If you've been awfully good this year, you don't have to wait for Santa – treat yourself to a gift of travel and start planning your next trip! When you're longing for someplace Christmassy but your calendar is already packed, it's good to know that the holiday spirit in the Finnish Lapland is strong even after December.
Rovaniemi is perhaps the most popular airport in Lapland to fly to, for it is the capital of Finnish Lapland as well as the official home of Santa Claus!
Of course, there is more to the city than just Santa's home, for example, the Pilke Science Centre is a great place to find out more about the surrounding forests. Next door is The Arktikum Science Centre so you can fulfil all your sciences desires and interests in one place. Korundi House of Culture is the place to go for art and music and well, all things cultural really. Rovaniemi was rebuilt after World War II and adopts a reindeer antlers sort of layout. It is easy to get around on foot, plus there are some public transport buses, but perhaps best not to rely on those as they can be very infrequent.
Shopping is good here, one of the main places is the large Sampokeskus Shopping Centre in the heart of the city, although it is rather expensive. Another area to head to is Lordi’s Square which has some more reasonably priced stores. There are some nice local handicraft and souvenir shops as well, which are definitely worth browsing, but just think of your baggage allowance before splashing out on the whole store! You might want to save room (and money) for the factory outlet style stores at Santa's village too.
The Alvar Aalto designed Rovaniemi Theatre is also worth going to, chances are there will be a show of some kind on there. It really is a cultural ethnic melting pot and there are so many restaurants, cafes and other such eating places that you'll be spoilt for choice and sure to find something that suits your tastes and budget. Kauppayhtiö is a popular burger joint - try the avocado and tofu or the beetroot and goat's cheese burgers for something a little different. They also serve reindeer burgers as well, which I'm told are delicious! They also do pizzas and you can expect to pay between €11 and €18 for each burger or pizza. Café & Bar 21 is another great choice, especially for cocktails and waffles, or the smoked salmon soup! Hai Long which is a Chinese place that all the locals seem to know well. if you want to spend a bit more, then The Sky Kitchen which is at the top of Hotel Ounasvaara, offers great views of the city and river.
Finnair has special fares to Europe including:
Helsinki £98
Ivalo £208
Kittilä £208
Kuusamo £208
Oulu £182
Rovaniemi £208
Tallinn
Bangkok £487
Beijing £496
Busan £706
Delhi £473
Fukuoka £757
Guangzhou £521
Hong Kong £499
Nagoya £714
Nanjing £516
Osaka £714
Seoul £530
Shanghai £511
Singapore £498
Tokyo £769
Xi'an £471
Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with fast connections via Helsinki. Finnair's extensive network connects 19 cities in Asia and 7 cities in North America with over 100 top destinations in Europe. Finnair is the only Nordic carrier with a 4-star Skytrax ranking, and it has also won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past seven years running. Finnair is a member of oneworld, the alliance of the world's leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience to frequent international travellers.
FLYING FROM UNITED KINGDOM
Finnair operates frequent and reliable flights from the United Kingdom to destinations all over the world, serving London, Manchester and Edinburgh. We serve over 100 cities in Europe, so when you’re flying from the United Kingdom with us you’ll be spoilt for choice for your next destination! Book your flight from the United Kingdom with us today for a reliable, comfortable journey.
UNITED KINGDOM AIRPORTS SERVED BY FINNAIR
Heathrow Airport (LHR) – Take the Heathrow Express train from London Paddington station. Trains depart every 30 minutes. You can also take the underground directly to the airport. Finnair operates out of Terminal 3, Zone G.
Gatwick Airport (LGW) – The airport lies 47 km south of central London and is accessible by train via the Gatwick Express from Victoria Station. It is situated just off the M23 motorway, so is easily accessible by car, and National Express buses also operate routes to Gatwick from many cities across the United Kingdom.
Manchester Airport (MAN) – You can catch the tram from the city centre directly to the airport, and services run every 12-15 minutes. Finnair operates out of Terminal 1.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) – The airport can be reached by bus route 100 or tram. Trams are the best option to reach the airport quickly. The tram runs every 7 minutes and reaches the airport in 30 minutes.
FLY FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH FINNAIR
Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum members as well as Business Class passengers can take advantage of complimentary access to our lounges at Edinburgh Airport, Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport.
At Finnair, we like to reward our passengers. Join our Finnair Plus programme to earn points on your flight from the United Kingdom that can be redeemed for future flights, access to airport lounges and more.
DESTINATIONS IN FINLAND SERVED BY FINNAIR
Helsinki is a great starting point for your trip to Finland. You can explore the beautiful white Helsinki Cathedral set in Senate Square, check out the local art galleries, or just enjoy some delicious local cuisine in one of the city’s many restaurants. Book your plane tickets to Finland’s capital for a diverse and interesting holiday.
Ivalo may seem like a small town, but it’s one of the largest in the region. Fly to Ivalo if you fancy trying some ice fishing or want to catch the Northern Lights or the midnight sun.
Kajaani is a quiet settlement in the Kainuu region. Head to nearby Paltaniemi to see the picturesque riverside church, or book a husky tour to experience the snowy wilderness.
Kemi’s main attractions include a castle made of snow and icebreaker cruises. It’s a magical and breath-taking destination like no other.
Kuusamo should be your next stop if you want to glide down some of the world’s best ski slopes.
Joensuu, meaning ‘river mouth’ in Finnish, was an important trading port in the 19th century. These days it’s a modern and lively university town.
Kokkola is an ancient fishing town, with wooden houses and dusty streets. Catch a boat out to Tankar Island and take a look around the old Lighthouse Station.
The city of Oulu is made up of a series of islands connected by bridges. It’s known for its Arctic berry markets and its university’s technology graduates – some of the best in the world. Oulu is a great destination to visit on any trip to Finland.
If you want to explore western Lapland and see some awe-inspiring landscapes, Kittilä and nearby Levi are the places for you.
The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is Santa Claus’s official hometown. The streets are even laid out in the shape of a reindeer’s head and antlers when viewed from above! If planning a Christmas trip, be sure to reserve your tickets to Finland well in advance.
Kuopio is a sunny lakeside town with a handful of interesting museums to satisfy those who are more into culture than the great outdoors. Nonetheless, it will appeal most to those who like hiking, pleasure cruises and enjoying a beer in the sunshine.
Vaasa is known for its beaches, with seven great ones near the city centre. It’s also in one of the sunniest parts of Finland. Fly to Vaasa for a great summer holiday in Finland.
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