Finland 7 Day Itinerary: Igloos, Reindeer and Arctic Magic

Finnish Lapland had been on our list for years, so when we finally booked the trip, we knew we didn’t want to stay in just one place.

We flew directly from London to Rovaniemi, picked up a rental car and spent the next week driving through Finnish Lapland – from Rovaniemi to Inari, then across to Levi before heading back to Rovaniemi.

Along the way, we stayed in some very different places, from a glass igloo to an Arctic resort, while exploring Rovaniemi, Inari and Levi. We also got to experience the things Lapland is known for snow-covered forests, reindeer, huskies, northern lights and, of course, Santa Claus.

In this guide, I’m sharing our 7-day Finnish Lapland itinerary, including where we stayed, what we did each day, how we got around, how much we spent and a few things I would do differently next time.

Day 1: London to Rovaniemi

Our Lapland trip started with a direct flight from London to Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland.

If you’re flying from London, direct flights to Rovaniemi are available from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, depending on the time of year and airline. The flight takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, which makes Lapland surprisingly easy to get to from the UK.

We flew from London Gatwick Airport with easyJet and landed in Rovaniemi in the afternoon.

Renting a car in Rovaniemi

We picked up our rental car straight from Rovaniemi Airport and drove to our hotel. We hired from SIXT and booked it through Discover Cars. It’s what we use for almost every trip where we need a car, because it compares lots of rental companies in one place and we usually find the best prices there.

We went for a Skoda compact SUV. It had plenty of power on the snowy roads, with enough space for four of us and all our luggage, which matters on a road trip like this.

Tip: Make sure your car has a heated windscreen. Every single morning ours was completely frozen over, and being able to clear it in minutes instead of scraping ice in -20°C saved us so much time (and our fingers).

Since we were planning to explore more than just Rovaniemi, having a car was really useful for this trip. We would be driving north to Inari, then across to Levi before returning to Rovaniemi, so having our own car meant we could explore at our own pace.

Our first afternoon in Rovaniemi

After checking into our hotel, we decided to keep our first day slow. Rather than rushing into tours and activities straight away, we took it easy and spent a relaxed evening at Santa Claus Village, just a short drive from the hotel.

Check accommodation options in Rovaniemi here

Santa Claus Village is about 8 km from Rovaniemi city centre and sits right on the Arctic Circle. The line runs straight through the village, so of course one of the first things we did was jump across it.

I’d plan around 2–3 hours here. There’s a lot more to do than I expected, even if you’re not planning to meet Santa. You can:

• Cross the Arctic Circle line and get your photo
• Wander around the Christmas shops and boutiques
• Visit Santa’s Pets to see reindeer, alpacas, sheep and goats
• Book a reindeer, husky or snowmobile experience
• Visit Snowman World (open in the winter season)
• Grab a hot drink or a bite at one of the cafés and restaurants
• Send a postcard to someone back home from Santa Claus Main Post Office, stamped with the Arctic Circle postmark

We didn’t try to do everything on our first visit. We saved meeting Santa and the Main Post Office for our last day in Rovaniemi, so I’ll cover those later in the post.

By the evening we were starving, so we drove back into town for dinner at Cafe & Bar 21 in Rovaniemi city centre. After that, it was back to the hotel for an early night. We had a full week ahead of us, and this was only the beginning.

Day 2: Snowmobiling, Ice Fishing and Our First Glass Igloo in Lapland

Our second day in Finnish Lapland was all about trying new experiences. We started with breakfast at a rather unusual McDonald’s, spent a few hours snowmobiling and ice fishing, and ended the day in our first glass igloo, hoping to see the northern lights.

Breakfast at Santa’s Official McDonald’s

We started the morning by picking up breakfast from Santa’s Official McDonald’s in Rovaniemi. Yes, there’s actually a McDonald’s with an official connection to Santa Claus.

It was a fun little stop before heading out for our first big adventure of the trip.

Snowmobiling and Ice Fishing

Snowmobiling was high on our list for Finnish Lapland, so we booked a snowmobile and ice fishing experience with StayLapland. The experience takes around 5 hours, so make sure you leave enough time for it in your itinerary.

