In Rovaniemi you can enjoy a unique combination of Arctic nature and city life. The city is especially known for its Christmas spirit and as the home of Santa Claus, but it is much more than that. Rovaniemi is the cultural capital of Lapland, where you can learn about the history and traditions of the region.
The city is surrounded by opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature. Further out in the wilderness you can spot wildlife in stunning scenery. Rovaniemi's diverse nature is easily accessible in the vicinity of the city.
The shopping centres in the centre of Rovaniemi offer a variety of shopping opportunities for both locals and tourists. Within walking distance you will find a comprehensive range of products and services to meet your needs. During the winter season, you can experience a unique dining experience in snow and ice restaurants.
Rovaniemi has a varied events calendar, including music festivals, exhibitions and sporting events. The city offers experiences that will make your visit a memorable one.
Discover with us the best places in Rovaniemi!
Experience the magic of Christmas all year round in Santa Claus Village, located in the Arctic Circle, about 8 kilometres north of Rovaniemi city centre. Here you can meet Santa Claus himself every day and explore the Christmas Moomin House, where you'll meet adorable elves and Santa Claus. The area is full of souvenir shops, restaurants and cafés where you can buy authentic Lappish handicrafts and enjoy local delicacies.
The highlight of the visit will be crossing the Arctic Circle, for which you will receive a souvenir certificate. Santa's Village is open all year round and offers experiences for visitors of all ages.
Experience an unforgettable night in a glass igloo, where you can admire the surrounding nature and starry sky directly from your bed. Rovaniemi has several igloo hotels, such as Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle, located in Santa's Village. Igloos combine the comfort of a hotel room with a unique nature experience. In winter you'll have the chance to see the Northern Lights, while in summer you can enjoy the light of the night. Many igloos are equipped with modern amenities such as private bathrooms and even a sauna. Staying in a glass igloo is a memorable way to experience the magic of Lapland.
Experience a unique shamanic drumming experience in Rovaniemi. This traditional Lappish ritual offers a deeper connection to the culture and spiritual traditions of the region. The event is often held in a home or lava house, where you sit by the fire and listen to the shaman's stories and the rhythm of the drums.
The drumming and possible joiku create a hypnotic soundscape that helps you relax and focus on the moment. This experience offers a unique opportunity to explore the mysticism and traditions of Lapland in ways that are otherwise not easily accessible.
The Rovaniemi Art Museum is located in the Korundi Culture House, one of the oldest preserved buildings in the city. The museum offers a wide range of exhibitions where you can explore both local and international contemporary art.
The Korund is also home to the Lapland Chamber Orchestra, so you can combine both visual and musical art with your visit. The museum regularly organises events, workshops and guided tours for all ages. Korundi is a cultural meeting place where art lovers and art makers meet.
The Korundi Concert Hall offers quality music experiences in Rovaniemi. The programme includes a wide range of concerts from classical music to jazz and folk music. Performers include both local and international artists.
The acoustics of the concert hall are excellent, and good visibility of the stage ensures a pleasant experience. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Lippu.fi or from Korundi's own online shop. In addition to concerts, Korund also hosts other cultural events, so you can enjoy a wide range of events in one place.
Arktikum is a unique science centre and museum on the banks of the Ounas River in Rovaniemi. It offers a fascinating insight into northern nature, culture and history. Exhibitions show, for example, the origin of the northern lights and the development of Rovaniemi since the early 20th century.
The architecture of the museum itself is impressive, and the glass dome brings in natural light. Arktikum also serves as a meeting and congress centre. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online in advance to ensure your access to this popular destination.
Visit the Santapark snow world, located next to Santa's den on the border of the Arctic Circle. The skilfully carved snow castle offers a unique experience with ice sculptures and lighting. You can explore the different rooms and corridors and enjoy the cool atmosphere.
Remember to dress warmly, as temperatures will remain low to preserve ice and snow. The Santapark snow world is open during the winter season, so check opening times in advance.
A visit to a reindeer or husky farm is an unforgettable experience, combining traditional Lappish culture with a close experience of nature. Reindeer and husky farms give you an insight into the life of animals and their important role in the history and present of Lapland.
On many farms you can get involved in feeding the animals, learn about their care and enjoy reindeer or husky rides in winter. During the summer season, guided tours of the farms are often organised, where you can hear stories about the Lappish way of life and nature.
Rovaniemi's location at the confluence of the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki rivers provides a great setting for river cruises. In summer, you can enjoy peaceful cruises that take you through beautiful river landscapes and present the region's nature and culture from a unique perspective.
Cruises are the perfect way to enjoy the summer in Lapland and the idyllic riverside surroundings. On some evening cruises you can also experience the enchanting light of the midnight sun from the water.
On river safaris, you can visit traditional reindeer farms or learn about fishing, for example. Cruises offer a relaxing way to enjoy the Lapland summer on the water. On some trips you can also experience the midnight sun from the water.
Together, the sauna and the avanto form a classic Finnish experience that must be experienced when visiting Rovaniemi. A traditional Finnish sauna offers relaxation and cleansing, while a dip in the open-air pool refreshes the body and mind. Several sauna venues in Rovaniemi offer the opportunity to combine these two experiences in the middle of nature.
During the winter season, the avanto is a hole carved into the edge of the ice, and taking a dip in it offers a unique way to experience the Lapland winter. This tradition is suitable for all daredevils - even first-timers - and many places offer guidance and a warm welcome in the sauna after the plunge.
