The capital of Finnish Lapland, land of the Northern Lights.

If Rovaniemi was just Santa Claus and the Northern Lights, that would already be enough, but fortunately it's much more! The capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi is just a few miles south of the Arctic Circle, and a great hub for exploring, in winter and summer, whether you're into hiking, or riding a dogsled. Almost completely destroyed by German troops during World War II, famed architect Alvar Aalto redesigned the city in the shape of a reindeer's head, though you need to do a lot of squinting at maps to see it (Rovaniemi's stadium forms the "eye!") Aalto also designed several of the city's landmarks, including the impressive Arktikum museum. It's a clear tourist trap, but few can resist the siren call of the Santa Claus Village, located on the Arctic Circle, thanks to its most famous inhabitant. Home to the EU's northernmost universities, Rovaniemi is youthful at heart, and offers plenty of ways to enjoy the long winter nights and midnight sun.

The main reason to visit Rovaniemi is to get out into the great outdoors. With pristine forest in all directions there are plenty of opportunities to hike, ski (cross-country and downhill), or enjoy more unusual activities, such as riding a husky-powered sled, or on your own snowmobile. In summer, the ever-present sun lets you range far, while the long winter nights, when the sun doesn't bother to rise above the horizon, offer great opportunities to catch the Northern Lights.

Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Rovaniemi

Spend some time in Rovaniemi on a tour that takes in other cities in Finland and neighboring countries. Our vacation packages including Rovaniemi and other destinations throughout Finland and Europe hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.

Where to stay in Rovaniemi

Choose from cute holiday cottages or modern boutique hotels. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.

Boutique hotel

Get away from a hustle and bustle of big cities and breath the freshes air while staying in multi-award winning, contemporary boutique hotel situated in the heart of Lapland-Rovaniemi.

Modern Hotel

This elegant new hotel features floor-to-ceiling glass and skylights to help you spot the Northern Lights.

Winter Holiday Cottages

Santa Claus Holiday Village in Rovaniemi offers both exceptional quality and atmosphere for a carefree and relaxing holiday for holidaymakers of all ages.

Things to do in Rovaniemi

Northern Lights Private Photography Tour

Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village Private Tour

Become a Husky Musher Group Tour

Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Rovaniemi

When's the best time to visit Rovaniemi?

Figuring the best time to visit Rovaniemi will depend on the activities you would like to take up – Rovaniemi is a delight any time of the year you decide to visit. Every season brings out a different side of Rovaniemi – nature lover’s paradise and a must visit for all Santa lovers! Summer (June to August): The best time to visit Rovaniemi – mild summer and longer hours of daylight make it a peak season. This is also the time to experience Midnight sun – 24 hours of daylight! Winter (November to March): Although the weather in Rovaniemi is quite harsh during winter, it is one of the good seasons to visit the Rovaniemi if you would like to make best of winter sports and spend Christmas with the Santa himself – since you are in official hometown of Santa Claus! Also, make it a point to experience unusual stuff like staying in a Snow hotel, do Ice swimming, sleigh rides and much more! Autumn (September to October): With summer just gone, temperature in Rovaniemi around this time is quite pleasant. The City turns into a riot of colors and the views from various look out points are breath-taking! One of the favorite seasons of locals! Spring (April to May): With the sun shining and appearance of greener patches and the snow starting to melt away, locals rush out of their homes making the best use of bright days. You know its spring for sure when you see reindeer calves, ice blocks floating and an increase in fauna – migratory birds flock to Rovaniemi!

Can I see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi?

As Rovaniemi is located in Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle, it's a place with a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights. The phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis is visible around 150 nights a year in Rovaniemi, from late August to early April. Not commonly seen in the city center due to light pollution, the best way to witness this spellbinding astral show is by taking a Northern Lights tour, which will take you out of the city as far as necessary to see the Lights.

How can I get around Rovaniemi?

Rovaniemi is a relatively small town with short distances. In the city centre, everything is close to everything else and walking is the way to get around

What are the typical opening hours of stores and shops in Rovaniemi?

Opening hours of shops: Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., department stores and grocery stores until 9 pm. Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sundays 12 noon - 6 p.m.

Where can I exchange money in Rovaniemi?

The quickest, easiest and usually cheapest way to exchange money is to use an ATM.

Finland's currency is the Euro (€). Unlike many other Euro countries, Finland does not use one and two cent coins. The smallest coin in circulation is the five cent coin. There is no currency exchange in Rovaniemi.

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