A Good 10 Day Finland Itinerary in Winter (Helsinki + Lapland)

When you ask me about my favourite Nordic nation, I believe my reply may shock you. As a result of I believe it is Finland! I like Finnish individuals and their dry wit and humorousness; I like Finnish espresso tradition; and I fell in love with Helsinki on my first go to.

However you realize what else I like Finland for? Its winter adventures! From canine sledding to aurora-chasing to sauna-ing, Finnish Lapland particularly has all of it! Finland within the winter is actually a dream journey, and I am right here to share with you what I believe is the right introduction to it.

This Finland winter itinerary will cowl:

• Issues to do in Helsinki
• Optionally available in a single day practice to Lapland
• Northern Lights-chasing
• Assembly Santa Claus at his house
• Touring an ice lodge
• Staying in a glass igloo
• Making an attempt a conventional Finnish sauna
• Canine sledding, assembly reindeer, and extra!

And you will not must hire a automotive for this one!

When to go to Finland in winter

This heading might sound a bit foolish, as a result of clearly you are doing this journey in WINTER. However winter in Finland (and particularly in Lapland) could be fairly totally different relying on which month you go to.

Finland is among the Nordic international locations the place the northern reaches expertise Polar Night time for a number of weeks annually. And much more southern cities like Helsinki have very quick days throughout the peak of winter.

For instance, December has the shortest days in Finland — even in Helsinki, the solar does not rise till 9:25 a.m. in late December, and units round 3:15 p.m. By late-February, although, the solar is rising round 7:30 a.m. and setting round 5:30 p.m. In Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, the winter days are even shorter. In December in Rovaniemi, the solar rises round 11 a.m. and units by 1:30 p.m. By mid-February, nonetheless, the solar is rising somewhat after 8 a.m. and setting round 5 p.m.

Late November and December additionally aren’t ultimate occasions to go to in case you’re in search of snowy landscapes, because the snow has been coming later and later lately. December can be essentially the most in-demand month for households to go to to allow them to go to Santa Claus in Lapland earlier than Christmas, making cities like Rovaniemi additional costly within the lead-up to the vacations.

So if you wish to (hopefully) see loads of snow, meet Santa with out large crowds, plus have sufficient daytime to do out of doors actions however nonetheless sufficient nighttimes to chase the Northern Lights, the very best month to go to Finland in winter is certainly February! The second half of February could be my ultimate time for a winter journey to Finland.

My excellent 10 day itinerary for Finland in winter

Be aware: This itinerary does NOT require you to hire a automotive or to take any lengthy bus rides on icy roads. Due to this, it focuses on simply two primary areas: Helsinki, and the world round Rovaniemi in Lapland. You completely might add extra time in Lapland in case you wished to go additional north (for instance, to Ivalo), however this itinerary does not cowl that!

Day 1: Helsinki

Welcome to Helsinki, the capital metropolis of Finland! Helsinki is such an fascinating metropolis, with bits that really feel very Scandinavian, however different bits that really feel barely Russian — which is smart, contemplating that Finland was a part of each the Swedish empire and the Russian empire earlier than lastly gaining its independence in 1917.

However Helsinki is undeniably Finnish, too, which I believe you will perceive when you begin exploring.

When you arrive in Helsinki, I like to recommend heading into the town heart and dropping your luggage at your lodge. (You may take the practice instantly from the Helsinki airport to Helsinki Central Station in about half-hour.)

After which it is time to make the most of the quick daytime to discover a little bit of Helsinki’s metropolis heart. The highlights I like to recommend seeing (that are all inside about 10 minutes of each other on foot) embody:

• Vanha Kauppahalli – Cease for lunch on this historic market corridor from the 1800s, which serves up all types of Finnish meals, from fish soup to reindeer meat to licorice gelato (the Finns LOVE their licorice!).
• SkyWheel – Order a glass of bubbly finish benefit from the views of the town and harbor as you trip this large Ferris wheel. You may also get good views of the general public sauna/pool within the harbor right here. (You can book ahead, however you do not essentially should; I purchased my ticket on arrival.)
• Uspenski Cathedral – This ornate purple brick cathedral courting again to 1868 is the most important orthodox church in Western Europe, and is much more lavish on the within.
• Helsinki Cathedral – On Senate Sq., this Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral is understood for its inexperienced dome and large granite staircase main as much as it. The cathedral was constructed as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I of Russia (who was ruling Finland on the time), and you’ll go inside outdoors of worship hours.
• Nationwide Library of Finland – The library exhibits off Helsinki’s Neoclassical structure each in and out, with the rotunda being my favourite half.
• Helsinki Metropolis Museum – Situated on Senate Sq., this small metropolis museum is free to go to, so could be one other good place to drop in when you have time (however it will come final on my record, personally!).

