The Most Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary For A Memorable Winter
Have you been dreaming of going on a trip to Rovaniemi, Finland? Looking for the most exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary to ensure the most memorable winter wonderland getaway?
Look no further! You’re in the right place.
With its scenic landscapes, unique attractions, and plenty of winter activities, we have compiled the perfect, fun-filled itinerary to make you go “Oh yeah!”
We know because it is the exact same itinerary we followed when we visited in December 2022, and it was the highlight of our year!
From planning out your itinerary to deciding how many days you’ll need there, and what to pack, we are here to help you make the decisions in order to make the best out of your stay in Rovaniemi.
LINKS TO WHAT'S IN THIS BLOG POST
- Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland in Winter - Is it Worth it?
- The Ultimate 3-Day Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
- Our Experience with The 3-Day Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
- BONUS DAYS Rovaniemi Itinerary
- Our Experience Hunting The Northern Lights in Lapland
- Recap and Important Points To Help You Plan Your Own Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
This post is purely informational and based on our own experiences. We also use affiliate links which help us keep this website running, at no cost to you.
Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland in Winter - Is it Worth it?
Before going to Rovaniemi, we had never heard of the place before. So it was only right for us to ask the question: “Is Rovaniemi worth visiting?”.
If you have the same question in mind, you’re not alone. Well, we are here to give you that answer:
ABSOLUTELY YES!
The fact that you’re reading this already means you’re halfway convinced that Rovaniemi is worth a visit, and all you need is that extra little push.
When we went, we didn’t really expect much from the place but quickly came to realise that we had made the right decision. The reason for this feeling is that we discovered that as a couple who loves outdoor adventures (link to destinations) of various kinds, we were able to satisfy our love for adventure in the many activities available in Rovaniemi in winter.
Here are the reasons why Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland is worth it.
10 REASONS WHY ROVANIEMI IS WORTH A VISIT
1) Rovaniemi is the Capital of Lapland and the official home of Santa Claus in the World.
2) It is a prime location to spot the Northern Lights aka Aurora Borealis.
3) It’s an optimal base to visit and see other parts of Finnish Lapland
4) Rovaniemi has a good variety of exciting and fun activities to do, like ice fishing, sauna, snowmobiling, reindeer rides, and more!
5) Discover and improve your knowledge (or lack of!) of the history and culture of the native Sami tribe of the Arctic region of Lapland.
6) You don’t have to be a child to visit Rovaniemi because it is much more than just Santa Claus Village,
7) You can have a real taste of Finnish Sami traditional food or the famous glögi (the Finnish version of mulled wine).
8) The hotels are one of a kind. Featuring glass igloos, tree houses, cottages, and log cabins, mostly set in a winter wilderness.
9) You can go snowshoeing, the equivalent of mountain hiking.
10) Finally, you can a once in a lifetime phenomenal inter experience that will last you forever!
And if the list above doesn’t convince you enough, here are some pictures to help you make up your mind.
The Ultimate 3-Day Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
- Arrival at Rovaniemi airport or train station in the morning
- Check into your hotel
- Go on a snowmobile safari experience away from the city lights with a chance of seeing the Northern Lights
- Visit Santa Claus Village in the morning
- Go for a Reindeer Safari in the Arctic Forest
- Go back to the hotel for a rest
- Head back to Santa Claus Village to see it light up at night and try out one of the amazing restaurants
- Go on a Husky Safari in the morning
- Visit Santa Park mainly for the Ice Bar OR Snowman World Snow Restaurant
- Back to the hotel to have a rest
- Go on a Northern Lights tour OR Explore Rovaniemi city center
Make sure to read this post for a more comprehensive list of all the information you’ll need to know before visiting Lapland, read this post:
ROVANIEMI, LAPLAND - A COMPLETE GUIDE TO A WINTER WONDERLAND IN FINLAND
Our Experience with The 3-Day Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
DAY 1 of our Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
Arrival at Rovaniemi airport, and snowmobiling with Northern Lights camping
Since we came from a country without a direct flight into Rovaniemi (learn more about us here), we stayed overnight in Helsinki and caught a flight the next morning.
We arrived at Rovaniemi airport at about 1 pm. It took a while for our luggage to arrive but we had an interesting welcome in the form of the décor and the amount of excited and eager people waiting to pick up their luggage too, and then ride off into the arctic sunset! (which, by the way, sets at 2pm-ish while we were there).
We were picked up by a chauffeur from our hotel (link) and driven 3km to our lodge. On the way, we drove through a magical white scenery, of the kind we had never seen before. Everywhere looked so quiet and peaceful. We thought there wouldn’t be much life and it would be a quiet trip.
But boy, were we wrong!
- Checking into The Arctic Treehouse Hotel, Rovaniemi
We booked at the Arctic Tree Hotel, and it was such a dreamy, picturesque place to be!