Here’s what the experience was like.

Snowmobiling through the snowy forests

Our guide started with a quick safety briefing and showed us how to ride the snowmobiles. If you’ve never been on one before, don’t worry. It’s easier than it looks, and you get the hang of it within minutes. Then we were off, gliding through snow-covered forests and across open white landscapes. It felt completely different from anything we’d done before.

Ice fishing on a frozen lake

Next, we stopped on a frozen lake to try ice fishing. Our guide showed us how to drill a hole through the ice and set up the fishing gear, next it was our turn to do the same and then it was a waiting game. Sitting on a frozen lake in the middle of the Arctic, rod in hand, is such a peaceful experience.

We didn’t catch a single fish, but someone else in our group did. So the fish were definitely there; they just weren’t interested in our bait.

Tip: You’ll usually need a valid driving licence to drive a snowmobile in Finland, so bring yours along. Most tours also provide thermal overalls, boots, gloves and a helmet, so check what’s included when you book.

Warming up by the fire

After a few hours out in the cold, we headed to a traditional teepee to warm up by the fire. We sat around the fire pit with hot berry juice and grilled sausages, and honestly, after the cold on the lake, it was the perfect way to end the experience.

The refreshments were included in the price, along with the guide and all the equipment, so there was nothing extra to pay on the day.

How to book the snowmobile and ice fishing experience

We booked this experience through GetYourGuide, and it was run by StayLapland.

• Duration: Around 5 hours
• Location: Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
• Includes: Guide, snowmobiling, ice fishing, all equipment and refreshments by the fire
• Driving licence: You’ll need a valid driving licence to drive the snowmobile yourself. Without one, you can ride as a passenger.

You can book the experience here: StayLapland – Ice Fishing with Snowmobiles

Checking into SkyView Igloos

After our snowmobile and ice fishing adventure, we headed to SkyView Igloos, where we were spending the night.

Staying in a glass igloo was the part of this trip I was most excited about. The resort is tucked away in the snowy forests of Lapland, and each igloo has a glass roof, so you can lie in bed and look straight up at the night sky.

What made our stay even better was having our own private sauna and outdoor hot tub. We couldn’t wait to try them, so as soon as we’d checked in, that’s exactly what we did. Sitting in a steaming hot tub surrounded by snow is something I’ll never forget, and after a day out in the cold, it was exactly what we needed.

But we weren’t quite ready to call it a night. There was still one thing we were hoping to see.

Seeing the Northern Lights in Finland

We’d already seen the northern lights on our trip to Tromsø, but seeing them in Finnish Lapland was still on our wish list. We kept looking up through the glass roof all evening, hoping the skies would clear.

Then, at around 11 pm, we spotted a faint glow, our first glimpse of the northern lights on this trip. We waited a little longer, wrapped up and headed outside, and this time we saw them properly. Green lights stretched right across the sky above the igloos for almost an hour.

We’d seen them before, but it was just as exciting the second time, and watching them from a glass igloo in the middle of Lapland made it even more special.

Day 3: Husky Safari in Rovaniemi and Driving to Inari

We started our third day in Lapland with breakfast at SkyView Igloos. The best part was that breakfast was included with our stay, and the property delivered it to our igloo every morning. It was a nice way to start the day without having to go anywhere.

After breakfast, we packed up and headed back to Santa Claus Village. We had one more activity planned before leaving Rovaniemi – a husky safari.

Meeting the Huskies at Santa Claus Village

Before the safari, we had a meet-and-greet experience with the huskies, and this turned out to be one of the cutest parts of the day.

We got to meet so many lovely huskies up close and spend some time with them. They were all very excited, especially when we had treats to offer. Without the treats, they seemed to have much less interest in us. It was lovely to see them up close before heading out on the actual safari. If you’re visiting Lapland, I’d definitely recommend adding a husky experience to your itinerary.

Our First Husky Safari in Lapland

After the meet-and-greet, it was time for the husky safari.

