18 Unmissable Things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland (2023)
Some links in this post contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use the links at no extra cost to you! Happy reading 😀
Looking for the best things to do in Rovaniemi? Known as the capital of the Arctic, it’s one of the most magical places on Earth. In this post, I’ve listed all the things to do in Rovaniemi that you’re not going to want to miss out on.
Rovaniemi is known as the gateway to the Arctic. It’s one of the most special places to visit in Finland, and easily one of the most magical places in the world!
If you’re visiting Rovaniemi or Finnish Lapland for the first time, there are so many things to do and see. From meeting the ‘real’ Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village to spotting the Northern Lights, a trip to Rovaniemi is not something you’re going to forget!
However, backpacking or visiting Rovaniemi is not cheap. Scandinavia is one of the most expensive areas in Europe, and Finland is no exception. It’s not quite a budget-friendly destination, but it can be done.
So, let’s get started and find out the best things to do in Rovaniemi!
Visiting Finland? Check out my other posts!
- What to Wear in Lapland: Finland Winter Packing Guide
- 16 Fun Things to do in Helsinki in Winter
- 11 Top Tips for Visiting Finland for the First Time
Things to do in Rovaniemi: A Summary
Where to stay in Rovaniemi
If you’re travelling around Finland and to Rovaniemi for the first time, these are some of the best hotels and hostels.
⛄️ Apukka Resort: for a once-in-a-lifetime stay in a winter wonderland. Truly one of the best resorts we have ever stayed in. ➡ BOOK AND CHECK PRICES HERE!
🪵 Arctic Treehouse Hotel: another bucket-list, glass igloo stay where you can watch the Northern Lights from under the duvet. ➡ BOOK AND CHECK PRICES HERE!
❄️ Nova Skyland Hotel: If you want to stay within Santa Claus village (perfect for Christmas time!) this is one of the most magical and incredible stays. ➡ BOOK AND CHECK PRICES HERE!
💸 Hostel Cafe Koti: perfect for backpackers in Lapland! ➡ BOOK AND CHECK PRICES HERE!
Getting around Rovaniemi and Finland
You can travel around Finland in multiple ways. Depending on how much time you have, your budget and where you want to visit, the easiest ways to travel around Finland are by rental car, train or plane.
Rovaniemi is a regular city (despite the snow), with trains, buses and Ubers.
We were able to catch local buses to wherever we needed to go, or cabs if we needed to travel at night (to the airport or to a resort etc).
It’s easy to get around Rovaniemi, and if you have a higher budget, there is the option of hiring a car.
➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in Finland now!
Do I need a car to travel around Finland?
This is down to personal preference. We found Finland easy enough to travel around via buses, trains and even flying (for example, from Helsinki to Rovaniemi).
But, driving in Finland is safe and straightforward. Some of the main towns and cities are a distance away from each other, so to maximise your time in the country, you may want to hire a car.
🇫🇮 If you’re looking to hire a car in Finland, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in Finland now!
Getting to Rovaniemi from Helsinki
🚗 GETTING TO ROVANIEMI BY CAR
If you are hiring a car for your Finland trip, you can drive directly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This should take just under 10 hours and is 830km.
➡ Book your rental car for Finland now!
🚝 GETTING TO ROVANIEMI BY TRAIN
If you are visiting Rovaniemi via train from Helsinki, take the overnight 13-hour journey that costs around £100 ($110) each way. There are 3 train departures (3 hours apart) from Helsinki daily. You can also upgrade your ticket to have your own cabin or bed.
➡ Book train tickets from Helsinki to Rovaniemi here!
✈️ GETTING TO ROVANIEMI BY PLANE
Travelling to Rovaniemi from Helsinki via plane is the quickest, easiest and most common way to travel. The average flight time is 90 minutes, and there are four flights per day. The drive to Rovaniemi town centre from the airport is around 20 minutes, depending on the weather.
If you’re flying from the UK, there is the option to fly directly to Rovaniemi. However, this is a much more expensive option, and you can expect to add an extra £200 to each flight (rather than flying to Helsinki first).
➡ Book plane tickets from Helsinki to Rovaniemi here!
Bucket list tours to do in Rovaniemi
Looking to book a tour in Lapland? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
Some of the best tours in Finland include:
- Ultimate Northern Lights tour: check prices!
