❄️ Lapland in winter in 5-7 days: Rovaniemi - Levi - Ivalo route with huskies, igloos and the Northern Lights
Who is this route for and why Rovaniemi – Levi – Ivalo?
If you want to experience the "real" Lapland in one week — with Santa's village, skiing, huskies and hunting for the Northern Lights, but without crazy transfers, the combination of Rovaniemi → Levi → Ivalo is one of the most logical options.
Rovaniemi offers a gentle introduction: urban comforts, museums and Santa's "officialdom". Levi satisfies the need for activity: slopes, spas, snowmobiles, and possibly glass igloos. Ivalo is almost at the edge of the map: silence, tundra and a high chance of catching the northern lights in Finland in a darker and calmer sky.
For those looking for a 7-day winter itinerary in Finland, this scenario is suitable both as a first trip and as an upgrade after Helsinki. It is possible to fit it into 5 days (2–2–1), but 7 days (2–3–2 or 3–2–2) is more comfortable.
When to go: winter 2025–2026 based on feelings, not postcards
Winter in Lapland is long: snow often falls in November and lasts until the end of April. But the atmosphere changes significantly from month to month.
● December
A Christmas fairy tale, short days, lots of lights and people, high prices, especially around 24–26 December and New Year's Eve. Good for those who dream of Lapland in winter for independent travellers, but are prepared for crowds and a tighter budget.
● January
The darkest and often the coldest month. But there are fewer tourists, prices are lower, and there is a better chance of finding places on tours. Good for "hard mode" travellers with warm clothes and a love of -20 °C.
● February
Balance: daylight hours are longer, frosts are still possible but feel milder. Peak family holiday season (especially for Finns), so book everything in advance.
● March — early April
Golden window: lots of light, the snow is still excellent, and the aurora borealis is still possible, especially in the Ivalo area and above. This is the best compromise if you don't tolerate darkness and severe frost well.
- If you want lights and Christmas atmosphere — late December (expensive and crowded).
- If you want peace and quiet and a budget — weekdays in January.
- If you want a balance of light, skiing and sparkle — February–March.
How to divide 5–7 days between Rovaniemi, Levi and Ivalo
To prevent your trip from turning into a marathon of suitcases, it's best to decide right away how many nights you're willing to spend travelling and how many you'll spend at your destination.
The simplest options:
● 5 days
○ 2 nights in Rovaniemi
○ 2 nights in Levi
○ 1 night in Ivalo (or vice versa: 1 + 2 + 2)
Suitable for those who cannot take a long holiday but want to experience three different atmospheres.
● 7 days
○ Option A: 2 (Rovaniemi) + 3 (Levi) + 2 (Ivalo)
○ Option B: 3 (Rovaniemi) + 2 (Levi) + 2 (Ivalo)
Here you can easily add a husky safari in Lapland, snowmobiles, and a day of "doing nothing" in silence.
Day 1–2: Rovaniemi — Santa, Arktikum and the first hunt for the Northern Lights
How to get there
The route usually starts from Helsinki. There are two options:
● VR night train to Rovaniemi — about 12 hours on the road, you can get seats, couchettes or sleeping cars; it's a good idea to buy tickets in advance, as they sell out quickly in winter.
● Flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi — approximately 1 hour 15 minutes in the air plus travel from the airport to the city (several flights a day in summer and winter).
The Helsinki-Rovaniemi night train is convenient if you want to wake up in the snow and not waste your daytime hours.
What to do in Rovaniemi in 1–2 days
● Santa Claus Village
The location is controversial, but for many it is a must-see: a post office with "official" stamps, photos with Santa Claus, souvenir shops. It's okay for children and to "complete the experience," but be prepared for crowds and queues.
● Arktikum and the city centre
A museum/science centre about the Arctic and the culture of the North, plus a pleasant walk along the river and through the city streets. It's a good balance to the hustle and bustle of tourist activities.
● First night of hunting for the Northern Lights
If you have the energy, you can take an Aurora tour on the first night: usually 3-5 hours, departure by minibus, hot drinks, bonfire, help with setting up cameras. In Rovaniemi, prices for group tours for the 2025-2026 season start at around €120-160 per adult.
