Traditional Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner in Rovaniemi

Traditional Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner in Rovaniemi

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Wilderness Warmth, Arctic Chill, Lappish Feast.

Overview

Immerse yourself in Finnish culture near Rovaniemi: traditional sauna, invigorating ice dip at an arctic lake, and a tasty dinner cooked over open fire. A 4-hour small-group tour in Lapland's nature.

Highlights

✔️ Enjoy a delicious smoked salmon for lunch or dinner

✔️ Finnish woodburned sauna

✔️ Arctic lake swimming

✔️ Enjoy the beauty of Lappish nature

✔️ No special skills required

✔️ Small group experience

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Availability

Year round

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Duration

4.5 hours

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DepartureS

11:30, 14:00, 16:30

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Pickup & Drop off

Yes

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Minimum age

10 years

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Price from

143.00

 EUR

ABOUT THIS TOUR

Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner - Rovaniemi: An Authentic Finnish Evening

This Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner tour is an immersive cultural evening that combines a traditional Finnish wood-fired sauna, invigorating ice swimming, and a delicious wilderness dinner by the fire. Set at a private lakeside property in Sonka, just 30km from Rovaniemi, this 4.5-hour experience invites you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy Lapland like a local.Whether you come for the sauna, the Arctic challenge, the food, or the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights — this is Finnish wellness at its finest.

What to Expect on Your Authentic Lappish Experience:

Your tour begins with a convenient hotel pick-up in Rovaniemi. You will be transported to our private lakeside venue in Sonka, approximately 30km from Rovaniemi.

Part 1: Traditional Finnish Sauna & Arctic Lake Swimming

Don’t worry if it’s your first time — your guide will walk you through the steps and you can enjoy the experience at your own pace.

  • Authentic Sauna: Enjoy the soothing heat and birch scent of a traditional wood-burning sauna, the heart of Finnish culture.
  • Ice Swimming or Snow Roll: Cool down with a dip in a frozen Arctic lake's ice hole in winter, or a refreshing swim in summer. This invigorating plunge offers an extreme yet unforgettable sensation that many consider a true bucket-list challenge. The powerful contrast with the sauna's heat is designed to awaken your senses and provide a unique Arctic thrill. Snow rolling is also an option in deep winter — invigorating and unforgettable!

Part 2: Delicious Dinner by Open Fire

After your sauna, gather inside a cozy wilderness cottage or around the outdoor fireplace.

  • Dinner by the fire features local Lappish delicacies, typically including smoked salmon, root vegetables, and other seasonal treats (vegetarian options available upon request).
  • Warm drinks and traditional touches complete this rustic Arctic meal.

Part 3: Potential Northern Lights Observation

The remote location offers ideal Aurora viewing conditions.

  • If the sky is clear and solar activity is right, you may be treated to Northern Lights dancing over the lake.
  • Your guide will help you spot and photograph the Aurora if it appears (not guaranteed, of course — it’s Mother Nature!).

Key Features of This Rovaniemi Authentic Tour:

  • Authentic Wood-Fired Sauna: Experience a traditional wood-burned sauna for relaxation and cultural immersion.
  • Ice Swimming / Snow Rolling: Invigorating Arctic experience with a cold plunge into an ice hole in an Arctic lake or a refreshing roll in snow – a true bucket-list challenge.
  • Private Lakeside Venue: Tour takes place at a secluded location in Sonka, 30km from Rovaniemi, ensuring a private and intimate atmosphere.
  • Delicious Open-Fire Dinner: Savor a tasty Lappish dinner (e.g., smoked salmon) cooked over an open fire in the wilderness.
  • Small Group Experience: Ensures a comfortable and personalized tour.
  • Northern Lights Opportunity: Offers a chance to see the Northern Lights under favorable conditions.
  • Inclusive Package: Includes hotel pick-up/drop-off, professional guidance, and all activities.

Practical Information for Your Lappish Cultural Evening:

  • Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours (total program duration).
  • Location: Rovaniemi, Lapland. Tour takes place in Sonka, a private lakeside property located approximately 30km from Rovaniemi. Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off in Rovaniemi.
  • Availability: Operates year-round.
  • Departure Times: Multiple daily departures available: 11:30, 14:00 and 16:30.
    • Northern Lights Opportunity: For the 16:30 evening departure during the winter season, there is a possibility to witness the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) at the end of the program, if weather conditions and solar activity are favorable. Please note, Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed.
  • Included: Hotel pick-up and drop-off from listed hotels in Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, professional English-speaking guide, traditional Finnish wood-burned sauna experience, ice swimming (or snow roll), snacks, and hot drinks by the fireplace, towels and slippers.
  • What to Bring: Swimsuit (for sauna/swimming).

