09 Feb
Summer Travel Guide: DIY Trip Rovaniemi Itinerary for 5 Days (More or Less)
BY Aileen Adalid / 12 Comments
As the capital of Finland’s Lapland, Rovaniemi is best known in the past years as a great European winter destination, and this is because it is optimal for viewing the Northern Lights given its breathtaking location, sweeping terrains, and unique igloo hotels — not to mention, it is also the “official” home town of Santa Claus!
…However, what a lot of people don’t know is that Rovaniemi is also a spectacular getaway in other seasons, most especially in the summer when the days are longer and have everlasting light. Yes, you read that right! Sometime around June to July, the area experiences an incredible natural phenomenon called as the “Midnight Sun” in which the sun doesn’t set. Other than the uniqueness of this experience, this means more hours of enjoyment for you too!
In order to help you gear up for an amazing trip, below is a suggested Rovaniemi itinerary that you can do for 5 days. You can easily tweak it up as well if you happen to have longer or lesser days ahead, so no worries on that!
Where to Stay in Rovaniemi?
Come and check out my list of the ‘Best Hotels in Rovaniemi‘ which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices.
Photo above by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
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What is the currency in Rovaniemi?
The whole of Finland uses Euro (€ / EUR) wherein €1 equals to about USD $1.10~ or Php 62~ (this is as of October 2018).
When exchanging your money to €, I highly advice that you do NOT exchange it at the airport since the rates there are not competitive. So what should you rather do? Either exchange your money at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in the city center. You can also just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card (do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank). Speaking of cards, a lot of Rovaniemi’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand.
When is the best time to visit Rovaniemi?
Like I previously mentioned, there is NEVER a bad time to go to Finland’s Rovaniemi — so what it just boils down to is what you’re after. As an overview, below are its seasons:
How to go to Rovaniemi?
International visitors typically arrive first at the main airport of Helsinki, followed by a short flight to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN or EFRO) that is located just 8km north from the city center. You can also go here by train but flights operated by carriers like Finnair and Norwegian are usually cheaper. Anyhow, to get here by flying, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner to find the best flight deals from your point of origin.
From RVN, you can get to the center by bus or taxi. You can also rent a car and there are several shops at the airport where you can purchase one (otherwise, it’s best to book online beforehand).
How to get around Rovaniemi?
Rovaniemi’s city center is quite small so you can reach anything by walking distance. However, some other attractions like Santa Claus Village, for example, are located far away so your options are…
To stay connected online for better navigation through Finnish Lapland, I highly recommend booking a pocket WiFi or SIM card online beforehand.
Where to best stay (for accommodations)?
Come check out my list of the ‘Best Hotels in Rovaniemi‘ which features the top recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices in the vicinity. As for me, I stayed with Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle and it was the most amazing stay that I have ever had in Europe!
Should I get a visa to visit Finland’s Rovaniemi?
As a part of the Schengen member states, you can check this list of countries to see who does NOT need tourist visas to enter Finland. Naturally, if you’re NOT a citizen of any of the listed countries, you will then need to apply for a tourist visa in the Finland embassy that’s near you.
If you’re a Philippine citizen like me, you can read my guide on ‘How to Apply for a Schengen Visa‘ (FYI: The Norwegian Embassy in the Philippines handles visa applications for Iceland.
Helpful Finnish phrases
Finnish and Swedish are the 2 main languages in Finland, which is why you’ll often see signs that are in both of these languages. However, it’s actually around 91% of the population who speaks Finnish — the Swedish signs still remain as some sort of adherence to their history. Rest assured, everyone can speak English well enough so there’s no need to go out of your way to learn the language; BUT of course, below are phrases that you can use in case of emergency or for times you want to somehow ‘impress’ the locals ;)
Hello: Moi (MOI), Hei (HAY), Terve (TEHR-veh)
Thank you: Kiitos. (KEE-tohss)
Yes: Kyllä (KUUL-la), Joo (yoh)
No: Ei. (ay)
Goodbye (formal): Näkemiin. (NAK-eh-meen.)
Goodbye (informal): Hei hei (HAY-hay), Moi moi (MOI-moi)
Excuse me / I’m sorry: Anteeksi (AHN-tehk-see)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Puhuuko kukaan täällä englantia? (POO-hoo-koh KOO-kahn TAAL-la EHNG-lahn-tee-ah?)
Help!: Apua! (AH-poo-ah!)
Cheers!: Kippis!
NOTE: The following sections are in a tabbed format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents, just click the headings. Also, ‘Day 1’ is a full day so it does not take into consideration your flight arrival. As such, please plan accordingly.
Welcome to Rovaniemi!
Photo by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
◘◘ Explore Rovaniemi’s top highlights
There are a lot of reasons to love Rovaniemi and there’s always something for everyone, from its spell-binding nature to its vibrant urban life! Some of the key spots that you should not miss are the following…
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Photo by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
◘◘ Venture out to Ounasvaara
This is a stunning hilltop that’s just a 15-minute walk away from the city, in which you can reach by simply passing through the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge. It might not be the biggest nor the highest, but it’s a local favorite for its extensive network of nature trails that you can run, walk or bike through.
