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Where else on earth can you find a magical Arctic region filled with contrasts? Or a place where the reindeer population far surpasses that of people? Finnish Lapland is a bucket list adventure at any age and a journey not easily forgotten. Read all about it in our Family Travel Guide to Finnish Lapland.
Midnight Sun in snowy forest. istock.com/serts
Contents
Welcome To Lapland
Finnish Lapland covers an area in the northernmost part of Finland offering the epitome of a winter wonderland, the kind that you see in films or discover in your dreams. Deep gorges slice through age-old forests and treeless fells appear stretching to infinity. Every season in Finnish Lapland is different. Summer brings endless white nights with 24 hour sunshine while winter brings only three hours of daylight.
The regional capital Rovaniemi, better knows as Santa’s hometown, only adds to the allure of Finnish Lapland and makes for a truly magical wintry fairytale adventure for anyone. Whether you choose to stay in Santa Claus Village just outside Rovaniemi or explore further out beyond the Arctic Circle, there is a lot to do. You will find all of this and more in our Family Travel Guide to Finnish Lapland. Be sure to enjoy some epic winter activities while gazing at skies undulating with Northern Lights. You may even get lucky and catch a glimpse of Rudolph!
Imaginary mythical shapes taking form on a snowy landscape in Lapland.
Magical glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Hotel Valtteri Hirvonen
Best Time To Go
Lapland is a year round destination but when is it really the best time for children to experience its phenomenal nature and terrain? Find out below in our Family Travel Guide to Finnish Lapland.
Winter
Can there be any better time to go other than Christmas itself? We travelled the weekend before Christmas which really imbued the children with holiday spirit. Travelling anytime during the winter will create a magical experience filled with snow laden pines and glistening frozen lakes. This is all lit by an ethereal pale winter sun which barely seems to skim the horizon. The opportunity to meet the man himself along with his team of reindeer is an enchanting fairytale experience.
Read more about our Quest To Find Santa In Finnish Lapland.
There is also an additional chance to see the northern lights which makes this a bucket list destination.
Northern Lights Ranch Aurora
Summer
The summer provides a short three month season filled with high temperatures and a sun that doesn’t fully set. In Finnish Lapland, a single summer day lasts for over two months. In the southern parts of the country it is just a period of twilight for a few hours. Finland isn’t called the Land of the Midnight Sun for nothing. Because the winters are long and cold, Finns celebrate summer with a zest for life and enjoy numerous outdoor activities. These activities include lake cruises, music festivals, art exhibitions, swimming, sailing amongst coastal islands and enjoying a slower pace of life at summer cottages is actively pursued.
muph/shutterstock.co.uk
Travel Basics
Learn all you need to know in our Family Travel Guide to Finnish Lapland.
Getting There
The easiest starting point for a Lapland holiday is fling to Rovaniemi. You can either choose to stay in Rovaniemi or go further north of the Arctic Circle to places like Luosto, Levi or Yllas.
Once there, you can choose to drive yourself. There is also public transport available on the Santa’s Express bus which can drop you off in Rovaniemi centre or go direct to Santa Claus Village.
Language
Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages although English is widely spoken.
Currency
Euro
Credit Cards & ATM
ATMs are widely available and credit cards are accepted in nearly all hotels and restaurants. Carrying some cash while travelling is always wise for small purchases or emergencies.
Tipping
Tipping in Finland is not customary but it is a nice thing to do to round up a bill for excellent service in restaurants or taxis. Gratuity is often included in the cost of services so do check before leaving any extra. Small tips for doormen in bars and restaurants is expected.
Family Safety
Finland is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Crime rates are extremely low even in large cities so it is a very safe destination for a family holiday.
Educational Opportunities
Our Family Travel Guide to Lapland includes a variety of educational opportunities we are sure your children will enjoy. Learning while having fun is the best way for children to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Folklore
Watch folklore come alive by visiting Santa Claus Village and frolic with his elves. Meet his reindeer and experience the true magic of Christmas while sparking creativity in your the imaginations of your children.
Winter fun with an elf.
Nature
Connect with the incredible remote snowy wilderness by exploring on foot or on skis and enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities. Playing with huskies or searching for Rudolph amongst a herd of reindeer exposes children to Arctic animals while learning and experiencing their habitat firsthand.
Age-old forests and undulating valleys with deep gorges can be found in Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Take the epic trail either by snowshoe or cross-country skis and traverse between the two parks most famous fells to experience Lapland at its most enchanting.
Santa’s frozen forest istock.com/Alexandrite
Geology
Tell any child they can dig for their own gemstone and you will have them mesmerised. The Lampivaara Amethyst Mine near Luosto is set at the top of a hill with stunning views of the surrounding valleys. This mine introduces children to the fascinating world of gemstones through stories told for millennia. Children also have the opportunity to dig for their own amethyst that has taken 2000 million years to form and be discovered.
Culture
Learn about the largest ethnic group in Lapland, the Sami people, whose way of life has been to roam though the countryside whilst hunting, herding reindeer and fishing. Expose your children to a unique culture rich with folklore and mythology with stories of tradition and heritage through ice fishing and reindeer sleighing.
