9+1 unique experiences you must try in Lapland

Finnish Lapland is the closest you can get to the magical land of Narnia. Follow our guide and see what’s worth doing during the winter season in Lapland.

Lapland is the northernmost part of Finland, located within the Arctic Circle. It is, of course, home to our beloved Saint, Father Christmas, and is also famous for the Northern Lights, which are visible from there. All of this becomes a reality only in winter, when a layer of white snow covers the entire Tundra.

However, Lapland is not just a place for children waiting to see Father Christmas up close and play in the snow. Many villages, such as Saariselka, offer a wide range of winter activities for everyone, which can be enjoyed until May. Below, you will find the most important ones.

1. Explore the unique landscape by snowmobile

This is the best way to start your Finnish adventure. With a snowmobile, you will be able

to cover a lot of ground in your exploration. Take a tour on organised trails that include passages through frozen lakes, through forests, and across the vast snowy expanse of the Finnish highlands. You don't need a special licence to rent and drive a snowmobile. You just need a valid driving licence and to be over 18 years old. The weather is unpredictable, and you could even get caught in a snowstorm.

Prices vary, as does the range of excursions you can choose from. For example, a snowmobile trip to Santa's village can cost from €200 and lasts six hours. A nature ride through frozen lakes and landscapes is €80. You can also take a husky ride and visit a reindeer farm!

2. Learn to ski like a Finn

The best way to learn to ski is in the great outdoors. You will join a group from an organised school and learn the unique Finnish skiing style, which is a blend of skating and running. Once you master the basics in the training area, you'll be ready to head to the small hills for a smooth start. In the Saariselka area, there are over 200 km of ski trails for you to practice and excel!

Prices are €109 per person for a full day of skiing, while the lesson with the instructor will last 90 minutes. All necessary equipment is included in the price.

3. Try ice swimming
   

It seems very strange, especially for those of us who grew up in Mediterranean climates, but a dip in the icy river will be incredibly invigorating. You will find places similar to our spas that offer this service. There are rooms with a sauna, a fireplace, and your own changing room. From the room, a path leads you to the frozen river where there is an open hole specifically for this purpose. You might need to break a very thin film of ice.

To fully enjoy the experience, order a drink or a few beers to await you after your dip!

4. Walk through the forest with snowshoes

Snowshoes look very peculiar, reminding us of tennis rackets, but they are the most convenient and useful way to traverse a snowy area. In Saariselka, there are ideal conditions and trails to try a walk with snowshoes, which is also a wonderful form of exercise.

Book an excursion to explore the frozen forest. There's a good chance you might even see brown bears up close!

For a few hours, as it is quite tiring, it costs about €45 per person. Of course, snowshoes are included in the price.

5. Learn about the history, culture, and traditions of the Sami people

Since prehistoric times, the Sami people have occupied the northern regions of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia. At Siida, the Sami National Museum, you will be able to learn everything about their struggles and their persecution. There are records of their spiritual and material culture, and if you visit in summer, you can see various types of Sami dwellings and their hunting and fishing methods in the open-air museum.

A basic entrance ticket to the museum costs €10, while a private tour costs €110 for a group of up to 25 people.

6. Meet the Reindeer and take a sleigh ride

The Sami were known for reindeer herding. Visit a reindeer farm and get to know these wild animals. Learn all about reindeer, their personality traits, and even what tasks they are used for.

During your visit, you will take a short ride through the forest in a sleigh pulled by two reindeer.

The price is €138 per person for a visit lasting 2 to 2.5 hours.

7. Spend a night in an aurora cabin

In Northern Lights Village, there's a hotel that offers so-called "aurora" cabins with domed glass roofs, so you can admire these wonderful lights from your bed at night. Additionally, all cabins feature a double bed, a sofa, and a shower. The glass roofs have heating filaments inside, which activate if the roof freezes to prevent ice build-up.

A one-night stay is certainly not the most economical option, at €500 per night (mid-October – March) for two people, but it is a unique experience. Up until mid-October, and in the months of September and April, the price is €370.

8. Dine in an ice bar – restaurant

In the same village, Northern Lights Village, there is also an ice bar-restaurant. Another experience we recommend you try, and it's not as intense as spending a night in an ice hotel. Every year, €100,000 is spent on its construction. It is made from ice 2 meters thick. Guests sit on ice thrones and reindeer hides – and of course, the tables are also made of ice. Try a traditional reindeer meat dish and enjoy a refreshing gin and tonic served in a glass made of ice.

Every April, the hotel melts, which is why we anticipate something new every October!

A three-course meal starts from €55 per person.

9. Enjoy a wilderness dinner after the Northern Lights, or a tour with a professional photographer

In search of the Northern Lights, you will cross frozen lakes. Your chances of spotting them increase if you venture into the wilderness, where there is less light pollution and they are more visible. In Lapland, be prepared for very low temperatures, down to -28°C. Your guide, who will accompany you in your search for the Northern Lights, will lead you to a cabin where you will be served a delicious 3-course wilderness dinner.

Such a dinner costs approximately €125 per person. If you're not interested in that and are keen on photography, you can choose a package that provides a professional photographer as your guide, who will help you capture exactly the shot you want. For three hours, the cost is €135 per person.

9+1 : Become an Instagram legend

Lapland is a dream for every aspiring photographer. Everywhere you look, the frozen landscape is dazzling and offers something new to capture. Whatever you do, avoid taking off your gloves for too long, or get gloves designed for touch screen devices. The best times for photography are, of course, at sunset when the sky takes on the most beautiful pink and yellow hues, and at night when the Northern Lights are visible.

As you may have noticed, we haven't included a visit to Santa Claus Village. The reason is that our article features activities primarily designed for adults. However, for all of you who still feel like children, like us, on the website https://santaclausvillage.info/ you will find all the necessary information to visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and experience the true magic of Christmas.

Travel tips:

• Temperatures are very low, so bring as many layers as you can. And we mean cardigans, jackets, jumpers, thermals, as well as several pairs of gloves, scarves, hats, and of course, your warmest boots.
• Try all their traditional dishes and eat as much salmon as you can! It's truly fresh there!

Flights to Lapland and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi has an airport, but you will certainly need more than one flight to reach Lapland. Most likely, your connecting flight will be in Helsinki. Direct flights to Helsinki are available via Aegean Airlines from Athens. From there, you will take a connecting flight to Rovaniemi.

Search for cheap flight tickets on our homepage https://www.travelo.gr with all airlines. Here you can organise your entire trip with all flights and connections!