21 Epic Villas in Tuscany with Private Pools [Curated Picks for 2024]

tuscany villa in italy with swimming pool and luxury accommodations

With rolling hills and vineyards as your everyday backdrop, renting a Tuscany villa with a private pool is one of the best ways to experience the bucolic landscapes of Italy’s most beautiful countryside.

And with fully-equipped kitchens, al fresco dining areas, and beautiful gardens, a home’s comforts meets nature’s beauty in these villas.

Of course, the crown jewel of many of these Tuscan villas are their private pools, a little secluded sanctuary to float clear blue skies or lounge at the water’s edge with a glass of Chianti in hand.

Renting a villa in Tuscany with a private pool is not just about luxury, though it can be if you want it to be — there are plenty of luxe jewels in this list, but also some budget sleeper hits that will surprise you with how affordable they are.

a pool villa in tuscany with loungers and countryside

It’s also about embracing the experience of traveling with a group of loved ones, whether that’s the family you’re born into or the family you’ve chosen.

In between relaxing at your Tuscan pool villa, you can explore medieval towns, taste your way through the humbly decadent Tuscan cuisine, or merely indulge in the sweet art of doing nothing at all!

My Top 3 Picks For Tuscany Villas with Private Pools

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Villa Il Turchetto

✔️ 5,000 sq. ft. pool villa (8 bedroom 7 bathroom)
✔️ Located near Saturnia thermal springs

#2 PICK

Locanda in Tuscany

✔️ Fits up to 24 guests with 9 bedrooms & 10 bathrooms
✔️ Located in stunning Val d’Orcia with pool overlooking countryside

#3 PICK

Casa Terzerie 

✔️ Decor inspired by a Lake Como villa with Tuscan elements
✔️ 10 guest capacity with 5 bedrooms & 3,500 sq. ft.

Getting Around Tuscany

a car driving on a famous road in tuscany in autumn

These pool villas in Tuscany are pretty much impossible to reach with public transportation, and they are often in the countryside, not within walking distance of any amenities.

If you don’t want to feel isolated, you’ll definitely want to rent a car in Tuscany to make the most of your stay.

I recommend renting a car as soon as you fly into Florence (assuming you are starting your trip there), since you’ll get the best rates at the Florence airport.

I use Discover Cars to search for the best car rental prices in Italy, since they compare 500+ agencies (including smaller local ones, not just the big names) to find the best deal on your rental.

Best Villas in Tuscany with Private Pools for Large Groups

Overall Best For Big Groups: Villa Il Turchetto – Book Here

This massive Tuscany villa with private pool is the perfect choice for large groups — it can fit as many as 16 guests in its 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms (no bathroom hold-ups here!).

Even with a full house, you won’t be cramped at all. Villa Il Turchetto is a whopping 5,000 square feet, larger than life on the inside with high ceilings and exposed wood beams. 

The bedrooms are a variety of sizes, from smaller rooms perfect for kiddos to larger master-style suites, but truly no one will feel shafted by the rooms — they’re all very comfortable.

Some of the bathrooms even have bathtubs, for those of us who love a good soak at the end of a day on vacation.

… and speaking of good soaks, the location in Saturnia means that you’re right next to one of Tuscany’s hidden gems, the thermal springs right in town. 

When you’re this close, it’s a breeze to be there bright and early to be some of the first ones to enjoy the springs, which can get rather busy after the morning hours.

Back to this villa: with a living room with a fireplace, comfy armchairs, and a wall of built-in bookcases just begging you to curl up with a good novel, you absolutely will find yourself wishing you can move in.

The outdoor spaces here are massive too: plenty of comfortable cushioned chairs shaded by a thatched-style awning, giving you shade with hints of sun as you enjoy a Tuscan afternoon on the porch.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Tuscany without many a dinner al fresco.

Luckily, with a massive, well-equipped kitchen (I think I counted a whopping 8 burners to use on the massive, hood-range stove) and  enough outdoor seating to fit the whole crew, you’re ready to host unforgettable dinners in the cool Tuscan night breeze.

As for the pool, you won’t make any sacrifices here: it’s huge, so every single one of 16 guests could be in the pool without feeling crowded. 

It’s large enough to swim laps in, but it’s also just a wonderful place to relax in, admiring the Tuscan countryside all around you and the lovely rolling hills you can see out of every corner of your eye.

Best For Spa Lovers: Podere La Piscina – Acqua Termale e RelaxBook Here

This gorgeous villa is more like a typical Tuscan pool villa meets a full-on spa — complete with a sauna and a thermal pool and hot tub with natural spring water, it really does check all the ‘spa’ boxes!

Yes, Podere La Piscina literally has its own hot spring on the property — how’s that for a unique pool villa in Tuscany?

The spring has a constant temperature of 38°C or 100°F, so it’s perfect for visiting outside of the summer season if you want a heated pool. 

If you’re looking for a colder pool for swimming laps and cooling off on hot Tuscan days, this may not be the right villa for you in the summer months!

Some of the bathrooms also feel very spa-like, including one where two people can take baths side by side using the thermal water!

Located in the countryside of Val d’Orcia in the charming village of San Casciano dei Bagni, this is one of the most scenic areas of Tuscany to stay in.

Think of that beautiful winding road lined with trees that you likely think of the image of Tuscany, and that’s the Val d’Orcia!

The town it’s near, San Casciano dei Bagni, is part of the association of most beautiful villages in Italy.

Best of all, it’s only a kilometer away, so you can reach it on foot or with a car — so this is a great mix of a private-feeling villa yet still not feeling cut off from the delight of Tuscan small towns. 

This five-bedroom Tuscany villa with a private pool is very traditional, made of stone in the old-fashioned way (as a natural form of air conditioning) — but of course, it has regular A/C as well, because this villa will not let you miss any of your creature comforts.

Sleeping up to 10 guests, the bedrooms are great for a mix of families or a group of friends — 4 of the rooms have large double beds, but there’s one bedroom with two twin size beds.

There are many common spaces to enjoy with your group, like the large living room with three huge plush couches to gather around, all surrounding a fireplace.

This room is set in a high-ceilinged room complete with an exposed wooden ceiling with its original beams and a skylight — and a piano, in case any of you are musical!

All that plus a huge, well-equipped kitchen for making delicious meals with local ingredients and plenty of room to gather around the table, and you’ll see why this is the perfect Tuscany villa with private pool — nay, private hot springs — for larger groups!

Largest Pool Villa: Locanda in Tuscany – Book Here

This may be the largest Tuscany villa with a private pool on the list: the large house can sleep up to 24 guests in its 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and a whopping 7,500 square foot floor plan!

Included in your stay is a daily breakfast at the nearby restaurant, which you can also visit for lunch or dinner if you don’t feel up to cooking for yourself.

That said, they do have a fully-equipped massive kitchen as well as outdoor BBQ facilities, so you can opt for self-catering or going out to as many meals as you like.

The outsized villa, of course, has an outsized private pool to match: stretching nearly as long as the house itself, it’s the perfect place to swim laps or take a dip during the hot afternoons in Tuscany.

There are also lots of loungers, as well as a shaded area for enjoying the afternoons outside without worrying about getting to much sun.

The pool area also has an epic sunset view, and the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia of Tuscany is one of the entire region’s most scenic areas.

Let’s talk about the inside, now: the villa is freshly renovated, with an updated farmhouse-inspired aesthetic in all its bedrooms. 

Some of the bedrooms even have their own fireplace or clawfoot bathtub in the room!

Best for Instagram Lovers: Marsy Lavender Farm & Villa – Book Here

What’s better than Instagram snaps of you in a lavender field? Knowing you’ll be the only one there, since it’s your own private lavender farm and Tuscan countryside villa!

Nearly every square inch of this Tuscany villa with a pool is absolutely begging to be photographed, from its huge pool with floating chairs and rolling hill views to its fringed hammocks to its lovely minimalist décor to, of course, its lavender field!

Note, of course, lavender fields are not a year-round phenomenon — expect it to be at its peak from mid-June through mid-July — so you’ll want to book those dates in particular if the lavender field is a major selling point.

Located in the countryside of Marsiliana, this 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom villa is over 2,000 square feet and has plenty of room to accommodate up to 11 guests.

Rooms all have a very boutique hotel feel, with lovely high ceilings, a muted earth tone color palette livened up by thoughtful bursts of color, and bathrooms with rain showers!

The kitchen is massive and open, perfect for entertaining a large group while you cook, as well as outdoor BBQ facilities. 

Plus, this villa has its own pizza oven — how amazing is that?

And of course, since you’re looking for a Tuscany villa with a pool, I’d be remiss to mention just how large this pool is: perfect for laps or simple afternoon swims, the entire group could be in the pool at one time and it wouldn’t feel cramped!

There are also plenty of comfortable chairs and hammocks around the poolside to curl up with a book in between swims.

Typical Villa Charm: Casa Terzerie – Book Here

This very typical Tuscany villa with private pool is simple but beautiful, and that’s just what makes it so welcoming.

The lovely Casa Terzerie has all the structure of the typical regal villas of Como, with more old-fashioned features like four-poster beds, high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, and typical Tuscan tiling.

It’s great for a medium-sized group, sleeping up to 10 guests in its 5 bedrooms, each with double beds.

It’s nearly 3,500 square feet, so there’s plenty of space to not crowd each other.

The swimming pool is huge and gorgeous, lined up perfectly with the setting sun for gorgeous sunset swims.

And while the house feels very secluded, it’s perfectly situated as there’s a delicious restaurant within walking distance, 400 meters away.

That said, you’d never have to go out for meals if you don’t want to, as there’s a huge and well-equipped kitchen as well as a gorgeous al fresco dining area perfect for big meals with friends.

Best for Dinner Parties: Villa Podere Del Grasso – Book Here

Located in Castel del Piano, this Tuscany villa with a pool is a secluded little getaway perfect for groups up to 12 — perfect for families or trips with a large group of friends.

This villa in Tuscany in absolutely massive: we’re talking six bedrooms, plus two sofa beds in the living room, so it’s easy to accommodate a large group of people. 

With an enormous private pool to swim laps in or cool off in under the hot Tuscan sun, or a fireplace to gather around inside during the cooler months, this is a wonderful all-seasons villa in Tuscany for large groups.

The villa interior is gorgeous, with high ceilings complete with exposed wooden beams, completing the rustic Tuscan vibe.

A spacious kitchen with a center island to gather around is another huge perk of this villa, as it’s easy to self-cater if you want to host dinners cooking with local, seasonal ingredients — it’d be a shame to waste Italian summer produce!

A housekeeper is available in case you need any tidying while you’re staying in the villa (note that there’s an additional  charge)

With a porch featuring hammock seats overlooking the hills, this Tuscany pool villa is the perfect place to take in the sunset and relax with a glass of local Chianti.

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Best Outdoor Sunset Space: Villa Colletto – Book Here

If your favorite time of the day is sunset, this is the perfect Tuscany villa with a pool for you: Villa Colletto has one of the nicest sunset-facing terraces I’ve ever seen!

Complete with several comfortable wicker sofas and chairs with plush pillows, arranged in a circle around a table to place drinks and antipasti on, this is the perfect place to watch the sun sink into the small, rugged mountains of the Tuscan countryside.

And after the sun sets, there’s still plenty of outdoor beauty to enjoy, like the massive dining table that’ll fit the entire group with views over the surroundings villages, only tiny pinpricks of light in the dark.

The house has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and comfortably sleeps 8 guests, though honestly, I do expect it could fit more if you asked.

The interior is absolutely gorgeous too, keeping in mind the historical feel of traditional Italian villas with some incredible design features, from ornate ceilings to chandeliers to exposed beams.

One of my favorites is a bathroom with murals painted on the wall of a Tuscan landscape, complete with an exposed wooden beam ceiling, a wrought-iron standalone bathtub, and sconce lighting.

It’s like taking a bath in another century!

The bedrooms too feel like they came out of a 19th century Lake Como villa, with exposed beam ceilings, delicate molding features, vintage furnishings, and many with en-suite bathrooms that continue the charm.

And of course, you looked up Tuscany pool villas so let’s talk about the pool: it’s simply huge, large enough to swim laps in or have a pool party in!

There’s also lots of loungers around the pool to take breaks for sunbathing or book-worming. 

And the pool also is a great sunset spot to boot — you get epic views of the setting sun and its palette of brilliant sunset colors here, too.

There are both indoor and outdoor kitchens, and you can even hire a private chef who can cook Italian classics for you.

Perhaps even better for lovers of Tuscan wine, they have their own wine cellar and can arrange for private wine tastings!

The prices for the chef and wine tasting are rather reasonable too, starting at 35-45€ per person for meals and 25-35€ per person for wine tasting.

Who knew private luxury in your own Tuscan pool villa could be that inexpensive?

Olive Farm Beauty: Chiarentana – Book Here

This charming Tuscany pool villa in Chianciano Terme is the perfect spot for large groups of up to 14 people, with 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms so everyone has plenty of space (2,500 square feet).

Once a fortress and a few scattered farmhouses, Chiarentana is now a gorgeous, modern place to stay with a variety of options, but we’ll focus on the villa here, since it has its own private pool.

Oh, and did I mention it’s also an olive oil farm? It doesn’t get any more Tuscan than that, does it?

The rooms are typical Italian understated villa beauty: simple but elegant furnishings that mix and match vintage with modern, so all your creature comforts are met while still having that traditional villa feel.

The kitchen is huge and spacious, high-ceilinged with lots of natural light and counter space, plus an in-kitchen dining table for entertaining and having family or group meals.

There’s also a huge living room with a fireplace and lots of seating, perfect for a night of chats, games, and drinks to match.

Best Infinity Pool: Villa Lolù – Book Now

Located in the small town of Terranuova Bracciolini, this exquisite villa in Tuscany with a private pool is perfect for a larger group of up to 9 guests.

With four bedrooms (3 queen, one with two twin) and a living room with a sofa bed, as well as two bathrooms, there’s plenty of space at this Tuscan villa so you won’t feel crowded, even if you’re at max capacity.

It’s also rather close to the Florence airport, making transfers a breeze, as it’s located about halfway between Florence and Arrezzo, another charming Tuscan city.

The interior oozes Italian countryside charm, with rustic exposed stonework in the dining room, an outdoor area perfect for al fresco dinners with endless Chianti pours, and the typical rust-red and mustard-yellow hues of the Tuscan countryside in the shared areas.

On cool nights, there’s also a fireplace to enjoy and gather around in the lovely living room — but if it’s warm, don’t worry, this Tuscan villa is complete with A/C as well!

But of course, the real draw is the private pool: beautiful day or night, this infinity pool looks over the rolling hills of Tuscany. 

And all lit up at night in beautiful turquoise and gold, there couldn’t be a better place to drink wine and chat with friends and family late into the early morning hours. 

Plus, there’s a Jacuzzi as well to use!

And if you thought it didn’t get any better, the lovely couple who runs the villa, Gaetano and Francesca, will cook for you — even making you delicious home-cooked pizzas in their pizza oven!

Private Villa Close to Town: Podere La Terminella – Book Now

Get the best of both worlds with this gorgeous Tuscany villa with a private pool just outside of Volterra, a mid-sized town in Tuscany with a lot going on.

This is the perfect villa to stay in if you don’t want to feel totally secluded out in the countryside far from all the restaurants and attractions of Tuscany, but you still want the privacy and spaciousness that a pool villa gives you.

With 6 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, this Tuscany pool villa comfortably fits up to 12 guests, making it great for groups of friends and families.

One of its best features is its infinity pool, which looks straight over the rolling landscape of the Tuscan countryside for some of the best views you can imagine.

Next to the pool, there are loungers with large umbrellas perfect for sunbathing with views of Tuscany spread out before you.

There’s also a large outdoor al fresco dining area, so you can eat lunch and dinner with the same sweeping views!

Inside, the kitchen is a modern marvel — you’ll find yourself wanting to cook in this one, with its gorgeous marble countertops and endless counter space, fully equipped to make mouthwatering meals.

There’s a wonderful little breakfast nook, multiple fireplaces, and tons of spacious seating areas to enjoy indoors.

The bedrooms are also very spacious and modern, with high ceilings with wooden beams and en-suite bathrooms with soaking tubs or walk-in showers — the ultimate in relaxation!

Best for Families with Little Kids: Villa Antico Borghetto Di Tigliano – Book Here

This old-fashioned Tuscany villa with a private pool is an affordable choice for mid-sized groups, fitting up to 8 guests in this 4-bedroom, 3-story villa.

A 10-minute drive from the charming Tuscan town of Vinci, it’s conveniently located but still feels very private and secluded. 

You can enjoy the large, spacious garden and its BBQ facilities as well as its above-ground pool, accessed via stairs that can be gated off.

This makes it an especially safe choice for families with young kids who may be worried about the safety of a Tuscany pool villa.

For an above ground pool, it’s rather large, and while you wouldn’t necessarily be able to swim laps in it, it’s definitely not a kiddie pool!

Kids will also love the treehouse-style play structure complete with a slide!

In terms of the interior, think old-fashioned Italian comforts: iron-wrought furniture, oil paintings and prints of famous Italian artists, and the typical Tuscan color palette of pale yellow, brick, and rust-red.

It’s not the most design-forward Tuscany pool villa, and fans of modernist design will definitely find it a little dated, but if you want old-fashioned charm, this is it!

Modern Beauty with Spa Features: Villa Le Terme – Book Here

This pool villa in Tuscany doesn’t quite feel like the others, as it has a really modern architecture compared to the others, which are more traditional in their design.

While it may not ooze with historic charm the way many of these Tuscany villas with private pools do, Villa Le Terme still is an excellent choice and may be better for those with more modernist design sensibilities.

It’s also great for large groups, with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and the ability to fit up to 13 people. One bedroom is on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible.

This villa boasts not one but two pools: one outdoors with a gorgeous view, and one indoors, covered with a roof but surrounded by glass windows so you won’t feel like you’re missing a bit of the view!

Plus, there’s also an indoor dry sauna as well as a Turkish bath steam room to complete the “home spa” feel, as well as two tiled hammam-style relaxation loungers in the indoor pool area.

The outdoor pergola is very modern, with geometric, clean-lined outdoor furniture for lounging and relaxing beside the huge swimming pool.

Inside, the kitchen is compact but very functional, with plenty of counter space and all sorts of modern appliances that wouldn’t look out of place in a brand-new luxury apartment.

That same modern aesthetic continues throughout — from the loft-style feel of the living room-meets-dining area to spacious, minimalist bedrooms, this definitely feels like a 21st-century villa.

If you’re looking for the romantic, historic villa in Tuscany — this isn’t it. But if you want a large space and a private pool with a modern feel, this is a great choice!

Typical Tuscan Vibes: Villa Mezzavia – Book Here

Located outside the popular Tuscan destination of Cortona, this Tuscany pool villa is huge — over 3,000 square feet — with 6 bedrooms that can welcome up to 11 guests.

The two-story Villa Mezzavia has a massive private pool on site, with lots of sun loungers aside it for sunbathing in between swims.

The huge pool is well-shaded by trees for much of the day, so it’s perfect for swimming on hot days without worrying about the scorching sun!

The interior is spacious and traditional, with your typical Tuscan tile floor and brick-lined archways that given an open floor plan feel while still having separate ‘rooms’ in the main living area.

The kitchen is well-appointed though a little small, but you can definitely make do for cooking some nice meals in here to be enjoyed either in the dining room in the main house or al fresco.

The bedrooms continue the traditional Tuscan aesthetic, incorporating the same tile and brickwork in the rooms, whose edges are softened with vintage furnishings that make you feel like you’re staying in another century.

And some bedrooms even have a soaking tub in the room, whereas others have an en-suite bathroom with a step-in shower.

Small Town Bliss: Villa La Casa del Re – Book Here

Just outside the small town of Le Piazze, you can easily run into town for the things you need — a coffee, a bottle of wine, some food, all 10 minutes away on foot.

Yet still, Villa La Casa de Re is set away back far enough that you can feel the seclusion of having your very own Tuscany villa with a private pool.

Taking up 3 floors, this 6-bedroom villa can sleep up to 11 guests comfortably, though smaller groups can enjoy it as well. 

Though given how many people it can fit, it can be a rather cheap price per person if you have a full house!

The interior is lovely, warm, and welcoming, with bright white walls that invite in the natural light and wooden exposed beams that give the whole room a lovely rustic feel.

The kitchen is spacious, perfect for making a meal with a group of friends, as well as having an outdoor BBQ area for delicious summertime meals.

The pool is not huge, but it’s large enough to enjoy with a smaller group, and there are plenty of sun beds and umbrellas for you to enjoy some sunbathing.

The bedrooms have the same high-ceilinged, minimalistic yet warm stylings as the rest of the house, simply furnished with beautiful wooden furnishings and uncluttered so they have a peaceful feel.

That said, the bathrooms feel a little dated, as the tile is bit old-school and the showers aren’t particularly nice or modern.

Best Villas in Tuscany with Private Pools for Smaller Groups

Best for Budget Travel: Le Rime di Campagna – Book Now

Just on the outskirts of the charming Tuscan city of Arrezzo, less than 3 miles from the city center, you’ll find this lovely Tuscan villa for quite an affordable price!

This budget-friendly villa in Tuscany with a private pool has everything you’d want — air conditioning, a well-stocked kitchen and BBQ facilities, a patio with views of the rolling hills, and an outdoor fireplace — all at a reasonable price that’s perfect for a smaller group.

With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and the ability to fit up to four guests, this is a great choice for two couples traveling together or a family of 4 who wants a bit of privacy during their stay.

The design is subtle and homey, not over-the-top fancy, but that’s part of its charm — it makes your Tuscany pool villa feel a little more like a home away from home, at least for a time.

The pool is not incredibly large, but since it’s a private pool for just your group of four or fewer to use, that’s not such a bad thing…

Especially when there’s an outdoor dining area and a hammock area to enjoy just next to the pool!

If you want the Tuscany villa with a private pool experience without the huge price tag, this is the spot for you, so long as your group size is small enough to make it work!

Stone House Budget Beauty: Villa La Pergola – Book Here

In a typical stone home you’ll find all over the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by flowering trees and vines, the beautiful Villa La Pergola is a good option for smaller groups of 6 or less.

With 3 bedrooms — two double beds and one sofa bed — and 2 bathrooms, this is a spacious villa in Tuscany with a private pool despite the lower number of bedrooms compared to most, with a nearly 3,000 square foot floor plan.

The interior is quintessentially Tuscan: exposed stone walls that show off the masonry, juxtaposed against plenty of wood details and mustard yellow and rust red accents.

The bedrooms are that perfect blend of minimalistic yet not Spartan, with plenty of room to spread out in yet with enough personality and detail to feel individualized and homey, like you’re staying in the house of a family friend.

