Things To Do In Rovaniemi For 2 Days – Epic Itinerary
Are you thinking of things to do in Rovaniemi, the Lapland’s capital city? You have come to the right place!
I’m from Rovaniemi and I know all the things you can do there. Even if I don’t live there anymore, I visit Rovaniemi every year. Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and it offers magical experiences for everyone throughout the year.
In this post I’ll give you a 2-day itinerary of things to do in Rovaniemi. I suggest tours, restaurants and free activities as well! So if you have Rovaniemi in your bucket list, you will find everything you need to know from this blog post.
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Why Visit Rovaniemi?
I think Rovaniemi is a must-visit destination for families, adventure seekers and those interested in experiencing the Arctic. There are a lot of things to do in Rovaniemi, many activities and a lot of attractions to see.
There are many tours in Rovaniemi, but also a lot of things to do for free.
In the summer, you can experience the midnight sun, the beautiful nature of Rovaniemi and some fun summer activities such as bobsleighing in Ounasvaara.
You can also enjoy the nature of Rovaniemi in Ounasvaara, wonder in the forest and see the breathtaking views from there. Also trips to Rovaniemi are a lot cheaper during the summer time!
In the winter, you can experience real winter, the beautiful northern lights, reindeer sledge, husky rides and beautiful winter attractions such as the frozen waterfalls or Korouoma.
If you are thinking about how to spend 2 days in Rovaniemi, I have created a 2-day itinerary for you. I will give some tips on things to do as well as great restaurants.
I will also suggest some tours, that have been popular. For the tours I recommend booking via my favorite company Viator. They have a great selection of tours (also private ones) and you can cancel them for free in case there’s a change of plans.
Many people ask if it’s good to book the tours in advance. I would say YES – especially if you are coming to Rovaniemi during the most busy season.
There are also free things to do In Rovaniemi as well!
Day 1: Exploring Santa Claus Village and Surroundings
Morning: Santa Claus Village
Start your day at the famous Santa Claus Village, located right on the Arctic Circle. Santa Claus Village is one of the top sights of Rovaniemi.
Meeting Santa, sending postcards from the Santa Claus Main Post Office, and explore the various shops and attractions are some of the things you can do there.
You can visit Santa Claus Village in the summer and in the wintertime. Even if you are not visiting Santa Claus Village at Christmas time, you will still feel the christmas atmosphere there.
You can visit the village without a tour, but in case you want to make your experience even better, you can book a tour. There are a few different options for the tour.
Here are my favorite Santa Claus Village tours:
Santa Claus Village Tour & Arctic Circle Crossing
Half Day Private Tour To Santa Claus Village And Rovaniemi
Santa Village And The Arctic Circle
Lunch: Gustav Kitchen & Bar
There are many places to eat in Rovaniemi. Our favorite is Gustav Kitchen & Bar in the Rovaniemi centre. I highly recommend having lunch here.
Usually (not during the holidays and weekends) they have a lunch from 11am to 2pm, so you can have a fresh salad buffet, a main course and coffee and a cookie for dessert. The lunch time menu is cheaper than the a la carte!
Afternoon: Arctic Circle Husky Park
Visiting a husky park in Rovaniemi is an unforgettable experience that offers a unique glimpse into Arctic life and seeing the arctic animals.
These husky farms provide the opportunity to meet huskies and experience the husky rides!
You can learn about the history and training of these remarkable sled dogs and even enjoy an exciting husky ride through the stunning Lappish wilderness.
This hands-on adventure is perfect for families and animal lovers, making it a must-do activity that adds an authentic touch to any Rovaniemi visit.
Here are my favorite Husky safaris:
Husky Long Tail Adventure The Arctic Circle
Husky Adventure with 6-10km Safari In Lapland
Husky Safari In Rovaniemi Including a Husky Sled Ride
Evening: Northern Lights Hunting
If you are visiting Rovaniemi in winter, I think you would love to see the northern lights dance. I suggest booking a Northern Lights tour to see the spectacular Aurora Borealis.
Of course you can try to see the Northern Lights without going to a tour, but usually the northern lights are seen a bit further away from the city lights. That’s why a tour is recommended, because they know the places where the northern lights can be seen.
You can for example book a Northern Lights tour that has dinner included.
Here are my favorite Northern Lights Tours:
Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage
Northern Lights dinner in a Glass Igloo
Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer
Dinner: Nili Restaurant
Having dinner at Nili Restaurant in Rovaniemi is an exceptional culinary experience that offers a true taste of Lapland. Renowned for its authentic Lappish cuisine, Nili serves dishes made from fresh, local ingredients like reindeer, game, fish, and wild berries, providing a genuine taste of the Arctic.
The restaurant’s cozy, rustic ambiance, complete with traditional Lappish decor, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for a memorable dining experience.
Whether you are looking to indulge in a gourmet meal or explore regional flavors, Nili Restaurant promises a delightful journey into the heart of Lappish culinary traditions.
Day 2: Adventure and Culture
Morning: Arktikum Science Museum and Pilke Science Center
Start the day with a visit to Arktikum to learn about Arctic research, Finnish Lapland, and the history and culture of the Sámi people.
