Arctic Wonders: Helsinki to Finnish Lapland Adventure Guide
Hopefully we will experience the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland
Embark on a unique adventure through the dynamic streets of Helsinki, a brief escape to the historic cityscape of Tallinn, and the untamed landscapes of Finnish Lapland. This travel itinerary promises a diverse tapestry of experiences, from the modern vibes of Finland's capital to the timeless charm of Estonia's mediaeval gem, and the raw beauty of Lapland's wilderness with hopefully a glimpse at least of the Northern Lights. Get ready for an authentic exploration, where each destination unveils its distinctive character, blending urban allure, natural wonders, and historical intrigue into an enriching journey worth savouring.
Finland has been on my radar for some time, not least as it would be a great opportunity to try out a new country for me, but also to experience a new airline to review, Finnair. Having seen Finland featured in the first ever episode of Eugene Levy’s The Reluctant Traveler, visiting Finnish Lapland has been on my mind, but equally also hearing the voice of ‘Mrs’ The Private Traveller always indicating that he never wanted to go on a cold, wintry holiday. The Northern Lights have always held a fascination for me, and after our Christmas and New Year trip to Zanzibar, Mauritius, and Johannesburg South Africa I was keen to get another trip in the diary.
As much as I like revisiting favourite places and hotels, and flying on favourite airlines, I also like taking the opportunity to add new countries, hotels and airlines.
The hotels featuring in the post are:
Read on to find my full detailed travel itinerary for this trip, with helpful info on:
The best way to fly to Finland from the UK.
How we travelled to Finnish Lapland from Helsinki.
My top hotel recommendations for Helsinki and Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.
My personal ‘things-to-do’ recommendations for Helsinki, Tallinn Estonia, & Lapland.
Helsinki to Tallinn day cruise with Tallink Silja Line ferries.
Flying to Helsinki Finland with Finnair
Have wanted to fly this OneWorld airline for some time
I love to try out different airlines and have been wanting to try the OneWorld airline Finnair for a long time. This was a perfect opportunity to try them out, with direct flights from Edinburgh to/from Helsinki (not daily, but several times a week season dependent). With going onto Rovaniemi (RVN) in the north (Finnish Lapland) it was a choice between whether we flew (economy choice only) or took the train. I love trains too, and although the overnight service from Helsinki to Rovaniemi doesn’t look ultra-luxe, I’ve opted for the best option which is an upstairs double cabin with en-suite shower and WC.
Best places to stay in Helsinki: Kämp Hotel
As much as I like visiting new and modern hotels, I also love to visit historic and traditional hotels. Hotel Kämp very much came under the latter category, and was my obvious choice for Helsinki, just across the Esplanade Park and in the middle of the finest shopping area in town. Designer shops, the harbor and the most important sights are only a walk away. Galleria Esplanad shopping center is right next to the hotel and Stockmann Department Store is just a few minutes walk away. Ateneum Art Museum and Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art are also less than 1 kilometer away.
The historic 1887 Kämp Hotel
Fast Facts for Kämp Hotel
Address - Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Website - https://www.hotelkamp.com/en/
Group website - https://www.kampcollectionhotels.com/en/
TripAdvisor ranking - #4 of 68 hotels in Helsinki
Instagram - @kamphotel & @kampspa
Nearest airport - Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) - 17 km or 10 miles (about a 30 min drive, traffic dependent)
Opened - 1887
Number of rooms / suites - 179 guestrooms (including 15 suites)
Number of floors - 8
Bars - 1 (Kämp Bar)
Restaurants - 1 (Brasserie Kämp) - Upper Lounge (executive level) also available
Wellbeing - Kämp Spa & Fitness (traditional Finnish sauna, eucalyptus-scented steam bath, wellness gym & treatments)
Visiting - March 2024
Having decided that the Kämp Hotel was the place for us to stay, it was then a case of deciding which accommodation would be best. There is a whole array of different guestrooms from Deluxe to Premium Deluxe and Executive, then in suite there is everything from a Junior Park Suites, Kämp Suites, Executive and Mannerheim options. If you book an Executive Room or a suite, you have access to the Upper Lounge. This is an afternoon executive lounge where you can take refreshments and cold drinks as part of your stay. There’s the onsite Brasserie Kämp for breakfast through lunch and afternoon to dinner daily, the Kämp Bar which looks stunning, and of course of my favourites, the Kämp Spa & Fitness.
Bookable by both Classic Travel and their Virtuoso rates as above, or via Leading Hotels of the World, I am assured we will receive a great welcome. The hotel is undergoing refurbishment, which I am keen to explore more, and it’s good timing for our visit as the spa will just have reopened after its refresh.
