8 days in Lapland Itinerary

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

Rovaniemi is known for wildlife, museums, and fun & games. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: don't miss a visit to Santa Claus Village, find something for the whole family at SantaPark - the Home Cavern of Santa Claus, get engrossed in the history at Arktikum, and examine the collection at Christmas House Santa.

For reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Rovaniemi trip planner.

Milan, Italy to Rovaniemi is an approximately 11-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of car and train. Traveling from Milan to Rovaniemi, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Prepare for much colder weather when traveling from Milan in October: high temperatures in Rovaniemi hover around 3°C and lows are around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time 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.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Wed): head outdoors with Lake Inari, examine the collection at Siida - Sami Museum and Nature Center, and then surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. On the 15th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: see the interesting displays at Gold Prospector Museum and then fly down the slopes at Urho Kekkonen National Park.

For maps, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Saariselka travel planner.

You can drive from Rovaniemi to Saariselka in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Saariselka can reach 3°C, while at night they dip to -2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) early enough to travel to Levi.

Finland's largest and most popular ski resort, the fell of Levi provides excellent slopes and lively nightlife in an enchanting setting.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Fri): grab your bike and head to Levi Ski Resort. Keep things going the next day: join the crowd at Icekarting Levi and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To see more things to do, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Levi itinerary maker website.

Traveling by flight from Saariselka to Levi takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 3°C, and evening lows to -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 17th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.