Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is a destination in Lappi, Finland. It offers visitors a range of attractions and experiences in a distinctive setting.

By Plane

Rovaniemi Airport ( RVN IATA ), 8 km north from the city centre, is the largest airport in Lapland and third busiest in Finland. Most flights from Helsinki are served by Finnair and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Seasonal charter flights from the UK and other European destinations.

Santa Claus Bus provides a minibus shuttle between the airport and city hotels for €7/person one way, available for every scheduled flight. Local bus Line 11 costs €3.50 but is slower. Taxis are available but expensive; check Visit Rovaniemi's recommended services.

By Train

By Car / Road

Rovaniemi is an important road hub. Highway 4 (E75) runs from Kemi in the south-west to Ivalo in the north-east. Highway 78 connects from Ranua and Pudasjärvi (south-southeast). Highway 79 goes to Kittilä and Muonio (north-west). Highway 81 connects Kuusamo and Posio (south-east), Highway 82 goes to Salla and Kemijärvi (east-north-east), and Highway 83 to Pello (west-north-west).

If driving from Central Europe, the shortest route is through Sweden via E4 to Luleå then through Haparanda. Alternatively, take a ferry to Helsinki and board an overnight train with your car.

Being not too big of a town, the best way to get around the city quickly is on foot . However, some of the main attractions are far away and buses are sparse; most households have a car.

By public transport

The local transportation is provided by the city of Rovaniemi and the services are collected under the Linkkari portal. A route planner is available for local transport. Mobile tickets can be bought using the Waltti or Routes and Tickets app.

The most useful line is line 8 from the railway station via the city centre to the Santa Claus Village and the airport. Rovaniemi local traffic has a zone system; the whole urban area including Santa's Village and the airport belongs to Zone A, with a single ticket costing €3.50 and a 24-hour ticket €4.50.

Santa Claus Village is 8 km north of the centre on the Arctic Circle. The official home of Santa Claus, with all-year Christmas atmosphere, shops, restaurants and the Santa Claus Main Post Office.

Arktikum Science Museum ,

Pohjoisranta 4 ,

+358 16 322-3260 .

Museum of Arctic regions with exhibitions on the history, nature and culture of Lapland and the Arctic. Striking glass-roofed building on the bank of the Ounasjoki river.

Jätkänkynttilä bridge crosses the Kemijoki river with its distinctive eternal-flame design, a landmark of the city.

Ounasvaara hill , east of the city centre, is a year-round outdoor recreation hub with a ski centre, hiking trails, golf course and winter sports resort. The Olympic Torch for the 1952 Summer Olympics was lit at its summit.

Rovaniemi church ,

Yläkatu 1 .

Modern church rebuilt after WWII with a striking altar fresco. One of the city's iconic buildings.

Lappia House (Lappia-talo) and the City Library were designed by architect Alvar Aalto as part of Rovaniemi's post-war reconstruction.

Winter activities include downhill and cross-country skiing at Ounasvaara ski centre, snowmobile safaris, husky and reindeer sleigh rides, and northern lights tours. Summer offers hiking, canoeing on the Kemijoki river, fishing, berry picking, and golf at the Ounasvaara golf course.

Santa Claus Village offers reindeer and husky rides, and the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle year-round.

Rovaniemi has a wide range of restaurants from traditional Lapland cuisine to international options. The city centre along Koskikatu and Rovakatu has numerous dining choices. Local specialities include reindeer dishes, fresh salmon, and Arctic berries.

For a quick meal, the McDonald's at Poromiehentie is famously the northernmost in the world (until Tromsø took the title in 2024). Many hotels also have excellent restaurants serving local cuisine.

The city centre has a lively bar and café scene concentrated around Koskikatu and Lordi's Square. Many restaurants double as bars in the evening. For a unique experience, visit the Arctic Café or the various hotel bars. Alko (the state alcohol monopoly) has a store in the Sampokeskus shopping centre.

Rovaniemi has extensive accommodation options. Hotels in the city centre include Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Scandic Rovaniemi, and Lapland Hotel Sky Ounasvaara. For a unique Arctic experience, glass igloo resorts and cabin villages are available near the Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village.

Cabin and cottage options outside the city offer a more secluded Lapland wilderness experience. Book well in advance during the Christmas season when demand is very high.

Sampokeskus shopping centre (

Sampokatu 2 ) and Revontuli shopping centre (

Ruokasenkatu 2 ) are the main retail hubs in the city centre, featuring fashion, electronics, and supermarkets.

For souvenirs and Lapland-themed gifts, Santa Claus Village has numerous shops. The Visit Rovaniemi shop (Koskikatu 12) also sells local souvenirs.

• Berlin — Germany's capital city, reachable by regional train
• Nearby towns in Lappi — explore the surrounding region