Some key distances are:
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport 17 km
Central Railway Station 400m
Central Bus Station 600m
Silja Line Terminal 800m
Viking Line Terminal 800m
Stockmann Department Store 200m
Kämp Galleria Shopping centre 20m
Some local sites are very near too:
The Helsinki Cathedral 400m
Helsinki City Museum 400m
The Presidential Palace 500m
The Helsinki Harbor 400m
The Market Square 200m
Why Book with Classic Travel and The Private Traveller
By booking through my affiliation with Classic Travel, I was able to secure a number of additional VIP benefits with their Virtuoso booking rates. These included:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Full Breakfast daily for two per bedroom, served in restaurant
$100 Resort Credit
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Things to do in Helsinki
Wherever we go, I always like to do some research in advance, but equally not schedule out every minute of every day, so that we don’t have the time to just wander and explore locally. There are a few things that I’ve already planned, like the day trip to Tallinn in Estonia, just a two-hour cruise across the water, but we still have plenty of unallocated time to check out more of Helsinki.
Here are just some of the things I’m planning for our trip:
Stockmann (Europe’s largest department store)
Less than a 5 minute walk from the hotel, I’m looking forward to visiting here as it’s been so highly recommended. Founded in 1862, this flagship central Helsinki store has over 50,000 square metres of shopping space over 10 floors. Apparently there is also a 10% discount for visitors, which tourists can get from the store’s Sevice Point, on showing your passport.
Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour
Often quite a good way to check out a new location, there are various options here which we might look to do on our first full day there.
Temppeliaukio Church
The Temppeliaukio Church is definitely something that caught my eye on seeing the images - built underground with an amazing domed roof. A working church, you can also buy tickets to visit. Only about a 25 minute walk from our centrally located hotel.
Day Trip to Tallinn, Estonia
Realising that Tallinn (somewhere I have always looked to visit) was just a short two hour ferry crossing, I thought it would be a good idea for us to do one day, with us having quite a few days to explore Helsinki anyway. There were a few ferry companies to choose from, the reason I picked Tallink & Silja Line was that they seemed to have the newest ferries, best times, shortest crossing time, and I really liked their choice of on board accommodations.
On our morning crossing, I opted for the add-on Business Class Lounge on their MyStar ship (Star Class is standard or there was also the option of Comfort or Platinum Lounge); extra fees were €29 for Comfort, €69 for Business, or €500 for Platinum. The Platinum Lounge is for a maximum of six people.
On our return the same day, more just to try it out, there was a choice of 3 cabins (B-Class, A-Class, or Office) and a Suite. I opted for the Suite (in case we need a snooze after a day of walking Tallinn’s Old Town), which was €150 for both of us, so not much extra than two in the Business Class Lounge. There was also the option to add on in-suite extras, so we went for it with a bottle of champagne and Anthony Berg chocolates!
Kamppi Helsinki / Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Helsinki is a shopping centre just about a 15 minute walk from the hotel. What drew my attention to it, as well as it apparently being an urban and the busiest shopping center in the heart of Helsinki, was the Kamppi Chapel, another stunning church building. The shopping center has over 90 stores and services and nearly 50 cafés and restaurants over seven floors.
Helsinki Cathedral
The Helsinki Cathedral stunning feat of architecture, and definitely somewhere we will go and visit.
Staying in Lapland: Arctic Treehouse Hotel
When looking to stay in Lapland, I initially homed in on the Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi. I’d initially forgotten that this was featured in episode 1 of The Reluctant Traveller, but we soon went back to watch the episode again and I was reminded as to how special the accommodation looked here.
The stunning Arctic Treehouse Hotel as featured by Eugene Levy in The Reluctant Traveler
Fast Facts for the Arctic Treehouse Hotel Lapland
Address - Tarvantie 3, 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland
Website - https://arctictreehousehotel.com/
Group website - https://santaparkarcticworld.com/
TripAdvisor ranking - #5 of 13 hotels in Rovaniemi
Contact - info@arctictreehousehotel.com
Instagram - @arctictreehousehotel
Nearest airport - Finnish Lapland’s Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) - 4 km or 2.5 miles (less than a 10 min drive)
Opened - 2016
Number of rooms / suites - 60 (including 3 ArcticScene Executive Suites & 5 Arctic Glasshouse Suites - two bedroom)
Number of floors - Single floor
Bars - 1 (Rakas)
Restaurants - 1 (Rakas)
Wellbeing - Syvä Wellness Nest (facial & body treatments), traditional Lappish sauna
Visiting - March 2024
When initially looking to visit in February, I found that there were no suitable nights for their ArcticScene Executive Suites. At one point we had thought we would go to Apukka Resort instead (I did like the look of their Kammi Glass Igloo Suites) but we decided just to defer our trip overall until we could get to the Arctic Treehouse.
