Flights to

Rovaniemi

Sights and activities in Rovaniemi

Santa Claus Village – meet Santa Claus, cross the Arctic Circle and explore shops, cafés and workshops open all year round. You can also join outdoor experiences such as reindeer and husky rides. A true family destination for all ages.

Jätkänkynttilä Bridge – walk across one of Rovaniemi’s best-known landmarks and take in views of the Ounasjoki river and forests.

River cruises on the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki – explore Rovaniemi from the water in summer, with calm routes through forested landscapes.

Lordi’s Square (Lordin aukio) – visit the central square named after the Finnish hard rock band Lordi, winners of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. You’ll find the band’s handprints here, along with cafés and shops, right in the heart of the city.

Arktikum Science Centre and Museum – learn about Arctic nature, people and history through exhibitions set along the river.

Korundi House of Culture – discover contemporary Finnish art and listen to performances by the Lapland Chamber Orchestra.

Ounasvaara – enjoy hiking and cycling trails in summer, or skiing and winter activities close to the city centre.

Things to see and do near Rovaniemi

Lapland Winter Park and Rovaniemi Sauna World – combine winter activities such as snow-shoeing, ice skating and cross-country skiing with a modern take on Finnish sauna culture, featuring multiple saunas in one place.

Arctic SnowHotel and Ice Restaurant – step inside a hotel built from snow and ice during winter, with rooms, sculptures and a restaurant made entirely of ice. You can pre-book a transfer from the airport, Rovaniemi city centre or the Santa Claus Village.

Ranua Wildlife Park – see Arctic animals like polar bears, lynx and wolverines in a natural forest setting about an hour’s drive away from the city.

Pyhä-Luosto National Park – hike along marked trails, visit the Amethyst Mine or explore one of Finland’s oldest national parks, around 90 minutes from Rovaniemi by car.

Riisitunturi National Park – walk among snow-covered trees in winter or open hill landscapes in summer, known for its quiet, remote feel. Accessible by car in 2 to 2.5 hours.

Poronkäristys – try one of Lapland’s most traditional dishes. It’s made from thinly sliced reindeer, slowly sautéed and served with mashed potatoes, lingonberries and pickles.

Leipäjuusto – sample this mild, squeaky cheese, typically paired with warm cloudberry jam.

Rieska – a soft, slightly sweet flatbread made with potato, often served warm with butter or alongside meals.

Loimulohi – a traditional Lapland dish where salmon is slowly cooked over an open fire, giving it a soft texture and a gently smoky flavour.

Handpicked Arctic berries – taste cloudberries, bilberries and lingonberries, growing wild in the forests. Naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants, they’re true superfoods. In Finland, anyone – even visitors – can freely pick berries in nature.

Santa Claus Village Christmas season – experience the festive atmosphere leading up to Christmas, when the village is at its busiest.

Rovaniemi Week – take part in local culture with concerts, exhibitions and events held across the city in September.

Arctic Pride – join one of the world’s northernmost Pride events, bringing people together in March.

The most popular time to visit Rovaniemi is from December to March, when the landscape is covered in snow. This is the season for seeing the Northern Lights, meeting Santa Claus and exploring the forests by husky or reindeer sledge.

If you prefer quieter moments, September and October offer a softer side of Lapland. In September, the forests turn shades of yellow, orange and red during the ruska season (autumn foliage), and the first Northern Lights may already appear in the darkening sky.

Summer is altogether different. From June to August, the sun barely sets, giving you long, light-filled days to explore the rivers, forests and nearby fells.

Spring sits quietly between the seasons. As the snow begins to melt, the days grow longer, and the landscape slowly shifts from white to green. It’s also a great time to avoid the crowds.

No matter when you visit, light plays a central role here – from the deep blues of winter to the endless brightness of summer. Check the weather, dress in layers and let the season shape your experience.