Finnish Lapland has been trending hard in recent years and sits at the top of many families' winter travel wish list. But while Lapland hotspots such as Rovaniemi are dream Christmas trips, taking your brood comes with a hefty price tag.
The good news is that there are plenty of other European destinations where families can find snow, meet Santa, and chase the Northern Lights. And they're much more affordable than Lapland.
Why Consider an Alternative to Lapland?
Lapland is a bucket-list dream, but it's not the only place you can experience the kind of Christmas wonderland you see in the movies. Choosing an alternative to Lapland could mean shorter waiting times, increased availability, lower costs, and more hands-on experiences for children.
From Finland's quieter towns to underrated Polish gems, here are 10 Lapland alternatives that prove you don't need to overspend to give your loved ones a winter break to remember.
Note: Example costs are approximate and subject to change; for exact rates, it's best to research online in advance.
Money-saving tip: Share affordable data with your family by buying an eSIM in advance. Say goodbye to roaming bills and get online as soon as you land; browse your options here.
1. Kuusamo, Finland
Kuusamo delivers on deep snow, winter landscapes and Christmas family activities.
Why Go to Kuusamo in Winter?
Although it's still Finland, Kuusamo and other towns on the edge of Lapland are much kinder on the wallet than Rovaniemi.
Kuusamo is known for its deep, reliable snow and long winter days. Stay in a cosy log cabin, try traditional Finnish saunas, and enjoy peaceful forests that look completely untouched.
Children can visit Santa's cottage to meet the man himself, relax with some traditional storytelling, and join baking and postcard-making workshops.
How to Get to Kuusamo: Fly to Kuusamo Airport direct from London, Birmingham or Manchester, then take a 15-minute bus ride into town for around €3 - €4 per person.
Kuusamo Example Costs
- Direct flight, seven-night return from Manchester in December: £223.
- Santa's cottage visit: €100 (£88) per person.
- 1.5km reindeer sleigh ride at Kujala Reindeer Farm: €62 (£54) per adult, €41 (£36) per child.
Exercise caution: Before booking activities involving animals, it's vital to check that tour operators are responsible and ethical: see our practical advice on this below. Ethical operators are usually transparent about how the animals are cared for, and emphasise that they avoid long working hours or overcrowded tours. If the provider lists welfare standards on their website and encourages guests to take things at a calm pace, it's usually a good sign. If in doubt, don't hesitate to contact them to enquire about their standards and practices before booking.
2. Ruka, Finland
Ruka is ideal for family winter sports and learning to ski. / Adobe Free Stock / Fox.
LinkWhy Go to Ruka in Winter?
If your family is eager to try winter sports, Ruka is the place to go. The town is home to one of Finland's most popular ski resorts, with 39 slopes, 22 lifts and a season spanning October to May.
Almost half of the slopes are beginner-grade, offering perfect conditions for children and first-time skiers. Beyond skiing, you can try tubing, snowmobiling, and taking long, snowy walks with loved ones.
Families love Ruka's relaxed atmosphere and the fact that everything is within easy reach. The town is noted for its cosy village feel and has plenty of restaurants and places to warm up over mugs of hot chocolate.
How to Get to Ruka: Fly into Kuusamo Airport. The line nine bus will take you to Ruka in about 25 minutes. A ticket costs around €6 - €8 (£5.50 - £7) per person.
Ruka Example Costs
- Apartment for a family of four for four nights in mid-December: £747.
- Three-day ski lift pass in December: €157 (£138) per adult, €99 (£87) per child.
3. Oulu, Finland
Families can meet, feed, walk, and photograph reindeer on trips to Oulu.
Why Go to Oulu in Winter?
Oulu is a reliable choice for families seeking a snowy break with a lower price tag than Rovaniemi. This friendly northern city, crowned the European Capital of Culture for 2026, offers easy access to reindeer farms, winter parks and forest trails.
Children can enjoy real snow play without the crowds that gather in the main Lapland areas. Oulu is also home to Tiedekeskus Tietomaa, Finland's first science centre. Here, curious kids can get hands-on with interactive exhibits, a giant screen theatre, and family-friendly activities.