That is perhaps sufficient sightseeing on your first day, particularly in case you arrived from the US this morning.

Day 2: Suomenlinna + Santa practice

Helsinki is situated on an archipelago made up of roughly 330 islands. And one of many prime issues to do in Helsinki is to take a ferry out to a set of these islands known as Suomenlinna, which is what I like to recommend doing after breakfast this morning.

Suomenlinna is definitely what’s left of a large sea fortress constructed by the Swedes within the 1740s (bear in mind, Finland was part of the Swedish Empire) to assist defend in opposition to the rising energy of the Russian Empire. The fortress, known as Sveaborg, consisted of 8 separate small islands, of which six have been fortified with defensive partitions.

The Russians did ultimately take this fortress in 1808, they usually held onto it till Finnish independence in 1917. Finland then modified the title from Sveaborg (Fort of the Swedes) to Suomenlinna (Fort of Finland) in 1918. Right this moment, Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and is nicely price a go to.

Within the winter, HSL ferries run from Market Sq. (Kauppatori) to Suomenlinna roughly each 40-60 minutes (verify the Line 19 schedule here). You want an HSL AB ticket for this ferry trip, which you’ll both purchase by means of the HSL app in your telephone, or through the use of a ticket machine on the ferry dock.

The ferry trip is a fast quarter-hour. When you get to Suomenlinna, there’s rather a lot to see, together with museums, galleries, sea partitions lined with cannons, and extra. 800 individuals really name this assortment of islands house, however notice that some points of interest and cafes shut or are solely open restricted hours within the winter.

Begin your go to on the Suomenlinna Customer Centre, and from there you may observe the Blue Route across the island to see among the primary websites. This strolling path is well-maintained, even within the winter — however it’s all the time a good suggestion to have a pair of Yaktrax with you in case you encounter snow/ice, or in case you need to discover off this path in any respect.

There are a number of cafes across the island to pop into for a scorching drink or snack, together with Café Vanille and the Suomenlinna Centre Café inside the primary museum.

Within the afternoon, head again to Helsinki on the ferry.

As soon as again in Helsinki (or, as a substitute of Suomenlinna in case you’re not up for an outside exercise at this time), contemplate visiting one in all Helsinki’s distinctive museums. The highest ones to select from are:

• Nationwide Museum of Finland, or Kansallismuseo – This museum is a superb place to study extra about Finland’s historical past as an entire, from prehistoric occasions by means of the current day. Nonetheless, this museum is closed for renovations till 2027!
• Artwork Museum Ateneum – Situated in a grand Nineteenth-century constructing, this artwork museum focuses totally on Finnish works from the 1700s onwards. It additionally has a number of worldwide items, together with ones from the likes of Van Gogh and Rodin.
• Museum of Up to date Artwork Kiasma – A part of the Finnish Nationwide Gallery, Kiasma focuses totally on Finnish modern artwork, and is in a really cool constructing.
• Amos Rex – An artwork museum showcasing fashionable and modern artwork in a really cool house, with an outside house (Lasipalatsi Sq.) that is enjoyable to go to.

You additionally may need to pop into the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, which is a design-forward library that opened in late 2018. Together with regular library-type choices, you can even discover two cafes, areas for lounging, and areas you may hire for every little thing from recording music to enjoying video video games. The house is tremendous stunning, and displays the Finns’ affinity for distinctive design.

Tonight, both have a soothing night at your lodge, or pack your luggage and prepare to take the in a single day Santa Claus Specific to Finnish Lapland!