- Reindeer sleigh ride with a hot drink and cookies: check prices!
- Incredible Husky Safari in the snow: check prices!
- Santa Claus Village with Huskies AND Reindeer! Check prices!
➡ Check out more tours for your trip here!
Things to do in Rovaniemi: The Capital of Lapland
1. Go on a husky ride
One of the best things to do in Rovaniemi is to go on a husky ride. And I challenge anyone to tell me it isn’t!
We didn’t really know what to expect when we boarded our wooden sleigh in the snow to the sound of excited dogs, but wow, did it exceed every expectation!
As you enter the husky farm, you’ll be greeted by friendly faces and wagging tails jumping up and down wanting to meet and please you.
Huskies are historically known as working dogs and can pull up to 136kg of weight without stress or discomfort. The dogs need exercise and have a lot of energy to burn, so they love pulling you along through the snow on the sledge!
We did our husky ride from Apukka Resort, which I highly recommend. The resort treated the huskies so well and showed us just how much love they receive from everyone around them.
You’ll board your handmade wooden sleigh, be taken on a bumpy 6km husky ride through the forest, and you get to play with the huskies afterwards. The tour ends with hot juice around an open fire as you’re all wrapped up in the snow.
💸 The trip costs about £110 ($140 USD), and is worth every penny.
You can book the trip through Apukka if you are staying there, or if you’re staying elsewhere, you can book it online here!
Finland isn’t the only place to have an incredible dog sledging experience! Check out Tromso Dog Sledding for dog-friendly tours in the incredible Tromso, Norway! Plus, Tromso is another place where you can see the Northern Lights!
2. Stay at the bucket-list Apukka Resort
The Apukka Resort is located around 20 minutes from the main centre of Rovaniemi, and is worth staying in, even if it’s only for a night. It is on the higher side of the budget, but the accommodation is an experience in itself.
If you have enough money saved, stay in a glass igloo and watch the snowfall and the Northern Lights from underneath your duvet.
But if you don’t, staying in a small cottage at Apukka is just as special. Our room had a fully working kitchen, bathroom, and heated floors which is dreamy when it’s -10°C. The small cottage was also located in the same place as the igloos, so the only thing we missed out on was the glass roof.
We visited in February 2022 and paid just over £100 ($130 USD) for the night.
Apukka is located in the heart of the Finnish countryside, so you’re away from any light and noise pollution. During the day, you can walk for miles through the snowy countryside, and in the evenings, you can watch the Northern Lights from your doorstep.
They also have a delicious buffet, which we ate every night. It’s £30 for as many servings as you’d like, and you even have the opportunity to try reindeer pizza and spaghetti!
➡ Book your stay at Apukka Rovaniemi here!
Bonus reasons to stay at Apukka:
☁️ The views. You are totally surrounded by nature. No towns, cities, crowds of people. You’re in the heart of the Finnish countryside.
🌅 The sunset/sunrise. With little to zero buildings around, you get a 360 view of the sunset/sunrise. If it’s clear enough, you’ll be treated to bright purple skies as the sun goes down. It really is something.
🔮 One of the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi. Due to Apukka being further out into the countryside and past the edge of the Arctic Circle, you have a higher chance of spotting those sought-after Northern Lights. On a clear sky, they’ll light up the sky and you’ll be able to see them from anywhere on the resort.
🛷 Endless activities. If you stay at Apukka, you can book your activities directly through the hotel. Even though we only stayed for a night and then moved to Rovaniemi centre, we booked all of our activities through Apukka.
🏂 A totally free snow slide with sledges. Apukka has their own mini hill to slide down, with tons of rubber rings and sledges to choose from. And it’s completely free!
🐟 THE FOOD! Oh my God, the food. Apukka put on an INCREDIBLE buffet of food every lunch and dinner time, with traditional Finnish elements, as well as your standard western food.
It’s only around £30 (33 EUR) and includes all of your drinks (non-alcoholic), starters, desserts, coffee and cheese. And it’s unlimited.
➡ Book your stay at Apukka Rovaniemi here!
3. Go on a reindeer sleigh
Riding on a sleigh pulled by reindeer has to be one of the best activities to do in the Arctic Circle!
Our reindeer trip was again, incredible, and we had the most amazing time getting to know the animals. The reindeer were friendly and enjoyed interacting with us.
