Lapland is Finland's vast, mystical northern wilderness, stretching above the Arctic Circle and home to the Northern Lights, endless fells, pristine national parks, and the legendary Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. This subarctic region offers extraordinary experiences year-round, from dogsled adventures and snowmobile safaris in winter to midnight sun hiking and wild berry picking in summer. Lapland is also the ancestral homeland of the indigenous Sámi people, whose rich culture and reindeer-herding traditions add a unique dimension to any visit.
Accommodation overview
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly (under $50/night)
Hostel Domus Arctica
The most centrally located budget option in Rovaniemi, offering clean hostel rooms and private rooms steps from the city's restaurants and attractions. Perfect for budget travelers wanting to explore Lapland without breaking the bank.
Check rates on Booking.comGuesthouse Borealis
A cozy family-run guesthouse in Rovaniemi offering simple but comfortable rooms with a welcoming Finnish atmosphere. The hosts provide excellent local tips and the location is convenient for bus connections.
Check rates on Booking.comArctic Hostel Rovaniemi
A well-equipped backpacker hostel in Rovaniemi catering to the young adventurer crowd heading to the Arctic. The hostel organizes group activities and can help book Northern Lights tours and husky safaris at competitive rates.
Check rates on Booking.comSaariselkä Camping Cabins
Simple but atmospheric self-catering cabins at the edge of Saariselkä fell, offering the most affordable way to sleep in this incredible wilderness location. The cabins are basic but have wood-burning stoves and direct fell access.
Check rates on Booking.comLevi Hostel
Budget accommodation at Levi ski resort for skiers who want to maximize time on the slopes without the luxury hotel price tag. Dormitory and private rooms are clean and functional with easy access to the resort's lifts and activities.
Check rates on Booking.comRanua Village Cottages
Affordable self-catering cottages in the village of Ranua, convenient for the famous Ranua Wildlife Park. Simple wooden cottages with private saunas and kitchen facilities make this a great value base for exploring central Lapland.
Check rates on Booking.comInari Wilderness Camping
Simple but perfectly situated budget accommodation near the shores of Lake Inari, offering tent pitches, basic camping cabins, and access to the lake for fishing and swimming. Northern Lights viewing from the dark lakeside is extraordinary.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range ($50-150/night)
Hotel Santa Claus
Santa's Hotels Santa Claus is situated in the heart of Rovaniemi, perfectly positioned for visiting both the city and nearby Santa Claus Village. Restaurant Gaissa, with its Chaîne des Rôtisseurs recognition, serves outstanding local Lappish cuisine.
Check rates on Booking.comOunasvaara Chalets
Charming self-catering chalets on the slopes of Ounasvaara fell just minutes from Rovaniemi city centre. These cozy wooden chalets with private saunas are ideal for families or groups wanting a more independent Lapland experience.
Check rates on Booking.comLevi Panorama
Well-appointed hotel at Levi ski resort offering comfortable rooms with stunning fell views and excellent access to the ski slopes. The hotel's cozy bar and restaurant make it a popular après-ski gathering spot.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Ivalo
A comfortable full-service hotel in Ivalo town, conveniently located near Ivalo Airport and the road to Saariselkä and Inari. The hotel serves as an excellent base for Northern Lapland explorations with a cozy restaurant and full sauna facilities.
Check rates on Booking.comHoliday Club Saariselkä
A large resort hotel in Saariselkä with an extensive spa and waterpark facility, making it ideal for families. The hotel offers a wide range of activities from skiing to Northern Lights tours, all bookable through the resort's activity desk.
Check rates on Booking.comHotelli Inari
The best-positioned hotel in Inari village, directly overlooking sacred Lake Inari with views across the vast water to the fells beyond. An excellent base for Sámi cultural exploration, lake boat tours, and Northern Lights hunting in one of Lapland's darkest locations.
Check rates on Booking.comYlläs Ski Resort Chalets
Comfortable ski-in/ski-out chalets at Ylläs resort, ideal for groups and families wanting their own space with full kitchen facilities, a private sauna, and direct access to Finland's largest ski area.
Check rates on Booking.comSodankylä Hotel Kantakievari
A well-regarded traditional Finnish hotel in the market town of Sodankylä, serving as an excellent central Lapland base for national park explorations. The hotel restaurant serves hearty local food including reindeer and salmon.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury ($150+/night)
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
The world-famous glass igloo resort in Saariselkä wilderness offers the ultimate Northern Lights viewing experience from the warmth of your private igloo. The resort also features traditional log cabins, a giant snow igloo restaurant, and world-class husky and reindeer safaris.
Check rates on Booking.comArctic TreeHouse Hotel
Perched on a forested hillside on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, this iconic hotel offers treehouse-style suites with floor-to-ceiling windows for Northern Lights viewing. The hotel's Rakas restaurant serves stunning Nordic cuisine using local Arctic ingredients.
