Lapland is Finland’s vast Arctic north, home to the Sámi—the only recognized Indigenous people of the EU—and to folklore that wove Santa’s workshop into real geography. Winters bring polar night’s blue light, ice-framed rivers, and skies that may crackle with aurora. Summers flip the script with the midnight sun and kayaking on glassy lakes.

In this 7-day Lapland itinerary, you’ll base in Rovaniemi—the “capital of Lapland” and gateway to the Arctic Circle—then continue to Levi, Finland’s premier ski resort. Expect Northern Lights tours, husky and reindeer experiences, frozen-waterfall hiking, and restorative Finnish saunas between deeply comforting Lappish meals.

Practical notes: Expect temperatures from about −5°C to −25°C in mid-winter; dress in breathable layers, with insulated boots and mitts. Daylight is limited in December–January but grows rapidly from February; aurora chances are best on clear, dark nights. Tipping isn’t customary; cards are widely accepted; alcohol is sold in state shops (Alko). Always check local weather and road conditions before driving.

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi sits right on the Arctic Circle where the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers meet. Rebuilt after WWII with Alvar Aalto’s modernist touch, it balances culture (the Arktikum museum) with pure winter fun (Ounasvaara hill, Santa Claus Village). It’s a stellar base for aurora chasing, husky safaris, and forested snow adventures.

• Top sights: Arktikum, Santa Claus Village (cross the Arctic Circle line), Pilke Science Centre, Ounasvaara viewpoints.
• Food & drink: Try sautéed reindeer (poronkäristys), Arctic char, and squeaky leipäjuusto cheese with cloudberry jam. Great spots include Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar, Arctic Boulevard, Gustav Kitchen & Bar, Café & Bar 21, and Hostel Café Koti.
• Where to stay: Browse central stays near the river or cozy cabins just outside town on VRBO Rovaniemi or hotels on Hotels.com Rovaniemi.
• Getting there: Fly from European hubs to Rovaniemi (1h20 from Helsinki) via Omio flights, or ride the “Santa Claus Express” sleeper from Helsinki (≈8–12 hours; from ~€50–120) via Omio trains. Arriving from outside Europe? Compare long‑haul options to Helsinki on Kiwi.com, then connect north.

Day 1 — Arrive in the Arctic Circle

Morning: Fly or train to Rovaniemi. If you’re coming from Helsinki, the day train takes ~8–9 hours; sleepers arrive refreshed in the morning. Book via Omio trains; flights via Omio flights.

Afternoon: Settle in and stretch your legs at Arktikum. Its riverfront galleries trace Sámi heritage, Arctic science, and the region’s WWII story. Warm up after with cardamom buns and cappuccinos at Hostel Café Koti—casual, bright, and beloved by locals.

Evening: Dinner at Arctic Boulevard for Arctic char with beurre blanc, or try a reindeer fillet with juniper jus. Finish with a Finnish sauna session at your hotel or a riverside spa; alternating sauna heat with quick cool-downs is the Finnish way.

Day 2 — Santa Claus Village and an Aurora Chase

Morning: Breakfast at Café & Bar 21 (Lappish waffles with smoked salmon). Head to Santa Claus Village to officially cross the Arctic Circle. Send a postcard stamped from the Arctic Circle post office and meet “the man in red.”

Afternoon: Lunch at Santa’s Salmon Place where fillets are fire‑grilled in a wooden kota hut—simple, buttery, and memorable. Try downhill sledding or ice slides at Snowman World (seasonal) before a quick rest back in town.

Evening: Join an expert aurora chase that moves to clear skies rather than staying put. Book: Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage. Dress warmly and bring curiosity—guides share photography tips and serve hot drinks under the stars.

Day 3 — Husky and Reindeer Adventure with Snowmobiling (Day Tour)

Trade town streets for silent forests on a full-day combo: snowmobile through the white wilderness, meet reindeer at a local farm, and mush an eager husky team—an iconic Lapland triad. Book: Husky and Reindeer Experience With Snowmobiling. Operators provide thermal gear, helmets, and guidance—no prior experience required.

Post‑tour dinner back in Rovaniemi: Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar for slow‑braised pork cheeks, Arctic trout tartare, and a tight Nordic wine list; or Gustav Kitchen & Bar for seasonal small plates. Nightcap at Uitto Pub, a wood‑paneled local favorite.