This beautiful hotel is more of a luxurious, romantic arctic resort than a regular hotel.
The cabins are a few meters away from the main building and they are all secluded in the woods. You can just go for a really quiet walk in the woods or visit the watchtower nearby.
If you’re lucky, you could watch the Northern Lights dancing in the sky behind the trees through the window of your private cabin.
The atmosphere is quite chic and reserved but still welcoming.
The hotel received us with our first introduction to local Finnish cuisine. We had our first taste of Glögi, a drink, which as I mentioned earlier, is the Finnish version of mulled wine.
In case you didn’t know, mulled wine is a drink that is made from heating up red wine and a mix of spices such as cinnamon and cardamon.
The version of Glögi that we had was, however, non-alcoholic and made from wild berries instead. This could have been because of the strict alcohol rules Finland used to have before they were relaxed in 2017.
For information about alcohol laws in Finland, read this article.
Anyway, moving on.
Check-in at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel took all of 5 minutes and we were again ushered into the van and driven 150 meters to our cabin lodge. We could have walked but it was freezing!
By the way, did I mention it was -15 degrees Celsius?
After settling in, we changed into our ski clothes and waited for the snowmobiling tour company to pick us up at 5pm. By this time, it was already pitch black!
- Snowmobile Safari To Search For The Northern Lights
We used Wild Nordic Tours for this activity.
First, we were taken to their office, where we were given special snow overalls, heavy wool socks, gloves, and helmets.
Pietro came up with the brilliant idea to wear the gear over our own already warm clothing.
This proved to be a wise decision because we felt completely warm throughout our time outdoors.
Before travelling to Rovaniemi, we got thermal underwear and hand warmers, which came in very handy.
Ahem! Excuse the pun.
Seriously, though. You’ll need them to get you through the cold while you’re outdoors.
Next, we got a lecture on safety while driving and chose our snowmobiles. The plan was to switch drivers halfway.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will need your driver’s license if you want to drive a snowmobile. If you don’t have one, you could ride in a cart attached to the tour leader’s snowmobile.
The ride took us on a bumpy ride through the less-driven trails of the arctic forest. The time was 6 pm and pitch black.
With only the snowmobile’s headlights and the moon lighting up the way, we felt completely enveloped in the magical atmosphere of snow mounds and peeking snow-covered trees at every corner.
After driving for about 45 minutes, we arrived at a large clearing which we learned was actually a frozen lake.
Here we made camp hoping for a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Our guide started up a fire and grilled sausages for us, which we had with more wildberry Glögi. Then he told us stories about the forest, his time as a tour guide, and a bit of the Sami culture. It was really a fun and interesting evening for us. We learned of new cultures and met other people who were on the tour with us.
Unfortunately, the skies were overcast and cloudy that day so after about 2 hours, we headed back toward Rovaniemi without seeing the Lights.
Although we were disappointed, we totally enjoyed the adrenaline-filled ride and firelight camping.
Check for the best accommodations for your stay in Rovaniemi, Finland.
DAY 2 of our Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
Visiting Santa Claus Village, and Reindeer Safari
The feeling at Santa Claus Village is one of pure Christmas joy combined with winter fun. But in all of this, it wasn’t over-the-top Christmasy. We actually did feel like we were at the North Pole witnessing the magic of Christmas.
- Santa Clause Village
Santa's Post Office in the Arctic Circle
We got there around 9:30 am and started with a walk around. For us, we were mainly curious about what we would find. Not only that, but we also had some letters from the youngest members of our family, which we had to deliver to Santa.
So off to Santa Claus Post Office we went!
It was a little chaotic inside the post office because it serves as both a post office and a souvenir shop. There were lots of people sending postcards to loved ones in addition to buying keepsakes.
Oh, and on a side note, they said Santa reads all the letters and responds to each one of them in time.
If you’d like to find out if we got replies, be sure to check back for updates!
Santa Claus' Office
Now while it’s free to have a meeting with Santa, taking pictures is not allowed inside.
On a positive note though, they have a highly professional camera crew inside that takes photos and a video of your meeting with Santa. If you want, you can then pay to get your photos and/or video by downloading them from their official website.
There are several options to choose from. Pictures only, video only, or both pictures and video. We paid 70 euros or 75 dollars to have both, and it was a good deal because the quality is very high.
Keep in mind, though, that there is a considerable waiting time. We waited for a little over an hour during the week before Christmas.
Logically, if you visit in the week of Christmas, the waiting time would be higher. The good thing though is that there’s lots to keep you busy as you wind your way up the stairs and through the labyrinth-like hallway.
For example, we stumbled upon this “Santa’s Wall of Fame” (my wording, but you can quote me!) with pictures of famous people with Santa Claus!
- Reindeer Safari
Next, at 2 pm we had to meet up with the tour operator at a specific location but we missed it.
