Ski- and winter adventures in Lapland (10 days in Äkäslompolo & Ylläs)

Denise van Rijswijk - (DenisevanRijswijk)
Itinerary created by
Denise van Rijswijk
What you’ll do

Ylläs is Finland's biggest ski area, so of course it appeals to skiers and snowboarders. However, this is the perfect travel itinerary for couples, families and groups that all have different interests.

It's a combination of relaxing in Finnish nature, doing some typical Lapland activities and hitting the slopes for some ski- or snowboard fun! There's really something for EVERYONE.

If you want to stick to this 10-day itinerary, you have 5 nights to spend in Äkäslompolo and 2 nights in Ylläs. I can highly recommend doing this, but if you don't have that much time and want to shorten this trip, it's better to choose between either a stay in Äkäslompolo or Ylläs.

If you arrive by plane at Helsinki Airport, take the train to Helsinki Central.

The train network in Finland is amazing and it's a very fun and more sustainable option of traveling from Helsinki to Lapland. Therefore, I suggest taking the night train to Kolari on day 1. If you have an early flight arrival in Helsinki, you can use this program for some sightseeing, until it's time to hop on board.

Start the day with a nice coffee break :)

1

Fazer Café Kluuvikatu
Fazer Café Kluuvikatu
Cozy café famous for it's chocolate
Category
Café
Est. Price
$$
Direction
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Gear up for your trip to Lapland! It can get extremely cold above the Polar Circle and this is one of the best stores to do some last-minute shopping.

2

Sport & Outdoor gear
Sport & Outdoor gear
Gear up for your next outdoor adventure
Category
Shop
Est. Price
$$
Direction
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324 m (0.2 mi)

1 min

Time for some sightseeing! Acces the National Library for free and discover this beautiful gem in Helsinki.

3

National Library of Finland
National Library of Finland
A hidden treasure trove in Helsinki
Category
Culture
Direction
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1 km (0.6 mi)

4 min

Next door you will see Finland's most iconic landmark, the white Cathedral on the large Senate Square.

4

Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral
Iconic white cathedral in Helsinki
Category
Sightseeing
Direction
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1.4 km (0.9 mi)

6 min

Cross the South Harbour and Central Market square and walk up to this beautiful Cathedral. If you want to go inside it's best to go around lunch time, as they close the doors very early.

5

Oespenski-kathedraal
Oespenski-kathedraal
Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki
Category
Sightseeing
Direction
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1.3 km (0.8 mi)

8 min

Visit the Old Market Hall and try some local snacks.

6

Old Market Hall
Old Market Hall
Charming historic market
Category
Sightseeing
Est. Price
$
Direction
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1.9 km (1.2 mi)

9 min

If you have enough time to spare, pay a quick visit to the very modern Oodi library. Helsinki's architectural icon and cultural hub that cannot be missed.

7

Oodi library
Oodi library
State-of-the-art library in Helsinki
Category
Culture
Direction
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1.9 km (1.2 mi)

10 min

Go for a light dinner at this tapas restaurant.

8

Restaurant Deliberi - Keskuskatu
Restaurant Deliberi - Keskuskatu
Restaurant with a food court concept
Category
Restaurant
Est. Price
$$
Restaurant Type
Any
Direction
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681 m (0.4 mi)

4 min

Make your way back to Helsinki Central and buy some snacks and drinks for your overnight stay in the train. They also serve meals and snacks in the train.

9

Helsinki Central Station
Helsinki Central Station
Iconic transportation hub in Helsinki
Category
Sightseeing
Direction
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Book a private sleeping cabin (optional with shower and toilet) in advance and enjoy this comfortabel train ride to Lapland. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is.

10

Santa Claus Express
Santa Claus Express
Take the famous night train to Lapland
Category
Public Transport
Est. Price
$
Transport Type
train
Direction
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