The normal suites are individual pods, with bedroom area (twin or double) and a small en-suite shower room to the rear, with of course one of their signature picture windows to take advantage of the sky, if we’re lucky enough for the magical Northern Lights to appear.
The prestigious ArcticScene Executive Suites look like the same pods, but combined in pairs such that one side is a lounge and kitchenette (with a guest WC), and the other side is a bedroom (double), much enlarged bathroom with both a signature bath and a private sauna, and to the rear an exterior balcony with fireplace that can also be enclosed with a glass wall.
Things to do in Rovaniemi / Finnish Lapland
There’s a whole array of activities that the hotel can organise for you in advance, and these are split into Winter (generally start of December through end March), Autumn (generally August through October), and Summer. In addition to all of these, there is a selection of complimentary activities available through the hotel, and also they can arrange third party activities like the Sunrise Safari to Scenic Hillside, on electric snowmobiles, that we’re doing, along with the visit to the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos followed by dinner at their Ice Restaurant.
Arctic Reindeer Encounter
Embark on a mesmerizing reindeer experience that immerses you in Lapland’s Arctic wilderness’s timeless traditions and breathtaking beauty.
Meet and greet your driver at the hotel reception, from where you will be transported to a nearby location within the Arctic wilderness. Surrounded by a pristine, snow-covered forest, you will meet the reindeer, a symbol of Lapland’s natural beauty and rich culture. Discover fascinating insights about these majestic animals and the lifestyle they represent.
Let the reindeer guide you through the Arctic landscape, where the crisp snow beneath your feet creates an intimate connection with nature. That is an authentic way to experience the silence of the Lappish nature and the calming atmosphere surrounding you. As your peaceful reindeer sleigh ride ends, you’ll gather around a traditional Kota. Here, by the crackling fire, you can enjoy hot drinks and hear more fascinating facts about the reindeer. During this tour, you will feed some of the reindeer wandering in their fence and capture the memorable moments with these iconic animals of Lapland.
Chasing the Starry Sky
Experience this adventurous tour in the surrounding Lappish nature in our heated sledge pulled by a snowmobile. It’ll be a little bumpy, but warm and fun ride – be prepared for the outburst of laughter now and then! Our professional guides will drive you to a secret destination where you can enjoy the arctic nature as its best. Taste some traditional Lappish dish that our chefs have prepared specially for you and wish for the Northern Lights to appear.
Arctic Reindeer Expedition
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Arctic while listening to captivating stories about reindeer and the region’s culture.
Your wintry adventure begins with the pick-up from your hotel, where you’ll be transported to a nearby location within the Arctic wilderness. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to get acquainted with the known semi-wild animal in Lapland, the Reindeer. Discover the role of reindeer in their way of life and better understand the deep connection between the herders and their animals. Prepare for a unique and unforgettable journey as you hop onto a traditional reindeer sledge. Let these gentle animals guide you through the enchanting Arctic wilderness, gliding peacefully across the snow-covered landscape. This experience offers an authentic and tranquil way to explore the nature of Lapland.
As your journey unfolds, you’ll find yourself inside a traditional Kota tepee, a shelter used by ancient reindeer nomads. Here, you can relax and warm up by the crackling flames of an open fire while enjoying a hot drink and indulging in captivating stories shared by the reindeer herder. During your visit, you will also have the opportunity to feed the reindeer in their fence and capture many mesmerizing photos with them. You will return home with knowledge of the life of the reindeer and the reindeer herders in Finnish Lapland.
Arctic Floating
Amidst the Arctic wilderness a truly unforgettable experience awaits. The adventure is thought for a small, limited amount of guests to allow a more personalized and once in a lifetime event. Our guide will introduce you to the joys of Arctic floating in the surrounding nature of Sierijärvi after which you are invited to wiggle into our bright and comfy safety suits that will enable you to effortlessly remain afloat on the waters of the lake whilst simultaneously keeping you completely dry and warm. Once your Arctic floating adventure is complete, you will be invited to join beside the warm and cosy fire in our traditional Lappish tepee where you will be able to enjoy some local delicacies and a warm drink served in traditional kuksa.
Arctic Night Reindeer Tour
Embark on a captivating evening adventure that combines the mesmerizing world of reindeer and the enchanting beauty of the Northern sky.
