Things to Do in Rovaniemi

1. Experience Northern Culture at Arktikum Science Centre: One of the best things to do in Finland that remains on the top of every traveler's bucket list is visiting Arktikum Science Centre.

It recites tales about local Indigenous people, as well as Nordic phenomena. Two separate exhibitions are held here, the Provincial Museum of Lapland and the Arctic Center, that encourage debates and stimulate thoughts. The building is also a renowned cultural destination and popular venue for conferences and meetings.

Location:Pohjoisranta 4, 96100 Rovaniemi
Price:32€ per person
Timings:10 am- 6 pm

2. Feel the Christmas Spirit at Santa's Village: Your trip to Rovaniemi won't be complete if you don't visit Santa's Village, known to be the residence place of Santa Claus. A post office of Santa Claus is situated inside the main building of this Village where visitors can take photographs and have an interesting conversation with Santa Claus.

You can enjoy a thrilling snowmobile ride and visit Rudolph's cousins at the reindeer farm. If this doesn't seem enough, you can visit Elf's Farmyard Petting Zoo, situated on the northern side of Santa's Village that is home to domestic animals like goats, sheep, roosters, hens, and rabbits.

Location:528 Presidential Hwy, Jefferson, NH 03583-6735

3. Visit the Ranua Zoo: If you're a wildlife enthusiast thinking about what to do in Rovaniemi, you can visit the Ranua Zoo home to the elks, otters, polar bears, lynx, eagles, red foxes, and other animals. It is the only zoo in Rovaniemi where you can spot polar bears. The animals in this zoo live in spacious enclosures amidst the forest, and there is no lighting for the animals' well-being. It also has a kid's playground where your little ones can play fun games.

Location:Rovaniementie 29, Ranua 97700 Finland
Price:23,50 € per person
Timings:10 am- 4 pm

4. Explore Lordi's Square: One of the best things to do in Rovaniemi is hanging out with your friends and family members at Lordi's Square, which is the main hub of Rovaniemi. The square has been named after Lordi, who in 2006 won the Eurovision Song Contest.

It has an amalgamation of lively shops and restaurants where you can buy souvenirs and enjoy lip-smacking delicacies. You can also find here Lordi's signatures and handprints and attend outdoor exhibitions. In summers, various interesting events are held here, such as folk parties and cultural themes.

Location:Maakuntakatu 29-31, Rovaniemi 96200, Finland
Timings:12 am- 11:59 pm

5. Show your creative side at Rovaniemi Art Museum: If you're an art enthusiast, then one of the best Rovaniemi Finland things to do is visiting Rovaniemi Art Museum, where you can learn about Northern and Finnish contemporary art.

It is located in a converted old bus depot, a building in Rovaniemi that survived the Second World War. The museum is an intriguing blend of classical works, modern art, functional architecture, and local history. It has annually changing exhibits that feature the work of Lapland artists who were either born here or worked in this region.

Location:Maakuntakatu 29-31, Rovaniemi 96200, Finland
Price:6 € per person
Timings:12 am- 11:59 pm

6. Have unlimited fun at Ounasvaara Park: If your list of best things to do in Rovaniemi in winter includes skiing, you must visit Ounasvaara Park that has four ski-lifts and several runs. If you're looking to learn skiing, Ounasvaara can provide great beginner ski lessons.

And if you don't want to try skiing or snowboarding, you can see the magnificent hills on their toboggan runs. It also houses Rendi's Snow World that is a little wonderland for the kids with rope pulls, a snow carousel, and much more.

Location:Tauntie 14, Rovaniemi, 96600

7. Reindeer Sleigh Rides: Get ready for an overdose of thrill and excitement by signing up for reindeer sleigh rides at Santa Claus Village. Gliding through the Lappish forests silently while being pulled by the reindeer is considered one of the best things to do in Rovaniemi.

You'll get a chance to dash through the snow at breakneck speeds in an open sleigh, and you'd take off like Santa Claus. The rides at Santa's Village follow a circular route and take you into the wilderness surrounding Rovaniemi.

