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7 nights
Best places to visit in Lapland
Northern Lights or Santa's village? Get the inside scoop on the best places to visit in Lapland.
Christmas markets and carol singing are perfect for getting those festive feels, but there’s nothing quite like Lapland at Christmas. What could be better than meeting Santa in his hometown, right? We take off to five Lapland destinations – Rovaniemi, Kittila, Ivalo, Kuusamo and Arctic Lakeland. Each one brings something different to the (Christmas) table, so we’ve rounded up all their best bits to help you decide the place that’s right for you. We’re not stopping there, though – we’ve also uncovered the best way to get there and the best time to go. Let’s get into it…
1. Rovaniemi
Best for:
- Santa Claus Village – get involved with arts and crafts at Elf School and send some magic back home with a postcard at Santa’s Post Office.
- Lapland’s capital – Rovaniemi is Lapland’s head honcho. It’s home to buzzing restaurants, bars and modern shopping malls perfect for picking up last-minute presents.
- Arctic SnowHotel – visit a hotel made entirely of ice (no, seriously), learn about how it’s made and even have a go at building your own ice structure.
Where will I meet Santa?
On holidays to Rovaniemi, you’ll meet Father Christmas at Santa Claus Village. If that wasn’t enough for one day, you can also cross the Arctic Circle – it runs right through the village’s central square.
Where to stay?
Luosto’s ideal if you want an away-from-it-all vibe – it’s a quiet village set inside ancient pine forests in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. For something a little more up-tempo, head to Rovaniemi, where you can pair building snowmen with shopping in modern malls.
Find out more about Rovaniemi and Luosto.
2. Kittila
Best for:
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll find Santa settled down in Kittila’s Snow Village here. It’s rebuilt with snow and ice every November, and a new theme gives it a different shape and feel each year.
Where to stay?
Yllas is a popular pick for skiers – the resort is made up of two villages, with powdery snow on either side of the Yllas Fell. Further north, Pallas is stashed away in a national park. There’s hardly any air pollution, which ups your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Hetta tows a similar line, with only snow-capped mountains for company. Prefer to pick up the pace? Head to Levi, which is home to a buzzy town with a handful of bars and restaurants on hand for evenings out.
Find out more about Ylläs, Pallas, Hetta and Levi.
- Lapland day trips – our Search for Santa Day Trip takes you to the Snow Village near Kittila, and it’s safe to say you’ll pack a lot in. As well as meeting Santa, you’ll slide down snow chutes, head out on a husky-led sleigh ride and more.
- Northern Lights – Kittila is one of Lapland’s northernmost resorts, so it gives you a better chance of spotting the Northern Lights. Fancy it? Add on our snowmobile safari for a chance to see them lighting up the sky.
- Skiing – head to Levi if you fancy pairing your Lapland adventure with some time on the slopes. It’s home to one of the biggest ski resorts in the country.
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll find Santa settled down in Kittila’s Snow Village here. It’s rebuilt with snow and ice every November, and a new theme gives it a different shape and feel each year.
Where to stay?
Yllas is a popular pick for skiers – the resort is made up of two villages, with powdery snow on either side of the Yllas Fell. Further north, Pallas is stashed away in a national park. There’s hardly any air pollution, which ups your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Hetta tows a similar line, with only snow-capped mountains for company. Prefer to pick up the pace? Head to Levi, which is home to a buzzy town with a handful of bars and restaurants on hand for evenings out.
Find out more about Ylläs, Pallas, Hetta and Levi.
3. Ivalo
Best for:
- Northern Lights – Ivalo is pitched even further north of Kittila, so its skies are no stranger to Aurora Borealis. You can add an optional experience during your free time to head out and search for them.
- Tobogganing – Saariselka is home to the longest toboggan slopes in the country. It has two different routes, and there’s a snow tube area suitable for smaller children.