Arktikum is our family’s favorite place to visit when we go to Rovaniemi. Our 6 and 9 year old boys love to spend time there.
Pilke Science Center
There’s also Science Center Pilke right next to Arktikum, so I recommend visiting that as well. There are a lot of things to do for kids in Pilke.
Lunch: Restaurant Hanki
Restaurant Hanki is a korean restaurant in Rovaniemi. It is a small, family run restaurant and the food there is amazing! It’s not a traditional Finnish food, but it’s well worth the visit.
Afternoon: Snowmobiling or Reindeer Sleigh Ride
I would suggest a snowmobile or reindeer ride with a sledge if you are visiting Rovaniemi in the winter. I believe both of them will be exotic experiences for you.
If you are traveling with children, a reindeer ride would be the one I recommend, as it is a lot easier with smaller children then snowmobile ride.
Here are my favorite snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh rides:
Reindeer Safari In Arctic Wilderness
Reindeer Sleigh Ride in The Arctic Forest 2.5km
Reindeer Safari with Snowmobile and Cross The Arctic Circle Tour from Rovaniemi
Snowmobile Safari through Lappish Forest from Rovaniemi
Evening: Rovaniemi City Tour or Sauna Experience
Explore Rovaniemi city center, including landmarks like Lordi’s Square and the Rovaniemi Church. This guided tour might be a nice one for the adults, but if you are traveling with smaller children, I would recommend a sauna experience.
Especially if you are traveling in the winter, going to sauna is very atmospheric and exotic experience.
Free Activities
You can also explore Rovaniemi city centre for free. There are a lot of shops, restaurants and cafe’s within a walking distance in the city centre. If you are in Rovaniemi in the summer, there’s a beach close to the center of Rovaniemi. If you are traveling with kids, you might want to spend some time at the beach as well.
If you are traveling in Rovaniemi in the winter, you can go for a walk on the frozen river. People in Rovaniemi usually go to the river to ski, walk or have a snowmobile ride. A free activity is going to the river for a walk.
Before you go, make sure the river is frozen and you see other people there as well! There are also frozen lakes in Rovaniemi as well, one of them is for example close to the area called Rantavitikka.
Check out more things to do in Rovaniemi from my other blog post: 11 BEST Things To Do In Rovaniemi. I also wrote a post about best hotels in Rovaniemi for families (including the amazing Arctic Treehouse Hotel) in this blog post: 5 Best Hotels In Rovaniemi.
Here are my favorite Rovaniemi City Tours and Sauna Experiences:
City Tour and Santa Claus Village
Private tour: Traditional Finnish Firewood Sauna and hot tub
Dinner: Sky Kitchen & View
Have dinner at Sky Kitchen & View. It’s located at the top of Ounasvaara and it has beautiful views from the restaurant. The food there is amazing too!
Conclusion
I hope this post was helpful for you if you want to know things to do in Rovaniemi and plan your 2 day trip there. Hopefully there was some new information for you in this blog post and you found some fun activities to do!
I think Rovaniemi, the official capital of Lapland, is an amazing city that has a lot to offer. You can have so many unique experiences there both in the summer and in the winter.
No wonder Rovaniemi is a great place to visit. You can see the northern lights, visit Santa Claus, have a ride in the husky safari or go to sauna. In case you have time, I suggest visiting Ranua wildlife park as well. Ranua wildlife park is about 1 hour drive away from Rovaniemi city center and there are organized tours there as well! You can see polar bears in the zoo!
The most special thing in Rovaniemi in the summer is the midnight sun – I think it’s such an amazing experience, that you should consider visiting Rovaniemi in the summer as well. The prices of the hotels are a lot cheaper in the summer!
I wish you a great journey to Rovaniemi! Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about my hometown. I’m happy to help!
FAQ’s About Rovaniemi
How to get to Rovaniemi?
Getting to Rovaniemi, the beautiful city in the northern Finland, can be done by several ways of transportation:
By Air: Rovaniemi has its own airport (Rovaniemi Airport – RVN) with flights connecting it to major cities in Finland and other European countries. Finnair and Norwegian are among the airlines that operate regular flights to Rovaniemi.
By Train: Rovaniemi is accessible by train from Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The journey takes approximately 8-9 hours on the Santa Claus Express (night train) or the Pendolino train. Trains are operated by VR, the Finnish railway company.
By Bus: There are also long-distance bus services connecting Rovaniemi to various cities in Finland. Matkahuolto and Onnibus are two major bus operators in Finland.
By Car: You can reach Rovaniemi by car via the E75 highway, which runs from Helsinki through Tampere, Oulu, and further north to Rovaniemi. The distance from Helsinki to Rovaniemi by road is approximately 800 kilometers (about 500 miles).
By Cruise: During the summer months, cruise ships often visit Rovaniemi via the Baltic Sea and the Arctic Ocean. This is a scenic way to approach the city, although it requires planning around cruise schedules.
When planning your trip to Rovaniemi, it’s advisable to check schedules and book tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons like winter (for seeing the Northern Lights) or summer (for the midnight sun and outdoor activities).
What is Rovaniemi known for?
