9 days in Lapland & Helsinki Itinerary

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

On the 5th (Sat), pause for some serene contemplation at Rovaniemi Church.

To find ratings, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Rovaniemi trip itinerary planner.

Denver, USA to Rovaniemi is an approximately 20-hour flight. You'll lose 9 hours traveling from Denver to Rovaniemi due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Denver in January, you will find days in Rovaniemi are much colder (16°F), and nights are slightly colder (6°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Levi.

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

Start off your visit on the 7th (Mon): grab your bike and head to Levi Ski Resort. Here are some ideas for day two: tour the pleasant surroundings at Santa"s Cottage & Pet Farm, get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, and then don't miss a visit to LUVATTUMAA - Levi Ice Gallery.

To find ratings, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Levi online itinerary builder.

Getting from Rovaniemi to Levi by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Levi when traveling from Rovaniemi in January, with lows around -1°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Inari.

Inari is Finland's largest, most sparsely populated municipality, with four official languages, more than any other in the country. On the 9th (Wed), see the interesting displays at Siida - Sami Museum and Nature Center.

To find where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, use the Inari trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Levi to Inari by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In January, plan for daily highs up to 15°F, and evening lows to 1°F. On the 9th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can 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.

Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Mannerheim Museum are good opportunities to explore the local culture. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Kallio Church and Kansallisgalleria. There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Temppeliaukio Church, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Helsinki Cathedral, admire the masterpieces at Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, and examine the collection at Design Museum.

To see maps, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Helsinki vacation planner.

Traveling by flight from Inari to Helsinki takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Inari in January, things will get somewhat warmer in Helsinki: highs are around 26°F and lows about 17°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.