What to Do in Rovaniemi - 40 Things to Do in Rovaniemi Listed by a Local
Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is a magical destination known for its winter wonderland, unique cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures.
I happen to be a Finnish travel blogger and master of tourism research who has lived several years in Rovaniemi, so I want to tell you the best activities to do in Rovaniemi.
You can read through the whole list Rovaniemi activities, or explore by category from the table of contents below to find the ones you fancy most.
Unique Local Experiences in Rovaniemi
These are the less touristy options that I did regularly when living in Rovaniemi.
1. Go to Public sauna and swimming in the river
Where to do: Kesärafla/WNTR Sauna
Why: Really local way to enjoy time off is to go to this amazing wooden heated public sauna next to a river, just 5kms from Rovaniemi centre
Best season: Summer and Winter
Price estimate: €5 (+€25 for some drinks and food at the place)
2. Visit Reindeer race
Where to do: Check locations and schedule here
Why: Poro Cup is a phenomenal and unique local experience. You can check the upcoming reindeer races in here
Best season: Winter and Spring
Price estimate: €10
3. Visit Koivusaari for a stroll
Where to do: 2kms from Rovaniemi City Center
Why: Hike in beautiful nature in wooden platform spotting birds and enjoy serenity of nature nearby centre of Rovaniemi
Best season: Summer and autumn
Price estimate: Free
5. Experience a Traditional Lappish Dinner
Where to do: Here
Why: Enjoy a meal cooked over an open fire after traditional Finnish Sauna.
Best season: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring
Price estimate: €165
6. Cross-Country Skiing
Where to do: Ounasvaara Ski Resort
Why: Enjoy scenic trails and a peaceful skiing experience with a typical local hobby.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €10-€30
7. Hiking in Ounasvaara
Where to do: Ounasvaara Hill
Why: Explore hiking paths or snowy trails and enjoy panoramic views of Rovaniemi.
Best season: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring
Price estimate: Free
8. Lunch at University of Lapland
Where to do: University of Lapland, 2kms from centre
Why: Explore the local university which is open for anyone to enjoy buffet style lunch on weekdays (good especially for vegans).
Best season: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring
Price estimate: €10
Outdoor Adventures and Sports
These are some cool activities to add to your Lapland bucketlist.
You may also want to read: 35 Best things to do in Lapland
10. Downhill skiing at Ounasvaara
Where to do: Ounasvaara ski centre 5kms from centre
Why: Good slopes for all levels nearby Rovaniemi centre
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €50-€100
12. Ice Climbing
Where to do: Organized trip from Rovaniemi to Pyhätunturi Ice climbing: book here
Why: Challenge yourself with this exhilarating winter sport.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €80-€150
13. Canoeing and traditional Reindeer farm
Where to do: Here
Why: Enjoy the real atmosphere and nature of Lapland.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €130
14. Snowshoeing and ice fishing
Where to do: Here
Why: Explore snow-covered landscapes at a leisurely pace and try another traditional Finnish winter hobby: Ice fishing
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €100
15. Indoor bouldering
Where to do: Indoor and outdoor climbing and yoga centre in Rovaniemi
Why: Enjoy interesting activity indoors in case weather does not allow outdoor fun.
Best season: Around year
Price estimate: €10-20
Read also: 35 Best things to do in Lapland
Cultural and Historical Experiences
Lapland has interesting history and cool arts and heritage that you can ge tto know to in these places in Rovaniemi.
16. Arktikum Museum
Where to do: Arktikum, Rovaniemi
Why: Learn about Arctic history and the culture of the indigenous Sámi people.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €10-€15
17. Rovaniemi Local Heritage Museum
Where to do: https://www.totto.fi/
Why: Get to know Rovaniemi Heritage from 1800s-1900s
Best season: Summer
Price estimate: €5-€10
18. Culture House Korundi
Where to do: Korundi
Why: Visit Art Exhibitions in the centre of Lapland
Best season: Summer
Price estimate: €5-€10
19. Rovaniemi Theatre
Where to do: Theatre in the centre
Why: Check current shows at the local theatre
Best season: Summer
Price estimate: €5-€10
20. Santa's Post Office
Where to do: Santa Claus Village
Why: Send postcards from the official post office and buy unique souvenirs.