Admittedly, the circular swimming pool isn’t the largest, but it’s perfectly suitable for a dip to cool off on a hot Italian afternoon.

There’s also a great pergola — who would have guessed it from the name of the villa? — with a large dining table for meals under the Tuscan sun (or stars).

But best of all is the price, which can be downright affordable; sometimes the villa is available for under $250 per night, which is just over $40 per person per night if you have a full house!

Hillside Beauty: Villa Ada Belriguardo – Book Here

Located in the countryside, this charming Tuscany villa with a private pool is set on the hillside amidst beautiful gardens, close to the towns of Sarteano and Cetona.

Typical of villas in the region, Villa Ada Belriguardo is made of stone with a terra cotta roof, emblematic of the Tuscany region.

The pool is located a terrace or two below the villa and it is simply massive, overlooking a valley of Tuscany’s hilly region. 

There is plenty of room for the whole group to enjoy the pool, or to swim some laps if you’re looking for exercise.

The pool is also beautifully lit up at night, perfect for night swims under the uncountable stars of the Tuscan sky.

This villa is on the smaller side in terms of how many guests it can fit: with only 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, it’s better suited for smaller groups of 6 or fewer.

That also makes it a fairly affordable place to stay on a budget, especially if you have a full house, though it isn’t the cheapest villa on the list.

The interior of the villa is beautiful in an old-fashioned way: think Tuscan tile floors, iron-wrought bed frames, and vintage wooden furnishings.

The bathrooms are a little small and dated, but the rest of the house feels spacious, recently renovated, and inviting, especially the kitchen and living areas.

Plus, there’s also a game room complete with a pool table!

In short, as long as you don’t need the most modern of design choices, this is the perfect choice for a smaller group looking for a Tuscany villa with a private pool.

Close to Florence: CountryHouse con Piscina – Book Here

Just on the outskirts of Florence near the outer suburb of Rifredi, you can have your own Tuscan villa with private pool while just being a short ride into town — less than 4 kilometers to its main sights, in fact.

In fact, it’s so close to the center of Florence that you can just walk to the tram, which is 5 minutes walk away, and that’ll sweep you right into town!

With a private indoor pool surrounded by beautiful brick and stone, complete with hydromassage jets, this is a lovely place to relax after a busy day sightseeing in Florence — and it’s lit up beautifully at night, giving it an almost hammam-style feel.

The indoor pool is a bit small, but it’s definitely suitable for relaxing in after a full day of sightseeing around the city.

Plus, the villa also has an outdoor fireplace, a BBQ area, and some garden areas to walk around, so you really will feel like you’re outside of the urban center, despite being so close to it!

Of course, being so close to Florence, you do make a sacrifice: namely, space, as the country house is a little on the small side. 

The rooms can be a little narrow, as everything fits in a 600 square foot floor plan, but nevertheless this charming tiny house fits up to five guests comfortably in its 2 bedrooms (and a living room sofa bed).

But for the price and location, it’s a great offer — just don’t expect a massive villa or an outdoor pool, because that’s not what this villa is about!

Seeing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi: Tips, Apps, Spots & Tours I Recommend!

Allison Green standing in front of the Northern lights in Rovaniemi, Finland

Many people plan a trip to Rovaniemi in winter with one main thing on their mind… spotting Finnish Lapland’s fickle but phenomenal Northern lights!

This guide will go over when and how you can see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi.

This includes tips for spotting them independently as well as my own personal experience seeing the Northern lights on a tour.

Allison Green in front of the green aurora borealis in Rovaniemi Finland on a frozen lake wearing a green jacket and pink hat
With the aurora on Northern lights tour in January 2024

This post also goes over all the ideal conditions for seeing the Northern lights so you have a baseline understanding of what to expect.

Plus, I’ll give you some recommendations for Northern lights hotels outside the Rovaniemi city center, and explain how to use aurora apps to have the best chance of spotting the Northern lights.

This post goes over all my tips for spotting the Northern lights while you’re visiting Rovaniemi, but if you’re in a hurry, I recommend booking this tour — I did the Northern lights tour with them and it was the only time I saw the Northern lights in Rovaniemi in nearly two weeks!

When Can You See the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi?

The green dramatic display of the Northern lights as seen in the outskirts of Rovaniemi Finland
Northern lights display in January 2024

Note: I’m going to geek out a bit on science of the Arctic Circle for a bit — but if you just want a quick and easy answer, you can generally see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi from the end of August to the beginning of April.

While that is the general band of when you can see the aurora, my friend who lives part-time in Finland has let me know that the best months are generally September, October, and March, as this is when there is the least likelihood of clouds impeding your view.

Any time there are enough nighttime hours to have true darkness, you have a chance of seeing the Northern lights in Rovaniemi!

Allison Green standing in front of the Northern lights on a frozen lake in Finland with her back to the camera

Keep in mind that Rovaniemi is juuuust below the Arctic Circle. In fact, Santa Claus Village, 8 kilometers north of the city center, actually runs right through it!

What does that mean? Well, the Arctic Circle is essentially the latitude line on the map above which the sun does not completely set, but rather hovers just above the horizon, on the longest day of the year (aka the summer solstice).

That means that if you visit any point north of the Arctic Circle on June 20th or 21st (depending on the year), you won’t experience a true night at all!

At some places further north, like Abisko and Tromso, you won’t experience a sunset for several weeks… or more than four months, in the case of Svalbard!

The inverse of that is that during the winter, the sun won’t rise, either…. meaning lots of hours to try to spot the aurora!

A photograph Allison took of the Northern lights as they danced overhead in 2016 in Sweden.
Fun fact: Abisko was the first place I ever saw the aurora, and I managed to capture this epic shot!

In Rovaniemi, this period of polar night is quite short — just two days — but in places further north in Finland, it can last up to two months!

So, as you can imagine, the length of days varies quite a bit in Rovaniemi; the sunrise and sunset hours change dramatically throughout the course of a year.

In general, you can see the aurora borealis starting about two hours after sunset and two hours before sunrise. Otherwise, it is a little too bright to properly see any aurora.

Tips for Spotting Rovaniemi’s Northern Lights

Allison dressed to see the Northern lights in front of a frozen lake
Dressed warm and ready to try to spot the lights!

While the Northern lights are theoretically visible at any point there is darkness in Rovaniemi, in actuality, there are several other factors to consider.

The main thing that you need to think about when trying to spot the Northern lights during your visit to Rovaniemi is cloud cover: it’s the biggest enemy to seeing the aurora.

This is because the aurora borealis occurs 100 to 300 kilometers above the ground.

If you have clouds just a few kilometers above the ground blocking the night sky, you simply won’t see the lights, even if the most magical display in the world is actually happening above the clouds!

So, you need a clear night to actually see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi. Unfortunately, this is somewhat harder than it sounds!

While Rovaniemi is inland and thus not quite as cloudy as coastal spots like Tromso, it can still get quite cloudy in the winter and that can impact your ability to see the aurora.

Allison posing with the Northern lights on a tour in Norway
Seeing the Northern lights on a tour in Tromso… that actually crossed the border into Northern Finland in order to see the lights!

I’m writing this post during my January 2024 visit to Rovaniemi. As of today, I’ve been here for one week and it’s only been possible to see the aurora twice due to the cloud cover, despite quite a bit of solar activity.

Oh, yeah. The other thing you need besides a dark night and a cloudless sky is solar activity.

The aurora borealis is caused by solar activity, when solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) emit particles that make their way towards Earth.

They’re then pulled towards the Earth’s poles through electromagnetism, which is why you have a much better chance of seeing the Northern lights around the Arctic regions than anywhere else in the world.

When the solar particles interact with the atmosphere as they are pulled towards Earth, they create bursts of color: typically green, but other colors vary depending on what gas they’re interacting with and how high in the atmosphere the interaction is occuring.

Later in the post, I’ll explain aurora forecasting apps and let you know tips for using them that I learned from trial and error as well as expert tips from my Northern lights tour guide.

Seeing the Northern Lights Without a Tour

Allison Green standing with the aurora in Rovaniemi
Personally, I only saw the Northern lights with a tour and thought it was worth it!

It is definitely not required to take a Northern lights tour in order to see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi.

… But it certainly helps, as you are a lot more mobile and your guides will work their hardest to find the aurora.

That said, taking Northern lights tours can get expensive: at at least 100 euros a pop, they can add up, especially if you take multiple excursions to try to see the lights.

Luckily, if the Northern lights are strong enough, you might be able to see them in Rovaniemi so long as you get away from some of the light pollution of the city center.

In the city center, I’d recommend the area around the Arktikum Museum if you are trying to spot the Northern lights.

Not only is the architecture of the museum really cool to capture in aurora photos as it provides a really cool tonal and visual contrast to the lights, but the museum area has a pretty clear view to the northern horizon, where you’ll see the majority of the lights’ activity.

Arktikum museum in rovaniemi in a winter snowy landscape during the daytime
Imagine this view at night with the aurora overhead!

It’s also on the edge of the city center bordering the river, so you won’t have a ton of light pollution in that direction.

That said, this isn’t the ideal spot to see the Northern lights because there is still a good deal of light pollution which will impact your eye’s ability to perceive the aurora (and your camera’s ability to capture it).

There are some other cool spots to try to see the lights in Rovaniemi but outside the city center, like Ounasvaara Hill (about an hour’s walk to the top from Rovaniemi city center or accessible by a 10-minute taxi).

Ounasvaraa Hill ski slopes in the city center's outskirts
A view of Ounasvaraa’s ski slopes

There’s also he observation tower at the top of Syväsenvaara Hill (which is tricky to reach, but it does have epic views).

I really love the observation tower at the top of Syväsenvaara Hill!

I walked there several times, as it was close to where I was staying at my friend’s house in Rovaniemi (and it’s right next to Arctic Treehouse Hotel).

Allison Green standing in the observation tower at the top of the hill with the view of Rovaniemi behind her
At the top of the observation tower; the ladder is quite icy so I only recommend climbing if you are confident of your skill, not afraid of heights, and during the daytime!

However, it is a bit difficult to find the path leading up to the observation tower when everything is covered in snow.

There is a not insignificant risk that you could get lost or turned around while trying to find it, which is potentially extremely hazardous in winter temperatures. Do so at your own risk!

There are some other ideas for where to see the Northern lights around Rovaniemi here; keep in mind you will need to rent a car to get to the majority of these spots.

If it’s in the middle of winter and a lot of snow has accumulated, you should only rent a car if you are familiar with how to drive in the snow.

The road conditions can get quite hazardous for the inexperienced (seriously, my friend who lives in Rovaniemi tells me about tourist accidents all the time!).

Seeing the Northern Lights With a Tour

Allison Green in the snow wearing snowboots, scarf, hat, parka, with green display of northern lights in the background
On a tour seeing the Northern lights in Finnish Lapland, an hour outside of Rovaniemi

The easiest way to (almost) ensure you see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi is by taking a Northern lights tour.

Depending on the tour you take, you’ll spend 4 to 8 hours chasing the Northern lights as far as reasonably necessary within the time limits of your tour to try to see the lights.

I took this exact tour and can recommend it highly: our guide, Genis, was really kind and helpful and we even stayed a little longer than planned because there was a ton of cloud cover and we had to go a little further than we planned.

Allison with her back to the northern lights and them lighting up overhead
Worth the wait, always!

However, once we got to our final spot at a frozen lake, we were able to see the lights and all was worth it!

Even better, on our way home the Northern lights went absolutely crazy to the point where we were even able to see it out the window.

Even though at this point we were running a half hour behind, our guide stopped quickly to let us out to admire the lights dancing overhead.

Aurora display in Rovaniemi Finland with the green lights pulsating overhead
A beautiful, brief eruption of the aurora on the way home

This is the exact tour that I took and that I recommend to others visiting Rovaniemi.

It’s affordable but excellent, and its small group focus makes it a really enjoyable experience.

A small group is extra important if you want photos of you with the Northern lights overhead, because they can be fickle and fleeting.

Group picture of the travelers on the aurora tour in Finland
Our group size on an aurora tour in Rovaniemi

The more of you there are on the tour, the less your guide can help you take photos in that (potentially) short time span!

On my tour, our group was 8, which was not too many and we were easily able to get as many photos with the Northern lights as we wanted.

Book the same Northern lights tour I did here!

Northern Lights Hotels Near Rovaniemi

The arctic treehouse hotel in Rovaniemi with box-like structures on stilts in a snow-covered forest
The Arctic Treehouse Hotel is one of the best choices in Rovaniemi!

While not the cheapest option, another way to have a better chance of spotting the Northern lights in Rovaniemi is by staying at a Northern lights hotel.

Staying at one of the hotels outside the city center, especially that offers glass igloos, aurora cabins, or other similar accommodations that have settings out in nature with panoramic views, means that heading outside to try to see the aurora doesn’t take much effort at all!

Here are a few recommendations near Rovaniemi:

auroras going overhead at the arctic treehouse hotel outside of rovaniemi center with lit up windows and then a band of green aurora overhead
Photo Credit: Arctic Treehouse Hotel
  • Arctic Treehouse Hotel: Not far from Santa Claus Village or the Rovaniemi city center, this is a great compromise between being close to the city’s attractions yet out in nature. The treehouses are on a hill that offers a great, unobstructed northerly view. There’s a designated shelter point for warming up while you’re waiting for the aurora! You can also walk about 10 minutes uphill to the observation tower for another viewpoint.
people inside an aurora cabin in apukka with a fake fireplace with the aurora is in the sky overhead in the glass igloo
Photo Credit: Apukka Resort
  • Apukka Resort: One of the best Northern lights hotels options in Finland, Apukka is about 30 minutes from the city center which makes it the perfect place to see the Northern lights away from the city’s light pollution. There’s a variety of room types including glass igloos with panoramic windows! It hosts activities like dog sledding (which I did with Apukka – it was great!) and reindeer sledding on-site as well.
The aurora outside the window of a Finland glass igloo is vibrant with green color. Inside, you can see the white bed, Finnish design detail, and glass panes of window that show you the aurora from your window which has 180 degree views of the colorful night sky.
Photo Credit: Santa’s Igloos
  • Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle: Close to Santa Claus Village, this igloo hotel isn’t particularly remote but it does offer an escape from the worst of the light pollution of the city while still being close to the amenities of Santa Claus Village like its souvenir shops and restaurants. There are also dog-sledding and reindeer tours you can do here but the tours at Apukka are much nicer.

Note: While these accommodations are an amazing experience, keep in mind that a lot of what you see are marketing materials where everything is portrayed in the best light possible.

Photos of the aurora borealis use long exposure to make the colors more vivid than you would see with your naked eye; don’t expect to see neon squiggles overhead, bright as Tokyo city lights!

More often, the aurora borealis looks like a faint-colored, fast-moving, odd-shaped cloud. It’s more likely that you’ll spot it because of its movement than because of its colors.

While you can see the Northern lights from out of a window in exceptional conditions (like the below photo I took from a car window!), more likely, you’ll have to go out for a walk to properly see and photograph the aurora.

A view of the aurora borealis taken through a car window
A cellphone shot of the aurora borealis in the car — this intensity is quite rare!

The panoramic windows of a glass igloo can give you a good indicator of if the lights are out or not.

That said, don’t expect to have a rave-like show in your room.

This isn’t to dissuade you from staying in one; I just want to give you accurate expectations, especially as the price tag is so high!

Using Aurora Forecasting Apps

Rovaniemi aurora in the sky above a snowy landscape on a clear day
A faint but beautiful aurora

Whether you’re trying to see the Northern lights with a tour or independently, checking out an aurora forecasting app is a good way to have an idea of what the lights will be like.

I use the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts app. It’s free, and you can get it here for Apple and here for Android.

The app will calculate a percentage chance of seeing the aurora and alert you if your percent chance is above their 30% chance threshold or if other people nearby using the app have checked in and reported sightings.

But the app is also useful for digging into the numbers and analyzing the data that’s given to you, including a few key factors.

  • Kp-index: This is perhaps the most poorly understood part of seeing the aurora, as many people simply think high number = you will definitely see the lights and think no further than that. The Kp-index solely measures the geomagnetic storm’s intensity and does not factor in cloud cover, wind direction (Bz), or other factors that may impact your ability to see the aurora. It also gives a reference for how far south the aurora may stretch, but that doesn’t necessarily correlate to a much more dramatic view at higher latitudes like Rovaniemi.
  • Solar winds: The higher the number, the stronger the chance of aurora activity. As a rule of thumb, numbers above 400 km per hour are good, and even better as it approaches 500.
  • Bz: The more negative this number is, the stronger the chance of aurora activity, because it means that solar particles are being pulled towards the earth and creating the Northern lights.
Aurora borealis in Finland
A shaky view of the Northern lights because I didn’t have time to set up my tripod when they were this active!

These apps won’t guarantee you seeing the Northern lights but they will help you understand the factors that go into the phenomenon of the aurora borealis.

This will hopefully give you more insight as to when is a good time to take a hike somewhere dark to see the lights or book a Northern lights tour.

In general, I would book a Northern lights tour based on forecasted clouds as opposed to anything else like Kp-index or geomagnetic storms.

Like I mentioned above, you can have the most spectacular aurora in the world… and see nothing if there’s low clouds overhead, blocking out your entire view.

Tip: Rather than booking direct with a company offering Northern lights tours in Rovaniemi, I book through GetYourGuide which gives you a free 24-hour cancellation option.

This way, you can book a tour and reschedule it with 24 hours or more notice if the forecast isn’t looking favorable.

Lately, I’ve noticed that GetYourGuide offers a 1-hour cancellation policy at a surcharge; this may be worth it if you want extreme flexibility.

Honestly, generally, 24 hours should be enough notice to decide whether or not the forecast is worth a Northern lights attempt, since tours do give you the option to branch out quite a bit and attempt to snag a hole in the cloud cover.

That said, it is an option I just wanted to make you aware of!

Is It Worth Visiting Arktikum?: Quick Guide to Rovaniemi’s Science Museum

Exterior of the Arktikum building in Rovaniemi Finland

The northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi is most known for its huge array of winter adventure activities, from dog sledding to Northern lights chasing to snowmobiling and beyond.

But no matter the season, any trip to the ‘capital’ of Finnish Lapland should include some time enjoying the lovely city center of Rovaniemi.

Arktikum is really two museums in one: both the Arctic Center and the Provincial Museum of Lapland operate out of the same (gorgeously designed) building, offering their own exhibits.

Interior of the Arktikum museum with its design-forward glass ceiling that is emblematic of the unique vision of Nordic architects
Interior of Arktikum
Allison Green, the author of the article, wearing a yellow sweater and hat, smiling at the camera with the building's unique architecture visible behind her
Museum selfie!

After my January 2024 visit to Arktikum, I was incredibly impressed by this small but impactful museum and thought I’d write a quick guide for those on the fence, who aren’t sure about if it’s worth visiting Arktikum.

The short answer: yes, absolutely, I think visiting Arktikum is worth it for basically every kind of traveler.

It has something for everyone. Those interested in culture, citizen scientists, families, design geeks: everyone will be pleased with some aspect of Arktikum, if not the entire thing!

Arktikum Hours and Admission Costs

Sign of all the different admission costs for visiting Arktikum as well as the culture pass
Admission costs as of January 2024

Arktikum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily every day except Monday, making scheduling your visit here quite easy.

It’s also within walking distance of pretty much anywhere in the Rovaniemi city center, so visiting isn’t hard if you’re already in town.

Admission costs 18 euros for an adult, but you can buy a combined pass called the Rovaniemi Culture Pass for 25 euros.

Booking the pass also grants you admission to Pilke (a science center dedicated to Finnish forests, known for its efficient design and sustainable efforts) as well as the Korundi Culture House.

Interior of the Pilke science center which is right next to Arktikum and also included on the Culture Pass. Mixed use building with museum below and office buildings above. Focusing on Finnish forests and sustainability.
Interior of the neighboring Pilke, a sustainability-focused science center

Pilke costs 7 euros for an adult ticket and Korundi costs 11 euros per adult, offering a total savings of 11 euro if you do plan to visit all three sites.

In my opinion, booking the trio via the Culture Pass offers a good deal and encourages you to make the most out of your time in Rovaniemi by paying for everything upfront and then getting to space out your visits over the course of a week.

Pilke is literally right next to Arktikum as well, so it’s extremely easy to visit both of the museums together, which is what I chose to do (and save Korundi for another day).

Tip: I booked my Culture Pass online, but there was really no need to — you can just buy it at the first one of the three museums included you visit and save the 1.50 euro service fee for online bookings.

Highlights of Arktikum

A sign leading towards an exhibit at Arktikum, an exhibit called "Arctic in Change"
One of the exhibits at Artikum

One of my highlights of visiting Arktikum was checking out the “Arctic in Change” exhibit, curated by the Arctic Science Center.

It focused on the challenges facing the Arctic’s climate and its residents — human and wildlife alike — due to global warming.

I liked how it was informative and approachable, with interactive elements that not only appealed to me as an adult but would also be excellent for kids.

Model of a polar bear and sign about the climate giving information on climate change in Finnish and English
Part of the Arctic in Change exhibit with a life-size polar bear replica

There’s also a permanent exhibit about the aurora borealis, which is endlessly fascinating to me.

Seeing the Northern lights is one of my favorite parts about visiting the Arctic — I’ve chased the lights all over the region, from Abisko to Tromso to Rovaniemi and beyond.

While I know a lot about the science of what causes the aurora borealis, I thought it laid it out in a really approachable, easy-to-understand way that would be great for curious adults and older kids alike.

Part of the aurora borealis display that explains how the aurora is caused
Informational sign explaining the aurora borealis
Interactive display of the aurora borealis
Aurora borealis room where you can lay down and watch a visualization of the aurora

But remember, Arktikum isn’t just a science museum: it’s also co-run by the Provincial Museum of Lapland, so there’s also a big focus on the people as well as the nature and science of the region.

There were several culture-focused exhibits spread across two floors (on an off-hand note, I noticed that the left-hand side of the museum focused on science whereas the right-hand side of the museum focused on culture).

I especially liked the permanent cultural exhibit focused on the inhabitants of Lapland — of course, its human residents as well as its animal ones.

Animals of the Arctic as seen as part of the culture museum section of the museum
Interactive animal exhibit at Arktikum
Display of people in Lapland in warm clothes and a sled
One of the displays in the permanent exhibit

But my personal favorite highlight of the Arktikum Museum was seeing the temporary exhibit about Sámi design, “Duodjebálgát – Paths of Duodji” (note: duodji is the word for Sámi handicrafts).

It focused on the artistic works of two Sámi artists and sisters, Birit and Reetta Tornensis, and their link between their work and their heritage.