Because we knew where their office was since it was the same one as for the Snowmobile Safari, we decided to head there.
Luckily, they were very courteous and understanding, and they managed to sort it all out. A driver came down to pick us up and took us to the reindeer farm.
You can check out all their tours here. They’ve got great customer service.
The Reindeer Safari
So, we arrived at the farm, called SieriPoro Safari, just as a guide from the farm was leading the group to meet the reindeer herd.
Relieved, we joined them. It was starting to get dark by this time. Once we got to where the reindeer were waiting, the farm guide gave us instructions on how to act on the sleigh.
We were told that these reindeer were not pets and didn’t like to be touched much so we had to be quiet, careful, and respectful.
The pace of the ride is quite slow and relaxed giving you time to really enjoy the view of the arctic forest. The ride took about an hour through 3.5 km of snow-covered earth.
The reindeer are very docile animals and although we had their back view the entire time, it was still fascinating to observe them sometimes.
Reindeer facts and Sami Culture
After the ride, we were ushered into the farm hall where we were offered warm drinks and cookies. Then the farm guide told us some fascinating facts about the reindeer are herded, how their antlers grow and the general importance of reindeer in the Sami, and now Finnish culture over time.
The Sami people are indigenous nomadic people of the Arctic in Lapland. They cover areas of Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Russia.
To learn more, read this article about the importance of reindeer to the Sami culture.
Here’s what we learned:
- The reindeer are released back into the wild after the winter season is over. But before they are released, the babies are marked specially in order for them to be identifiable as belonging to a specific farm. When winter approaches again, the farmers go into the wild and try to herd them back into the farms. Any reindeer with a different mark is sent to the farm that gave it the mark.
- Reindeer antlers grow very fast at – inches per day. They then naturally fall off once a year.
- Reindeer eat a lot so in winter the farms provide food for them which they might not find with the earth covered in snow
- The farms protect the baby reindeer from predators such as eagles during winter.
- In the Sami culture, nothing is wasted of the reindeer. Old reindeer are used for meat, while their hide is used for different purposes, and their horns for crafts like these chandeliers below, which can be found at SantaPark.
After getting warm and listening to answers to curious reindeer/related questions, we were driven back to our individual lodgings.
And that was the end of another thrilling day in Lapland.
DAY 3 of our Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
Husky Sledding, Dark, Santa Park, Rovaniemi City Center, with a Revisit of Santa Claus Village
On our third day in Rovaniemi, we started our adventure at 11 am with the Husky Safari.
Again, remember that the sky doesn’t start to light up the day until around this time, so this was “early” enough.
This time, our tour was with Safartica.
Once again, we were picked up and taken to the husky farm.
The first thing that greeted our ears was eager barking.
Hundreds of them!
- Husky Safari
The huskies are kept in pens within a huge farmland.
Interestingly, Alaskan huskies need to run several times a day or they go crazy. This is because they are highly energetic dogs that need daily exercise.
Our guide started by giving us instructions on how to “ride” the sleds.
Practically, there’s a brake device made of a wooden contraption with spikes that you stand on and push hard into the snow to make the huskies stop running.
If you don’t have the strength to step hard, and you’ve got super eager dogs, well, you can imagine the rest.
I have to say, this was the most exciting ride we had on the trip. Compared to the more docile reindeer ride, we were travelling at about 32 km an hour (20mph)! It was such an exhilarating ride that we were disappointed when it ended.
As with the snowmobile ride, we switched “control” of the reins halfway.
Actually, it was the huskies who were in control. Our particular herd was so frisky and full of life, often running off into the woods, playing with each other, and sometimes getting their leads entwined in tree trunks.
Several times the guide, who went ahead of us to give the lead dogs the commands, had to run back to our pack and persuade them to follow the trail.
That was so much fun!
BONUS TIP: There’s a river where you could go ice fishing if you have the time.
After the exhilarating ride, we were given some “private” time to thank our safari leaders (the huskies!). We were able to pet them for a while and take pictures.
Finally, we were ushered into a traditional Sami tent and given hot refreshments. We also met more fellow travelers and made new friends.
- Revisiting Santa Claus Village
Since we were done with the ride by 1 pm, we decided to stop off at Santa Claus village again to explore it more.
We had read that Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi Airport are the only 2 places that are situated right on the line of the arctic circle. We had seen videos of people crossing it and we just had to do it as well.
Next, we took a leisurely stroll around, taking photos and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
We also went to Santa’s Boulevard, a shopping center where you can find cool souvenirs to remember your visit to Rovaniemi.
We then had a late lunch at Santa’s Pizza and Burger place before leaving.
- SANTA PARK
SantaPark is another Christmas themed park in Rovaniemi. It’s a cavern excavated underground and has different activities, mainly for children.
