I’ll be honest with you. When I first heard about Lapland, I thought it was just a place people made up to make Christmas more magical. Turns out, it’s very real, and it’s possibly the most enchanting winter destination I’ve researched.
Lapland sits above the Arctic Circle in northern Finland. It’s where snow blankets everything from November to April, where the Northern Lights dance across the sky, and where Santa Claus actually lives. No, seriously—Rovaniemi is his official hometown.
If you’ve got three days and a desire to step into a real-life snow globe, this guide will show you exactly how to make it happen. Let us chat all about a 3 Day Trip to Lapland.
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Why Lapland Should Be on Your Bucket List
Let me paint you a picture. Imagine gliding through pristine white forests behind a team of eager huskies. Picture yourself sleeping in a glass igloo with the Northern Lights swirling overhead. Think about warming up in a traditional Finnish sauna before plunging into icy water.
This isn’t your typical beach vacation. Temperatures drop to -15°C (that’s about 5°F), and in December, you get maybe three hours of daylight. But trust me when I say the magic is worth bundling up for.
Lapland combines authentic Sami culture, thrilling Arctic activities, and landscapes so beautiful they don’t look real. Plus, the food is surprisingly incredible.
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Getting There: Your Lapland Base
Most people fly into Rovaniemi Airport, which is ridiculously convenient. You can get direct flights from major European cities, or connect through Helsinki or Stockholm.
The airport sits just 10 kilometers from the city center. That’s a 15-minute ride, which means you can land and be sipping hot berry juice in your cozy accommodation before you know it.
Rovaniemi is your perfect home base. It’s the capital of Finnish Lapland, the official hometown of Santa Claus, and it has everything you need within easy reach.
When to Go: Timing Your Trip
The best time for a Lapland winter experience is December through March. Each month has its own vibe.
December brings peak Christmas magic and shorter days. The downside? It’s crowded and expensive, especially around Christmas week.
February is the sweet spot. You get plenty of snow, clearer weather for Northern Lights hunting, and enough daylight to actually see what you’re doing. It’s also less crazy than December.
March offers warmer temperatures and longer days. The snow cover is at its thickest—almost a meter deep.
For a first-timer, I’d pick late February. You’ll get the full winter experience without the holiday crowds.
Where to Stay: Glass Igloos and Cozy Lodges
Here’s where things get exciting. Lapland isn’t about boring hotel rooms. You’ve got options that range from magical to absolutely insane.
Glass Igloo Hotels
Sleeping under a glass roof with the Northern Lights overhead is the Lapland experience everyone dreams about. These aren’t your backyard camping tents—they’re heated, comfortable rooms with actual beds and bathrooms.
Apukka Resort is the cream of the crop. Located 20 minutes from Rovaniemi, it offers luxury glass igloos right on a lake. Each igloo has a private bathroom, and the resort runs all the classic Lapland activities from their own wilderness area.
Glass Resort is tucked inside Santa Claus Village itself. Every apartment comes with a private sauna and outdoor hot tub. Imagine soaking under the stars after a day of snowmobiling.
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos gives you options. You can sleep in a glass igloo or in an actual ice hotel with walls made of snow. The ice hotel opens December 15th and is rebuilt fresh every winter.
Pro tip: Glass igloos book out months in advance for December. If you want one, book early or visit in February when availability is better.
Budget-Friendly Options
Not everyone wants to drop $500+ per night on accommodation. Rovaniemi has plenty of regular hotels and guesthouses that are perfectly cozy.
You can stay in the city center and book day trips to all the activities. It’s cheaper and still gives you the full Lapland experience.
Day 1: Welcome to the Arctic Circle
Morning: Meet Santa Claus
Start your Lapland adventure at Santa Claus Village. This is not a tourist trap—okay, parts of it are touristy, but it’s also genuinely delightful.
You can meet Santa Claus himself for free. Yes, for free. He’s there every single day of the year, and he’s incredibly warm and chatty. My favorite part? He speaks every language. It’s like Disney magic but real.
The Arctic Circle line runs right through the village’s main square. You can literally stand with one foot in the Arctic Circle and one foot outside it. There’s a certificate you can buy if you’re into that sort of thing.
Santa’s Main Post Office is worth a visit. You can send postcards from here with a special Arctic Circle postmark. They arrive right before Christmas if you time it right.
Afternoon: Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Reindeer are everywhere in Lapland—there are actually more reindeer than people here. Taking a sleigh ride through snowy forests is pure magic.
You’ll bundle up in warm blankets while a reindeer pulls you along quiet trails. Most tours stop halfway at a cozy tent where guides share stories about reindeer herding and Sami culture.
