How it works
Rovaniemi
The official hometown of santa claus
Right by the Arctic Circle, the ‘official’ terrestrial residence of Santa Claus is the capital of Finnish Lapland and a tourism boom town. Its wonderful Arktikum museum is the perfect introduction to these latitudes, and Rovaniemi is a fine base from which to organise activities, visit Santa and generally get a taste for the Arctic.
In addition to magical nature and diverse activities, Rovaniemi offers northern city experiences, culture and Lappish food traditions. The most famous Lappish dish is sauteed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Great restaurant options and various events attract visitors all year round.
Whether you are looking for experiences and activities or tranquility in the stunning scenery, Rovaniemi is the perfect destination year round. The fastest way to get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki is by plane or you can also choose to travel by car or train.
In addition to magical nature and diverse activities, Rovaniemi offers northern city experiences, culture and Lappish food traditions. The most famous Lappish dish is sauteed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam. Great restaurant options and various events attract visitors all year round.
Whether you are looking for experiences and activities or tranquility in the stunning scenery, Rovaniemi is the perfect destination year round. The fastest way to get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki is by plane or you can also choose to travel by car or train.
Juuri sitä parasta
Kohokohtia
Arktikum
History & Architecture
Arktikum is a museum and science center that lets you experience northern nature, history and culture. The exhibitions of Arktikum take you on an adventure to Finnish Lapland and the arctic areas. The science center is open from Tuesday to Sunday year round. There is a cafe and a shop that sells high-quality Lappish products in Arktikum.
Santa Claus Village, Artic Circle
Arts & Culture
You can meet Santa Claus, cross the Arctic Circle and enjoy the Christmas spirit every day of the year at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. There are souvenir shops, Santa's Main Post Office, cafes, restaurants and programme service companies in Santa Claus Village. In the winter and spring you can enjoy reindeer rides and snowmobile or husky safaris. Santa Claus Village is situated 8 km to the north from Rovaniemi.
Korundi Art museum
History & Architecture
Korundi House of Culture is a space for art and people in Rovaniemi, Lapland. It is home to Rovaniemi Art Museum and Lapland Chamber Orchestra; a place where the world unfolds from a northern perspective. Art creators and art lovers, celebration and the everyday, history and the present all come together in Korundi. Changing exhibitions and unique concerts are a constant source for inspiration, astonishment and enlightenment. Korundi is a post bus depot that survived the second world war and now delivers messages through art.
Ounasvaara
Outdoor & Sports
Ounasvaara is a famous sports centre and also a year-round recreation area near the city centre, with marked and maintained trails and several great vantage points. In the summer, Ounasvaara offers a great setting for hiking and mountain biking. On the Ounasvaara nature trails you can admire spruce forests and the rocky landscapes of the top of Ounasvaara. There are two lean-tos and an observation tower along the routes.
Alvar Aalto architecture Rovaniemi
History & Architecture
Rovaniemi is proud to have several major features designed by Alvar Aalto, one of Finland’s foremost architects. Rovaniemi suffered badly in World War II, as approximately 90 percent of buildings in the town centre were destroyed in 1944. The rebuilding process started quickly after the tragedy, and was led by Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). Aalto’s genius visions are reindeer antler shaped town plan, city hall, main library, theatre house and several row houses and apartment buildings.
East Lapland is an unexplored area for many, but in recent years the popularity of the eastern parts of Lapland has increased – and indeed not without reason! The eastern tour leads you from the town of Rovaniemi along the breathtaking so-called Landscape Road via Posio to Ruka, and from there you can return to Rovaniemi via Kemijärvi. Along the way you will discover fantastic nature sites, culture, quaint little villages, and stunning landscapes!
Explore the unexplored
3 - 6 days
Perhaps it is the most traditional road trip in Lapland, which heads along the E75 highway northwards from Rovaniemi towards the North Cape. This time the trip is taken entirely in Finland, from southern Lapland up to the rugged fell highlands of Utsjoki and the Tenojoki River. Saariselkä, Utsjoki and Inari are great destinations for staying overnight on the trip. In Rovaniemi at Arktikum and in Inari at Siida, visitors are taken on a journey to experience the culture of the northern regions and the indigenous Sámi.
From the capital of Rovaniemi to the northernmost area!
3 - 7 days
