a scarf, a hat, and warmly lined mittens (fingers get cold faster in gloves). Also, bring insulated winter boots suitable for arctic temperatures.
Hand and foot warmers to keep warm.
A tripod for your camera or smartphone to capture better photos of the Northern Lights.
A thermos flask for carrying hot tea on longer tours.
Tip for a unique place to stay in Lapland – The Valo Finland
The brand new “ice cube villas” at Valo Finland can accommodate up to 10 people, but they are also perfect for couples! Located near Ivalo, right on the slopes of the Saariselkä ski resort, these villas offer luxury and comfort across three floors. They feature their own wellness area with a panoramic Finnish sauna and a jacuzzi. The highlight of the villa is the large living and dining room on the first floor, complete with an open-plan kitchen, a fireplace, a large dining table, and an incredible view. There are three bedrooms in total, with the two master bedrooms boasting a panoramic glass roof so you might see the Northern Lights from your bed. With its own washing machine, tumble dryer, and fully equipped kitchen, the accommodation is perfect for longer stays. We absolutely love Valo Finland and will definitely return with our family!
Read More Things You Can Do in Lapland
