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Visit Rovaniemi

Sustainable Rovaniemi

We are a region up in the Arctic, we need our seasons, snowy winters and warm summers to provide a safe environment to our Arctic species. Welcome to our sustainable way of life!

Love the Arctic and make a difference

We are a region up in the Arctic, and the nature here is most vulnerable to the influences of climate change. We need our seasons, snowy winters and warm summers to provide a safe environment to our Arctic species.

Sustainability is a state of mind and a way of life. Honoring the nature and all of its miracles, we are halfway there. To add some personal choices and actions we are truly making a difference. Close the lights, pick up your trash, recycle, eat local and travel outside busy seasons, and you are an ambassador of sustainable goodwill.

Did you know, that Lapland´s electrical self-sufficiency is 107 %, and renewable energy sources share of Lapland´s electricity production is 91 %.

Traveler, tell us what you think!

Participate in the development of tourism by taking the Visit Finland traveler survey! The questions deal with travelers’ perceptions of sustainable tourism in their destination, and the survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. By responding to the survey, you will contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in our region and throughout Finland.

Take the survey

Visit Rovaniemi invites all businesses to join Sustainable Travel Finland program

The first labelled company in Rovaniemi is The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel.

The future of travel is in sustainability, and responsibility is the new luxury. Visit Rovaniemi is among the first to join Sustainable Travel Finland -program and achieving a Sustainable Travel Finland –label became possible on June 1, 2020. The first companies have already been awarded with the label, and the first labelled company in Rovaniemi is The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, one of the six Sustainable Travel Finland labels awarded to Lappish companies by Visit Finland.

The development of sustainable travel industry in Lapland Finland has experienced a boost by the crisis. Sanna Kärkkäinen, the managing director of Visit Rovaniemi reminds that this is the perfect time for everyone to take these steps towards sustainable tourism. “Sustainability and responsibility are the core values of tomorrows destinations, through our communication we, at Visit Rovaniemi, ensure that local companies making responsible and sustainable actions, will prosper in the future.”

Sustainable Travel Finland trademarked local companies

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.

Local companies awarded with Sustainable Travel Finland trademark:

Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara – a responsible accommodation operator
Metsä Kolo – a responsible accommodation operator

Scandic Rovaniemi City -Sustainable hotel in the centre of Rovaniemi

Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos – Local Snow and Igloo accommodation company

Beyond Arctic – Local safari house

Bearhill Husky – Local husky company

Wild About Lapland – Local safari company

Husky Yoga & Nature – Local yoga and husky company

Pyhä Igloos – Local Igloo accommodation company

Ollero Eco Lodge – Local accommodation company

Rovaniemi Airport is heated Carbon-free

The climate impact of airports originates from the heating of buildings and the energy consumption of vehicles, so the airport operator Finavia and Napapiirin Energia ja Vesi (Neve) have entered into an agreement on the heating of Rovaniemi Airport with carbon-neutral district heating. Vihreä Lähilämpö (Neve’s carbon-neutral district heating product) is an excellent choice for Rovaniemi Airport, because it supports the key measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions Finavia has identified in its climate programme. Neve produces its district heat from renewable and locally sourced fuels.

10 facts about sustainable Finland

1.We are active recyclers, up to 92% of all bottles are recycled here!

2.Here you can drink the cleanest water in the world!

3.The world’s cleanest air has been measured in Finland.

4.Finland is the world’s happiest nation, so for human wellbeing Finland is the place to be!

5.Here it is possible to replace all the fossil energy used in heating with Geothermal energy!

6.We are the most densely forested country in the EU and #10 in the world.

7.We have some of the highest number of strictly protected forests in Europe.

8.Finland is ranked second-best in the world for sustainable competitiveness.

9.Looking for the most stable country? The answer is Finland!

10.Finland along with Denmark and Norway topped the rankings in 2020 at protecting basic human rights.

The Outdoor Etiquette

With Rovaniemi easy access nature trails it is easy and safe to make daytrips with the whole family. Ounasvaara and Arctic Circle Nature Trails will lead you into Arctic forests right outside city center. But before heading outdoors, have a look at The Outdoor Etiquette, about respecting nature and about marked trails. Find information about camping, lighting fires and how to hike litter-free.

