Traveltemps
- Dec 15, 2022
- 4 min read

Top-rated tourist attractions & things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland

Updated: Aug 26, 2023

There are plenty of winter activities to suit all ages in Rovaniemi:

Reindeer Farm Experience. Ice Fishing on the Frozen Lake. Ice Floating in a Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis. Visit the Husky Farm + Husky Sleigh Experience. Snowmobile Safari to the Arctic Forest. Lapland Cross Country Ski. Northern Lights Wilderness Tour in Rovaniemi. Snowshoe Adventure in the Wilderness. Sledding Adventure. Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls-Photography Expedition. Forest Skiing in Nature of Ylläs. Wild Berries and Mushrooms Picking Tour. Auttiköngäs Water Falls & Nature Trail. Frozen Waterfalls of the Korouoma, and more..

Ranua Wildlife Park

It is the northernmost zoo in Finland and the second in the world. The zoo's animals consist of approximately 50 wild animal species and 200 individuals, including top predators such as lynx, brown bears and wolves but also European moose and deers.

Santa Claus Express

The Finnish double-decker night train, known as the Santa Claus Express, travels from Helsinki to snow-covered Lapland in the north. The train stops at Rovaniemi, the official home of Santa Claus, and then goes on to Kemijärvi, its final destination.

Korundi House of Culture

Korundi House of Culture is a space for people and the arts in Rovaniemi. It is home to Rovaniemi Art Museum and the Lapland Chamber Orchestra, showing the world from a northern perspective. Korundi brings together artists and viewers, everyday life and celebration, history and the present.

Reindeer Sled Rides

Almost every visitor in Rovaniemi and Lapland tries reindeer sleigh ride. Take a calm and peaceful reindeer sleigh ride or make an unforgettable farm visit to see the life of reindeer. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn more about the tradition of reindeer herding in Lapland.

Cross-Country Skiing

Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing or snowboarding – no matter what the style is, Finns love sliding on snow with their winter equipment-cross-country skiing is even called the national sport of Finland. From here you’ll find services from beginner’s level private cross-country skiing classes to equipment rental and Alpine skiing school. Discover winter sports in a group or book a private class.

Santa Claus Village

You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus in Lapland. It was around half a century ago that Santa Claus started to frequently visit the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi.

Village Made of Ice

SnowHotel and Glass Igloos are located on the Arctic Circle at an approximate distance of 26 kilometres from the town of Rovaniemi in Finland. Arriving is easy using our shuttle service, taxi or your own car.

Finnish sauna

There are many places in Rovaniemi where to try Finnish sauna. Benefits of sauna are multiple. Step on a sauna ferry and have a steam of your life while cruising on river deltas, combine sauna with ice swimming or make it the most relaxing experience of your life. Step on a sauna ferry and have a steam of your life while cruising on river deltas, combine sauna with ice swimming or make it the most relaxing experience of your life.

Northern Lights

Also known as Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights are visible on around 150 nights a year in Finnish Lapland. In Rovaniemi, the spellbinding astral show can be witnessed in and around the city from late August until early April.

Husky ride

Visit a family-sized husky kennel just outside Rovaniemi, in the middle of Lapland wilderness, meet the mushers, learn how to drive your own sled dog team and embark on a great thrilling adventure.

Day trip to an amethyst mine

Don't miss seeing a new side of Lapland on this guided tour of the hilltop Lampivaara amethyst mine. Discover the secrets of this ancient stone in the heart of the beautiful snowy forest.

Stay in an aurora cabin

Dreaming of spending the night in a glass igloo, a traditional Finnish log cabin or a luxurious Arctic TreeHouse cabin? With some of the cleanest air in the world, many areas with little or no light pollution and lots of unique accommodation, you have great chances of spotting the Northern Lights.

Visit an ice hotel

Snow hotels and Glass Igloos are located on the Arctic Circle at an approximate distance of 26 kilometres from the town of Rovaniemi in Finland. The Aurora Borealis Room is the least expensive room type, and it doesn't have a private sauna or an ice sculpture.

Angry Birds Park

The world-famous Angry Birds Park is a recreational and activity hub that is designed with the theme of the “Angry Birds”. The swings, slides, rides, and ropewalk in this park are crafted in regards with the popular angry birds characters. Spacious enough to also offer ball games, this stunning open-air playground lies at a walking distance from Rovaniemi city centre.

Rovaniemi Church

Rovaniemi Church is a church located in the city center of Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. The 850-seat church, designed by architect Bertel Liljequist, was completed in 1950. The earlier church building, completed in 1817, was burnt down by the Nazis during the Lapland War on October 16, 1944.

Auttiköngäs

Auttiköngäs is a dream-come-true destination for day trip visitors. It is easy to reach and has magnificent landscape. The area´s main sight and attraction is the 16-metre-high Auttiköngäs Falls. Auttiköngäs was established as a protected forest in 1955.

Ounasvaara Nature Trail

The Ounasvaara Nature Trail is 2.9 km east of the city centre of Rovaniemi. It is an ideal day-trip destination because of its easy accessibility. Ounasvaara, or Ounas Hill, is not only a famous sports centre but also a year-round recreation area right by the city centre with marked and maintained trails and several great vantage points.

Köivusaari Nature Trail

The Koivusaari Nature Trail is located 2.3 km from the city centre of Rovaniemi toward Sodankylä, on Koivusaari, or Koivu Island, in the Ounas River delta. It is a part of Rovaniemi’s city centre trail network. The Koivusaari Nature Trail is well suited for spring, summer and autumn excursions.

Forestry Museum of Lapland

Forestry Museum of Lapland is a unique stage for history. Forestry Museum of Lapland saves, researches, maintains and presents the cultural heritage of Lapland’s forestry history. Forestry museum is the only museum in the world that concentrates on fostering the history of forest work. It is the only museum in the world that concentrates on fostering the history of forest work in Finnish Lapland.