Days 3–4: Levi — skiing, spa and, possibly, glass igloos
How to get from Rovaniemi to Levi
Rovaniemi is about 170 km from Levi; in winter, most people travel by bus (about 2–3 hours, depending on the route and stops).
Buses run several times a day, and tickets can be conveniently viewed and booked online; if you arrive on the night train, you can transfer almost door-to-door.
Things to do in Levi
Levi is a classic ski resort:
● illuminated slopes with evening skiing;
● rental shops and schools where you can easily take a private lesson in English;
● snowmobile safaris (2-3 hours; according to data for winter 2025-2026, from €120-180 per adult, depending on the format and number of people on the snowmobile).
If you are completely inexperienced, Levi is a great place to try out downhill skiing and snowboarding before embarking on longer trips.
- Book lessons and equipment hire for the first full day in advance.
- Book one expensive activity — snowmobiles or a long husky safari.
- Choose accommodation that is either ski-in/ski-out or within walking distance of the ski bus.
Igloos and unusual accommodation
In the Levi and Kittilä areas, there are glass igloos and "bubbles" under the northern lights. In the 2025–2026 season, prices at popular locations easily exceed €400–600 per night, and for the most "Instagrammable" views — even higher.
This is not a must-have, but rather a "dream option": for some, one night is enough to tick the box; for others, it is more comfortable to take a nice cottage with a sauna and watch the sky from the terrace. If your goal is to find somewhere to stay in Lapland in winter on a budget, sometimes it makes more sense to invest in a quality base for 3-4 nights than in one "wow" igloo.
Days 5–7: Ivalo, Inari and the "quiet north" under the northern lights
How to get to Ivalo
The easiest way to get from Levi to Ivalo is via Rovaniemi or by combining bus and plane via Kittilä and Ivalo airports. There are few direct short connections, so many people choose the following route:
● Levi → Rovaniemi (bus ~2–3 hours)
● Rovaniemi → Ivalo (bus ~4–4.5 hours or flight, if there is a suitable flight)
If you are short on time, you can shorten the route to two bases — for example, Rovaniemi + Ivalo.
Why go so far?
Ivalo and its surroundings (Inari, villages deep in the tundra) offer a different experience of the North:
● less light pollution from the city;
● more chances to see the aurora borealis right from your cabin or cottage;
● routes on snowshoes, skis, and fat bikes across the tundra;
● villages where life is much slower than in Rovaniemi.
Aurora tours here are a bit more expensive than in Rovaniemi: as of the 2025–2026 season, average prices are often in the range of €140–190 per adult for 3–4 hours with transfer, hot drinks and a guide.
"Rovaniemi was great, but the real magic began in Ivalo. We rented a small cottage by the lake, turned off the lights, and the aurora just 'happened' above the roof, without tours or buses. The main thing is not to fill every evening with activities."
Main activities: huskies, reindeer, snowmobiles, the Northern Lights — how much does it all cost?
Prices in Lapland vary greatly depending on the duration, group size and location, but for the 2025–2026 season, you can expect the following price ranges (adult, group tour):
The main idea is not to try to "do everything." For 5–7 days, 2–3 major activities + free/inexpensive things (snow, forest, lake, Lapland in winter for independent walks) are enough.
Where to stay: city, cottage or "that very house under the northern lights"
For this kind of trip, it's handy to mix things up:
● Rovaniemi — a hotel or aparthotel in the centre: convenient for museums, restaurants and transfers to tours.
● Levi — hotel or apartments near the ski lift: less logistics with equipment, more time on the slopes and at the spa.
● Ivalo/Inari — a cottage/mini-hotel away from bright lights: higher chances of seeing the aurora "from your doorstep".
If your main goal is to find a place to stay in Lapland in winter with an eye on the Aurora, look not only at the interior photos, but also at the map: how far is the nearest road, village, how dark is the area around. Sometimes a cottage without a brand and marketing gives a much stronger impression than a hyped resort.
Logistics: trains, flights, buses, and how not to get confused
A basic 7-day itinerary might look like this:
Helsinki → Rovaniemi
○ VR night train (departure in the evening, arrival in the morning);
○ or morning/afternoon flight.
Rovaniemi → Levi
○ bus from the railway station or city centre (2–3 hours).