Location:Maakuntakatu 29-31, Rovaniemi 96200, Finland
Price:€ 89 per person

8. Visit Angry Birds Activity Park: If you're confused about what to do in Rovaniemi, you can visit Angry Birds Activity Park that has been built around the game Angry Birds. It is located close to the city center and has various slides and swings and a hill to do tobogganing.

This open-air playground is also a great place to enjoy a fun picnic with your friends and family members. The entire park is dotted with lush greenery and gives you a chance to get away from the humdrum of fast-paced city life.

Location:Valtakatu 4, Rovaniemi 96100 Finland
Price:€15.43 per person
Timings:10 am- 6 pm

1. See the northern lights: One of the best things to do in Rovaniemi at night is seeing the spectacular phenomenon of the northern lights at The Arctic Garden. The aurora displays are most commonly seen in pink and pale green color, and the light takes on various forms from scattered cloud-like shapes through streamers, shooting rays to more condensed form.

2. Shake your legs at Bull Bar & Grill: If you're looking for the best things to do during the wee hours, you should definitely shake your leg at the loudest beats at Bull Bar & Grill. It is a rock and roll casual American-themed bar where you can relish delicious snacks and the coolest drinks.

3. Take a riverside stroll at The Arktikum Beach: One of the best things to do in Rovaniemi at night is taking a riverside stroll at The Arktikum Beach, home to gorgeous orange and red color-changing trees. During the wee hours, you can take a leisurely stroll on the beachside or dip your toe in the water.

1. Dog Sledding: If you're stressed up thinking about what to do in Rovaniemi, you can try dog sledding that usually ranges from a 15-minute excursion to a 3-hour safari. Gliding through the snow-covered wilderness on a dog sled is an amazing experience and will take you closer to nature.

2. Arctic Circle Hiking: Get ready for an epic hiking adventure as you tread through the Arctic Circle that has well-maintained trails and scenic landscapes. The trail stretches up to two hundred kilometers from the edge of the ice cap to the town of Sisimiut.

3. Ice Karting: If you're looking for the best things to do in Rovaniemi during winters, you can enjoy ice-karting. Most Ice Karting experiences include two races with a break in between for berry juice or hot chocolate.

4. Snowmobiling: One of the most adventurous things to do in Rovaniemi is enjoying a snowmobile safari that gives you a chance to ride on the wilderness forest trails in the Rovaniemi area. You will enjoy the wintry scenery, and on the way, you will make stops to have drinks and snacks.

- By Air: Rovaniemi airport receives both international and domestic flights. Norwegian and Finnair operate direct flights to Rovaniemi from Helsinki. Direct flights to Rovaniemi from London are operated by Norwegian and EasyJet.

- By Train: Direct trains run between Rovaniemi and Helsinki. If you're coming by plane to Finland, from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, take a train to Tikkurila and transfer towards Rovaniemi via a long-distance train.

December and January are the best months to visit Rovaniemi as the Christmas celebration is at its peak, and you can also see the northern lights and enjoy various winter activities such as snowmobiling and ice-karting.

You can spend two days in Rovaniemi.

- On the first day, you can visit Santa Claus Village and enjoy activities like Arctic Circle hiking and dog sledding.
- On the second day, you can go hunting for northern lights and visit Rovaniemi Art Museum and Ranua Zoo.

1. Santa Claus Village: It is Santa Claus's hometown and houses Santa's Post Office, a colorful Christmas world of stamps, unique gifts, and beautiful cards.

2. Snowman World: It is a family-friendly tourist attraction boasting a wide number of detailed ice-sculptures.

3. Arktikum: This is a high-tech conference and science center that houses permanent exhibitions ranging from prehistory to the 1970s.

4. Reindeer Sleigh Rides: Dash through the snow at breakneck speeds in an open sleigh, like Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village.

Yes, Rovaniemi is absolutely worth visiting as it gives you a chance to spot the northern lights and enjoy various winter adventures such as snowmobiling, ice-swimming, and Arctic Circle Hiking. It also has some incredible landmarks such as Angry Birds Activity Park and Ounasvaara Park.

You can reach Rovaniemi from India only by Air. From India, regular flights fly to Helsinki from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Few flights also ply to Ivalo and Turku from Delhi. Once you reach Helsinki, you can board a train or bus to Rovaniemi.