If you don’t already know, the Sámi are Lapland’s Indigenous people, a group that transcends national borders and spans northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and some of Russia.

Sámi culture was once pushed to the margins of society — like many Indigenous peoples around the world, they were violently oppressed, having their language and traditional dress banned, among other violations.

Now, there’s more cultural understanding towards Sámi people: there are language nests dedicated to preserving Sámi language and Sámi designs are highlighted, valued, and protected.

Two articles of Sámi clothing for women with typical fringe and embroidery
Two examples of traditional Sámi dress

At the exhibit, I learned about the origin and significance of Sámi textiles historically as well as what modernization means for Sámi artisans and craftspeople.

One thing I thought was quite cool was how Sámi designs are being protected from intellectual property theft with certifications being issued to indicate Sámi authentic artistry.

There are two levels:

  • items that are Sámi designed (Sámi Made) which have to have an idea originating from a Sámi designer but can be fully or partially machine-made
  • items that are Sámi crafted (Sámi Duodji) which means that they were hand-made by a Sámi artist in traditional methods.

This exhibit is only open until April 7, 2024, at which point it will be replaced by a new exhibit, so visit Arktikum soon if you can!

View of the arctic landscape in the background with the raised glass roof and dome of the arktikum museum
Gorgeous winter views at Arktikum

Another highlight is of course the gorgeous architecture and design of the museum!

It was dreamed up by Danish architect Claus Bonderup, who won an international architecture contest in order to design the museum in the 1980s.

It’s been a key piece of Rovaniemi’s architecture scene ever since and is one of the most unique buildings in the city.

FAQ About Visiting Arktikum

Is the museum family-friendly?

Giant gemstone at the museum
Giant amethyst from a nearby mine on display

I’m not a parent, but I think so! In my opinion, Finnish people are great at integrating children into all aspects of society, rather than solely creating kid-centric spaces.

There are aspects of the museum that will delight some of the youngest travelers — the aurora display, the interactive animal exhibits, etc. — as well as older kids who will understand more of the science and cultural aspects of what the museum is trying to teach.

What amenities are there at the museum?

Sign out in the snow for the lunch buffet
A reasonably priced daily lunch buffet is available at the café

There’s a café with a daily lunch buffet (that my friend who lives part-time in Rovaniemi loves) for 15 euros.

I didn’t try it when I was there as I had already eaten lunch, but she said it’s really good and a great value.

There’s also a free-to-use coatroom area, a gift shop with great souvenir options, free lockers, and bathrooms as part of the museum.

Do you need a guide for the museum?

Allison's hand holding an audioguide for Arktikum
Audioguide at Arktikum

It’s not necessarily — the museum is very well curated and there’s no need for a guide to take you around the museum.

There are free audioguides provided for the museum in a variety of different languages if you want!

How long do you need at Arktikum?

View into the interior of the museum on the science side of the museum
Interior of the science section of the museum

This all depends on your museum speed!

I spent about an hour there, but I have ADHD, I read really quickly, and I was already familiar with several aspects of what the museum covers, since I’ve traveled a lot around the Arctic.

If you want to really soak up every exhibit, I’d estimate two or possibly even three hours including a lunch or coffee break.

21 Riveting Things to Do in Rovaniemi in Winter [2024]

scene in rovaniemi winter

Rovaniemi, Finland is the largest city in Finnish Lapland and one of the most popular touristic destinations in all of Finland.

While Helsinki in winter is a delight, Rovaniemi in winter is even more magical!

From its dancing Northern lights to its endless list of enthralling winter activities, Rovaniemi is a true bucket list destination for many.

We’ll get into all the best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter in just a minute — first, we’ll talk a bit about where to stay.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

Arctic treehouse hotels in the snow
A favorite spot to stay: the Arctic Treehouse Hotel

Budget: Guesthouse Arctic Heart

If you’re on a tight budget while visiting Rovaniemi or you simply like to save on accommodations so you can splurge on activities or food, this is a great and highly-rated option.

There are private single and double rooms as well as 4-bed, single-gender dormitory rooms if you are a solo traveler who doesn’t mind staying in a hostel-type setup.

The amenities are minimal, but there are things such as a shared kitchen and laundry facilities. Some of the private rooms have electric kettles, etc. for preparing tea and coffee.

Check availability, prices, and reviews here!

Mid-Range: Arctic City Hotel

This mid-range option is not too expensive and has great ratings and a prime location in downtown Rovaniemi.

The rooms are spacious and comfortable with modern, unique decor elements that add some flair. Breakfast is included with your stay, and there’s an in-house restaurant that also serves room service.

Best of all, the hotel has not one but two saunas available for use! There is also a room option with your own private sauna (check out the junior suite with sauna).

Check availability, prices, and reviews here!

view from the interior of a glass igloo in finland

Luxury: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle

Want to stay in a glass-roof igloo? Of course you do!

These climate-controlled igloos are located about 5 miles outside of central Rovaniemi in a beautiful winter wonderland.

The igloos are climate-controlled and well-heated, and include a private bathroom with a rain shower, bathrobe, and slippers.

Each igloo has its very own tablet which you can use to contact the front desk with any needs — and also get Northern lights alerts so you can wake up and see the lights dancing above! They even have a button you can press to defrost the glass for the perfect view.

The premium igloos for two even include a private sauna, and there are also family igloos for four with an alcove for two more people to sleep.

This property is located close to Santa Claus Village, about a 5 minute walk away, and shuttles are provided to Rovaniemi city center.

Check availability, prices, and reviews here!

21 Best Things to Do in Rovaniemi in Winter Time

Go chasing the Northern lights.

Allison Green standing with the aurora in Rovaniemi
View of the Northern lights on a tour outside Rovaniemi

Due to Rovaniemi’s position just 4 miles south of the Arctic Circle, this is one of the best places for Northern lights tours in all of the Nordics!

While it is certainly possible to see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi, a dedicated Northern lights hunting tour outside the city will give you far better results.

These Northern lights tours are typically small group tours conducted in a minibus. Your seasoned Northern lights spotters will bring you away from the light pollution of Rovaniemi and into the Finnish wilderness.

There are several options for Northern lights tours in Rovaniemi: let’s go over a few of the most popular.

One option is a basic Northern lights tour which will last about 3 hours. This tour brings you to frozen lake about 15 miles away from Rovaniemi where you’ll camp out and wait for the aurora to appear while enjoying a campfire and BBQ dinner.

Considering the sky-high price of restaurants in Rovaniemi, this tour is a great deal! The tour includes a dinner of fire-roasted sausages, traditional Arctic fish soup, Lappish bread, and traditional blueberry tea.

In addition to dinner, the tour also includes cold weather clothing to borrow if needed, pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, and a guide to help you spot the aurora.

Book your small group Northern lights tour here!

Allison with her back to the northern lights and them lighting up overhead
Worth the wait, always!

There are all sorts of other ways to experience the Northern lights in a more unique way, including a sauna and Northern lights experience, a photography-focused Northern lights tour (where a professional will take photos and also help you capture your own photos), and a snowmobile and Northern lights tour.

No matter which tour you pick, you have a fairly good chance of seeing the lights — but of course, being a natural phenomenon, there are no guarantees.

Because Rovaniemi is located inland and not on the coast like other Northern lights destinations like Iceland and Tromso in Norway, you have less chance of cloud cover obstructing your Northern lights views.

In fact, Tromso Northern lights tours often have to drive all the way to Norway to even see the lights (this was the case with the last Northern lights tour I took in Tromso!).

Visit Santa Claus Village.

snowman in front of santa claus village in rovaniemi

This is one of the essential things to do in Rovaniemi in winter if you have kids. If you don‘t have kids and Santa Claus Village doesn‘t appeal to you, feel free to skip ahead to the next section: there’s still plenty to do in Rovaniemi!

Santa Claus Village is one of Rovaniemi’s biggest draws. While older kids and adults may find it a bit cheesy and Disney-esque, the kids are sure to have a blast in this festively decorated atmosphere!

You can visit Santa Village and Santa‘s Post Office either independently or on a guided tour.

If you want to get to Santa Claus Village independently, you can either drive if you’ve rented a car (take Highway 4 north towards Ivalo, about 8 miles away), hire a taxi (approximately $30 USD each way), or take the local bus #8 from Rovaniemi train station.

There is no entrance fee to Santa Claus Village, although you will want to budget for food and Lapland souvenirs on your visit.

If you’d prefer a guided experience that also includes a visit to the Arctic Circle (complete with a certificate), a Christmas buffet lunch, and getting to meet some reindeer, you can book a tour.

Book your tour of Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle here!

reindeer farm in rovaniemi near santa claus village

Another fun way to visit Santa Claus Village is to take a trip that includes both Santa’s Village and a snowmobile ride to the nearby reindeer farm!

Your kiddos can meet Santa Claus and his elf helpers, send a postcard to friends from home at Santa’s post office, and then have a tasty lunch.

After visiting Santa Claus Village, you can take snowmobiles to the reindeer farm. Don’t worry, kids of any age can do this part of the tour!

Kids under the age of 14 can ride behind in a sled pulled by the snowmobile, while parents and young adults can drive (so long as they have a valid driver’s license!).

Once at the reindeer farm, you can go on a sleigh ride pulled by reindeer. Like the other tour mentioned above, you’ll cross the Arctic Circle and receive an ‘official’ certificate as a souvenir to take home with you as a memory from this day.

Book your Santa Claus Village & snowmobile tour here!

Visit the Arctic SnowHotel.

bed in an ice hotel with purple and pink and blue lighting

One of the most unique winter activities in Rovaniemi is visiting the Arctic SnowHotel! It is one of few snow hotels in the world (there are others near Abisko, Sweden and Tromso, Norway).

While staying in a snow hotel is really expensive, it’s rather affordable to visit this stunning Lapland hotel for a tour!

In particular, this tour offers excellent value because it not only includes a tour of the snow hotel and the glass igloos but it also includes a 3-course dinner meal of Lappish-inspired cuisine.

For this year‘s menu, the starter is a forest mushroom soup, the main course is one of 4 choices (roast elk, Arctic salmon, chicken breast, or cold-smoked tofu), and the dessert is a lingonberry-caramel custard. Delicious!

The tour includes transportation from your hotel to the snow hotel (about 30 minutes away), as well as a guided tour of the hotel and its unique features like its snow sauna, carved ice sculptures, ice bar, ice restaurant, and of course — its rooms!

You even have the option to add on your own snow sauna experience with time in a private jacuzzi!

This snow hotel is created from scratch each year and opens annually on December 16th, so it’s only available for a few short months each year — don’t miss this top thing to do in Rovaniemi in winter if you can help it!

Book your visit to the snow hotel with 3-course meal here!

If you just want to visit the snow hotel with no meal included, you can also book that here, but personally I think the visit plus meal options offer better value per dollar!

There is also another snow hotel in Kemi which you can visit as part of a longer day trip, but I’d suggest the snow hotel closer to Rovaniemi to save time and money.

Go on a husky safari with a team of enthusiastic dogs.

dog sledding in finland around forest area with sun low in sky

One of the best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter is go dog sledding!

Dog sledding is one of my favorite activities and I’ve gone in a handful of destinations around the world (including a Tromso husky safari and an Abisko one too)… it’s something I do every time I’m in the Arctic in winter!

Tours will bring you to a husky farm in Apukka, Finland where you can first meet all the lovely huskies who live here year-round.

Your experienced guides will give you a demo of husky sledding and how to self-drive a husky sled safely, for both you and the huskies!

It is really a team sport: you will be running and pushing the sled up hills and generally actively helping your huskies pull the sled, so don’t expect to just sit back and enjoy a husky ride!

Book your self-driving husky sledding experience here!

If you’re traveling with kids, there are also family-friendly options that do not involve self-driving your husky sled.

Instead, this tour has you and your family being carried by your team of huskies on a short sleigh ride, led by an experienced musher.

This tour also includes ample time for husky meet-and-greets, and the ride is followed up with some snacks and hot beverages.

Try your hand at ice fishing.

hand holding a fishing pole on a frozen lake

Another fun activity you can try when visiting Rovaniemi in winter is ice fishing!

There are several different combinations of activities, such as snowshoeing and ice fishing, snowmobiling and ice fishing, or this combo hiking, snowshoeing, ice floating, ice fishing and BBQ tour.

Whichever combination piques your interest, it’s a great way to combine two (or more!) unique Lapland activities into one guided experience.

Enjoy a snowmobile safari through the Lappish wilderness.

trees covered in snow with several snowmobiles lined up ready to be ridden in rovaniemi in winter

One of the most fun ways to experience the Finnish wilderness is on a snowmobile ride!

Don’t worry if you’ve never ridden a snowmobile before — it’s quite easy to get the hang of, and you can take a snowmobile tour so you’ll be guided through the landscapes without worrying about getting lost or stuck in the snow.

Book your snowmobile safari here!

Take a traditional Finnish sauna.

bucket for ladling water over the hot coals in a finnish sauna with a person in a robe in the background

One of the most typical ways to experience a touch of Finnish life is to have a sauna experience!

Whether that’s taking a sauna at your hotel (most hotels include a sauna) or booking a special sauna experience, there’s nothing more quintessentially Finnish than sauna!

Try ice floating under the Northern lights.

Photo Credit: Ninara via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Ice floating? Wait, hear me out!

This unique winter activity in Rovaniemi is perhaps one of the most surprising ways to see the Northern lights!

On this tour, you can fit in an icy lake where a hole has been dug out so people can float in the icy water.

And if you’re worried about getting cold: you wear an insulated, buoyant suit that keeps you warm no matter how cold the water is!

Guests reported staying relatively warm and dry as they floated in the icy lake and say it’s a must-try in Rovaniemi. I haven’t gotten to do this yet but it’s on my bucket list for my next trip to Finland!

Learn more about the ice floating experience here!

Go on a reindeer safari at a Sami reindeer farm.

people including children at a reindeer safari near rovaniemi in winter

The Sami people are the Indigenous people of Sapmi, which covers the Northern reaches of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

For millennia, the Sami people have been reindeer herders, which is a difficult job that involves herding reindeer across a variety of unforgiving terrains without losing track of them.

While traditionally, herding and harvesting reindeer for their meat was one of the main ways that Sami people made a living, now tourism is also an important part of the economy for Sami people.

Rather than herding their reindeer all over an icy landscape in search of food for the reindeer to forage, some reindeer herders set up a reindeer farm for the winter season and offer tourist activities like feeding the reindeer and going for reindeer sleigh rides.

On a reindeer sled experience, you’ll get the chance to meet Sami reindeer herders and ask them questions about what it’s like to be a reindeer herder — and see what it’s like for yourself!

Book your reindeer safari experience here!

Go snowshoeing outside the city center.

trees covered in snow while snowshoeing in rovaniemi in winter

If you like to get active on your travels, going snowshoeing is one of the best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter!

Going on a guided hiking and snowshoeing tour is an excellent way to get acquainted with the Finnish nature.

This tour includes a guide and a pick-up/drop-off transfer to a forested area full of nature trails that cross the Arctic Circle, where you can snowshoe past frozen rapid rivers and waterfalls, and possibly even spot some arctic wildlife!

It also includes a forest campfire BBQ where you can enjoy sausages, marshmallows, and blueberry tea as a delicious lunch to fuel up after your hike!

Book your snowshoeing experience here!

Try cross-country skiing.

person doing cross country skiing in the snow

If you’ve never tried cross-country skiing, Rovaniemi is a great place to give it a try!

There are plenty of well-groomed cross-country ski trails outside of Ounasvaara, also a popular downhill ski areas near Rovaniemi.

This guided tour is a good thing to try if you’ve never cross-country skied before — they will teach you the motions you need to do in order to glide smoothly across the ski trails!

Tours include pickup and drop-off, a guide, winter clothing and ski suit rental, all ski equipment you’ll need, and a treat at the end of hot beverages and cookies to replenish your energy after your trek!

Book your cross-country ski tour here!

Chase frozen waterfalls in Korouoma National Park.

frozen waterfalls in rovaniemi finland area

One of the benefits of Lapland getting so cold is the opportunity to see some truly otherworldly landscapes… like frozen waterfalls!

One of the best places to spot frozen waterfalls in Finland is in Korouoma Canyon, located in a national park.

If you have a rental car, you can drive there independently. If not, you may want to take a guided tour like this one.

Book your frozen waterfall experience here!

Stay in a glass igloo.

view of glass igloos in finland perfect for northern lights hotels

Finland is known for its incredible glass igloos from which you can watch the Northern lights in bed! While many are located further north, there are a handful of options near Rovaniemi.

I listed one above in the Luxury section of the Where to Stay section, Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle. If that doesn’t quite fit the bill, here’s another choice!

Another popular glass igloo option near Rovaniemi is Apukka Resort, 15 minutes away from Rovaniemi.

Because it’s located a bit outside of the town of Rovaniemi, you’ll be able to enjoy beautifully clear night skies without the light pollution of the city — better chances of the Northern lights, while still getting to enjoy all the fun winter in Rovaniemi activities!

This magical place is truly unforgettable: beyond just glass igloos, they also have an ice sauna as well as moveable saunas that are portable and transported on skis!

There are also private sauna and Jacuzzi experiences, with either an electric sauna or the traditional wood-heated sauna.

But the coolest thing about staying at Apukka Resort is how you can stay in glass igloos that offer you incredible views of the Northern lights dancing overhead through the clear ceiling.

All glass igloos also include an en-suite bathroom so you won’t have to worry about going outside in the cold in the middle of the night! A free breakfast is also included with every night’s stay.

Check reviews, room types, and availability here at Apukka Resort here!

Check out the Arktikum Museum.

View of the arctic landscape in the background with the raised glass roof and dome of the arktikum museum
Interior of the lovely Arktikum museum

One of the coolest places to visit in Rovaniemi is the Arktikum Science Center and Museum. It’s a really interesting place to visit for adults and kids alike, with interactive features as well as informative exhibits.

There are four permanent exhibits which focus on the drastic seasonal shifts in the Arctic (land of both the polar night and midnight sun), life in the North, the changing Arctic climate, and the Arctic Ocean’s history.

They also have a rotating temporary exhibits that change typically once per season. The upcoming year will feature an exhibit on Antarctica.

Tickets cost 15€ for adults and 5€ for children 7-15 (children under 7 are free).

Learn all about arctic wildlife at Ranua Wildlife Park.

polar bear in the snow at ranua wildlife park

Ranua Wildlife Park is located about a one-hour drive away from the city of Rovaniemi, but if you want to see some arctic animals, this is the place to do it!

This unique wildlife park is home to over 50 different species of arctic animals, including polar bears, arctic foxes, lynxes, and wolverines!

The Ranua Wildlife Park takes you on a 1.5-mile walk on a boardwalk through a forested winter wonderland where you can see all sorts of animals along the way.

The Ranua Zoo houses all of its animals in habitats that replicate their natural arctic landscapes to the furthest extent possible… which is fairly easily, since it’s the second northernmost zoo in the world!

This makes the Ranua Zoo a far more ethical zoo option than many others which house arctic animals in non-ideal living conditions.

If you’ve rented a car for your time in Rovaniemi, you can drive to Ranua Wildlife Park.

Alternately, you can opt for a guided tour, which includes pick up and drop off, transportation, entrance fees to the park, and a guide in the park who can teach you about all the animals you see.

Book your day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park here!

Go downhill skiing at Ounasvaara.

The ounasvaraa ski slopes as seen from far away
View onto Ounasvaraa’s ski slopes from across the city

Generally, Rovaniemi isn’t the place to go for downhill skiing in Finland — that would be Levi, about 100 miles away.

However, there is Ounasvaara Ski Resort not far from Rovaniemi if you want to do some downhill skiing as opposed to cross-country skiing (which is a lot more popular in the Rovaniemi area).

Lift tickets are approximately €42.50 per adult for a day pass or €31 for a 2-hour night skiing pass, but there are other options: you can check more pricing details here.

Getting to Ounasvaara from Rovaniemi is not too hard, with public transportation options available from the city center, or you can also take a taxi or drive.

Enjoy art and music at the Korundi House of Culture.

Photo Credit: Ilkka Jukarainen via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Another place in Rovaniemi that is worth visiting is the Korundi House of Culture.

This center is home to the Rovaniemi Art Museum and the Lapland Chamber Orchestra, as well as shops and a cafe.

Tickets to the Rovaniemi Art Museum cost 11€ for adults and 6€ for children, making it one of the more affordable activities in town — and it’s even free on Thursdays between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM!

The Orchestra is also rather affordable as well. Performances typically fall on Thursday and Friday nights and ticket options typically cost around 35€; book tickets online here.

Walk along the Kemijoki River… and maybe go for an ice dip!

Bridge in Rovaniemi city center with iced over river
Beautiful partially-iced over river view!

Rovaniemi is located at the convergence of the Ounasjoki River and the Kemijoki River.

These rivers both tend to freeze over (in full or partially) during the winter, making it even more beautiful.

Take a stroll along the waterfront street, Koskenranta, and admire the scenery.

See if you can spot the hole dug on the other side of the river for swimming in the ice hole.

Some brave Finns may even be taking a dip…

… And you can too if you’re feeling up to it — there is a heated changing room and a steam room available to warm up in afterwards for a small fee of about 5€.

Visit the Luosto Amethyst Mines.

amethyst close up

One of the more unique things to do in Rovaniemi in winter is take a day trip to the amethyst mines in Luosto.

Located about 60 miles from Rovaniemi, visiting these mines in winter is even more interesting because the roads shut down between Lampivaara and the mine, so you’ll have to take the mine’s dedicated Sno-Cat, The Amethyst Pendolino.

This tour includes a guide who will tell you all about the history and geology of the area, as well as stories about the amethysts that have been excavated here.

You’ll even have the chance to dig for your own amethyst with the proper tools, assisted by expert amethyst miners.

The tour also includes a BBQ lunch (including options like salmon soup, reindeer sandwich, and sausage) and hot beverages, in addition to all the necessary transportation.

Book your amethyst mine tour here!

Check out the Pilke Science Centre.

Interior of the Pilke science center which is right next to Arktikum and also included on the Culture Pass. Mixed use building with museum below and office buildings above. Focusing on Finnish forests and sustainability.
Interior of Pilke Science Center

Another fun place to visit in winter in Rovaniemi is the Pilke Science Centre in downtown Rovaniemi.

The Pilke House focuses on an ecosystem very near and dear to Finnish hearts: the forest!

It looks at the forest not only through a scientific lens but also a cultural one, exploring the relationship of Finns (and humans in general!) to their forest environments.

Adult tickets cost 7€, tickets for children aged 7-15 cost 5€, and children under 7 are free. Family tickets are also available for 20€.