Rovaniemi is known for several distinctive features and attractions:
Santa Claus Village: Perhaps its most famous attraction, Santa Claus Village is located just outside Rovaniemi. It is considered the official home of Santa Claus and attracts visitors year-round who come to meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle line, and send postcards from the Santa Claus Post Office.
Arctic Circle: Rovaniemi is located right on the Arctic Circle, making it a gateway to the Arctic region. Visitors can cross the Arctic Circle and receive a certificate as a memento.
Northern Lights: Due to its location in the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi offers excellent opportunities for viewing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during the winter months, typically from September to April.
Midnight Sun: During the summer months (from June to July), Rovaniemi experiences the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, where the sun remains visible throughout the night due to its high latitude.
Outdoor Activities: Rovaniemi is a hub for outdoor activities such as husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing. The surrounding wilderness and forests offer ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
Arktikum Museum and Science Centre: This museum focuses on Arctic culture, history, and nature, offering exhibits and information about Lapland and its indigenous Sami people. Places worth the visit are also Korundi house and Pilke Science Center.
Rovaniemi Church: The Rovaniemi Church, also known as the Arctic Cathedral, is an iconic landmark with its unique architecture and location overlooking the Kemijoki River.
Winter Sports: The region around Rovaniemi is popular for winter sports enthusiasts, with ski resorts such as Ounasvaara offering downhill skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
Sami Culture: Rovaniemi provides insights into Sami culture through various experiences and attractions that highlight their traditions, handicrafts, and way of life.
What is the best time to visit Rovaniemi?
The best time to visit Rovaniemi depends on what you’re looking to experience.
Winter (December to March) is perfect for witnessing the Northern Lights amidst snowy landscapes and enjoying activities like husky sledding and snowmobiling.
Spring (April to May) offers a mix of lingering winter activities with the return of daylight, ideal for those who want to catch the last of the snow and potentially see the Northern Lights early in the season.
Summer (June to August) brings the Midnight Sun, continuous daylight, and opportunities for outdoor adventures like hiking and fishing in milder temperatures.
Autumn (September to November) showcases vibrant fall colors and quieter surroundings, making it a peaceful time to explore Rovaniemi before the snow returns. Each season offers a unique perspective on Lapland’s beauty, whether you’re chasing the Aurora, enjoying endless daylight, or reveling in autumn hues.
Is Rovaniemi suitable for family vacation?
Rovaniemi is a perfect place for a family vacation, offering a wide range of activities and attractions that cater to all ages and interests. Families can experience the enchanting Santa Claus Village year-round, where children can meet Santa Claus himself, cross the Arctic Circle, and visit the famous Santa’s post office.
In winter, exciting activities like husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and Northern Lights tours provide thrilling adventures amidst the snowy landscapes.
Summer brings opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and exploring the Midnight Sun, while educational visits to the Arktikum Museum and Ranua Zoo offer insights into Arctic life and wildlife.
Accommodation options are plentiful and often family-friendly, ensuring a comfortable stay with access to amenities and activities tailored for children.
Are there good accomodation options in Rovaniemi?
Yes, Rovaniemi offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets:
Hotels: There are several hotels in Rovaniemi ranging from budget to luxury options such as glass igloo. Many hotels are centrally located, offering convenience for exploring the city and its attractions. Here are a few great option especially for families or bigger groups: 5 best hotels in Rovaniemi.
Holiday Villages: These are popular options, especially for families and larger groups. Holiday villages typically offer cabins or apartments with kitchen facilities, allowing guests to enjoy a more homely stay. You can read from my favorite family accomodation here: Riverside Luxury Suites.
Guesthouses and B&Bs: Smaller guesthouses and bed & breakfasts provide a cozy and often more personal accommodation experience. They are scattered throughout the city and its outskirts.
Cabins and Chalets: For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, there are cabins and chalets available in the surrounding wilderness and ski resorts like Ounasvaara. These are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Unique Accommodations: Rovaniemi also boasts some unique accommodation options such as glass igloo hotels and Arctic treehouses. These provide a memorable experience, especially during the Northern Lights season.
Hostels: Budget travelers can find hostel accommodation in Rovaniemi, offering shared dormitories and sometimes private rooms. Hostels are a good option for those looking to socialize and meet other travelers.
It’s advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons like winter and summer, to secure your preferred choice.
You can check accomodation and availability here:
Is it expensive to visit Rovaniemi?
Visiting Rovaniemi can vary in cost depending on factors such as accommodation choices, activities, dining preferences, and the time of year. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses to luxury hotels and unique accommodations like glass igloos, which can influence overall expenses.
Activities such as husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and Northern Lights tours may be more expensive, especially in peak winter months when demand is high.
Dining out can be comparable to major Finnish cities, with options ranging from affordable cafes to higher-end restaurants offering local specialties.
Transportation costs, including flights and rental cars, also contribute to expenses, though budget-conscious travelers can find ways to manage costs by booking in advance and exploring free or lower-cost attractions.
Overall, while Rovaniemi offers a unique experience, planning and budgeting ahead can help visitors enjoy their trip without breaking the bank.
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