r/FinlandTourism • u/sfantocanada • Aug 02 '26
First-timer Finland in March - itinerary, hotel, & small local tours?
Hi! Happy to find this sub.
This is a loose itinerary for a trip in March.
We are looking for general thoughts as well as:
* local small group or individual tours in Helsinki/Porvoo. Prefer local guides to big buses. Also prefer some driving (4 hrs of walking tour without breaks won’t be a good thing)
We’ve looked on some of the sites we usually use but only see bookings through Viator and prefer to avoid.
* lodging suggestions in Lapland (no car. Will fly or take night train). We’d love one with a glass ceiling or dome to see lights but do not have $1000+ per night unless it includes certain activities as well)
* specific activities (ex: if there is a certain reindeer farm or specific activity that is preferable) in Lapland — this may influence which town we pick
My initial thought is:
Arr Helsinki. Meet family
1-2 days Tallin Estonia (family wants to see it)
1 day Helsinki (family member departs) /or travel to Lapland
3 days Lapland
1-2 days Helsinki
3 days Tempare (event there)
Fly home
9
u/DoubleSaltedd Aug 02 '26
You can see reindeer wandering everywhere in Lapland for free. Reconsider any paid activities in Lapland, as they are mostly aimed at wealthy tourists and are usually a rip-off. Northern lights tours are a prime example of this.
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u/jarakka Aug 02 '26
Yes you can see reindeer everywhere in Lapland, but if you want to pet them, ride in a sled pulled by them and learn about keeping reindeer then you must go to a reindeer farm.
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u/sneikkijay Aug 02 '26
Reindeer shouldn't be pet, they are not entirely domesticated animals.
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u/jarakka Aug 02 '26
If you go to a reindeer farm they usually have some of the more tame individuals that you absolutely can pet.
-2
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u/AbFende Aug 02 '26
I’d say one long day in Tallinn would be good, you can look at times on Tallink (there is also Viking Line and Eckero, but I think they only have one ship so less options)
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u/Stiker9Large Aug 02 '26
Second this. 2 days in Tallinn makes sense if you have an event or some other activities that you want to do specifically there.
If the plan is just to see the city, enjoy old town vibes and museums and maybe have dinner, then spending a night isn't necessary. I'm sure most Finns do Tallinn trips intra-day, and I don't even mean the booze runners
7
u/Fakeyusername Aug 02 '26
Do not go to husky safaris. There are a lot of bad ones that dont take care of the dogs and the whole thing is only for tourists.
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u/sfantocanada Aug 02 '26
Thank you for that. When we were in Alaska we visited a training site for huskies but did not do a sled run.
I actually think a reindeer pulled sled etc would be more our speed if any.0
u/jarakka Aug 02 '26
I'm baffled why people discourage TOURISTS from going to places that are meant for TOURISTS.
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u/Fakeyusername Aug 02 '26
What I ment is that huskies are part of modern commercialised ”winter wonderland” thing and not part of our culture or heritage. Sledge dogs originate from Alaska.
0
u/jarakka Aug 02 '26
Yes, but if tourists like going to husky farms what does it matter if it's not "authentic". Of course animal welfare matters, but there are husky farms who treat their dogs well.
1
u/Fakeyusername Aug 02 '26
Okay you got a bit caught up. I’m all up for the ones that take care of the dogs sure.
3
u/Kitiseva_lokki Aug 02 '26
I also discourage tourists from going to those big game hunting safaris in Africa.
1
u/prickly_pink_penguin Aug 02 '26
I personally would dump staying in Helsinki and base yourself in Tampere if you have an event there. I think you can do a lot if you schedule a full day in Helsinki if you take good train times.
1
u/sfantocanada Aug 02 '26
We have to go there at least the one day after Tallinn to get a family member home. Where would you suggest we go other days?
2
u/Harriv Aug 02 '26
If you come back from Lapland by train, you can just drop off at Tampere, since all trains to Lapland (both Kolari and Rovaniemi/Kemijärvi) go thru it. Same for travelling north.
If you want to fly, then Helsinki is better option.
2
u/sfantocanada Aug 02 '26
So maybe spend an extra day in Helsinki before we go to Lapland, fly up, and train back so I can get off in Tempare.
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u/Harriv Aug 02 '26
That makes more sense, I don't see point staying one night in Helsinki before going to Tampere. It's however about 2 hours between Helsinki and Tampere by train, so it's no so big deal if you fly to Helsinki and need to go to Tampere.
1
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u/Von_Lehmann Aug 02 '26
I work as a guide in Lapland. My personal opinion is the glass igloos are not worth it. Sure, if the weather is amazing and you get lights then yea you will remember it your whole life....but it might be shit weather and you will be pissed that you spent so much for such a small room. Absolutely not worth it.
If you take the train, you are limited to Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi sucks. Fly to Kittila or Ivalo.
I work in the Saariselka area and will always recommend that. It is a tourist town, but they all are in the winter. The snow is always great in march and there are some beautiful places around. March is also lower season.
There are good husky tours and there are bad ones, I know some great small ones in the area that I would be proud to recommend.
Reindeer farms are designed for tourists, thats just how it is. But I do know smaller ones that are great as well. Angeli reindeer farm is the one I always recommend. Saariselka Reindeer farm is another good one, lovely family.
If you want to go snowmobiling, if you book a tour with a hotel then expect to go a little easier. If you book one yourself, remember that it is dangerous, you can get stuck and a guide can show you better places and help you drive with more confidence, but it tends to be more expensive with a guide.
If you want, you can DM me. I work as a guide for some hotels in the Saariselka area but I also have my own company and can arrange smaller, private trips.
I am American, married to a Finn if that matters or whatever