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northern lights in lapland

Lapland Holidays from Ireland

Whisk yourself off to enchanting Lapland for an unforgettable winter escape. Here you can enjoy activities like chasing the northern lights, husky sledding, and meeting Santa Claus. Choose one of these Lapland holidays from Ireland and a Scandinavia-based travel expert will organise your accommodation, excursions and airport transfers.

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Trips to Lapland from Ireland

Are you thinking about visiting Lapland from Ireland? If the answer is yes, then you’ve come to the right place.

This snow-blanketed region in northern Scandinavia is just a few hours away by plane. Soon you could be marvelling at the aurora borealis and snowmobiling through glittering forests on a winter break in Lapland. As well as enjoying thrilling activities in the snow, you might like to stay in an ice hotel and visit Father Christmas.

Read on to find out more about Finnish and Swedish Lapland, and discover which region would suit you best.

When you book a trip to Lapland with Nordic Visitor, you get handpicked accommodation, airport transfers, access to our 24/7 helpline, and many other benefits. Plus, you’ll have your very own dedicated travel consultant to arrange everything for you.

Get in touch via our contact form, live chat or toll-free numbers and we'll gladly plan your Lapland getaway.

 

— WHY US?

Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • All bookings protected by our Package Travel insurance
  • Accommodation, activities, transfers & breakfasts included
  • Professional service from Scandinavia-based travel experts
  • Seamless travel experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options

Discover Finnish Lapland from Ireland

Head to Rovaniemi on a getaway to Finnish Lapland, where you can visit Santa Claus Village. These tours include accommodation, activities, airport transfers, and daily breakfast.

Finland
Partially Guided
4 days / 3 nights
Dec - Mar

Best of Lapland Express - Rovaniemi

1842EUR

Eur

View map
4 days / 3 nights
Dec - Mar

1842EUR

EUR

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Finland
Best seller
Partially Guided
5 days / 4 nights
4.9
Dec - Mar

Best of Lapland Classic - Rovaniemi

2038EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - Mar

2038EUR

EUR

Close map view
Finland
Best seller
Partially Guided
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - March

Best of Rovaniemi - Classic

Santa Claus Village & Dog Sledding

1802EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - March

1802EUR

EUR

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Visit Swedish Lapland from Ireland

Experience the magic of Kiruna on a winter retreat to Swedish Lapland. These packages include accommodation, activities, airport transfers, and daily breakfast.

Sweden
Partially Guided
4 days / 3 nights
Dec - Mar

Express Lapland Adventure & ICEHOTEL

1960EUR

Eur

View map
4 days / 3 nights
Dec - Mar

1960EUR

EUR

Close map view
Sweden
Best seller
Partially Guided
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - Mar

Classic Lapland Adventure & ICEHOTEL

2341EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - Mar

2341EUR

EUR

Close map view
Sweden
Partially Guided
6 days / 5 nights
4.9
Dec - Mar

Lapland Adventure - Aurora Sky Station & ICEHOTEL

2991EUR

Eur

View map
6 days / 5 nights
Dec - Mar

2991EUR

EUR

Close map view
Sweden
Best seller
Partially Guided
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - Mar

Lapland Adventure - Aurora Sky Station

2164EUR

Eur

View map
Best seller
5 days / 4 nights
Dec - Mar

2164EUR

EUR

Close map view

Lapland Travel Experts

As a travel agency based in the Scandinavia region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Lapland. Choose from a variety of tours that include the must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights, all handpicked by our own Scandinavian travel experts. 

To ensure a stress-free Lapland trip, Nordic Visitor handles all the local details for you: accommodation, activities, airport transfers and other services.

Oh, and we can customise your itinerary! For example, you might decide you want to add extra nights at a certain location. In that case, your personal Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be happy to make suggestions and modify your itinerary.