I’ll be honest – I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I wondered whether the ride would be fun and whether a 5 km safari would feel too short. But as soon as we were out in the snow, I realised I’d been worrying for no reason. Since there were four of us, we shared the same sled for the ride. Watching the huskies run through the snowy landscape was such a fun experience, and the ride felt much more exciting than I’d imagined. The dogs were full of energy, and being surrounded by snow-covered trees made the whole experience feel very different from anything we’d tried before. Looking back, I actually think the 5 km ride was a good length for a first-time experience. It gave us a taste of husky sledding without taking up the entire day.

If you’re planning to book a husky safari in Rovaniemi, you can check the available rides and meet-and-greet experiences at Santa Claus Village’s Arctic Circle Husky Park.

One Last Visit to Santa Claus Village

After the husky safari, we went back to explore Santa Claus Village in daylight. We’d already visited on our first day, but this time we wanted to see a little more of the village and visit the famous post office.

We headed to the Santa Claus Main Post Office, where we browsed the postcards and picked out a few to send to our family back home. I love collecting little memories from our travels, and sending postcards from Lapland felt like a nice way to share a bit of the trip with our family.

We’d saved meeting Santa for this visit too, so we finally got to do that before leaving Rovaniemi. With that, we’d ticked off another of the experiences we’d wanted to have in Lapland. It was time to get back on the road.

Driving from Rovaniemi to Ivalo

Next, we started our drive north towards Inari.

This was the part of our trip where having a rental car really came in handy. We weren’t tied to a bus timetable, and we could stop along the way whenever we wanted. The drive from Rovaniemi to Ivalo takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours without long stops, while reaching Inari village takes longer. Since we were staying in the Ivalo area, we planned our journey around that.

We stopped in Saariselkä for dinner at Fieno, a restaurant known for its Italian-style pizzas and other dishes inspired by Italian and Lapland flavours. And the pizza? Absolutely delicious! It was just what we needed after a full day of activities and a few hours on the road.

If you’re driving this route, Saariselkä is a useful place to stop for food, depending on your timing and the restaurant’s opening hours.

Checking Into Hotel Kultahippu

After dinner, we continued to Hotel Kultahippu in Ivalo, our base for the night.

The hotel is located in the centre of Ivalo, by the Ivalo River, making it a convenient place to stay while exploring the wider Inari region. We checked in, dropped off our bags and took a little break before heading out again. Because we’d already seen the northern lights twice during our trip, we were excited to see if we’d get another chance that night.

Northern Lights Hunting on Our Own

One thing we loved about this trip was that we didn’t rely entirely on organised northern lights tours. Since we had a rental car, we could check the aurora forecast ourselves and drive somewhere away from the lights of the town.

That evening, we checked the forecast and decided to head towards Lake Inari (Inarijärvi).

We found a spot by the frozen lake and waited, keeping an eye on the sky. The lake looked completely different under the night sky, and being out there surrounded by so much darkness made the experience feel special. And then, once again, we got lucky – the northern lights appeared. We were so happy to see them again, especially as we’d made the effort to find a spot ourselves rather than joining another guided tour.

Tip: if you’re planning to hunt for the northern lights yourself – check both the aurora forecast and the cloud forecast before heading out. The KP index is one measure of geomagnetic activity, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll see the lights at your location. Clear skies and local conditions matter too.

Also, be careful around frozen lakes. Only access areas where it’s safe and permitted to do so, and don’t assume the ice is safe just because it looks frozen.

After another successful night of northern lights hunting, we headed back to the hotel. The next day, we were moving on to a very different kind of stay – Aurora Village.

Day 4: Exploring Saariselkä and Staying at Aurora Village

Day 4 was all about snowy landscapes, another unique stay and one of the most memorable northern lights displays of our trip. We started the day in Saariselkä, where we wanted to see more of Lapland’s snow-covered forests, before heading to Aurora Village for a night we’d been looking forward to for a long time.

Exploring Saariselkä National Park

After breakfast, we headed to the Saariselkä area to explore the snowy landscape around Urho Kekkonen National Park.

