If you’ve ever dreamed of watching the Northern Lights from the warmth of your bed, or sleeping in a room sculpted entirely from ice, then Finnish Lapland delivers like nowhere else. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination. But for those in the know, it’s best experienced not as one novelty overnight but as a Two-Part Escape.
In This Guide
- Why do people combine both?
- How to plan your Two-Part Lapland Escape
- Who is this twin-centre trip perfect for?
- What to Do in Finnish Lapland Beyond the Accommodation
- When Is the Best Time to Visit Finnish Lapland?
- Getting to Finnish Lapland from the UK
- How Long Should You Stay?
- FAQs About Finnish Lapland Holidays
- How I Make Lapland Holidays Effortless
By combining a stay in a glass igloo with a night or two in a stunning ice hotel, you can truly immerse yourself in everything that makes Finnish Lapland magical.
Why do people combine both?
Because they offer completely different kinds of wow.
Ice hotels
are a true sensory adventure. Built from snow and ice each year, they’re incredible seasonal creations where you’ll sleep on an insulated mattress with reindeer hides, inside a room carved from snow and ice. These hotels often include features like ice bars, sculpted hallways, and even ice chapels - offering a completely unique setting for a night you won’t forget.
In Finnish Lapland, there are a few standout options:
- Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos near Rovaniemi
- Lapland Hotels SnowVillage near Levi
- SnowCastle of Kemi on the coast
Each one is rebuilt with a new design every winter, so no two seasons are quite the same.Glass igloos, on the other hand, are all about comfort and spectacle. They’re warm, private pods with thermal glass ceilings designed for uninterrupted stargazing and, if you’re lucky, a Northern Lights show above your duvet. Perfect for a peaceful, cocooned night in nature.
By combining both, you’re not just booking two places to sleep - you’re creating a layered experience: cold vs cosy, wild vs tranquil, raw adventure vs refined comfort. That’s the kind of holiday that sticks.
How to plan your Two-Part Lapland Escape
I recommend starting with the adventure, then easing into comfort - it’s a flow that works beautifully in Finnish Lapland. You get the thrill of the ice hotel, followed by the cosiness of the glass igloo. It’s the best way to experience both without sacrificing sleep or comfort.
Day 1 - 2: Arrival and settle in
Fly into Rovaniemi or Kittilä and transfer to a cosy hotel or log cabin. Time to adjust, wrap up warm, and maybe chase your first glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Day 3: Ice Hotel experience
Let the adventure begin. Sleep in a suite carved from snow and ice, sip cocktails from frozen glasses, and explore the frosty artwork throughout. One night is enough. It’s just the right amount of time to take it all in before you’re ready for warmth again.
Day 4: Glass Igloo stay
Now it’s time to defrost in style. Head to your warm, private glass pod and watch the stars and sky in comfort. This is your chance to unwind, ideally with a hot chocolate in hand and a private sauna just steps away.
Day 5+: Add the extras
Dog sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, smoke saunas, or a final night in Santa’s Village. I’ll shape your itinerary around what lights you up (and keeps the little ones happy if you’re travelling with family).
Who is this twin-centre trip perfect for?
Couples after something completely different - romantic, snowy, and intimate with just the right dash of adventure.
Families with older children who want memory-making moments that go beyond the usual ski trip or Santa photo.
Bucket list travellers chasing the Northern Lights but keen to add more substance than a single overnight.
Luxury adventurers who love their comforts - but also love a story to tell.
What to Do in Finnish Lapland Beyond the Accommodation
The magic of Finnish Lapland isn't just where you sleep - it's everything that happens outside. Once you've settled in, the region opens up into a playground of winter experiences that feel genuinely otherworldly.
- Husky Safaris - Harnessing a team of huskies and gliding through a snow-dusted pine forest is one of those things that sounds incredible and then completely lives up to it. Most lodges arrange these directly, ranging from a one-hour taster to a full day out on the trails.
- Reindeer Sleigh Rides - Slower, quieter, and impossibly atmospheric. A reindeer sleigh ride through a snowfield at dusk is the kind of memory that stays with you forever, especially with children.
- Snowmobile Adventures - For those who want a bit more speed, snowmobile excursions take you deep into wilderness that feels entirely untouched. You don't need experience - guides take care of everything.
- Ice Fishing - A hole in the ice, a rod, and almost perfect silence. Ice fishing is surprisingly peaceful and gives you an authentic taste of Finnish winter life.
- Northern Lights Hunting - Finnish Lapland sits within the Aurora Zone, which means on clear nights, the Northern Lights are genuinely possible. The glass igloos are designed for exactly this - but most lodges also arrange guided Northern Lights excursions for the best chance of a sighting away from any ambient light.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Finnish Lapland?
