Places

Looking for that must do, once in a lifetime experience to add to your Lapland bucket list? Introducing Polar Explorer, Icebreaker in the frozen waters of Bothnian sea in Lapland harnessed to take you on an adventurous 3-hour cruise of your lifetime.

Rovaniemi is The Official Hometown of Santa Claus, and therefore it is only natural that there is also a small village full of magical Christmas atmosphere in the Arctic Circle. You can spend a memorable day visiting Santa Claus Village or stay overnight.

Metsä Kolo is a perfect hideaway for people looking for local and simple life with locals. This small private, sustainable and ecological resort in Southern Lapland, is located only one and a half hours from Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi has a surprising restaurant scene, with flavours of the world combined to Lappish tastes and numerous summer terraces to offer a relaxed evening out. Midnight Sun causes Finnish Happiness, through soulful moments surrounded by Arctic nature, embraced by Lapland phenomena and flavours. Hop on to this city of summer madness, to a way of life only experienced here, on and above the Arctic Circle, and spend an evening out on summer terraces, under the Midnight Sun.

Explore rugged wilderness and old pine and spruce forests, climb to a top of an ancient mountain, fjell, and wander in relaxing sounds of nature. You'll find more than hundred lean-to's and altogether hundreds of kilometers of marked hiking trails around Rovaniemi.

What if I told you we have an overall population density of 1,98 persons per square kilometer, which is one of the lowest in Europe, more reindeer then people, the cleanest air and waters in the world. Yet we live in a modern city filled with services and even luxury. Our summer nights are light like the most romantic pink twilight, and that our summer temperatures are mild like the birds milk, as we Finnish people like to say. Would you believe me? And the list goes on...

Ounasjoki river deltas in Rovaniemi are a spectacular place for all kinds of summer activities. Go on a day hike, try SUP-board or spend an unforgettable day on river!

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Ylinampa, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Ylinampa, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

Rovaniemi is The Official Hometown of Santa Claus® and Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle is like a real village offering dreamy services and amenities. You can choose form a variety of magical accommodations, enjoy arctic delicacies at local restaurants and cafes, join the daily arctic activities and of course fall in love with the mellow happiness of Christmas magic all year round.

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Ylinampa, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Ylinampa, reindeer herder, a woman who decided to become a herder at the age of five. Reindeer play a major role in Miia´s life. Miia`s own wellbeing, is twined with the wellbeing of her reindeer. “I spend all my days with them in nature, their happiness makes me feel at peace” Miia says. Welcome to a Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series, where our local people tell their arctic lifestyle stories.

Ounasvaara is a famous sports centre and also a year-round recreation area near the city centre, with marked and maintained trails and several great vantage points. Here you can find accommodation, spa and wellbeing services not to mention activities and equipment rental.

It is beautiful, and kind of magical how the letters find their way to Arctic Circle even if there is no clear address written on them, just “Santa Claus”. Katja the main postal Elf says that even if the letters are written to be delivered to the North Pole all the post offices around the world know that Santa Claus lives in the Arctic Circle Rovaniemi, so the letters are referred to Santa Claus Main Post Office.

We asked the owners of 6 Rovaniemi based restaurants, Ville and Heidi Haavikko about their livelihoods and thoughts on what makes a happy life.

Rovaniemi has the most surprising selection of restaurants. These relaxed, courageous and lush restaurants are the hottest in Finland!

Check out Rovaniemi TOP 10 Instagrammable winter venues. Rovaniemi is perfectly located to enjoy those snowy views as well as those arctic nature phenomena. Check out our Rovaniemi Winter TOP 10 venues to add to your to do list!

Corrina Stone: It’s been a dream of mine for many years to bring my children to the best winter playground in the world, Lapland!

Rovaniemi summer selection of restaurants is relaxed, courageous and lush. The restaurants of Rovaniemi are anything but humble, we dare to say the hottest in Finland! The capital of Lapland offers not only unique restaurants and relaxed summer terraces but also local specialities and urban flavours from around the world. This summer capital has a capasity to serve over a 1000 summer terrace customers - double the amount of the grand terrace of Helsinki.

Finland was just named the happiest country in the world for a fourth year running, but what makes Roavaniemi the best place in the world to call a home for Kaisa Sirén? The Rovaniemi locals know Kaisa Sirén as a skilled magazine photographer and the beloved owner of Villa Vinkkeli – the house of art. Where does this Northern artist absorb her inspiration, how did the Villa Vinkkeli get started and what are the core values that drive Sirén. Read also the professional photographers tips of Rovaniemi.

Even when the locals see the Northern Lights every year, we never get bored with them or lose the feel of childhood magic and fairytale. Here the #visitrovaniemi social media went crazy again in nights of dreamy Auroras:

It’s fair to say everybody fell for Finland last week, with WRC2 winner Esapekka Lappi summing it up better than anybody. “What’s not to love with this event?” he questioned. “We have the perfect roads, minus conditions, great ice and blue skies. This is why we go rallying.”

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of German Anni, who’s dog Sola has met Santa Claus already twice.

In our new “Changed by Rovaniemi”- blog series, we share unique stories from travelers of Rovaniemi. We asked, what makes Lapland so special to them, why they have fallen in love with Lapland, and what makes some of them return time after time. Have a look at the story of Irish Andrew, who’s daughter started to believe in Santa Claus right upon the arrival to Rovaniemi Airport.

Rovaniemi bathing in an amazing full 8 nights in a row of Northern Lights. September just beginning and we are already having a full sky-spectacle for over a week, amazing right? All arctic people have their own beautiful mythology, believes and names for this heavenly phenomena. In Finnish the Northern Lights are called ”Revontulet”.

Missing Rovaniemi? We miss you too! As travelling is not possible at the moment, we wanted to bring Rovaniemi closer to you. Read our tips to enjoy the Arctic Circle from your own couch.

Teatiamo was born out of an urge to break boundaries related to sexuality and at the same time design something timeless and beautiful.

Take this time to adjust your mind into thinking more sustainably, what Lapland Rovaniemi has to offer all year round.

While the winter of Rovaniemi has taken all the attention with its magic, there might be something that has gone unnoticed. What if the Arctic Summer is the undiscovered gem, something magical, yet not found by big crowds.

Two Lapland-based mountain bikers Johannes and Kuutti did a three days biking expedition in Rovaniemi. Read from here how it worked out!