The ride itself is peaceful, not thrilling. Think gentle gliding through a winter wonderland, not rollercoaster speeds.
Book this through Santa Claus Village for the best experience. It’s cheaper than tour operator prices and feels more authentic.
Evening: Traditional Finnish Sauna
After your first day in the cold, your body will be begging for warmth. Enter the Finnish sauna.
Finns take their sauna seriously. It’s a social activity, a way to relax, and basically a national institution. Most accommodations have private saunas, or you can visit a public one.
The traditional Finnish method involves sitting in intense dry heat, then jumping into icy water or rolling in snow. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s incredibly invigorating.
Many glass igloo resorts offer evening sauna experiences with dinner by an open fire. It’s the perfect way to end your first day.
Day 2: Arctic Adventures
Morning: Husky Safari
This is the activity everyone talks about, and it lives up to the hype.
Husky sledding means you’re actually driving the sled. The dogs are tied in pairs to a line, and they pull you across frozen landscapes at surprising speeds. It’s thrilling, beautiful, and those dogs are SO happy to be running.
Most tours last 2-3 hours. You’ll switch drivers halfway through so everyone gets a turn both riding and driving.
The mushers (that’s what sled drivers are called) give you a quick lesson before you go. Don’t worry if you’ve never done it—the dogs know what they’re doing even if you don’t.
After the run, you’ll spend time with the pack. These huskies are friendly, energetic, and absolutely love the attention.
Afternoon: Snowmobile Adventure
If you want to cover serious ground and feel like a total Arctic explorer, rent a snowmobile.
Tours take you deep into pristine wilderness areas. You’ll cross frozen lakes, weave through snow-covered forests, and stop at scenic viewpoints that’ll make your jaw drop.
Most operators provide full winter gear—thick suits, boots, helmets, and gloves. You’ll need it. Even bundled up, your face will get cold.
You need a valid driver’s license to drive a snowmobile. If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t have one, you can ride two people per sled. Or do a guidedtour here.
Evening: Northern Lights Hunt
This is what you came for, right?
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) appear when solar particles collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. The result? Ribbons of green, pink, and purple light dancing across the Arctic sky.
December through March offers the best viewing conditions. You need three things: darkness, clear skies, and solar activity.
Many hotels offer “Aurora alarms” that wake you if the lights appear. Glass igloos let you watch from bed without freezing.
If you want to maximize your chances, book a guided Northern Lights tour. Expert guides know the best spots, check weather forecasts obsessively, and bring you to locations away from light pollution.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see them your first night. Nature doesn’t perform on demand. But when you do see them, it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Day 3: Culture and Cuisine
Morning: Arctic SnowHotel Visit
Even if you’re not sleeping in the ice hotel, you can visit it during the day.
The Arctic SnowHotel opens December 15th each winter. Artists rebuild it from scratch using thousands of tons of snow and ice. Every room features elaborate ice sculptures and frozen artwork.
The ice bar serves drinks in glasses carved from ice. The ice chapel hosts actual weddings. The whole place feels like stepping into Frozen.
You can try ice sculpting yourself in workshops. It’s harder than it looks, but incredibly satisfying when you carve your own creation.
Afternoon: Snowshoeing in Lapland National Parks
Snowshoeing is one of those activities I totally underestimated. It turned out to be one of my favorite experiences.
You strap on wide shoes that let you walk on top of deep snow instead of sinking into it. Guides take you into pristine wilderness areas where you can really appreciate the landscape’s raw beauty.
The hiking isn’t too intense. Most tours accommodate different fitness levels and take frequent breaks for hot berry juice.
In December, you’ve got limited daylight, so guides time these hikes to catch the brief window when the sky turns incredible shades of pink and purple.
What to Eat: Lapland Food Guide
Lapland cuisine centers on locally sourced ingredients. Think reindeer, fresh fish, wild berries, and root vegetables.
Reindeer (Poronkäristys)
Yes, you’re eating Rudolph. Get over it because reindeer meat is delicious.
The traditional preparation is poronkäristys—sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce. The meat tastes similar to venison but leaner and more tender.
You’ll find reindeer in stews, on pizzas, in burgers, and even as sushi. Finns use every part of the animal and have been herding reindeer for centuries.
Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto)
This creamy salmon soup is Lapland’s signature dish. It’s made with fresh salmon, potatoes, leeks, and dill, served piping hot with rye bread.
The soup is rich, warming, and absolutely perfect after a day in the cold. Every restaurant in Rovaniemi serves their own version.
Leipäjuusto (Squeaky Cheese)
This is Finnish bread cheese, and it’s unlike anything you’ve tried.
Leipäjuusto is a soft cheese that gets grilled until it has brown marks. It has a rubbery texture and literally squeaks when you chew it.
