The 14 Best Things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi – the capital of the Finnish Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus – is the perfect destination for you this winter. Whether you’re traveling alone or with family or friends, there is SO MUCH to do in Rovaniemi.

In this guide, you’ll find 17 exciting things to add to your itinerary in this beautiful city.

1. See the Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights is probably on 99% of people’s bucket lists. And for good reason – it’s a truly magical experience.

Not to get deep, but there is something about viewing one of nature’s most extravagant phenomenons that made me really emotional.

And because Rovaniemi is situated right on the border of the Arctic Circle, it’s the perfect place to see the Aurora. Unfortunately, unless you’re really REALLY lucky, you probably won’t be able to see the lights from the city itself, due to light pollution.

So, you’ll have to venture out of the city a bit to get to a more isolated spot. And even then, it’ll still be a matter of various factors aligning perfectly. Seasonality, weather, light pollution, and yes, luck, all play a role in you seeing the Northern Lights.

The absolute best month to see the Northern Lights is February. But anytime from September to April is a good rule of thumb.

I would highly recommend booking a tour on a platform like GetYourGuide or Viator with an experienced guide. Guides usually know the best spots to visit and the tours usually include the transfer, as well as a bit of food and a hot drink to help you warm up afterwards. They’ll also help you take pictures!

Even with a guide, though, it can happen that you don’t see the Northern Lights. In this case, many companies offer a second tour opportunity, so make sure to look for it when you choose your tour.

2. Relax in a Finnish Sauna

The sauna – possibly the best Finnish invention of all time. So, of course, it’s a must when you’re visiting Finland.

Because it’s such a huge part of the Finnish culture, saunas are very easily accessible. We didn’t really have to look for any because both our accommodations in Finland had private saunas (and one of them was an AirBnB!).

Although it’s just generally great for relaxation and health at any time of year, it’s a particularly good experience when there’s snow outside. If you’re daring, you can combine a sauna session with a dip in an icy lake, for even greater health benefits.

3. Take a Day Trip to Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village is, as the name suggests, the home of Santa Claus. And yes, here you can meet the man himself.

Situated only 8km from the city centre, it is one of Finland’s biggest attractions. Buses run regularly and the village has plenty of activities which make for a fantastic family trip.

For a detailed guide to visiting Santa Claus Village, whether you’re planning just a day trip or a longer visit, check out my blog post here.

4. Go on a Husky Safari

Another must-do activity when visiting Rovaniemi is visiting a husky farm.

The local husky farm near the city is Raitola. There are about 200 dogs on this farm, so it’s the perfect spot for this activity. The farm doubles as a reindeer farm (see the next activity on this list), so ideally, I’d recommend you combine the two activities.

There are a variety of husky safaris available, including combo tours with reindeer safari, options with traditional Finnish meals, and a petting and sleigh ride combination – perfect for families!

Check out the official website for all the different husky safaris.

Winter clothing is included when you book an activity at Raitola. But check the info on your tour or booking to see if this is the case – otherwise, dress as warmly as possible.

Of course, Raitola is not the only husky farm in the area. If you’re staying in or near Santa Claus Village, check out Husky Park. Some other farms are Bearhill Husky and Wilderness Husky.

Alternatively, you can check GetYourGuide or Viator, which might be ideal if you don’t have a car because they’ll pick you up right by your hotel.

5. Visit a Reindeer Farm

Visiting a reindeer farm is a quintessential Lapland experience. Once the traditional way of traveling around the area, it is a fantastic way to see the landscape and to me, is one of the most magical activities (especially at Christmas time).

As I mentioned, I’d recommend booking a husky-reindeer combo day at Raitola, but if you want to spend a little more time on this experience, check out the options on the website.

There are tours which include an ice fishing experience or hunting the Northern Lights. You can also pet and feed the reindeer before going on your sleigh ride.

Some of the other reindeer farms in the area are Santa Claus Reindeer (near Santa Claus Village), Konttaniemi Reindeer Farm, and Sieriporo Reindeer Farm.

6. Explore Rovaniemi’s City Centre

Not all your activities have to be outside the city. Rovaniemi itself has many spots worth exploring.

Visit the local market square, where you can try local delicacies like cloudberry jam and find lovely souvenirs that aren’t tourist traps.

Some of the top spots to visit in the city are:

• Marttiini Knife Factory: Known for its beautiful traditional Nordic knives.
• Lordi’s Square: The central plaza (fun fact: the square was named after the Finnish band that won Eurovision in 2006.)
• Arktikum Museum and Science Centre: A museum worth visiting if you’re interested in the history and culture of the Arctic and its people.
• Rovaniemi Church: A church with a beautiful fresco inside.
• Angry Birds Park: A park with swings, slides, and a cable car, themed around Angry Birds – perfect if you’re traveling with kids.

7. Take a Snowmobile Tour

Snowmobiles are the ultimate Lapland adventure for anyone looking for something adrenaline-packed and exciting.

There are different types and levels of tours available, depending on the provider:

• Short rides (1-2 hours): Perfect for beginners, these tours take you through parts of the city and the forest surrounding it.
• Arctic Circle and Wilderness tours (2-4 hours): Ideal if you want to see some of Lapland’s stunning landscapes.
• Northern Lights tours (3-4 hours): Hunt the Aurora at night.
• Full-Day tours (5+ hours): Take you to more remote locations and sometimes include other activities, like visiting a reindeer or husky farm or going ice fishing.

Make sure to dress very warmly, but also check if your operator provides winter clothing, because, trust me, it helps immensely.