Optionally available night time practice

Not everybody goes to seek out this interesting, which is why I am including it on right here as optionally available. However in case you’re up for the journey and like the concept of being extra eco-friendly and taking the practice as a substitute of flying to Lapland, there is a cool in a single day choice between Helsinki and Rovaniemi known as the Santa Claus Specific.

This double-decker practice has Santa proper on the facet, so you will be moving into the spirit earlier than you even board. You *can* e-book a daily seat (which may be very reasonably priced at lower than €30 per particular person), however remember that it is a 12-hour in a single day practice. I personally wouldn’t need to be upright in a practice seat in a single day, however it’s an choice.

I did this journey with my good friend Kat from World Wide Honeymoon, and we opted to e-book a sleeper cabin for this journey. There are two forms of sleeper cabins on the night time practice: downstairs cabins that sleep 2 the place you might have entry to shared bathroom and bathe amenities (beginning at €179 whole for two individuals), or an upstairs cabin that sleeps 2 and has an ensuite toilet-shower combo (beginning at €204 whole for two individuals).

We booked the cabin with ensuite toilet, and thought it was a reasonably whole lot! The practice has a restaurant automotive, too, the place you may get dinner, drinks, and breakfast, or you may pre-order a lightweight breakfast to be delivered to your cabin.

Now, some professionals and cons of taking this Santa Claus Specific practice:

Execs:

• It is essentially the most eco-friendly strategy to journey by far, and is fairly straightforward because you get on the practice in Helsinki and find yourself in Rovaniemi with out having to cope with airports or safety checks in any respect.
• It is cost-effective for the reason that worth contains each your transport and one in a single day keep. It was positively cheaper than flying and reserving one other lodge would have been.
• Finnish trains are very clear, protected, and environment friendly.
• It is a enjoyable expertise that we get to say we have tried now.

Cons:

• The cabins have slender bunk beds that are not precisely essentially the most snug (the pillows are horrible, so I like to recommend having one thing else to put on), and the practice does transfer and sway all night time. It may not be the very best night time of sleep.
• When you get a cabin with an toilet, it’s going to be on the higher ground. And whereas I might learn on-line a couple of baggage automotive or somebody to assist with storing massive luggage, we did not see/discover that. We carried our luggage upstairs to our cabin and needed to wedge them into no matter house we might. So contemplate this in case you journey with a lot of baggage.

If the Santa Claus Specific appears like a cool journey, you may book it directly with Finnish Railways (VR). Simply search for “Night time practice” once you e-book; it often leaves Helsinki somewhat after 11 p.m., and arrives in Rovaniemi the subsequent morning round 11 a.m.

When you arrive in Rovaniemi, you may both take a bus into city (buses meet the practice proper subsequent to the place you disembark), or you may get a taxi straight to your lodge. I pre-booked a taxi to select us up on the Rovaniemi practice station by means of Menevä taxis, and our driver was ready as quickly as we received off the practice.

(And we took the practice again to Helsinki, too, however we booked that individually and traveled throughout the day!)

Day 3: Santa + Northern Lights

When you do not take the in a single day practice, you then’ll need to fly to Rovaniemi this morning. There are a number of each day direct flights on Finnair from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, and the flight time is lower than 1.5 hours. When you arrive, you will need to seize a taxi to your lodge within the metropolis.

Whether or not you arrive by practice or aircraft, it is going to in all probability be too early to verify into your Rovaniemi lodge — however you may drop your luggage off and bundle up for some journey!

Seize lunch on the town (I like to recommend a spot like Cafe & Bar 21, Roka Avenue Bistro, or Taquería Yuca), after which prepare to satisfy the massive man himself: Santa!!

Finland is the “house” of Santa Claus, and you’ll go go to him together with Mrs. Claus and all of the reindeer at Santa Claus Village. From central Rovaniemi, there are a pair buses you may take to Santa Claus Village. Native bus number 8 runs year-round from the town heart, and from November-March you can even catch the Santa’s Express bus.