To ensure the reindeer are comfortable and happy, the sleigh ride is only short (approx 15 mins each way) and you’ll stop off at a campsite, drink hot chocolate and cook sausages over an open fire.
Again, we did our trip from Apukka, but you can look at other operators. However, Apukka had a great tour guide who told us about the origins of the site and some Finnish traditions, as well as how much they loved the reindeer!
💸 The trip cost roughly £100 ($130 USD) and lasted 2 hours. You can book your once-in-a-lifetime reindeer experience here.
4. Visit Santa Claus’ Village
If you’re as big of a fan of the holiday season, don’t miss a visit to Santa Claus’ Village. Famously known as one of the best things to do in Rovaniemi, you can visit Santa and his elves 365 days a year for FREE. Yes, a free thing to do in Rovaniemi!
If you’re staying in Rovaniemi city centre, you can catch the Santa Claus bus or the number 8 bus from the main railway station. The journey takes around 15 minutes and will drop you off at Santa’s door.
Santa Claus Village resembles a theme park made up of everything Christmas. From snow slides to reindeer, husky sledging to ice bars, giant igloos, pizza buffets, souvenir shops and everything Christmas-related, it’s a big kids’ perfect day out.
We also spent a lot of our time walking around the grounds of Santa Claus village, as it’s surrounded by forest. As backpackers, we were on a budget, so we actually spent very little visiting the village.
Just be sure to wrap up warm, as you’ll be spending most of your day outside. You can check out my essential Lapland packing list here.
Santa Claus Village Tours: Our Top Picks
- Santa Claus Village Tour with a guide and roundtrip transfer
- Santa Claus Village Visit with a guide, hotel pickup and drop-off
- Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle (guide, lunch, pickup and drop off are included)
5. Spot the Northern Lights
When visiting the Arctic Circle and Rovaniemi, seeing the Northern Lights should be one of the highest priorities on your list.
Unfortunately, no matter the time of year you visit, there are no guarantees to see them. But the best months to see the Northern Lights in Finland is December until March.
We booked our tour through Wild About Lapland, and although we didn’t see the Northern Lights, it was one of the best trips of the week. You’re taken around 45 minutes into the heart of the Finnish countryside to avoid all light pollution and increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
You’ll drink hot chocolate and eat sausages over a campfire, as you learn about the science behind the lights from a local Finnish tour guide. If you’re an avid photographer, you’ll also get to test your night photography skills in the snow.
So even if you don’t see the lights, just being in the Finnish countryside late at night is pretty cool. I’d still recommend it! And who knows, you could be luckier than us and see them the first night you arrive!
✨ Check out Beyond Arctic’s detailed guide about chasing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi here.
6. Experience a sauna like a local
Saunas in Finland are viewed as spiritual and well-respected places, and there are over 3.3 million of them all over the country! Bearing in mind there are only 5.5 million people in Finland…that’s a lot of saunas.
With temperatures regularly dropping to near -30°C during winter, a popular evening activity is to jump into a sauna and warm up. Most apartments and hotel rooms will include their own saunas. Bigger resorts like Apukka will have onsite saunas that you can use freely.
Just don’t be shocked if you see naked people in saunas. Swimsuits aren’t always a thing in Finland!
7. Enjoy Rovaniemi town centre
If you have some spare time, take a trip to Rovaniemi’s town centre. Almost totally destroyed during the Second World war, Rovaniemi is now a busy city centre known as the capital of Lapland.
Walk across the famous Lumberjack Candle Bridge (or view it from the riverside), drink a pint in an Irish pub or go shopping in the mall.
We had a walk around Rovaniemi and stopped off for a coffee and a cake at a cute independent shop in the centre. There isn’t a huge range of things to do in Rovaniemi city centre, but it’s still worth seeing.
But even if you’re unsure of what to do in Rovaniemi city centre, walking around and enjoying the atmosphere is enough.
8. Walk through the woodlands in the snow
One of the best things to do in Rovaniemi is to just walk around the woodlands. If you visit during the winter months, the snow can be as deep as 2 metres, which is very fun to walk through (and lay in!)
It’s also nice to take some time out and just appreciate where you are. For me, this was one of the most special things about Lapland and Rovaniemi.
Apukka Resort has a lot of surrounding woodland, and you can even walk to a frozen lake. If you’re staying at Santa Claus Village, or are planning on visiting for the day, I’d recommend taking some time away from the village and heading into the forest!
