Rovaniemi, Finland Journey Information

Rovaniemi wasn’t all the time often known as the house of Santa Claus. It solely took on the title within the Nineteen 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 crimson swimsuit (exterior of native traditions and folklore) when Santa Claus Village opened in 1985.

Situated on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village is an amusement park that welcomes lots of of hundreds of tourists yearly. Whereas assembly Santa and sending a letter from the well-known Santa Claus Put up Workplace are definitely festive methods to rejoice 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 stay in Rovaniemi, nature may 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 heart, she says, you could be “within the forest, or by the lake, or by the river” in simply 10 minutes. Climbing, looking for the northern lights, ice floating, canine sledding, and cross-country snowboarding are all actions that may immerse you within the nice open air — however be sure you carry the correct apparel.

“An important factor to consider earlier than touring to Rovaniemi is to arrange for the climate,” says Kyle Miller, the Finland Pack Chief for Flash Pack. “Whereas a large down coat is good, 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 fashion.”

For those who’re hoping to embark on an extra-memorable, albeit chilly, winter trip this yr, Rovaniemi is the proper alternative. Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to know to plan your journey. 

Finest Accommodations & Resorts

Arctic Gentle Resort

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

Arctic SnowHotel

For those who’ve ever needed to sleep inside a resort utterly manufactured from ice, you’ll wish to guide a keep at Arctic SnowHotel between Dec. 15 and March 31. At any given time, the temperature throughout the resort (which is carved to look completely different every year) is between 23 and 32 levels Fahrenheit, although friends keep heat and comfortable inside their sleeping luggage. An alternative choice can be to guide the glass-roofed igloos — open to friends from Sept. 1 — and nod off below the celebrities and northern lights.

Arctic TreeHouse Resort

Vacationers who’d fairly sleep among the many timber ought to look no additional than the Arctic TreeHouse Resort. The standalone tree homes have 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 resort expertise,” the 11-room Resort Vartiosaari is positioned on an island in the midst of the River Kemijoki, simply 10 minutes from Rovaniemi’s metropolis heart. The Scandinavian-style rooms characteristic impartial colours, pure woods, and loads of mild, and friends are inspired to find Finnish sauna tradition throughout their keep.

Lapland Accommodations Sky Ounasvaara

Sky Ounasvaara comes beneficial by Nivala. The property is comparatively distant and sits atop Ounasvaara, a hill, ski resort, and recreation heart. 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 time out snowboarding, biking, or climbing.

Issues to Do

Go on a husky safari.

“Husky safaris are a preferred alternative and for good cause. There’s something magical about whisking by the Lapland surroundings at pace, led by an lovable group of huskies,” says Miller. There are a number of completely different ones to select from — together with each non-public and group excursions.

See the northern lights.

In line with Nivala, you don’t have to guide a tour to see the aurora borealis: “For those who can see the celebrities within the sky, you can too see the northern lights, if they’re energetic.” For those who do wish to head out of city to probably spot them, you will discover every thing from snowmobiling and snowboarding excursions to these particularly created with images in thoughts.  “2024 is among 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, but it surely’s additionally a neighborhood spotlight; it’s such an essential 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 heart and museum that covers the character, tradition, and historical past of the Arctic and its individuals. Pilke, alternatively, is devoted to educating individuals concerning the forests in Finnish Lapland.

Finest Purchasing

Purchasing Malls

Nivala says you will discover “every thing that you just want” within the purchasing malls positioned in Rovaniemi’s metropolis heart. 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, one of the best place to buy is commonly the native grocery retailer. “In all honesty, I feel a enjoyable place to go is Prisma, which is simply our primary grocery retailer. Nevertheless it’s precisely this sort of neighborhood staple that’ll offer you a real snapshot into native life and tradition. For instance, right here in Lapland, our primary grocery retailer has a whole 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 massive, but it surely’s very fashionable. 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 heart and makes use of high quality native components for a real culinary delight,” says Miller. Anticipate contemporary, hearty delicacies from the kitchen — lamb shank, scallops, portion of the sourdough Knut bread, named after Gustav’s grandfather, and do-it-yourself butter.

Ravintola Roka

“Ravintola Roka is a avenue bistro providing scrumptious Finnish fare at an affordable value,” says Miller, who warns that “it will probably get busy, so goal to reach early if you happen to can.” The road meals menu contains quite a lot of sandwiches (reindeer included), and the bistro gives conventional Finnish salmon soup, salad, steak, and a few completely different desserts.

Finest Time to Go to

“Whereas most locations on this planet have 4 seasons, I typically joke that Rovaniemi has 12,” says Miller. “Every month gives a very completely 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 numerous sunshine and there is numerous snow… You may go snowboarding, downhill snowboarding, cross-country snowboarding, snowmobiling… husky excursions, reindeer excursions — every thing continues 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 thing from scenic river journeys to woodland saunas,” says Miller. Nivala agrees, sharing that mid-August till November is a superb time to go to, particularly if you wish to see the aurora. Her reasoning is two-fold: one, the nights might be getting darker, and, two, there’s an absence 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 may be very good to see,” she says.

How you can Get There

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

How you can Get Round

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