Visit in February to catch the family-friendly international snow sculpting event, Nallikari Snow Fest. Watch as international masters battle it out to create some of the best snow art in the world.
How to Get to Oulu: Fly directly into Oulu Airport and take the line eight bus, which gets you into town in roughly 30 minutes for between €4 and €5 (£3.50 and £4.40) per person.
Oulu Example Costs
- Flight with one stop, four-night return from London to Oulu: £443 per person.
- Northern lights tour: £80 per adult, £44 per child.
4. Tromsø, Norway
If spotting the Northern Lights is high on your family's list, Tromsø is a top spot for it.
Why Go to Tromsø in Winter?
Tromsø is often called the gateway to the Arctic. And if you're looking to see the Northern Lights in Europe, it's one of the best places to tick it off your list.
When it comes to family-friendly winter activities, Tromsø has it all. You can book anything from reindeer experiences to whale-watching and visiting the incredible Tromsø Ice Domes Snow Park.
Although the city is compact and easy for families to navigate, it's also on the doorstep of adventure and the great outdoors.
How to Get to Tromsø: Fly into Tromsø Airport directly from Bristol, Manchester or London, and a bus or a taxi will take you into the city in about fifteen to twenty minutes.
Tromsø Example Costs
- Direct flight, five-night return from Manchester in early December: £98 per person.
- Northern Lights bus tour with a guide: 1,400 NOK (approximately £104) per person.
5. Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is near to the ICEHOTEL, a truly unique spectacle where families can take ice sculpting workshops.
Why Go to Kiruna in Winter?
Kiruna sits deep inside Swedish Lapland and is known for being quieter, less commercial and often more affordable than Finnish resorts.
It's also the gateway to ICEHOTEL, a hotel carved out of huge blocks of ice and rebuilt every year. Here, families can see the impressive carved structures, take part in workshops, and even stay overnight.
Kiruna also delivers on Christmas experiences, including reindeer sleigh rides, exploring snowy forests and snowmobiling. The atmosphere is peaceful and authentic with a strong connection to Sami culture.
If you want an authentic Arctic experience without Rovaniemi prices, Kiruna is an excellent choice.
How to Get to Kiruna: Fly into Kiruna Airport, where a bus will take you into town in 20 minutes.
Kiruna Example Costs
- Flight with one stop, four-night return from London in early December: £377 per person.
- Snowshoe hike and ice fishing tour with lunch: 2,650 SEK (£211) for one adult and one child.
- Ice sculpting class at ICEHOTEL: 1,195 SEK (£95) per adult, 595 SEK (£47) per child.
6. Åre, Sweden
Åre is ideal for children learning to ski, with its beginner areas, easy slopes, and ski schools. / Unsplash / Atte Grönlund.
Why Go to Åre in Winter?
Åre is Sweden's best-known ski resort with plenty of family-friendly slopes. Children can learn to ski with English-speaking instructors, and there are tonnes of off-slope activities, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, meeting Santa and cosy firepit evenings.
It gives that Alpine resort feel with Scandinavian calm and offers excellent value compared to more famous ski areas.
Top tip: Take the cable car up Åreskutan mountain. At the top is Sweden's highest cafe, which serves waffles and hot drinks. Its famous waffles are best enjoyed alongside the views from the summit.
How to Get to Åre: Fly into either Ostersund Airport or Trondheim Airport. Both hubs offer easy train or bus links directly to Åre.
Åre Example Costs
- Flight with one stop, four-night return to Trondheim from Manchester in early December: £299 per person.
- Apartment for a family of four for four nights: £499.
- Cable car ride to the top of Åreskutan: 225 SEK (£18) per person.
7. Reykjavik Region, Iceland
Reykjavik is an unforgettable winter getaway, offering snowy horseback riding, geothermal spas, and midnight Northern Lights trips.
Why Go to Reykjavik in Winter?
Iceland is the original winter bucket list dream. And with direct flights from airports such as Manchester, Glasgow, Luton and Gatwick, it's perfectly doable without losing your life savings.
