The Icebreaker cruise has become a “must do” activity in recent years, and an important part of the tour to Lapland for thousands of visitors.
The Polar Explorer Icebreaker is cruising the Northern part of the Bothnian Sea, not far from the border of Finland and Sweden.
ROVANIEMI – 168 km from Icebreaker (2 h 10 min drive)
The capital of Finnish Lapland – Rovaniemi – is world famous as the home of Santa Clause. Many other activities are available in winter in the city center or in the surrounding area. The busiest times are Christmas and New Year, though February and March also require early bookings to guarantee your tour.
Accommodation on Arctic Circle
in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus. Pick up location by Santa Claus Holiday Village:
Apukka resort – 9 min drive
Nova Skyland hotel – 100 m
Santa Claus Holiday Village – 0 m
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – 800 m
Snowman World – 200 m
Accommodation in Rovaniemi city center
in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus. Pick up location by Santa Claus Hotel:
Aakenus hotel – 800 m
Arctic City hotel – 250 m
Arctic Light hotel – 200 m
Arctic Snow Hotel and igloos – 23 min drive
Guesthouse Outa – 700 m
Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets – 3100 m (6 min drive)
Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Sky – 3200 m (8 min drive)
Santa Claus hotel – 0 m
Santa’s hotel Rudolf – 750 m
Santasport resort and hostel – 2000 m (5 min drive)
Scandic Polar hotel – 170 m
Scandic Pohjanhovi hotel – 250 m
Scandic Rovaniemi hotel – 280 m
Sokos Vaakuna Rovaniemi hotel – 190 m
Vartiosaari the Aurora Island hotel – 12 min drive
Accommodation in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus.
Pick up location by Rovaniemi train station:
Guesthouse Borealis – 300 m
Accommodation in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus.
Pick up location by Arctic Tree House:
Arctic Tree House – 0 m
Hostel Ibedcity – 900 m
KEMI – 73 km from Icebreaker (1 h drive)
Kemi is a Southern town and airport in Finnish Lapland located on the shore of the Bothnian sea, only 30 km from the Swedish border. Many winter activities are available in the area from January to March.
Accommodation in Kemi city center in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus
Accommodation in city center in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus. Pick up location Scandic Kemi hotel:
Scandic Kemi
Accommodation in city center in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus. Pick up location Merihovi hotel:
Merihovi hotel – 0 m
Palomestari hotel – 190 m
Accommodation in city center in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus. Pick up location Kemi Snow Castle:
Seaside Villas – 0 m
Snow Castle
Accommodation in city center in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus. Pick up location Kemi train station:
Putiikkihotelli Kemi 1932 – 0 m
Villa Kemi hostel – 650 m
Yöpuu hotel – 10 min drive
TORNIO / HAPARANDA – 45 km from Icebreaker (40 min drive)
Tornio (Finland) and Haparanda (Sweden) are twin cities located on the Finnish-Swedish border. Despite a border splitting the two adjacent cities, there is still a 1 h time difference on each side, two currencies (Euro and Swedish Krona), two languages (Finnish and Swedish) and two different administration systems for each country. Of course, IKEA is located only on the Swedish-Hapanada side! Winter activities are available from December until April around the city.
Accommodation in Tornio / Haparanda city center in walking distance to icebreaker shuttle bus.
Pick up location Tornio/Haparanda bus station:
Park Inn hotel Tornio – 850 m
Mustaparta hotel Tornio – 450 m
Olof hotel Tornio – 700 m
River motel Haparanda – 1100 m
Svefi hostel Haparanda – 1200 m
Stadshotell Haparanda – 1300 m
Kukkolaforsen Village – 15 min drive
KALIX – 23 km from Icebreaker (25 min drive)
Kalix is a well-known town on the Northern shore of the Bothnian sea, with a reputation for culinary speciality. Only in Kalix can you try caviar called Kalixlöjrom with its special flavor. There is no Icebreaker shuttle bus pick up from Kalix, but car transport is cheap, around 350 Swedish Krona (35 €) one way per car.
Valhall hotel – 25 min drive
Lilla Grand hotel – 25 min drive
STF Kalix hostel – 21 min drive
The Mansion of Filipsborg – 25 min drive (transportation available also by snowmobiles)
FREVISÖREN – 4 km from Icebreaker (5 min drive)
The Frevisören wilderness camp offers accommodations and experiences for those who are seeking an adventure in Lapland. It features cozy high standard cabins, restaurant with local cuisine, safari departure from the door, wild Arctic nature and frozen endless sea. The Icebreaker is only a 5 min drive. Snowmobiles are also available as a means of transport for the once in a lifetime icebreaker cruise.