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Camilla Thom, Spain

Icehotel Winter Adventure, January 2017

I will never forget this experience

The tour guides were excellent. Especially Emile and Maurice. This was a huge adventure for us both, starting with the dog sled picking us up , going to the Ice Hotel and then the fabulous evening on the snowmobile. Even though we weren't lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, it was still wonderful. What good cooks all the guides were too! I will never forget this experience.

George, United States

Best of Lapland Classic - Rovaniemi, March 2017

Experience of a lifetime

Everything was wonderful. It was the experience of a lifetime. My daughter and I had a blast!

Mariana, Hong Kong, SAR

Classic Lapland Adventure & ICEHOTEL, January 2017

Excellent time in Kiruna

My daughter and I had an excellent time in Kiruna during the Chinese New Year. I would like to thank Sofia Sundkvist who assisted us throughout the trip. She is very responsive and accomodating. We slightly changed our plans and she always quickly responded to me by email and helped us with what we needed.  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to meet her in person, but all the people (from Nordic Visitor) whom we met throughout this trip are excellent people. They always carry a smile, happy with what they are doing, experienced and knowledgeable.  

Carla, United States

Lapland - Land of the Midnight Sun, June 2017

Outstanding in every way

Your company is outstanding in every way. The booking agents were responsive when we had questions. The information provided was excellent. The tour guides and the company's you contracted with are without exception outstanding. I would recommend your company to anyone who is planning a Scandinavian trip

Hwee Hwee, Singapore

Best of Lapland Classic - Rovaniemi, January 2017

Enjoyable beyond our expectations!

Our experience with Nordic Visitor is absolutely delightful! We are very impressed by the professionalism of the staff and the seamless organisation of the tour. Our holiday was enjoyable beyond our expectations! 

Gianguido and Romana

Icehotel Winter Adventure, January 2015

Service was impeccable under all aspects

A long sought after vacation resulted in a fascinating experience, and this result must also be credited to the careful preparation and to the friendly professional assistance of your consultants. On site, the service was impeccable under all aspects. 

Cold, silence and nature conjure in suggesting me to summarize what we have lived through with words from Sweden’s national anthem. "TYSTA, GLÄDJERIKA, SKÖNA".

Naomi,

Icehotel Winter Adventure, December 2016

Exceeded our expectations

The overall experience exceeded our expectations and was a truly wonderful experience. The husky sled transfer from the airport was amazing. Every trip we did had helpful, happy and informative staff. 

Irene and Sarah

Lapland Adventure - Aurora Sky Station & ICEHOTEL, January 2013

A more beautiful place would be hard to find

We have just got back home after probably the best holiday we have ever had! Everything was superbly planned and the guys at Kiruna Guidetur were fantastic. In fact everyone we met was friendly and so helpful. The hotels were excellent and the food really great - especially at the Abisko Tourist Station and when we went up to the Aurora Sky Station the girl who did the dinner there was world class, especially when she had to prepare the meal in such cramped conditions,

 

The activities were wonderful - the snowmobiles, the husky sleds, the horse and sleigh ride, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The Ice Hotel was fantastic too. It is such a magical place - the snow, the clear air - all absolutely wonderful. A more beautiful place would be hard to find. Thank you so much for organising the holiday for us. I have been on the phone this morning urging all my friends to go there!

How to get to Lapland from Ireland

To reach Finnish Lapland from Ireland, you can either fly direct or take connecting flights via Helsinki or London Stansted.

For instance, Ryanair offers direct flights from Dublin to Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, in just 2 hours 25 minutes. 

Alternatively, choose Finnair and you can fly from Dublin to Helsinki in 3 hours 5 minutes, before taking a connecting flight to Finnish Lapland.

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is Finland’s gateway for international air travel. From here, you’ll be able to take a direct flight to either Rovaniemi or Kemi with Finnair or Norwegian. Both journeys take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. If you fly into Kemi, you can take the train to Rovaniemi in around 1 hour 20 minutes.  

