Quick Read: Heading up North is a popular choice for winter holidays. If you visit Finland next, here are the top 5 activities I recommend you should try doing!
Finland is a truly wonderful and magical country that is also situated right up in the North.
Having almost the entire part of their famous Lapland right within the Arctic Circle, it’s no wonder people say that it’s one of the best place to spend your winter holidays.
I’ve personally visited this beautiful country multiple times and I still haven’t seen enough of it yet.
Is 10 days enough to see everything Finland has to offer?
I don’t think so. In fact, for any countries there are endless things to see, learn and explore.
And that is why we travellers never stop seeking the next adventure.
But if this is your first time experiencing winter or you are also trying to work within a small budget, 10 days is certainly enough for you to cover the major pieces.
But you have to be picky and selective to fit the right amount of places and activities.
I’ve shared a note before on my itinerary to explore Finland in just 11 days. Have a look and see if you can get some inspiration from it.
If you have a tiny bit more budget and time at hand, I would say 12 days look perfect at the moment.
And you could have configured this itinerary completely different too. But that is for another day, another time.
Another good point to note is that, I choose the most cost effective as well as availability for my flight and therefore the itinerary became 10 days.
I happened to see this opportunity 2 months prior and made the plan almost instantly.
Tip: When it gets close to the end of every year, many places often throw out good deals and promotions just before the holiday season starts. If you wish to get more inspiration and be informed of such deals, be sure to stick around and check out my updates!
My best advice for you in hunting for flight deals is by researching yourself.
Sure, there are many automated tools, apps and services out there that helps you perform the search and notifies you.
And don’t get me wrong. Those automated services do help and you should use them.
But nothing works better than you because you know precisely what can be compromised, your flexibility on travel dates and your needs.
Winter Season in Finland is extraordinarily good
If winter is your thing, be sure to visit Finland during winter too.
It is the season of celebration and not only is the city more lively than ever, places further up North is beginning to pick up activities and footprints too.
What other better way to experience snow and living in winter than a place near the Arctic Circle?
And just in case you have not started your own research yet, Finland is also known for one particular thing – Santa Claus.
Continue reading as I share more about Santa Claus Village right down below.
Throw that in, plus shopping in a fine city, some awesome activities and you will find a solid winter trip for someone new to winter or new to Finland.
So if you fancy a winter holiday and wish to have one of the best Christmas celebration, then visiting Finland next is definitely your best choice!
But what are the top 5 activities that Finland is popular for?
Its cold. It’s winter. It’s up North, and likely as North as you can get for most casual travellers (of course, you also have other northern-most villages as well).
It’s not hard to imagine what to expect. Yup, lots of snowy outdoor activities!
1. The Best of Northern Lights
This had to be the first right? I mean if I put it down the list, I’m sure I will hear screams right about now.
But yes, situated just right on the Arctic Circle ring, Rovaniemi offers one of the best places on Earth to observe Northern Lights!
There are many operators in Rovaniemi to bring various group sizes out at night in search for Northern Lights.
Recommended: Safartica Northern Lights tours
If you had the extra bucks and decent group size, you might want to just opt for a private tour for even better experience!
Some of these operators had pretty good Photographers as well, so the images included in the package are well worth the money!
For those who prefer to explore on foot, there are special Northern Lights tours where the group will snowshoe through the landscape.
Check out: Safartica snowshoe Aurora
That’s in my opinion, probably one of finest and native way of exploring Finland and observing the Lights!
2. The largest Ski in Finland, Levi
How can we not go skiing when it’s winter? It’s like having winter but no snow.
Beginning of our second winter trip, we’ve almost always included a day to ski now.
It’s fun. It’s exhilarating. And mostly impressive landscapes.
Finland has quite a number of ski resorts with Levi being the largest in the country.
Tip: Did you know? Levi ski resort has close to 40km of slopes for different skill levels and thrills!
Every year, thousands of people – both locals and internationally – visit this resort to spend their winter holiday.
The kids would extremely love it! Besides, what’s cuter than seeing your kid in those bubbly ski clothing and playing with snow?
There is frequent shuttle bus to bring you up to Levi resort from Rovaniemi City Centre.
The ski resort also offers large bungalows with all the necessary facilities included for you.
So don’t you worry there, everything is covered for you.
Just get up there and have a blast!
Tip: Did you also know that Levi holds the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup where pro skiers from around the world would gather to compete for the best!
Book now: Ski your way to Levi now
3. Handcrafted Ice Hotel and bed
This experience in winter is a must to have, in my opinion.
Apart from experiencing the Northern Lights and winter sport, you should absolutely consider staying a night here.
