Lapland: DIY vs Sunway Package - My Honest Review as a Travel Agent & Mum

I’ve done two DIY trips with my daughter, first at age 2, and again this year at age 4 which suited us perfectly at this stage of life. As a travel agent, I’ve also seen countless families return glowing from their Sunway Lapland experience. And even though the Sunway trip comes with a bigger price tag, there’s a lot of value packed into it especially during peak season.

 

Here’s my breakdown of both options, the magic they offer, and what ages they suit best.

Sunway Lapland Trip – Expensive? Yes. Worth It? Actually… also yes.

 

Sunway’s Lapland packages are known to be on the pricier side, but when you look closely at what’s included especially during peak Christmas weeks the value becomes much clearer.

 

What makes Sunway special is the pure Christmas magic they create:

• Elves that stay in character all day
• Games and songs planned perfectly throughout the trip
• Activities running smoothly without you having to organise a thing
• A Santa visit that feels like a scene from a movie

 

You truly can’t recreate that same atmosphere doing it yourself. The whole experience feels coordinated, seamless, and completely enchanting for children. It’s designed to feel like Christmas has come alive around you.

But the biggest factor? Age.

From everything I’ve seen and having travelled myself, I personally feel Sunway’s package is best for children aged 5 - 6yrs +.

The days are full-on, with lots of activities packed into 2–3 days. If your child tires easily, doesn’t love the cold, or gets overwhelmed, the pace may be too much.

This is exactly why I haven’t done Sunway with my own daughter yet. She’s 4, and I know that next year or the year after is when she’ll really get the most out of it.

DIY Lapland Trips – Slower & Perfect for Little Ones

I’ve taken my daughter to Lapland twice now DIY style once at age 2, and again now at age 4. Both times worked perfectly for us because we weren’t interested in packing our days with activities. We wanted:

•  Santa
• Snow
• Cosy winter vibes
• Flexibility

And we were lucky enough to get both Santa and snow this year!

 

Travel Timing

We took a chance and booked last minute flights from Shannon to Rovaniemi for the 10th of November, even though there wasn’t a single snowflake in sight. Hotel prices are much cheaper before 15th November because snowfall is never guaranteed- something that puts many families off.

 

Luckily, a small snowfall arrived the day before we landed, and temperatures stayed well below freezing the whole trip. On Tuesday night, it snowed heavily and by Wednesday morning we woke up to a full winter wonderland. We spent the day doing nothing but playing in the snow and racing on sledges - pure joy!

 

Where We Stayed – Nova Skyland

We spent 3 nights in Nova Skyland, staying in one of the cottages and honestly, it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed. The bed was also the most comfortable I’ve slept in! And on Monday night, as if the trip wasn’t magical enough, we saw the Northern Lights just outside the hotel. A once-in-a-lifetime moment. It is also walking distance to Santa Claus village which is a big plus.

Santa Claus Village - Santa’s Pets

We visited Santa’s Pets in Santa Claus Village, which is a lovely little area where you can meet some animals. It’s a cosy farm-style attraction where you’ll find:

• goats
• rabbits
• reindeer
•  sheep

Kids can get up close, pet some of the animals, and enjoy a very gentle, charming experience and warm campfires where you can toast marshmallows and make smores. My daughter loved it, especially the little sledding areas where we had races together.

 

Santa Park - Great for Younger Kids

On Tuesday morning, we went to Santa Park, and it’s absolutely fabulous but I do feel it’s best suited to children aged 6 and under. It’s all indoors (a big plus when it’s freezing out!), very Christmassy, and easy going.

You’d spend around 3-4 hours there but be prepared: it’s not cheap inside for tea/coffee/bottled water.

 

Ranua Zoo - Arctic Animals & A Lovely Play Area

 

After Santa Park, we drove about an hour south to Ranua Zoo, which is an Arctic wildlife zoo home to animal’s native to the far north. Expect to see:

 

• polar bears
• arctic foxes
• wolves
• snowy owls
• reindeer and many more

The zoo is outdoors but beautifully laid out with easy walking paths. There’s also a great playground, which my daughter adored.

The Best Salmon I’ve Ever Eaten — Worth Flying Back For

I also have to mention one unexpected highlight of our DIY trip: the best salmon I have ever eaten in my life. We visited a small local restaurant (Lapland is full of hidden gems), and the salmon was so fresh, buttery, and perfectly cooked that I genuinely said I would fly back to Finland just for that meal alone.

#BestSalmonEver – A restaurant in a cabin I Would Fly Back to in a heartbeat

I have to give a special mention to a little cabin we visited called #BestSalmonEver and the name does not lie. It was honestly the nicest salmon I have ever eaten in my life. Fresh, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

I actually said I’d fly back to Finland just for that salmon alone, and I'm not joking. It was that good.

The cabin itself is cosy and atmospheric, with that warm Lapland charm that makes you want to stay for hours. If you have time while you are there, this is absolutely worth adding to your list, it turned into one of those unexpected highlights that made the trip feel even more special.

 

So… DIY or Sunway? Which Should You Choose?

Here’s my honest summary:

Choose Sunway if…

• Your child is 5+
• You want a fully planned, magical, elf-filled Christmas experience
• You don’t want to worry about organising anything
• You want guaranteed activities and a smooth schedule

 

Choose DIY if…

• Your children are younger
• You prefer flexibility and slow-paced days
• You’re happy to take a chance on early-season snow
• You’re happy creating your own itinerary
• Both options are amazing, but they are very different experiences.

 

For us, DIY has been perfect while my daughter is still small. But I’m genuinely so excited to do a Sunway Lapland package with her in the next year or two, when I know she’ll be the perfect age to soak up every magical moment.