Lapland Holidays: When to Go, Where to Stay and What to Expect

When is the best time to visit Lapland?

That depends on why you're going.

If the whole point is taking younger children to see Santa, December is the obvious choice. It has the Christmas atmosphere, deep winter scenery and that feeling most families have imagined when they start talking about Lapland.

But Lapland doesn't suddenly stop being worth visiting once Christmas is over.

January, February and March can be fantastic for snow activities, skiing, husky safaris, reindeer experiences and searching for the Northern Lights. The days gradually become longer too, which can make a real difference if you want to spend plenty of time outdoors.

So before I look at dates, I'd want to know whether this is primarily a Santa trip, a winter adventure or a bit of both.

Is December the best time to take children to Lapland?

For the full Christmas experience, yes, December is difficult to beat.

But there are a couple of things worth knowing.

December is incredibly popular and daylight is limited this far north. In Rovaniemi, for example, the shortest days around the winter solstice have only a few hours between sunrise and sunset, although the long periods of twilight create that beautiful blue winter light Lapland is known for.

For younger children who believe in Santa, I'd happily work around that because the experience is the reason for going.

With older children, teenagers or adults, I wouldn't automatically restrict us to December.

How many nights do you need in Lapland?

This is one of the first things I'd decide because there is a huge difference between a quick Santa break and spending a week in Finnish Lapland.

Three or four nights can work brilliantly for a focused Christmas trip. You can fit an enormous amount into a relatively short stay without taking a full week away.

Give yourself five to seven nights and the holiday changes.

There's more time for huskies, reindeer, snowmobiles, skiing, sledging and simply enjoying where you are. You aren't trying to squeeze every activity into a couple of days and there's more flexibility if weather affects something you've planned.

Neither is automatically better. It depends on the trip you want.

Rovaniemi, Levi or Saariselkä?

This is where I'd be careful about booking “Lapland” without looking at where you're actually staying.

Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and home to Santa Claus Village, so it's an obvious choice for families wanting Christmas to be at the centre of the trip. It's also relatively easy to reach and has a wide range of accommodation and activities.

Levi is one of Finland's best-known ski resorts. I'd look at it if you want the trip to feel more like a winter holiday with skiing and activities as well as the possibility of Christmas experiences.

Saariselkä, further north, is another lovely option for snowy wilderness, skiing and winter activities and has easy access to the landscapes of northern Finnish Lapland.

Then there are smaller resorts, wilderness lodges and more remote stays.

This is why the cheapest Lapland package isn't necessarily the right comparison. Two holidays both labelled “Lapland” can give you very different experiences.

What can you actually do in Lapland?

This is where the trip becomes much bigger than meeting Santa.

Depending on where you stay and the time of year, we can look at:

Husky safaris where you travel through the snow by dog sled.

Reindeer experiences ranging from short sleigh rides to visits where you learn more about reindeer and Sámi culture.

Snowmobiling, including family-friendly options where appropriate.

Skiing and snowboarding, particularly if we choose somewhere such as Levi.

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing if you'd rather get out into the landscape at a slower pace.

Northern Lights excursions, although this is one experience nobody can guarantee.

And sometimes the simplest things are the ones children remember: sledging, deep snow, frozen trees and coming back inside for something warm afterwards.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Lapland?

You can, but I'd never sell a Lapland holiday by promising that you will.

Finnish Lapland is well positioned for aurora viewing, particularly on dark, clear nights away from light pollution. Finland's official tourism site says the Northern Lights are visible in Lapland on roughly 200 nights a year, although cloud, weather and solar activity all affect whether you'll actually see them during your stay.

If seeing them is important, staying longer gives you more opportunities than relying on one particular evening.

I'd also look carefully at where you're staying. A remote lodge can give you a very different experience from being in the middle of a brightly lit resort.

Is a glass igloo worth it?

Potentially. But I wouldn't automatically book your entire holiday in one.

They look incredible and spending a night looking up through a glass roof is one of those experiences people associate with Lapland.

But they're not all the same, and they can command a serious premium.

I'd compare what you're actually getting for the money. Sometimes I'd rather arrange one or two special nights in a glass-roofed cabin or igloo and use the rest of the budget on a great hotel, cabin and experiences.

That's much more interesting to me than paying extra purely because something photographs well.

What should you wear in Lapland?

Warm clothing matters, but don't assume you need to buy an entirely new Arctic wardrobe before you go.

Many organised Lapland packages and excursions provide thermal outerwear for activities, although exactly what's included varies.

Good base layers, warm socks, gloves, hats and appropriate footwear still matter, particularly when temperatures fall well below freezing.

When I'm comparing options, this is one of the details I'd check rather than assuming every operator includes the same equipment.

Is Lapland only for families with young children?

Definitely not.

The Santa side is obviously magical with younger children, but take Santa out of the equation and you've still got an Arctic winter destination.

I'd happily plan Lapland for a couple wanting a beautiful cabin, great food, huskies, snowmobiling and a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

It can work for teenagers too, particularly if we make the holiday more adventurous and less focused on elves.

And for a special birthday or anniversary, a remote lodge or glass-roofed cabin can be completely different from the usual city break or beach holiday.

Can a Lapland package be tailored to you?

Absolutely. Most Lapland holidays I arrange are packages, but that doesn’t mean everyone has to have exactly the same trip.

There are different resorts, hotels and cabins, different lengths of stay and different experiences that can be included. I can compare the options and tailor the holiday around what you actually want to do.

For one family, meeting Santa might be the whole reason for going. Another might want huskies, reindeer and snowmobiles packed in. You might want a glass igloo for part of the stay, extra time on the slopes or simply more free time to enjoy the snow without every hour being organised.

I’ll also look at exactly what each package includes, because two Lapland holidays at a similar price can be very different once you compare the accommodation, experiences, transfers, thermal clothing and time you actually have in the destination.

It’s not about finding any Lapland package. It’s about finding the right one and tailoring it to make the trip yours.

How far ahead should you book Lapland?

For a December Santa trip, I wouldn't leave it until the last minute if dates, accommodation or particular experiences matter to you.

There are only so many December departures and the most sought-after family dates and accommodation can be popular.

Outside the Christmas period we can sometimes have more flexibility, but I'd still rather plan early if you have something specific in mind, particularly a special cabin or lodge.

Is Lapland worth it?

For the right trip, absolutely.

But I'd want to make sure you're spending your money on the version of Lapland you've actually imagined.

A family taking a five-year-old to meet Santa needs a completely different holiday from a couple wanting Northern Lights and a luxury cabin. A family with teenagers may want skiing, snowmobiles and huskies rather than a heavily organised Christmas programme.

That's why I'd start with who is travelling, when you can go and what you most want to experience, rather than starting with a package.

If Lapland is on your list, send me your dates, who is travelling, your approximate budget and what you'd love to do while you're there.

I'll plan and book the whole Lapland holiday for you, including the flights, accommodation, transfers and experiences, and make sure the different parts work together. Whether you're planning that first magical Santa trip or something much more adventurous, you'll have me looking after everything from the first idea until you're home again.

Danielle x