Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, Finland's northernmost region, and is also the birthplace of Santa Claus. The city also offers unrivaled access to the Arctic Circle (Rovaniemi is just 6.4 kilometers south of the line) and all of the region's distinctive features.
In the summer, it's a popular destination for fishermen and hikers, but Rovaniemi shines brightest in the winter, despite the shorter daylight hours. View our selection of activities to do and places to see in Rovaniemi, from staying up late to see the aurora Borealis multicolored waves to taking tourist day excursions out into the wildness of Finnish Lapland.
Due to recent worldwide health and safety concerns, certain companies may be temporarily shuttered.
1. Santa Claus Express
The elegant double-decker train that travels from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is affectionately known as the "Santa Claus Express" since Rovaniemi is the official residence of Santa Claus. With up to two daily departures, residents and tourists alike choose the later midnight departure: cuddle down in your own two-bunk sleeping cabin and wake up to the beautiful beauty of Finnish Lapland the following morning.
The trip is about 885 kilometers long and takes between eight and ten hours to complete, depending on the planned stops. The cabins have their own basin, fresh bedding, electrical outlets, and a window, but each sleeping vehicle has a common restroom. Sure, it's dark when you board the train, but seeing the dawn over snow-covered pine forests as you speed near the Arctic Circle is really unforgettable.
Tip: Have your toothbrush and bedtime stuff in your hand baggage before boarding the train for quick access. Your main baggage will be kept under the bunk beds since there isn't enough space in the cabin to open it completely.
2. The Village of Santa Claus
If the prospect of seeing Old St. Nick has you (or your children) laughing with delight, a trip to the Santa Claus Village will not disappoint - after all, Rovaniemi is Santa Claus' official residence in Lapland.
This merry holiday hamlet is only eight kilometers north of Rovaniemi city (take Highway 4 towards Ivalo or the local #8 bus branded "Santa Express"), and it's where you'll find all things Christmas and Kris Kringle connected. In his work chambers, Santa describes how he and his cheerful elves prepare for Christmas each year. Mrs. Claus bakes traditional gingerbread cookies and recounts tales about Lapland at her Christmas Cottage, while Santa explains how he and his jovial elves prepare for Christmas each year.
With a painted sign indicating the circle of latitude that runs 66°33'45.9" north of the Equator, you may also snap a picture (and obtain a certificate) of oneself walking over the Arctic Circle.
Tip: If you want to see Santa in person right away, get in line as soon as visiting hours begin. The queue may take hours if you wait until later in the day.
3. Rides on reindeer sleds
The indigenous Sami people of Lapland have a long and close relationship with these gentle animals, thus there is approximately a one-to-one ratio of inhabitants to reindeer. While you may see reindeer roaming aimlessly through the icy woods, they belong to a particular Sami herder (they have unique identification markings on their ears) and are gathered up every year.
For as long as there have been humans to pull, reindeer sleds have been carrying families and commodities through Europe's Arctic. It seems like you're settling into one of these specially built wooden sleighs, heaped high with cushions and blankets and pulled by the fuzzy tails of a well-trained reindeer. It's difficult not to get carried away by the beautiful beauty of it all as their hooves softly pad along a snowy wooded path and their harness bells gently chime.
There are many choices for visiting a local reindeer farm and arranging a sleigh ride from Rovaniemi, including Christmas House Safaris and Raitola Reindeer and Husky Farm.
Tip: Reindeer are naturally timid, and it takes years of training to get them used to people and sleds, so be as quiet and calm as possible - and always follow the driver's instructions.
4. Pay a visit to an ice village
A magnificent resort complex built from 44 million pounds of snow and 772,000 pounds of natural ice can be found almost two hours north of Rovaniemi municipal limits. Lapland Hotels develops and constructs a new SnowVillage almost every year, replete with hotel rooms, a wedding chapel, and hundreds of mind-blowing snow and ice creations for day-pass tourists and overnight guests to enjoy.
The beds feature genuine mattresses and sub-zero sheets, even though the hotel rooms are maintained below zero (plus, guests have access to a warmup room if it becomes too frigid). A group of brilliant Finnish designers and builders devises a concept and then spends a year bringing it to life. Game of Thrones was the theme for 2018/19, with intricate sculptures of terrifying dragons, royal chambers, and a life-size "weirwood" tree. The theme for the 2019/2020 season is "Illusions," with designs that will deceive and tempt the imagination.
Tip: Stop by the on-site, non-ice restaurant for a big cup of traditional reindeer soup and a substantial piece of butter bread around noon.
5. Korundi Culture House
The Korundi House of Culture, which houses the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland and the Rovaniemi Art Museum and is situated on the outskirts of Rovaniemi's central centre, is one of the finest locations to visit in Rovaniemi to learn about the local culture and history.
The art museum is located in an ancient bus depot, which was one of the few structures to escape the WWII bombing of Rovaniemi (and most of Lapland), which destroyed 90% of the city's buildings. The permanent and rotating collections concentrate on contemporary Finnish art from the 1940s onwards, with a particular emphasis on northern-born artists, with a local artist of the month featured on occasion.
The 340-seat Korundi concert hall is home to the Lapland Chamber Orchestra and presents a variety of concerts throughout the year.
Tip: Before visiting Rovaniemi, check out Korundi's events calendar for upcoming performances and get tickets ahead of time to enjoy Finnish Lapland's musical and dramatic arts.
6. Cross-Country Skiing
Rovaniemi is known as the "Gateway to the Arctic" and serves as a fantastic starting place for all of the winter outdoor activities that this unique part of the globe has to offer. Cross-country skiing is one of the most popular winter activities in Finnish Lapland, with one in every five Finns claiming to be avid skiers. It's no surprise: Lapland was made for this activity, with its dry, constant snow and largely flat or gently undulating terrain.
When you add in an enormous network of government-maintained ski trails that run alongside major highways, side roads, and through the region's large forested parklands, you've got the ideal recipe for a ski-crazed country (Finland constantly finds itself on the podium at the Winter Olympics for the sport). Guests may hire skis from most resorts and hotels, as well as local sports stores and tour companies.
Tip: If you've never skied before, take a class with a qualified ski instructor before venturing out on your own; your legs will thank you.
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