Go on a horseback ride through the snow.

irish cob horse black and white in the snow

Horseback riding in the Arctic? Why not! This 3-hour horseback tour is a great option for horse lovers who want the chance to ride wherever they travel.

Enjoy riding atop a Irish cob horse for a 1-hour horseback ride through a forested, glistening winter wonderland, admiring the beautiful Finnish countryside a short distance from Rovaniemi.

You’ll also get the chance to brush the horses and learn a little about their life on the farm and how the horses are well-adapted to the cold environment.

Book your arctic horseback ride here!

Enjoy delicious Nordic cuisine in Rovaniemi’s best restaurants.

plate of reindeer with lingonberry and carrots

Nordic cuisine is a fascinating mix of ingenuity and local ingredients, and you simply must try some Finnish cuisine while you visit Rovaniemi.

In such an extreme environment, limited ingredients are available, and seasonality — as well as preserving the ingredients that are available during the few times of abundance — plays a huge role in Finnish cuisine.

Ravintola Nili is one of the best restaurants in Rovaniemi that serves up traditional Lappish dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try the surprise menu, which offers 4 courses for 59€ — a rather good value for Rovaniemi!

Gustav Kitchen & Bar is another great choice, with an excellent selection of wines and dishes ranging from 15€-25€, all utilizing local Finnish ingredients.

If you have a special occasion, you can reserve one of their two heated igloos!

There is no additional charge for reserving one of the igloos, but they require a minimum 200€ spend, and can fit a party of up to six.

Things to Know Before You Visit Rovaniemi, Finland

Renting a car is likely not necessary.

Rovaniemi is a compact, walkable city with excellent public transportation. Additionally, most guided tours provide transportation.

If you rent a car in Rovaniemi, chances are it will just sit around unused, racking up parking costs and being more of a hindrance than a help.

The exception for this is if you plan to visit different national parks independently, aurora hunt independently, etc., but if you follow a typical Rovaniemi winter itinerary

If you do decide to rent a car, I recommend searching with Discover Cars, which browses through a database of over 500 rental car agencies to find the best price for your rental.

Click here to compare prices on rental cars!

Book everything — especially flights and accommodations — well in advance!

santa claus village in the blue light after the sun has set in rovaniemi in winter

Rovaniemi is the most popular winter destination in Finland, and one of the most popular Arctic destinations period. It’s also a rather small city with limited accommodation options.

You’ll want to book everything in advance, especially if you’re on a budget. Just make sure you opt for things with flexible cancellation policies, because we‘re still in a pandemic!

I like booking my tours with Get Your Guide because of their great cancellation policy (within 24 hours) and my accommodations with Booking.com (cancellation policies vary but are always stated explicitly on the website).

How to Get to Rovaniemi, Finland

By Flight

generic photo in an airport of several seats and a plane outside the window

The most common way to arrive in Rovaniemi is by plane. Typically, people fly first into Helsinki, and then connect to a flight to Rovaniemi Airport.

Finnair is the airline with the most flights to Rovaniemi, followed by Norwegian Airlines.

If you’re flying from Europe, there are seasonal flights to Rovaniemi from Istanbul, Dusseldorf, Brussels, London, Paris, and Dublin.

Once you arrive in Rovaniemi, it’s quite easy to get into town. Remember, as mentioned above, I generally don’t recommend renting a car, since Rovaniemi city center is so walkable and you will mostly rely on guided tours for your winter activities.

Just take the Rovaniemi Airport Shuttle for 7 euros which will drop you off at many hotels in downtown Rovaniemi as well as in the Santa Claus Village area.

Your hotel may also offer a shuttle, so inquire with them as well.

By Train

Train station in Rovaniemi Finland with smoke stack and half moon in sky with twilight colors

You can arrive in Rovaniemi by train from other places in Finland such as Helsinki.

Generally, the train is more expensive than flying, but for some people it may be a good option. You can check details on trains here.

As of June 28, 2022 there are three trains daily: two take approximately 8.5 hours and cost 102 €, arriving in Rovaniemi at 16:46 and 22:47, taking up most of a day.

There is an overnight option which takes 13 hours, but the majority of the travel takes place overnight which can save you time.

It is a higher price at 126€ for a seat or about 300€ for a two-person private sleeper car, but remember, you won’t need accommodation that night so it may shake out to be better for the budget!

Your Ultimate Winter Lapland Itinerary for 2 to 5 Days

The exterior of the unique Rovaniemi snow hotel with the sun low on the horizon in the winter during limited daylight hours on a Lapland afternoon

Looking for the perfect winter destination, a true celebration of the season?

I’m here to help you plan the ultimate Lapland itinerary that includes all of the best winter experiences Finnish Lapland has to offer.

With awe-inspiring natural phenomena, adrenaline-pumping activities, and an introduction to Finnish culture, this Lapland winter itinerary is a customizable guide to experiencing the best of the season!

For the purposes of this itinerary, I recommend you base yourself in Rovaniemi — after all, it’s the official hometown of Santa Claus, so it should be good enough for us!

The beautiful downtown streets of Rovaniemi in the winter time

From Rovaniemi, all the winter enchantments of Lapland beckon, whether its the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights to the heart-pumping thrill of dog sledding through snowy forests to enjoying the quintessentially Finnish tradition of the sauna.

If you’re traveling Rovaniemi with family — or you simply want to relive your childhood a bit — you have to make a stop at Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa himself, cross the Arctic Circle, and send postmarked letters from Santa’s “official” post office.

Rovaniemi not only delivers on all these essential Arctic winter experiences but also simplifies your travel logistics, serving as a convenient hub for accommodation and activities on your Finland winter itinerary.

How This Lapland Itinerary Works

reindeer sled and forest and cabin in rovaniemi finnish lapland

This itinerary is designed to be additive, meaning that I clustered what I think are the most essential winter Lapland activities at the beginning of the itinerary.

That way, you won’t miss out by, say, having a Northern lights tour on day 5, when you’re only planning a 2 day trip to Rovaniemi!

It’s also activity based, since Rovaniemi is all about enjoying the different outdoor activities.

The city itself is a nice hub for meals, accommodations, etc., but this itinerary focuses on the activities.

I’ve broken up each day into morning and evening activities (being that afternoon in the Arctic is not really a concept that translates well).

In the event that you don’t like one day’s morning activities, you can simply look to the next day’s (same goes for evening).

At the end of the post, I’ll also list a few other morning and evening activity suggestions, in case you didn’t quite find what you liked.

That way, this itinerary is perfectly customized to what you really want to see in Rovaniemi and Lapland — not just what I think you want to see!

Day One of Your Lapland Itinerary

Morning: Visit Santa Claus Village

santa claus village in rovaniemi with a red building amidst a snow-covered landscape

Visiting Santa Claus Village is one of the must-do activities while visiting Lapland in winter, especially for those with children!

But even those without kids can enjoy the fun, Disney-like setting of Santa Claus Village and relive their youth a bit!

Depending on how you prefer you travel, you can explore Santa Claus Village and Santa’s Post Office either on your own or with a guided tour.

For independent travelers who want to visit Santa Claus Village, it’s quite easy!

Hop on the local bus #8 departing from the Rovaniemi train station, or take a taxi there.

The colorful, bright red and pink festive interior of the Santa Claus Post Office area of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, a must on your Lapland itinerary.

Note that admission to Santa Claus Village is free of charge, but you’ll likely spend a bit of money on dining or souvenirs from Lapland and the Arctic Circle while you’re there.

There are also more structured guided visits while perhaps are better suited for families.

This small group tour includes a visit across the Arctic Circle (accompanied by a certificate of crossing), a festive Christmas buffet lunch, and an enchanting encounter with reindeer!

Evening: Go on a Northern Lights tour

Allison Green standing in front of the Northern lights on a frozen lake in Finland with her back to the camera
Watching the Northern lights an hour outside of Rovaniemi

For the first night of your Lapland itinerary, join a tour on a riveting chase of the Northern Lights!

Since Rovaniemi is situated just 4 miles south of the Arctic Circle, as well as being an inland location, Rovaniemi is a hotspot for aurora borealis tours throughout the Nordic region!

While you might see the lights while in Rovaniemi itself (read this guide I wrote about the Northern lights in Rovaniemi to know more), going on a specialized aurora chasing tour promises a significantly enhanced viewing experience.

These intimate expeditions, often undertaken in minibuses, are led by experienced aurora trackers who know exactly where to go to find the best aurora chances.

They whisk you away from the lights of Rovaniemi into the serene Finnish wilderness, enhancing your chances of witnessing this otherworldly display of colors!

View of the aurora borealis in Finland away from the city lights of Rovaniemi
The best aurora I saw in Rovaniemi!

Rovaniemi provides a plethora of Northern Lights tour alternatives — here are a few different options.

The most standard option is this 3-hour Northern Lights tour, bringing you to a frozen lake roughly 15 miles from Rovaniemi, setting the stage for an atmospheric evening.

As you wait for the lights to appear, relax in the warmth of a campfire and savor a BBQ dinner of fire-roasted sausages, fish soup, Lappish bread, and blueberry tea under the stars.

Other inclusions are cold-weather gear if required, as well as hotel transfers.

Allison with her back to the northern lights and them lighting up overhead
The Northern lights are always worth the effort!

For those seeking a unique spin on the Northern lights tour, Rovaniemi has some fun options that are more than just your standard tour!

One option is a Northern Lights sauna retreat, where you can warm up in a sauna while waiting for the lights to appear.

Another is a photography-centric tour with professional assistance for capturing the most epic photographs of the aurora with an expert helping you set up your shots.

Whichever experience you pick, the odds of witnessing the mystical lights are relatively high.

However, it’s essential to remember that the Northern lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings can never be guaranteed.

Day Two of Your Lapland Itinerary

Morning: Get your thrills on a dog sledding tour

Allison Green in Tromso, Norway, with a happy husky licking her face after doing a dog sledding tour. She is wearing a red hat and blue scarf and a big smile.

One of the must-dos on any Lapland itinerary (or any Arctic itinerary in general) is going on a dog sledding adventure!

Dog sledding holds a special place in my heart, having done epic husky safaris in Tromso and Abisko, where I fell in love with this winter activity.

Just outside of Rovaniemi, this tour brings you to husky farm in Apukka — before your tour, you’ll have the chance to acquaint yourself with the charming huskies that will make your visit so magical!

Your expert guides will introduce you to the mechanics of husky sledding, demonstrating how to self-drive your own husky sled independently to ensure a safe experience for both you and the huskies.

Pastel sky lit up beautifully with dogs in front of you as you sit in the front seat of a dog sled

However, be aware that self-driving is more of a collaboration than a leisure activity!

You’ll find yourself actively engaging all throughout the tour — running alongside the team and pushing the sled up inclines, contributing to the team effort with your huskies.

But that activity may be too intense for those with kids or those with disabilities or mobility limitations, in which case, a musher-led husky tour is the perfect alternative!

On these tours, you’ll sit in the sledge as your experienced husky sled driver manages all the maneuvering.

That way, you can focus on the excited yelps and howls of the huskies and the stunning beauty of the snowy landscapes around you!

Evening: Visit the epic Arctic SnowHotel

Interior of the Snowhotel in Finland with beds
Photo Credit: Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos

On the second day of this Lapland itinerary, we’ll pay a visit to the unique Arctic SnowHotel, one of the most unique places in Finnish Lapland!

It’s one of perhaps a dozen snow hotels in the world — there are others in Sweden, Norway, Quebec, Austria, and Andorra, to name a few.

While an overnight stay in a snow hotel is often really expensive, usually over a thousand dollars for a night, taking a tour of a snow hotel is a surprisingly economical alternative!

Departing at 4:45 PM, this is the perfect evening activity after a dog sled tour, giving you time for a rest and lunch after your busy morning.

This specific tour has great value — you get to visit both the snow hotel and its glass igloos, but you also get to enjoy a tasty 3-course dinner featuring Lappish-inspired cuisine.

A sample menu is a rich forest mushroom soup, followed by a choice of four main courses (roast elk, fresh Arctic salmon, chicken breast, or cold-smoked tofu for vegetarians), and concludes with a sweet note of lingonberry-caramel custard.

The tour will show you all of this snow hotel’s distinct offerings, like its paradoxical snow sauna, intricate ice sculptures, ice bar, frozen dining area, and naturally, its uniquely designed rooms!

The exterior of the unique Rovaniemi snow hotel with the sun low on the horizon in the winter during limited daylight hours on a Lapland afternoon

Transportation is included, as the snow hotel is located about 30 minutes outside of Rovaniemi.

For an added touch of luxury, consider enhancing your experience with a private session in the snow sauna, complemented by relaxation in your personal jacuzzi!

Book a tour that includes time in the snow sauna here!

The unique construction of a snow sauna in Finland where it is a sauna covered by ice that is heated up to high temperatures yet does not melt the ice

Bear in mind, this ephemeral snow hotel is reconstructed annually, so it only officially opens its doors on December 16th.

If your travels align with these dates, you simply must visit this highlight of a Lapland itinerary.

Alternatively, if you wish to just explore the snow hotel without the dining experience, you can book that option here to save some money (or in case you have pretty restrictive food sensitivities).

That said, given Finnish restaurant prices, it’s my opinion that the visit with the meal inclusion arguably provides a more satisfying bang for your buck.

Day Three of Your Lapland Itinerary

Morning: Visit Korouoma Canyon and its frozen waterfalls

The Korouoma Canyon with beautiful snow covered landscape and jagged cliffs

This 7-hour day trip to frozen waterfalls will keep you busy, exploring one of the best nature areas near Rovaniemi.

Leaving at 9 AM and getting back around 4 PM, this is is a nearly full-day adventure, so plan accordingly!

Korouoma Canyon is massive and impressive, stretching 30 kilometers long and 130 meters deep.

In the winter, once-rushing water over the edges of the canyon crystallize into stunning ice waterfalls — and you might even get to watch ice climbers attempt to scale them!

Ice climbers trying to go up an icefall in the Korouoma Canyon in the winter

Your tour is a lot more horizontal than vertical, though, as you hike through the canyon and admire the landscape of cliffs and waterfalls, looking for native Lapland wildlife.

They’ll provide snowshoes for you so you can hike down to the canyon and along the snowy paths.

At the end of the hike, you’ll have a BBQ lunch of sausages roasted over a campfire to keep you satiated on the drive home!

Evening: Enjoy an aurora-chasing snowmobile safari

A snowmobile chasing an aurora in a snow-covered landscape in Lapland

Depending on your activity budget, tonight might be good time to experience the Northern lights in a totally different way — on snowmobile!

While the first night had you enjoying an aurora camp outside of Rovaniemi, this tour takes a more active approach with an adrenaline-fueled snowmobile aurora chase, hoping the lights appear overhead.

There’s no better way to combine the shocking beauty of the Northern Lights and Lapland’s serene, still wilderness.

Journeying through the night with an expert guide on a 1 to 1.5 hour snowmobile ride, you’ll take a break at an aurora camp to enjoy warm drinks and cookies by a crackling fire.

A bonfire with the Northern lights dancing overhead

While snacking, drinking, and warming up by the fire, you’ll await the aurora’s potential appearance.

Note that this tour requires a valid driver’s license for you to be able to operate the snowmobile, and each snowmobile can seat two people.

If you’re traveling with kids, they can be pulled behind a snowmobile in a sled, cozied up with some warm blankets.

The snowmobile tour leaves at 8 PM and ends at 11 PM, so you’ll definitely want to have dinner in Rovaniemi first before going on this tour.

Day Four of Your Lapland Itinerary

Morning: Visit a reindeer farm and go for a sleigh ride

Allison sitting in a sled on a reindeer farm tour

One of the most essential Lapland experiences is visiting a local reindeer farm to help you understand the history of the Sámi people and how important reindeer are to their culture.

Meeting Sámi reindeer herders is a unique way to learn about the lifestyle of Finland’s only Indigenous people.

After you’re picked up at 9 AM, you’ll visit a reindeer farm, where you’ll learn all about the adorable reindeer and their domestication under the Sámi reindeer herders.

You’ll even get to experience a sled ride pulled by reindeer through the snowy forest — how’s that for feeling like Santa Claus? (Your sled, unfortunately, does not fly).

Allison all bundled up in a hat, scarf, jacket, while in a reindeer sleigh

Speaking with the Indigenous Sámi herders, you’ll gain a first-hand understanding of their ancestral traditions and the role reindeer husbandry has played in their lives.

I wrote about reindeer sledding in Tromso in depth here, where I also go into the Sámi history of reindeer domestication — it’s fascinating!

This is a short tour, starting at 9 AM and ending at 11 AM, so you’ll be back in Rovaniemi in time for lunch and some downtime to explore downtown Rovaniemi before enjoying your evening activities!

Evening: Enjoy a sauna and a traditional Finnish evening.

a lovely relaxing indoor wood dry sauna with rocks

A lot of these activities have been rather active — how about a chill night, the Finnish way?

This 4-hour evening tour takes you on a 30-minute drive to the nearby Langonlamp Lake.

Here you can have a traditional Finnish evening of sauna and ice swimming, with a traditional dinner and hopefully a taste of the Northern lights for dessert!

View of the Northern lights behind a lakeside cabin

The guides will show you how Finns enjoy the sauna, starting with brief increments and then extending their sauna sessions — sometimes cooling down with rolling in the snow or even plunging in the hole made in the ice of an Arctic lake!

They’ll provide a towel and slippers, just BYOBS (bring your own bathing suit!).

Amidst the sauna-ing and ice plunging, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner of salmon cooked over the fire served with non-alcoholic drinks.

Day Five of Your Lapland Itinerary

Morning: Go snowshoeing in the Lapland wilderness

Woman wearing red jacket and backpack and snow pants while hiking in Lapland

Sleep in a bit and enjoy this hiking and snowshoeing tour that leaves Rovaniemi at 12:30 before embarking on a scenic hike through the wild.

This fun snowshoeing adventure brings you through the Arctic forest, learning how to use snowshoes to hike amidst deep snow comfortably and safely.

These winter trails are great for potential wildlife sightings in the frozen landscape.

This slow-paced, family-friendly tour brings you through serene forests with churning rapids that defy the frozen temperatures of the surrounding area.

Along the way, you’ll stop somewhere scenic for a quick snack of gingerbread cookies accompanied by a Lapland favorite of warm blueberry juice!

This tour includes transfers, a guide, snowshoes, and a winter overall and boot set to keep you nice and toasty.

Evening: Go for an ice float under the Northern lights!

Ice floating in orange survival suits in daytime in Finland

On the final night of this Lapland itinerary, here’s a unique activity to end your trip: an ice floating experience with the Northern lights (hopefully) overhead!

What exactly is ice floating?

Wearing a high-quality insulated suit similar to the dry suit that intrepid scuba divers wear before going into icy waters, you’ll float serenely in an icy lake, admiring the night sky.

Without the light pollution of the city, expect to see beautiful stars and planets in the sky — and if you’re lucky, you’ll see the Northern lights as well as you float!

To warm up, you’ll end the tour with some blueberry tea and snacks before heading back to Rovaniemi

Alternative Activities for Your Winter Finland Itinerary

Someone ice fishing in the Rovaniemi Lapland area

If these morning activities didn’t quite scratch the itch, here are a few other suggestions.

I’ve also included a few suggestions for what to do in between morning and evening activities in town in Rovaniemi.

Morning:

Pre-Evening Activities:

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

View of the downtown of Rovaniemi at night from a vantage point on top of a hill not far from the city center.

Mid-Range: Arctic City Hotel

For a balance of cost, comfort, and convenience, the Arctic City Hotel stands out, with an unbeatable position in the heart of Rovaniemi.

Expect roomy, inviting spaces adorned with contemporary Finnish design touches, with a complimentary breakfast buffet.

A standout feature is the hotel’s dual sauna — and you even have the unique option of booking a room that includes your personal sauna space (see the junior suite with sauna).

Check prices and availability here!

Splurge: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle

The aurora outside the window of a Finland glass igloo is vibrant with green color. Inside, you can see the white bed, Finnish design detail, and glass panes of window that show you the aurora from your window which has 180 degree views of the colorful night sky.
Photo Credit: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle

Fancy an overnight stay beneath the stars in a glass-ceiling igloo? Your dream comes true at Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle!

These famed Finnish glass igloos are warmed and have amenities like an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, along with bathrobes and slippers for that extra touch of comfort.

Unique to the igloos is an in-house tablet, your line to the reception for any requests, or to receive alerts for the Northern lights — the ceiling defrost feature ensures unobstructed views.

Opt for the superior igloos for an indulgent private sauna experience, or choose family-sized igloos that cater to four guests, featuring an additional sleeping nook for two.

A short 5-minute stroll from Santa Claus Village, the property also includes shuttle service for easy access to Rovaniemi’s downtown.

Check availability, prices, and reviews here!

Save: Guesthouse Arctic Heart

This well-reviewed guesthouse has rooms ranging from private single or double rooms to 4-bed dormitories segregated by gender.

Though amenities are basic, its great for budget travelers, with cost-saving shared facilities like a kitchen and laundry room.

Discover more about availability, pricing, and guest experiences by clicking here!

13 Fun & Festive Things to Do in Vienna in Winter [2024 Update]

My love affair with Vienna is over a decade long and with no sign of stopping, and visiting Vienna in winter only confirmed that it’s a spectacular city in literally every season.

I first visited Vienna in fall of 2009, when I was studying in nearby Prague.

I was enchanted with the city from my first sight of its rooftops, dazzled by the colorful mosaic roofs that bedecked the tops of Vienna’s most beautiful churches.

Its museums also blew me away — something I was surprised by, after being spoiled for choice of museums, having a few years living in NYC under my belt.

And the pastries and cakes — oh, the cakes! That was when I knew I would revisit Vienna.

I returned to Vienna in December 2019, after a decade’s absence, to visit my family who were visiting Vienna, and we enjoyed the stunning Vienna Christmas markets and festive atmosphere.

And if I initially thought Vienna in the fall was magical, Vienna in winter is truly the time to visit!

the exterior of the spanish riding school in vienna
The winter spirit of Vienna is everywhere!

Its festive markest and decorations, its delicious street food stalls serving käsespätzel and bratwurst and garlic soup in bread bowls.

Seeing Vienna in winter, even though I went there wasn’t any snow, was even more magical than before.

There’s something so romantic about visiting Vienna.

It’s the setting of one of my favorite travel movies of all time — Before Sunrise — an epic romance which spans three movies and several decades of the characters lives.

And when you see Vienna for yourself, you’ll know why!

This guide will walk you through all my favorite things to do in Vienna in winter — whether you visit for the Vienna Christmas markets or in other parts of the winter!