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll head to Santa’s Creek, where you’ll meet the big man in a cabin tucked away in the woods. He shares his postcode with white reindeer – keep your eyes peeled for them en route.
Where to stay?
Saariselka is surrounded by a national park, so it’s the perfect backdrop to your wintery escape. Think snow-topped pines, frozen lakes and plenty of thick snow.
Find out more about Saariselka.
4. Kuusamo
Best for:
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll head to Santa’s secret cottage in Kuusamo for a magical meet-up with the man in red. Just a heads up, this is a group gathering, so you’ll share your meeting with other families.
Where to stay?
Ruka’s restaurants and bars make it perfect if you want to head out to tuck into a local meal. Our pick? Mushroom soup. It’s made with mushrooms harvested from the surrounding forests. Or go for Kuusamo – it’s only 20 minutes away by car, but it feels a million miles from anything, so it’s perfect for that out-in-the-sticks vibe.
Find out more about Kuusamo and Ruka.
- Skiing – Ruka’s taken the crown as Finland’s best ski resort lots of times and there are slopes for whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned skier.
- Apres-ski – if you’d rather sip on mulled wine than navigate the slopes, Ruka’s apres-ski scene has got you covered.
- Scenic strolls – go toe-to-toe with frozen rivers surrounded by snowy pines at Hossa National Park.
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll head to Santa’s secret cottage in Kuusamo for a magical meet-up with the man in red. Just a heads up, this is a group gathering, so you’ll share your meeting with other families.
Where to stay?
Ruka’s restaurants and bars make it perfect if you want to head out to tuck into a local meal. Our pick? Mushroom soup. It’s made with mushrooms harvested from the surrounding forests. Or go for Kuusamo – it’s only 20 minutes away by car, but it feels a million miles from anything, so it’s perfect for that out-in-the-sticks vibe.
Find out more about Kuusamo and Ruka.
5. Arctic Lakeland
Best for:
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll meet Santa in a traditional hut, following your reindeer and husky ride taster sessions. There’s time to warm up beside a fire, before you head inside with your family group to share your Christmas wishlist with him.
Where to stay?
Arctic Lakeland’s the spot for Christmas cheer in this part of Finland. Its natural scenery – including lakes and pine forests – looks like it’s been pulled from a Finnish postcard.
Get all the info on Arctic Lakeland holidays.
- Kajaani: head to the centre to explore the town’s 17th-century castle ruins – they’re pitched on an island in the Kajaani River and there’s a bridge on hand to get you there.
- Snow sports: this region of Finland is famous for snowshoeing and there are several trails for first-timers to try out.
- Sauna sessions: stay at Holiday Club Katinkulta, and you’ll bag access to five different types of saunas, including one that’s heated with logs.
Where will I meet Santa?
You’ll meet Santa in a traditional hut, following your reindeer and husky ride taster sessions. There’s time to warm up beside a fire, before you head inside with your family group to share your Christmas wishlist with him.
Where to stay?
Arctic Lakeland’s the spot for Christmas cheer in this part of Finland. Its natural scenery – including lakes and pine forests – looks like it’s been pulled from a Finnish postcard.
Get all the info on Arctic Lakeland holidays.
How to get to Lapland?
With us, you can take your pick from daytrips and 3 or 4-night breaks. As well as taster sessions, all our packages include flights and transfers, so you can relax knowing everything’s taken care of. Oh, and don’t forget, we fly from 10 UK airports, so you can fly from your local airport and forget the thought of a long day of travel to get there.
When to visit Lapland?
Our Finnish Lapland holidays take off from around the end of November to the end of December. You can even opt for breaks that’ll get you there for Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. The best way to celebrate Christmas? We’ve found it.
Picked your place?
Browse our full Lapland line-up.
Plus, read about what to pack for Lapland, eight reasons to visit Lapland this Christmas and six reasons Lapland is great for grown-ups.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Get holiday ready and find out more about travel money in Finland.
Author: Karl Taylor
Last updated: 17.10.2025