Rovaniemi: a magical polar land in northern Finland

The capital of the Finnish region of Lapland is located in the north of Finland, just a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. Rovaniemi is surrounded by wild forests, lakes, Arctic tundra, and a variety of activities specific to this area.

>>> A true winter fairy tale. Lapland is a place full of snow, northern lights, and Nordic traditions. More tips, not only for the village of Rovaniemi, can be found in this article.

How to get to Rovaniemi

The journey from Slovakia to Finnish Lapland may seem like an adventure due to various transportation options. However, you can easily plan it through several variants.

By air

The fastest and most comfortable way to get to the city of Rovaniemi is by air travel. This is despite the fact that direct flights from Slovakia are currently not available.

In this case, you have several options with short layovers at airports in Bratislava, Budapest, Vienna, or Krakow. The most common transfer airports are the Swedish Stockholm, Copenhagen in Denmark, or Helsinki in Finland, from where you continue with a domestic flight to Rovaniemi. This transport is mainly provided by Finnair and Norwegian. This way, you can also get to know several other Scandinavian cities along the way.

By train and plane

If you want to experience much more from Finland, the combination of flying and transferring to a train will appeal to you. First, it is important to get to Helsinki by air, the capital of Finland, ideally with a direct flight.

From there, the Santa Claus Express night train departs directly to Rovaniemi. The journey takes about 12 hours and costs between 50 to 150 € depending on the class and time of booking. For many, this transport is part of the Arctic adventure, as children often believe that their train will take them directly to Santa.

The route leads through a fairy-tale northern landscape, where with a bit of luck, you might also experience the northern lights.

By car

Driving can be an interesting option, especially for road trip lovers, although it is quite long. Depending on various factors, the route Slovakia – Poland – Lithuania – Latvia – Estonia – Finland takes 30 to 35 hours.

From Estonia, you can take the Tallink ferry or Viking Line directly to Helsinki. From there, you will head along the E75 highway to Rovaniemi.

During the winter season, some travel agencies also offer organized trips to Rovaniemi. These include transportation, accommodation, and several activities. The stay usually lasts 5 to 7 days.

What to see in Rovaniemi and its surroundings

Thanks to its advantageous location near the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is one of the best places in Scandinavia for observing the northern lights. However, if you venture a little further from the city, you may be rewarded with a much more beautiful view. Locals also organize small group tours away from light pollution into the Finnish wilderness.

Santa Claus Village

The village located near the Arctic Circle is one of the most popular attractions in Rovaniemi. Everyone who longs to experience a Christmas atmosphere full of wonders, meet Santa Claus, ride on sleighs pulled by reindeer, or send a postcard home from the official Santa's Post Office with a unique stamp. It is open every day of the year with free entry for everyone visiting.

Santa's village is about 8 km from the center of Rovaniemi. You can conveniently take bus line number 8, which departs through the city from the main train station. Tickets cost 3.60 € for adults and 1.80 € for children aged 0–16 years. You can purchase them directly from the bus driver. You can find Santa year-round, not just during Christmas. Likewise, the decorations and atmosphere of this magical season. The official post office receives hundreds of thousands of letters each year from children all over the world.

The village features reindeer farms and also options for sleigh rides pulled by animals. For an authentic experience, there are also glass igloos and hotels where you can watch the night sky right from your bed.

Santa Claus Village symbolizes peace, joy, and the Christmas spirit. This place supports Finnish traditions, nature, and the unique culture of the north, where everyone, regardless of age, can return for a moment to the magical fairy tale world.

In 1950, Lapland's Rovaniemi was visited by Eleanor Roosevelt (the widow of the American president). On this occasion, the Finns built a small wooden cabin near the Arctic Circle, which is considered the beginning of Santa Claus's diary.

Arctic SnowHotel

A unique winter activity in Rovaniemi is visiting the ice hotel, which is one of the few in the world (others can be found near Abisko in Sweden and Tromso in Norway). Prices for a night are quite high, but another way to experience the atmosphere of Arctic SnowHotel is through a tour.

Interestingly, this hotel is completely rebuilt by Finns every year and is opened every December 16. It is therefore only available for a few months of the year.

Dog sledding

When you are in Rovaniemi during winter, try dog sledding. About a 15-minute drive from the city, you will find the Apukka area and within it a well-known husky farm. The fluffy dogs live here year-round, and you can meet them and experience snow sledding firsthand.

Experienced guides will show you how to control the sled and safely manage the energetic dogs.

Reindeer at the Sámi farm

The indigenous people of Sapmi, Sámi, live in the northern areas of Norway, Sweden, Russia, and Finland. For millennia, they have herded reindeer in harsh conditions. While in the past, reindeer served as the main source of livelihood, today they represent an important part of the economy and tourism.

Over time, herders established a reindeer farm with various tourist activities instead of herding reindeer across the icy landscape and searching for food. During the sledding journey, you will meet Sámi reindeer herders who answer questions from curious tourists.

SantaPark in Rovaniemi

This magical underground attraction is dedicated to Christmas and everything that comes with it. At SantaPark , you can peek into Santa Claus's office, visit elf school, and enjoy a ride on the magical train to the elves' workshop.

Visitors can talk to Santa, decorate gingerbread cookies, explore the ice gallery, or enjoy live performances. Tickets cost approximately 39 € for adults and 33 € for children (aged 3-12 years) and are valid for two consecutive days. However, the park is more suitable for child visitors and is quite similar to Santa's village.

Arktikum Science Center and Museum

This interesting place welcomes both adults and children with a variety of interactive exhibits containing various information. Four permanent exhibitions document the dramatic seasonal changes in the Arctic (the land of polar nights and midnight sun), life in the north, changing climates, and the history of the Arctic Ocean.

Entry to the Arktikum museum in Rovaniemi costs 15 € per adult and 5 € for children aged 7 to 15 years.

Staying in a Finnish sauna

For Finns, sauna bathing is like a religion, so if you visit this country, be sure not to miss a stay in a traditional sauna. Almost every household owns one heated by wood.

Once you warm up, you should go outside and immerse yourself in the snow or jump into a lake with icy water. And then return to the sauna again. Another option is a warm hot tub in the freezing weather outside.

In Rovaniemi, Arctos Lapland spa receives excellent reviews for its peaceful atmosphere and authentic Finnish experience. The price for nearly three hours of relaxation is around 149 € per person including snacks, drinks, and necessary sauna equipment.

Arctic wilderness in the Wildlife park

The second northernmost zoo in the world, Ranua Wildlife, is located about an hour south of Rovaniemi. In this unique nature park, more than 50 species of Arctic animals live, including polar bears, foxes, and wolverines.

The park stretches along a 2.5-kilometer promenade through the forested winter landscape. The environment in which the animals are placed closely resembles their natural Arctic habitat.

Conclusion

The largest city in Lapland is one of the most popular destinations in all of Finland. Rovaniemi transforms into a magical place in winter, where the northern lights dance near the Arctic Circle, so be sure to book accommodation and tickets well in advance.