Adventure
5 Days in Lapland: Winter Wonderland & Northern Lights
Experience the magic of Finnish Lapland with Northern Lights, reindeer safaris, and Santa Claus Village in this ultimate winter adventure.
12 min read
5 Days
Lets2Go Travel Team
5 DaysWinterAdventure
Destination Information
Lapland
adventureA magical Arctic wonderland where winter dreams come true. Experience the Northern Lights, meet Santa Claus, and enjoy thrilling winter activities in pristine snow-covered landscapes.
12:30
+2h ahead
-15°C Snowy
1 USD = 0.92
Safety Rating
Safety rating based on current travel advisories and local conditions.
Level 1
Very Safe
Lapland is extremely safe with very low crime rates and excellent infrastructure for winter tourism.
Crime Rate1/4
Health & Sanitation4/4
Geopolitical Stability4/4
Updated 02/01/2025
Lapland is one of the safest destinations in the world. Focus on proper winter clothing and following safety guidelines for winter activities.
Daily Budget
Cost breakdown with global price comparison and practical spending insights.
$$$ - High-Range Winter Destinationin USD
Lapland is a premium winter destination with high-quality services. Activities and accommodation can be expensive, but the unique experiences are worth it.
🍽️ Food & Drink
Local Restaurant Meal$18
Mid-Range Dinner for 2$45
Domestic Beer (0.5L)$8
🚗 Transportation
Local Bus (One-way)$4
Taxi (8km ride)$35
Motorcycle Taxi (Short distance)$0
📍 Activities
Museum Entry (Major museum)$18
National Park Entry (Torres del Paine)$0
Guided Hiking Tour (Half-day)$150
Spa Treatment$40
💡 Money-Saving Tip
Book activities in advance online for better prices, eat at local cafeterias, and consider visiting in March for slightly lower prices and longer daylight.
Payment Methods
Local Currency
Euro (EUR), 1 USD = 0.92 EUR
Card Acceptance
Widely Accepted
Cash Usage
Card-Preferred
Digital Payments
Very Common
Travel Tips
- • Cards accepted everywhere, even small purchases
- • Cash rarely needed in Finland
- • Contactless payments are the norm
- • Mobile payments widely used
Getting Around
3/4
Car-Dependent Level 3
Walkability2/4
Public Transit3/4
Alternative Transit2/4
Recommendations
- • Most tours include transportation
- • Rental car recommended for flexibility
- • Public buses connect main attractions
- • Taxis available but expensive
Activities usually include transportation. Rental cars offer flexibility, but winter driving requires experience with snow conditions.
Weather Patterns
🌧️
Jan
-12°
🌧️
Feb
-10°
🌧️
Mar
-5°
⛅
Apr
2°
☀️
May
9°
☀️
Jun
15°
☀️
Jul
18°
☀️
Aug
15°
⛅
Sep
9°
🌧️
Oct
2°
🌧️
Nov
-5°
🌧️
Dec
-10°
Seasonal Events
Christmas Season
Dec
Peak season with magical Christmas atmosphere and Santa Claus Village at its best
Northern Lights Season
Dec - Mar
Best time to see Aurora Borealis with dark polar nights
Polar Night
Dec - Jan
Very short daylight hours, sun doesn't rise above horizon
Travel Trends
Crowd LevelsHigh
Price LevelsHigh
Current Period
Peak winter season with optimal Northern Lights viewing. Book accommodations and activities well in advance.
Best Months to Visit
DecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch
Winter months offer the full Lapland experience with snow, Northern Lights, and winter activities. December is magical for Christmas, January-February best for Northern Lights.
Connectivity
4/4
Reliable for Most Needs Level 4
Download95.5 Mbps
Upload45.2 Mbps
Accommodation Wi-Fi4/4
Public Wi-Fi3/4
Mobile Data4/4
Excellent connectivity throughout Lapland. Finland has one of the best internet infrastructures in the world.