9. Visit a giant ice igloo
If you visit Santa Claus Village, you can pay extra to walk around a giant igloo, fit with an ice bed, ice bar and giant snow slide. There’s a large snow slide for an adrenaline rush and a smaller ice slide for others (like me).
Entry to the ice igloo is around £15. You’ll be given a wristband to re-enter the igloo as many times as you’d like.
Catch the Santa Claus bus or the number 8 bus from the main railway station to Santa Claus Village. The journey takes around 15 minutes to reach the main entrance, and the igloo is just inside the park.
10. Post your Christmas mail ready for December
If you visit Santa Claus Village, you can post Christmas mail to your loved ones, in order for it to arrive during the holiday season. Whether you visit in January or July, your mail is posted directly from Lapland and to arrive around December 25th.
Postcards and letters will be officially marked with Lapland stamps, and cost under £5 to buy and send, which is a great low-budget activity!
Plus, walking around Santa’s post office is an experience in itself. You’ll get to see all of the thousands of letters Santa receives on a daily basis, and how the elves work tirelessly to reply to all of them.
Send your Christmas wishes in, folks!
11. Try some traditional Finnish food
Finland is known for its fresh fish, rye bread and rice pies, and if you hunt out the local favourites, you can experience some delicious Finnish cuisine.
If you stay at a resort like Apukka or Santa Claus Village, you’ll get to taste some Finnish food in their restaurants.
Check out the Rovaniemi International Grand Market for some other Finnish traditional foods!
➡ Book your stay at Apukka Rovaniemi here!
13. Take a trip to the Ranua Wildlife Park
Another highly recommended thing to do in Rovaniemi is to visit Ranua Wildlife Park. The park is open daily from 10-4pm, and is the only place nearby where you can spot polar bears and other rare Arctic animals. It’s home to over 200 animals and is set up in spacious enclosures in the middle of a forest.
There’s also a large Finnish restaurant on site, serving lunch and dinner buffets. You can get to the Ranua Wildlife Park from Rovaniemi city centre by driving roughly 60 minutes south.
➡ Need to hire a car in Rovaniemi? I recommend this company for the cheapest car rental deals all over the world.
14. Drive a snow-mobile
Where else would you want to speed around on the snow in a snowmobile than in capital of the Arctic Circle?! One of the most incredible experiences and things to do in Rovaniemi is to rent a snowmobile and drive in the snow.
You must have a driving license, and trips of a few hours can cost upward of £100, but if you’re a driving fan, it’s not one you’re going to want to miss!
Most major resorts will have their own snowmobiles to rent, or you can rent directly from Rovaniemi city centre.
15. Try snow-shoeing
Snowshoeing is a popular thing to do in Rovaniemi. Snowshoes give you a little bit of extra assistance when walking over thick snow, as the large footprints spread out your weight when travelling.
You can book a tour to snowshoe in Lapland and spend a few hours walking through the forest at ease with the funny-looking webbed plates on.
Again, if you stay at Apukka, this is one of the tours they can organise for you. ➡ Book your stay at Apukka Rovaniemi here!
16. Go ice fishing
Ice fishing involves travelling to a safely frozen lake and learning the basics before trying to catch your own fish. You can book a tour to go ice fishing from any of the major resorts or shops in town.
17. Take a Finnish culture tour
If you enjoy learning about a country’s history and culture, I recommend booking a Finnish culture tour as part of your trip.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the Arctic, the people and the land itself. Most tours also include a museum visit. If you book through Apukka Resort, you’ll have the chance to meet two local artists, and learn about their heritage and story through their workshop.
You’ll even have the chance to work with your hands and sculpt something special of your own to take home. You can book your tour here.
18. Ride through the forest on a horse sleigh
Last but not least, if you’re a fan of horses, I recommend you book a tour to ride on a horse sleigh!
Some of the horses we saw in Rovaniemi were some of the most beautiful horses I’ve ever seen. If you book a tour, you’ll get to interact with the horses and ride a sleigh through the woodlands. Again, a once in a lifetime experience in Rovaniemi!
➡ Book your stay at Apukka Rovaniemi here!
Things to do in Rovaniemi: FAQs
1) Is it worth visiting Rovaniemi?