If you want to see those postcard-perfect Lapland forests, with trees weighed down by thick snow, Saariselkä is the place. There was so much snow that in places we were wading through it almost up to our knees.
It was one of those moments where you realise just how different winter in Lapland is from winter back home in the UK. Everywhere we looked was white, silent and completely still, and we loved spending time outside taking it all in. If you’re visiting Saariselkä in winter, set aside a couple of hours to explore the forests and trails around the village.

Tip: Wear proper waterproof winter boots, as the snow gets deep fast. Check trail conditions before you head out, especially after heavy snowfall, and keep an eye on the time, because it gets dark early in winter.

After spending time in the snow, we stopped for lunch at Bistro & Café Kuukkeli in Saariselkä. It was a welcome break before continuing our journey, and a convenient place to stop for food. The café serves a range of meals, including pizzas, burgers, salmon soup and local dishes such as sautéed reindeer.

Once we’d finished lunch, we got back on the road and headed to the next stop on our itinerary.

Checking Into Aurora Village

Aurora Village was another bucket-list stay for us, and I honestly couldn’t believe how beautiful the property was when we arrived.

Located in the Ivalo area of Finnish Lapland, Aurora Village has glass-roofed cabins surrounded by forest, giving you the chance to enjoy the Arctic landscape without having to leave your room. We’d booked accommodation for four people, and it was lovely to have enough space for all of us. The resort has several types of cabins available, so there are options for couples as well as larger groups and families.

One of my favourite things about staying in a glass igloo is being able to look up at the sky from inside your room. And with the snow-covered forest all around us, this place felt particularly special. But we had another experience booked for the evening, so we couldn’t spend too long admiring our cabin just yet.

You can book your stay from here – Aurora Village

Finnish Sauna and Cold Plunge at -17°C

We’d booked a Finnish sauna and cold plunge session at Aurora Village, and this turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our stay.

A little tip: book your sauna session in advance. Aurora Village offers different sauna experiences, including a traditional wood-fired sauna with an ice bath. Sessions are time-limited, so it’s worth booking ahead rather than hoping there will be availability when you arrive. We started by warming up in the sauna before trying the cold plunge. Now, I knew it was going to be cold, but stepping outside when the temperature was -17°C was a completely different experience.

We took the plunge, and honestly, I was quite impressed that we survived it. The contrast between the heat of the sauna and the freezing conditions outside was intense, but it was also a lot of fun. In fact, we enjoyed it enough that we decided to do it a few more times.

It was definitely one of those experiences that sounds slightly crazy when you explain it to someone, but makes for a great memory afterwards.

Dinner at Aurora Village

After our sauna and cold plunge session, we were ready for dinner, so we headed to the restaurant at Aurora Village.

The food was amazing, and it was lovely not to have to drive anywhere after a full day out. The restaurant serves a three-course dinner with a menu that changes throughout the week, featuring local ingredients and dishes inspired by Lapland. We enjoyed our meal and took our time before heading back outside.

And that’s when the evening got even better.

One of Our Best Northern Lights Displays in Lapland

As soon as we stepped outside after dinner, we noticed the northern lights in the sky again. We quickly headed back to our cabin to grab our cameras and take a few photos through the glass roof. Being able to photograph the lights from inside our own glass igloo was already exciting enough, but we didn’t want to spend the entire evening indoors.

So we headed out into the open field at the property to enjoy the display properly. The northern lights were beautiful that night, and this ended up being one of the best displays we saw during our entire trip to Finnish Lapland.

Standing outside in the cold, surrounded by snow, and watching the lights spread across the sky was such a special experience. We’d already been lucky enough to see the northern lights on previous nights, but this one really stood out. We spent some time outside enjoying the view and taking photos before heading back to our cabin.

Aurora Village was everything we’d hoped for, and it was easily one of the highlights of our Lapland road trip.

Day 5: Reindeer Feeding and Driving to Levi

After spending a lovely night at Aurora Village, it was time to leave and continue our Lapland road trip towards Levi. But before leaving, we had one more little experience planned at the property.