Rautalamm Adventure Park offers exciting experiences at heights. The park is designed for adventurous visitors of all ages, with a variety of rides for different skill levels. You can test your balance and agility on the tree-top tracks, which also offer great views of the surrounding nature. The park is open during the summer season and is ideal for spending active time with friends. Be sure to allow enough time for adventure and wear comfortable clothes.
12) Take a photographic tour of Lapland's landscapes
Rovaniemi offers great opportunities for photography, and many local businesses organise guided photography tours in both winter and summer. The destinations may include the Northern Lights, frozen lakes, snowy forests or landscapes illuminated by the midnight sun.
Guided tours will give you tips on finding the best shooting locations and techniques. This activity is especially suitable for visitors who appreciate nature and visual experiences, and gives them the opportunity to take home beautiful memories of Lapland's nature.
Winter cycling is a unique way to experience Rovaniemi's winter nature. Ounasvaara' s winter cycling trails offer varied trails and spectacular views of the city and riverbanks. Electric fatbike bikes make it easy to get around on snowy trails and are also suitable for beginners. Local company Roll Outdoors organises guided bike tours all year round, and you can join in alone or in a group. Winter cycling is a unique combination of exercise and nature, making it a great activity to do when visiting Rovaniemi.
Watching the Northern Lights is one of Rovaniemi's most memorable winter activities. The city's location on the Arctic Circle offers excellent opportunities to admire this magical natural phenomenon. The Northern Lights can usually be seen from late August to early April. The best viewing times are on dark and clear nights, away from the city lights.
You can take part in guided Northern Lights tours, which are organised by various means of transport, such as snowmobiles, reindeer or husky sledges. These tours take you to remote locations with minimal light pollution, offering the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. On some tours you will also get tips on photographing the Northern Lights.
If you want to observe the Northern Lights on your own, you can head outside the city to dark areas such as the Ounasvaara or the Arctic Circle camping area. Remember to dress warmly and allow plenty of time, as the Northern Lights are unpredictable and can appear unexpectedly.
Snowmobiling is a popular way to experience Lapland's winter nature in a fast-paced way. Rovaniemi has several trail options that take you through snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and fjord landscapes. You can join a guided safari, suitable for beginners and experienced drivers alike.
Tours usually last from a couple of hours to a whole day, with the opportunity to stop to admire the scenery or enjoy a warm drink by the campfire. Snowmobiling offers an exciting and exhilarating way to explore the Arctic environment.
Experience the winter magic of Lapland by joining a husky safari. This traditional mode of transport takes you through snowy landscapes on a dog sled. Safaris usually take place from December to March, when the snow covers the ground.
Before the start, you will be instructed on how to handle the sled and the dogs. You can either steer your own sled or sit on the back with a guide. Many companies also offer the opportunity to get to know huskies better and learn about their lives. Remember to dress warmly; most safari companies provide the necessary equipment.
Experience traditional ice fishing in the stunning scenery of Pyhätunturi in Lake Pyhäjärvi. Fishing offers a peaceful way to enjoy Lapland's nature and the chance to catch perch and whitefish, for example. You can arrive by car, snowmobile or even by reindeer ride.
On guided trips, you'll use the necessary equipment and learn winter fishing techniques from an experienced guide. Lake Pyhäjärvi is located close to Pyhä-Luosto National Park, so you can combine your fishing trip with other nature activities.
The Napapiiri camping area offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and peace of Lapland's nature close to the centre of Rovaniemi. The area offers a variety of routes for hiking, cycling and skiing, so you can choose your activity according to the season.
The routes are well signposted and vary in length, so you're sure to find an option to suit you. The region's highlights are the magnificent rapids and wetlands, which offer great scenery and photographic opportunities. The car parks at Vika and Vaattunkikönen are an easy place to start your hike to the nature trails.
Koskikatu offers a wide range of shopping opportunities. Along the street you will find a wide range of shops selling products from local artisans to international brands such as clothing and cosmetics. In addition to shops, Koskatu has a number of cosy cafés and restaurants that make a day of shopping relaxed and enjoyable.
Rinteenkulma is a modern shopping centre located along Koskikatu. It is known for its diverse range of products, including international fashion brands, beauty products and electronics. Rinteenkulma also offers a range of services, including banks, opticians and a pharmacy, making it a convenient destination for a wide range of errands. The shopping centre has comfortable lounges and often hosts events that attract locals and tourists.
Sampokeskus is one of Rovaniemi's best-known shopping centres, combining a traditional shopping experience with a local atmosphere. In Sampokeskus you will find clothing stores, jewellery shops and souvenir shops with a wide range of Lapland products. While shopping, you can relax in restaurants or cafés offering both local flavours and international options. The central location of the Sampo Centre makes it an easy and popular stop in the city centre.
In Rovaniemi you can discover the rich flavours of Lapland cuisine, based on pure and natural ingredients. Local delicacies such as reindeer roast, salmon, rieski and bread cheese with lacquer jam are popular taste experiences.
Rovaniemi has many atmospheric restaurants and home-style eateries that offer traditional cuisine with a modern twist. In addition, many local venues and events organise dining experiences where you can enjoy meals prepared with locally produced ingredients. Lapland's nature and seasons are strongly present in everything on offer, making every dining experience special.
