Heading to Lapland on holiday, but don't have much time? You're still very much in luck. This is the perfect 3-day guide with a mixture of relaxation and a lot of fun for all ages. 

Rovaniemi, Finland

A Family-Friendly Guide to 3 Days in Rovaniemi, Finland

After you land, grab your rental van and immediately go to SantaPark, an indoor underground Christmas theme park in Rovaniemi, for the afternoon.

TIP: Check the opening days/times for SantaPark, since they are not open year-round.

Santa Park Schedule

For super casual and easy food, eat at Santa’s Pizza and Burger. The beer was perfect, the burger was delicious, and the pizza was… different.

For Dinner, head to Santa Claus Village, not to be confused with SantaPark. Santa Claus Village is more of a touristy area with souvenir shops, great places to eat, outdoor activities, and another Santa to meet. (Fair warning that the line to meet the big guy here may be pretty long.)

TIP: Keep an eye on the time for things. Places in Santa Claus Village close earlier than you might think.

One of the best parts of being in Lapland during the winter is getting to enjoy and experience a Scandinavian winter. Spend the morning exploring the nearby places from your accommodation. Make some snow angels, search for reindeer (there are several herds that live nearby!), and relax and enjoy the morning!

Have the best lunch at Santa’s Salmon Place - a highyly recommended restaurant!

Here, you basically eat in a little, but very warm, yurt. The menu is extremely limited, which actually made it a pretty quick place to eat. Salmon cooked before your eyes under an open fire tops the menu, but it comes with bread and potato salad.

After lunch, wander around Santa Claus Village for a little bit. Or get postcards to send to friends and family from the North Pole! 

Next, check out Santa’s Official Post Office!

After dinner, walk around Rovaniemi. There are lots of shops and cute set ups around the city.

Have dinner at Restaurant Nili in the heart of Rovaniemi, and you’ll immediately love the rustic Finish decor and atmosphere as soon as you step inside.

Get the full Lapland experience this morning over at the Apukka Resort (you do not need to stay there to participate in their activities, but you do have to reserve a spot ahead of time). You can choose from a jam-packed morning of snow activities (snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice sculpting, and a sleigh ride with huskies AND reindeer!!), or go for the more simple option of a reindeer sleigh ride around and on a frozen lake. 

TIP: Apukka lets you borrow snow gear and boots.

You'll work up an appetite after playing all morning, so have lunch right there at the Apukka Resort - there is a really, really good buffet with fresh fish, baked chicken, a salad bar, roasted veggies, etc. 

Then, you can go back to your accommodation, and make the most out of your last few hours by playing outside and eating s’mores. Have dinner at your place, and spend the evening packing and cleaning up before you leave.

If you go to Finland I’d love to hear about your trip, especially if this helped you plan your Lapland weekend... or even longer.

What to Wear in Lapland: A Winter Family Packing List • Jessica Lynn Writes

TIP: Layers, layers, layers. That’s the key! You want several layers because they all work together to keep you warm. Plus, you can peel off layers as you get too warm.

The Holiday Home Villa Vihtori is perfect for a family of 5-6. Not only was it comfy and cozy for your Lapland weekend adventure, but it would be spectacular in any season. The classic Finnish sauna, the 360º outdoor BBQ area, and the gorgeous lake just feet away make this the perfect spot for your weekend in Lapland. 

TIP: Santa's Salmon Place is first come, first serve...and you have to wait outside before you're seated inside. Luckily, the line moves fast, and it's 100% worth the wait. 

Need a little more specifics? Here's a guide for everything you should bring with you:

Holiday Home Villa Vihtori

If you're looking for someplace a little more central to Rovaniemi, consider staying at Santa Claus Village. Not only will you be where all the action is, but they also offer transportation to/from the airport. 

Okay, if you're looking for that once-in-a-lifetime experience where you can literally sleep underneath the northern lights enclosed in a glass ceiling, then this is it! 

If you're looking for more things to do in/around Rovaniemi, or you want to swap one of the activities out with something else, here are some more ideas:

A Family-Friendly Guide to 3 Days in Rovaniemi, Finland

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