Finnish Lapland's winter season runs from late November through to April, but different weeks offer very different experiences.
November and early December are magical for atmosphere - Rovaniemi transforms into a Christmas village, and the landscape is pure white. However, the darkness hours are extreme, which can feel intense for some.
December and January are peak Northern Lights season. Nights are long (which actually works in your favour for Aurora hunting), and the landscape is at its most dramatic. This is also when the glass igloo experience is at its most atmospheric.
February and March are my personal favourites to recommend. The daylight starts returning, temperatures are still properly cold, the snow is deep and pristine, and the Aurora is still possible. Activities like husky safaris and snowmobile tours feel even more spectacular when you have proper daylight to see the landscapes.
April starts to feel like spring is creeping in. Snow can still be present, but you may find some activities wrapping up for the season.
Getting to Finnish Lapland from the UK
The easiest way to reach Finnish Lapland is to fly directly to Rovaniemi Airport, which has direct flights from several UK airports during the winter season. Finnair, Jet2, and TUI all run seasonal routes. The flight time is around three to four hours - genuinely short for how far-removed it feels from everyday life.
Alternatively, Kittilä Airport (near Levi ski resort) and Ivalo Airport (close to Saariselkä) offer access to other areas of Lapland. Which airport suits you depends entirely on which accommodation you choose - something I always factor into the planning from the start.
How Long Should You Stay?
Three nights is the minimum I'd recommend to make the journey worthwhile, but four or five nights lets you relax into the pace and have proper time for activities without feeling rushed. A typical approach that works well for my clients is two nights in a glass igloo followed by two nights in an ice hotel (or vice versa), giving you the best of both worlds without sacrificing the experience of either.
If you're travelling with children, I'd suggest building in a rest day too. The cold is genuinely cold, and little ones need time to warm up, recharge, and process the sheer wonder of it all.
FAQs About Finnish Lapland Holidays
Is a glass igloo stay guaranteed to see the Northern Lights?
No - and anyone who tells you otherwise isn't being honest. The Northern Lights require clear skies and solar activity, neither of which can be promised. What a glass igloo does is give you the best possible conditions: lying in a warm bed, ceiling above you, in a region within the Aurora Zone. It maximises your chances beautifully. I always advise building in at least three nights to improve the odds.
What is the difference between a glass igloo and an ice hotel?
A glass igloo is warm, cosy, and designed for comfort - thermal glass ceiling, proper bed, en suite facilities. An ice hotel is exactly what it sounds like: a room sculpted from snow and ice, where you sleep on an insulated mattress under reindeer hides. Both are extraordinary, but for very different reasons. Most of my clients love doing one night in an ice hotel and the rest in a glass igloo.
How cold does it get in Finnish Lapland in winter?
Temperatures can drop to minus 20°C or lower, particularly in January and February. The lodges and activities are all designed around this - you'll be given the right gear for outdoor excursions, and the igloos and lodges themselves are perfectly warm. It sounds extreme but with the right kit it's invigorating rather than miserable. I always give clients a packing guide.
Is Finnish Lapland suitable for young children?
Yes, and it's genuinely one of the most magical family trips I book. Meeting Father Christmas in his homeland (Rovaniemi bills itself as the official home of Santa), a reindeer sleigh ride, and a husky safari are the kind of experiences young children talk about for years. Most lodges welcome children warmly and have age-appropriate activities.
How I Make Lapland Holidays Effortless
Planning a twin-centre Finnish Lapland break should feel exciting from the start, not overwhelming. That’s where I come in.
When you work with me, you’re not just booking a hotel (or igloo) in Finnish Lapland. You’re getting someone who knows how to design seamless, story-rich itineraries - from flights and transfers to those memory-making touches like private reindeer sleigh rides, Northern Lights photography tours, and the perfect igloo with zero light pollution.
I’ll take care of the planning so you can focus on the moments that matter.
Every trip I plan is tailored to you - your pace, your people, your preferences - with handpicked stays and trusted local partners to match. And because I only work with fully protected suppliers, your holiday is covered and supported even if the unexpected happens.
If you’re ready to start planning your Lapland escape (or another tailor-made Two-Part Escape), go to the homepage and scroll to the bottom to fill in the short form. Or email me at rachael@blueturtleescapes.co.uk or call 01822 742105.
I can’t wait to help you plan something unforgettable and completely tailored to you.
Go To HomePage
More Inspiration for Your Next Trip
Why Twin Centre Holidays Make Perfect Sense: The Magic of Two-Part Escapes
Christmas Ski Holidays: Where Winter Magic Comes To Life
Ready to start planning? Tell me about your ideal holiday and I'll take care of everything. Start planning with Blue Turtle Escapes →
Looking for more ideas? Explore all our Twin Centre Holiday Guides in one place.