Top Lapland Arts & Design

Discover a different side of Rovaniemi, the cultural capital of Finnish Lapland, where Arctic life, Nordic design, architecture, and local history come together. On this unique private walking tour, you’ll explore beyond the usual highlights and uncover the stories, places, and details that reveal the character of Lapland. From iconic architecture to local traditions, design, and lesser-known insights, the tour offers a deeper understanding of Rovaniemi and the wider Finnish North. As a local guide from Lapland, with Master’s degrees in Photography & Design and certification as a Rovaniemi tour guide, I bring a distinctive perspective to the city. Because the tour is private, there is space for conversation and a more personal experience. The walk can naturally adapt to your interests as we explore the city together. For travellers who want to understand the place they are visiting, this is an authentic introduction to Rovaniemi. Available in English, Finnish, and French.

Spotting the northern lights is just half of the challenge for travelers to Rovaniemi, as capturing this natural phenomenon on camera can be just as tricky. On this tour, increase your chances of seeing the lights by visiting multiple viewpoints away from light pollution, guided by a professional night photographer. Learn expert tips and techniques for photographing the aurora, even on a smartphone, and make the most of the provided tripods.

Each year, a group of artists is commissioned to create dozens of ice sculptures for the snow hotel, and our guests also have the opportunity to try their hand at sculpting ice. During your visit, you’ll learn about the techniques behind snow and ice construction and enjoy a three-course meal by a glowing fire. This package is perfect for anyone who enjoys learning new things, is interested in art and culture, has a taste for Lappish flavours, and wants to experience something truly Arctic. 3-Course Menu highlights Starter: Celery-apple soup with spruce bud oil Main course (choose one): Glow-fried salmon with Lappish potatoes Sautéed reindeer with potato mash and lingonberry jam Vegan cabbage rolls with white bean purée Dessert: Apple-caramel pie with white chocolate sauce

Step into a winter wonderland at the Arctic SnowHotel, an extraordinary retreat sculpted entirely from ice and snow. On this immersive tour, explore uniquely themed rooms, intricate ice sculptures, and a cozy lounge where the magic of Arctic creativity comes to life. Your local guide will share fascinating stories about Lapland’s traditions, the art of ice construction, and Arctic life. Learn how the SnowHotel is rebuilt every year using snow harvested from the surrounding forests, and discover why this ephemeral masterpiece draws visitors from around the world. Ideal for families, couples, and winter adventurers, this tour is perfect for those seeking a unique Arctic experience that combines art, architecture, and icy enchantment.

Immerse yourself in a fairy-tale winter wonderland with an all-inclusive excursion from Academy Hotel Kemijärvi, the ideal gateway to eastern Lapland’s snow-draped landscapes. Expert guides equip you with arctic outerwear before whisking you through pine forests to a husky farm. The energy of howling huskies gives way to serenity as your sled glides 5 kilometers through wilderness. Smelling pine smoke and holding berry juice, you'll learn the art of mushering from local experts. The magic continues at Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle. After a lunch featuring delicacies at the Elves Hotel restaurant, a guided walk reveals the village’s highlights. Visit Santa’s Main Post Office, cross the Arctic Circle line, and enjoy an audience with Santa Claus. Designed for families, couples, and winter travelers seeking an authentic Finnish experience without planning hassle, this curated journey blends outdoor adventure and cultural enchantment before returning you to Kemijärvi

The Arctic Snow Hotel sits outside Rovaniemi in Lapland's wilderness, hard to reach on your own, especially in the Finnish winter. This tour handles the journey, with round-trip hotel transfers, and drops you at the snow structures, ice sculptures, and ice rooms for a self-paced look around. Explore the ice bar, ice restaurant, and ice chapel before heading back to town.

Discover the intricate artistry of snow and ice in this exclusive visiting package. Combine two must-things to do when in Rovaniemi in winter with round-trip transfers – Visit the Arctic SnowHotel and try your skills at ice sculpting! Explore Arctic SnowHotel’s extraordinary ice structures and learn about the craftsmanship that goes into building this unique winter landmark, including a visit to the spectacular genuine Ice Bar – the coolest place to have drinks in Rovaniemi. Experience the rare art of ice sculpting, exclusive to Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi. Learn fascinating insights during a behind-the-scenes tour of the ice storage, then carve your own masterpiece under expert guidance. A perfect winter activity for art lovers, adventure seekers, and families looking to combine creativity with winter fun.

Sculpted from over 2,000 tons of snow and ice, Lainio SnowVillage is one of the most impressive attractions in Lapland. With this tour, reach this winter wonderland from the Levi ski resort or the Kittilä Airport hassle-free with round-trip transportation and entrance tickets included. Visit the hotel and chapel, have a drink in the bar and lounge, take on the ice slide, and admire "Game of Thrones"-themed ice sculptures.

This is the most Instagrammable destination in Rovaniemi and something you don’t want to miss. Arctic SnowHotel is one of the largest snow and ice hotels in the world. Inside the hotel, the temperature is always between 0°C and -5°C, so it is comfortable to visit even if it is very cold outside. The experience begins with the story behind the hotel, explaining how it is rebuilt from snow and ice every year. Our guide introduces the techniques of snow construction, snow and ice art, and explains what happens to the structure when summer arrives. After the introduction, one of the hotel’s most special features is demonstrated in practice: the snow sauna. You will see how a sauna made of snow functions and experience the effect of water thrown onto the hot stove. Finally, our guide will lead you inside the hotel, where you are free to explore at your own pace, visit the rooms, and admire dozens of snow and ice sculptures.

Travel through the snow-covered Arctic countryside on a self-driven 6 km dogsledding adventure just outside Rovaniemi. Spend time with the huskies to pet the pack and snap photos, then learn the basics of mushing from professional handlers. Winter clothing and a hot drink with a light snack are included for your comfort.

The Lapland Hotels SnowVillage is rebuilt from scratch every year, delighting visitors with a changing theme and stunning ice art. For the upcoming winter season 2024–2025, theme is underwater world, featuring its diverse marine life – from whales to turtles and from seahorses to octopuses. This annual ice exhibition offers an enchanting experience, including snow and ice art, a unique ice bar, a movie theater, and our annual favourite: the ice slide! We will pick you up from your accommodation with our private 4x4 SUV, a rugged off-road vehicle built for safety and reliability for the arctic. The entrance tickets are included in the price for ice exhibition and ice bar. You will have approximately 90 minutes of free time to wander around the SnowVIllage. This should be enough to see everything, and even have some tasty drinks at the ice bar. Our private guide will be available for the entire visit at the Snow Village. You can select at which time you want to go after the booking.

Because it’s not just shopping – it’s an adventure. You’ll laugh, discover, and go home with souvenirs (and stories) no one else will have. Guests come for the bargains, but leave with memories… and maybe a slightly expanded sense of reality. And yes – you might just stumble upon a taxidermy squirrel in sunglasses, or something equally bizarre – and why not?