Reykjavik and the surrounding area couldn't be more fairytale-like in wintertime. Some of the uniquely Icelandic experiences you can dive into include horse-riding across lava fields, taking a jeep at midnight to see the Northern Lights, and touring the Golden Circle's waterfalls and geysers.
An unmissable winter treat is the famous Blue Lagoon. As well as its bright blue geothermal waters and spas, it offers accommodation, traditional Icelandic food, and is even open on Christmas Day.
Most Icelanders speak fluent English, and the flight time from the UK is a manageable two to three hours. As an easy, low-stress Lapland alternative, it could fit the bill perfectly.
How to Get to Reykjavik: Fly into Reykjavik Keflavik Airport directly from major UK airports, and take a bus to the city centre in around 45 minutes.
Reykjavik Example Costs
- Direct flight, four nights return from Manchester in early December: £137 per person.
- Five-seat manual SUV rental from Reykjavik Airport for three days: £127.
- Day in the Blue Lagoon for two adults and two children: £162.
8. Zakopane, Poland
Zakopane's log cabins, snow-dusted peaks and Christmas activities could be a perfect match for families seeking Lapland alternatives / Adobe Free Stock / marcin jucha.
Why Go to Zakopane in Winter?
Poland could be the affordable yet underrated star you're looking for this winter. And one of its most picture-perfect towns, Zakopane, delivers the traditional Christmas experience many families crave.
Sitting at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane's wooden architecture and snowy landscapes couldn't be more Christmassy. Food and accommodation are significantly cheaper here than in Nordic countries, making Zakopane ideal and affordable for larger families.
Children's ski and snowboarding lessons, and the winter amusement park Snowlandia are just a few of the things that give Rovaniemi a run for its money.
How to Get to Zakopane: Fly direct into Krakow Airport from major UK cities, then take a bus or private transfer to Zakopane in around two hours.
Zakopane Example Costs
- Two-bedroom apartment, four nights, family of four: £350.
- Three-day ski pass in mid-December: 410 złoty (£85) per person.
- Sleigh ride, meeting with Santa, snacks around a bonfire and traditional music: 160 złoty (£33).
9. Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands
The Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands has no end of idyllic winter walks, activities and landscapes.
Why Go to Cairngorms National Park in Winter?
Where better to spend a family winter holiday than the UK's snowiest place? Cairngorms National Park is an impressive area of natural beauty offering dramatic scenery, peaceful forests, and a strong chance of snow in winter.
Take the kids on a snowy ride on the Cairngorm Funicular, the only mountain railway in Scotland, and the highest in the UK.
The Tomintoul and Glenlivet area of the Cairngorms is a stargazing hotspot. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, it's known for its excellent opportunities to view constellations and potential for catching the Northern Lights.
How to Get to the Cairngorms National Park: Fly to Inverness Airport, then travel to the Cairngorms by car or bus. You can also reach the park from train stations such as Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore.
Cairngorms National Park Example Costs
- Direct flight from London to Inverness, four-night return in early December: £58 per person.
- Mountain Railway day pass, booked in advance: Adult £17.00, child £9.50.
- Cairngorm Mountain Resort one-day lift pass, booked in advance: Adult £35, child £21.
10. Salzburg, Austria
Families can ride toboggans, learn to ski and enjoy the Alpine Christmas vibes Salzburg has to offer.
Why Go to Salzburg in Winter?
If your idea of Christmas is snow-covered log cabins, icy lakes and mountain tops, look no further than Salzburg. This part of Austria is famous for its Christmas markets, cute villages, and relaxed family ski areas.
Children can ride the world's longest floodlit toboggan run, join beginner ski schools or try horse sleigh rides through the valleys.
The region feels festive and traditional, and can deliver good value, especially when booked in advance or slightly off-season.
How to Get to Salzburg: Fly direct to Salzburg Airport from major UK cities, and from there you can access resorts and villages across the region by train, bus, car or taxi.
Salzburg Example Costs
- Direct flight, four-night return from London in early December: £87.
- Wildkogel Arena toboggan run all-day pass: adults: €56.00 (£49), children €28.00 (£24).