You may get to Santa Claus Village in lower than half-hour, and as soon as there there’s a lot to do! The must-dos (in my view) are:

• Straddle the Arctic Circle – There is a line within the floor outdoors in between the primary data constructing and Santa’s workplace. An ideal picture op!
• Meet Santa himself – It is free to satisfy Santa Claus in his workplace or in Christmas Home (he was in his workplace after we visited), and man does he look nice! Although notice that pictures are what you will pay for (beginning at €40 for a printed picture; we added on digital copies, too).
• Meet Mrs. Claus – You may meet and chat with Mrs. Santa Claus, as nicely, and seize a scorching drink afterwards within the Café of Mrs. Claus proper downstairs. (Assembly her prices €5, and pictures are additional; you get to talk together with her for longer than Santa!)
• Hang around with reindeer – Hang around with Santa’s reindeer, care of Taava Reindeer Farm. They’re outdoors close to Mrs. Claus’ Cafe, and you’ll go on a fast reindeer sled trip right here. (I do not suggest greater than that, as there will probably be extra reindeer later this week!)
• Go to Santa Claus’ Fundamental Submit Workplace – Sure, Santa has an enormous publish workplace right here, and you’ll go to to purchase and ship postcards proper from Santa Claus Village! They’ve two totally different mail-drop choices, too: one to be despatched out instantly, and one other to be despatched earlier than Christmas. (I wrote postcards to my newphews “from” Santa!)

There’s much more inside Santa Claus Village, however these actions are the highlights and can simply refill a few hours. When you’re carried out, catch the bus again into Rovaniemi.

IF the climate is cooperative, you will need to have an early dinner this night earlier than getting picked up on your subsequent thrilling exercise: a Northern Lights tour!

Seeing the aurora is clearly an enormous cause many individuals come to Lapland within the winter, so you are going to need to make the most of each likelihood you get. And, for the reason that Northern Lights are a pure phenomenon affected by each climate and house situations, the extra possibilities you give your self to go aurora-chasing, the higher!

E book a Northern Lights tour on your first night time in Rovaniemi. And e-book a small-group *chasing* tour, which implies your information will drive you out so far as obligatory so as to provide the greatest shot at seeing the aurora. This may imply a protracted night time, however I promise it is price it in case you see the Northern Lights!

We booked this Northern Lights tour, and when it did lastly exit (it was canceled the primary 2 nights we have been on the town) our information drove us all the best way into Sweden — however we noticed an unbelievable Northern Lights present!!

Day 4: Museums + Arctic SnowHotel

When you exit chasing the Northern Lights on Day 3, you then’re possible going to be getting again to Rovaniemi very late. Even in case you discover the lights early, you may not get again till midnight. And if it’s important to drive additional like we did? Effectively, you may really be out till 3, 4, 5, and even 6 a.m.! So sleep on this morning.

When you do really feel like getting began, both benefit from the breakfast unfold at your lodge, or (in case you sleep too late) head over to both Espresso Home or Cafe & Bar 21.

From there, it is time to go to a museum (or two!). Rovaniemi has two notable museums, each inside strolling distance (or a brief taxi trip) from the town heart. They’re:

• Arktikum – The Arktikum Science Centre and Museum covers a ton of historical past about this a part of Lapland, and likewise has reveals on issues like Arctic wildlife, local weather change, and naturally the science of the Northern Lights. It is a stupendous museum, and nicely price an hour or two of exploring!
• Tradition Home Korundi – The opposite museum we visited on the town was Tradition Home Korundi, which is a up to date artwork museum.

Each of those museums have cafes, so you may simply seize a snack or lunch at both one.

Head again into city for a little bit of shop-browsing or perhaps only a relaxation at your lodge earlier than tonight’s journey, which is a night go to to the Arctic SnowHotel.

The Arctic SnowHotel is situated about 20 minutes outdoors of Rovaniemi, and certainly is a lodge that is constructed by hand annually completely from snow and ice! I do not essentially suggest staying right here (snow accommodations aren’t all that snug to really sleep in), however fortunately you may go to the whole lodge with out being an in a single day visitor!

Kat and I booked an entire night package deal on the Arctic SnowHotel. The package deal we did is the “Snow sauna experience with chill and dine at Ice Restaurant,” which incorporates bus transfers to/from Rovaniemi, a guided tour of the SnowHotel the place you may go to each room (and get a drink on the Ice Bar), a 3-course meal in a restaurant carved completely from blocks of ice, and a “snow sauna” expertise (which sure, does embody a sauna room carved from snow alongside a daily sauna at scorching tub). This package deal prices €229 per particular person, however actually is price each penny!