Vienna in Winter: 13 Best Activities & Things to Do

Shop (and eat everything) at the Christmas Markets.

Looking out the window at the beautiful Schonbrunn palace and seeing all the Christmas market stalls below around the time of sunset
The Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace

2024 Update: The Christmas Markets have closed for the 2023-2024 season; the first markets will reopen on November 10th (including Am Hof, Stephansplatz, and the largest one at Rathausplatz )

Living in Europe for about five years, I’ve been to my share of Christmas markets in Europe.

At this point, and in general, they all run together for me: but not so in Austria!

Vienna Christmas Markets are easily the best I’ve experienced in all of Europe, better even than Germany’s. Yup, I’ve said it and I’ll stand by it!

Surprisingly, the food at the Vienna Christmas Markets far exceeded my expectations.

I had a dreamy spätzel with butter, applesauce, and dusted hazelnuts at the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace, which was one of my favorite Christmas markets in the city.

There, I also had a phenomenal garlic soup – okay, the first of many delicious garlic soups.

Allison's hand holding a thing of cheese spaetzel (dumplings) while wearing a winter jacket in Vienna
Spätzel and applesauce, a match made in heaven!

One of my other favorite Christmas Markets at the city was in Am Hof Square, which conveniently I happened to be staying right in front of!

The cheese bratwurst there was amazing (it sounds so wrong; it tastes so right), as was the käsespätzel from heaven.

The same stall that served the käsespätzel, Tiroler Hut, also served a fantastic pork and cabbage dish that blew me away.

Other dishes worth trying are the raclette (always) and the waffles.

The only Christmas Market I didn’t love was the biggest one, the one in front of Rathausplatz.

It was crowded to the point where I basically grabbed my partner and fled the scene because I was on the verge of panicking.

If you don’t mind crowds, you’ll surely love it, but it made me really anxious!

People in their winter clothing standing in the market in one of the main central areas of Vienna's downtown where there are lots of markets in the right season
More Christmas markets, this one a smaller one found near the Spanish Riding School

For central but less intense Christmas markets, there are also excellent smaller markets in front of the Spanish Riding School, Kunsthistorisches Museum, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

For the souvenir-obsessed, the Christmas Markets also prove to be a fantastic place to shop.

We ended up taking home some beautiful ceramic mugs and an… interesting figurine which is now staring at me on my shelf while I write this.

Walk the beautiful Ferstel passage.

One of the few covered passageways in Vienna with Allison in a winter coat looking at the camera
Feeling Parisian in the Ferstel Passage

Similar to the covered passageways you’d find in Paris, Austria has its own gorgeous covered arcade, Ferstel Passage, that is one of my favorite places to escape the cold a bit and get lost.

It’s located right near Am Hof Square, so it’s quite a central location and definitely worth going slightly out of your way to visit.

The passage has pillars going all the way back, decorated with ornate marblework, with a stunning vaulted ceiling.

It leads you past several luxury shops, cafés (including one of the best coffee shops in Vienna), to a small interior courtyard with a fountain at its center.

On one end of the passage is the famous Café Central, the most famous coffee houses in Vienna.

And honestly, I can’t recommend you go there, unless you have an insane stroke of luck and manage to visit when there’s no line.

Every time I passed Café Central, it looked to be at least an hour’s wait just for a table!

So my pro tip is to walk past the lines, stroll through the passage languorously.

Then enjoy a line-free coffee at CaffèCouture, instead!

It may not be your traditional Vienna coffee shop, but it had one of the best flat whites I’ve ever had… and with a fraction of the price tag and no wait, either.

See a show at the Spanish Riding School.

the interior of the spanish riding school all lit up and ready for a show with the white stallion horses
The beautiful interior of the Winter Riding School in Vienna

The first time I was in Vienna, I somehow never learned about the Spanish Riding School — which is a shame, because when I was younger, I was totally enraptured by horses.

Now a bit more weary of them after a few haywire horse rides, I was still utterly enchanted by the exquisite horsemanship skills of the riders at the Spanish Riding School.

Seeing a show there was a highlight of my winter trip to Vienna.

The Spanish Riding School is quite a unique place: a gorgeous riding hall and stables smack dab in the middle of the city center, right next to the Hofburg Palace complex.

At the school, they use exclusively Lipizzaner horses as they have for centuries — a beautiful white stallion which originated from Slovenia but was bred for centuries by the Hapsburgs.

There are several options of how you can see the Lipizzaners, but my preferred way is at the show, when you can really see the horses in their element in the beautiful baroque Winter Riding School, which dates back to 1735.

Another close up view of the interior of the Spanish Riding school as seen from ground level
The beautiful chandeliers and Baroque detailing of the Winter Riding School

The performance lasts about an hour and a half and includes several different parts.

You’ll get to see younger horses showing off basic gaits to the more seasoned stallions showing off dressage moves in a beautifully coordinated mirror image, called the ‘pas-de-deux’.

Finally, the most interesting part is their school jumps, where the horses perform masterful jumps that really just have to be seen to be believed!

Book your tickets to the Spanish Riding School today, available on weekends only.

However, tickets to the show can be a bit expensive – if you want to save money, you can opt for standing room tickets, which are about half or a third of the price.

Alternately, you could also opt for the morning exercises which are less expensive.

Admittedly, it is a bit less impressive as it’s not as structured or rehearsed as the show, which shows both the riders and the horses at their finest. The morning exercises run every day except Monday.

A final option is a guided tour of the Spanish Riding School itself, which shows you both the winter and summer riding halls, the Stallburg arcade, and the stables of the Lipizzaners.

You’ll even get to see the Lipizzaners up close, though there is a strictly no touching and no photos policy! These tours also run daily except Monday.

If you’re not sure which sounds best and you want to read a guide about all the different options, I have a guide to visiting the Spanish Riding School and what you’ll see at a performance here.

Get down on some glühwein.

A person in their winter gear including cloves and a jacket and hood, pouring some hot mulled wine into a plastic cup with a ladel, steaming wine
Is it really winter in Vienna without glühwein

Every night in winter Vienna comes to life with people gathering at the Christmas Markets to enjoy glühwein, a hot mulled wine with spices.

And that’s not the only hot drink these stalls serve — you’ll find all sorts of other beverages of the warm and alcoholic variety (including in some cases, perplexingly to my Brazilian ex, a hot caipirinha).

People will often gather at the Christmas markets in the evening (evening being a loose term, given that sunset in Vienna in December is around 4 PM…) and drink glühwein or other hot punches, alcoholic or otherwise, until around 10 at night.

Generally, the Christmas markets operate on a Pfand (deposit) system.

When you buy your first glühwein, you’ll pay an extra 3 or 4 euros for a cute mug to drink your wine out of.

You can either keep it as a souvenir, you can refill your drink in it throughout the time you’re at the market, or you can return your mug at the end of your market carousing to get your deposit back.

Marvel at the works at the Albertina.

A series of three modern pieces of artwork on the wall at the famous Albertina museum in Vienna, one of the top museums
Beautiful Impressionist art at the Albertina

The Albertina is my favorite museum in Vienna – and in fact, one of my favorite museums in the world.

It contains an incredible collection of impressionist and expressionist art, which are two of my all-time favorite art movements.

Here, you’ll find lots of Renoirs, Monets, Picassos, Munchs, Chagalls, and more — plus a nice contemporary collection as well.

You can pre-book your tickets here to avoid lines.

The temporary exhibits are often much more crowded than the permanent collection, so keep that in mind when planning your Albertina trip.

When I went, the Dürer collection was so full that it was pretty miserable to walk through, but everything else was pretty clear.

Entrance: €17 euro per adult | Free with Vienna Pass

Attend a classical concert.

view of people playing music in vienna with a violin and other instruments.
Concert taking place in a church in Vienna

Vienna is known for its music… and how can it not be, being that it was the birthplace of Mozart?

A classy-(cal) way of getting out of the cold in Vienna is attending a concert! There are several classical music concerts, typically performed in different churches around the city.

One of the most beautiful venues is St. Anne’s Church, a stunning baroque church with exquisite marble interior and gorgeous frescoes on the ceilings and walls.

You can attend a 70-minute concert here, performed by the Viennese String Ensemble, which includes a selection of music from Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and others.

Shows begin at 8 PM and occur four times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Book your show today!

Another option is to see Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by the Orchestra 1756 at the Karlskirche, another beautiful and historic church in central Vienna.

Shows generally are on Thursdays, Fridays, and some Tuesdays, but they often sell out up to a month in advance, so book your show early so you don’t miss out!

There are several other options as well, such as Mozart’s Requiem, the Vienna Residence Orchestra, and more, so classical music fans – or the classical music curious – will be spoiled for choice.

Have a traditional Viennese meal.

Boiled beaf and vegetables and potatoes in a broth, a very typical winter Vienna dish
A delicious boiled beef dish – one of my favorite dishes in Vienna

I’ll be honest — Austrian cuisine is not my favorite.

There’s nothing wrong with it, per se, but I just prefer my food a little more spicy and flavorful. That said, you should at least try Austrian food while in Vienna!

However, here are two stand-out Viennese dishes that I think are definitely worth seeking out while in Vienna (besides all the cake): boiled beef, which is much tastier than it sounds, and of course, Weiner schnitzel!

After all, the ‘Weiner’ in weiner schtnizel refers to Wien, aka Vienna.

I had a really nice boiled beef just opposite the Albertina, and you can have delicious weiner schnitzel just about anywhere in Vienna!

Get cultured at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

The ceiling at the Art history museum with ornate fresco work and detailing
It’s hard to know whether to look ahead or up at the Art History Museum!

I’m not normally the type to recommend museum after museum, but Vienna truly has some of the best museums in the world, so it’d be a shame not to visit them.

Especially since if you’re visiting Vienna in winter, you’ll probably want to get out of the cold as much as you can!

The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) is full Vienna’s older art collection, whereas the Albertina hosts newer pieces.

Here, you’ll find the largest collection of Bruegels in the world, with 12 out of his 40-odd known pieces on display permanently.

But one of the coolest things is its gorgeous ceiling painting (shown above), as well as its wall panels supporting the roof featuring work from Gustav Klimt, one of Austria’s most famous artists of all time.

Other classical artists like Rembrandt, Velazquez, and Dürer are also on display.

Cost: €16 for adults | Free with the Vienna Pass

Be stunned by the opulence of Schönbrunn Palace.

View at the Schonbrunn Palace of the interior with pastel, ornate wallpaper, and fancy home furnishings and people admiring the displays
Absolutely worth visiting the interior of the palace!

Located outside of the city center of Vienna, Schönbrunn Palace is entirely worth the detour. This exquisite palace was the summer residence of the Hapsburgs.

There are several options for how to visit Schönbrunn Palace, including two tiers of tickets. There are two main options: the Imperial Tour, which include 22 rooms, or the Grand Tour, with 40 rooms.

We opted for the Imperial Tour, thinking 22 rooms would be plenty and we’d avoid museum fatigue this way.

However, when we hit the end, we were a little bummed that we actually hadn’t booked the full tour, as it was all so impressive!

You can book your ticket and go with an audio guide, as we did, but the problem is that lines can often be insane.

We got lucky and somehow managed to visit on a day where there wasn’t much of a line (maybe because it wasn’t a weekend), but the palace website says that lines can exceed three hours during peak times (and Vienna in December is definitely peak!).

Pro tip: For more historical context AND to skip the line, you can join a guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace. Book your tour here!

Another popular, albeit touristy, thing to do at Schonbrunn Palace is to check out the Strudel Show, which takes place at the court bakery where strudel was made for the royals for centuries!

The Strudel Show is a funny, quirky show where they show you how strudel is made before plopping down a hot piece of strudel in front of you with a piping hot beverage to enjoy!

If you’re visiting Vienna in winter with kids, you’ll definitely want to plan to visit this as well (it makes good bribery for getting them to visit the palace as well.)

Avoid lines and pre-book your Strudel Show here.

(Window) shop ’til you drop on Der Graben.

A crowded street with lots of tourists walking under the lights in the festive lanterns.
One of Vienna’s most decorated streets!

Vienna is fancy. And nowhere is that more evident than on Der Graben, one of the premier shopping streets of Vienna.

Der Graben is the heart of Vienna’s shopping district, and several streets also worth shopping around radiate out from it.

You’ll find everything from luxury brands like Prada and Chanel to high street fashion to smaller boutique designers as well.

You probably won’t do much shopping here unless you have a very high limit on your credit card and a will to use it.

Still, it’s really fun to window shop and wander through the street, marveling at all the crazy window displays.

Visit the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

checkered rooftop in the typical tile of vienna

One of the most famous churches in all of Vienna, it’s hard to miss St. Stephen’s Cathedral – so don’t!

This exquisite church was badly bombed during World War II, but it has been renovated beautifully. I mean, just look at that roof!

The interior is also exquisite, but for me personally, the roof is the main draw.

Don’t miss walking around its perimeter, as there’s a really cute Christmas market there – the oldest in the city, in fact.

Take a fiaker around the center.

Allison and her family sitting in a horse fiaker ride in Vienna
Enjoying a fiaker ride with my family in Vienna in winter

One of the major facets of central Vienna you’ll see is the fiaker, a traditional horse-drawn carriage.

Once a necessity in pre-car Vienna, the fiaker is now a tourist attraction, and taking a carriage ride around the city center is a fantastic way to spend a winter Vienna afternoon.

We took a 15-minute carriage ride for 40 euro for 4 people — they also had 30-minute rides for 75 euro — which was a bit pricy, but it was well worth the fun experience! It’s an especially great thing to do if visiting Vienna with kids.

Book your carriage ride online here!

The carriage we took was uncovered as it wasn’t a very cold day, but if it’s raining or snowing they’ll put up the roof so you can enjoy it in any kind of weather.

The horses were well-loved and well-cared for, but as with any activity involving horses, check for signs that the horse is well-treated (healthy looking hair, skin, and hooves).

To get to see a little more insight on the carriage horses, check out this tour which lets you see the fiaker stables and learn about the history of these horse-drawn carriages before taking a carriage back into the city center.

Book your fiaker stable tour and carriage ride here!

Stop for some lebkuchen!

Allison's partner with a studious look on his face trying to pick out the right cookie at a market
Studiously picking out a good lebkuchen

Lebkuchen, aka gingerbread, is a delicious souvenir of your time in Vienna and it can be found at any of the city’s Christmas Markets.

There are several ways you can get your lebkuchen, including traditional which is generally un-iced.

However, the cutest way to get it is generally frosting covered with sweet wishes on the front in either German or English!

Where to Stay in Vienna in Winter

Vienna’s city center is compact and easily transited by foot or metro, so there’s no shortage of excellent accommodation options.

I’ll let you know where we stayed first, then I’ll share some other options for different budgets.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the peerless Park Hyatt Vienna right across from Am Hof Square with its amazing Christmas Market.

Honestly, I think it’s up there as one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed at in my life!

Interior of the Park Hyatt vienna with sofa, bed, ornate wallpaper
Marble bathroom in the Park Hyatt Vienna with soaking tub

The breakfast buffet spreads and the breakfast in bed were both equally phenomenal, the rooms were basically like mini-palaces, the bathrooms were gorgeous with a marvelous tub, and everything was controlled electronically which basically made me feel like I was in the future.

I had dreamed of staying in a Park Hyatt since seeing Lost in Translation and it lived up to my every expectation of it and more.

Other shout outs go to the incredible spa center with an excellent steam room, sauna, and rain shower with a gorgeous indoor pool, the amazing on-site restaurants and their daily tea time, and excellent personalized service.

Check prices, reviews, photos and availability here!

Where to Stay on a Budget

Of course, there are more budget-friendly options in Vienna — the Park Hyatt was where we stayed as it was a special occasion having my family meet my husband for the first time (since we eloped!).

The first time I stayed in Vienna, I was a backpacker and chose the Wombats Hostel and have nothing but positive memories of it (even though it’s basically the polar opposite of the Hyatt).

It’s a great hostel chain, social but not party-centric, with all the amenities you’d expect in dorms and also lovely double rooms at a budget-friendly price, perfect for friends or couples who don’t want to share a dorm room.

Check prices, reviews, and availability of Wombats Hostel here

Where to Stay on a Mid-Range Budget

If you want something between a hostel and a five-star hotel, Vienna has tons of wonderful and unique options that won’t break the bank.

Motel One is a trendy boutique hotel chain with a few options around Vienna – there’s one by the Hauptbanhof (great if you’re going to travel around Austria a bit) as well as one near Westbanhof.

Both offer sleek, design-focused, super-comfortable double rooms for around 100 euro a night, with lovely boutique touches and central locations near major transit hubs.

Check prices, reviews, and availability of Motel One here

What to Wear in Vienna in Winter

Allison in a peacoat, hat, glasses, sitting under a large piece of art
Peacoats and Vienna — sometimes warm enough, but sometimes you want a parka!

It was an unnaturally warm December in Vienna this year!

I wore a dress, leggings, boots, hat, and warm wool coat basically every day and was always warm. I didn’t even need a scarf most days!

However, winter temperatures in Vienna are usually colder than that.

As I write update this post in January 2024, Vienna will range from -6° C to 12° C this week (21° F to 54° F).

When I was in Vienna in December, it never colder than 10° C all week — that’s 50° F!

Here’s what I recommend packing so you don’t get too cold in Vienna in winter:

A jacket: It depends how warm you want to be! I love my North Face parka, but Vienna was too warm for a down jacket during my last visit so I was fine with a regular wool peacoat.

Warm boots: Despite the picture of a snow-covered Vienna you may have in your head, winter is not typically super snowy. I wrote my pair of waterproof leather boots rather than heavy-duty snow boots. This is the style I own: a classic equestrian boot that is waterproof with good traction.

Fleece-lined knit hat: Since your jacket is likely a dark or neutral color, it’s fun to liven up your look (and photos) with a colorful hat or two. I like a snug knit hat lined in fleece.

Warm layers: I normally find wool unbearably itchy for a base layer — that is until I found Kari Traa merino wool base layers (bottoms here and half-zip top here). Note that the classic is the kind I like — the Fryd Base is too thin for much warmth.

An enormously wrappable scarf: The bigger and thicker the scarf, the better — again, this is a place where you can incorporate color and variety in your winter looks.

Touchscreen friendly globes: These gloves are adorable, smartphone-compatible, and affordable.

Visiting the Spanish Riding School in Vienna: 5 Ways to Experience the Magic [2024]

Visiting the Spanish Riding School in Vienna is a can’t-miss item on any Vienna itinerary

With a history spanning 450 years, Vienna’s Spanish Riding School (The Spanische Hofreitschule) is more than just a landmark of classical dressage.

The Spanish Riding School is about history and tradition, true, but also the enduring fascination between horses and people, and the relationships that riders are able to develop their with horses.

From its royal beginnings to its more humble everyday significance now, the Spanish Riding School is a captivating place to visit in Vienna.

Despite two World Wars, despite changing trends and times, the Spanish Riding School stays true to traditional dressage: their equestrians train for years to perfect exercises like the capriole and the piaffe

During the Spanish Riding School shows, awestruck visitors can watch as these magnificent Lipizzaner stallions perform a breathtaking equine dance accompanied by Viennese classical music.

There are many ways you as a visitor can experience a piece of this rich history — whether by watching a performance, observing a training session, or touring the stables.

I’ll talk a bit about my experience watching the official performance at the Spanish Riding School, but then I’ll also talk about other ways you can visit the the horses in Vienna — on all different kinds of budgets!

My Experience Visiting the Spanish Riding School

the exterior view of the spanish riding school with its signature teal-blue-green dome and christmas lights also visible
The Spanish Riding School building from the outside

I saw the traditional performance at the Spanish Riding School while I was visiting Vienna in the winter of 2019 with family.

My stepmother is a huge horse lover so this was a must on our family’s itinerary.

We snagged some great seats (front row!) which made the spectacle all the more amazing — it was definitely worth the added cost because our views were incredible.

Photos and videos of the performance are not allowed, for reasons that should be obvious (an accidental flash could absolutely spook a horse or distract a rider).

That said, I did manage to grab this one photo before the show began, to show that this really is the most beautiful riding hall I can imagine!

the interior of the spanish riding school all lit up and ready for a show
View before the show began

There are several stages of the performance that you’ll get to enjoy — they hand out a “playbook” of sorts as you seat, letting you know what’s on the agenda.

First, you’ll meet the young stallions — these guys are fresh out of basic training boot camp, and they’ll show you their perfected gaits: walking, trotting, and cantering all in beautiful harmony with the music. 

But let’s be real — you’re here for the Lipizzaners, the fully-trained mature horses. And these guys really know how to put on a show! 

The show includes all sorts of advanced movements — the half-pass, pirouettes, the piaffe (which is like a very jaunty trot with high steps, all remaining in place) — with the horses and humans alike showing the elegance of a dancer!

The highlight of the show is the “airs above the ground” portion, or school jumps — a series of high-level classical dressage school jumps in the Haute École style where the horse leaves the ground or balances!

You’ll witness stunning jumps and tricks such as the capriole, courbette, and the dramatic levade.

I had no area what any of these were before I saw the show, so here’s a quick primer of what those words actually mean, in case you’re not a horse nut who knows all the equestrian traditions.

The capriole is a move that the horse jump off the ground, tuck its forelegs under, and kick out with its hind legs mid-air – a move requiring tremendous strength and agility!

close up of a horse's head during the spanish riding school performances
Photography of the performance is not permitted, so here’s a stock image of a gorgeous Lipizanner!

The courbette showcases the horse balancing and hopping on its hind legs, a sight that truly defies gravity and boggles the mind!

The levade involves the horse lifting its body onto its hind legs at a 45-degree angle and holding the pose, a testament to the horse’s power and control (and the rider’s balance!).


There’s also an impressive pas de deux performance, in which two horses form mirror images of one another and perform one hell of an optical illusion, dancing in unison yet reflected in the other.

The performance culminates with the Grand Quadrille, the most complex and largest school quadrille there is, and what the school is known for!

In this, eight stallions move together in intricately choreographed patterns, like an otherworldly equestrian dance, showing off the complete repertoire of High School movements.

The entire performance is performed in harmony with classical music, for an extra dash of drama and elegance!

It’s called the Ballet of the White Stallions for a reason: it’s truly like a choreographed dance, requiring years of training to master this art of classical dressage.

The Vienna Spanish Riding School’s performance is truly a testament to the decades of training and the deep mutual respect between the riders and their Lipizzaner stallions — it’s sure to leave you spellbound.

Book your tickets to see the Ballet of the White Stallions here!

5 Ways to Visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna

the exterior of the spanish riding school in vienna
The exterior of the beautiful Spanish Riding School in Vienna!