Native Reindeer Herder
Sport
It is always beneficial to introduce children to a new sport or activity to stimulate them and Lapland has a large variety to choose from. Winter activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoe trekking, ice fishing, tobogganing, dog sledding, reindeer sleighing, and snowmobiling. One of the area’s most popular ski resorts is Luosto Ski Resort offering seven slopes and connecting routes which makes it ideal if you combine with a trip to see Santa.
Recommended Reading
At Intelligent Journeys, we believe reading is a crucial aspect of educational travel. It sets the scene and invokes excitement in a child like nothing else can. Here are a few tried and tested recommendations for parents and children to read before visiting Lapland to make the adventure more memorable.
Elf on the Shelf – Elf and book
Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
The Story of Santa Clause by Joseph McCullough
How To Talk To Your Child About Santa Clause by Sonia Leal
Maybe The Truth About Santa by Amy Powell (US)
Where To Stay
The Arctic Treehouse Hotel, Rovaniemi
Built on the Arctic Circle on a hillside, the USP of this charming hotel is wide north facing windows providing unobstructed views of a winter wonderland. It is located near Santa Clause Village and makes a great base for other activities.
Find out more about The Arctic Treehouse Hotel.
Arctic Light Hotel, Rovaniemi
Situated in the centre of Rovaniemi, this newcomer to the Lapland hotel scene is one to be considered. Offering charming luxury accommodation in the city centre, it is conveniently located for dining as well as activities being a few minutes walk from the door. Operators of excursions for Norther Lights, snowmobile, husky and reindeer safaris, are all located in the central area and the Santa Claus Village and Santa Park are a 15-minute drive away. The toy bears left in the rooms are sure to be a hit with families.
Find out more about Arctic Light Hotel.
Apukka Resort, Rovaniemi
Ideal for children, this hotel offers four hour children’s activity sessions that involves ski lessons, sledding, ice carving, story time in a teepee amongst other things. Cots are provided in rooms as well as high chairs in restaurant. We found this hotel to be a charming rural hide-away surrounded by teepees and glowing lanterns that is as far away from a chain-stye resort hotel as you can get. Also on offer is a glass-roofed wagon equipped with a sauna on skis that can whisk you out into the remote wilderness to hunt for Northern Lights.
Find out more about the Apukka Resort.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Kakslauttanen
Valterri Hirvonen Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Sleep under the Arctic sky and optimise your viewing conditions for the Northern Lights in these charming glass or snow igloos. Most visitors arrive by flying into Ivalo Airport which is a 30 minute drive away.
This magical hotel offers a multitude of accommodation options with 6 unique restaurants, art gallery, brewery, Sami village, Santa’s World, reindeer/husky/horse farms on site, Scandinavia’s largest planetarium with an underground tunnel.
Find out more about the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
Arctic Snow Hotel and Glass Igloos, Sinettä
Located 16 miles (26km) outside of Rovaniemi on the shores of Lake Lehtojärvi, just above the Arctic Circle, this remote hotel is ideal for optimal Northern Lights viewing. The glass igloos offer a luxurious and cosy way to see the aurora borealis and there are even family glass igloos available. Enjoy an ice bar, restaurant and cinema as well as a SnowHotel. Spending a night on an ice bed in the SnowHotel is available for the daring.
Find out more about the Arctic Snow Hotel and Glass Igloos.
Northern Lights Ranch near Levi
This destination hotel features cabins with huge glass windows and heated glass roofs, making it ideal for viewing Northern Lights. Situated 15 km from the nearby Levi Ski Resort, its remote location positions it away from light pollution.
A heart-shaped ice skating rink and outdoor sauna and jacuzzi are just a few of the highlights of this charming and cozy hotel. Numerous outdoor activities and excursions can be arranged through the hotel. Nearest airport is Kittilä.
Find out more about the Northern Lights Ranch.
Pyhän Asteli Resort, Pyhä
Offering a wide variety of accommodation, there is no doubt the stars of the show are the aurora igloo huts that offer a glass ceiling about the sleeping area to optimise aurora viewing. There is also a log sauna and for the bravest of souls an avanto (a hole in the ice for an Arctic swim).
Find out more about Pyhän Asteli Resort.
Where To Eat
Lapish Restaurant Nili, Rovaniemi
Highly recommended cuisine with an interior styled as a traditional Finnish lodge, lined with with reindeer coats, bear rugs and an inviting cosy atmosphere. Very family friendly.
Santa’s Salmon Palace, Santa’s Village, Rovaniemi
Limited menu but the delicious salmon is the star of the show here, simply salted and grilled on an open fire. Unique setting housed in a teepee with great atmosphere.
Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi, Santa’s Village, Rovaniemi
Beautifully cooked food presented in a cozy restaurant with a warm welcoming fire at its centre.
Ravintola Roka-Street Bistro, Rovaniemi
Small but well curated menu with a fantastic atmosphere. Don’t forget to try the reindeer!
Kotipizza, Rovaniemi
One of the better pizza restaurants in the heart of Rovaniemi that is very child friendly.
Final Thoughts
Whatever way you look at it, Finnish Lapland is a magical destination for any child. It’s a place filled with legends, fairytales and natural beauty that will cement strong memories in even the youngest. Your time together there as a family will be a special bonding experience and it will make you feel like a child all over again. So don’t wait until your kids are too old to go. The time is now!
We hope you have enjoyed our Family Travel Guide to Finnish Lapland!
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