This 15-day Lapland itinerary will give you a complete overview of the region's most important beauties in just two weeks. It is designed to combine the cultural discoveries and natural riches that make Lapland one of Finland's most beautiful destinations. This itinerary can be completed by car or public transport. However, journey times will be greatly reduced by car, and a vehicle will give you much more freedom to explore places off the beaten track or make stops along the way.
Days 1 and 2: Arrival at the airport and visit to Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) is the fourth largest airport in Finland and the main airport in Finnish Lapland. It is served by direct flights from Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and other European cities. This makes it the airport of choice for those wishing to plan a 15-day itinerary in Lapland.
On your first day of arrival, don't really plan any activities. Choose accommodation in Rovaniemi for the next four nights and take it easy. You can rent a car directly from the airport to start your 15-day Finnish Lapland itinerary.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland, so it's the best place to start your 15-day Lapland itinerary. Located just a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, it's packed with interesting activities to help you get to know the region better. Stay for four nights.
Visit Santa's village
Santa's Village is an absolutely magical theme park, whether you're traveling with children or not. In addition to its famous resident, who you can meet, the village is home to reindeer, gift stores, Santa's official post office and a whole world of enchantment. It's also crossed by the Arctic Circle line, which is marked on the ground. That's why it's the ideal place to travel with children, but will also meet the expectations of adults.
Activity to book: Experiencean unforgettable guided reindeersleigh ride from Rovaniemi through the magical frozen forests of Lapland by booking right here.
Visit the Arktikum Museum
As one of Finland's finest museums, Arktikum is a must on any 15-day Lapland itinerary. It's amuseum with a scientific focus, providing a better understanding of the Arctic region. It houses permanent exhibits on the Nordic environment and its native peoples, notably the Sami, through clothing and other tools that these indigenous populations have used for centuries to live in this environment. It's a must-see museum for a better understanding of local traditions, and all the more worthwhile at the start of your trip as you'll be setting out to meet these peoples later on. If you're interested in the environment, don't miss the nearby Pilke House, a museum of sustainable Nordic forestry.
The most popular activity to book in Rovaniemi: book your guided Northern Lights tour from Rovaniemiright here . An unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
The article to read: The 5 best tours to discover Lapland
Day 3: Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi
In the morning, set off for Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi. There are several options: a direct bus that takes you to the park in just over an hour, an uncomplicated 1-hour drive if you have your own car, or organized excursions, where you'll usually be picked up at your hotel, guided by a local wildlife specialist on site, and taken back to Rocaniemi. In the evening, return to Rovaniemi for the night.
Go on safari in Ranua Wildlife Park
The Ranua Wildlife Park is a zoo housing some 50 Nordic animal species, including boreal owls, reindeer, polar bears, elk, lynx and Arctic foxes. The vast enclosures are set in the heart of a coniferous forest, so that you almost have the impression of seeing the animals in the wild. In addition to presenting the animals to the public, the park also participates in wildlife protection programs, wild animal reintroductions and research projects. It has, for example, participated in the reintroduction of reindeer to the Finnish boreal forest, using captive-bred animals that can now help re-establish wild populations.
To book: Remember to book your Ranua Wildlife Park tickets in advance by clicking right here !
Day 4: Visit Kemi from Rovaniemi
On this fourth day of your 15-day Lapland itinerary, leave Rovaniemi in the morning for Kemi. There are several train journeys a day, each lasting around 1 h 15. By car, you'll need to allow about 1 h 40 for the journey. Spend the day in Kemi, then return to Rovaniemi in the evening for a final night's sleep.
Visit Kemin LumiLinna, Kemi's snow castle
Kemi's snow castle is the town's main attraction. It's a castle built entirely of ice, rebuilt each winter with a different architectural style, but always retaining the codes of a castle, such as the drawbridge, ramparts and towers. But no matter how it's rebuilt, it's always home to a hotel, a chapel anda restaurant. The Kemin LumiLinna is home to one of Europe's most unusual restaurants, serving excellent cuisine, as well as an ice bar! Inside the castle, it's a balmy -5°C, which pales in comparison with the -30°C outside.
Take an icebreaker cruise
In the port of Kemi, just outside the old town but easily accessible by car or bus, you'll find the icebreaker Sampo. Built in 1961, this 75-metre vessel has been converted into a cruise ship, offering two- to six-hour trips across the frozen waters. On board, an expert guide will accompany you and comment on the ride. The ship will even make a stop to let you swim, thanks to a thermal suit.
To book: Experience an Arctic adventure in Finnish Lapland ona cruise to Kemi aboard the icebreaker Arktis by booking your tickets right here.
Days 5 and 6: Visit Levi
After 4 nights in Lapland, you finally leave Rovaniemi and head north to Levi, where you'll spend two nights. The journey can be made by bus and will then take 2 hours. By car, the journey takes the same time.
Skiing in Levi
Levi is home to Finland's largest winter sports resort. It's extremely well known for its excellent facilities, 43 runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, and superb snow-covered scenery. It's the ideal place to go skiing or snowboarding, even if you're a beginner. You can also try other winter sports, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or why not try a snowmobile safari. In summer, the scenery remains just as beautiful and lends itself perfectly to mountain biking.
