Why Visit Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is right on the Arctic Circle, so it's a great place to start your Lapland trip.
The city is small and easy to navigate, and you'll be surrounded by nature from the get-go. As soon as you arrive, you'll be greeted by forest edges, rivers and open landscapes! Winter brings deep snow and strong Northern Lights potential when the sky is clear. With the Midnight Sun, summer stays bright late into the night, and autumn arrives with ruska, when the forests turn gold and copper and the trails feel quieter again.
What makes Rovaniemi work so well is the range. You can spend a day in the snow, then switch to a quieter landscape in minutes, and still come back to comfort without feeling like you're doing a full expedition. And of course, you get to enjoy all the classic Lapland experiences, like time with reindeer and huskies, warm fires, aurora hunts and that simple outdoor fun that makes people forget their phones for a while.
Rovaniemi has plenty to do, but not every experience lives up to expectations. Here are Lapland Private's top picks for things to do in Rovaniemi, the places we trust the most, with partners we rely on all year round.
10. Step Into a Snow and Ice Masterpiece at the Arctic SnowHotel
If you want your first “this is really Lapland” moment in Rovaniemi, start here. Visiting the Arctic SnowHotel is like walking into a place that shouldn’t exist. Snow and ice rooms, carved details, and soft lighting create the calm winter atmosphere you came north for. Inside, there’s also an ice bar, where your drink is served in a glass carved from pure ice, it’s a small detail, but it’s a fun one. You can keep it simple with a visit and a warm drink after, or turn it into a full evening by adding dinner in the ice setting.
If you stay overnight, you are choosing between two completely different experiences. An ice room inside the SnowHotel is the bold option. It’s quiet, cool, and all about the novelty of spending a night surrounded by snow and ice. A glass igloo is the softer choice, warm and private, with the sky above you when conditions line up.
This is a strong first pick because it works for almost everyone. Families get an easy “wow” moment that feels special without being demanding. Couples and small groups get a place that sets the tone right away. If you decide to stay overnight, you can choose between something icy and unforgettable, or quiet and comfort focused.
9. Play in Snowman World at Santa Claus Village
If you’re already going to Santa Claus Village, Snowman World is the easy family add-on. It’s basically a winter playground. You’ll find snow tubing, ice slides, ice skating, and that fun feeling of stepping into a snow-built space where the whole point is to play for a while, then warm up and do it again.
Snowman World also puts everyone in the mood for more old school winter fun. Tobogganing is one of those Rovaniemi activities that brings out the kid in everyone, and you can do it in different spots around the city, not only at Santa Claus Village.
8. Cruise Through Sea Ice on an Icebreaker
This is the kind of winter day trip you’ll rarely find anywhere. You step onto a real icebreaker, head out onto the frozen Bothnian Sea, and feel the ship push and crack its way through thick ice. Along the way, you get a guided look inside the vessel, then warm up on board with a hot drink and that unique feeling of being out at sea in the middle of winter.
The highlight for most guests is the ice floating. The ship stops, a section of open water is prepared in the ice, and you float comfortably in a dry suit with the icebreaker nearby. You also get the surreal perspective of standing on the frozen sea around the ship. This experience can work on either the Finnish or Swedish side, and we match the best setup to your trip.
7. Hike to Korouoma Canyon’s Frozen Waterfalls
When we want a day that feels like a real winter landscape, not just a quick stop, we choose Korouoma Canyon. In winter, the frozen waterfalls are the highlight. The trail takes you into a steep-sided canyon where you get close to the falls and see just how big the ice can build up over the season. Depending on the day, you might even spot ice climbers on the frozen walls! All this makes Korouoma Canyon one of the most striking winter hikes you can do from Rovaniemi.
For most guests, Korouoma is best as a day trip. But for the more adventurous spirits, we also love the option of turning it into something bigger with an overnight in the wilderness near the frozen falls. It turns the visit into something more immersive, and it’s the kind of choice that makes your trip feel truly different.
6. Unwind in a Traditional Finnish Sauna
If you want to experience the authentic Finnish sauna experience, be sure to make time for a traditional sauna. It’s straightforward, and it changes the whole mood of the day. You warm up properly, slow down, and let the heat do its thing. In winter, stepping outside into the crisp air or rolling in the fresh snow after a good session is part of the experience, too. Some people also add ice swimming for the full contrast, while others keep it gentle and just enjoy the warmth and the quiet.
For our picks, we focus on sauna experiences that feel private, well-hosted, and unhurried, the kind you’d actually want on your trip, not a rushed add-on. It’s one of the absolute best things to do in Rovaniemi when you want a reset between bigger days out. It’s a hit with couples, friends, and families. Once everyone’s inside and warmed up, they’re often pleasantly surprised by how much they all enjoy it.
5. Spend Time With a Reindeer Herder on a Local Farm
Reindeer experiences in Rovaniemi range from quick photo stops to something much more real. In our picks, we focus on visits hosted by local herders, on their own farm, with a large herd and a calm pace. Just as important, the day runs on the reindeer’s terms. They are treated like family, free to roam in the surrounding forest, and the visit is built around their wellbeing, not a fixed show.
Depending on the style of day you choose, the reindeer farm visit can be kept simple or turned into a full winter outing. The shorter version focuses on time with the reindeer and the herder, then a warm break in the hut with hot drinks. If you want more, some versions add sledding and snowshoes, then continue with a snowmobile sleigh ride through the surrounding nature, followed by a local lunch in a Lapland hut. It’s all done in small groups, which keeps the atmosphere personal and unhurried.
