Rovaniemi – the snowy dream city
Wintery feeling from November until April
When the first snow falls, the visitors and the locals alike enjoy the beautiful, calming atmosphere it creates. When the hills and the trees are frosted with white, the streets dress up for winter, and snow crunches softly under each step you take, you know you’re walking in a winter wonderland.
Soothing and exciting snow
Soothing and exciting snow
The ambience in Rovaniemi when the first snow arrives or on a beautiful snowfall day is utmost soothing. The city is blanketed by pure white calmness, and it’s almost as if everything would go quieter and slower. Snow and ice enable possibilities, of course! Now skiing, snowshoeing, winter swimming and snowmobiling, among other activities, are in season.
Wintry building blocks
Wintry building blocks
The people in the north are pretty creative when it comes to using snow and ice in building spaces and creating art. In Rovaniemi, you can sleep in a snow hotel or an igloo, get married in a snow chapel, build an igloo under expert guidance – and sleep in it! – dine in a snow restaurant, have a drink in an ice bar, and play in snow castles with slides and such.
When the waters freeze
When the waters freeze
In the winter snow and ice create playgrounds and pathways that aren’t there in the summer months. In Rovaniemi, you can walk on water – frozen bodies of water, that is – as long as you make sure that it is safe and properly frozen. Waters are generally frozen from December until March, and provide huge extra space for activities like cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling. However, visitors should take extra care and check with local experts before endeavouring out on the ice.
5 snowy months in Lapland
Lapland is synonymous with snow and ice – and no wonder, in Rovaniemi we are lucky to enjoy snow around five months of the year. We also have the lovely Midnight Sun, beautiful Autumn with colours and the magical Northern Lights.
More things to love about Rovaniemi
Arctic Capital
Rovaniemi combines the northern nature with urban surroundings, self-confident localness and open-minded internationality. Rovaniemi is also the Official Hometown of Santa Claus®.
Santa Claus
There’s no place like Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, for genuine Christmas experiences. See here for some Rovaniemi Christmas magic.
Arctic Circle
Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus and the capital of Lapland, lies right on the Arctic Circle, which makes the town a gateway to the arctic. See more here.
Sustainable Rovaniemi
The local companies have been joining forces for Sustainable Travel Finland trademark that offers a concrete toolkit for travel destinations to help Finland’s travel destinations to adopt sustainable procedures and to make sustainable choices in their business.
Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun, the nightless night or polar day – can be seen only here in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle or above. From early June until early July, and nights are white throughout the summer. See more here.
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
Autumn Colours
When bright arctic summer ends and nature is preparing for winter at the Arctic Circle, we are enchanted by the changing colors of the season. In Rovaniemi this amazing nature’s display is at its best in September when trees and ground is covered with spectacular colours. Get your cameras out and head to nature!