What to do and see in Rovaniemi, Lapland

What to see and do in Rovaniemi? I’ll tell you in this post!

I’ve previously described, among other things, how to get to Rovaniemi, or where to sleep. In this article, it’s time for information on what to see and do in Rovaniemi and the surrounding area. As there is really a lot to do, and your trip can be full of various attractions: cultural, food, and winter related.

Santa Claus

First something that is very obvious, which you all probably know. And later we move to other things;)

Village

There is definitely no trip to Rovaniemi without visiting Santa Claus Village.

If you are an adult, allocate about half a day for the Village. Visit with children can be longer.

I wrote about the attractions of the Village and practical information regarding this visit in a separate post, here. Check it out, because you will definitely find some information useful.

Santa Claus Village is a commercial but charming place, worth visiting. However, it is definitely not the only one worth visiting in this area. Therefore, plan a longer trip to Rovaniemi to have time for other attractions as well.

Snowman World

It’s a snow amusement park located near the Village. It is only open during certain times, from December to mid-March (and this depends on the weather).

You will find there slides, a snow maze and an ice bar. There is an entrance fee, and for details and tickets, check their website.

SantaPark

Another place where you can meet Santa and the Elves is SantaPark. It is located a little further from the Village, actually between the Village and the centre. You can get there by city bus. Open during the season, and of course there is an entrance fee. For tickets and details about the attractions, check this website.

I admit that I have not been to either Snowman or SantaPark. In my opinion, these attractions are mainly for children.

What to see in the Rovaniemi area: ArcticSnow Hotel

Hotel ArcticSnowHotel&Glass Igloos is a hotel, although an unusual one. You can sleep here in modern glass igloos. And in the winter season you can sleep in an ice hotel! In rooms that are carved entirely out of ice. The hotel also has a restaurant, bar, and snow sauna carved in ice.

And this ice part is the part of the hotel that you can also visit without staying there. It looks like great, about half-day attraction. I would love to go there, but during my stay in Rovaniemi, the ice part was still closed. It is usually open from mid-December to the end of March.

You can book such a tour here.

What to do in Rovaniemi: Museums

If you like museums or science centres, you will find in Rovaniemi several worth visiting. You can even visit them with a special pass. And if you plan to visit all three places, the pass is really worth it. You can buy it in each of these museums, and you can read the details here.

And if you don’t have time or will to visit all three places, I highly recommend visiting Arktikum.

Arktikum

Arktikum is a Science Centre and Museum in one. It shows the history of Rovaniemi and the region, as well as the history and culture of the Sami, the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland.

In addition, there is some scientific information about the aurora borealis, geography, nature and life in the Arctic. All in an interesting and accessible way.

It is worth watching a short, beautiful film shown in a separate room.

The attractiveness of the museum is enhanced by the building designed by Danish architects. The ‘glass tube’ is one of the most frequently photographed places in Rovaniemi.

In Arktikum itself there is a great café where you can also have lunch. And next to it is the Arctic Garden. One of the best places to watch the aurora borealis from, when you are in the city.

Arktikum is not located in the city centre, but it is close (you can easily get there on foot).

Pilke

Next to Arktikum there is also the Pilke Science Centre, which talks about the forests of the North.

Korundi

First of all, the Korundi House of Culture is an interesting building. Even if you don’t want to go to the exhibition, you can walk up to it, see the building, and for example eat the lunch buffet. The orchestra is also based here. And above all, it is the place of the Art Museum. The exhibition is mainly contemporary art.

Ounasvaara

Ounasvaara is primarily a ski resort. But not only that. You will find typical ski resort infrastructure here: slopes of various difficulties, lifts, rental. But also a restaurant and beautiful views, so even people who don’t ski will like it. Ounasvaara also invites you in the summer, when you can use the chairlift or the park and bike paths. Views and nature, and all this near the city. You can even get here on foot from the centre of Rovaniemi.

Other attractions in Rovaniemi city centre

What else can you do in Rovaniemi city centre?

Winter Park

SnowGlow, a winter amusement park this time in the city centre (at the stadium). Winter sports and lights. Also with entry fee.

Ice Rinks

It is no surprise that ice skating is quite a popular activity in the region. In Rovaniemi, you will find an ice rink at Lordi Square, which is in the very centre (next to the shopping centre). Nearby, you will also find another ice rink, organised by Naava Café, which is located in the former market square.

River Walk

If you have powers after all day, it is worth taking a walk by the river. In the evening, it is a good place to observe the aurora borealis, but also in daylight it is quite a pleasant walk with a view.

From the centre, you can walk to the garden in the Arktikum area. On the way, you will also see the Jätkänkynttilä (Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge) over the Kemijoki River, opened in 1989, beautifully illuminated at night.

Lappia Hall

It is worth taking a look at the Aalto Centre building (which also houses the city hall, city library and theatre) and Lappia Hall from the outside, because of its architecture and history (not to be confused with the Lappi Arena sports hall).

The building was designed by Aalvar Aalto, one of the most famous Finnish architects.

It was his vision that Rovaniemi was rebuilt after World War II, in which it was almost completely destroyed, on the plan of a reindeer head (Reindeer Antler Plan).

The year 2025 is the architect’s anniversary year. You can read more about it here.

Northern Lights

Observing and hunting the aurora is probably the second most important thing after Santa’s Village that tourists are waiting for.

If you have a car, you can go aurora chasing by yourself. However, it is worth checking the forecasts for aurora and weather, and checking weather warnings, which are provided, for example, by the official VisitRovaniemi profile.

In good aurora and weather conditions, you can also see the aurora in the city centre.

I wrote more about the aurora phenomenon itself and how to look for it in this post.