Experience the true warmth and magic of Lapland. Book your Lappish Wilderness Sauna, Swim & Dinner - Rovaniemi tour today!

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Included

✔️ Main dish for lunch or dinner is a delicious smoked salmon fillet

✔️ Professional English speaking guide

✔️ Hot drinks and cookies

✔️ *Northern Lights (October - mid March), if lucky and weather is right, evening departure ONLY

✔️ Dinner cooked on the open fire

✔️ Towels, slippers for the sauna

✔️ Arctic Lake swimming (ice-swimming in Winter time)

✔️ Firewood sauna experience 2 hours

✔️ Hotel pickup & drop off

What to bring

⚡ Swimming suit

⚡ Camera and drinking water

Not included

❌ Swimming suit

Please Note

  • All tours listed are for a minimum of 2 persons paying a full (adult) price, unless mentioned otherwise
  • For lunch or dinner, our main dish today is a delicious smoked salmon fillet. Let us know if you have any questions or dietary restrictions, and we'll be happy to accommodate you
  • Northern Lights season October - March
  • Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and we are unable to guarantee activity, vibrancy or colour on the evening of the safari
  • Not recommended for kids under 10 years old
  • Tours include a pickup & drop off from listed hotels. The time for meeting point and place will be confirmed upon the reservation by email and/or text message.
  • Missing the pick-up does not entitle you to a refund of the price paid for the services. You are responsible to be ready for pick up at the assigned pick up point from the start of the pick up time in order to not miss our guides when they arrive to pick you up
  • Nordic Adventures reserves the right to make alterations to the programs, price, duration or form of transportation without prior warning. This is also applied  to changes in programs due to weather conditions

Cancellation terms 

(See all terms here)
  • More than 3 days notice – 90% refund. 10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
  • Less than 3 days or no show notice – no refund.

Frequently asked questions 

(See all questions and answers here)
A:

Yes, a delicious Lappish-style salmon dinner or lunch is included. The main dish is usually smoked salmon, prepared over an open fire in the traditional Finnish way. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, just let us know when booking — we’ll gladly accommodate you.

A:

Please bring your swimsuit and a positive attitude! We provide towels and slippers, as well as safety instructions. We recommend wearing warm layered clothing for time spent outdoors. No special skills are required. However, if you have any health conditions (especially heart-related issues or if you're pregnant), please consult your doctor before participating in the ice swimming.

A:

No, ice swimming is completely optional - but definitely a bucket list Arctic adventure for the bold! Many guests prefer to simply relax in the warm sauna and watch others take the plunge. You’re welcome to enjoy the experience at your own pace and comfort level.

And if you're not ready to dip in the icy lake, rolling in fresh snow is another exhilarating and traditional Finnish way to cool off - just as thrilling and unforgettable!

It’s all about embracing Lapland your way - no pressure, just pure Arctic magic.

A:

The Northern Lights can only be seen on the 16:30 (evening) departure, and only from October to the end of March, when the nights are dark. The tour takes place in a secluded location away from light pollution, giving you a great chance to see them — but as a natural phenomenon, sightings are never guaranteed.

A:

Absolutely! This experience is designed for beginners — no prior experience with saunas or ice swimming is needed. Our guides will walk you through everything and make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and welcome.

A:

Please be on time! Our tours follow a strict schedule, and if you miss the hotel pick-up, you will not be able to join later. Arriving separately by taxi or private car is usually not possible, as it may disrupt the program and group safety. Plan ahead — we appreciate your understanding.

A:

This small-group tour is primarily designed for adults (minimum age: 14 years). In some cases, children aged 10+ may join if accompanied and supervised by parents. The tour is not recommended for pregnant individuals or those with heart conditions. Always consult your doctor if unsure. Otherwise, this experience is accessible to most guests and involves only light activity.

