Itineraries for Your Trip to Lapland
1 Day in Lapland for First Timers
Growing up, my cousins told me so many stories about their life in Finland that I felt like I’d visited long before I actually did. It was worth the wait. Lapland lived up to every wonder that my childhood imagination had conjured up, from meeting Santa Claus to riding a reindeer sleigh through a snow-frosted forest—a veritable fantasyland for my inner child.
With just one day in Lapland, most travelers stick to easily accessible resort towns like Rovaniemi or Levi, which have the widest range of tours and activities to choose from. Plan your itinerary carefully and you’ll be able to squeeze in plenty of must-see Lapland attractions. Here are my recommendations.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a visit to the Santa Claus Village.
Don’t worry about investing in specialist snow gear for a short trip—many tours include outdoor clothing or offer rentals.
Kick off your Lapland adventure with a visit to one of Rovaniemi’s top attractions, the Santa Claus Village, known as the “official hometown of Santa Claus.” It’s just a 10-minute drive or short bus ride from town, but a tour is the most time-efficient way to visit and often includes other sights, such as the Arktikum museum. After meeting Santa Claus, peek into the elves’ workshops, meet the reindeer, and pose for photos crossing the Arctic Circle line. Don’t forget to send a postcard from Santa’s post office, stamped with a one-of-a-kind Santa Claus postmark.
Getting outdoors is the only way to experience the winter wonderland, which is blanketed in snow through winter and dusted with wildflowers through summer. Your first time in Lapland has to include at least one outdoor activity, whether it’s a high-speed husky sled ride, a snowmobile excursion, or a horseback ride. For a fun, family-friendly activity, try a reindeer sleigh ride through the snow. Visit a traditional reindeer farm, meet the reindeer, then hop aboard for a scenic ride through the forest—you can even try taking the reins yourself.
One of the best things to do in Lapland for first timers is a northern lights tour, and while sightings of the natural phenomenon aren’t guaranteed, it’s still worth the journey to admire the moonlit arctic landscapes. Choose a small-group tour for a more intimate experience, and head out to a remote location far away from the city lights—local guides know all the best viewpoints. If you’re not visiting during the northern lights season (late-September through March), opt for a wilderness tour or nighttime hike under the midnight sun, another natural phenomenon that only occurs in the Arctic.