And about apps that will help you hunt for the aurora in Rovaniemi, here.

If you don’t have a car, it is worth going on a guided aurora hunt. The organizers will take you far from the city lights, often to not one, but many places, so that you can spot the aurora in one of them. They will help you find it, take photos, and treat you to something warm to drink. I went on such a trip to Tromso, Norway, and I described my experience here.

If you’re lucky, you can also see the aurora during other activities trips, which I’ll describe in the next parts of this post.

Reindeer and husky farms

Some of the most famous attractions in Rovaniemi are visits to reindeer and husky farms.

They vary, depending on the trip. You often get the opportunity to feed animals, listen to stories about them. In winter, you can also go on longer and shorter rides, whether by dog ​​sled or reindeer sleigh. You will find options both for day and evening trips.

You also have reindeer sleigh and husky farm visit in Santa Claus Village, but to be honest, they look quite commercial and unnatural. During the trips, on the other hand, you visit farms where you will meet animals in their more natural environment.

Some of the best-rated are, for example, these husky sleds, this reindeer farm (pay attention here, because the transfer is not included) or this night sleigh ride. The latter is organized by the Apukka resort. It is a hotel, but they also organize many winter attractions. From what I saw on their social media, they also have the ability to produce artificial snow, so they can be a lifesaver if the weather has let you down.

Snowshoeing, Ice Floating, Ice Fishing and other attractions

You can find also many other trips and attractions where you go to with a guide. You have a wide choice here, depending on what you feel like. Most of these attractions are available both during the day and in the evening. During the day, you definitely have a chance for beautiful views. In the evening, however, you have a chance for the Northern Lights.

The most famous of such attractions are: snowmobiles, ice fishing, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

And ice floating, which is the latest trend and is very popular. It is something so different and new that I wrote a separate post about it.

Based on my own experience, because I tried ice floating in Rovaniemi. Check if it is something for you.

Snowshoeing

I was also on this trip with snowshoes. The trip was amazing! I admit that I was a bit stressed because I had never had snowshoes on my feet before. It turned out that it may not be super easy, but it was easier than I expected (I managed not to fall over:).

We were lucky in that there were only two of us on the trip plus a guide. The guide was Spanish guy who had been guiding such trips in Rovaniemi for some years already, so he told us many stories with passion. We went to a beautiful place about 40 minutes from Rovaniemi, through snowy forests. From the parking lot, already on snowshoes, we walked through a forest trail up a small hill. At the top, we were greeted by a wonderful view of the river and snowy taiga. The guide lit a bonfire in which we roasted sausages and prepared tea.

I sincerely recommend one of these trips, which will take you further away from the city, into this raw but beautiful nature. Snowshoes are also, I think, a good solution for less sporty and brave people.

Nature around

You will also find many trips during which you visit national or nature parks.

For example, the canyon and the frozen waterfalls of Korouoma.

You can also visit some of these places on your own, if you have a car there.

And if you are going on the trails in your own car, remember about the possibility of lighting a fire and roasting sausages, in many specially prepared places. As the guide during our snowshoeing trip said: grilling sausages in nature is a national sport in Finland. It is indeed special, and even an ordinary sausage tastes good in such natural circumstances.

Ice Hockey match

Whatever happens, one thing is certain: an ice-hockey match in Finland will be of a good standard.

Rovaniemi is home to the RoKi Rovaniemi team, which plays in the first league (so the next league after the highest). If you like sports, it is worth checking if there is a game during your stay. You can buy tickets online, at the office in the city centre, but also at the box office just before the match.

I was at such a league match. Unfortunately, it was lost by the hosts. Although of course it was not an incredible sporting emotion for me, it was a great experience.

Lappi Arena is further from the centre. If you do not have a car, you can get there either on foot or by taxi. I chose a taxi, because the temperature did not encourage such a long walk.

Attractions ‘by the way’

Coffee and cafes

Finns drink the most coffee per person in the world. And you can see it, it’s ‘everywhere’. It’s mainly filter coffee, which is available in kettles at tourist agencies or in supermarkets to buy. It’s also always included in the lunch menus.

So one of the answers to the question ‘What to do in Rovaniemi’ is: have a coffee:)

Go to cafe. You can find different cafes in the city. They are usually very atmospheric, warm, with candlelight. Just right for the cold and the northern climate.

I really liked the cafe in Arktikum and the Koti hostel. Both are stylish, with a very Nordic feel.

Lunch

Many of these cafes offer also a special lunch menu. It’s valid only at set times (usually around 11am-2pm) on weekdays, sometimes on Saturdays.

This is a very cost-effective offer, because lunch is served as a buffet. Water, coffee, and sometimes tea are also included. In November 2024, such a lunch cost 15 euros per person. I ate at both Arktikum and Koti, and it was very good in both places. A large selection of salads, good bread, and two main courses (meat and veggie). Different every day, and the menu for the week or day is provided on their websites or Instagram.

A similar offer is also available at the cafe at Korundi House and several other restaurants.

If you are in Rovaniemi during the week, it is worth going for such a lunch. It is not only about food, but also about getting to know the cuisine and culture.

Interesting accommodation

In Lapland, even ordinary accommodation can be a huge attraction.

I wrote about the different accommodation options here.

And in this post I described my stay in yurts, which is still an amazing memory.

As you can see, you won’t be bored in Rovaniemi and the surrounding area. Because it’s an interesting region, primarily with beautiful nature, but also culture. It’s much more than Santa Claus. Some of these points are typical winter attractions, but you can also experience many of them in spring and summer, and it will have its charm during the midnight sun.

Here you will find all the posts that will help you organize your trip to Rovaniemi.