We visited because it was only 50 meters from our hotel, and it had an Ice Bar. We had wanted to visit the Snow Restaurant but it hadn’t yet opened for the season, so we chose SantaPark instead.
Here, you’ll find an Elf School, A Gingerbread Factory, and an Ice Gallery among other things.
There’s also a live elf performance 3 times a day.
The fun part is that you can have a drink in an ice glass at -25 degrees in the Ice Bar, and then cross the Arctic Circle underground.
Yup! It’s the only place in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle underground. Cool!
- Exploring Rovanemi City Center
Next, we ordered a taxi to Rovaniemi city center where we took a leisurely stroll around the city center before having an amazing dinner at Amarillo restaurant.
After dinner, we strolled down the lit-up streets of Rovaniemi. We were impressed by how modern the buildings looked and how everything just worked perfectly! We didn’t visit any places in the city but that was fine.
Getting a taxi back to the hotel was as easy as walking out of the restaurant, looking left, and hailing one.
BONUS DAYS Rovaniemi Itinerary
If you have a day or two more to spare, you can add these to your Rovaniemi Itinerary.
- BONUS DAY 4
- Go on an Ice Fishing Tour
- Spend some time floating on an Icy River
- Have a picnic in the wild Arctic
- Go backcountry skiing and adventure photography course with a guide
- Visit the sights in Rovaniemi like the Arktikum Science Museum
Check out more activities and compare prices here.
Our Experience Hunting The Northern Lights in Lapland
Hunting the Northern Lights is really weather dependent. And on this trip to Finnish, Lapland, the weather was against our efforts.
This was because the entire region was cloudy during the period we were there. In addition, it snowed regularly.
In order to see the Lights, the first criterion is clear skies, which, unfortunately, we didn’t have.
We had originally thought about spending 3 days in another region of Finnish Lapland like Kemi or Levi, but we were glad that we decided to go to Tromso, Norway instead. That was where we were eventually able to see the Northern Lights for 3 consecutive days!
Watch out for our next post about seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso.
Recap and Important Points To Help You Plan Your Own Exciting Rovaniemi Itinerary
Here is a recap and some tips to help you plan that perfect and fun-filled trip to Rovaniemi during winter.
- Make sure to check the weather forecast, and look out for clear skies.
- The best and fastest way to get to Rovaniemi is by air.
- Choose a hotel that suits both your fantasy and your pocket
- No need to carry cash, everything is paid for using card.
- Book tours you want to have during the day for 11 am.
- You can only see the Northern Lights when it’s dark so book such tours accordingly.
- You can tour on your own but the best way to maximize your experience is by using tour operators.
- 3 days is sufficient to experience most of the exciting activities in Rovaniemi but you can stretch it by a day or 2.
- Don’t stay in only one place in Lapland if you’re staying longer than 4 days.
- Even if you don’t see the Northern Lights the first time you visit, you will still have an amazing experience, so enjoy it!
You might also be interested in:
Read this post next to get all the necessary information you need to know about Rovaniemi, Lapland before your trip.
Rovaniemi, Lapland- A complete guide to a winter wonderland in Finland
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This looks like a trip of a lifetime! I have to do this!!! Literally need to go this winter!
Looks like you guys had lots of fun.
The hotel looks and feels dreamy. It good to know the reindeers are well taken care of. They’re such beautiful and graceful animals.
This post is so informative. Makes me want to visit Rovaniemi Lapland.
Another great post, Bells.
xx, Bree
I would love to visit Santa park. These seem amazing places where you can visit them with the family. I will keep these in mind. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, it’s definitely a place for families, friends or a companion. And both Santa Village and Santa park are perfect Christmas locations for the kids!
If this is the official home of Santa, sign me up for a visit! I have spent a brief time in Helsinki, but your post on Rovaniemi makes me want to return. Thank you for the insights.
Cool! We also spent and evening in Helsinki and would like to visit again. But you really have to go back and visit Rovaniemi and other parts of Finnish Lapland.
What an adventure. For a place that you thought would be quiet, you found an abundance of things to do and see.
Exactly! It was such a pleasant surprise. We never had a dull moment.
Visiting Santa has been on my bucket list for many years. Hopefully one day! Your trip looked magical.
Thank you Sharyn. Don’t hesitate to come back here when you’re ready!
I would LOVE to visit up North some day, but the freezing weather scares me off a little 😐 Thanks for sharing your pics and info with us!
Something we learned while we were there is this: “The cold is not the problem. It’s what you’re wearing that’s the problem!” With the right clothes, you’ll have nothing to worry about.
I was a little apprehensive in the beginning because it looked so cold, but you quickly sold me on the idea of visiting when I saw how much fun it could be. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m saving this for later. It definitely looks like it’s worth the visit!
It absolutely is! I’m glad we’ve got a converter!