THINGS TO DO IN ROVANIEMI 2026
What to see & do in Rovaniemi
- Rovaniemi’s winter wonderland
- In the glow of the Northern Lights
- Meet Santa in Santa Claus Village
- Discover Santa’s hidden Christmas world
- Meet Arctic animals
- Get active in Lapland
- Step into the Arctic nature
- Rovaniemi under the Midnight Sun
- Discover the Lapland way of life
- Is Lapland worth visiting? Here’s what to know.
Things to do in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is one of Finland’s most popular winter destinations, and for good reason. It’s the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, home to the Arctic Circle, and one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. You can meet Santa any day, see reindeer and huskies, stay in glass igloos, and enjoy snowy adventures that make Lapland so special.
But Rovaniemi isn’t just for winter. There are plenty of things to do all year, from snowmobile tours and ice hotels in winter to hiking trails, river cruises, and the Midnight Sun in summer. Autumn brings colorful forests, and spring is bright, calm, and perfect for exploring.
The city is small and relaxed, with friendly cafés and simple local food. Rovaniemi may be famous for winter magic, but it’s a destination with something special and memorable in every season.
Rovaniemi’s winter wonderland
Rovaniemi has a long snowy season, with winter lasting around five months. Snow stays on the ground until April, giving you plenty of time to enjoy snowy landscapes and fun outdoor activities.
Here are some great options:
SnowGlow Winter Activity Park: A colorful park in the city center with lights, snow fun, and activities for all ages. Easy to visit and great in the evening.
Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park: Famous for its 500-meter ice-skating trail through a quiet forest, plus snowshoeing, sledding, reindeer, and a sauna.
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos: A snow-and-ice world with snow rooms, ice art, ice drinks, and warm glass igloos for Northern Lights watching.
Snowland: A snow-and-ice igloo restaurant with ice sculptures, ice tables, and warm berry juice.
Snowman World: Located in Santa Claus Village with ice slides, a snow playground, an ice bar, and fun activities for families.
Lapland Winter Park: A place to skate, ski, sled, snowshoe, meet reindeer, and enjoy cozy huts all in one place.
In the glow of the Northern Lights
If there’s one thing travelers hope to see in Rovaniemi, it’s the Northern Lights. The city is one of the best places in the world to watch this natural wonder, and many people visit each winter for that special moment. The auroras appear from late August to early April, and you can sometimes see them just a short walk from the city center.
There are many ways to go Aurora hunting. You can join minivan or bus tours, try snowmobiles, enjoy reindeer or husky rides, join a photography tour, or take an easy walk or snowshoe trip. Most Aurora Borealis tours take you to darker spots outside the city for better views and often include warm drinks, campfires, and help with photos.
With open skies and plenty of viewing spots, Rovaniemi is one of the easiest and most reliable places to see the Northern Lights.
Meet Santa in Santa Claus Village
Visiting Santa in his Official Hometown, Rovaniemi, is one of the most magical experiences for children and families. Santa Claus Village is open every day of the year, so you can meet Santa no matter the season. The village is full of fun activities, cozy spots, and winter magic that keep little ones excited from the moment they arrive.
Family activities you can enjoy in Santa Claus Village:
- Meet Santa whenever you visit
- Explore charming shops, cafés, and restaurants
- Cross the Arctic Circle and take photos
- Send postcards with a special Arctic Circle stamp
- Visit Husky Park and meet friendly huskies
- Join the Elf Hat Academy for fun elf tasks
- Enjoy reindeer rides right in the village
- Visit SantaPets to see small, cute animals
- Browse Santa’s Food Market for treats
- Play in snowy areas during winter
- Visit Snowman World for ice slides, snow fun, and an ice bar
- Spot the Northern Lights on clear winter nights
Discover Santa’s hidden Christmas world
Take your children to a magical world beneath Rovaniemi at Santa Park, an underground Christmas theme park where kids feel like they’ve stepped straight into Santa’s secret world. Open during the winter season, it’s filled with twinkling lights, cheerful elves, music, crafts, and warm festive magic. Families can meet Santa in his cozy underground office, enjoy fun shows, and explore activities created especially for young visitors.
