When it comes to celebrating Christmas in an exotic location, there’s nowhere more iconic than Lapland, the official home of Santa Claus and his team of loyal flying reindeer! Sitting around a log fire, in an authentic log cabin, while the snow falls outside the window, telling stories and sharing quality time with your loved ones, is the absolutely perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
Lapland is the Northernmost region of Finland and is truly the original winter wonderland. The capital city of Lapland is Rovaniemi but there are also other cities and holiday resorts where you can stay in the region. The amazing Arctic wilderness is pristine and populated by bears, reindeer, golden eagles, wolverines, lynxes, wolves and seals; making it a real treat for nature lovers.
Lapland is the ideal holiday destination for families with children but it also has a magical quality that makes it the perfect place for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway.
How Do You Get To Lapland?
Despite its remote location, it’s never been easier to visit Lapland! You can travel to Lapland by air, road or rail.
To reach Lapland by air you can fly directly from many major airports in the UK and Europe to either Rovaniemi, Kemi, Kittila, Enontekio or Ivalo. Once you arrive at the airport in Lapland you can easily hire a car, take a taxi or catch public transport to get to your accommodation.
Alternatively, you can drive to Lapland. Driving is not a quick way to reach Lapland, even if you’re traveling from Europe, so unless you have several weeks set aside for your vacation it’s probably better to fly. Therefore, if you want to rent a car during your time in Lapland, it makes more sense to fly into Helsinki and then hire a car to drive onwards from there.
Lastly, Finland has an excellent rail network that connects with the rest of the European continent. This means that you can catch a train to Lapland and enjoy the amazing scenery en route while you relax in your carriage. Long distance European trains have food and drinks on board as well as WiFi and toilet facilities; so traveling by train is extremely convenient. The main train stations in Lapland are Rovaniemi, Kolari, Kemi and Kemijarvi.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Lapland?
The best time to visit Lapland is during the winter months, especially at Christmas. The peak tourist season in Lapland is between December and February. At this time of year, the average temperatures range from around -15 Degrees Celsius up to 3 Degrees Celsius, although temperatures can feel lower in some locations, depending on factors such as wind chill and exposure.
It is, of course, essential to dress appropriately for the weather in Lapland so that you can enjoy the outstanding environment without suffering from the intense cold.
What Is There To Do In Lapland?
Stay In An Authentic Log Cabin.
There are many places in Lapland where you can stay in a delightful log cabin with prices to suit all budgets. Spending your vacation in a fully equipped log cab with all the modern conveniences allows you to experience life in the Arctic circle with all the comforts of home!
The majority of log cabins in Lapland are open plan and have a kitchenette, a shower and sauna room, a genuine log fire and comfortable sleeping space for between 2 to 6 people. With the spectacular landscape right on your doorstep and easy access to local restaurants and attractions, staying in your own log cabin is undoubtedly the best option for a vacation in Lapland.
To get an idea of the types of log cabins that you can stay in during your Christmas vacation in Lapland, you can browse the options that are available at Laplands Log Cabins, here.
Visit Rovaniemi – The Capital Of Lapland.
Rovaniemi is an enchanting city that is the official hometown of Santa Claus! It’s a fantastic place to see the Northern lights and has a wide range of activities to try and attractions to see including the Pilke Science Centre, the Provincial Museum Arktikum and the Korundi House of Culture. If you’d like to see polar bears and Finnish brown bears up close you can visit the Ranua Zoo and a trip to one of the region’s husky or reindeer farms is an absolute must!
To find out all about the city of Rovaniemi, you can visit the official website, here.
Take A Wilderness Trip From Rovaniemi To See The Northern Lights.
No trip to Lapland would be complete without seeing the Northern Lights. By far the best way to see the Northern Lights is to join a small guided tour that takes you out of the city and away from the resulting light pollution. You’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven into the wilderness to marvel at the incredible Lapland scenery and, of course, the majestic Northern Lights
Your multilingual local guide will point out all the interesting natural features along the way which always adds depth to the experience. Once you arrive at the viewing point, you’ll be seated around an open fire and hear traditional stories and legends of the area while waiting for your grilled sausages to cook!
There’s plenty of tea and coffee on hand to help keep you warm in the snowy Arctic night although the tour operator also provides you with specialized cold weather clothing as well. The guide will take photographs of the tour and will send you the photos the following day.
To find out more about joining a Northern Lights Wilderness Tour from Rovaniemi, or book your tickets, you can check here.
Find Santa’s Home In Lapland!
Hidden in the forests of Saariselka, 200km North of the Arctic Circle, is Santa’s Lapland. For a 2 or 3 night trip, you can book yourself onto a package tour which includes reindeer and husky rides, sleighs, tobogganing and plenty of snowy scenery! The trip includes your flights, transfers, half-board accommodation, snowsuits to help you brave the cold and a fun-filled itinerary of activities. One of the highlights of the trip, especially for children, is a glow-in-the-dark trail that leads through the forest which you can follow to find Santa’s home in the Arctic.
To find out more about booking your trip to Santa’s Lapland, see here.
Visit A Reindeer Farm, A Husky Farm And Santa Claus Village.
Departing from and returning to Rovaniemi, on this day trip you’ll visit a reindeer farm and ride on a reindeer sleigh before visiting a husky farm where you can meet the dogs and ride on a husky sleigh. Lastly, you’ll be taken by sled to Santa Claus Village where you can browse in the shops, meet Santa Claus and even send a letter from the official Santa Claus Village post office!
For more information about booking your place on this magical day trip, you can see here.
Eat At The Artic Restaurant in Rovaniemi.
For a fine dining experience in Lapland’s capital, Rovaniemi, the Arctic Restaurant serves a lovely selection of local and international cuisine. The restaurant specializes in seafood and Scandinavian dishes including salmon, reindeer and even moose! There are also vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options on the menu as well as all the traditional European classics.
To book your table at the Arctic Restaurant in Rovaniemi, see here.