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Nearby Experiences

See what people are saying about us

Based on 1 customer reviews

Tripadvisor reviews

Magic evening in Finland

July 10, 2018

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Winter is my favorite season and it is associated with my childhood. I’ve been dreaming to visit Finland for a long time, because for me it is the country where Santa Claus lives and Christmas mystery never ends. Last year I decided to take a vacation in winter and fully enjoy the Christmas holidays. My husband and I decided to invite few friends, so that we could have small group experience without other participants. Local guide Alex from Nordic Adventures helped us to organize everything. Our children wanted to meet Santa Claus so badly, so we decided to start our trip from the capital of Lapland – Rovaniemi, where Santa’s official office is located. It was an amazing feeling to see Santa, sit next to him, make wishes, photos and video. Then we visited an exhibition of snowmobiles, which traditionally takes place every year in Santa Claus village. Also, we went to the Snowman World and it was a small wonderland. There simply are not enough words to describe everything. Santa’s helpers – elfs – are everywhere and they also helped us to send postcards to our friends and relatives from official Santa’s Post office. That tour lasted for 5 hours and it was just great! We decided to continue our day visiting traditional Finnish sauna. Our guide Alex took us for a short drive (about 22 km) to a magical forest, where there was a private lake with wooden-burned sauna and a cottage with the fireplace. Nature there was amazing! After warming up in sauna, we jumped into the icy lake and snow, which made this holiday truly unforgettable. Therefore, I recommend everyone to have a rest in Finland, especially in the winter. I highly recommend Nordic Adventures, if you wish to have a real lifetime experience in Finnish Lapland!

Unexpected experience

May 7, 2018

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It was my first time in Lapland, so I have had no any idea of what was I going to do there. Tons of offers from various tourism companies, plenty of possible trips and services to choose. However, my search ended up on the Private Lappish evening in the real wilderness (so atmospheric and exciting), offered by the Nordic Adventures travel company. The experience I have received was outstanding, sauna and traditional dinner were included, and I loved it. Never before I have been to the Finnish sauna, never before I have tried Lappish cousine, and I did not regret about choosing this opportunity at all! Whole service was smooth and pleasant, I give my five stars to this trip, but I wish I could leave 6-star feedback! I recommend it to everyone, who is willing to visit this magical place.
Thanks to Alex, I had a great time!

A great evening

April 25, 2018

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We were picked up at 5 and got to go in the Sauna at 5:45, ate at 7:15 and drove back to Rovaniemi at around 8.

The Sauna and the house were very lovely. We had the sauna all by ourselves and were left alone all the time.

The Dinner was great and we learned a lot about Finnish Traditions.

After Dinner we were shown the Kingdom of the Lord of the House, so the workshop.
It was really great to learn so much about the life here, how it was traditional and how it is now.

The few things that were not perfect:
-We felt a bit rushed. 2 hours of sauna and a bit more time for the dinner would’ve been nice.
- at Dinner we sat next to each other and just ahead of us, pointed directly at us, was a Surveilance Camera. This way we felt a little uncomfortable.

Awesome evening with sauna and Finnish dinner

April 2, 2018

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It was an amazing experience to have a Finnish style sauna by the frozen lakeside. My parents were super excited for jumping into the lake / the snow. This was really an unforgettable experience for us who live in a place without snow. The host Alex and his wife were very friendly and keen to share their local’s life with us. And unexpectedly at the end he gave us a little surprise (that I'm not gonna share here haha). Yep, I can tell this is one of the most awesome things in this trip in Finland and it's a MUST do for those who wants to know more about locals.

拉普兰私人庄园冰湖桑拿烤三文鱼晚餐之夜

March 30, 2018

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Alex自家的庄园,打理得很棒!热桑拿之后可以快速跑到室外裸体跳近冰湖,也可以选择跳进松软的雪地里。庄园很大周围都没有人,所以不用担心。我跟妈妈一起去的,两个人都这么干了!很疯狂的经历!
之后Alex和他的妻子Daniel为我们准备了美味的烤三文鱼晚餐,有说有笑with他们家的狗狗lumi很开心。他给我们介绍了庄园的情况,不同季节的景色的照片,会有哪些植物,湖里都有哪些鱼,周围都有哪些野生动物出没,还带我们参观了工具仓库,里面有三台铲雪车等等,很热情却很周到!最难忘的活动项目,强烈推荐去!

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