4. Share a Private Moment With Santa Claus
A private Santa meeting is one of those things that can feel completely different depending on how it’s done. Some encounters are quick, crowded, and a little awkward. The best ones are away from crowds and feel calm, personal, and genuinely designed for kids and for the adults who want to see their reactions. That’s why this made our picks. Not all Santa experiences in Rovaniemi are equal, and we stick to the few that consistently deliver the kind of moment families come here for.
In our selection, these are two private Santa formats we love, and they’re also a good way to understand the range of what’s possible. One option is a story-led visit in a hidden forest setting, guided by elves, where the whole experience builds toward a calm private meeting with Santa. The other is a private visit to Santa’s real home, where you meet both Santa and Mrs. Claus in a cozy setting, with time to talk and take photos without feeling rushed. You can even bring your own gifts for Santa to hand out.
And these are just two examples. If you have a specific kind of Santa moment in mind, we can also suggest other private options and match the setting to your family.
3. Ride a Snowmobile Into the Lapland Wilderness
If you’re looking for a proper winter thrill in Rovaniemi, snowmobiling is hard to beat. Think speed, cold air, and wide open snow landscapes, with forests and frozen stretches all around you. It’s the kind of activity that makes the day feel full, because you get both the adrenaline and the beautiful Lapland scenery.
We can shape it in a few ways depending on your trip. Some guests want a shorter outing that fits neatly into a day with other plans. Others want a longer ride that feels more immersive, and we can also organize full day and multi-day snowmobile adventures when that’s the priority. If you’re traveling with children, we plan it so they stay comfortable, which usually means using a heated sled.
If you prefer something more low-impact and quiet, we can also arrange e-snowmobiles. They are a great fit for eco-conscious travelers and for anyone who wants a more peaceful, noise-free ride. And while we keep the tone fun, we take guiding seriously. Snowmobiling is not a casual activity, so we stick to experienced guides who know the routes and make steady, sensible calls when conditions change.
2. Drive Your Own Husky Team on a Safari
A husky safari in Rovaniemi is one of the classic Lapland experiences, and it’s also the one where the choice of kennel changes everything. We’re picky on purpose. If you care about the dogs’ wellbeing and want a place that feels respectful and small scale, this is exactly the kind of setup we choose. You spend real time with a family who lives this life every day, with a small pack of huskies and a calm, personal atmosphere that feels very different from high volume operations.
On the trail, it’s hands on in the best way. You get clear guidance, then you drive your own husky team through quiet landscapes that move from open stretches into forest. We offer both private and very small group formats here, depending on how you want the day to feel. And if you want a real winter adventure, we can also arrange multi-day husky safaris, with your own team, experienced local mushers, and nights in simple wilderness cabins or homesteads after long days on the runners. In the private version, the family can even welcome you into their own home, which makes the whole experience warmer and more personal, especially for families traveling with children.
1. Head Out for a Northern Lights Night, On the Move or by the Fire
We’re finishing with our number one pick. For many guests, the Northern Lights are the reason they come to Lapland in the first place, so it makes sense to handle this experience properly.
Northern Lights hunting is one of the most exciting things to do in Rovaniemi, and it’s also the one experience that comes with a hard truth. Nature is in control and no one can guarantee the aurora. What you can do is maximize your chances by making smart calls on timing and location, based on real sky conditions, not wishful thinking. That’s exactly what our most trusted partners excel at, and they don’t head out unless there’s a genuine chance of seeing the lights.
Some travelers consider going out on their own with a rental car, and on paper it sounds simple. In practice, you’re driving at night on icy roads, watching cloud cover, and making decisions while conditions keep shifting. Going with a professional takes that pressure off and keeps the night safer. A good Northern Lights tour is not about driving extreme distances all night. It’s about having someone behind the wheel who knows the local roads, understands winter conditions, and makes calm decisions in the dark and cold.
Once the practical side is handled, you can choose the style that fits you. For some travelers, the best format is a photography focused hunt, moving as needed to follow clearer skies and coming home with strong photos from the night. For others, a Northern Lights campfire night is the perfect setup. You settle into a quiet spot, warm up by the fire, have a few snacks, and give the sky time to do its thing. When the lights show up, it’s a beautiful way to experience them.
Who Rovaniemi Is Perfect For
To wrap up our selection, the best part is how easily Rovaniemi fits different travel styles. You can build a trip around winter fun and Christmas magic for families, keep it cozy and atmospheric for couples, or make it active with huskies, snowmobiling, and hiking days out in the snow. And if you’re here for the rarer stuff, like cruising through sea ice or stepping into a hotel built from snow and ice, Rovaniemi delivers that side of Lapland too.
It’s also a strong destination for people who come for the sky and the scenery. Northern Lights nights, campfires, and wide open winter landscapes are part of the appeal, and photographers love the mix of forests, ice, and changing light. Whatever you’re drawn to, the key is choosing the right version of each experience. That’s where our picks come in, and why working with trusted local partners makes the trip feel easy and well put together.
Want access to our best Rovaniemi picks? Reach out with what you want and the pace you prefer, and we’ll design a tailor made itinerary with the trusted partners we rely on most.
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