Check rates on Booking.comLevi Hotel Spa
Lapland's largest spa hotel sits at the base of Levi fell, offering direct access to ski slopes with a full-service wellness spa, multiple pools, and elegant rooms. The hotel's restaurants serve local Lappish cuisine and international dishes in cozy, Nordic-designed settings.
Check rates on Booking.comApukka Resort
Apukka is an award-winning glass igloo and cabin resort on the banks of the Kemijoki River, just 20 minutes from Rovaniemi city centre. Guests can watch Northern Lights from their beds in private glass igloos and enjoy world-class dog sled tours from the resort.
Check rates on Booking.comNova Skyland Hotel
This award-winning boutique hotel near Rovaniemi offers unique cabin accommodations with private saunas and spectacular Arctic views. The soon-to-open Stella Nova restaurant will feature modern Nordic cuisine highlighting northern Finnish ingredients.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Ylläshumina
A sophisticated ski hotel at Ylläs resort offering modern rooms with panoramic fell views and direct ski slope access. The hotel features a relaxing spa, Finnish sauna with ice swimming pool, and a restaurant serving Lappish ingredients.
Check rates on Booking.comSaariselkä Inn
A premium wilderness resort in Saariselkä offering Aurora cabins and hotel rooms with direct access to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The resort provides comprehensive Arctic adventure packages including Northern Lights safaris and wilderness treks.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Rovaniemi City Centre
Rovaniemi's rebuilt city centre (the original was destroyed in WWII) is planned in the shape of a reindeer head by Alvar Aalto and offers the best concentration of restaurants, shops, and services in Lapland.
Best for: First-time visitors, those without rental cars, city explorers
Levi Ski Village
The village of Sirkka at the base of Levi fell transforms into a buzzing winter resort with restaurants, bars, and shops serving the thousands of skiers and snow seekers.
Best for: Skiers, party-goers, winter sports enthusiasts
Saariselkä
Lapland's northernmost major ski resort sits surrounded by the vast Urho Kekkonen National Park, offering pristine wilderness access and some of the best Northern Lights viewing in the region.
Best for: Northern Lights chasers, hikers, wilderness lovers
Inari Village
The spiritual and cultural centre of Finnish Sámi life sits on the shores of sacred Lake Inari, offering a calm, authentic alternative to the resort towns.
Best for: Culture seekers, fishing enthusiasts, Northern Lights hunters
Ylläs Resort Area
The Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi villages flank Finland's largest ski area, offering excellent cross-country skiing, downhill runs, and direct access to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
Best for: Families, cross-country skiers, nature hikers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
The world-famous glass igloo resort in Saariselkä wilderness offers the ultimate Northern Lights viewing experience from the warmth of your private igloo. The resort also features traditional log cabins, a giant snow igloo restaurant, and world-class husky and reindeer safaris.
Check rates on Booking.comArctic TreeHouse Hotel
Perched on a forested hillside on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, this iconic hotel offers treehouse-style suites with floor-to-ceiling windows for Northern Lights viewing. The hotel's Rakas restaurant serves stunning Nordic cuisine using local Arctic ingredients.
Check rates on Booking.comLevi Hotel Spa
Lapland's largest spa hotel sits at the base of Levi fell, offering direct access to ski slopes with a full-service wellness spa, multiple pools, and elegant rooms. The hotel's restaurants serve local Lappish cuisine and international dishes in cozy, Nordic-designed settings.
Check rates on Booking.comApukka Resort
Apukka is an award-winning glass igloo and cabin resort on the banks of the Kemijoki River, just 20 minutes from Rovaniemi city centre. Guests can watch Northern Lights from their beds in private glass igloos and enjoy world-class dog sled tours from the resort.
Check rates on Booking.comNova Skyland Hotel
This award-winning boutique hotel near Rovaniemi offers unique cabin accommodations with private saunas and spectacular Arctic views. The soon-to-open Stella Nova restaurant will feature modern Nordic cuisine highlighting northern Finnish ingredients.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Ylläshumina
A sophisticated ski hotel at Ylläs resort offering modern rooms with panoramic fell views and direct ski slope access. The hotel features a relaxing spa, Finnish sauna with ice swimming pool, and a restaurant serving Lappish ingredients.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book glass igloo accommodations 6–12 months in advance; they sell out by March for the following winter
Christmas and New Year week (Dec 20 – Jan 7) is the most expensive and crowded period; book a year ahead
February and March offer the best skiing snow with longer daylight hours and slightly cheaper rates than Christmas
Self-catering cottages offer the best value for families and groups; many include private saunas
Check hotel websites for direct booking discounts—many Lapland properties offer better rates than OTAs
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.