Best season: Winter / all year
Price estimate: €5
21. Cross the Arctic Circle
Where to do: Arctic Circle, near Santa Claus Village
Why: Stand on the iconic line where the Arctic Circle passes through and enjoy unique photo opportunities.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: Free
Family-Friendly Activities
These are lovely activities with kids, but also delightful for the adults.
22. Rovaniemi Snowman World
Where to do: Near Santa Claus Village, book tickets online here
Why: A fun park with snow and ice sculptures, snow activities, and more.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €30-€60
23. Reindeer Farm Visit
Where to do: Here
Why: Learn about reindeer husbandry and meet these iconic animals of Lapland.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €100
24. Adventure Climbing Park
Where to do: SantaSport Seikkailupuisto Huima
Why: Try climbing courses and zip-lining in a forest setting.
Best season: Summer
Price estimate: €30-€70
Winter Wonderland and Seasonal Activities
25. Northern Lights Viewing
Where to do: Various viewing spots around Rovaniemi. You can browse tours to book from here
Why: See the spectacular aurora borealis in a pristine setting.
Best season: Winter (September-March)
Price estimate: Varies; often included in tour packages
26. Trip to Ice Breaker and Ice Floating
Where to do: Organized trip to Kemi from Rovaniemi, book here
Why: Experience this once in a lifetime experience of floating in the icy sea (while remaining warm ad dry) and visit ice breaker.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €360 including transportation from and to Rovaniemi
Read also for fun: 10 don'ts in Lapland
27. Experience the Midnight Sun
Where to do: Ounaskosken uimaranta (Beach nearby Rovaniemi centre) Jäämerentie 9, 96200 Rovaniemi
Why: Witness the unique phenomenon of the sun never setting during the summer.
Best season: Summer
Price estimate: Free
Wellness and Relaxation
These relaxing activities in the cleanest nature in the world leave you rejuvenated and grounded.
28. Relaxing in a Finnish Sauna
Where to do: Local spas or hotel saunas, for example Kesärafla or at your hotel
Why: Enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna experience.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €20-€50
29. Spa Day at Santasport Resort
Where to do: Here
Why: Treat yourself to a relaxing spa day with various wellness treatments.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €10-€50, with accommodation €185
30. Group classes or Gym in Rovaniemi Centre
Where to do: Kunnon Paikka at Rovaniemi Centre
Why: Enjoy a peaceful yoga session or sweaty LesMills workout at the centre of Rovaniemi
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €30-€60
31. Massage Therapy in Rovaniemi
Where to do: Various massage centers nearby centre of Rovaniemi
Why: Unwind with a professional massage after a day of exploring.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €50-€80
32. Outdoor Hot Tub Experience
Where to do: Various hotels and resorts, for example in Arctic Treehouse hotel
Why: Soak in a hot tub while enjoying snowy views.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €300 with accommodation (prices depend heavily on season, check prices here)
33. Full day tour with multiple activities
Where to do: Choose this one which includes many main
Rovaniemi bucketlist items in a day and a buffet lunch
Why: If you have no time and energy to book and organise multiple separate tours, book this full day one. Check here what all the tour includes
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: €300
Food and Drink Experiences
Check these resturants and cuisines when in Lapland. (Reindeer pizza is a mus try.)
34. Sampling Lappish Cuisine
Where to do: Local restaurants such as Restaurant Nili or Restaurant Roka
Why: Taste local delicacies like reindeer and salmon.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €30-€60 per meal
35. Visit Rovaniemi’s Best Cafés
Where to do: Café 21 or Hostel Café Koti
Why: Enjoy Finnish pastries and coffee in cozy settings.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €5-€15 per item
36. Local Craft Beer Tasting
Where to do: Local breweries or pubs in the city centre
Why: Sample craft beers made with local ingredients.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: €10-€20
Shopping and Souvenirs
If you wanted to do some shopping in Lapland, the only malls are in Rovaniemi. Check these out if you need something. There are also activewear stores if you need for example actually warm gloves.
37. Rovaniemi Christmas Market
Where to do: Rovaniemi City Center outside of Kauppakeskus Rinne
Why: Shop for unique Christmas gifts and local crafts.
