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Things to do in Rovaniemi

Visit Santa and his reindeer, see the Northern Lights, and get a taste of Arctic life in Lapland's capital.

Our most recommended things to do in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi: Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Tour

1. Rovaniemi: Korouoma Canyon & Frozen Waterfalls Tour

Discover Korouoma, a 30-kilometer-long and 130-meter-deep canyon located southeast of Rovaniemi which offers breathtaking scenery all year round. In Winter, the waterfalls turn into fantastic ice formations that are well-known for ice-climbing.  First, get picked up by your guide from your accommodation in Rovaniemi and set off for the Korouoma Canyon nature reserve. Start the tour with a hike through the park, admiring spectacular scenery including cliffs, rapids, and waterfalls. Keep your eyes sharp to observe an array of rare species that call the area home. Snowshoes are optional but may be useful if you need more confidence when hiking down the canyon or just want to enjoy some deep snow walks. Then, have the chance to observe some of the most spectacular frozen waterfalls in Europe and enjoy the beauty of snowy nature. Warm up with a typical Finnish campfire snack around an open fire. Watch as your guide shows you their fire-making skills. At the end of the 6-hour excursion, return to Rovaniemi where you will be dropped off at your hotel by around 4 PM.

Rovaniemi: Reindeer, Huskies & Santa Claus Village

2. Rovaniemi: Reindeer, Huskies & Santa Claus Village

Enjoy a full day of arctic experiences in Rovaniemi with a guided visit to a husky dog farm and sleigh ride as well as the opportunity to drive your own reindeer sleigh and meet Santa Claus. Learn all about these local traditions from your guide and spend time with the animals. After pickup, start your day at the reindeer farm. Meet the reindeer, feed them, and take pictures. Hear stories about the reindeer herding process and drive a reindeer sleigh for a full 500-meter ride. Take your well-deserved reindeer driver’s license home as a memento.  Feast on salmon soup for lunch before meeting the huskies. After a short introduction, take a short husky sled ride into the arctic forest. Lastly, visit Santa Claus Village, where you will have the opportunity to meet Santa himself.  Step across the Arctic Circle and revel in the Christmas spirit. Take time to shop and send letters from Santa’s Post office before returning to your accommodation.

Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Wilderness Tour with Camera

3. Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Wilderness Tour with Camera

Drive away from the city to the place with the highest chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Find a warm spot to set up the fire and sit and wait for the show. Benefit from knowing that the more time you spend outside, the greater the chance of you seeing the lights. Usually, you can view the Aurora in the middle of a huge frozen lake or river. Embark on an experience visiting up to 3 locations to give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Huddle around the fire with your guide, who will also tell you all about traditional animals and customs.

Rovaniemi: Northern Lights and Husky Sleigh Ride

4. Rovaniemi: Northern Lights and Husky Sleigh Ride

Discover the dancing colors of the Northern Lights as you glide across the Lappish landscape on a husky sleigh ride driven by farmers. Enjoy snow-covered winter forests as you travel 5 to 10 kilometers pulled by a team of huskies. Meet your guide at your hotel near the center of Rovaniemi and head for the charming farmhouse where you'll greet your dog sledding team. Then it's off to search for the Aurora Borealis. The huskies will lead you into a Lappish forest to discover the exquisite and unique nature of the Arctic. After the ride, enjoy some grilled Lappish snacks and good company around a fire. Warm up with steaming beverages as you wait for the Northern Lights to appear. After you've had your fill of stargazing and dazzling light displays, your guide will take you back to the hotel so you can rest up for tomorrow's adventures.

Rovaniemi: Husky Safari on a Snowy Trail

5. Rovaniemi: Husky Safari on a Snowy Trail

Set off on a husky adventure in the Lappish forest, and find out all about the training, breeding, and racing of these magnificent arctic animals on the local farm. After receiving a short introduction and instructions, the dogs are ready to take you on an exciting 6-mile (10km) ride through the amazing landscapes of the Finnish countryside. Feel the excitement as you speed through the winter wonderland. Try not to miss the opportunity to capture your once-in-a-lifetime moment with your sleigh team. As you listen to the interesting stories of Husky after the journey, warm yourself up with some hot juice and Finnish gingerbread cookies - the local's favorite winter snacks.

Rovaniemi: Apukka Husky Adventure

6. Rovaniemi: Apukka Husky Adventure

Meet and mush with your new howling, furry friends on this safari adventure. Huskies are one of the most beloved animals of the North, and you’ll understand why as soon as you meet the pack. Pet them, pose with them for photos, and listen to stories about their lives.   Then, take a 7- to 10-kilometer long husky sled ride, where you get to be the musher yourself. This means you can control the pack of huskies towing the sled. The dogs absolutely love pulling loads and running on the trail across the forests. Feel the thrill of the ride and the cool wind on your face as you tear through the forests.   Finish off with a hot drink before saying goodbye to your new friends.

Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle

7. Rovaniemi: Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle

Visit a place where it is Christmas all year round on a tour to Santa Claus Village from Rovaniemi. Meet Santa Claus in person, then cross into the Arctic Circle for photo opportunities. Savor an included Lappish buffet lunch. After pickup at your accommodation in Rovaniemi, head toward Santa Claus's main office in Lapland. Have a meeting with Santa Claus, and then send greetings to all your friends from Santa's Post Office. You will also have a chance to see the reindeer, Santa's helper at the Village. Next, make your way to the painted white line denoting the Arctic Circle, which cuts right through Santa Claus Village. You will officially enter the Arctic area when you cross the line. Cross the circle, enjoy this popular photo spot for all visitors, and get an Arctic Circle certificate. Afterward, have the opportunity to taste a buffet lunch before returning to your accommodation in Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi: Apukka Reindeer Journey

8. Rovaniemi: Apukka Reindeer Journey

Reindeers are a big part of the Lappish lifestyle and have a long history of living side by side with the locals in the north. With this in mind, a reindeer ride is a relaxing way to both explore Finnish nature and get in touch with these beautiful animals. Following a peaceful pace, let the reindeer lead you through the forests. Enjoy the silence of the woods and the still atmosphere all around you and let these beautiful animals guide the way. Afterward, relax with a hot drink. Return from your adventure knowing a lot more than before about the life of the reindeer and reindeer herders in Finnish Lapland.

Rovaniemi: 5-Hour Snowmobile and Ice Fishing Adventure

9. Rovaniemi: 5-Hour Snowmobile and Ice Fishing Adventure

Delve into the depths of the wilderness as you drive 30 to 40 kilometers along the frozen rivers on a snowmobile and watch the winter scenery fly by. Drive along the frozen rivers to a hidden winter fishing spot in the middle of the wilderness. Learn the Finnish way of life as your guide teaches you how to drill a hole in the ice and prepare the ice-fishing rod and baits. In the meanwhile, your guide will prepare a delicious soup lunch. If you're lucky, this will be accompanied by the catch of the day. Afterward, travel back to the starting point.

Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Snowmobile Safari with Campfire

10. Rovaniemi: Aurora Borealis Snowmobile Safari with Campfire

Chase the Northern Lights on a guided Arctic adventure into the Lapland wilderness on a snowmobile. Enjoy the unique snowy landscape at night, illuminated only by the auroras. Go deeper into the brilliant winter landscape of the Arctic Circle in order to chase the auroras. Let your guide lead you on a different kind of snowmobile adventure in an almost completely dark setting, where only moonlight, stars, and snowmobile headlights will light your way. Take in the forests and lakes rising like mysterious shadows towards the night sky in this snow-covered landscape. Warm up at an open fire and wait for the Northern Lights to dance for you in the night sky while you enjoy some warm refreshments and biscuits.  If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you might see the flaming Northern Lights dancing in the sky, surrounded by the penetrating silence of the arctic wilderness.

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Frequently asked questions about Rovaniemi

What are the best day trips and excursions from Rovaniemi?

The best day trips and excursions from Rovaniemi are:

Korouoma

Other Sightseeing Options in Rovaniemi

Want to discover all there is to do in Rovaniemi? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Rovaniemi

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 6,946 reviews

It was magical, walking in this frozen forest felt like being actually frozen in time! Absolutely recommended! Also Mike (I'm sorry if I got it wrong) our guide was amazing! You can see he loves what he does and he tried, successfully, to pass his passion to the group as well.

It was a lovely encounter with the reindeers, they are sweet animals, we learned a lot of new and interesting information about them. Do not expect the safari to be exciting, it is a very slow and calm ride, important is to stay warm. Recommended for all family.

They were kind enough to arrange Nothern Lights Hunting last minute for our group of 9 people. Our guide,Reetta was very professional and super kind! Unfortunatelly we did not see lights that evening but we had winderful time in the nature under the clear sky.

Det var nesten 2 timer kø for å komme inn. Møt opp tidlig.

Those huskies were the cutest, very nice activity with a hot juice and some nice information. After the amazing ride we could cuddle them and even see their puppies! Just amazing day

We had a blast! Great tour with a lot of adrenalin. Our tour guide Nicole and Mario were so friendly and full of great energy. I will recommend this trip! :)