Immerse yourself in the mystique of meeting the reindeer under the moonlight in the Arctic night, connecting with these gentle creatures while delving into the rich local culture through captivating stories of reindeer herding and traditional way of living. Continue the adventure as you board a traditional reindeer sledge guided by these gentle animals. Glide through the Arctic wilderness, embracing the stillness and serenity of the night. The reindeer take on a special role as your guides in this unique exploration of the Arctic after dark.
After the magical ride in a wintry forest, you’ll arrive at a traditional Kota, illuminated by the warm glow of the fire. Enjoy some hot drinks with a small snack – prepared there by the glowing campfire, in a traditional way. While cherishing the memorable evening, remember to glance at the northern sky. If conditions favour, you might witness the phenomenal Northern Lights dancing for you
Magic of the Northern Lights
We invite you to experience the wonders of the nature in heart of Finnish wilderness. Explore a magical journey through the snowy forests of Rovaniemi while searching for one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the Northern Lights. As the nights grow darker and the temperatures drop, we will take you on an unforgettable adventure through the Arctic wilderness. Our guides will take you off the beaten path away from the city lights and crowds to the best spots for viewing the mystical wonders of the Arctic area. Learn about the history and mythology of the Auroras while warming up by the fire and enjoying Lappish delicacy. Get yourself ready for the adventure of the arctic mysteries and witness the breathtaking Northern Lights in all their glory!
Scenic Sleigh Ride
Dashing through the snow within heated sled! Snuggle under the blanket and enjoy our fun ride in snow-covered forest as your guide will pull you with a snowmobile.
Departing just in front of your hotel, this half-an-hour sledge ride takes you for a journey into the amazing Arctic wilderness. Following variable track, having a stop on halfway for taking deep breath of fresh air, or stunning selfie in the middle of wintry landscape.
Scenic Snowshoeing
Join us for a breathtaking snowshoeing adventure to Ounasvaara, one of Rovaniemi’s most majestic peaks. This journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Lappish forests and enjoy sweeping panoramic views. Before ascending the hillside, we’ll introduce you to the basics of snowshoeing, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience. The expedition continues through the pristine, snow-covered forests, leading to a warm and cozy conclusion. We’ll celebrate our journey with a warm drink served in a traditional kuksa, a wooden cup.
Wool Sock Nature Walk
A chance to try something unique and extremely fun! Put your wool socks on and discover the beauty of the arctic forest. The adventure is thought for a small, limited amount of guests to allow a more personalized and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Wool sock walking is a soft winter form of barefoot walking, where the muscles of the foot are activated in a new way and peripheral blood circulation is improved. The soft snowy path feels comfortable under your feet and your toes stay warm inside several pairs of wool socks. During the walk we enjoy nature with all our senses and breathe in the clean and fresh air. The tour ends in Rakas Restaurant with a warm drink.
Full Travel Itinerary: Scotland to Helsinki to Finnish Lapland (with Tallinn, Estonia as an extra)
Day 1 Fly to Helsinki (HEL) direct with Finnair
Early morning direct flight with Finnair, business class available
Overnight Hotel Kämp, central Helsinki
Day 2 Helsinki
A day to explore Helsinki
Overnight Hotel Kämp, central Helsinki
Day 3 Tallinn, Estonia
Early morning ferry direct from Helsinki to Tallinn (2 hours)
Day at leisure in Tallinn’s Old Town, late afternoon return ferry
Overnight Hotel Kämp, central Helsinki
Day 4 Helsinki
Another day to explore Helsinki
Overnight Hotel Kämp, central Helsinki
Day 5 Helsinki to Rovaniemi
Final day in Helsinki, booked another night at Hotel Kämp to ensure late check-out
Late evening train (11hr 50min) overnight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi direct
Day 6 Finnish Lapland
Arrive into Rovaniemi late morning from overnight train
Overnight Arctic Treehouse Hotel
Day 7 Lapland
Sunrise Safari to Scenic Hillside, on electric snowmobiles
Afternoon treatments at the on-site Syvä Wellness Nest
Overnight Arctic Treehouse Hotel
Day 8 Lapland
Early morning ‘Thrill of Speed’ 1 hour Husky Safari
Late afternoon tour of the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos followed by dinner at their Ice Restaurant
Overnight Arctic Treehouse Hotel
Day 9 Fly back from Roveniemi (RVN) to Edinburgh via Helsinski (HEL)
Early afternoon flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki, with a 1hr 25min layover connection before the 2hr 55min return direct flight to Edinburgh
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