Reindeer, Northern Lights and Arctic coziness in Salla with kids
In collaboration with Salla ⋅ Rethinking North, co funded by the European Union.
You’re dreaming of a holiday in Lapland with children, surrounded by white winter landscapes, moments of light as spring approaches, reindeer and northern lights. Then we have good news and even better news. The good news: all of this really exists. The even better news: there is a place where you can experience exactly this special mix, Salla in the eastern part of Lapland.
Located just beyond the Arctic Circle, around 700 kilometres north of Helsinki, this small place with barely 3,200 inhabitants calls itself “in the middle of nowhere” and anyone who has been there understands why. More than 10,000 reindeer roam through the quiet forests, while the landscape in late winter is already beginning to change gently. Nestled between two national parks, you will find the full spectrum of Lapland here: skiing, reindeer safaris, snowmobile tours and cross country skiing can all be experienced in their most beautiful form in this unique setting.
Our favourite places in Salla with kids
Lapland with children: why Salla?
Where to go? This is the question many parents ask themselves when they are planning their first trip to Lapland with kids. Rovaniemi is well known, heavily marketed and touristically polished, and during peak season accordingly crowded. Salla, only about 1.5 hours away, is the opposite: authentic, rich in nature and intentionally small scale. The “Sustainable Travel Finland” label here is not just a marketing phrase but a guiding principle. Tourism is kept deliberately at a manageable level, local providers and nature take centre stage, and visitors are treated as part of the place, not as a mass.
What this means in practical terms for families: no crowds, no hectic shuttle buses, no waiting times at ski lifts. Instead, you experience Lapland in a relaxed way. Everything is close together, with the national park, ski resort, accommodation and reindeer farm all reachable within minutes. Anyone travelling with children knows how much energy short distances save. In Salla, you notice that every day.
The best experiences for families in Salla
Reindeer safari in Salla Wilderness Park
The reindeer safari in Salla Wilderness Park shows reindeer herding as it has been practised for centuries in the traditional culture of Lapland.
In a traditional wooden sled, you glide through the winter forest while the reindeer move calmly along their path. Children are allowed to feed the animals moss from their hands, a moment that stays with you, quieter and more real than any amusement park. Knowledgeable guides explain the lifestyle of the animals and traditional culture. At the end of the safari the kids receive a reindeer driving licence as a certificate.
Snowmobile safari with Arctic Circle Safaris
The snowmobile tour through the Arctic wilderness makes the vastness surrounding Salla truly tangible. With Arctic Circle Safaris, the route leads through snowy birch and pine forests up to the Ruuhitunturi fell, from where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Russia. Along the way, there is a shelter in the forest, as well as a campfire, warm drinks and reindeer sandwiches. Thermal suits, gloves and all safety equipment are fully provided, the idea is simply to arrive and set off.
Hiking in Salla National Park
The Salla National Park has been Finland’s 41st national park since 2022 and is easily accessible right next to the ski resort. No tickets, no entrance fees, no planning required. Well marked trails lead through centuries old forests to gentle fells and frozen lakes, and along the routes you will find open laavu shelters with fireplaces and free firewood. For children from around seven years old, the snowy trails are easy enough to manage, and lighting a campfire inside one of these shelters is often one of the most memorable moments of the holiday. Here, children learn that nature does not need entertainment to be fascinating.
Skiing and winter activities at Salla Ski & Active
The Salla Ski Resort is not a large alpine resort, and that is not a drawback but a promise. The family friendly slopes are easy to navigate, the beginner areas are located right at the bottom and ideal for small children, and lift queues are practically non existent. Equipment rental is available on site, and everything is straightforward and well organised. In addition to classic skiing, the resort offers snow tubing, fat biking and sledding, so families with children of different ages will find something for everyone. The ski area is located right next to the accommodation, meaning ski boots on at the door and the slope just two minutes away.
Northern Lights: between hope and real opportunity
The Northern Lights are the promise of every trip to Lapland, and at the same time the only thing that cannot be guaranteed. In Salla you are located right within the aurora zone, and if you stay for several nights, you have realistic chances of seeing them. The best viewing spots are the Kaunisharju Observation Point with its open view of the sky and the frozen Keselmäjärvi lake. The app “My Aurora Forecast & Alerts” helps you catch the most active nights, and clear skies are more important than strong solar activity. March and April offer statistically the best conditions: the skies are clearer than in mid winter and the temperatures are more comfortable. If the lights do not appear, and that can happen, Salla still offers enough magic to make up for it.