Arctic Snow Hotel and Igloo offers unique experience with see-through over the top glass ceiling to observe Northern Lights, and ice bed specially crafted from scratch from large block of ice.
Deep into the night, look up into the dark skies with no obstructions and you might get a chance to see those dancing lights.
During the day time, there’re also many tours available to bring you around the winter landscape.
So if you’re staying there for more than a night, consider booking a tour or two there!
Tip: it’s considerably expensive to stay there. So unless your budget permits, I strongly recommend one night just to experience this unique staycation.
4. Take A Dip In the Icy Cultural Phenomenon
Owh… its really icy cold. That’s one intense and powerful sensation to keep as memory. Yes, that’s swimming in winter icy water.
But such is a tradition for the Finnish people and it dates a long way back into the olden days.
Would I want to experience it? Erm no thanks. Coming from a tropical climate, I don’t think my body would be able to take the cold.
Check out: The Culture Trip wrote an article on ice swimming tradition
Should you try? If you aren’t afraid of numbing freeze, you should. Because apparently, there’s quite a lot of health benefits.
Or so they say.
There’re even questions raised, if that was the way to being the happiest country in the world.
No kidding.
Check out: CNN’s article on ice swimming in Finland
I love winter, snow and cold but… that’s an extreme level I would say. But I don’t judge.
There’re indeed plenty of people who loved extreme sports. And the practice of ice swimming, is also commonly associated to a 500 year old Finnish tradition called “sisu”.
Sisu refers to grit, fortitude or perseverance.
What do you think? Do you have what it takes and up for a challenge?
5. And try to “bake” yourself in yet another tradition – Sauna (but in a Gondola Cabin)
To be fair, the “hot tube” tradition is quite a common thing across parts of Asia too.
But here’s what’s unique to the Scandinavians.
Right after you heat up in a Sauna room, you will dip yourself back into an icy cold water.
Oh my. Icy water again?! Yup, they love everything about the cold.
Maybe borderlining obsessed. Oops…
But that’s actually a good thing. For one, the Finnish people are always delighted when it comes to doing activities that tests their feat.
And two, honestly guys. Winter is too beautiful to give it a miss in your lifetime.
And it makes you fall completely in love with Sauna during Winter season.
But imagine this – You’re up in the air enjoying your Sauna while looking out at one of the most impressive winter landscape of all time.
Gosh, just thinking about it made me want do that already!
Oh oh, and don’t forget that you can order a nice meal with good wine for yourself up there too!
It’s practically like a place in heaven.
If you had a chance to visit Yllas or planning to, be sure to include this one unique activity in your itinerary!
Book now: gondola sauna in Yllas
What is the recommended location to start the adventure
It goes without saying that you absolutely must visit Rovaniemi during Christmas season in December.
And if there’s one place I would recommend as a starting point, it would be this gateway to Lapland.
Capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi Is also home to Santa Claus, with many seasonal decoration and vibe within the town and Santa Claus Village.
When you choose to stay in Rovaniemi – which I highly recommend – it’s easy for you to reach Santa Claus Village via their bus.
Despite being a small town up in the North, the place is filled with joyous occasion and fun-loving people.
It really does feel like Christmas. Kids are sliding down ice slides, others are ice skating right in the centre, and jingles are played around the town.
“So that’s what it truly felt like during Christmas”, is the first thought that came to my mind.
And I smiled. Wholeheartedly.
Enjoying the best of winter in Finland
Besides their main capital city Helsinki, many travellers visit Finland for their winter holidays up North too.
While Helsinki offers tremendous variety and fun within the city, Finland’s location in the North provides unique experience all year round.
Within the sparsely populated Lapland, you’re also sure to enjoy the best winter of your time.
Tip: Did you know that Lapland borders around 3 different countries? Namely Norway, Sweden and Russia.
Being known for its subarctic landscape, you can really enjoy the snowy panoramic view all around you.
You know how sometimes you just want to get out and go as far as remotely possible? The urge to just drop everything and disconnect from the world to feel at peace with our inner soul? Yeah, right here. In Lapland.
Or perhaps, you’ve already been to Lapland and Rovaniemi. But you still can’t get enough too.
Then the adventurous side of you may wish to explore Ivalo, Inari, right up to the northern most part.
There, the village is a gateway to another popular arctic resort – Saariselkä.
Even I haven’t been there yet. But that only meant another opportunity to visit this wonderful and magical country, yet again.
The possibilities are endless. And there’s always more to see, explore and enjoy.
I hope you enjoy this note and it inspired you want to go visit Finland!
Time to plan the next adventure!
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