Our Favourite Things to Do in Lapland
Ice karting, skiing and some very angry birds lead you on a thrilling journey to St. Nick
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There’s nowhere in the world quite so enchanting for wide-eyed kids. Lapland puts the greatest theme parks and kids’ attractions on the planet to shame with its year-round Christmas mirth and thrilling activities. You can ride a sleigh led by reindeer, and meet some of the elves. It really brings what is one of the world’s most popular and widespread children’s fables to life. And let’s be honest, no matter how mature and adult you are, a little bit of joy wraps around your heart at the very thought of visiting Santa. OK, OK, if you insist, it’s just for the little ones. But it’s a good thing you had them, because now you get to finally meet Father Christmas. The thing with this famous part of the country is that it is massive, too. So, beyond Santa, there are countless exceptional things to do in Lapland, from gazing up at the Aurora Borealis to riding husky sleighs. Take a trip deep into the Arctic Circle, and relax by a fire with some hot chocolate come evening in one of the beautiful homes we offer. And they really are beautiful, the homes in our range, because here at Plum Guide we accept only the top 3% of homes in any given destination, so you know that a stay with us is a stay of guaranteed quality.
Visit the Santa Claus Main Post Office
Red postbox designed for letters to Santa Claus under a Christmas tree
An unforgettable descent down the chimneys of childhood nostalgia, the Santa Claus Main Post Office is an absolute hoot. Here, you can pick up all sorts of souvenirs relating to Father Christmas, as well as Lapland itself. Chat with the staff who are dressed as elves (or who are elves, we’d like to think), and let your little ones revel in this magical setting. Pick from the arrays of elegant stamps and cards, and write up your own letters that the elves will help send to friends of yours around the world…imagine receiving a card from Lapland itself.
Forest Fold, Plum Guide home in Lapland, Finland
Head down to the Santa Claus Village
We were never going to stick with just one Santa-related highlight. There are plenty of things to do in Lapland, and the rest of the Santa village is packed with highlights. Don’t believe us? You can watch a livestream of the complex online. It’s Christmas there every day (which must drive some of those elves to the edge, quite frankly). In any case, it’s a fantastic destination at which to spend the day. Visit the Christmas House and peak inside the House of Mrs. Claus & Santa’s Reindeer. Admire the remarkable views of the surrounding Arctic forests and meadows. Snowy peaks frame the scenery, while if you’re lucky, the sky will glow green with Northern Lights.
Silverfish, Plum Guide home in Lapland, Finland
Take a trip to the Yllas Ski Resort
Person snowboarding down a snowy mountain
We could talk about Santa all day, but there are more adult-themed (not like that) activities too. Drive north from the Santa Claus Village for a couple of hours, conveniently forgetting that there isn’t supposed to be anything north of Santa’s home in the North Pole, to reach the Yllas Ski Resort. Take one of the ski resort’s 26 lifts up to the peaks, before rushing back down again on skis or a snowboard. Then go back up again. Then go back down again. And so on, until you’re tired and ready to retire to your Plum Guide cabin.
Reindeer's Reach, Plum Guide home in Lapland, Finland
Get behind the wheel at Ice Karting Levi
One of the main draws to Finland is its array of unusual and exceptional activities. This is because, in winter, it is covered in a huge blanket of snow and ice beneath a sky of green and black. A lot of the fun and different activities revolve around the slippery stuff, from ice fishing to snow shoeing. Driving on the ice is a thrilling and out-of-control sport, so racing at Ice Karting Levi makes for a truly exhilarating activity.
Cervidae, Plum Guide home in Lapland, Finland
Enjoy a day at the Angry Birds Park
So, you’ve gone skiing, visited Santa, hung out with his reindeer and gone ice karting. Surely, nothing could make this trip even more memorable for the kids? Oh, what’s this? Angry Birds? Take your little ones on the climbing frame from their dreams (or from their smart phones). The characters from this addictive gaming app decorate the slides of this children’s playground. It makes for the perfect family photo opportunities.
Pique your interest at Arktikum
Green Northern Lights in the sky over dark trees, Finland
It’s time to pay tribute to a little slice of Finland’s nature. One of the best things to do in Lapland, the Arktikum is an open-air museum for the northern nature, culture and history. Take a look around the glass edifice, and gaze up through its panels at the Northern Lights, which reflect and shimmer on the complex’s lake.