During our time in Lapland we unfortunately did not see the Northern Lights, but those evenings outside still had their own very special kind of magic. Sitting together by a campfire at a viewpoint, wrapped in thick jackets while the sky slowly darkens. You light the fire, warm your hands, maybe share a hot cocoa or a small snack, and simply stay there. Without a plan, without distractions.
It becomes a quiet, almost slowed down form of family time that naturally unfolds outdoors. Something you rarely experience in everyday life. And while you wait and look up, you eventually realise it is not only about the Northern Lights, but about those precious in between moments.
Where to stay: Holiday Club Salla
For families, the Holiday Club Salla is the most straightforward and comfortable choice. The holiday cottages and apartments are located right next to the ski resort and come with a private sauna, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen and a practical drying cabinet for wet winter clothes. The latter may sound minor, but anyone who has dealt with three days of damp jackets and wet gloves knows how important it really is. The spa area with a children’s pool, waterfall and jacuzzi is open daily from 2 pm to 8 pm and is the perfect way to wind down after a long day outdoors. Price guidance: studios (approx. 27 m²) are around 85 to 100 euros per night, and family apartments with two bedrooms around 150 to 190 euros per night, offering fair value for the comfort and location.
Food in Salla: from reindeer burger to salmon soup
The culinary options in Salla are limited, and that is exactly why the available places are worth choosing carefully. At the Kaira Café, the traditional salmon soup is highly recommended: creamy, flavoured with dill, and filled with soft potatoes. It is a true comfort dish that warms you from the inside in Arctic cold like few others. If you are into reindeer, you should try the reindeer burger, while vegetarians will also find good options such as mushroom dishes. The Keloravintola, located right by the slopes, is the cosy alternative after a day of skiing, simple and typically Nordic. For everyday supplies, there are two supermarkets in the village centre, about ten kilometres away, which is why it makes sense to do a larger shop on arrival so you do not need to drive in daily later on.
Best time to travel: March is the secret
January is dark, with barely two and a half hours of daylight and temperatures that can drop to minus 30 degrees. In March, the picture changes dramatically: nine hours of daylight, snow that sparkles in the sun, and milder temperatures that are also comfortable for younger children. And the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are particularly good in spring because the skies are clearer than in mid winter. The Easter holidays often fall into this period and are ideal, while the Finnish winter holidays should be avoided, as local families also travel to Lapland during that time and demand increases accordingly.
How to dress properly: the cold is not a problem
The most common question before a trip to Lapland is: isn’t it far too cold with children? The answer is no, as long as you consistently follow the layering principle. A merino base layer directly on the skin, fleece on top, and a ski jacket as the outer layer, with an additional down jacket for longer periods outside. What really matters are warm, waterproof winter boots and double gloves. For snowmobile safaris and other guided activities, thermal suits are provided on site, so there is nothing to worry about. We have put together a detailed packing list for Lapland with children separately.
Getting there: how to reach Salla
Salla does not have its own airport. The nearest is Kuusamo Airport, about 1.5 hours away by car, with multiple daily flights from Helsinki operated by Finnair (flight time approx. one hour). Alternatively, Rovaniemi is also an option, from where it is about a two hour drive. From Munich, you can fly to Helsinki (approx. 2.5 hours) and then connect to Kuusamo or Rovaniemi, making the total travel time including transfers around six to seven hours.
For families, a rental car is the most practical solution: maximum flexibility, no waiting for shuttles, and easy access to groceries and spontaneous trips. Rental cars with winter tyres and full Arctic equipment are available from around 80 euros per day and are standard for Finnish road conditions. The roads are well cleared and safe to drive on.
Salla is made for families who are looking for real experiences instead of staged attractions, who prefer nature over theme park logic. It is a promise that Salla fully delivers on. A holiday here slows things down, brings people closer together, and leaves behind exactly the kind of memories children will not forget: feeding reindeer by hand, campfires in the snow, and a real chance to see the northern lights.
