Introduction Of Lapland
Most of us have, at one point or another, booked a flight across the globe just for one unforgettable experience—skydiving in South Africa, watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat, joining the chaos of La Tomatina in Spain, or splurging on a water villa in Bora Bora. We’ve all been there.
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But what if we told you there’s a place that delivers not one or two, but a dozen once-in-a-lifetime moments—all in one trip?
That’s exactly what we found in Finnish Lapland.
Over the span of just a week, we floated in icy waters surrounded by icebergs, dashed through snow with husky dogs, dozed off in a glass igloo, rode with reindeer, stargazed under a sky painted with the Northern Lights, and walked on a frozen sea. It was, in short, a dreamland come to life.
We’ve been to more than 45 countries and experienced some wild adventures, but Finnish Lapland knocked us completely off our feet. In fact, I usually keep a travel journal on me at all times—I write in it religiously. But during our week in Lapland, it stayed completely blank. That’s how stunned I was by the beauty around me.
So, if you’re ready for a trip that feels like it was lifted straight from a storybook, this itinerary is for you. Let’s dive in.
🗺️ The Ultimate Lapland Itinerary
Day 1: Fly into Oulu
Kick off your Arctic adventure by flying into Oulu, just over an hour from Helsinki. Multiple daily flights make it an easy hop. When you land, you’ll be greeted by a snowy, fairytale landscape.
From Oulu, you can either spend the night or catch a train to the smaller port city of Kemi—your gateway to one of Lapland’s most unique experiences.
Tips:
- Take bus #9 from Oulu Airport to the city center or train station.
- Book your train tickets to Kemi in advance at VR.fi.
Days 2–3: Icebreaker Cruise + Snow Castle in Kemi
Here’s where the real magic begins.
In Kemi, you’ll board the Sampo Icebreaker, a hulking ship that literally cuts through the frozen waters of the Baltic Sea. This isn’t your average sightseeing cruise—this is a deep Arctic experience. Massive chunks of ice surround the ship as it powers through the Gulf of Bothnia, Europe’s largest frozen sea.
But wait, it gets better: in the middle of the cruise, you can suit up in a bright red flotation suit and float in the freezing sea. Yes, really. It’s as intense as it sounds—and as fun, too.
After your icy dip, the ship returns to port and a free shuttle takes you to Kemi’s Snow Castle—an actual castle made entirely of snow and ice. You can walk around and admire the frozen architecture or even spend the night in one of the ice hotel’s rooms. Imagine sleeping on a bed of ice—wrapped in thermal gear, of course!
Need to Know:
- Book early: Cruises sell out months in advance. VisitKemi.fi or email
sales@visitkemi.fi. - Cost: The Icebreaker cruise is €270 per person, which includes the polar plunge, meal, and transport.
- Snow Castle entry: €15. Ice hotel rooms start at €155 per night.
Day 4: Rovaniemi – Heart of Lapland
Hop on a short train ride to Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital and your base for the next leg of your journey. This is also the official hometown of Santa Claus—so yes, you’re officially in the North Pole zone.
Rovaniemi is vibrant and full of energy, with enough activities to keep you busy for days: safaris, igloo stays, reindeer farms, and of course, Northern Lights excursions.
We stayed at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, a comfortable and well-located hotel in the center of town—just a few minutes’ walk from supermarkets, restaurants, and local tour providers. It was the perfect hub for the rest of our Arctic adventure.
Coming Up Next
In Part 2 of our Lapland series, we’ll help you pack like a pro for the Arctic. Think thermal layers, cozy boots, and a few unexpected essentials that could save your trip.
