12 days in Lapland & Helsinki Itinerary

An urban center set amongst the great Arctic wilderness, Rovaniemi serves as the capital of Lapland province.

Your inner history buff will appreciate German Soldier s Cemetery and Rovaniemi Church. Get some cultural insight at Arktikum and Rovaniemi Local History Museum. The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, look for gifts at LAURI Handicraft Shop & Atelier, see Santa Claus Office, and fly down the slopes at Ounasvaaran Hiihtokeskus Oy.

To see photos, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read our Rovaniemi sightseeing planner.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Rovaniemi is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone difference when traveling from Dubai to Rovaniemi is minus 2 hours. Traveling from Dubai in April, things will get colder in Rovaniemi: highs are around 3°C and lows about -3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) so you can drive to Kittila.

Kittilä is a municipality of Finland and a popular holiday resort.It is located in northern Finland north of the Arctic Circle within the Lapland region. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Sat): explore the landscape on two wheels at Levi Ski Resort. On the 14th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Yllas Ski Resort and then look for gifts at Elan Ski Shop & Rental.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Kittila journey planning tool.

Traveling by car from Rovaniemi to Kittila takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 3°C in April, and nighttime lows around -4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) early enough to drive to Saariselka.

Outdoor pursuits--ranging from cross-country skiing and snowmobiling to reindeer safaris and chasing Northern Lights--draw the largest number of tourists to Saariselka.

On the 15th (Mon), stroll through Urho Kekkonen National Park, then trek along Ruijanpolku Trail, and then stop by Hippupuoti Gift Shop. On the 16th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: fly down the slopes at Saariselka Ski & Sport Resort.

To see ratings, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Saariselka trip itinerary site.

Traveling by car from Kittila to Saariselka takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a bus. In April, daytime highs in Saariselka are 3°C, while nighttime lows are -6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Helsinki.

Finland's largest and most populated metropolis, the maritime town of Helsinki boasts varied architecture, a lively cafe culture, and plethora of picturesque natural delights.

Shop till you drop at Market Square Kauppatori and Galerie Anhava. Popular historic sites such as Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali) are in your itinerary. Change things up with a short trip to Nuuksio National Park in Espoo (about 48 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral, stop by Artisaani, admire the landmark architecture of Temppeliaukio Church, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamppi Chapel of Silence.

To see ratings, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read our Helsinki holiday planner.

You can fly from Saariselka to Helsinki in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or drive. Traveling from Saariselka in April, expect Helsinki to be a bit warmer, temps between 9°C and 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.