- Join the Elf Academy and earn an official elf diploma
- Ride the Magic Train through Santa’s underground world
- Visit the Ice Gallery and admire ice sculptures
- Enjoy lively elf shows and performances
- Decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Gingerbread
- Take part in Christmas crafts and hands-on activities
- Explore play areas that are perfect for children
- Cross the Arctic Circle underground
- Relax in cozy cafés and enjoy seasonal treats
Ready for Rovaniemi snow adventures?
Arctic fairy tale
Reindeer Ride Rovaniemi
Meet Santa Claus’s legendary animals on our Reindeer Ride Rovaniemi! We’ll pick you up in a comfortable bus, and drive you to Reindeer Manor - the home of countless adorable reindeer! You’ll meet the animals and then enjoy a 500 m long sleigh ride, rushing through the Nordic nature. Afterwards, relax in a hut with reindeer herders and learn about their unique way of living. Unwind with a hot drink and biscuits before heading back to Rovaniemi.
Fast snowy adventure
Husky Ride Rovaniemi
Go on a husky ride and drive a sled for 5 km with trained Alaskan huskies. Learn the basics of controlling the sled from a guide. Take turns steering and riding, visit the kennel, and warm up with hot drinks after the sled ride. This Husky Tour Rovaniemi also includes winter gear and transfers from Rovaniemi.
Meet Arctic animals
Rovaniemi is a great place to meet Arctic animals in a natural winter setting. You can enjoy calm reindeer rides, exciting husky safaris, and visits to wildlife parks filled with northern species. There are many ways to connect with local animals during your trip.
- Husky Park: Meet friendly, well-cared-for huskies and choose from short or long rides.
- Ranua Resort Wildlife Park: See Arctic animals such as polar bears, lynx, wolves, and owls in a natural environment.
- Santa’s Pets: Meet alpacas, donkeys, sheep, reindeer, and other small animals in a warm indoor space in Santa Claus Village. A perfect place for kids.
- Reindeer rides: Experience a calm and traditional Lapland journey where a reindeer pulls your sleigh through snowy forests. Visit a local reindeer farm, learn about herding, and feed the animals.
Get active in Lapland
Rovaniemi is a great place for a wide range of outdoor activities, and Ounasvaara is the main sports area just 2–3 km from the city center. In winter, you can enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile safaris. Summer brings hiking, downhill biking, fishing, and calm river activities like kayaking and SUP. The views from the top of Ounasvaara are beautiful in every season.
The resort has a variety of slopes, a 600-meter run, five lifts, and a snow park with rails and boxes. Rendi’s Snow World, inside the resort, is great for children and beginners.
You can also enjoy other activities such as:
Snowshoeing: Explore quiet forest trails around Ounasvaara.
Snowmobiling: Ride into the Arctic wilderness away from city lights.
Ice skating: Outdoor rinks, and safe, natural ice on lakes, with rentals available.
Fat biking: Snow-friendly bikes for forest trails, with guided tours offered year-round.
Hiking: Well-marked trails from short walks to longer scenic routes.
Summer kayaking, canoeing, and SUP: Calm rivers make these easy for beginners.
Fishing and ice fishing: Local rivers and lakes offer salmon, trout, and pike; winter tours include all equipment.
Step into the Arctic nature
Rovaniemi has many beautiful nature spots that are easy to reach from the city.
- Ounasvaara offers year-round trails, a winter route, and a fun summer sled track with great views from the top.
- The Arctic Circle Hiking Area, about 20–25 km away, is perfect for longer walks, river scenery, and quiet wilderness, with bridges, rapids, and lean-to shelters for breaks.
