Summer in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi, the Arctic Capital of Finnish Lapland, is situated on the Arctic Circle. The Official Hometown of Santa Claus offers excellent access to the Arctic region and is a perfect place to experience Finnish happiness and the Nightless Nights.
Stay
Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, offers a range of accommodation from budget to luxury. Find your place to stay from numerous alternatives!
Eat and drink
Traditional Lappish food tastes delicious both in restaurants and by a campfire. Rovaniemi has great options for local culinary excursions, see more here.
Finnish Happiness Under the Midnight Sun
The lively town, under the magical light of the Midnight Sun, offers a wide range of exciting, yet easy and safe, outdoor activities, as well as Lappish culture, sights and attractions, restaurants, local design shops, and much more. In Rovaniemi, you can easily experience both nature and urban services and, of course, cross the Arctic Circle.
24 Hours of Sunshine
In Rovaniemi, the nights are bright throughout the summer, and the days are warm, making a summer holiday at the Arctic Circle both delightful and refreshing. Make the most of the Arctic summer with activities such as river cruises, swimming, horseback riding, floating, hiking, and visits to husky and reindeer farms. Pretty much anything you can do during the day, you can also do at night here on the Arctic Circle.
Summer Vibes at the Arctic Circle
Rovaniemi combines Arctic nature, local culture and modern city services, all within easy reach of one another.
Once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experiences in Rovaniemi under the Midnight Sun include crossing the Arctic Circle and meeting Santa Claus at the world-famous Santa Claus Village. Only here can you meet Santa Claus every day!
Discover Rovaniemi in Summer!
A Paradise for Hikers and Nature Explorers
In summer, the days are long and the short nights remain bright, making hiking under the Midnight Sun a popular experience. Trails close to the city centre include the Koivusaari Nature Trail near the river area and the many trails of Ounasvaara Hill. Altogether, Rovaniemi offers hundreds of kilometres of marked trails, with numerous lean-to shelters and rest areas along the way.
The Arctic Circle Hiking Area is a beautiful and versatile destination just a short drive from Rovaniemi city centre. Visitors can choose, for example, the accessible Könkäänsaari Trail or the educational Kielosaari Trail, where information boards introduce the area’s mushrooms and plant life.
Just an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi lies the protected old-growth forest of Auttiköngäs, where you can enjoy the peaceful sound of the rapids. The ancient fells of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, the nearest national park, are approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Rovaniemi.
Midnight Sun – Nightless Nights
Did you know? The sun officially stays above the horizon for 24 hours around the summer solstice, on 20–22 June, depending on the year. However, in Rovaniemi, the Midnight Sun period lasts for approximately one month, from 6 June to 7 July, due to the Earth’s slightly tilted axis and the refraction of sunlight. This phenomenon is the opposite of the Polar Night. However, the bright summer Nightless Nights continue for much longer, with daylight lasting throughout the night from late May until August!
Visit Reindeer and Huskies in Summer
Visit Reindeer and Huskies in Summer
For many visitors, seeing reindeer is a bucket list experience when visiting Lapland. These iconic animals of the North have been an important part of life here for centuries. Authentic reindeer farms welcome visitors during the summer, offering the opportunity to learn about one of Lapland’s oldest traditional livelihoods.
Then there are the huskies – loyal companions that thrive in the Arctic environment. Equally cute and affectionate, they capture hearts with their bright eyes and soft paws. During the summer, you can visit a kennel, learn about the life of sled dogs, and choose from a variety of activities, such as hiking with huskies under the Midnight Sun.
Experience Summer in Local Style
Experience Summer in Local Style
Rovaniemi has a unique local lifestyle and a rich cultural heritage. Discover Lapland’s history, art and design by visiting museums, science centres, and local sights and attractions. Summer is the perfect time to embrace the Finnish way of life and reconnect with nature.
Meet local artists, listen to your guides’ authentic stories, and discover the traditions and everyday life of Lapland through the people who call it home. A summer holiday in Rovaniemi offers the chance to experience the Arctic through its culture, landscapes and local way of life, creating lasting memories while embracing a sustainable, nature-connected Finnish lifestyle.
