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A Finnish hot tub experience in Lapland
There is something wonderfully simple about sitting in warm water while the temperature drops below freezing around you.
In Finnish Lapland, an outdoor hot tub is not about luxury in the traditional sense. It is about slowing down. The fire crackles, the forest becomes quiet, and for a while there is nowhere else you need to be.
At Napapiirin Järvilomat, our accommodation is surrounded by forests and Lake Vietonen, around one hour from Rovaniemi. There are no busy streets or city lights outside your cabin, just nature, darkness and the Arctic sky.
On clear winter evenings, that sky may even bring the Northern Lights.
Some of our accommodations have their own private outdoor jacuzzi, while a traditional Finnish wood-fired hot tub can be added to selected cabins.
What is a traditional Finnish hot tub?
A traditional Finnish hot tub, known in Finnish as a palju, is an outdoor tub filled with water and heated with firewood.
Unlike a jacuzzi, a traditional palju does not rely on jets or bubbles. The experience is much simpler: warm water, fresh air and the surrounding nature.
Heating a wood-fired hot tub is part of the tradition. Depending on the weather, it usually takes several hours for the water to reach approximately 38°C.
In winter, the contrast is part of what makes the experience so special. The air around you may be well below freezing while you sit comfortably in warm water beneath the Arctic sky.
Finnish hot tub or outdoor jacuzzi – What’s the difference?
Although the words are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not quite the same.
A traditional Finnish “palju” is heated with firewood and offers a simple, authentic outdoor bathing experience. Heating the water takes time and becomes part of the evening itself.
Our Hidden aurora huts, on the other hand, have a private jacuzzi-style outdoor tub included with the accommodation. It is ready to use throughout your stay and does not require wood heating.
Both offer the same thing we value most: a private place to slow down and enjoy Lapland around you.
Accommodation with a private hot tub in Lapland
If you are looking for accommodation with a private hot tub in Lapland, you can choose between cabins where a traditional wood-fired hot tub can be added to your stay and our Hidden Aurora Huts, where a private outdoor jacuzzi is already included.
Romantic accommodation for couples surrounded be nature
- Private outdoor jacuzzi
- Private sauna
- Large north-facing window
- Northern Lights can be seen from the bed and jacuzzi
- Approximately 100 metres from Lake Vietonen
A private lakeside log villa for families and groups.
- Private sauna
- Wood-burning fireplace
- Traditional hot tub available as an extra
- Private surroundings
- Northern Lights possible directly from the villa area
If you prefer the traditional Finnish wood-fired hot tub experience, a private hot tub can also be added to selected cabin stays, including Kaarna, Pirtti, Naava, Pihka and Reiki.
The hot tub is placed outside your accommodation for your private use, allowing you to enjoy the warmth of the water surrounded by the quiet forests and Arctic nature of Lapland.
Northern lights from your hot tub
You don’t necessarily have to leave your accommodation to look for the Northern Lights.
Our cabins are surrounded by nature away from the brighter lights of Rovaniemi. On clear nights with suitable aurora activity, the Northern Lights can be visible directly from the accommodation area.
Sometimes the aurora lasts for hours. Sometimes it appears for only a few minutes.
That is one of the advantages of staying somewhere with naturally dark skies: if the Northern Lights appear, you can simply step outside or, if you’re already in the hot tub, look up.
For an open view of the sky, Lake Vietonen is only a short walk from our accommodation.
Read our Northern Lights guideHow does the wood-fired hot tub work?
A traditional Finnish wood-fired hot tub is simple to use, but heating it is part of the experience.
- We fill the hot tub with fresh water for you.
- Heating usually takes approximately 4–6 hours, depending on the outdoor temperature and weather conditions.
- Firewood is provided for the entire heating process.
- The ideal water temperature is around 38°C.
- You can heat the hot tub yourself and enjoy the traditional experience of preparing it.
- If you prefer to simply relax, for an additional fee we can prepare and heat the hot tub for you, so it is ready for you to enjoy.
- After your experience, you can leave everything as it is. We take care of emptying and cleaning the hot tub.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Finnish hot tub?
A traditional Finnish hot tub, known in Finnish as a “palju”, is an outdoor tub filled with water and heated with firewood. It offers a simple way to enjoy the outdoors: warm water, fresh Arctic air and the peaceful nature around you.
What is the difference between a Finnish hot tub and a jacuzzi?
A traditional Finnish hot tub, or palju, is heated with firewood and does not typically have jets or bubbles. A jacuzzi-style outdoor tub is electrically heated and designed to stay ready for use. At Napapiirin Järvilomat, you can experience both: traditional wood-fired hot tubs are available with selected cabins, while our Hidden Aurora Huts have a private outdoor jacuzzi included.
Can I book accommodation with a private hot tub in Lapland?
Yes. At Napapiirin Järvilomat, you can stay in peaceful accommodation surrounded by nature and enjoy your own private hot tub. Traditional wood-fired hot tubs can be added to selected cabins, while our Hidden Aurora Huts include a private outdoor jacuzzi as part of the stay.
Can you see the Northern Lights from the hot tub?
Yes, it is possible. Our accommodation is surrounded by nature away from the brighter lights of Rovaniemi, and on clear nights with suitable aurora activity, the Northern Lights can be visible directly from the accommodation area. Of course, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed.
How long does a Finnish hot tub take to heat?
Our traditional wood-fired hot tubs usually take approximately 4–6 hours to heat, depending on the outdoor temperature and weather conditions. The water is typically heated to around 38°C. We fill the hot tub and provide the firewood, and for an additional fee, we can also prepare and heat the hot tub for you.
Is the hot tub private?
Yes. The hot tub is for the private use of the guests staying in the accommodation. Our cabins are also spaced to provide privacy, so you can enjoy the experience surrounded by the peace and nature of Lapland.
Can a hot tub be used during winter in Lapland?
Yes, winter is one of the most memorable times to experience a Finnish hot tub. Sitting in warm water while surrounded by snow and cold Arctic air is part of what makes the experience so special. However, during extremely cold weather, traditional wood-fired hot tubs may not be available for practical and safety reasons.