Routes · Europe

Irkutsk to Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi and Saariselkä

Irkutsk → Rovaniemi → Saariselkä

Lapland winter Best season (general guide): Dec–Mar

Finnish Lapland in winter means snow, reindeer and long nights for the northern lights. This route spends three nights in Rovaniemi and three in Saariselkä, further north. From Irkutsk you'll need several connections, as there are no flights between Russia and the EU.

Rovaniemi, on the Arctic Circle, has the Arktikum museum, which explains life in the north. Husky and reindeer rides leave from farms around the town. Santa Claus Village, on the Arctic Circle line, is popular with families.

Take the bus north to Saariselkä, a small resort near the Urho Kekkonen National Park. Snowshoe walks lead into the forest, and the dark skies away from town are good for watching the aurora. The Siida museum in Inari tells the story of the Sámi people and the northern landscape.

Lapland's food uses reindeer, fish and berries such as cloudberries. A sauna is part of daily life in Finland, and many hotels have one.

December to March has snow and dark skies, and Visit Finland notes that the aurora is often seen in Lapland on clear, dark nights.

Pacing: winter days are very short in Lapland, with little or no sun in December, so plan outdoor activities around the middle of the day. Most husky, reindeer and snowmobile trips provide thermal overalls and boots, but bring a warm hat, gloves and a neck warmer.

The bus from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä takes several hours through snowy forest. Book aurora alerts or a guided night excursion, and give yourself several nights in the north to improve your chances of clear skies. The temperatures can drop very low, so keep phone and camera batteries warm in an inside pocket.

Most visitors to Saariselkä also make the trip to Inari, on the shore of a large lake, which pairs well with the Siida museum. In Rovaniemi, the Arktikum's exhibitions about the aurora are a good introduction before your first night out.

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