Hei, Rovaniemi!
◘◘ Discover Rovaniemi’s prime highlights
Picture by ©Go to Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Advertising Ltd.)
- Arktikum Seashore: Arktikum Museum is a well-liked attraction in Rovaniemi — however extra on this afterward within the subsequent few days. For at this time, I recommend that you just go in entrance of this museum to the hidden backyard that’s on this small island. In addition to, it is a excellent place to swim in in the course of the midnight solar, if not an amazing spot to simply merely admire the views. It’s even attainable to do an extended leisurely stroll through a path from this seaside that goes all the best way to the south of town by the Ounasjoki River.
. - Rovaniemi Metropolis Library: Designed by one among Finland’s most well-known architects, Alvar Aalto, this metropolis library is a good place to be if you happen to’re a e-book lover. However aside from its massive choice of books, you’ll absolutely be full of awe at its great design and expanse.
. - Pilke Science Centre: This can be a enjoyable place for guests of all ages because it tells the story of the northern forests and our relationship with them. For sustainable vacationers, you’ll even be pleased to know that this heart is notable for its low carbon footprint and use of sustainable wooden supplies in its design!
- TIP: Should you’re into tradition, it’s greatest to get the Tradition Move which is good-for-value entry that means that you can go to the entire prime 3 museums in Rovaniemi (Arktikum, Korundi, and Pilke). That is legitimate for 7 days and you should purchase it from any of the three aforementioned sights.
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- TIP: Should you’re into tradition, it’s greatest to get the Tradition Move which is good-for-value entry that means that you can go to the entire prime 3 museums in Rovaniemi (Arktikum, Korundi, and Pilke). That is legitimate for 7 days and you should purchase it from any of the three aforementioned sights.
- Lordi’s Sq.: Although not one of many hanging highlights within the city, as a consequence of its central location, it’s an amazing place to be in if you happen to’re seeking to do some buying (e.g. the buying heart of Sampokeskus) if not some good ol’ eating. Furthermore, in the summertime, this turns into a very talked-about place because it hosts plenty of occasions.
- TRIVIA: This sq. was renamed in tribute to the Finnish band that received the Eurovision Track Contest in 2006.
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- TRIVIA: This sq. was renamed in tribute to the Finnish band that received the Eurovision Track Contest in 2006.
- Rovaniemi Church: Accomplished in 1950, this church will not be solely picturesque from the surface but in addition from the within. In any case, it has an enormous fresco behind the altar in addition to a grand 45-key organ.
. - Offended Birds Exercise Park: I wager you didn’t know that Offended Birds was made by a Finn! Resulting from its large reputation worldwide, you could find an official park for it proper right here in Rovaniemi. Irrespective of in case you have youngsters or not, it is a enjoyable place to take pleasure in some ropewalks, slides, swings, ball video games, and extra!
. - Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge: Additionally referred to as Jätkänkynttilä Bridge, this 320-meter bridge connects Ounasvaara to the city heart and it’s an amazing factor to see at Rovaniemi in summer time. This iconic construction which is an simply recognizable landmark of Rovaniemi’s cityscape takes its title and form from a sort of torch log that’s carved from wooden by lumberjacks. The best technique to take pleasure in this bridge aside from driving or biking by it’s to stroll in the direction of the riverside from the middle. In only a few minutes, you will note the bridge simply — as soon as there, don’t neglect to take some good images!
◘◘ Enterprise out to Ounasvaara
Picture by ©Go to Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Advertising Ltd.)
This can be a gorgeous hilltop that’s only a 15-minute stroll away from town, which you’ll attain by merely passing by the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge. It may not be the most important nor the best, however it’s a neighborhood favourite for its in depth community of nature trails which you could run, stroll or bike by.
◘◘ Expertise a novel floating expertise
Picture by Safartica
Probably the most in style actions in Rovaniemi these days is ice floating whereby you merely float round a frozen lake with only a thermal wetsuit on. It turns into extra of a magical factor when there are some Northern Lights up excessive to see.
However don’t fret, even when it’s in the summertime, this is among the nice issues to do in Rovaniemi! I went by this expertise myself and it was so enjoyable to drift within the water with simply the sound of Lappish nature surrounding me. Now, this may sound harmful to you, however it isn’t! In addition to, knowledgeable information will likely be with you all the time — to not point out that it’s fairly straightforward to do.
Should you’re searching for the most effective tour supplier for this, I extremely advocate reserving with Safartica. Not solely was the information a pleasure to be with however the expertise additionally ends with some heat drinks and snacks by the hearth.