If you wish to go however not spend fairly as a lot, guided excursions of the Arctic SnowHotel begin at €85 per particular person (together with transfers to/from Rovaniemi), and a guided lodge tour together with dinner within the Ice Restaurant (this package) prices €165, which might be the very best worth of all. (Simply you’ll want to e-book these packages nicely upfront.)

If in case you have additional time after dinner/your sauna expertise, seize a drink on the Skybar. On clear nights, it is potential to see the Northern Lights from proper right here.

Day 5: Rovaniemi day journey

I am not gonna lie: you have in all probability seen all there’s to see in Rovaniemi by now. So you need to use at this time both as a relaxation day, or as a day to take somewhat day journey additional out into Finnish Lapland. (Simply do not e-book any canine sledding or reindeer excursions, as I’ve these included later!)

Some day journey choices for at this time embody:

This night, you may both go for a pleasant dinner at a spot like Gustav Kitchen & Bar, Restaurant Nili, or Lappish Restaurant Taiga, otherwise you chilly seize one thing fast and exit on one other Northern Lights-chasing tour.

This chasing tour is the one I advisable earlier within the week, whereas this Arctic ice floating tour is tremendous distinctive and can have you doubtlessly floating in a dry go well with beneath the aurora!

Day 6: To Apukka

Have a relaxed morning at this time in Rovaniemi. When you did not go to each museums on Day 4, there’s an opportunity to go to the opposite one at this time. After which, someday within the late morning/early afternoon, it is time to head to a different lodge within the space: Apukka Resort!

When you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in a glass igloo-cabin in a snowy forest, THIS IS IT. Staying at Apukka was actually the primary piece of the puzzle to my very own winter Lapland journey, and I can not say sufficient good issues about it.

One caveat right here, although: that is an costly place to remain. (Sure, I do know the Arctic/Lapland is already expensive, however that is even pricier.) BUT I do suppose it is a worthy splurge, they usually do have some winter packages that prevent some cash in the long run. When you do not need to splurge this a lot, nonetheless, then I might suggest staying no less than 1-2 extra nights in Rovaniemi and reserving dogsledding and reindeer excursions from there to raised fit your funds!

While you’re prepared to move to Apukka, you may both get a taxi out of your Rovaniemi lodge, or you may e-book a spot on the Apukka shuttle which leaves from the town heart and is less expensive at €8 per particular person every means.

Kat and I booked the “It’s All About Aurora” package deal, which is a minimal 3-night package deal at Apukka that features an igloo cabin, each day breakfast, two Northern Lights-focused actions, and extra. They provide a number of winter holiday packages, although, together with ones geared in direction of {couples} and others geared in direction of households.

You may arrive at Apukka and verify in inside the comfy primary constructing, the place there is a lounge, a bar, and the resort’s primary restaurant. If it is too early to go to your cabin, they’ll retailer your luggage right here and you’ll go on a stroll across the Apukka property (or simply hand around in the primary constructing).

Kat and I booked a pair additional actions for our Apukka keep, together with canine sledding, snowshoeing, a lakeside sauna, and a particular dinner on the Kota restaurant. Our schedule was deliberate out for us by Apukka, so yours might differ — however you may no less than get an concept right here of what your days may appear to be!

After attending to our cabin (we stayed in one of many Aurora Cabin Queen Glass Igloos), we relaxed for a bit after which went to dinner at Kota, which is a small restaurant inside a constructing that appears like a conventional Sami tent, with a set 3-course menu and a fireplace roaring in the midst of the room. Extremely suggest reserving dinner right here one night time.

And after that, we had one of many actions included in our package deal: a Reindeer Sleigh Experience Throughout the Night time, the place we have been pulled by means of the snowy forest by reindeer after darkish. We stopped midway in a comfy tent to study extra about reindeer herding in Finland. If the skies had been clear, there additionally would have been an opportunity to see the Northern Lights on this tour, however alas, we solely had clouds.