Yes! Rovaniemi is the capital of the Arctic, and a place where you can tick off lots of bucket list experiences! The city centre itself isn’t a must-see, but the surrounding woodlands and countryside are like something out of a fairytale.
If you have the budget to stay at the Apukka Resort, I highly recommend it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the middle of the Finnish countryside, with glass igloos and cosy cottages. It’s somewhere I’ll remember forever!
➡ Book your stay at Apukka Rovaniemi here!
2) How many days do you need in Rovaniemi?
It depends on your budget and how many activities you would like to book. The city centre itself needs no more than a day to explore. Experiencing Lapland and all it has to offer? Budget at least 5 days and a minimum of £800 per person.
3) Can you see the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi?
Yes, on a clear night, it is possible to see the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi. The lights can be spotted over the bridge and city centre, as well as further out in resorts like Apukka and Santa Claus Village.
4) What is there to do in Rovaniemi at night?
Most activities you can do in Rovaniemi and Lapland are actually available to do at night. Horse sleighs, snowmobiles, snow trains…they all have a nighttime option, as they are regarded as ‘Northern Light’ tours, and take you further afield to try and spot them.
If not, you can go out for dinner in Rovaniemi city centre, or take it easy in the sauna.
5) What time does Santa Claus Village open?
Santa Claus Village is open 365 days a year, opening at 10 am daily. Most shops and cafes shut around 5 pm, but the restaurants and resort are open until late. Santa’s last meet and greet is at 5 pm.
6) Where can I sleep in Rovaniemi?
Rovaniemi is a busy city centre, so there are many hotels and Airbnbs to choose from. I highly recommend finding somewhere near the main train station, as most buses run from there.
Hostel for solo backpackers in Rovaniemi: Hostel Cafe Koti
Hotel for couples/groups in Rovaniemi: Apukka Resort
7) Do I need a SIM card to travel around Finland?
Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Things to do in Rovaniemi in the summer
Most of these activities are for the snowy weather, but some can be done in the warmer months and seasons like summer and spring. If you’re visiting Rovaniemi in the summer, here are some of the best things to do:
- Experience the Midnight sun (the sun that never sets)
- Visit the reindeer at a reindeer farm
- Take a trip to some of the local museums
- Do some watersports on the lake
- Visit Santa Claus village (why not?!)
- Go berry picking
- Learn about Finnish culture
- Visit the Ranua wildlife park
- Walk with the huskies
- Go on a hike or bike ride
- Take a forest walk
- Eat in the local food markets
- Take some time out in the sauna
As you can see, there are many things to do in Rovaniemi – even in summer!
Package holidays to Lapland, Finland
One of the best budget ways to visit Lapland in Finland is via a package holiday. With prices starting at just £579 per person, this is an amazing way to see the country without breaking the bank!
What does a package holiday to Finland include? The package holidays will include both flights and accommodation. They’re also all ATOL protected, and you can book with a simple low deposit, spreading the total cost of the holiday across a period of time.
➡ You can look at incredible package holidays to Lapland here!
Volunteering or house-sitting in Finland
The most budget-friendly options for staying in Finland on a budget include either volunteering or pet-sitting. Both of these options will give you free accommodation in return for your services. So, how do you find these opportunities?
🥕 Volunteering: Use Worldpackers. They’re a trusted site with volunteering opportunities all over the world. You can choose the job you do, how long for and how many hours you work per day. Check out Worldpackers opportunities here! (Plus my link gets you $10 off your membership!)
🐈 House or pet-sitting: Use Trusted Housesitters. We have used this company all over the world in exchange for free accommodation. Use the website to find a suitable house sit for you (dogs, cats, lizards, chickens), set the dates you’ll be there and how long for, and apply for a sit!
Things to do in Rovaniemi: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! The best things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland. It really is a magical place and is one of the best trips we’ve ever been on.
If you need any local, up-to-date information from the official Rovaniemi tourism page, you can access it here.
Make sure you wrap up warm (see my packing list here!), save lots of money to enjoy yourself and have the trip of a lifetime.
Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly newsletter packed full of travel inspiration and blogging tips!
As always, if you have a question about what to do in Rovaniemi (or anything else travel or blogging-related) you can contact me over on Instagram or on my contact me page.
Happy travelling!
Jennie 😀 x
📍 Like this post? Pin it for later!
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
