Lapland Road Trip: Itinerary, Glass Igloos and Top Activities
Lapland, Finland Road Trip Itinerary: 9 Night Family Adventure
We started our journey from Berlin with a direct flight to Helsinki and then took a smaller plane to Rovaniemi. We flew with Finnair and booked a car through Booking.com, affordable and reliable, even with snowy roads. You don’t need a 4×4, but winter tires are essential.
Our itinerary and the best Igloo hotels and unique accomodations in Lapland :
Day 1: Arctic Fox Igloos, in Ranua – A glass igloo in front of a frozen lake.
Days 2-3: Aurora Pyramid Hotel, in Levi – A unique pyramid shaped igloo.
Days 4-5: Holiday Village in Inari – A cozy lakeside cottages with panoramic windows.
Days 6-7: Aurora Village, in Ivalo – A semi-glass igloos for aurora viewing.
Days 8-9: Magical Pond, in Kuusamo – A modern cube igloo surrounded by wilderness.
Day 10: Santa Claus Village, in Rovaniemi – A magical experience in Father Christmas’s official village.
10 Must-Do Activities in Finnish Lapland for an Unforgettable Adventure
Lapland is a destination like no other, where snow covered landscapes, the Northern Lights, and thrilling Arctic adventures create a true winter wonderland. Whether you’re gliding through the wilderness on a husky sled, staying in a glass igloo under the starry sky, or experiencing the magic of Santa Claus Village, Lapland offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
On our road trip through Rovaniemi, Ranua, Kuusamo, Levi, Inari and Ivalo, we discovered the very best of Finnish Lapland. From breathtaking national parks to authentic Sámi culture, every stop was filled with adventure and natural beauty. Lapland is a dream destination!
If you are planning a trip to this Arctic wonderland, here are 10 must-do activities in Lapland that should be on your bucket list!
1. Experience the Magic of a Reindeer Sleigh Ride :
A reindeer sleigh ride is a must-do experience in Lapland! Visiting a reindeer farm, learning about the fascinating Sámi culture and gliding across a frozen lake in a traditional sleigh pulled by these gentle creatures felt truly magical. After the ride, we had the chance to feed them, take photos and warm up in a cozy tipi with a crackling fire and hot berry juice. If you’re visiting during extreme cold, I highly recommend combining this with a husky sleigh ride, shorter durations for each activity make it much easier to enjoy, especially with kids!
2. Chase the Nothern Lights :
Who hasn’t dreamed of witnessing the magic of the Northern Lights? it’s one of the most sought after bucket list experience’s, watching vibrant green and red lights dance across the sky in the middle of a snowy wilderness. The best part? I can almost guarantee you’ll see them unless it’s cloudy! For the ultimate tips on how to maximize your chances, press here to read the best Northern Lights guide!
3. Stay a Night in a Glass Igloo :
Spending a night in a glass igloo is an absolute must on any trip to Lapland! With heated glass to keep the view clear, a Northern Lights alarm, and a stunning, unobstructed panorama of the Arctic sky, it’s the perfect way to experience the magic of the aurora without braving the cold for hours. Plus, being far from light pollution makes the experience even more breathtaking. Especially for families with kids, this is the ultimate way to chase the Northern Lights in comfort and style!
4. Go on a Husky Safari :
When I was 16, I dreamed about adopting a husky. They’ve always been one of the most beautiful dogs in my eyes! So, naturally, going on a husky sleigh ride was a must-do for me. Upon arrival, we received a briefing on how to drive the sleigh, and we even had the chance to switch drivers during the ride. However, I was more than happy to let my husband take the reins! After learning the safety rules, we got to meet the husky puppies and play with them, which was an absolute highlight. Once our sleigh was ready, we embarked on this unforgettable adventure through the forest and across a frozen lake. It’s important to note that if it’s extremely cold (like the -30°C we experienced that day), it’s better to combine it with a shorter reindeer experience. This way, the activities are more manageable, especially with kids. After the ride, we learned more about the kennel and warmed up around a little fire in a cozy hut. Husky rides are also available in summer and autumn, making it a year round experience. To see how it looks like, check our Instagram page!
5. Best Ski Resorts in Lapland: Top Slopes for Skiing & Snowboarding
Lapland offers some of the best ski resorts, with Levi, Ylläs and Ruka standing out. These resorts feature wide slopes, great snow conditions and family friendly facilities. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find the perfect run.
6. Meet Santa Claus in Rovaniemi (Private Meeting) :
Our last stop of this road trip was spending the night at Santa’s official village. Everyone wants to meet Santa, and while you can queue for hours to see him in his office, we opted for a private visit in our cottage. For €175, the 15 minute experience was special. Santa brings gifts for the whole family and you have enough time to talk to him, plus the added bonus of taking private pictures and videos, something you can’t do in the office. It was totally worth it. After all we came all the way from Berlin and I didn’t want our son to feel like he was just meeting Santa at a mall! The experience was so magical that Noah, who knows that Santa isn’t real, started wondering if he might be real after all. It was a memory we’ll cherish forever and I’m sure he’ll remember it for the rest of his life!
7. Finnish Sauna & Ice bath: The Ultimate Lapland Wellness Experience
During our stay at the Aurora Village hotel in Ivalo, we had the chance to experience the famous Finnish sauna and ice bath. A must try ! Finnish saunas are an essential part of the culture, where you can relax in dry, heated air and sweat out toxins. after the sauna, the tradition is to take a plunge into cold water, like the frozen lake in front of the hotel. The contrast between the heat and cold is incredibly refreshing!
8. Ice Skating in the Forest of Rovaniemi :
One of the highlights of our visit was ice skating through the forest. With a day ticket, you gain access to the park, where several snowy activities await, but the ice skating path through the trees is truly magical. The view alone is worth it! The only downside was that the ice path wasn’t as slippery as we expected. It hadn’t been freshly smoothed, but maybe we were just unlucky that day! Still, the experience was unforgettable. And don’t forget to bring marshmallows because you can roast them in a cozy tipi on site!
9. Finnish Tipi Experience :
One of the most authentic and unforgettable experiences in Lapland is spending time in a traditional Finnish tipi (also called Laavu or Kota). You can find them almost everywhere, hotels, activity spots, deep in the forest and even in people’s backyards! Many are stocked with firewood, making it easy to warm up, enjoy a hot berry juice, or grill some sausages over an open fire. Wether in a rustic tipi or a modern small hut, these cozy shelters are the perfect place to relax, warm up and soak in the magic of the Arctic wilderness.
10. Elves Village in Levi :
While visiting Santa Claus’s Village is a must, what about his hardworking elves? in Levi, we discovered the enchanting Elves Village, a place where you can step into the world of Santa’s helpers! The village is full of fun activities and workshops, where you can learn how the elves live, where they sleep and even where they go to school. The experience is both fascinating and fun, offering a chance to immerse yourself in the magic of Santa’s world. If you stay at the Aurora Pyramid hotel, you even get free access to the village.
