Finnish Lapland in 3 days
Finnish Lapland covers about a third of the country with some 180,000 people, more reindeer than residents, and northern lights on around 200 nights a year in the far north. Between Rovaniemi, Levi, Ylläs and Inari, the days go to dog sledding, saunas by frozen lakes, snowmobiles and snowshoe walks in deep silence.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Urho Kekkonen National Parkfree · 2 to 3 hFinland's second-largest national park, 2,550 km² of rounded fells, pine forest and the Suomujoki valley, running from Saariselkä to the Russian border.
- Evening
Northern lights at Saariselkäfree · an eveningAt 68° north, Saariselkä lies under the auroral oval; locally, displays are seen on about three clear nights in four between September and March.
Day 2
- All day
Levi ski resorta full dayFinland's largest ski resort, on a 531-metre fell above Kittilä, with 43 slopes and a World Cup slalom race each November.
Day 3
- Morning
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Parkfree · half a dayA 100 km chain of fells from Ylläs to Enontekiö, Finland's most visited national park, with 350 km of trails to spread the crowds.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: Siida, Inari, Kilpisjärvi and Mount Saana, Sampo icebreaker, Kemi, Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi.
Where to sleep in Finnish Lapland
- Hostel Café Koti · €45 a night
- Santa's Hotel Tunturi · €95 a night
- Hotel Hullu Poro · €110 a night
- Lapland Hotels Sirkantähti · €140 a night
- Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna · €150 a night
- Scandic Rovaniemi City · €140 a night
- Arctic TreeHouse Hotel · €400 a night
- Northern Lights Village Saariselkä · €350 a night
- Star Arctic Hotel · €300 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.