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Photo by Safartica
◘◘ Experience a unique floating experience
Oe of the most popular activities in Rovaniemi nowadays is ice floating wherein you simply float around a frozen lake with just a thermal wetsuit on. It becomes more of a magical thing when there are some Northern Lights up high to see. But don’t fret, even if its in the summer, this is one of the great things to do in Rovaniemi! I went through this experience myself and it was so relaxing to float in the water with just the sound of Lappish nature surrounding me. Now this might sound dangerous to you, but it isn’t! Besides, a professional guide will be with you always — not to mention that it’s quite easy to do.
If you’re looking for the best tour provider for this, I highly recommend booking with Safartica. Not only was the guide a joy to be with but the experience also ends with some warm drinks and snacks by the fire.
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DINING OPTION: Restaurant Nili is an authentic Lappish restaurant in the heart of the city and you’ll be assured that everything is made from the freshest Arctic ingredients. As you enjoy these delights, you’ll also be surrounded by genuine Lappish furnishings and materials — a truly Finnish experience! Not to mention, this has been once chosen as the best ‘Taste of Finland’ restaurant as well as one of the best dining places on TripAdvisor.
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If you have more time or if you simply want some other choices, consider the following:
Enjoy the ‘Christmas Spirit’ since it’s all-year-round here!
◘◘ Visit Santa Claus Village!
Are you looking to meet the real Santa? Well, you’ve come to the right place! No matter your age, Rovaniemi is the place to be given that it is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus — and as a magical latitude village that’s full of fun, below are some of the activities that you can do…
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If you ask me, I sure had a swell time here wherein from the moment I came through the door, a baby reindeer came over to greet me — it was so heart-warming! And yes, I took my sweet time taking photos and selfies with them.
Now, another great thing about visiting this park are the guides because other than the fact that they give out interesting info about the reindeers, they are also more than happy to entertain your questions. For instance, it is through them that I learned how reindeers basically number more than the Lappish people! I also got to know the process of how reindeers loose their antlers and so much more.
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◘◘ Go river rafting
Sign up with Santa’s Adventures to experience fast falling rapids! Held in the rafting area of Vikajärvi near Rovaniemi, this is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy the Finnish nature to its fullest! Rest assured, though this is thrilling, it is an absolutel safe activity to get your adrenaline flowing. The icing to the cake? Once the adventure is done, you can sit down and have some warm drinks and grilled sausages by an open fire. So gather your family and friends for this activity — if not, doing it solo is fine too since you’re bound to meet equal-minded people who like your sort of fun!
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DINING OPTION: Aside from being a wonderful accommodation place, Cafe & Bar KOTI is a great spot to dine in not only for a snack but for a meal too. They have a daily lunch special or salad buffet that you can try — otherwise, they have a la carte dishes for you to enjoy. In other times, their coffee is a must as it is made from freshly ground beans. Pair it off with some pulla (Finnish sweet bread) and you’re solved! (If pulla is not your thing, they also haver other baked pastries available).
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If you have more time or if you simply want some other choices, consider the following:
A day for Arctic animals!
◘◘ Do an ethical husky kennel visit
I am in love with dogs and I love huskies the most! Since Rovaniemi’s sled dog tours are insanely popular, I had the chance to visit a reputable husky kennel center near the city and it was called as Bearhill. I can absolutely recommend them because they put the health of the dogs first and foremost, while being a modern eco-friendly establishment as well.
And if you ask me, late summer is actually a great time to visit Bearhill because you can witness how the dogs are trained and prepared for the coming winter. You can even meet all the newborn husky puppies that are being taken care of. During my visit with them, I had the chance to take part of their dog team training* as I rode a husky cart myself, and it was SO much fun! Not to mention, that I also helped give several adorable puppies their daily exercise in the woods. Naturally, I was in dog heaven all throughout my experience! (And yes, I took a lot of dog selfies. Of course.)
NOTE: Since huskies cannot do strenuous activities when temperatures are higher than 15 degree celsius, driving a husky cart for 30 to 40 minutes is weather dependent.
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Photo by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
◘◘ Enjoy a riverboat cruise to a reindeer farm and then do a ceremonial Arctic Circle crossing
This is a unique experience that you can do with Lapland Safaris. The first thing that you do in this tour is ride a wooden riverboat as you go through serene landscapes to experience the summer of the Arctic.
Once you reach the reindeer farm, you will participate in a traditional ceremonial crossing of the Arctic Circle which makes for a memorable experience — I won’t spoil the fun but it was quite interesting! When this is done, you will finally get to meet the majestic reindeers that they are keeping in the farm as you feed them up close.
Before doing one last river cruise (back to the city center) that marks the end of the tour, you will also get to enjoy some drinks and snacks in a traditional Finnish home. The guides that they have are also approachable and friendly, and they will share with you some great trivia about Finland and general; otherwise, don’t be afraid to ask some questions!