Dog sledding
Dog sledding is a must-do activity in Levi. With its wild, snow-covered landscapes, the resort lends itself perfectly to this activity. Working alongside a guide, you can learn how to steer your own dog team, generally comprising between 4 and 6 huskies. Rides can be as long or as short as you like, ranging from 2 to 20 km. Some tours also include a meeting with the breeders, to better understand their way of life, that of the animals, and training techniques. There are also reindeer-drawn sleigh rides.
To book : Discover the beauty of Lapland by booking this husky sleigh ride for a thrill-packed experience!
Observe the Northern Lights
Thanks to its low light pollution, Levi is the ideal place to admire the northern lights. The season is very long, stretching from late August to mid-April, so you'll be able to see them almost all year round, with the exception of summer. You can observe them on your own, away from the light sources, for example by climbing one of Levi's hills, or with a guide who will show you the best places for a successful observation, often taking you into the heart of the night on his snowmobile.
To book: We recommend booking this snowmobile excursion in search of the Northern Lights. You'll travel through the Arctic night in search of places free of light pollution for a chance to see the northern lights in Levi.
Days 7 and 8: Visit to Hetta in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Leave Levi to continue your 15-day Lapland itinerary towards Hetta, at the entrance to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The journey by car takes just under 2 hours, as it does by bus. Spend two nights exploring the national park. You can choose eco-friendly accommodation in the middle of nature for an even more unusual experience.
Hiking in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland's third-largest national park. It is marked by the boreal forest , criss-crossed by numerous well-marked trails that can be explored on foot or snowshoes. Among them, the 55 km-long Hetta-Pallas Trail is certainly the best known. Here you can observe a wealth of Arctic wildlife. The park, largely untouched by light pollution, is also the ideal place to observe the northern lights. You can also explore it by horse-drawn sleigh or snowmobile.
To book: We recommend this snowshoe hike in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. It's an unforgettable experience. Pallas is famous for its breathtaking fells and the purest air in Europe.
Day 9: Luosto
Head south to Luosto, where you 'll spend the night. This is a pleasant stopover on the way, before heading back north-east. By car, allow 4 hrs, while the journey takes around 7 hrs by bus with connections.
Visit the Lampivaara amethyst mine
The Lampivaara amethyst mine is a unique site in the world, where rock is still being dug out from the top of a hill to extract amethyst, the famous purple rock. You can take part in a guided tour and even dig for your own amethyst to take home.
To book: Take advantage of our partner's special rates and book your entrance tickets to the Luosto amethyst minehere.
Hiking in Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is Finland's oldest national park. It offers numerous trails through the taiga. These can be explored on foot, sled, snowshoe, cross-country skis or snowmobile. The most popular hike is the Isokuru Canyon.
What to book: Enjoy the vast natural landscapes of Pyhä-Luosto National Park by booking this scenic snowshoe hike
Day 10: Visit Saariselkä
Hit the road again the next day, heading for Saariselkä, where you'll spend the night. It's a 2-hour drive by car, or 4 hours by bus with connections.
Explore Urho Kekkonen National Park
Urho Kekkonen National Park, which backs onto the Russian border, is Finland's second-largest national park, making it a must-see in Lapland. Here, too, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, summer hiking, snowmobiling, sledding and snowshoeing. You're sure to spot reindeer and arctic foxes. When night falls, don't miss the chance to admire the northern lights.
To book: Would you like to enjoy the magnificent scenery? We recommend you book this snowshoe hike in Urho Kekkonen National Park or this snowmobile ride to discover the Lappish wilderness.
Days 11 to 14: Visit Inari
Inari will be your last stop on this 15-day Lapland itinerary. Spend three nights here before returning to Rovaniemi airport.
Discover the Sami culture
The Sami are an indigenous people of northern Finland. Inari is home to the Sami Museum and Nature Center. The fascinating life of this people living in the Arctic Circle is on show, as is their environment. There are also a number of Sami craft stores in town.
Meet the reindeer
Inari is home to several reindeer herding farms. They are often open to the public, so you can come and stroke the reindeer and even feed them. The reindeer herder, often a member of the Sami people, will introduce you to his methods, his animals, his work and his culture.
The activity to book in Inari: experience a memorable journey by booking here your snowmobile excursion in search of the northern lights. The safari is organized along the best possible trails for viewing the northern lights.
Day 15: Departure for Rovaniemi
On this fifteenth day, it's time to leave Inari for Rovaniemi. This represents a journey of almost 5 h by bus, and 4 h by car. So, if your flight is early in the day, it's best to leave Inari the day before.
How do I get to Lapland?
Flying is the easiest and often cheapestway to reach Finnish Lapland. The main airport is Rovaniemi, but there are others in Kittilä, Ivalo and Kuusamo. Non-flight options are much more time-consuming and costly, and require numerous connections.
When is the best time to visit Lapland?
Winter is the best time to start this 15-day itinerary in Lapland. You can enjoy the Northern Lights, frozen lakes, snow-covered landscapes and winter activities such as dog sledding and snowmobile safaris.
Are you tempted? Take a look at our airfares and book now !