There are a variety of ticket options when it comes to visiting the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

Note also that if you have the Vienna Pass, you are entitled to free admission to attend one of the training program of the white stallions (during the duration of your card’s validity).

​Also note that it’s only a standing room only ticket, not a seated ticket, so keep that in mind if you have a disability that would make standing the entire time difficult.

​The Vienna Pass does not entitle you to see a performance or take a guided tour of the stables and facility, so if you want to do that, you’ll have to book those tickets separately.

Best Way: Performance Of The Lipizzans At Spanish Riding School – Book Here

interior view of where the lipizanner horses perform
Interior view of the Spanish Riding School’s winter area

For a spectacle that’s one part equestrian marvel, one part historic tradition, and all parts absolutely breathtaking, you’ve got to attend one of the twice-weekly performances of the world-famous Lipizzaner Stallions.

Be sure you book your tickets ahead of time as the tickets often sell out 2-3 weeks beforehand.

This is the best option for seeing the Lipizzaners perform their magic, in the way they were meant to be seen!

Imagine a beautiful horse ballet in the grandeur of the Baroque Winter Riding School in Vienna, dancing underneath exquisite chandeliers paired to music: that’s basically what a Spanish Riding School performance is all about!

You’ll gasp in awe as the magnificent Lipizzaner stallions and their skilled riders prance, pirouette and perform intricate leaps, all in perfect harmony with classic Viennese music. 

Plus, the ambiance of the riding hall is so enchanting that it’s pretty easy to blink and forget you’re in the 21st century!

This show is a 70-minute display of Haute École, a form of dressage nearly 500 years old. This equine art form is so impressive and enduring that it has earned a spot on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

The equestrian performance has been given an extra sprinkle of magic thanks to a phenomenal lighting concept developed by acclaimed multimedia artist, André Heller. 

 These performances are exclusive to Saturdays and Sundays, so you’ll want to get your tickets well in advance as it’s quite a popular event in Vienna, and seats are limited. 

The standard performance runs about 70 minutes, starting at 11 AM.

But what about ticket prices? They’re surprisingly not bad!

They start at a modest $42 for standing area tickets, and $77 for seated tickets.

But if you’re feeling a tad more extravagant, the best seats in the house are yours for $138.

Occasionally, for special occasions like New Year’s, the School pulls all the stops for an extended 1.5-hour performance for a little bit more, but it’s worth it!

Next Best: Morning Training of the Lipizzaner Stallions – Book Here

the exterior of the spanish riding school
Outside the Spanish Riding School (as no photography is permitted during training, either)

There are a few reasons you may not go to a performance: maybe the tickets are out of your price range (though the standing room tickets are a steal, in my book!), or perhaps you’re not visiting Vienna on a weekend.

Or perhaps you are visiting on a weekend, but you’re reading this post too late and unfortunately, the next performance at the riding school is already sold out.

In that case, the next best thing you can do is book tickets for the morning exercise of these beautiful Lipizzan horses.

You’ll get to see some of the training that the young stallions (and more seasoned ones alike) undergo in order to be able to perform at the Riding School.

The morning exercise includes a one-hour spectating experience, getting to watch both the older, seasoned Lipizzaner stallions who are fully-trained as well as the adorable young horses, the gray colts, who are learning from the pros!

This one-hour morning exercise tour brings you into the Baroque Winter Riding School to show you the ins and outs of how the horses are trained — all paired with lovely classical music, since this is Vienna, after all.

The training is all about strengthening the horses and refining the relationship between horse and rider, so you may not see all of the fancy jumps that the Haute École is known for, such the the levade, the courbette, the quadrille, and the capriole.

If you want to see those fancy jumps and tricks for sure, you’ll have to attend the actual performance that I talked about above. 

That’s because these unique jumps and movements are not practiced every day, so you’re not guaranteed to see them at the morning training session.

While you may not get to see all the elegant fanfare that the Haute École style of dressage is known for, you will get to see the interior of the Winter Riding School.

You can also see the horses from afar, and learn more about the history of this style of classical horsemanship.

The price isn’t bad for this tour, either: about $18 for a standing ticket or $20 for a seated ticket.

The morning training takes place Tuesdays through Fridays at 10 AM for one hour.

Also, note that if you have a Vienna Pass, a morning training ticket (standing room only) is included!

For Historical Context: 1-Hour Guided Tour of the Spanish Riding School – Book Here

the tack room at the spanish riding school
The well-organized tack room of the Spanish Riding School!

While personally, I think the best way to experience the Spanish Riding School is by attending a performance or a training, you can also visit the grounds of the famous Vienna riding school on a 1-hour guided tour.

Led by an expert equestrian guide, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Winter Riding School’s Baroque beauty.

You’ll also get to see the Summer Riding School (where you can see the largest horse walker in the world, as well as take a stable tour!).

The stables are housed in the Stallburg, which is one of the most significant architectural landmarks in Vienna, dating back to the Renaissance period. 

Its gorgeous arcade courtyard and the stables around it are a true sight to behold!

You’ll learn all about the nearly half-millennium of history that is the Haute Ecole dressage style, and how it’s been specifically cultivated and maintained in Vienna throughout the centuries.

This tour takes place several times daily, so you can easily pair it with either a performance or a morning exercise (I really do suggest you do both — it’s hard to understand the beauty of the artform without seeing it yourself). 

Depending on the time of year, the tours vary. In peak season, there are 4 tours daily: at 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM. 

Outside of the summer season, you’ll find there are only 2 tours daily, at 2 PM and 4 PM.

Tickets are quite reasonable, at about $23 USD per ticket.

I got to see behind the scenes paired my performance experience and it was really cool to get to see all the horse’s equipment (like the saddles, reins, saddle pads, etc), as well as the historic stables!

For History and Views: From Stables to Attic Floors Tour – Book Here

the stables of the spanish riding school with a gold plated engraved statement in german
The stables of the Spanish Riding School

This architecture and history tour is all about the Spanish Riding School grounds itself, visiting everything from the stable areas to the attic structure (which the previous tour doesn’t visit).

The attic structure is quite cool — this 250-year-old wooden roof is a marvel of architecture, cobbled together from over 2,000 pieces of wood.

But the view you’ll get from here is even better, since you can climb a ladder to see an incredible rooftop view of Vienna from a small window.

This is the postcard-perfect snap of the Old Town of Vienna, from an angle no one else (except those on your tour) can claim!

Of course, you’ll also learn the history of the Spanish Riding School and get to visit the horse stables of the Lipizzan stallions (the Stallburg) and the Winter Riding School.

Basically, it’s the same as the tour above except for the addition of the attic visit tahat gives you excellent views of Vienna.

This special tour is only given once a week, at 3:30 PM on Saturdays, so book it in advance if it’s something you want to do on your visit to Vienna!

On Special Occasions: “A Tribute to Vienna” Performance – Book Here

Two horses outside the spanish riding school
These horses aren’t part of the riding school, but they sure are cute!

Occasionally, there’s a unique collaboration between the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Spanish Riding School, in which the two work together to put on a live performance of two of Vienna’s classical art forms.

Normally, there is recorded music that the show is set to, but on these occasions, the Philharmonic performs live as the Spanish Riding School does its traditional performance in the beautiful Winter Riding Hall.

There are only one or two shows a month, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for tickets and consider yourself extra lucky if your visit happens to coincide with one of the more unique ways to see these famous Lipizzaner horses in action!

For the duration of 2023, here are the remaining shows: August 19, August 26, October 21, December 8, and December 15.

These live shows are around the same price as the regular shows: $38 USD for standing tickets, $72 for second gallery seats, and $119 for first gallery seats.

Seeing the Vienna Philharmonic and the Spanish Riding School all in one experience — for no more than a regular performance? I’d definitely call that two birds, one stone!

History of the Spanish Riding School in Veinna

the horses of the spanish riding school
Horse crossing! Seeing the horses of the Spanish Riding School return to their stables after a training

Back in the 16th century, Emperor Maximilian II, an avid horse nut, set out to establish an equestrian academy in Austria.

His goal was to showcase the agility and grace of the lovely Lipizzaner horses that he so loved. 

These stark-white horses are a rare, beloved breed that traces its roots back to Spanish stock.

That’s why the school is named the “Spanish” Riding School, by the way, in case you were wondering — it’s to honor the lineage of these Spanish horses!

Little did he know he was starting what would become a beloved institution that would still delight equestrians and curious travelers alike!

I bet he imagined that it’d be a popular tourist destination well into the 21st century — and even be perhaps the most famous riding school in history.

The Spanish Riding School Grounds

the interior of the spanish riding school with two grand chandeliers, beautiful baroque crown molding on the ceiling
The interior of the Baroque-style Winter Riding School

Throughout the year, the main building where shows take place is the Winter Riding School, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

This key building is located in the heart of central Vienna’s old town, and it makes up part of the Hofburg Palace complex.

While it has winter in the name, it is home to performances throughout much of the year.

Designed by the famed Baroque architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer, this riding hall is one of the most iconic places in Vienna, as elegant as the horses who grace its grounds!

This grand indoor hall, complete with ornate crown molding and beautiful crystal chandeliers, sets the stage for a dramatic performance of horses and their riders, as the snow-white Lipizzaner stallions perform a variety of almost dance-like movements in perfect harmony with music.

Tips for Visiting the Spanish Riding School

Dress appropriately.

There is no dress code, but you’ll likely want to show up in smart casual dress.

That way, you don’t feel out of place compared to how elegant these horses are!

Dress for the season.

Allison in Vienna underneath a painting
What I wore to the Spanish Riding School performance in winter

Also, be aware that the Winter Riding Hall, while indoors, is not heated. 

I visited Vienna in winter, and I wore my wool jacket the entire time because it was rather cold in there!

On the same note, it’s not climate controlled in the summer, either. 

If you’re visiting in June or late August when it may be quite hot, it’ll be warm in there as well.

Note the age restriction on young kids.

If you are traveling with young kids, be aware that the Spanish Riding School does not admit kids under the age of 3 years of age.

You’ll have to wait until your kids are a little more grown up in order to visit!

Be aware of when the horses do not perform.

a relaxing horse with braids in its hair

Of course, the horses do get some well-earned breaks!

​From the start of July to mid-August, the horses take a 6-week long break and go hang out in the countryside.  

During these times of the year, there are no performances or training exercises, though you can still do a guided tour of the premises.

Accessibility needs can be accommodated with notice.

If you use a wheelchair or require accessible assistance, it is possible to visit the Winter Riding School with stepless access.

There are a limited number of spots reserved for people in wheelchairs, so book in advance and let them know you need seats with stepless accessibility.

You can also take a guided tour of the Winter Riding School and the Stallburg (stables) barrier-free — again, contact the Riding School and let them know this so they can accommodate you.

Additionally, the visitor center has a wheelchair accessible toilet. 

Tromsø Ice Domes: 3 Easy Ways to Visit Tromso’s Ice Hotel in 2024

One of the bedrooms at the Tromso Ice Domes with ice carvings and reindeer pelts on the bed

Of all the things I wanted to do in Tromso in winter, visiting the ice and snow hotel in Tromsø — the Tromso Ice Domes — was high up on my list.

I mean, a hotel that’s entirely constructed of ice and snow, rebuilt each year in the middle of a frozen-over valley above the Arctic Circle?

What’s not to love?

No, I’m asking seriously — I never found anything… except for maybe the high price, but hey, this is Norway — what do you expect?

People inside the Ice Domes hotel, posing in the mystical ice carvings where a throne has been carved out of pure ice.
The beauty of the Ice Domes has to be experienced in person!
⌛ Planning your Ice Domes trip in a hurry? Here are my quick picks.

❄️ Best Tromso Ice Domes Experiences
1. Overnight stay package for two (includes ice hotel stay, transfers, meals, snowshoe hike, aurora camp, and morning dog sled)
2. Day visit to the Ice Domes from Tromso (includes tour, meal, and transfers)
3. Combination Ice Domes tour and dog sledding (best value for a way to spend a day out in Tromso)

🐋 More Unique Tromso Tours
1. Whale Watching Tour by Catamaran (November-January only)
2. Northern Lights Chase by Minibus (my favorite aurora tour!)
3. Self-Drive Dog Sledding Tour (most fun activity in Tromso!)

🛏️ Best Tromso Hotels
1. Clarion Collection Hotel Aurora (rooftop Jacuzzi, sauna & more!)
2. Smarthotel Tromso (central & budget-friendly)
3. Thon Hotel Polar (quirky Nordic design in central spot)

However, there’s one critical factor to keep in mind that may take some people by surprise when planning their visit to the Ice Domes.

While the ice hotel may be called the Tromso Ice Domes, it is most definitely not in the city of Tromso… but rather a 90-minute drive away.

Yes, it’s nearly a hundred kilometers away from the Tromso city center, which necessitates either renting a car or booking a guided tour in order to visit this epic snow hotel in Norway’s north.

Allison Green wearing a red beanie, plaid scarf, blue jacket and smiling at the camera while visiting the Tromso Ice Domes in Northern Norway, a famous ice hotel
Happy as can be while visiting the Ice Domes. This is the face of someone ticking off their bucket list!

Since I’ve done this day trip myself, I’ve written this guide to visiting the Tromso Ice Domes.

This post will break down how to exactly to visit this popular attraction in Tromso, giving you several options for how to do it.

At first I was a little stressed on how to plan this, because there were several options and I wasn’t sure which was the best to choose… but I ended up being happy with my choice.

Luckily, no matter which way you choose to visit the Ice Domes outside of Tromso, it’s very easy to do so.

Though it being Norway, be prepared to spend a pretty penny no matter what way you pick!

This post was originally written in February 2020 after my Tromso Ice Domes visit. It has been updated multiple times to reflect impacts of the pandemic on tourism in Norway, as well as changing availability and costs of visiting the Ice Domes. As of January 15, 2024, this article was heavily overhauled, with a complete update and fact-checking, so that all information is current.

What is the Tromso Ice Domes?

The exterior of the Tromso Ice Domes with an igloo-like structure
The exterior of the Tromso Ice Domes is humble, but belies an incredible scene inside

Ever heard of the Snowhotel in Sweden, not far from Kiruna and Abisko? This is Norway’s version!

The Tromso Ice Domes is a hotel made entirely of ice (yes, entirely!) outside of the city of Tromso… but like I mentioned above, it’s pretty far out, an hour and half’s drive away from Tromso city center.

It’s a relatively new attraction, as it first opened for the winter 2017-2018 season, but it’s been running like a well-oiled machine since its establishment.

Quickly, it became one of the must-do winter excursions in Tromso, and with good reason — it’s absolutely epic and memorable, even for just a quick day visit.

If you have more than two days allocated for your Tromso winter itinerary, I definitely think the Tromso Ice Domes warrant a visit as part of that plank.

Is the Tromso Ice Hotel Really Made of Ice?

Allison Green standing in a winter coat and snow shoes and red winter hat, inside the Tromso Ice Domes with an ice wall with ornate carvings
The Ice Domes are truly a selfie paradise!

Yes! The Tromso Ice Domes hotel is constructed every year from scratch, and when you visit, you’ll learn how on an information video shown in their ice cinema.

As I learned in the video they showed us, it takes about one month to construct the snow igloo hotel.

Each year, a team of dozens of builders use several thousand tons of ice from a nearby river in order to build the ice hotel…. all in the pitch-black embrace of the polar night.

The actual structure is constructed by blowing up giant balloons to create the ‘dome’ structure.

After that, then the ice blocks are built up around the balloon dome. They are then melted together in order to create the solid ice structure that you see when you visit.

A sculpture of a woman made of ice inside the ice hotel with a soft orange lighting
One of the sculptures inside the Ice Domes during my visit

Another cool thing about visiting the Ice Domes, Tromso’s only snow hotel, is their art.

Each year, they invite local artists and ice carvers to create ice sculptures for the interior of the hotel, with a new theme each year.

But how stable is the Ice Domes? Is it safe to stay in a snow hotel? Won’t it melt if the temperature rises too high?

The Ice Domes are built to be sturdy and handle minor, temporary fluctuations in temperature.

Put simply, it’s not going to fall apart after a few days above zero.

Structurally, the ice is 3 meters thick on the outer walls and about a meter thick at the top (you don’t want the ceiling to fall in, after all!).

A tour guide giving a cheers at the ice bar in the Tromso Ice Domes restaurant and bar
Checking out the beautiful restaurant and bar of the Ice Domes snow hotel

Despite how it may initially sound, the Tromso Ice Domes are actually an incredibly roomy structure.

It’s not a cramped igloo-like structure at all, but very spacious on the inside, with several rooms to wander around.

On the interior, basically every single thing is made of ice!

Yes, basically everything from the chairs and tables in the restaurant to the ice bar itself to the bed frames.

Of course, no one expects you to sit or sleep on ice: seating surfaces are covered in reindeer pelts, Sámi-style, in order to keep you warm.

But what happens to this Tromso ice hotel at the end of the season?

For safety’s sake, the Ice Domes are purposely demolished at the end of the season.

Though being made entirely of ice, they would just melt away as summer set in on Northern Norway, so it’s quite eco-friendly!

For the current winter season, the Tromso Ice Domes are open from December 20, 2023 to April 9, 2024.

How to Get to the Ice Hotel in Tromso

The lavender-lit ice sculptures that look like trees and an ice bar in the middle of the Tromso Ice Domes
Taking some shots at the Ice Bar, alcoholic or juice-based, is a must-do when at the Ice Domes!

The most popular way to visit the Ice Domes is via a guided tour, going via a daily shuttle bus which departs from Tromso’s city center.

This is the exact tour I took, which I highly recommend — aside from the Tromso husky safari tour, it was the definite highlight of my winter trip to Tromso.

You can skip the shuttle bus and go independently via rental car and show up at the Ice Domes to take a tour.

However, I don’t recommend planning to rent a car in Norway in winter unless you are a very experienced winter driver, as the road conditions can be quite treacherous for the inexperienced.

Without a car, a guided tour using a dedicated shuttle bus is the only way to get to the Tromso Ice Domes.

Unfortunately, despite Norway’s robust public transit system, no public buses or trains will take you here.

If you want to make the most of your time, you can also combine a visit to the ice hotel with an activity.

Allison Green wearing glasses and a scarf and polar suit with some husky puppies cuddling her
Visiting with some husky pups after a hard day’s dog sledding — the ultimate reward!

For the best time, I’d suggest this combination Ice Domes tour and dog-sledding tour which is my absolute favorite activity in Tromso.

For vegans, people afraid of dogs, or those who want to skip animal tourism activities, you can try this combo with a snowmobile tour!

These activities booked through the Ice Domes are organized via Camp Tamok, an adjoining Arctic winter activity center that hosts activities like husky sledding, reindeer sledding, and snowmobiling.

If you have a short trip to Tromso and want to fit in as much as possible, doing a combo tour is a great way to combine two bucket list Tromso activities into one day out.

Personally, I think dog sledding is the most fun and most unique activity to do while visiting Tromso in winter.

Allison Green on a dog sled tour of Abisko, Sweden, with a team of huskies enjoying the beautiful Arctic landscapes around Abisko
My first time dog-sledding in Abisko back in 2016… I was instantly hooked!

I’ve dog-sledding three times and this upcoming winter 2024, I actually have two more dog sled tours booked, one in Rovaniemi as part of my winter Finnish Lapland itinerary and another when I return to Tromso in February.

That’s how much I love dog sledding!

In my honest opinion, reindeer sledding is a little boring by comparison (hardly an adrenaline rush, and a reindeer butt does not make the most scenic view).

Plus, you can snowmobile almost anywhere, but very few places have the history of dog sledding that Norway does, in my opinion!

What You’ll See at the Tromso Ice Domes: My Experience

Entrance to the Tromso Ice Domes tickets center, with sides of the pathway totally covered in snow, and a small sign that says 'tickets' leading the way.
There’s certainly a ton of snow to be found in the Tamok Valley!

Wondering what a tour of the Ice Domes is like? Here’s my brief rundown of the itinerary based on my visit.

The tour of the Tromso Ice Domes lasts about two hours, and you’ll start off in their Ice Cinema, watching a brief but fascinating mini-documentary about how the Ice Domes are constructed.

It’s quite a way to start the tour: the Ice Cinema is a gorgeous introduction to the Ice Domes, a lovely, beautifully-lit amphitheater-style room made entirely of snow and ice… with the exception of reindeer pelts to sit on.

Learning about the effort involved in constructing the Ice Domes while sitting inside of the fruits of that intensive labor is a really cool (pardon the pun) experience!

People sitting to watch a movie being projected on an ice wall showing how the Ice Domes are constructed each year
Watching the information video of the Ice Domes construction is the first part of the tour!

Following the video presentation and a quick briefing of what’s to come on the Tromso Ice Domes tour in the Ice Cinema, you’ll visit the rest of the ice hotel, starting in the ice bar-and-restauarant.

Here, you’ll enjoy a welcome shot to bring you into the Ice Domes in style!

When I went, either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic option was provided, but as of my 2024 update, I see now that they only offer non-alcoholic options as per the website.

It was really fun to drink up in a cup made entirely of ice from the ice bar, while sitting at a table made of ice, sitting on ice chairs! (How many times can I fit ice in a sentence? A lot, apparently.)

There are some cool (the puns never stop with me, I’m sorry) decorations in the ice bar.

The year I went, there was a very Instagrammable ice throne which everyone got really excited to take pictures in.

Allison Green sitting in an ice throne with decorative branches and other visual elements in purple and lavender lighting
The money shot at the Tromso ice hotel!

Insider Tip: From my experience visiting, I suggest waiting to sit in the throne and taking shots of the ice bar/restaurant until you have free time to explore the ice hotel after you see the ice rooms!

That way, you’ll have fewer crowds to contend with and it’ll be far easier to get some good photos here.

Next after the ice bar area comes the part you’ve probably been the most curious about — the ice hotel bedrooms themselves!

As with the rest of the property, the rooms are made entirely of ice as well, right down to the bed.

But hey, this is a luxury stay, not a prison: while the bedframe is carved from a block of ice, it has a lovely and plush mattress, covered in reindeer pelts to add warmth.

Allison Green sitting in bed at a ice hotel, with a reindeer pelt on the bed, with carvings behind her. She is smiling and looks happy to indulge in winter tourism in Norwegian Lapland.
If you have the money to stay overnight here… invite me as your plus one. Just kidding! Or am I?

If you decide to splash out on the bucket list adventure of spending the night in an ice hotel, don’t worry about warmth.

A thermal sleeping bag and plenty of warm accessories will help you get comfortable and sleep through the night.

After getting briefed on the ice restaurant and ice guestrooms and have an idea of what it would be like to spend the night here, you’ll have about 40 minutes at leisure to explore the Ice Domes and enjoy a meal.