It is a good first night time exercise, because it will not maintain you out tremendous late.

Day 7: Apukka actions

It is a full day to take pleasure in all of the actions at Apukka. After a hearty buffet breakfast, there’s a lot you may e-book, together with canine sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, fatbiking, and extra. (And Apukka provides heat outerwear in case you want it, too.)

Kat and I opted to e-book a canine sledding tour this afternoon, which ended up being one in all our favourite elements of the whole journey! We received a fast lesson on the way to steer a sled, after which received to take to a forested course with our personal crew of sled canine. We took turns “driving” the sled, which was so enjoyable! And afterwards, we received to present our canine crew some well-deserved pats, after which received to play with puppies!

We went again to Apukka for lunch in the primary Aitta restaurant, after which relaxed for a bit in our cabin earlier than dinner (which we additionally ate at Aitta; the draw back to staying in a spot like that is you are type of a captive viewers in relation to meals. However fortunate they modify the menu up each day, and for dinner you may select between a buffet unfold or ordering off an a la carte menu).

This night, you might have an opportunity for one more Northern Lights tour. Our package deal at Apukka included the “Snowtrain” to a Northern Lights Camp out within the forest, which included a peaceable trip in somewhat “practice” on large skis to a big kota tent within the forest. Our guides talked to us concerning the forest, and concerning the science and native legends concerning the aurora.

This could have been a great place to look at the Northern Lights — besides the skies remained fully cloudy, so we did not see a factor.

When you do not e-book this particular package deal, you may decide to e-book one other Northern Lights chasing-style tour tonight for a greater likelihood of seeing them (a lot of the tour firms in Rovaniemi will decide up from Apukka, or Apukka gives its personal “Aurora Hunt on Wheels” tour).

RELATED: 9 Lies (and One Fact) Folks Inform You About Seeing the Northern Lights

Day 8: Apukka actions

Sleep on this morning (particularly in case you did a Northern Lights tour final night time), and have a simple morning on the resort. (The igloo cabins listed here are SO cozy; deliver a e-book and easily benefit from the likelihood to chill out.)

Kat and I had lunch at Aitta, after which headed out on a guided snowshoeing tour. Our information took us by means of the snowy forest, the place we regarded for animal tracks, discovered about among the native flora, and stopped partway for some cookies and heat blueberry juice. I want I might bottle up the scent and freshness of the air on this forest!

(There are many different actions you may e-book if snowshoeing is not your vibe.)

Within the early night, we received modified and headed for one of many personal saunas sitting on the lake at Apukka. This was the primary time Kat and I really have been embracing Finnish sauna tradition full with chilly plunge, and we actually did not suppose we might final greater than half an hour. However people… I get it now. Going from boiling scorching to freezing chilly and again once more is SO invigorating; we weren’t prepared for our 90-minute session to be over!

Even in case you do not suppose you’d take pleasure in sweating in a wood-fired sauna after which plunging right into a literal frozen lake… I encourage you to attempt it! You is perhaps stunned.

Have dinner on the restaurant, after which benefit from the final cozy night time in your glass igloo. Who is aware of, perhaps you will get fortunate sufficient to see the Northern Lights proper out of your cabin! (Obtain an aurora alert app like this one to get alerts.)

Day 9: Again to Helsinki

After three days of outside journey at Apukka Resort, it is time to bid Lapland farewell at this time. If you’re heading house, it is possible that your flight will probably be leaving from Helsinki.

To get again to Helsinki, you may both fly from Rovaniemi (Apukka contains airport transfers in its packages), or you may take the practice once more. Kat and I opted to take a daytime practice from Rovaniemi to Helsinki (we once more booked instantly by means of Finnish Railways (VR)). The trip takes about 8 hours, however the views by means of snowy Lapland are pretty, and the practice is clear and comfortable. We took benefit of the wifi and the scrumptious choices within the restaurant automotive, and it was really a very nice trip!

You *might* e-book your flight house from Rovaniemi if it isn’t that rather more costly, however it is perhaps less expensive to get your self again to Helsinki (it was for us). If it’s important to e-book your journey individually, then I like to recommend reserving your flight house for the next day, simply in case you run into any weather-related delays.