Travel Logistics
Airports
RVN
Rovaniemi Airport
10km away • 15min drive
HEL
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
800km away • 1h 20min flight
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Include:
flight • transport • accommodation • gastronomy
2025-01-15
Arrival in Rovaniemi & Arctic Welcome
Flight to Rovaniemi
International flight to Rovaniemi Airport (via Helsinki)
Rovaniemi Airport
Hour:Arrival 14:00
Cost:$750
Airport Transfer
Transfer to hotel in Rovaniemi city center
Airport to City Center
Hour:Arrival 14:30
Cost:$35
Arctic Hotel Check-in
Cozy Arctic hotel with northern lights viewing opportunities
Rovaniemi Hotel
Hour:Arrival 15:00
Cost:$180
Santa Claus Village Visit
Visit the official Santa Claus Village and cross the Arctic Circle
Santa Claus Village
Hour:16:00
Cost:$50
DAY 2
Include:
transport • activities • gastronomy
2025-01-16
Husky Safari & Northern Lights Hunt
Husky Sledding Safari
Drive your own husky sled through snowy forests
Husky Farm
Hour:10:00
Cost:$150
Traditional Lappish Lunch
Warm up with traditional reindeer stew in a kota hut
Wilderness Restaurant
Hour:13:00
Cost:$35
Arktikum Museum
Learn about Arctic nature and Sami culture
Arktikum Museum
Hour:15:00
Cost:$18
Northern Lights Hunt
Guided tour to chase the Aurora Borealis
Arctic Wilderness
Hour:21:00
Cost:$120
DAY 3
Include:
transport • activities • gastronomy
2025-01-17
Reindeer Safari & Ice Hotel
Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Traditional reindeer safari through snowy landscapes
Reindeer Farm
Hour:09:00
Cost:$95
Sami Culture Experience
Learn about indigenous Sami traditions and lifestyle
Sami Cultural Center
Hour:11:00
Cost:$45
SnowHotel Visit
Tour the spectacular hotel made entirely of ice and snow
Arctic SnowHotel
Hour:15:00
Cost:$25
Dinner in Ice Restaurant
Unique dining experience in a restaurant made of ice
Ice Restaurant
Hour:19:00
Cost:$85
DAY 4
Include:
transport • activities • gastronomy
2025-01-18
Snowmobile Adventure & Ice Activities
Snowmobile Safari
Thrilling snowmobile ride through frozen wilderness
Arctic Forest
Hour:10:00
Cost:$180
Ice Fishing Experience
Try traditional ice fishing on a frozen lake
Frozen Lake
Hour:14:00
Cost:$65
Traditional Finnish Sauna
Relax in authentic Finnish sauna with ice swimming
Hotel Spa
Hour:18:00
Cost:$40
Aurora Camp Experience
Overnight in heated glass igloo for Northern Lights viewing
Glass Igloo Village
Hour:21:30
Cost:$110
DAY 5
Include:
transport • activities • gastronomy
2025-01-19
Wildlife & Departure
Arctic Wildlife Safari
Search for Arctic animals in their natural habitat
Ranua Wildlife Park
Hour:09:00
Cost:$85
Souvenir Shopping
Last-minute shopping for Finnish design and Lapland souvenirs
Rovaniemi City Center
Hour:13:00
Cost:$50
Farewell Lunch
Final taste of Lappish cuisine
Local Restaurant
Hour:15:00
Cost:$30
Airport Transfer & Departure
Transfer to airport for departure
Rovaniemi Airport
Hour:17:00
Cost:$35
Essential Tips for Lapland
Transportation:
Most winter activities include transportation. Book combo packages for better value and convenience
Language:
Finnish is the local language, but English is widely spoken in all tourist areas
Etiquette:
Finns value personal space and quietness. Remove shoes when entering homes, and respect sauna traditions
Food:
Try local specialties like reindeer, salmon soup, and Karelian pastries. Coffee culture is huge in Finland
Timing:
Book Northern Lights tours on your first nights. Weather is unpredictable, so multiple attempts increase your chances
Best Lappish Restaurants & Nordic Cuisine
Nili Restaurant:
Traditional Lappish cuisine in a cozy log cabin atmosphere
Famous for reindeer dishes and local ingredients
Arctic Boulevard:
Modern Nordic cuisine with Arctic flavors
Great for special dinners
Kauppayhtiö:
Historic restaurant serving Finnish classics
Located in a beautiful old building
Santa's Salmon Place:
Casual restaurant specializing in grilled salmon
Great value and authentic atmosphere
Café & Bar 21:
Popular spot for coffee, pastries, and light meals
Perfect for warming up during the day
Budget Breakdown
Accommodation:
$150-400/nightfrom standard hotels to glass igloos
Food:
$40-80/daydepending on dining choices
Transportation:
$30-60/dayfor transfers and local transport
Activities:
$100-200/dayfor winter safaris and experiences
Total per day:
$125-305(excluding accommodation)
Lets2Go Travel Team
Published on February 1, 2024
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