Feeding Reindeer at Aurora Village

We went to meet and feed the reindeer that live at Aurora Village. The experience lasted around 15 minutes, so it was a short activity, but a really fun one. We were given food to feed them, and it was lovely getting to see these animals up close. Reindeer are such a big part of life in Lapland, so getting to interact with them was a nice way to end our stay here.

If you’d like to try this yourself, Aurora Village offers a reindeer-feeding experience that lasts around 10-20 minutes. You can check availability and prices on their official website.

After feeding the reindeer, we spent a little more time enjoying the property before checking out and getting back on the road. Aurora Village was easily one of our favourite stays of the trip, and I’m glad we had time to enjoy it rather than rushing off first thing in the morning.

Driving from Aurora Village to Levi

Our next stop was Levi, a popular winter destination in Finnish Lapland known for its ski resort, snowy landscapes and winter activities. Instead of taking the most direct route, we planned a stop at Pokka, a small village along the way.

On the way, we stopped at Tieva-Baari, a little café and restaurant in Pokka that felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. After driving through long stretches of snowy roads and forests, finding this cosy little place was such a nice surprise. It’s the kind of stop you might not plan a whole trip around, but it makes a road trip feel more interesting.

Tieva-Baari serves coffee and food, including local Lapland dishes, and is a well-known stopping point for people travelling through the area. It’s roughly 70 km from Levi and 110 km from Inari, making Pokka a useful place to break up the journey. We took a little break here before continuing our drive to Levi.

Arriving in Levi

After our stop in Pokka, we continued to Levi and checked into our accommodation. We’d be spending the next two nights here, giving us time to explore another part of Finnish Lapland before heading back to Rovaniemi.

Check accommodation options in Levi here

Day 6: Santa’s Cabin, Ice Karting and Elves Village

Levi is known for skiing and snowboarding, but there’s plenty to do here even if you’re not into either of them. We spent our day exploring some of Levi’s most popular attractions, including Santa’s Cabin, before ending the evening at Elves Village and heading out for dinner.

What to Do in Levi: Skiing or Winter Activities?

If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, you can spend the day on Levi’s ski slopes. It’s one of Finland’s best-known ski resorts, with plenty of slopes to explore.

And if skiing isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are other winter activities you can try, including ice karting, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

We decided to try ice karting at Ice Karting Levi, which lets you race go-karts around an icy track. It sounded like a fun way to experience something different in Lapland, and you don’t need previous driving experience to take part.

Book your ice karting experience here

If you’re planning to try ice karting, make sure you book in advance.

Visiting Santa’s Cabin in Levi

One place we really wanted to visit was Santa’s Cabin, one of the most photographed spots in Levi. The cabin is famous for appearing in the Christmas film Christmas Story, which helped make it an iconic photo spot in Finnish Lapland. The cabin sits on the fell, surrounded by snowy scenery, and you can visit it even if you’re not skiing. We decided to go after our ice karting experience.

We took the gondola up the mountain and then walked down towards Santa’s Cabin. It was -26°C that day, so you can imagine how cold it was! We had to wrap up properly, but we were determined to see the cabin.

The walk through the snowy landscape was worth it, and the cabin looked beautiful surrounded by all that snow. It’s also free to visit, which makes it a great addition to your Levi itinerary.

If you’re visiting in winter and aren’t skiing, you can still reach Santa’s Cabin using the gondola and the walking route. Just check the local conditions and route guidance before setting off, as snow and weather can affect access.

Spend the Evening at Elves Village

In the evening, we headed to Elves Village, around 8 km from Levi. It’s a Christmas-themed experience village inspired by Lapland’s stories, folklore and elves. You can explore the setting and, depending on what’s running during your visit, book experiences such as elf workshops and a visit to Santa Claus.

It’s a good option if you want to add something different to your Levi trip, especially if you’re visiting Finnish Lapland for its Christmas atmosphere. Do check the opening times and book any guided experiences in advance, as not every attraction is open throughout the day or year.

