Rovaniemi, Finland Journey Information

Rovaniemi wasn’t at all times often known as the house of Santa Claus. It solely took on the title within the Eighties, 4 a long time after town was destroyed throughout World Battle II. As Rovaniemi rebuilt itself and have become a tourism vacation spot — spurred by a go to from Eleanor Roosevelt in 1950 — it entered a brand new chapter, one which grew to become firmly related to the person within the pink go well with (exterior of native traditions and folklore) when Santa Claus Village opened in 1985.

Positioned on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village is an amusement park that welcomes a whole bunch of 1000’s of holiday makers yearly. Whereas assembly Santa and sending a letter from the well-known Santa Claus Put up Workplace are definitely festive methods to have a good time the winter season (or everytime you select to go to), there are a number of extra causes to journey to the capital of Finnish Lapland.

“Wherever we reside in Rovaniemi, nature could be very shut,” says the chairman of Rovaniemi Guides, Kati Nivala, who has been a tour information within the metropolis since 2009. Strolling from town middle, she says, you might be “within the forest, or by the lake, or by the river” in simply 10 minutes. Climbing, attempting to find the northern lights, ice floating, canine sledding, and cross-country snowboarding are all actions that can immerse you within the nice outside — however ensure you convey the right apparel.

“An important factor to think about earlier than touring to Rovaniemi is to organize for the climate,” says Kyle Miller, the Finland Pack Chief for Flash Pack. “Whereas an enormous down coat is sweet, it’s a lot smarter to decorate in layers. A pleasant wool base layer, adopted by a down coat, and, lastly, a water-proof coat will see you thru in type.”

If you happen to’re hoping to embark on an extra-memorable, albeit chilly, winter trip this 12 months, Rovaniemi is the proper selection. Right here’s every part it is advisable to know to plan your journey. 

Finest Accommodations & Resorts

Arctic Mild Resort

Miller calls Arctic Mild Resort the “greatest lodge inside the metropolis.” The boutique property presents its friends a powerful (and complimentary) buffet breakfast, and the 57 visitor rooms are outfitted with Ritual toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers. In true Finnish trend, there’s additionally a sauna on property.

Arctic SnowHotel

If you happen to’ve ever wished to sleep inside a lodge fully product of ice, you’ll need to e book a keep at Arctic SnowHotel between Dec. 15 and March 31. At any given time, the temperature inside the lodge (which is carved to look totally different every year) is between 23 and 32 levels Fahrenheit, although friends keep heat and comfy inside their sleeping luggage. Another choice can be to e book the glass-roofed igloos — open to friends from Sept. 1 — and nod off beneath the celebrities and northern lights.

Arctic TreeHouse Resort

Vacationers who’d relatively sleep among the many timber ought to look no additional than the Arctic TreeHouse Resort. The standalone tree homes had been constructed with expansive home windows, and the bigger Arctic GlassHouses even include their very own fireplaces, saunas, and kitchenettes.

Resort Vartiosaari

Billed as a “non-public island lodge expertise,” the 11-room Resort Vartiosaari is positioned on an island in the course of the River Kemijoki, simply 10 minutes from Rovaniemi’s metropolis middle. The Scandinavian-style rooms characteristic impartial colours, pure woods, and loads of gentle, and friends are inspired to find Finnish sauna tradition throughout their keep.

Lapland Accommodations Sky Ounasvaara

Sky Ounasvaara comes advisable by Nivala. The property is comparatively distant and sits atop Ounasvaara, a hill, ski resort, and recreation middle. One of the crucial notable options of the property is the truth that greater than half of the rooms have their very own saunas — which is a welcomed exercise after a day trip snowboarding, biking, or climbing.

Issues to Do

Go on a husky safari.

“Husky safaris are a well-liked selection and for good purpose. There’s something magical about whisking via the Lapland surroundings at velocity, led by an cute staff of huskies,” says Miller. There are a number of totally different ones to select from — together with each non-public and group excursions.

See the northern lights.

Based on Nivala, you don’t must e book a tour to see the aurora borealis: “If you happen to can see the celebrities within the sky, you too can see the northern lights, if they’re lively.” If you happen to do need to head out of city to doubtlessly spot them, yow will discover every part from snowmobiling and snowboarding excursions to these particularly created with images in thoughts.  “2024 is without doubt one of the greatest years in a long time to see the northern lights, too,” provides Miller.

Spend a day cross-country snowboarding.