- Two-bedroom apartment, four nights, family of four: £850.
Before You Book: Sourcing Ethical and Sustainable Experiences
Doing your part to source only ethical tour operators, such as those offering reindeer experiences, is all part of being a responsible traveller.
Sweden
Nature's Best is Europe's first eco-tourism label, and provides certification for nature-based experiences in Sweden. It's backed by the Swedish Nature and Ecotourism Association and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Its goal is to promote sustainable, ethical tourism by highlighting businesses that care for nature and local values. Booking reindeer experiences that have been approved by Nature's Best, along with researching and asking questions you may have around ethical practices, is a responsible step to take as a tourist.
Examples of Nature's Best-certified reindeer experiences
- Nutti Sámi Siida, near Kiruna
- Camp Ripan, near Kiruna
Finland
The Sustainable Travel Finland™ (STF) label is awarded to companies that have taken measures such as securing third-party audited certification and communicating their sustainability efforts to the public.
Examples of STF-certified reindeer experiences
- Kujala Reindeer Farm in the Ruka-Kuusamo area
- Jauri Lakeside Resort, Kuusamo
Recap: The Best Alternatives to Lapland
- Best for seeing the Northern Lights: Tromsø, Norway.
- Best for skiing and winter sports: Ruka, Finland.
- Best for budgeting: Zakopane, Poland.
- Best for spas and unique natural landscapes: Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Best for mountain views and Alpine log cabins: Salzburg, Austria
- Best for ice hotels and ice sculpting: Kiruna, Sweden.
Travel Tips: How to Keep Costs Down on a Family Winter Break
- Accommodation will be your biggest single expense, so choose self-catering options, such as apartments.
- Lift passes and ski rentals can really add up, so search for deals and book passes in advance.
- Avoid eye-watering roaming fees by buying an eSIM ahead of your trip. With an Airalo eSIM, the kids can tether their devices to yours, and you can keep track of data usage through the app.
- Meals out and alcohol can spike your budget, especially in Scandinavia. Plan some cosy evenings and meals in your apartment.
- Look out for tourist tax, which some cities impose. Even a few pounds a night adds up for a family of four over a week.
- Off-peak or shoulder season stays offer much better value. For example, moving your stay from December to January could save you hundreds of pounds.
Keep your Family Connected With Affordable Data
Staying online is vital on a family winter holiday, when you'll need bookings, maps and AI apps close to hand. This is where eSIMs from Airalo can make all the difference.
With an eSIM, you no longer need to hunt for local SIM cards, worry about surprise roaming bills or wait for free Wi-Fi to load.
Sort your data before you go: Visit the Airalo store and choose how much data you need for your destination. Then, download and install your eSIM before heading off on your winter family adventure.
FAQs: 10 Lapland Alternatives for the Family this Winter
1.) Where is like Lapland, but cheaper?
Kuusamo, Zakopane, and Salzburg are some of the best, cheaper alternatives to Lapland. Each offers snowy landscapes, Christmas magic and family-friendly winter activities.
2.) Can I still meet Santa outside of Rovaniemi?
Yes, Ruka, Zakopane, Åre, and the Cairngorms all offer Santa experiences in winter. Many European destinations offer magical Santa encounters. Your children won't miss out on meeting Father Christmas if you skip Rovaniemi.
3.) Are these destinations suitable for young children?
Absolutely, they offer gentle ski slopes, child-safe activities, and cosy family lodges. Most have indoor play areas for bad weather days. Activities like sledging, reindeer viewing, and snow play suit all ages perfectly.
4.) Can I see the Northern Lights from these places?
Yes. Levi, Ylläs, Kuusamo, and Tromsø all offer strong chances of seeing the Aurora in clear winter skies. Dark skies and northern locations create excellent viewing conditions. February and March often provide the best opportunities.
5.) Do travel eSIMs allow hotspot tethering?
Airalo eSIMs allow you to tether an unlimited number of devices to yours, so you can share your data with the kids without paying for extra plans. It is a simple way to keep everyone online on holiday while staying in control of your costs, especially on big winter trips where budgets matter.