It’s also possible to get to Finnish Lapland via London Stansted by flying from Belfast or Cork. Each journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes. From London Stansted, you can catch an onward flight with Ryanair to Rovaniemi. The flight time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

On the other hand, if you’re heading for Swedish Lapland it’s best to fly from Dublin to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden’s air travel hub. From Stockholm, you can fly to Kiruna with SAS or Norwegian. The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Before deciding on dates for your trip, we recommend checking airline websites directly for flight availability and timetables. Or use airfare search engines, like Skyscanner, Dohop or Kayak, for example.

Flights aren’t included in Nordic Visitor packages, so you’re free to choose the journey that suits you best. But it’s good to know that all of our itineraries can be customised with extra nights in your arrival city if you’d like to rest up after your flight.

Different ways you can experience Lapland

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Lapland below.

What to see and do on Lapland tours from Ireland

Venture to Lapland from Ireland and get ready for a memorable winter retreat. Located in the far north of Finland and Sweden, this enchanting snow-dusted region is brimming with stunning scenery and fun-filled activities. And it’s all just a short flight away.

Read on for top tips on visiting Lapland from Ireland, including where to go and what to do.



How long is the flight from Ireland to Lapland?

It’s easy to visit Lapland from Ireland with direct flights, taking only 2 hours 25 minutes from Dublin to Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.

You can also get to Finnish Lapland by connecting via Helsinki or London Stansted. This is a good option if there are no direct flights on your preferred dates, or if it’s more convenient for you to fly from a different airport in Ireland.

These are the flight times for connecting routes:

  • Dublin to Rovaniemi via Helsinki – 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Cork to Rovaniemi via London Stansted – 3 hours 40 minutes
  • Belfast to Rovaniemi via London Stansted – 3 hours 30 minutes
     

On the other hand, you can reach Kiruna in Swedish Lapland by flying from Dublin via Stockholm in 4 hours 5 minutes.

Find out more about how to get to Lapland from Ireland.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN LAPLAND

Lapland offers opportunities for adventures and indulgent experiences in equal measure. This means that you can be as active or relaxed as you like on your winter trip!

Here are the top things to do in Lapland

  • Go mushing through the snow on a dog sled
  • Marvel at the otherworldly northern lights
  • Explore the countryside by riding snowmobiles
  • Soak up the festive magic and meet Father Christmas himself
  • Sleep in an ice room or a glass igloo
  • Try cross-country skiing, ice fishing or snowshoeing
  • Experience local Sámi customs and cuisine
  • Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve
  • See Arctic animals in their native habitat
  • Warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna

When you book Lapland packages from Ireland with Nordic Visitor, you can add optional activities and day trips to your itinerary. We recommend that you reserve any extras in advance to guarantee availability.

Speak to your dedicated travel consultant at Nordic Visitor about the excursions you’d like to incorporate into your Lapland itinerary. They will organise everything on your behalf, while you relax and look forward to your winter escape.



TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN LAPLAND

Where you choose to go in Lapland will depend on the activities and sights you’d like to enjoy. You can read Nordic Visitor’s Lapland Travel Guide to learn more about each region, which will help you decide where to visit.

Here are the best places to go in Finnish Lapland:

These are the top places to visit in Swedish Lapland:

VISIT ONE OF LAPLAND’S ICE HOTELS OR GLASS IGLOOS

One of the “coolest” things you can do in Lapland is stay in an ice hotel. Marvel at the ice sculptures, imaginatively themed rooms, and restaurants and bars carved from frozen water. Since many of the hotels melt in the spring, artists start from scratch and rebuild them each winter.

Spending the night in an ice suite is on many travellers’ wish lists. And don’t worry, you’ll be kept cosy thanks to thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides, with the chance to step into a hot sauna in the morning.

If you’d rather sleep in a warm room, you can take a guided tour of these ice hotels instead.

You could stay in a glass igloo in Lapland. Imagine snuggling up in your heated dome, looking through the clear glass up to the night sky. You might even be treated to a northern lights show from your bed!