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DINING OPTION: Cafe & Bar 21 is arguably the coolest place to dine in especially with their unique dishes and sweet waffles that you can order all day! If there’s one thing that you must try, it will be their Lapas Plate (Lappish Tapas)!
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If you have more time or if you simply want some other choices, consider the following:
TIP: Reserve your tickets and join a Ranua guided tour to avoid the hassle of driving here by yourself. Besides, this tour starts from Rovaniemi with a stop to Ranua Wildlife Park and lasting for only half a day.
Indulge in culture and science
Photo by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
◘◘ Tour Arktikum Museum and Korundi
Once you’ve made your visit to Pilke, consider making a visit to these other top museums in Rovaniemi…
TIP: It’s best to get the Culture Pass which is a good-for-value access that allows you to visit all of the top 3 museums in Rovaniemi (Arktikum, Korundi, and Pilke). This is valid for 7 days and you can purchase it from any of the 3 aforementioned attractions.
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Photo by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
◘◘ Do an evening photography tour (maybe spot some Northern Lights!)
If you want to find the best locations around Rovaniemi to experience and photograph the unique nature of Lapland, then a photography tour with Beyond Arctic is a must!
If you are lucky you might even see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) especially if you time your visit around the end of August — after all, it is the time where they start to show. If you want to be updated on the forecasts, you can download this app.
TRIVIA: Finnish people used to think that the flick of a fox’s tail through a snowdrift caused the appearance of the Northern Lights!
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MEAL OPTIONS: Go over to Frans & Cherie Restaurant, a French bistro that also serves several local Lappish dishes such as leipäjuusto or Finnish squeaky cheese which is one of my favorites! This is best eaten warm, in my opinion. (And yes, as the name suggests, it does have a special texture which makes some sort of ‘squeaky’ sound when chewed).
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If you have more time or if you simply want some other choices, consider the following:
Immerse yourself in Rovaniemi’s nature
◘◘ Try out fatbiking!
Fat bikes are great to use in the winter — but it’s a fun ride to do in the summer too! I did fatbiking with Roll Outdoors in the summer through the nearby woods of Rovaniemi and it was one of the most fun activities that I did during my stay. During our day out, I also had the chance to enjoy some views from up high as well as some berry picking.
NOTE: You can choose from either a manual or electronic fat bike. Helmets are provided and you can also strap in a GoPro on it if you want to.
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Photo by ©Visit Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.)
◘◘ Meet a local artisan and do a workshop
Head on over to Hornwork to visit the artisan workshop and home of Mrs. Irene & Mr. Ari Kangasniemi. With them, you can get a deeper understanding of the local way of living, as well as have the chance to make your own souvenirs. Truth be told, there are long traditions of arts and handicrafts from local materials like wood and reindeer antlers in Lapland and this is the best way to learn more about it!
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◘◘ Experience an authentic Finnish sauna
Relaxing in a Finnish sauna is a must to do when you’re in Finland! Sure, Tampere may be the sauna capital but there are lots of sauna places in Rovaniemi where you can start on. After all, a Finnish sauna experience is at the core of every Finnish person’s lifestyle and culture, so why not give it a try too?
So where to do it? Most likely, your hotel will already have a sauna center in its premises — if not, ask them about it and they’ll surely point you in the right direction. Otherwise, here’s a list of some great sauna experiences on this page.
Wanna know some how-to’s, tips and things to do in a Finnish Sauna? Read here.
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MEAL OPTIONS: Amarillo may not be an authentic Lappish restaurant but it’s a popular Mexican-style restaurant that’s sure to satisfy your cravings!
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If you have more time or if you simply want some other choices, consider the following:
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Sure enough, there is SO much to do in Lapland’s capital during the summer time! Hopefully with this guide, I have helped you make the most of your stay.
Do let me know!
How about you?
Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid.
At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful digital nomad (entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.
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The views in Finland is totally breathe taking, it's def on the bucket list of places to visit one day. I think the best part about this would be visiting Santa Claus Village. I simply love Christmas time, so I would be totally in love.
I hope you get to visit soon!
Wow this trip looks amazing, so many things to do. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing.
I hope you get to travel here in the future! It was so much fun to be there!
This is a serene place to go to and to have a relaxing vacation out from the busy life in the city. Thank you for the guide, this will help a lot of tourists who will be visiting the place. Love it <3
Thanks!
What an amazing and comprehensive itinerary. You answered any questions I could possibly think of. I have never considered visiting Rovaniemi but to be very honest, I absolutely am now! I think it would be wonderful to see the Northern Lights from that vantage point and of course, see Santa Claus' house. I also enjoyed your video.
I'm very happy to hear this! I hope you get to go soon!
Great article! Very helpful!
I'm happy to hear that! Thanks!
I went to Rovaniemi only in winter and absolutely loved it... However I've been wondering what it's like in summer. I'd love to experience the amazingly long days... How is it with the mosquitoes, though? I've heard they're pretty active in Lapland in summer :) Maybe not so much in Rovaniemi...
Hey Veronica, I have had no problems with mosquitoes or bug bites when I was in Rovaniemi so it should be fine :D