Best season: Winter
Price estimate: Varies
38. Visit the Arctic Design Shop
Where to do: Rovaniemi City Center
Why: Purchase Scandinavian design items and souvenirs.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: Varies
39. Shop in the shopping malls
Where to do: Rovaniemi City Center malls Rinne, Revontuli and Rinteenkulma
Why: Find all the known stores and fast food places in Rovaniemi.
Best season: Year-round
Price estimate: Varies
Local Tips and Insider Information for Rovaniemi
Here are a few random tips for Rovaniemi trip as a local.
40. Hidden Gems for hiking
Check out lesser-known hiking locations nearby Rovaniemi.
If you are into hiking and want to do cheap budget activities while enjoying the beautiful nature, check out these hiking spots in and around Rovaniemi centre.
Koivusaari Island
Häkinvaaran Kammi
Vaattunki
Vikajärvi
Valajaskoski
Rautiojärven Laavu
Niksanperän lintutorni
Best Times to Visit Rovaniemi
For Northern Lights, in general winter is ideal.
To be more specific, best months for spotting northern lights are March and September.
You can check all the best tips for spotting Northern lights in Finland from this article:
How to See Northern Lights in Finland
Two other season that I think Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland are giving its best, are summer and autumn.
In summer you can enjoy the midnight sun and long summer nights.
Midsummer, around 25th of June is the best time for all the Finns.
Autumn, from August until mid-October is amazing for enjoying the colourful leaves and beautiful nature. For anyone into hiking, it’s an ideal time to visit Lapland.
Also in August and September you have good chances to spot Northern Lights as evenings get darker.
Travel and Transport Information
Getting Around Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is a small town, so don’t expect see a tram or metro.
However, there is public transportation by busses which enables you to go for example to Santa Claus Village easily from the centre.
However, I would also seriously consider renting a car if you want to do trips further from Rovaniemi and get around easily.
There are also private transfers available, that can pick you up for example from the airport and bring you to any of your destinations upon agreements.
You can check for example this one and ask for your specific transfer needs
Read also: How to get to Lapland
Accommodation Recommendations
If you are looking for accommodation in Rovaniemi, you should check this article where you can easily check the best recommendations by local, categorized per budget or by accommodation type wishes: Where to stay in Rovaniemi
You can also compare places directly on Booking, as there are many options in Rovaniemi listed, including private hosts and apartment rentals in the centre.
Check the private hosts for renting an apartment with all facilities in the centre of Rovaniemi. For example this one is really nice and in a good location.
Safety and Practical Considerations
If you go to Lapland in winter, you need to dress warmly and properly.
Unfortunately cheap winter clothes from Alibaba won’t do, as they may look warm but are made of cheap materials that does not work in -30 degrees.
For tips, read How to dress and pack for winter in Lapland
- Tip: You can also simply rent very warm overalls from Rovaniemi, so you don’t need to travel with that extra suitcase and buy all kinds of gear you may need only for this trip.
- Check out for example this warm winter clothes rental which has great reviews and includes all you need from boots to overall and gloves
Sample 1-week Itineraries for Lapland
Let's face th fact that Lapland is big. To make the most out of your time there, check these ready-made itineraries that I custom planned.
Conclusion
Rovaniemi, aka the capital of Lapland is a great combination of wild nature and having all amenities nearby.
I hope these local tips gave you some ideas what to do in Rovaniemi.
If you have any questions, you can always comment our posts in social media and I’ll help you the best I can!
Hope you have a wonderful time in my previous home town!
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WRITTEN BY
Hey there, I'm the Author
I'm Sini, enthusiast in traveling, yoga, self development and rubbing dogs.
I got tired of fast-paced Instagram and made my own slower corner of the internet to share my best travel tips, random nomad thoughts and photographs from the journeys.
I happen to be kind of a professional in this as well, as I have my Master's degree within Tourism Research and both my master's and bachelor's thesis are about yoga travel. I'm also RYT-500 certified Yoga Teacher.
I want to share the best knowledge as well as some deeper, honest thoughts what for example being digital nomad actually is.
Btw, I have also developed a concept for people living without routine to build one based on atomic habits: REPEAT STUDIO.
You can read more about me here.
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