To travel to Rovaniemi in the spring, summer or in autumn you are a part of a sustainable movement. The light that continues 24 hours a day, offers opportunities to be active with the kids and go horseback riding, floating, hiking, on river cruises, and not to mention go visit those husky and reindeer farms for Arctic animal offspring in the summer.

Choose Arctic Summer instead of Winter

Rovaniemi is known for the snowy winters and magic of Christmas. But not many people know that Rovaniemi Lapland has much to offer during the summer months. In Rovaniemi it is possible to experience the magic of Christmas in the middle of summer.

Visiting Lapland after December is sustainable, because you will be traveling outside the busy season. Rovaniemi is a magical city in every four or even eight seasons. In Rovaniemi, nights are lit throughout the summer from late May until early August.

Year of Reindeer – Sustainable Rovaniemi blog series

On Arctic Reindeer Farm, high above the Arctic Circle lives Miia Merkku, 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.

See the forests like you have never seen them before

Visit the Science Center Pilke and “See the forests like you’ve never seen them before”. Science Centre Pilke tells stories about the northern forests and the many connections we northern people have with them. Spend a day in the Arktikum, a science centre and museum, where you can experience northern nature, culture, and history.

The more knowledge you gain of the Arctic culture, the more responsible are your actions as travellers.

Familiarize yourself with the local culture

We are people up here on the Arctic Circle with rich roots and heritage. Get familiar with the local ways of life and habits, like Sauna. A traditional Finnish sauna is like the local food culture, pure and simple.

Sustainable Arctic experience is built from local products and local food combined with crystal clear pure local water. Lapland´s food culture is known for the natures fresh offering. By eating the local food and by shopping the local products, you are a part of a sustainable movement by encouraging local production and year-round jobs.

Being able to create something with your own hands, is a valuable skill in today’s digital world. Visiting local family and getting to know local culture and tradition, can also be considered as a responsible and sustainable choice on your holiday.

At Kangasniemi, you can actually combine these both! Visiting the Home & Ateliér of Irene and Ari Kangasniemi, a local artisan couple, gives you a good understanding about the local culture and Lappish way of life. During the visit, you’ll get to hear interesting stories about Lapland, try some local sweets and make your own souvenir at the couples workshop – out of natural materials.

Value the Arctic Nature

Sustainability is a state of mind and a way of life. Honoring the nature and all of its miracles, we are halfway there. To add some personal choices and actions we are truly making a difference. Close the lights, pick up your trash, recycle, eat local and travel outside busy seasons, and you are an ambassador of sustainable goodwill.

Santa Claus There’s no place like Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, for a genuine Christmas experience.

Sustainable Rovaniemi

Sustainable Rovaniemi We are a region up in the Arctic, we need our seasons, snowy winters and warm summers to provide a safe environment to our Arctic species. Welcome to our sustainable way of life!

Northern Lights

Northern Lights Experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis in Rovaniemi.

Polar Night Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.

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®.

Midnight Sun The Midnight Sun – also known as the nightless night or polar day – can be seen in Rovaniemi from early June until early July, and nights are white throughout the summer.

Autumn Colors Let Rovaniemi surprise you with easy access to plenty of routes and scenery spots to marvel the fiery landscapes of Autumn Color.

Four Seasons All four seasons are clearly present in the annual cycle of Rovaniemi. However, many locals would say the year consists of up to eight seasons, each with their own distinct characteristics.

Arctic Circle Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland situated right on the Arctic Circle, which makes the town a gateway to the Arctic.

Snow And Ice For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there’s white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year.

Local Food Lapland’s food culture is directly linked to its pristine nature, and Rovaniemi is a great place to explore the fresh produce of northern forests and waters.

Architecture Rovaniemi is proud to have several major features designed by Alvar Aalto, one of Finland’s foremost architects. Other visionaries have also embellished the city with landmark structures.

Authenticity Rovaniemi is an urban outpost amidst wild nature, where age-old traditions meet modern life.

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