- Koivusaari Nature Trail sits just outside the city and is ideal for an easy riverside walk, birdwatching, or a peaceful summer evening stroll.
- Auttiköngäs, located about an hour from Rovaniemi, offers a scenic loop trail through forest landscapes, wooden paths, and a waterfall worth visiting in both summer and fall.
- King’s Lean-to is another nearby nature spot great for picnics and short hikes.
- For an indoor option, choose Science Center Pilke, located next to Arktikum near the riverside. It offers interactive exhibitions about northern forests and nature, making it a good place to start before heading outdoors.
Rovaniemi under the Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun is one of the most unforgettable parts of summer in Rovaniemi. Because the city sits right on the Arctic Circle, the sun stays above the horizon for 24 hours a day from early June to early July, creating a full month of true nightless nights. Even outside this period, evenings stay bright from late May until August. Locals say they feel extra energy during this season, and it’s easy to see why. Long, warm days make it possible to hike, bike, paddle, or simply enjoy the outdoors well past midnight. With glowing skies and easy access to nature, Rovaniemi becomes a lively and fun summer destination under the Midnight Sun.
Here are some great ways to spend a summer night under the glowing Arctic sky:
- Late-night hiking on Ounasvaara with beautiful golden-hour views
- Midnight river cruises on the Kemijoki river
- Canoeing or kayaking under the bright night sky
- Cycling or fat biking on forest trails
- Picnics or campfires by the river
- Summer rides down Ounasvaara’s summer sled track
- Wildlife watching in the peaceful evening hours
- Fishing late into the night
- Photography in soft Midnight Sun light
- Sauna and swimming in lakes or rivers
- Visiting viewpoints like Ounasvaara Summit or the Arctic Garden
Discover the Lapland way of life
Rovaniemi has several great museums that help you understand Arctic nature, culture, and local life. They’re perfect for visitors who want to learn more about the Arctic and its people. Each museum offers something different, from science and forests to art and Lapland’s history.
- Arktikum Science Center and Museum: Learn about Arctic nature, the Northern Lights, Sámi culture, and the history of Lapland.
- Science Center Pilke: A fun, hands-on museum about northern forests and sustainable living, great for kids and families.
- Korundi House of Culture: Home to the Rovaniemi Art Museum and concerts, showcasing contemporary art and northern creativity.
- Rovaniemi Local Heritage Museum: Explore traditional Lapland life with old buildings, tools, and local history displays.
Is Lapland worth visiting? Here’s what to know.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting Rovaniemi, the answer is: absolutely yes. No matter who you travel with, Rovaniemi brings out a sense of wonder in everyone. Kids love it, adults relax, and the whole place feels like a nature playground. Rovaniemi slows you down in the best way. It gives you room to enjoy nature, light, quiet, and moments that feel different from everyday life. That’s why people keep coming back.
Plan to travel to Rovaniemi soon?
Check out our guide for the best tips before you go!
Here are our most popular tickets for Rovaniemi Lapland!
Winter Wonderland
SantaPark Rovaniemi Ticket
Walk through the doors of SantaPark and straight into a living Christmas story. This indoor amusement park in Rovaniemi is known for its cozy Christmas atmosphere and fun activities for all ages. Join Elf School, where friendly elves teach you their favorite skills. Meet Santa in his office, and decorate cookies with Mrs. Gingerbread. Send a postcard from the Post Office, and visit the Ice Gallery for memorable photos in a frosty setting. With so much to see and do, SantaPark turns your visit into a Christmas experience you’ll never forget. Book your visit today and enjoy the magic of Santa’s home!
Meet Santa in his home
Santa Claus Village Ticket
Meet Santa, explore his office, and take unforgettable photos. One of the highlights of Santa Claus Village is the crossing of the Arctic Circle. The Village offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. Stop by Santa’s Main Post Office to send postcards with the exclusive Arctic Circle postmark. Also, don’t forget to claim your Arctic Circle certificate as a souvenir of your experience.