My fish soup and flat Lappish homemade bread served at the tromso ice domes
Fish soup and Lappish bread with butter, a Northern Norway classic

I recommend taking photos to your heart’s content before heading over the warm room, where a delicious lunch awaits.

I had a delicious bowl of creamy fish soup, and it came with unlimited coffee or tea.

Fish soup and coffee? Norwegians will pair anything with coffee! With the amount of sunlight you get in winter in Tromso, I honestly get it.

Looking at the most recent tour offering for this 2024 update, it looks like you have your choice between a stew (most likely meat-based) and soup — so be sure to ask based on your dietary preferences what is available.

Note that Norwegian fish soup is often cream-based so it’s not a suitable option for those with lactose intolerance.

Also note that the meat stew offered on these tours is often made of reindeer… so be sure to warn the kiddos if you think that might be upsetting to them.

Allison is hand feeding a reindeer some lichen while at the Tromso Ice Domes, the reindeer looks happy as it accepts the lichen offering through the fence
Tick off meeting reindeer on your visit to the Tromso ice hotel!

You’ll also have a chance to briefly visit and feed the reindeer their favorite treat – some sweet, sweet lichen – should you want to while you’re visiting the Ice Domes!

They’re so adorable and friendly, and they’re definitely domesticated and acclimated to interacting with humans so little ones (and animal lovers in general) will be psyched at their interest.

This is a great way to tick meeting reindeer off your bucket list if you don’t have time to go reindeer sledding or visit a Sami reindeer farm.

Though I also do recommend those activities, as it’s a great way to learn about Sami culture.

After your free time, it’s back to the bus, where you’ll head back to Tromso via some of the most beautiful roads you can imagine… truly!

I’ve never minded a 90-minute commute less than on my way to and from the Ice Domes.

Staying Overnight at the Tromso Ice Hotel

It’s not just a fun place to visit on a day trip: the Tromso Ice Domes is a true ice hotel that you can spend the night in, should you have the funds.

And it’s an epic one, set way out in the Tamok Valley where the Northern lights often roar overhead, far from light pollution… which is why it makes our list as one the best Northern lights hotels in Norway!

So, if money isn’t an object, you aren’t limited to just a day visit — you can actually stay the night in this ice hotel.

You can spend the night here — and hopefully catch the Northern lights dancing overhead on their nightly photography tour and snowshoe walk!

At over $1,600 USD a night for an overnight stay for two, it was well out of my price range, even if I had found someone to split the bill with.

While the price is high, note that it does include transportation, meals, and several activities, which are all costs that add up a la carte.

But if you’re visiting Norway for a special occasion, you’re just generally a baller, or you really are living that YOLO mindset, you may want to splurge on staying the night!

If you’d like to stay at the Ice Domes, you can book here which covers the full experience!

View of the interior of the Ice Domes, with a light display that says 'Tromso Ice domes' and pink, blue, and lavender lighting in the interior of the igloo.
Staying overnight at the Tromso Ice Domes would be an (expensive) dream come true!

If you do opt for the overnight experience, it includes a guided tour of the Ice Domes, welcome drinks, and dinner cooked on a campfire while out in the Norwegian wilderness.

You also get to take an evening snowshoe tour with the possibility of Northern lights photography.

The next day, you’ll have breakfast and a morning self-drive husky sled ride before getting your transfer back to the Tromso city center.

Is it worth it? Let’s break it down.

The ice bar interior of the Tromso Ice Hotel
The beautiful Ice Domes interior bar and restaurant area, which you’ll have more time in if you stay the night.

Independently and per person, a guided tour costs about $150 USD, dinner in Norway costs about $50-100 USD, a snowshoe tour would cost $150 USD, a night in a hotel costs about $200-400 USD, and a dog sled tour costs about $200 USD.

Using the median cost for each of those figures and calculating for two people sharing a room, the cost of all those activities would be $1,400 USD for two people… which makes staying at the Ice Hotel only an additional ~$250 USD or so.

It’s still quite an expensive activity, but if you plan to visit the Ice Domes during the day, take snowshoe and dog sled tours, and can check out of your hotel for the night in order to not pay double accommodation costs… it’s actually not as crazy a cost as it appears on its face.

It’s still out of my price range personally, but it’s not a bad deal.

Drinking a cup of coffee in the warm tent at the Ice Domes
There are many ways to warm up during your Ice Domes visit, like drinking coffee in the warm tent!

As with most tours and excursions in Northern Norway, if you need to borrow any warm clothing or equipment, this can also be arranged with the hotel.

The hotel will also provide everything you need to sleep warmly, including expedition-strength sleeping bags.

Theese keep you so toasty warm that you can sleep in only thermal underwear!

Can You Visit the Ice Domes Independently?

fjords and mountains in norway while on the highway, making the way towards the tromso ice domes, a snow hotel in northern norway
The road to the Ice Domes — beautiful, but treacherous when icy. Only rent a car if you seriously know how to drive in snow and ice!

Yes and no — you have to book a tour in order to see the Ice Domes, but you don’t necessarily need to take their transfer.

If you are renting a car on your trip to Tromso, you can arrive at the Ice Domes independently.

I would not rent a car specifically to do this with the idea of saving money, but it may be worth it if you are visiting other places in the area or you are visiting the Ice Domes on the way to somewhere else, like Alta.

As per their website for the 2023-2024 season, you can take a guided tour for 1211 NOK ($113) for adults and 606 NOK ($56) for kids aged 4 to 11.

Note that kids 12+ are counted as adults, and kids 3 and under are free.

The guided tour is at noon daily and includes lunch at the restaurant. You can (and should) pre-book here.

A tipi structure at the Tromso ice domes
Not sure when to visit Tromso and the Ice Domes? When I went in February, there was a beautiful combination of daylight and plenty of time for the Northern lights to work their magic.

Since you’re in charge of your own transfer, you can stay around the area for a while after the tour is over, meeting their reindeer, walking around the premises, etc.

This is one benefit to doing a self-guided visit as opposed to taking the transfer, since you don’t have to rush to catch the shuttle back to Tromso.

I did feel like my Ice Domes visit was a teensy bit rushed, and I would have preferred about an extra half-hour to tour the area, since some of the free time was taken up with lunchtime.

What to Bring to the Tromso Ice Domes

Allison Green smiling during a selfie at the Tromso Ice Domes, wearing glasses and a red hat and a winter coat.
Definitely bundle up nice and warm for your visit to the Ice Domes!

Inside the Ice Domes, the temperature is kept a constant -5° C / 23 °F due to the insulating effects of the ice.

Even if it is much colder outside, it will always be -5° C inside, so you don’t have to worry about a sudden cold snap making it uninhabitable.

As a result, you’ll want to dress fairly warm for the day, though you’ll want to dress in layers as the bus you’ll take to the Ice Domes will be heated quite warmly.

I recommend wearing a thermal top and underwear/leggings, jeans or snow pants and a sweater on top, a warm down jacket as your outer layer, and cold weather accessories (hat, waterproof gloves, and scarf).

I also strongly recommend bringing crampons, which are little spike traction slip-ons for your shoes, as the area around the Ice Domes can ice over and get quite slippery!

If you’re not sure what to bring and you need more guidance, I have all the winter clothing and products I recommend listed on my Norway winter packing list.

Of course, you’ll definitely want to bring your camera as well for all the amazing photos you’ll take during your stay.

A cellphone works, but a proper camera with the ability to use manual settings will definitely come in handy with dealing with the low-light conditions inside the Ice Domes.

If you’re staying overnight, you’ll want to also bring an overnight bag, including whatever toiletries, medicine, a change of clothes, etc. that you would need for an overnight stay.

How to Book Your Tromso Ice Domes Visit

View of the tables at the Tromso Ice Dome with reindeer pelts and ice tables and place mats.
Staying the night? You’ll enjoy dinner at the ice restaurant!

On a budget but don’t have a rental car? The basic guided tour plus transfers is the way to go.

Want to add a little adrenaline to your day and make your trip a bit more memorable?

Opt for the dog sledding add-on and Ice Domes visit for a special experience, or a snowmobile ride and Ice Domes visit!

And for the most memorable experience of all, an overnight stay in the Tromso Ice Domes is one for the bucket list.

If you have a rental car and plan to visit the Ice Domes independently to save a few bucks on the shuttle cost, you can book it via the website here.

15 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Sahara Desert Tour

a view of the s

Taking a Sahara Desert tour and riding camels into the orange-hued sand dunes, illuminated by the setting sun was a big bucket list item of mine. 

Perhaps it’s because I watched Aladdin far too many times as a kid (sorry Mom).

Or maybe because after riding horses and going dog-sledding in several places around the world, riding a camel in a Moroccan desert seemed like the logical next step?

Or perhaps it was the solitude of the desert and the immensity of the dunes that compelled me.

Either way, I was sold: I’d absolutely be taking a Sahara desert tour from Marrakech on my trip to Morocco.

Whatever the reason, when I was in Morocco I spent nearly two days of my trip traveling by minivan from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert (and then back to Fes afterwards).

Was it worth it to go through all that effort to ride camels in the Sahara Desert? Yes, but… it’s complicated.

Photo of shadows in the sand dunes in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. A line of camels is walking in the desert on a sand ridge.
Seeing camels in the Sahara Desert? No words.

Like with much of my Moroccan experience, there were some serious highs and lows. This is par for the course for my time there.

Even though I read several blog posts about Sahara desert tours before I went, I wish I was more prepared for what an overnight Sahara tour would actually entail — which is exactly why I’ve written this post for you.

As a rule of thumb, I found that managing my expectations and not romanticizing things in an unrealistic way was key to enjoying my time in Morocco. I suspect it will be the same for you.

So, is a Sahara tour worth it? I personally think so, but I’ll let you decide after reading this post.

If you’re wondering if a Sahara Desert tour is worth the money, I can’t answer that for you directly, but I can share all the good, the bad, and the truly WTF experiences I had along the way so you can make the right call.

Without further ado, here are the top 15 things I wish somebody told me before my Morocco desert tour… and what I’d do differently next time!

Ripples of sand and sand dunes in a beautiful orange color in the Sahara Desert in Morocco
Is taking a Sahara tour worth it? I’ll let you decide.

My Top 3 Picks: Sahara Desert Tours from Marrakech

Fair warning… I have a lot of thoughts about my Sahara desert experience.

If you don’t have time to read the entire post, fair play — I’ve made it easy for you by listing my top 3 most-recommended tours. The clusterf*** of a tour that I took is, obviously, not included.

I’ve done extensive research on them to make sure I am recommending tours way better than the disaster of a tour I took, which I am not listing because it was a truly awful experience.

#1 TOP PICK

a person with a hat on throwing sand in the sahara desert

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3 Day Sahara Desert Small Group Tour
✔️ Best bang for your buck
✔️ Includes all accommodations & meals (except lunch)

↳ Book it

#2 PICK

camels winding their way through a path in the dunes in the sahara desert

3 Day Private Sahara Desert Tour
✔️ Entirely private tour, just you and your group
✔️ Customize the itinerary more to your liking

↳ Book it

#3 PICK

sahara desert sky in the beautiful desert landscape

3 Day Marrakech to Fes Desert Camping Tour
✔️ Provides transfer to Fes instead of returning to Marrakech
✔️ Hotel, camping, breakfast, and dinner included

↳ Book it

Morocco Desert Tour FAQs

How do you get to the Sahara Desert in Morocco?

Man sitting atop a shaggy camel on the sand dunes in the Sahara desert at sunset, with orange dunes and pink and purple clouds in the sky above.
Sunsets in the Sahara are like nowhere else on the planet — the way the sand glows is otherworldly.

The best way to get to the Sahara Desert is typically by guided tour from one of Morocco’s main tourist hubs, usually Marrakech. 

You can also take a bus or drive a rental car to Merzouga and then book your desert activities separately, like staying in a luxury desert camp and organizing your activities via them. 

Alternately, if you really want to avoid the drive, you can fly to Errachadia Airport.

However, it’s still 2 hours away by car from Merzouga, and you won’t be saving that much time.

How do I get to the desert from Marrakech?

4x4 white jeep-like car cruising through the orange rolling dunes of the sahara desert with beautiful, dramatic shadows and landscapes
Only the most rugged of cars can handle the Sahara’s dunes

Visiting the Sahara Desert from Marrakech is the most common way to access it. But it’s not close!

It’s typically about 12 hours to the desert (one way), spread across two days of transit on the way there, going via the breathtaking Atlas Mountains.

On the way back, you don’t make any stops except to eat and use the bathroom, so it just takes one full day on the way back to Marrakech.

Alternately, some tours will bring you onwards to Fes if you are traveling north after Morocco, like if you’re following my 10-day Morocco itinerary which includes Fes, Chefchaouen, and Tangier.

In my opinion, a guided tour is the best and easiest option. However, it only allows for limited time in the desert itself: most of the time is getting to the Sahara.

Other more adventurous options include booking a bus to Merzouga, renting a car and driving to the Sahara, and flying to Errachadia and then booking a taxi to get you to Merzouga.

What are the best desert tours in Morocco?

The rooftops of Marrakech with the tall minaret of the mosque and Atlas Mountains in the distance on a sunny day
View of Marrakech, where most desert tours leave from

I’ve done a ton of research on what the best tour companies are after my subpar experience (which you can read about more below). 

But here are my quick picks based on where you want to start and end, and if you want a group tour vs. a private desert tour.

  • Marrakech Group Tour: If you’re coming from Marrakech and want to return there, I suggest this tour.
  • Marrakech Private Tour: If you’re coming from Marrakech and want a fully private tour with just your group, I suggest this tour.
  • Marrakech to Fes Group Tour*: If you’re coming from Marrakech and want to end in Fes, I suggest this tour. *This is what I did
  • Fes or Fes to Marrakech Group Tour: If you’re coming from Fes, and want to return to Fes or head onwards to Marrakech, I suggest this tour.

If you are coming from Essaouira, Rabat, or Casablanca, it’s a lot further to the desert.

To streamline things, I suggest making a waypoint at Marrakech first.

What sand dunes will I see in the Merzouga Desert?

A caravan of camels following a desert tour guide in the orange sands of the Sahara desert on a sunny day
Heading towards the Erg Chebbi dunes in the Sahara outskirts

Since most desert tours from Marrakech go as fast as possible, you will likely see the Erg Chebbi dunes, which are the closest to Merzouga.

Note that on a 3-day tour to the Sahara, you will not see Erg Chigaga, the largest dune in the Sahara.

This would require different planning than your standard Sahara desert tour and it’s simply not offered by most mainstream desert tours as it’s not located near Merzouga at all.

If you really want to see Erg Chigaga, you’ll have to plan for that specifically as it’s further south.

This tour includes visiting the area around Erg Chigaga and staying the night in a luxury desert camp near the dune.

However, you’d have to get yourself to M’Hamid first for this tour, which is rather far from Merzouga and not the easiest to travel to, as this tour does not include transport to M’Hamid.

What are the best things to do in the Sahara Desert?

Person wearing a hat, sweater, pants going down a sandboard in the Sahara Desert, with a desert camp visible in the background
Definitely don’t miss the opportunity to sandboard in the Sahara!

There are all sorts of activities you can do in the Moroccan desert — from camel trekking to desert glamping to sandboarding to ATV riding and more. 

While it sounds like a lot of time, a 3-day tour actually gives you fairly limited time in the Sahara Desert.

Once you get to the desert, you will do a sunset camel trek, have a desert camp meal, stargaze, sleep in a tent and be able to watch the sunrise before leaving again — that’s about it.

If you want more time in the Sahara Desert, I suggest taking the bus to Merzouga and planning an independent trip there rather than taking one of the Marrakech tours.

You can stay at one of the desert luxury camps for however long you like and organize desert exploration activities directly with them.

How do I visit the Sahara Desert independently?

Eco tents in a glampsite in Morocco with views of the dunes and some desert shrubbery on a hazy day.
The luxury camps in the Sahara are far nicer than the ones you’ll stay at on a basic tour

If you don’t want to do a tour, you can visit the Sahara Desert (fairly) independently by getting yourself to Merzouga, either by bus or rental car, and then renting accommodations in the desert.

There are all levels of budget and luxury for desert camps available.

Since picking out unique accommodations around the globe is one of my main passions I’ve cultivated over my near-decade of travel blogging, I’m here to help!

I’ve written a guide curating the 9 best desert camps in the Sahara Desert here to help you narrow down the immense options.

Red moroccan style carpets and sitting areas at a luxury desert camp out in the Sahara desert
Yes, you can even find red carpet glamor, Sahara-style, in these desert camps!

There are some great luxury glamping options such as the Sahara Desert Luxury Camp and the Desert Bivouac Merzouga which offer improved amenities such as private bathrooms and beautifully designed rooms.

There are also more bare-bones accommodation options like Desert Berber Fire Camp and Dune Merzouga Camp.

Expert Tip: When pricing out your trip and making decisions, don’t just look at the base price, but also look for what’s included in each property and make an assessment based on that.

You may have to pay for transit, meals, etc. which could eat into your “savings” compared to a higher-priced but more all-inclusive experience.

Value in Morocco can be hard to suss out until you really get into what’s included and excluded on each option, so check the tour or camp’s inclusions before deciding.

15 Things to Know Before Your Morocco Sahara Desert Tour

You cannot do a Sahara desert trip on a day trip from Marrakech.

Sunrise at the beautiful desert camp in Sahara Desert, Morocco, with lamps and sitting areas and tents visible in the distance
The best part of not being able to do it as a day trip? You get to see sunrise and sunset!

Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara, is 350 miles or around 560 kilometers of winding mountain passes and dizzying curves away from Marrakech. 

As a result, you shouldn’t expect to be able to reach the Sahara in a day from Marrakech!

At a bare minimum, you need 3 days to visit the Sahara Desert from Marrakech, all of which will entail serious amounts of driving. 

It’s about 12 hours of driving in a van each way between Marrakech and Merzouga (not including stops), so expect to spend a good portion of your 3 day Sahara desert tour on the road.

If you only have time to do a day trip from Marrakech, you will simply not be able to see true sand dunes like you can see in Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, full stop. Adjust your expectations so you won’t be disappointed! 

Cushions set up around tables to enjoy tea in the rock desert outside of Marrakech
A desert camp in Agafay Desert outside of Marrakech

If you only have one day for a desert trip from Marrakech, you can do a camel ride through the rocky Agafay desert and palm grove outside of the city.

It’s not as impressive as the dunes in the Sahara, that’s for sure, but you will get that quintessential desert vibe.

Prices are quite reasonable – you can check prices for one-day tours here.

With two days, you’re a little better off – you can get to the Zagora Desert and do a sunset camel ride, sleep in a desert overnight, and have a sunrise camel ride the next day. 

Tours to Zagora are a little pricier than just a day trip, obviously, since it includes accommodations and more meals, but it’s still a good value – learn more about two-day tours here.

As a bonus in their favor compared to day trips, trips to Zagora also include a visit to Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO site that is also a Game of Thrones filming spot.

While Zagora isn’t quite as impressive as Merzouga (and I’d say that is true by a good margin), it’s still a worthwhile option to compare.

Not sure what to pick? I wrote quite a bit more on how to decide between the two in this post on choosing between Merzouga vs. Zagora for your Morocco desert trip.

Desert camp at Tinfou sand dunes, Zagora, Morocco on a sunny day, with some rudimentary tents
A desert camp in Zagora, Morocco — lovely, but it doesn’t compare to the Sahara

If you can spare the time and the money, then I highly recommend picking the Sahara Desert as your final destination (the three day tour option).

 In my opinion, the rock desert and palm oasis outside of Marrakech is nowhere close to how spectacular the Sahara Desert is.

As a result, the palm desert should only be booked if you have extremely limited time or funds, but you still have a camel ride and desert experience on your Morocco bucket list. 

The Zagora Desert is closer to what you would want from a Sahara Desert tour, but it’s still a ton of driving plus an overnight.

At that point, unless time is an absolute deal-breaker, I’d urge you to just go for the full three day Sahara tour instead. 

It’s not much more money (about $30 more than the Zagora tour), and absolutely nothing in my life compares to the beauty of seeing the sun rise and set in the Sahara Desert for myself with my own eyes.

Book your 3 day Sahara desert tour here!

The Sahara Desert is even more magical than you expect.

People in the Sahara Desert on a camel trek through the sand dunes led by Berber guides
Winding through the dunes of the Sahara is still a top 10 travel experience!

In my now 70+ countries of travel, I’ve still never seen anything quite as beautiful as the Sahara Desert.

That’s true even to this day, and even despite some rather negative experiences I had there (more on that in just a bit).

There is something otherworldly about the contrast between the orange sand and the blue sky, and the way the sand ripples in perfect formations that look as if they could only drawn by an artist’s hand.

As sunset fell, I almost wanted to pinch myself to confirm that it was real. But if it was a dream, I didn’t want to risk waking up.

The softness of the orange sand, the seeming infiniteness of the rolling dunes, the way that footsteps looked as they left magical trails in the sand, the inky blackness of the sky punctured by a million tiny stars at night… there’s simply no comparison to the Sahara.

Getting to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech is a royal pain, and yet somehow it is completely and utterly worth it.

Book your Sahara tour in advance so you can read reviews.

berber guides leading a small group of four people through the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert
A small group of Berber guides leading guests to their desert stay

The worst piece of advice that I read (and unfortunately followed) about taking a tour to the Sahara desert is that you shouldn’t book it in advance.

Their bad advice was that you should try to get a better deal by waiting for a tout in the souks to offer you a better price than what you can book online.

Here’s the thing I’ve discovered about trying to cut cost and corners in a place like Morocco: you can likely get a cheaper price, but you will not get a better deal.

What do I mean by that? You will make up for that price difference somewhere, either with poor quality service, bad guides, or through scams and upsells along the trip. 

I went on one of the cheapest tours I could find, and I don’t recall the company name as I booked it from a random tout in the souk (as I was told to do by bloggers who I won’t name).

One of the worst parts of my tour experience getting told that the A/C in the van is “broken” on a 115 degree Fahrenheit day so they could save money on gas. 

They put on the fan and insisted the A/C wouldn’t work, and they only put it on after I insisted many, many times… upon which, the A/C magically worked perfectly.

If I hadn’t insisted and begged for them to do so, I would have roasted in the car for hours all based on believing a lie.

I was constantly up-charged on everything, from lunch to the made-in-China scarves that they insisted was mandatory for the desert.

A variety of colorful cotton scarves for sale in the Sahara desert
One of many attempted upsells on a Sahara desert tour

At this point, two days into being scammed and disrespected, I was so stubborn that I spitefully tied a shirt around my head at this point — just to prove a point.

