A holiday to Lapland is the ultimate Christmas present. This is the one place in the world little ones can spend time with Santa on his home turf.
Santa Claus
Tucked away in northernmost Finland, deep inside the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus’ homeland is the stuff of fairytales. Cue snow-dusted forests that stretch for miles, cosy log cabins that look like they’ve been plucked from a storybook, and a population that’s made up of more reindeer than people.
Festive cheer
Lapland pulls out all the stops over the festive period, so there’s nowhere better to get in to the Christmas spirit. Story-telling around crackling fires, reindeer sleigh rides through the woods and, of course, meet-and-greets with Santa himself – they’re all on the agenda, whether you’re visiting for the day or staying a bit longer. If you book our 4 night trip departing on the 23rd of December, you'll get to spend Christmas Day in this winter wonderland.
Winter sports
Santa and his elves are just half the story. Lapland’s snowy countryside was made for exploring and, wherever you stay, winter sports like snowmobiling and skiing are as easy to come by as Christmassy activities. Each resort has got a different vibe, too, so whether you’re after an action-packed getaway or a relaxing retreat, you’ll find somewhere that suits.
Places to stay
In Rovaniemi, Lapland’s cosmopolitan capital, you’ve got international-name shops and restaurants, as well as an after-dark scene that rivals any European city. Levi, Pallas and Yllas, meanwhile, are experts when it comes to snow activities. Then there’s Saariselka, a real winter wonderland, and Luosto, a secluded spot that’s one of the best parts of the world for spotting the Northern Lights.
Places To Stay In Lapland View all places to stay »
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland. It’s a small, compact city that comes with a real buzz of modern shopping malls, lively bars and restaurants serving up everything from traditional cooking to French cuisine. It’s also got the rather big draw of having Santa Claus on hand – not to mention Arctic wilderness that’s perfect for snowsports and sleigh rides.
AT A GLANCE
- Meet Santa and tell him what you’d like for Christmas
- Zoom across frozen lakes on a snowmobile
- Enjoy a ride in a reindeer-pulled sleigh
Weather
TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)
WHEN TO GO
In December, daytime temperatures generally range from 0 to -20 degrees, but it can fall as low as -40 during a particularly cold spell. You’ll get four to five hours of ‘grey light’ between about 10am and 3pm, but the rest of the time it’s dark.
Daytrips to Lapland
Santa's Secret Grotto Day Trip
- Day trip to Lapland
- Meet Santa in his grotto
- Reindeer and husky sleigh rides
€ 642
Per PersonNeed to know
What should I pack?If you're coming to Lapland for the day, we recommend you wear warm clothes and only take hand luggage on the plane, as we'll lend you a cosy all-in-one thermal suit, as well as boots, gloves, socks and a hat. If you're on a 3 or 4-night trip, we'll still kit you out with all the necessary gear - which is yours for the duration of your holiday - but it's a good idea to bring lots of layers, too.
What’s the weather like?In December, daytime temperatures generally range from 0 to -20 degrees, but it can fall as low as -40 during a particularly cold spell. You’ll get four to five hours of ‘grey light’ between about 10am and 3pm. The rest of the time it’s dark, but still quite bright because of all the snow. What’s more, all the activity areas are well lit.
What’s the food like?It depends on where you stay, but most hotels in Lapland put on international buffet spreads. Usually, there’ll be a selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes to choose from, as well as a variety of vegetables and salad. You’ll also find children’s favourites, like chips, meatballs, and burgers on offer. And some places serve Finnish specialities, like smoked reindeer pizza.
Is Lapland suitable for young children?We don’t recommend our Lapland trips for children under 4-years-old. That’s because the chilly temperatures and types of activities aren’t suited to really little ones. If you do bring toddlers along, though, you’ll need to provide their own thermal clothing.
Do I need insurance?It’s essential you and your family have the protection you need in case the unexpected happens. What’s more, if you want to take part in any snow sports when you’re away, you’ll need a policy that covers you for these. For more info, ask us about travel insurance when you book your holiday – we’ll help you find the right cover for you.
Is there any skiing?Although skiing isn’t included in our Lapland packages, it’s easy to arrange some time on the slopes. You’ll find cross-country and downhill skiing in most of the destinations in this brochure, but Levi and Yllas in Kittila are the best places for the sport.
Can I drive a snowmobile?If you want to get behind the wheel of a snowmobile, make sure you bring your full UK driving licence with you. As long as local guides agree, children aged 12 and over can ride as a passenger on your snowmobile. Younger children have to travel in a sleigh pulled by one instead.