Here are the best ice hotels for an overnight trip in Lapland:



VISIT FINNISH OR SWEDISH LAPLAND

For your trip to Lapland, you can take your pick from Finland or Sweden. Both destinations offer similar experiences, such as aurora hunting excursions, snowmobile adventures, and opportunities for husky and reindeer sledding.

That said, Finnish and Swedish Lapland each have particular highlights that you should know about before deciding where to go. Check out these itinerary recommendations for a taste of what to expect in Finland and Sweden, respectively.



ITINERARY SUGGESTION FOR FINNISH LAPLAND:
 

Day 1 - Arrival in Rovaniemi & snowmobile safari
Upon arrival, a driver will meet you at Rovaniemi Airport for your transfer to your accommodation. You could rest after your journey or head into town to explore a little before your first Lapland adventure.

Come evening, it’s time to embark on a snowmobile safari and hunt for the northern lights. Enjoy an exhilarating ride through the snow, looking for the aurora borealis, as an expert guide leads you along the trails.

Round off your excursion with a hot drink and snack beside the campfire, then return to your hotel for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Spend the night in Rovaniemi.

Day 2 - Dog sledding and Finnish sauna
Head into the snow-draped scenery outside Rovaniemi today with a guided dog sled excursion. Learn about this traditional mode of transport in Lapland, starting with a brief lesson at the kennel. Then mush through the woods with your own sled.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Rovaniemi. You could indulge in a sauna session, the typical way to relax and unwind here in Finland.

Spend the night in Rovaniemi.

Day 3 - Reindeer farm and Santa Claus Village
This morning, hop on a snowmobile and make your way to a traditional reindeer farm. Here you can learn about the culture of Lapland’s native people, the Sami, and go on a sleigh ride.

Next, prepare to meet the “man in red” with a visit to Santa Claus Village, just outside Rovaniemi.

Soak up the festive atmosphere of this Christmassy haven, which is open year-round. Enjoy a private meeting with Santa with the elves on hand, and send a postcard from the Santa Claus Post Office. Then why not browse for souvenirs at the craft shops?

Spend the night in Rovaniemi.

Day 4 - Day at leisure and visit to the Arctic SnowHotel
Learn more about the local history, nature and culture in Rovaniemi this morning by paying a visit to the Arktikum Museum. Here you can explore the intriguing exhibits about Finnish Lapland and the Arctic region.

Come evening, head to the Arctic SnowHotel in Lehtojärvi, just outside Rovaniemi. Take a guided tour of this fascinating frozen hotel, which is created anew each year. Check out the rooms, restaurant and bar, all sculpted from ice and snow.

After your tour sit down for a delicious 3-course meal at Restaurant Kota, inspired by traditional Sami architecture. Then, you’ll either return to your accommodation in Rovaniemi, or overnight in the Arctic SnowHotel for an unforgettable stay. Choose from sleeping in an ice room or a glass igloo.

Spend the night in Rovaniemi or the Arctic SnowHotel.

Day 5 - Departure
Today you’ll be transferred back to Rovaniemi Airport where you’ll fly home from your Lapland holiday.



ITINERARY SUGGESTION FOR SWEDISH LAPLAND:
 

Day 1 - Arrival in Kiruna and snowmobile safari
After touching down at Kiruna Airport, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to yourself, perhaps getting to know the town or simply relaxing before you head out later.

In the evening you’ll get to explore the countryside on a snowmobile excursion, searching for the northern lights. Follow your guide through the snow as they lead you to the best spots to look for the aurora. And enjoy the thrill of the ride as you go.

Later, cosy up beside the fireplace in a wooden hut and tuck into a rustic dinner of traditional local food. Afterwards, your guide will take you back to your accommodation.

Spend the night in Kiruna.

Day 2 - Dog sledding
Today you can enjoy one of Lapland’s most special traditions: husky sledding.