Oh, and I also got scammed by a rug vendor in a Berber village we visited… but more on that later.

Instead, I highly recommend booking your Sahara desert tour in advance with a company with a good reputation and a strong online presence. 

Quite frankly, it’s not because of any merits of the company itself or the uniqueness of the tour.

View at night of a desert camp in the Sahara with beautiful stars overhead and a fire near the tents
Nighttime in the Sahara is unreal: no matter what camp you choose, it’s all the same stars!

All tours follow a similar route (typically included are the High Atlas Mountains, Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, the Dades Valley & Dades Gorge, Todra Gorge, Ouarzazate, etc.)

It’s just because a company that has put in work to establish a solid online presence has a ton more to lose.

Compare the level of service they have to provide with the hundred or so indistinguishable tour companies who make their profit off of selling to tourists on the street, for whom reputation and word of mouth means little. 

A desert tour with good reviews and a large digital footprint will be more scrupulous and careful as to protect their reputation and their livelihood, and that’s a good thing for the consumer.

A pair of dromedary camels with seats on them in the Sahara dsert, resting and waiting for travelers
A reputable tour company will also take better care of their camels, an important matter for advocates of responsible tourism

After carefully researching dozens Sahara Desert tour offerings and comparing them to my own experience, this tour is the one I’d recommend for travelers on a budget who want a good group tour experience.

With an average of 4.5 stars out of nearly 4,500 verified reviews, including several positive reviews from solo women, this company is tried and tested in a way that I’m comfortable with recommending despite not having tried this exact tour for myself. 

You can check tour specifics, itinerary details, and prices here on Get Your Guide, which protects your purchase and provides free cancellation if your plans change. 

A sunset happening in the Sahara desert with an orange-toned sky.
The beautiful sunset in the Sahara

In the sake of fairness, it’s important to note there are some bad reviews, mostly from people who said that there’s too much driving — unfortunately, this is true no matter what company you go with. 

Be aware no matter what you choose that the Sahara desert is huge, as it’s the largest desert in Africa (and the largest hot desert, period, after the Antarctic and Arctic deserts). 

Morocco’s section of the Sahara Desert is basically on the border of Algeria, and you have to cross through the High Atlas Mountains, so there is simply no avoiding the drive. 

Any shorter tour will not take you to the Sahara, but instead to far less impressive rocky deserts closer to Marrakech.

If you want to go onward to Fes after your trip instead of returning to Marrakech (a common choice to avoid backtracking, and one that I made), they also run a tour from Marrakech to the Sahara ending in Fes, which you can find here.

Be cautious and do your research if you are a solo female traveler.

The sun setting over the Sahara Desert with brilliant pink and dark clouds
Staying overnight in the Sahara is safe, but if you’re a solo female, keep your wits about you.

I’m telling you this because I, in my eternally stupid penny-pinching ways, did exactly the opposite and paid the price. 

I don’t remember what the exact name of the tour company I went with: something incredibly generic, literally like Sahara Tour Morocco.

I should note that I did this tour before becoming a more diligent note-taker as a blogger.

I followed the (bad) advice of others and just went wandering through Marrakech and booked it in-person from one of the men in the medina selling tours.

Again, this is what I was told was the best (read: cheapest) way to book a Sahara desert tour by other backpackers. 

While sure, it was cheaper (I paid about the equivalent of $100 USD for a 3-day trip in July, after some haggling), I ended up having a pretty horrible experience. 

They lied about many things: the inclusions, the air conditioning, how I’d get to Fes after my tour finished.

Shadows cast by camels in the desert , seen from above while sitting on a camel

But on the tour, I was sexually harassed by my guides, and even worse, I was nearly groped while I was sleeping in the desert.

It all started innocently enough, in my mind. I was sitting after dinner, chatting with a guide trying to learn more about Berber culture. 

Without victim-blaming myself (as a person or two have done in the comments…), I must say that I need to remind myself that North American (and specifically Californian) friendliness is not always the smartest move.

Especially with men from more conservative cultures, they can mistake courteous talkativeness as an invitation for something physical.

After a while, this guide got progressively creepier and creepier as the night got darker, continuing to move closer to me as we talked.

I felt paralyzed with the knowledge of what was happening yet also frozen and powerless to stop it. 

Then he asked me if I wanted to go somewhere alone with him to see the stars better (um, they’re plainly overhead, but k).

Despite my repeated insistence that I just wanted to sit and enjoy by myself, he continued to ask.

Eventually, I had to tell him quite directly that he was bothering me, that I was upset, and he needed to leave me alone. He went away.

Stars overhead in the desert, with some stars and camps and tents visible

It may sound simple enough, but for a nonconfrontational girl like me who hates conflict, it was difficult. 

After he left, I enjoyed the next few hours a lot, chatting with my fellow travelers and admiring the vastness of the sky and the hints of the Milky Way overhead.

Later that night, since it was July, virtually all of the travelers chose to sleep outside where there was a breeze instead of the stuffy tent .

It was impossible to breathe in tents and there was a nice breeze outside. Meanwhile, a different guide set up his sleeping site about five feet from me. 

He placed a large pillow as a buffer between us, which I took comfort in, and I fell asleep.

I honestly remember feeling glad that I had a benevolent guardian to keep me away from the creep who was hitting on me earlier.

Dark night sky in the Sahara desert with a few stars overhead and tent faraway visible lit up faintly

I woke up maybe an hour later to him staring at me, saying “shhhhh,” just a few inches away from my face, the pillow he had placed between us nowhere to be seen.

It was, in a word, terrifying. 

He tried to tell me to go back to sleep, but you better believe my a** was up and in my hot stuffy tent as quickly as I could manage in my sleep-drunk state.

I didn’t sleep much the rest of the night, obviously.

Since I didn’t book online, had no plans to return to Marrakech (I ended my tour in Fes), or have any papers confirming who I went with, I didn’t really have a way to review the tour.

I also didn’t feel comfortable going to the police for a variety of reasons (namely, the language barrier and gender norms with a culture of victim blaming, etc). 

If I had booked it online, I could have read reviews from other female travelers if they had a similar experience.

Had I been more smart about how I booked the tour, it would have been much easier to report the bad behavior I experienced on this tour.

This way, I could hopefully help ensure it wouldn’t happen to other female travelers down the line. 

I still feel sort of sick to my stomach when I think about not being able to report this. I hate the fact that this behavior will likely continue to other women.

This is why I recommend booking in advance with a reputable company so strongly and emphatically.

Ripples in the sand in the Sahara Desert beautiful orange sand
Despite the near attack, I still enjoyed many aspects of visiting the Sahara

For solo female travelers, I recommend booking online.

As I said above, I suggest this tour if you want to go onward to Fes, or this tour if you want to go back to Marrakech at the end of your trip.

Sadly, this kind of behavior is not that uncommon for Morocco.

Other women have had similar experiences with their guides in the desert (read Lauren of Never Ending Footsteps’ experience here

I’ve also, of course, heard positive stories as well, though these usually come from men or people who traveled as a couple. 

As a solo female traveler, I can tell you though that it’s better to spend the extra money and book a tour in advance so you can read all the reviews.

That won’t completely shield you from an assault or harassment, but it’s one small (but important) layer of protection.

A lot of fuss is made about dressing properly in Morocco.

I will say that I was covered up almost all the time and not particularly provocative in any way, shape, or form, and I was harassed frequently.

Allison wearing a dress that comes down to her knees and a white light linen jacket
A typical outfit I wore while en route to the Sahara Desert, outside of Dades Gorge (my skirt didn’t show my knees, it just blew up a little in the wind as I took the photo)

When writing this post, since I didn’t have a personal tour recommendation, I vetted the companies and pored through the reviews pretty thoroughly. 

The tour I recommend above looks to be the best, safest option for solo female travelers, and still looked to be a good option as of this update (January 2024).

If reading this in the future, and you’re a solo woman, I’d do my due diligence and check the reviews from the most recent few months, just in case there is a new guide who is causing trouble.

Read what is included carefully.

Camel shadow on the sand dune in Sahara Desert, Merzouga, Morocco
Shadows of camels on the desert, a magical sight!

My Sahara desert tour included round-trip transportation to and from Marrakech and the Sahara Desert. This included pick up and drop off at your riad.

When booking my tour with one of the tour operators in the medina, I told them I wanted to go onwards to Fes, a common thing tourists do to avoid backtracking. 

The tour operators said that all the transportation (including to Fes) was included in the price they gave me, but I never got that in writing.

Surprise surprise, when it came time to get a shared taxi towards Fes, we ended up having to fork out about $30 USD or so per person to get there. 

I can say that the price was pretty fair, but the method of being duped, stuck in the desert with no other options, is a principle I can’t stand by.

But at this point, after nearly being groped by one of the guides, I was ready to get out of there — no matter what the cost.

Tip: If you want to go onward to Fes like I did and avoid backtracking, be sure it is included on your tour! I suggest this Marrakech to Merzourga to Fes desert tour.

Tour guides in the Sahara desert with their camels
Bedouins and camels in the desert

The shuttle bus was comfortable enough, but they kept insisting that the A/C was broken after the first day.

This was extremely was annoying, as I was overheating and feeling incredibly nauseous with only the fan on, since we couldn’t open the windows in the back. 

After enough of the minibus complained, they turned it on again and voila: it was magically working. Strange.

The tour included two nights accommodation, one in a hotel on the way to the desert and one in the desert camp itself.

The accommodations at both were of decent quality, actually, they were better than I expected for the price, to be fair. The tour cost included the camel ride as well.

a dish of meatballs served with bread in a tagine
You’ll find much better meals in Marrakech and Fes

Here are a few things most tours do not include: no lunch on any of the days, so you’ll have to either BYO food or add on another $10 USD or so for each meal. 

No matter what tour you go on, you can be guaranteed that you’ll be forced to eat at expensive, mediocre restaurants — likely wherever your tour guides get the best kickback, unfortunately! 

Most tours don’t include any beverages, water, etc. either so keep that in mind and bring plenty of cash for the tour.

Keep your expectations in line with reality.

rugs surrounding a campfire and some makeshift tents in the Sahara
If you’re taking a budget your… your camp will not look like this.

The price range of Sahara Desert tours varies wildly based on the level of luxury. 

One blog post I read said their (comped, I might add) tour cost $700 USD per person for a 3-day tour, which is expensive for many — and definitely an outlier for Morocco, at about 5x the cost of the tour I recommend.

However, it would absolutely be worth it for a special occasion like a honeymoon when you won’t want to be crammed in a van with 15-odd other travelers. 

Meanwhile, on the low end, you can spend about $120 USD for a 3 day, 2 night tour.

You won’t be staying at the luxury desert camps you’ve seen the Instagram girls enjoying, but rather bare-bones tents with an outhouse and very few creature comforts. 

But who needs showers when you can bathe in the gorgeous light of a million tiny stars in the clearest night sky you’ll ever get a chance to see?

Most tours cost somewhere in the ballpark of $100-200 USD for a 3 day, 2 night Sahara tour, and that’s a fair price.

The tour that I recommend shakes out to about $40 per day, which I think is fair given all the inclusions and its good reviews. 

Check out the ratings & reviews of this Sahara Desert tour

Riding a camel is not at all like riding a horse.

A group of camels near the dusk hour sitting on the sand
Riding a camel… not as enjoyable as it looks!

If you’ve romanticized a camel ride in the desert, let me demystify that for you. This is no pleasant horse ride through a meadow. 

Riding a camel is among the least comfortable things I’ve done, and I’m amazed that people actually even trained camels to be ridden after feeling how freaking uncomfortable it can be!

While camel trekking, my thighs were sore by the end of the first hour. I could barely feel my butt when I got off the camel. 

The camel slid in the sand quite a bit, leaving me lurching and clutching on for dear life (camels are even taller than they look).

Anyway, the next day, I was given the option to ride on the roof of their ATV or go back the same way doing a camel trek – you better believe I chose the roof (though to be honest, that choice was mostly to avoid the creepy guide).

Despite my complaining about the discomfort, however, I’d do it again – the views are simply that magical, and the camel ride — as uncomfortable as it is — is a huge part of the desert experience.

Just be prepared! As I mentioned at the outset of this post, managing expectations is the key to enjoying your Sahara desert trip.

Going in the summer isn’t the worst idea ever.

view of Erg Chebbi Dunes in the Sahara Desert - at sunrise, in Morocco
The Sahara Desert can be visited in the summer… but it’ll be scorching!

I did my Sahara Desert tour in July… aka the stupidest time in the world to go to Morocco. 

It was 115° F (46° C) in the desert the day we arrived… so that may have had something to do with why the price I negotiated was so low.  

The car was hot and stuffy, but that was because my driver purposely shut off the A/C, something that won’t happen on a reputable tour.

Still, I’ll say that 115° F in Morocco isn’t nearly as bad as 90° F and humid in NYC.

I’m a Californian who grew up in a particularly hot and dry part of the state, and I will fight to the death that dry heat is 100x better than wet heat.

To me, the desert heat wasn’t a deal-breaker, especially since we arrived at the desert at sunset when the night breeze was already coming in nice and cool.

And at night, it cooled down to a nice 75° F (24° C) or so, and it was downright pleasant and beautiful with a light wind.

However, the tents were still like an oven that would have been impossible to sleep in, but outside underneath the stars downright pleasant (minus the gropey guide…)

On the other hand, it will be freezing in the winter.

Man wearing winter clothes standing in the Sahara dunes
Desert in the winter? Colder than you’d think!

Many people approach the Sahara Desert with the misconception that it’s hot year-round, but this is patently false. 

The desert is home to wild temperature swings – even in the summer, a 115° F day dropped to a 75° F night, a 40° F temperature variation. This is standard. 

This is true even in the winter. In the peak winter months such as January, the desert will be around 65° F / 18° C in the day and hovering around 32° F / 0° C at night.

And yes, it even snows sometimes in the Sahara!

If you visit the Sahara Desert in winter, you’ll want to bring some thermal tops (I like these from 32 Degrees) as well as a thin down jacket to keep you warm.

Be prepared for long days of driving and some dull stops.

Atlas mountains in Morocco with a road below it at a mountain pass on a sunny day
The beautiful Atlas Mountains on the way to the desert.

It’s about two long days in a van from Marrakech just to get to the Sahara desert (not including the 12 hour drive on the way back). 

If you have 2 or 3 weeks in Morocco, that’s fine – but if you have a really limited amount of time for your trip, it’s a lot of time in a car.

The views are simply beautiful, particularly the Atlas Mountains and the Dades Gorge, so keep your camera at the ready to snap some shots.

You’ll pull over a few times at scenic overlooks throughout the trip, which helps to break up the drive.

However, besides stopping at the UNESCO site of Ait Ben Haddou and a pretty gorge, most of the stops are pretty uninteresting. 

Many stops were aimed at getting as much money out of you as possible as opposed to being interesting for sightseeing.

This is common with group tours, even small group tours, but it was cumbersome nonetheless.

I will say that they did give us a lot of bathroom stops, which as someone with a clinically small bladder, I really appreciated!

Bring some anti-nausea pills.

Allison, the author of the article, standing with a dress with matching seasickness bands and shoes
When your motion sickness bracelets match your shoes, that’s fashion.

There are so many twists and turns on the road to the Sahara Desert because you have to pass through the Atlas Mountains, the Dades Gorge, and the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass — all of which involve countless hairpin turns!

I get motion sickness quite easily, so I lulled myself into a state of near-constant semi-slumber for the two days with the help of my Sea Bands

They worked okay at keeping me from barfing, but I would have preferred actual Dramamine.

Personally, I’d choose the normal version over the non-drowsy that I usually opt for, to better help me sleep off all those hours in the van.

I’d also bring some stomach medicine like Pepto Bismol tablets just in case.

Morocco has some issues with food safety and undrinkable tap water that can end up messing with some travelers’ stomachs. 

I was fine during my two weeks in Morocco, but I know several people who got food poisoning while they were there, so better safe than sorry. 

Bring plenty of cash (about $100 USD worth).

A wallet on a table with 20 50 100 and 200 dirham notes
Moroccan currency is so colorful!

There are plenty of little add-ons throughout the Sahara Desert tour that end up driving up the price quite a bit. 

Figure about $1 per bottle of water, $2 per soda, money for tips for various people you encounter along the way, and extra for souvenirs and strongly “recommended” purchases along the way.

Your guides will also take you to expensive and uninspiring restaurants for lunch, though since I wasn’t a big fan of Moroccan food to begin with, that wasn’t a huge loss in terms of flavor. 

The cost of lunch while on your Sahara desert tour is usually about $10 USD per meal, which is about 3 times the price of a meal elsewhere in Morocco.

This is pretty standard for every tour and is part of the reason why the price of your Sahara Desert tour is so low.

Virtually all tour guides are getting a kickback for bringing people to the restaurant, guides, and shopping stops, so they make up the money there.

Be aware that most stops are designed for the guides to make more money

Clothing for sale at a stall near the Sahara desert
Stop #2983 for souvenirs

Pretty much every stop we made along the way to the desert was rushed and not that interesting. 

All of these stops seemed designed for us to spend extra money, rather than to enjoy a particularly beautiful location.

For example, the stop at the rug store, the gift shops at Ait Ben Haddou, and the completely unnecessary stops to encourage us to buy specific scarves to wrap around our heads for the desert tour.

I understand this is how they make up for their slim margins, but I just wish the tour cost a bit more.

I’d rather pay more so that we didn’t spend so much time making a million souvenir stops.

Instead, I’ve had preferred to spend more time at the few stops that are interesting, like Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate and the Draa Valley and the Dades Gorge. 

But that’s just how guided tours in Morocco go, I guess, unless you opt for a private tour and can tell them you’re not interested in these stops.

Buy a rug with caution.

A man pouring mint tea at a rug shop

In a moment of weakness, I splurged on (what appeared to be) a gorgeous hand-woven Berber rug at the village near Tinghir, paying about $40 USD for a very tiny lambswool rug. 

Mind you, when I took this Sahara desert tour, I didn’t even have a home — so why I needed a rug was beyond me… but alas, FOMO got me yet again.

Anyway, when I unwrapped it a few days later, I discovered they had swapped it out for another one entirely!

Despite not having touched the rug until I opened it, I opened it to find it completely and totally falling apart at the edges.

I ended up trashing it rather than lugging around a fraying rug for the rest of my trip. Fool me once…

Consider the pros and cons carefully.

A hazy sunrise in the Sahara desert
Sunrise in the Sahara: ultimately worth all the hassle.

While I had a mixed bag of experiences, in my opinion, it was still absolutely worth taking a Sahara Desert tour, as it was a huge bucket list item. 

However, if I could do it again, I would have researched what tour I took, and not have just gone with the cheapest desert tour option that a tout offered me on the streets of Marrakesh.

My safety and overall enjoyment is worth more than a few dollars, and so is yours.

I don’t want to scare you from taking a Sahara desert tour: thousands of solo female travelers take them, and take them safely.

But in the spirit of full transparency, I want to share my experience with you so you can be prepared should any shadiness occur in the Sahara. 

(And judging by the fact that my story is not unique, that is a possibility).

I will readily admit that traveling Morocco can be frustrating as a woman.

Adjust yourself accordingly: be courteous, but distant; not rude, but not friendly, and you’ll likely have a more positive experience than I did.

I’m of the belief that you shouldn’t let fear dictate what you do or take away from your dreams. 

Even though I had a bad experience on my Sahara desert tour, there are a few things I could have done differently. 

Guide leading a traveler on a camel through orange sand dunes
Despite my negative experiences, I’m still glad I went.

I could made friends with and stuck with other female travelers rather than chatting with the guides. 

I could have vetted the tours more carefully and picked one with better online reviews rather than trying to seek out the lowest price.

To be clear, this is not to victim blame myself, nor to victim blame anyone who has had something similar happen to them. (Though a few people in the comments have chosen to go that route…)

It is solely upon the predator to not be a predator, and not on the victim to prevent harassment or an attack.

However, just like there are measures to can take to avoid theft, there are a few things you can do to make yourself slightly safer against harassment from men. 

I hate that I have to write this here, but my experience is so not out of the ordinary that I feel compelled to share these tips.

Sadly, these are just facts of life for traveling alone in a country as unfriendly to solo women as Morocco is.

View in the desert in the morning in the Sahara

If you don’t like the idea of a Sahara desert tour, you could take the badass alternative and rent a car and driving out to the Sahara Desert, like the bloggers at Along Dusty Roads did. 

But again, if you’re solo, this may not be the best course of action – road trips are always best enjoyed with a travel buddy.

Ultimately, you’ll have to make the call, but in my gut and despite what happened to me, I say go for it – the Sahara desert is something that must be seen to be believed. 

Even with all the crap I dealt with on my 3 day Sahara tour — I wouldn’t take it back. I’d just go with another company, obviously.

What to Bring on a Sahara Desert Tour

Person tossing sand while wearing a scarf around their head sitting in the orange sand of the Sahara Desert

Motion sickness pills: Don’t underestimate how winding the roads will be leading out to the desert! You will cross all sorts of high mountain passes between Marrakech and the Sahara Desert. Motion sickness pills will be your friend. I had motion sickness bands and they helped (but not quite enough). I wish I had Dramamine!

Snacks: I didn’t enjoy the food at the lunches we stopped at along the way and I wish I had packed enough snacks to skip a lunch or two. Snacks can also be a nice pick-me-up when you need a little sugar rush after countless hours of driving. I like packing Larabars for a pick-me-up.

A camera and tripod (for night photography): You’ll want a camera with a zoom lens and the ability to use manual settings to capture the best of the desert in all its beauty. A smartphone won’t quite do it, especially for night photos!

This is the camera I used in the Sahara desert. I also suggest a tripod if you want to photograph the Milky Way and do some astrophotography — you’ll likely never find darker skies!

Tents for camping in the Sahara Desert at night, lit up by a fire or lantern, with the Milky Way overhead

Long sleeve shirt and pants: Even if it’s hot, you’ll want to have your arms and legs covered for multiple reasons during your desert tour. For one, it’ll protect you from the hot Moroccan sun… but for another, it’ll shield you (a tiny bit) from prying eyes.

A scarf: It can occasionally get windy in the Sahara Desert. Your guides will insist that you have a scarf they can wrap around you like a turban to protect your face from the sand, and they will make a stop in Erfoud or somewhere nearby the desert to buy overpriced scarves. Just bring your own scarf because the scarves you can buy there are not good quality and are basically single-use.

Layers (in winter): If you’re visiting the Sahara in the winter, you’ll want to bring warm layers as the desert can drop down to freezing in the nighttime (not kidding!). Bring a thermal top/leggings (I like these from 32 Degrees) as well as a thin down jacket to keep you warm.