Day 10: Head house

Right this moment it is time to bid farewell to the winter wonderland that’s Finland — and I do know you will be unhappy to go! This actually is a bucket record journey, stuffed with all of the winter magic you may ask for in a single journey.

Finland winter journey FAQ

A number of stuff you may nonetheless have questions on after studying this itinerary:

How a lot will this journey price?

Questions on journey prices are all the time prime of thoughts, particularly for a visit like this. The Nordics are identified for being a pricier vacation spot to start with, after which it’s important to consider that we stayed at Apukka Resort for 3 nights, which is dear!

Kat stored observe of the funds on this journey, and with out flights, we spent proper round $9,200 whole for the two of us (or about $4,600 every) for this 10-day journey. The largest chunk of that price got here from staying at Apukka, the place our lodge package deal alone price about $4,000 for 3 nights (which lined our transfers, the glass igloo, some meals together with all breakfasts, plus 3 out of doors actions).

The subsequent-highest price after accommodations was all of the actions we did, together with Northern Lights excursions, visiting Santa Claus Village, going to the Arctic SnowHotel, and so on. The entire actions are nicely price it, although, and so well-organized in Finland!

If you wish to get monetary savings on an identical journey, I might in all probability skip the glass igloo lodge (as a lot as that breaks my coronary heart to counsel). You can keep in Rovaniemi for extra nights and e-book extra actions from there, which might deliver the general lodge prices down significantly.

What if I’ve lower than 10 days?

When you solely have perhaps 5-6 days for a visit like this (or maybe in case you’re tacking Lapland on to an extended winter journey in Europe), I might lower down the time in Helsinki to only 1 day, after which keep in Lapland 3-5 nights.

You can splurge and do the entire time at Apukka (you may nonetheless go to Santa Claus Village and the Arctic SnowHotel from there, together with doing all the opposite winter actions), or you may base your self in Rovaniemi the entire time and e-book particular person excursions. It could nonetheless make for a fantastic journey!

Can I hire a automotive in Lapland?

Rovaniemi is the most important metropolis in Lapland, however it’s not the one city. There are many different glorious locations to go to in northern Finland within the winter, however they’re tougher to succeed in. You CAN hire a automotive to go to extra distant locations — however I actually solely suggest this if you’re used to driving in snow/ice and are very, very assured with these driving expertise.

When you’ve by no means pushed within the snow earlier than, I do NOT suggest renting a automotive in Finnish Lapland within the winter (therefore why I deliberate this itinerary to not want a automotive in any respect!).

When ought to I go to Finland within the winter?

Like I mentioned, primarily based on daytime, snow possibilities, and the way busy Lapland will probably be, I believe February is the very best time to go to Finland in winter, particularly if you wish to head as much as Lapland to satisfy Santa, go to the ice lodge, and see the Northern Lights.

What ought to I put on in Finland in winter?

Finland in winter will get chilly — however in fact “chilly” is relative, relying on the place you reside! For me coming from Ohio (which has fairly chilly winters), Lapland did not really feel too unhealthy (temperatures hovered round freezing the entire time we have been there) and I used to be effective carrying my regular winter gear from house. However any person from Florida or Australia would possible discover winter climate in Finland to be brutally chilly.

Some issues you’ll positively want embody:

• A heat, moisture-wicking base layer (I like merino wool tops and these silk leggings)
• A trusty mid-layer, like a fleece jacket or down vest
• Heat, waterproof outer layer on the underside (take a look at my go-to snow pants, otherwise you may simply need to layer rain pants over your base layer and a comfortable pair of joggers or leggings)
• Heat, lengthy winter coat (manufacturers like Columbia and Land’s Finish are my go-tos for winter coats which are good high quality however not exorbitantly costly)
• Boots that may maintain your ft heat and dry + warm socks
• Gloves to maintain your palms each heat and dry
• Hat, scarf, ear muffs, and so on. – that is the place you may have extra enjoyable with equipment
• Yaktrax you may affix to your boots for any slippery sidewalks/paths

READ NEXT: A Good 10-Day Norway Itinerary in Winter (With out a Automobile)

Who’s able to plan a winter journey to Finland now?

Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!