Explore More With a Local Guide
Explore More With a Local Guide
With an experienced local guide by your side, you can discover the best of Rovaniemi and make the most of your summer holiday. Choose from a variety of tours, ranging from relaxed outdoor adventures to authentic experiences that let you see Rovaniemi through local eyes.
Plan Your Summer Holiday
Cottages
Special accommodation
Eat and drink
Traditional Lappish food tastes delicious both in restaurants and by a campfire. Rovaniemi has great options for local culinary excursions, see more here.
Getting around
Rovaniemi is a town with short distances. The centre is easily explored on foot, and many transport options are available for reaching the surroundings. Find out more here.
Looking for a Warm but Refreshing Summer Holiday Destination?
Rovaniemi is a wonderful summer destination in Lapland, where long, sunny days and comfortable temperatures create the perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. Enjoy the warmth of the summer sun while escaping the extreme heat found in many other destinations. It is warm enough for summer activities, yet cool enough to relax and truly enjoy the peaceful Arctic surroundings.
Practical Information About the Summer Months
Northern Lights: Not Visible
Snow conditions: No snow
Seasonal phenomenon: Midnight sun – the nightless night with 24 hour daylight
Average temperature: Between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius
Average daylight: 24 hours
Northern Lights: Not Visible
Snow conditions: No snow
Seasonal phenomenon: Midnight sun
Average temperature: Between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
Average daylight: 21 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear in the end of August
Snow conditions: No snow
Seasonal phenomenon: Northern Lights
Average temperature: Between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius
Average daylight: 17 hours
Explore Summer Tips
Midnight Sun Experiences in Rovaniemi
Midnight Sun Activitites
Summer by the River in Rovaniemi
Browse summer activities
Finnish Sauna Culture
There are over 3 million saunas in Finland – that’s more than passenger cars. It’s safe to say we love our saunas! For an absolute Rovaniemi experience one must try sauna.
Lapland’s food culture in Rovaniemi
Read more about Lappish treats
Experience the Magic of Rovaniemi
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!
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.
Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
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. Find out more here!
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.
Explore the Arctic Seasons
Early winter
Winter
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and reallife winter wonderland located at the Arctic Circle in Lapland Finland.
Christmas time in Rovaniemi
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Spring
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Autumn
There is something so magical in nights spent under the Auroras in Glass Cabins and Igloos or waking up from a unique accommodation to a first snowfall.
Book Summer Activities at the Arctic Circle!
Lakeside Sauna & Arctic Bath
Relax in the cozy warmth of our Lakeside Sauna and experience true Finnish calm. Whatever the season, a refreshing dip in Lake Olkka adds an exhilarating touch to your relaxation.
Private Traditional Finnish Sauna Boat Scenic Lake Cruise with Bbq
Cruise the lake in style on this unique Sauna Boat equipped with a wood-heated sauna. Enjoy the beautiful Arctic landscapes as you bathe in the lake beneath the midnight sun.
Finnish Summer Favorites
Summer’s in Lapland are brief, but we know how to make the best of the great weather while we have it! Bask in the beauty and embrace the fun with this package including rowing, fishing, swimming and a variety of Finnish lawn games.
Arctic Berries & Jam Workshop
Pick wild berries in Lapland’s forest and turn them into your own jam. Learn about local plants, enjoy warm drinks and snacks, and take home a sweet taste of the North.
Goods of the Forest – picking trip of the season’s berries or mushrooms, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience this unforgettable trip picking berries or mushrooms in a clean, Lappish forest, where you get to taste berries directly from the twig. And enjoy traditional Finnish campfire picnic with your family or friends.
Pure Atv Adventure (Small-Group)
A unique and intimate small group quad bike adventure in Lapland’s beautiful forest scenery in Rovaniemi.
Hiking with Reindeer 1 H & Visit
PRIVATE Hiking with reindeer in Santa Claus Village and visit in Santa’s Pets. Share a reindeer walk. Price is per person for 2 people walking one reindeer.
Private transfer to Ranua zoo max 6 pessengers
Private transfer to Ranua zoo max 6 passengers