Also keep in mind that you need a valid driver’s license to ride a snowmobile, and many operators only allow people above 18 to ride. Check the website of your provider for details and options for kids (if you need to), because they can often be pulled on a sled behind the guide.

Here are some providers you should check out for the experience:

• Lapland Safaris
• Safartica
• Wild Nordic Finland
• Arctic Lifestyle

8. Try Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is one of the more peaceful, relaxing activities you can plan for your trip to Rovaniemi. It’s a great way to learn more about the nature of Lapland and to see its stunning landscapes.

Usually, a guide will pick you up in the city to go to a more remote area on a frozen lake, where you will drill a hole and fish.

The equipment – and usually winter overalls – is included in the tour. Sometimes, it also includes a meal, hot drinks, or even a chance to cook your catch over a fire.

The tour providers are the same as those that offer snowmobile tours, so it might be a good idea to combine the two activities.

9. Visit Santa Park Arctic World

Situated only 10 minutes by car from Rovaniemi city centre, Santa Park Arctic World is a magical Christmas-themed amusement park. What makes it really unique is that it’s built inside a cave.

Unlike Santa Claus Village, it’s only open from November to January (check the website for the exact dates).

It’s a bit less crowded than Santa Claus Village and honestly, probably the better option if you’re traveling with kids.

Here are some of the activities you can try here:

• Meet Santa and take pictures with him at Santa’s Office.
• Learn how to be an elf (and even get a diploma!) at the Elf School.
• Send postcards from Santa’s Post Office.
• Go on the Magic Train Ride.
• Decorate gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus.
• Walk through the magnificent ice sculpture display.

Visit the official website for information about opening dates and times, tickets, and all the activities available at the park.

10. Visit Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua wildlife park is the best place to see Arctic species, like Arctic foxes, lynxes, wolves, and a polar bear (the only one in the country!). It is, in fact, the world’s northernmost zoo.

The park is open all year long, with each season offering its own unique highlights. During winter, the snowy landscapes are gorgeous and you might even see the Northern Lights. Summer is also a great time to visit, because you’ll likely see lots of baby animals and experience the midnight sun. Autumn and spring are the least crowded, but still a great time to see the animals.

There is also a petting zoo, feedings you can watch, and talks about the animals by experts.

You can drive here, which takes about an hour, but there are shuttle buses and guided tours available from Rovaniemi as well.

For specific information to prepare for your visit, check out the park’s website.

11. Try Local Food

I LOVED the Finnish food I tried when I visited – it’s all comfort food, hearty and warm.

Some must-try dishes in Lapland include:

• Poronkäristys: Sautéed reindeer, usually served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries.
• Lohikeitto: Creamy Salmon soup (my personal favourite), made with potatoes and dill.
• Leipäjuusto: Squeaky cheese, served warm with cloudberry jam.
• Ruisleipä: Traditional rye bread, usually eaten with butter and fish.
• Blueberry juice: The not-official official drink of Finland, enjoyed both hot and cold.

Here are some of the top restaurants in Rovaniemi that serve traditional food:

• Nili Restaurant: Rustic and traditional Lappish restaurant.
• Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar: This restaurant puts modern spins on traditional dishes.
• Santamus: A unique experience that includes combining your meal with visiting a sauna.
• Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi: A cozy restaurant with a very traditional style.
• Arctic Restaurant: A fine dining restaurant that refines the traditional homey dishes.

12. Stay in a Glass Igloo

For a really unique and magical experience, consider staying in a glass igloo in the Arctic Circle. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to see the Northern Lights from the comfort of the bed. Most of these places have an Aurora alarm, meaning that they’ll alert you if the Lights are visible.

Many options also include a private sauna and resorts all have their own activities available. These generally include husky safaris, reindeer rides, and snowmobile tours.

This is one of the more expensive things on this list, but it is definitely worth it. Book it well in advance, to avoid all the somewhat affordable places being booked out.

Here are some of the top spots to stay in a glass igloo near Rovaniemi:

• Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos: 30 minutes by car, with glass igloos and an ice hotel.
• Apukka Resort: 15 minutes by car
• Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle: 10 minutes by car; luxury igloos situated near Santa Claus Village.
• Northern Lights Ranch: 45 minutes by car; cabins with glass roofs

13. See the Midnight Sun

Seeing the midnight sun is one of my bucket list items. It occurs in areas in the Arctic Circle during summer, when the sun doesn’t set at all.

The best time of year to visit if you want this experience is from mid-June to mid-July.

There are many beautiful spots that will make seeing the midnight sun a perfect experience.

Ounasvaara Hill is a great spot with panoramic views of Rovaniemi and its surroundings, which makes it a stunning place to go.

For a really unique experience, visit Ranua Wildlife Park at midnight, so you can see the sun while observing the Arctic wildlife.

Alternatively, you can do an activity, like going on a hike to a beautiful location or seeing the midnight sun from a boat.

14. Go Hiking

Unlike most of the other activities on this list, this one is perfect for summer. The nature surrounding Rovaniemi – forests, cliffs, and lakes – is breathtaking, so it makes for the ideal hiking destination.

The long days during summer make it even better – no pressure to be back before dark. Even during winter, the trails can be explored by snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

You can go hiking on your own or with a guide, who will teach you about the fauna and flora during the hike. Of course, self-guided hikes are free, unless they’re in a national park (where you’ll have to pay a small entry fee).

Ounasvaara Hill and hiking trails in the Arctic Circle area are ideal for families, as the hikes are short and the terrain isn’t as steep.

If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, check out Pyhä-Luosto National Park, where you’ll come across stunning forests, cliffs, and crystal-blue lakes.

There is even a hiking trail in the Ranua Wildlife Park, where you’re likely to spot Arctic animals.