Day 4 — Korouoma Canyon’s Frozen Waterfalls (Day Tour)

Lace up for Lapland’s most photogenic winter hike: a guided day in Korouoma Canyon among cathedral‑tall frozen falls and glittering ice curtains. Book: Rovaniemi: Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Tour with BBQ. Expect 5–7 km of walking with microspikes and a fireside sausage/veggie BBQ—utterly atmospheric.

Back in town, keep dinner low‑key: burgers and local beer at Kauppayhtiö, or delicate pike-perch with celery purée at Gustav. Early night—tomorrow, you head west to Levi.

Levi

Levi, in Kittilä municipality, is Finland’s most developed ski area with 40+ slopes, 27 lifts, and miles of cross‑country tracks, yet it keeps a friendly village feel. Between ski runs, you’ll find hearty Lappish kitchens, slope‑side après, and serene fell views.

• Highlights: Gondola to Levi Panorama, skiing and snowboarding, cross‑country trails, ice‑fishing and fat‑biking, stellar aurora vantage points on nearby fells.
• Eat & drink: Ämmilä for home‑style Lappish fare, NiliPoro for reindeer dishes, Tuikku for slope‑side soups and views, Classic Pizza for family‑friendly pies, Wanha Hullu Poro for live‑music evenings.
• Where to stay: Base near Zero Point for easy lift access or book a hillside igloo/cabin for aurora views on VRBO Levi and Hotels.com Levi.
• Getting there from Rovaniemi: Morning bus to Levi/Kittilä takes ~2–2.5 hours (from ~€25–35). Compare departures on Omio buses. Driving is ~170 km (~2 hours) on maintained winter roads.

Day 5 — Travel to Levi, Fell Views, and Cozy Evenings

Morning: Depart Rovaniemi by bus (aim for ~8:30–9:30). Book on Omio buses. Watch endless birch and pine give way to open fells as you approach Levi.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll the compact village. Ride the gondola to Levi Panorama for wide‑open Arctic views. Lunch at Ämmilä: try creamy salmon soup (lohikeitto) or reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberries.

Evening: Soak in Levi Spa Water World’s pools and saunas, then dinner at Wanha Hullu Poro (hearty Lappish plates; often live music). If skies are clear, take a short walk to Immeljärvi lake to look for aurora reflections.

Day 6 — Ski Day and a Levi Aurora Experience

Morning: Pick up rentals near Zero Point; full gear typically runs ~€40–50/day. Beginners can book a 2‑hour lesson; intermediates should try World Cup runs on the front side and cruisers on the south slopes.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tuikku—hot salmon soup and cinnamon buns with panorama views. Non‑skiers can cross‑country on groomed tracks or fat‑bike forest trails. Warm up in a traditional smoke sauna if you can find a scheduled session.

Evening: Head out with local experts who track cloud cover and space weather in real time. Book: Levi Northern Lights Experience. Guides choose scenic spots away from light pollution and help with night photography so you return with both memories and images.

Day 7 — Snowshoeing, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Strap on snowshoes for an easy fell loop (rentals ~€15–20) or try a gentle reindeer farm visit if available. Brunch at Café Soma for oat‑milk lattes, porridge with berry compote, and fresh pastries.

Afternoon: Pick up Sámi handicrafts and reindeer‑hide accessories in village shops, then transfer 15–20 minutes to Kittilä Airport for your flight. Search departures on Omio flights. If you’re connecting to trains down south, compare Helsinki legs via Omio trains.

Evening: If staying one extra night, celebrate with a slow dinner at Pihvipirtti (steaks, Lapland mushrooms) and one last sauna—because that’s how Finns end a good day.

Optional Swap or Add‑On Ideas (If You Extend)

• Rovaniemi photography hunt for the aurora with coaching.
• Snowmobile safaris deeper into the forests and frozen lakes.
• Glass‑igloo stays near Rovaniemi or Levi for sky‑viewing from bed.

Budgeting snapshot (per person, typical): Northern Lights tour ~€110–160; husky/reindeer combo with snowmobiling ~€180–240; Korouoma day hike ~€110–150; ski pass ~€50–60/day; rentals ~€40–50/day; café lunches €12–20; dinner mains €18–35.

Booked Activities in This Itinerary:

• Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage

  

• Husky and Reindeer Experience With Snowmobiling

  

• Rovaniemi: Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Tour with BBQ

  

• Levi Northern Lights Experience

  

Lapland rewards those who lean into its rhythms: slow mornings, active daylight, and star‑filled nights. With Rovaniemi’s culture and Levi’s outdoor energy, this week balances wonder and warmth—auroras above, sauna steam below, and the soft swish of snow all around.