Finns serve it warm with cloudberry jam as a dessert. The combination of sweet berries and savory cheese is surprisingly addictive.
Karelian Pasties
These are small rye pastry pockets filled with rice, potato, or carrot. They’re a traditional Finnish snack that you’ll find everywhere.
They’re best eaten warm with egg butter (yes, that’s butter mixed with hard-boiled eggs). Don’t knock it until you try it.
Grilled Sausages (Grillimakkara)
Finns are obsessed with their grilled sausages. You’ll find them at every kota (traditional tent) meal, grilled over open fires.
They’re simple—just good quality sausages with mustard. But there’s something magical about eating one while sitting around a crackling fire in the Arctic wilderness.
Cloudberries and Wild Berries
Berry picking is practically a national sport in Finland. The forests are packed with wild berries, especially cloudberries.
Cloudberries are golden-orange berries that taste tart and slightly sweet. Finns use them in jams, desserts, and sauces. They’re expensive because they only grow in Arctic bogs and are hand-picked.
Lingonberries, bilberries, and cranberries also feature heavily in Lapland cuisine. You’ll find them in sauces, drinks, and desserts.
Practical Tips for Your Lapland Trip
What to Pack
Layers are your best friend. You’ll need:
- Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
- Fleece or wool mid-layers
- Waterproof, insulated outer jacket
- Snow pants
- Warm boots with good grip
- Thick wool socks
- Insulated gloves or mittens
- Warm hat that covers your ears
- Neck warmer or scarf
- Hand warmers and toe warmers
Most tour operators provide outer winter suits for activities. But you’ll still need warm layers underneath.
How Much Does It Cost?
Lapland isn’t cheap, especially in December. Here’s a rough budget:
Accommodation: $150-500+ per night depending on whether you choose a basic hotel or a glass igloo
Activities: $100-300 per person per activity (husky safari, snowmobile tours, Northern Lights hunts)
Food: $15-40 per meal
Transportation: Minimal if you’re based in Rovaniemi and booking tours with pickup included
A 3-day trip will run you $1,000-2,500 per person depending on your accommodation choices.
Getting Around
You don’t need a rental car if you’re staying in Rovaniemi. Most activity providers offer pickup and drop-off from hotels.
If you do want to explore more remote areas, rental cars come with studded tires and are designed for winter driving. The roads are incredibly well-maintained.
Driving in Finnish winter conditions is no joke though. If you’ve never driven in snow and ice, stick with organized tours.
Language
English is widely spoken in Finnish Lapland. You won’t have any trouble communicating at hotels, restaurants, or with tour operators.
Learning a few Finnish phrases is appreciated:
- “Kiitos” (KEE-tos) = Thank you
- “Hei” (hay) = Hi
- “Anteeksi” (AHN-tek-see) = Excuse me
Special Events in December 2024
If you’re visiting this December, Rovaniemi hosts two major Christmas events:
The Christmas Opening officially kicks off the season with live music and festivities at Santa Claus Village.
On December 23rd, Santa Claus departs from Santa Claus Village to begin his Christmas journey. This event includes live performances, a speech from Santa, and is live-streamed globally.
These events add extra Christmas magic to an already enchanting destination.
Is Lapland Worth It?
Look, I’ll level with you. Lapland is expensive, cold, and requires serious planning. It’s not a last-minute weekend getaway.
But it’s also one of the most magical places you’ll ever visit.
Where else can you sleep under the Northern Lights, meet reindeer, zoom across frozen lakes on snowmobiles, and tell people you met the real Santa Claus?
The combination of pristine nature, unique activities, and genuine Finnish hospitality creates an experience that feels almost otherworldly.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a real winter wonderland—the kind with actual snow, not the sad gray slush we get in most cities—Lapland delivers.
Final Thoughts
A 3-day trip to Lapland gives you enough time to hit the main activities without feeling rushed. You’ll get the full Arctic experience: husky sleds, reindeer rides, glass igloos, and hopefully the Northern Lights.
My top advice? Go in late February when weather is clearer and crowds are thinner. Book your glass igloo months in advance. Layer up more than you think you need to. And embrace the cold—it’s part of what makes Lapland special.
This destination isn’t trying to be Instagrammable (though it very much is). It’s authentic, wild, and genuinely magical. The kind of place that reminds you why travel matters.
Now go book those flights before all the good glass igloos are gone.
Pin this for later! Planning a winter trip to Finland? This 3-day Lapland itinerary covers everything from husky safaris to Northern Lights, where to stay in glass igloos, and what to eat in the Arctic Circle.
Have you been to Lapland? Drop your best tips in the comments below—I’d love to hear what made your trip special!