“Snowboarding could also be an underrated exercise for Rovaniemi, however it’s additionally a neighborhood spotlight; it’s such an vital a part of Finnish tradition,” says Miller. “It’s all about immersion in nature, the Finnish approach, and it feels actually genuine.” Arctic Fox Expeditions leads excursions throughout frozen lakes and thru snowy forests.

Discover Santa Claus Village.

Is Santa Claus Village touristy? Undoubtedly, however Nivala says it’s “well worth the bother,” including that grabbing a photograph with “the one and solely ‘actual’ Santa” is a spotlight for a lot of vacationers.

Go to native museums.

Nivala recommends carving out time in your journey schedule to go to Arktikum and Pilke. The previous is a science middle and museum that covers the character, tradition, and historical past of the Arctic and its individuals. Pilke, however, is devoted to educating individuals concerning the forests in Finnish Lapland.

Finest Procuring

Procuring Malls

Nivala says yow will discover “every part that you simply want” within the purchasing malls positioned in Rovaniemi’s metropolis middle. Rinteenkulma and Sampokeskus each have a roster of outlets and boutiques promoting clothes, footwear, sporting gear, souvenirs, and extra.

Prisma

To grasp a vacation spot, the perfect place to buy is usually the native grocery retailer. “In all honesty, I feel a enjoyable place to go is Prisma, which is simply our predominant grocery retailer. Nevertheless it’s precisely this type of neighborhood staple that’ll provide you with a real snapshot into native life and tradition. For instance, right here in Lapland, our predominant grocery retailer has a complete aisle devoted to cross-country snowboarding wax,” says Miller.

Finest Eating places

Restaurant Nili

For conventional Finnish meals, Nivala suggests Restaurant Nili. “It isn’t very huge, however it’s extremely popular. So I’d advocate you make a reservation,” she says. The menu options gadgets like reindeer, salmon, and braised bear steak.

Gustav Kitchen & Bar

“Gustav’s is positioned within the coronary heart of town middle and makes use of advantageous native components for a real culinary delight,” says Miller. Anticipate contemporary, hearty delicacies from the kitchen — lamb shank, scallops, a very good portion of the sourdough Knut bread, named after Gustav’s grandfather, and selfmade butter.

Ravintola Roka

“Ravintola Roka is a avenue bistro providing scrumptious Finnish fare at an inexpensive worth,” says Miller, who warns that “it may get busy, so goal to reach early in case you can.” The road meals menu contains a wide range of sandwiches (reindeer included), and the bistro presents conventional Finnish salmon soup, salad, steak, and a few totally different desserts.

Finest Time to Go to

“Whereas most locations on the earth have 4 seasons, I typically joke that Rovaniemi has 12,” says Miller. “Every month presents a totally totally different expertise, from altering native landscapes to the climate.” For a real winter wonderland, plan your journey between December and March.  “In March, the times are already getting loads longer. There’s quite a lot of sunshine and there is quite a lot of snow… You possibly can go snowboarding, downhill snowboarding, cross-country snowboarding, snowmobiling… husky excursions, reindeer excursions — every part remains to be out there,” explains Nivala.

Don’t sleep on the shoulder seasons, although. “Most individuals image Lapland when it comes to snow-covered forests in January, however September can be a good time to go to this area [with] every part from scenic river journeys to woodland saunas,” says Miller. Nivala agrees, sharing that mid-August till November is a good time to go to, particularly if you wish to see the aurora. Her reasoning is two-fold: one, the nights can be getting darker, and, two, there’s a scarcity of ice on the rivers and lakes: “So if there are auroras within the night time, they mirror from the water, and that’s one thing that could be very good to see,” she says.

Tips on how to Get There

Vacationers coming from exterior of Finland sometimes fly into Helsinki Airport (HEL). From there, you’ll be able to both fly to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) or take the practice. The primary possibility is fast; Finnair and Norwegian each serve RVN, and the flight is about an hour and a half. The practice is one other risk. The ​InterCity practice from Helsinki to Rovaniemi takes wherever from 8.5 to 10 hours through the day, and the in a single day routes find yourself being round 12 hours lengthy.

Tips on how to Get Round

If you happen to’re planning on staying within the metropolis middle, you don’t want a automotive. Every thing is both walkable or accessible by bus (the one type of public transport in Rovaniemi). One-way bus tickets, which might be bought from the motive force, price €3.60 for adults and €1.80 for kids. Timetables and routes might be discovered on-line.