Meet the huskies at the kennel and learn how to drive your sled from an expert guide. Head out onto the trails, gliding through the woods and across snowy plains, soaking up the views as you go. Afterwards, you’ll fuel up with a hot cup of coffee and a light lunch by the campfire.

In the evening, you could chase the northern lights again on a snowshoe excursion.

Spend the night in Kiruna.

Day 3 - Visit the ICEHOTEL and a Sámi reindeer farm
This morning, discover the famous ICEHOTEL, situated in the village of Jukkasjärvi just outside Kiruna. This is the original ice hotel that set a trend for the many others that now exist around the world.

Begin with a guided tour of this extraordinary hotel, learning how artists build it using ice from the Torne River nearby. You’ll also get to explore the ICEHOTEL 365, a year-round structure that stays cold in the summer thanks to solar energy.

Once you’ve seen the stunning ice rooms, sculptures, church and bar, you’ll be collected from the ICEHOTEL for your next excursion. Get an insight into the Sámi way of life by visiting a traditional reindeer farm. Drive a reindeer sled then enjoy some snacks in a lavvu, a typical Sámi tent.

Then comes the highlight: sleeping in a room made entirely from ice and snow!

Spend the night in Kiruna or the ICEHOTEL.

Day 4 - Departure
Today you’ll take a transfer to Kiruna Airport where you’ll fly home from your Lapland holiday.



BEST TIME TO VISIT LAPLAND

The best time to visit Lapland is between December and March, when you can enjoy the magical white scenery, northern lights, and excursions in the snow.

Certain activities are available in Lapland year-round. For example, in summer you can meet Father Christmas, or even visit certain ice hotels that use solar power to keep some of their rooms frozen. That said, we recommend travelling in winter for the quintessential Lapland experience.

Thanks to snowfall from mid-October to mid-May, you’ll be surrounded by snow-blanketed scenery between December and March. These are the perfect conditions for winter activities, including reindeer sleigh rides and snowshoe excursions.

What’s more, in winter you have the best chance of seeing the northern lights. The long, dark nights at this time of year provide the ideal backdrop for watching the aurora borealis.

In summer, on the other hand, there are long daylight hours in Lapland – a phenomenon called the “midnight sun”. With light skies all night long, it’ll be too bright to see the aurora borealis.

Find out how to increase your chances of spotting the aurora borealis with these guides:



CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IN LAPLAND

Perhaps you want to time your Lapland trip for December to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Eve in this winter wonderland?

Spend Christmas in Lapland and you could attend a festive gala dinner for Christmas Eve, accompanied by Santa’s elves. Join in the fun and help to decorate the Christmas tree before you tuck into a mouth-watering feast.

Then spend the ultimate Christmas Day in Santa’s Lapland. Whizz through the snow on a reindeer sleigh, meet Santa Claus in his workshop and enjoy delicious Christmas food. Think freshly baked gingerbread biscuits followed by a warming glass of glögg (mulled wine).

Or visit Lapland at New Year for a celebration to remember. Attend a New Year’s Eve party in a wooden hut in the middle of a Finnish forest, experiencing local customs and cuisine. And, of course, you’d get to watch a spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight.

But don’t forget, you can get into the festive spirit at any time of year with Santa breaks in Finnish Lapland!



 

— REGIONAL SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE

Get the most out of your holiday

  • Explore places handpicked for you by regional experts
  • Save time and effort with everything arranged for you
  • Relax knowing you can reach us 24/7 during your trip

About Nordic Visitor Tours

Nordic Visitor is a Lapland tour operator and has been creating incredible travel experiences for customers in the region since 2010. Our Scandinavian travel experts know Lapland inside out, and will use their knowledge to craft your perfect itinerary.

With your Nordic Visitor package, you can expect personal service from your own designated travel consultant and a tailor-made itinerary with quality travel documents. Furthermore, we have long-standing professional relationships with trusted local partners, which are carefully selected by our staff for their high standards of service.

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