Levi → Rovaniemi → Ivalo
○ bus to Rovaniemi;
○ then bus or flight to Ivalo (if you can fit into the schedule).
Ivalo → Helsinki
○ direct flight, if available, or via Rovaniemi.
Finland in winter is good for independent travel because almost everywhere has clear websites, timetables and online ticket sales. The main thing is to allow 30-60 minutes extra in winter and keep all tickets offline.
- Book a night train or flight to Rovaniemi 1–2 months in advance.
- Check bus connections between cities for your arrival/departure dates.
- Choose accommodation within a 5–10 minute walk of the bus stop/ski lift.
Example of a "live" 7-day itinerary
Below is not a strict plan, but an example that can be adapted to suit your needs.
● Day 1 — arrival, Rovaniemi
Arrive in the afternoon, check in, walk around the city centre, have an early dinner and go to bed. If you feel energetic, take a short evening walk to the river and explore the sky.
● Day 2 — Santa + museum
In the morning — Santa Claus Village (3–4 hours), in the afternoon — Arktikum or another museum/gallery, in the evening — free time or a light tour to see the northern lights, if the weather promises clear skies.
● Day 3 — Transfer to Levi, evening
Morning bus to Levi, check-in, equipment rental, 1.5–2 hours of evening skiing under the lights.
● Day 4 — skiing + snowmobiles / spa
Morning lesson on the slope and free skiing, afternoon — snowmobile safari or spa centre. Evening — leisurely walk around the village.
● Day 5 — transfer to Ivalo, quiet evening
Transfer via Rovaniemi or by flight, check-in at the cottage/lodge, evening — acclimatisation and waiting for the sky without any mandatory tours.
● Day 6 — Huskies / Northern Lights
During the day — huskies or other activities, in the evening — aurora tour or viewing from the lake shore if the sky is clear.
● Day 7 — final morning and departure
Slow walk through the village, souvenirs and transfer to Ivalo Airport.
How not to get tired and not go into the red: three rules of balance
- One expensive "wow" day for every 3–4 days
Instead of filling every day with tours and skiing, choose 1-2 major activities (e.g. huskies and snowmobiles) and spend the rest of your time in the forest, by the lake and on leisurely walks. - Don't try to "cover" everything in one visit
Lapland is not a one-time attraction. It's better to come back again than to spend one holiday in a rush. - Don't skimp on clothing and snow
Wet feet and lack of sleep make any trip more expensive — in terms of nerves and impressions. Warm layers, proper boots and breaks in your schedule are just as important as tickets and tours.
FAQ
Yes, but you'll have to cut corners. Five days is more of a "teaser": 1-2 nights at each location and a maximum of 2-3 major activities. If you want to see Santa, go skiing, and enjoy two evenings under the Northern Lights, seven days is more comfortable.
If budget and romance are more important than speed, take the night train: you'll get to try the famous northern sleeping train. If time is critical, take the plane and allow extra time for the journey from the airport to the city.
There are good farms everywhere, but there are more mass offers around Rovaniemi, while in the Ivalo and Inari areas, the routes are usually quieter and less crowded. Levi is convenient if you are combining safaris with skiing.
The further north and the darker it is, the better, so the Ivalo/Inari area usually wins. But clouds and the length of your trip are also important factors, so don't base your plans on just one night.
Yes, there are many winter trails, spas, cafes and additional activities — from snowshoeing to fat biking. The resort is quite lively even for those who are not fans of skiing.
On the number of expensive tours and the choice of month: weekdays in January and March are often cheaper than holidays. Apartments with kitchens, package ski passes and group tours instead of private ones also help the budget.
Renting for 5-7 days is more than enough, especially if you are flying. Having your own set makes sense if you ski often and are confident in your boot fitting.
Yes, this route is designed for public transport: night trains, planes and buses cover all the travel. It is only important to check the timetables in advance and not to plan tight 10-minute connections.
Igloos are beautiful but expensive, and there is no guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights. If you are on a limited budget, it is better to book a good cabin for a few nights in a dark area and, if you wish, one evening tour to see the Northern Lights.
Very much so, if you don't overload the programme: up to 1-2 activities per day, a nap/quiet hour and a spare "home" day without long tours. Rovaniemi and Levi are particularly convenient for families due to their infrastructure.
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