We ended the day with dinner at Restaurant Kiisa, in the heart of Levi. The restaurant serves modern Lapland-inspired food in a relaxed setting, making it a handy option for dinner after a full day out.

After a day of ice karting, walking in -26°C weather and exploring Levi, it was time to head back to our accommodation and get some rest before our final full day in Finnish Lapland.

Day 7: Panoramic Laavu and a Unique Dinner in Rovaniemi

It was time to leave Levi and make our way back to Rovaniemi for our final night in Finnish Lapland. Before leaving, though, we wanted to visit one more viewpoint.

Stop at Panoramic Laavu in Levi

Our first stop was Panoramic Laavu, a scenic viewpoint near Hotel Levi Panorama. It’s a lovely spot to take in the surrounding fell landscapes before heading back on the road.

How to get to Panoramic Laavu

If you’re driving, head towards Levi Summit and Hotel Levi Panorama and park in the Levi Summit car park. From there, it’s a short walk of around 300 metres along a signposted, illuminated path to the viewpoint. You don’t need to go skiing to visit.

There’s also a small café here, although opening times can vary, so check before visiting if you want to stop for a drink or something to eat. You can find more information on the official Levi tourism website.

After taking in the views, we got back into the car and started our drive to Rovaniemi.

A Roadside Café Stop at Lohihovi

The drive from Levi to Rovaniemi takes around two hours without stops, but we wanted to break up the journey along the way.

We stopped at Kahvila-Ravintola Lohihovi Oy, a roadside café and restaurant in Lohiniva. It’s a useful place to stop for a coffee, a snack or a proper meal while driving between Levi and Rovaniemi.

I’m including it here as a recommendation for anyone doing the same road trip. Sometimes it’s handy to know where you can stop along the way, especially when driving through quieter parts of Lapland.

You can find it at Lohikuja 10, Lohiniva, and check its opening times before setting off.

Our Last Night in Rovaniemi: Dinner at Arctic SnowHotel

Once we arrived back in Rovaniemi, we had one final experience planned before our trip came to an end.

We’d booked dinner at Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos, and it turned out to be such a unique experience. This isn’t just a place to eat – it’s also a hotel made from snow and ice, with individually designed rooms and ice sculptures. The hotel is rebuilt every winter, so the designs change from season to season.

During our visit, we got to explore the different room designs and see just how much detail goes into creating a hotel made almost entirely from snow and ice. It was fascinating to see how different each room looked.

The Ice Restaurant is another highlight, with ice pillars, snow and ice artwork, and a dining experience unlike a typical restaurant. If you’re looking for something different to do in Rovaniemi, I’d definitely consider adding this to your itinerary.

And you can stay here, too!

Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos offers two different accommodation experiences. You can spend the night in the snow and ice hotel, where the rooms are kept at around 0°C to -5°C, or book a heated glass igloo with a glass roof for views of the night sky and, if you’re lucky, the northern lights.

If you’d rather not stay overnight, you can also visit the snow hotel and book a dining experience separately. Check the official Arctic SnowHotel website for seasonal opening dates, tours, dinner options and accommodation.

It was a memorable way to spend our final evening in Lapland, and a great experience to add to your Rovaniemi itinerary.

Have a Little Longer?

These are optional additions if you have more than seven days in Finnish Lapland.

1. Ruka

Ruka is a great option if you want to spend more time skiing or snowboarding. You can also explore Ruka Village, try winter activities and enjoy the surrounding snowy forests. It’s around 2.5 hours by car from Rovaniemi, so I’d allow extra time rather than squeezing it into your existing route.

2. Pyhä-Luosto National Park

If you enjoy being outdoors, add Pyhä-Luosto to your trip. The area has snowy forests, fell landscapes and trails for winter activities. You can also visit the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine in Luosto, where visitors can learn about amethyst and even dig for their own gemstone during the operating season. Pyhä is around 1 hour 45 minutes from Rovaniemi by car.

3. Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua is worth considering if you’d like to add a wildlife experience to your trip. The wildlife park is home to Arctic and northern animal species, including polar bears. It’s around an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi, making it a possible day trip if you don’t want to change accommodation.

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