DINING OPTION: Restaurant Nili is an genuine Lappish restaurant within the coronary heart of town and also you’ll be assured that the whole lot is produced from the freshest Arctic substances. As you take pleasure in these delights, you’ll even be surrounded by real Lappish furnishings and supplies — a really Finnish expertise! To not point out, this has been as soon as chosen as the most effective ‘Style of Finland’ restaurant in addition to top-of-the-line eating locations on TripAdvisor.
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If in case you have extra time throughout Rovaniemi in summer time or if you happen to merely need another selections, contemplate the next:
– With Safartica
Do some Arctic Survival: Be a part of a special occasion journey to the forest the place you’ll be able to learn to survive within the wild as they train you how one can construct an emergency shelter, make hearth with out matches and a lot extra.
Do berry selecting: Lapland’s forests are identified for its wealthy wild berries! To search out the most effective spots, you’ll be able to undergo the forest with a neighborhood and choose up some contemporary superfoods which can be pure from the bottom.
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– With Pleased Fox
Do a canoe journey: Get pleasure from a leisurely canoe journey alongside the Ounasjoki river as you admire lovely views and sights wild animals.
Benefit from the year-round Christmas Spirit
◘◘ Go to Santa Claus Village!
Are you seeking to meet the actual Santa? Nicely, you’ve come to the best place! Irrespective of your age, Rovaniemi is the place to be given that it’s the Official Hometown of Santa Claus — and as a magical latitude village that’s filled with enjoyable, beneath are a few of the actions that you are able to do…
- Meet “the person” himself: It’s FREE to satisfy Santa Claus and the one time you’ll shell out some cash is if you wish to pay for images. Now right here’s the factor: I could be a grown-up however for some purpose, I felt so giddy and nervous once I was going to satisfy him — however all these nerves went away once I met him! He was so heat and enjoyable to speak to, irrespective of the bizarre questions that I ask (lol). He even helped me perceive some extra of the Finnish tradition! One of the best half? Visiting in the course of the summer time will certainly offer you extra time to speak to him as a result of the gang is quite a bit lesser. In fact, visiting him in December is good however you’ll have a while to barter your standing on his ‘naughty listing’ if you happen to’re right here throughout off-season.
. - Cross over the Arctic Circle: The Arctic Circle’s latitude (66°33′45.9′) crosses by the Santa Claus Village and this spot is correctly marked on the heart of the sq. with an enormous line. With that stated, just remember to get a superb commemoration photograph for this!
. - Ship postcards from Santa Claus’ Predominant Submit Workplace: That is an official Finnish submit workplace service station and it’s specifically made for the Santa Claus Village. Other than sending postcards to your loved ones and associates, you may also discuss to the elves right here and ask extra about their line of labor. By means of them, I discovered that I may also ship postcards or request a letter from Santa that will likely be scheduled for sending in the course of the Christmas season; so even if you happen to’re right here in the summertime, the elves have all of it lined for you! Moreover, as I went by the shop analyzing souvenirs, I additionally noticed some fascinating statistics concerning the quantity of people that ship Santa letters.
- NOTE: It’s attainable on your youngsters to ship letters to Santa Claus and at occasions, he even replies! (Handle: Santa Claus, Santa Claus’ Predominant Submit Workplace, Tähtikuja 1, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland)
◘◘ Meet Santa’s reindeer!
Discovered simply behind Santa Claus’ Workplace is a Reindeer Park and for simply €5, you’ll be able to pet, feed and mingle with these light animals for so long as you need! This opens from the early summer time to the start of autumn so it’s greatest that you just maintain this in thoughts on your Rovaniemi itinerary.
Should you ask me, I positive had a swell time right here whereby from the second I got here by the door, a child reindeer came visiting to greet me — it was so heart-warming! And sure, I took my candy time taking images and selfies with them.
Now, one other beauty of visiting this park is the guides as a result of aside from the truth that they provide out fascinating data concerning the reindeer, they’re additionally very happy to entertain your questions. For example, it’s by them that I discovered how reindeer principally quantity greater than the Lappish folks! I additionally acquired to know the method of how reindeer lose their antlers and a lot extra.
◘◘ Go river rafting
For Rovaniemi in summer time, enroll with Santa’s Adventures to expertise fast-falling rapids! Held within the rafting space of Vikajärvi close to Rovaniemi, that is undoubtedly top-of-the-line methods to take pleasure in Finnish nature to its fullest!
Relaxation assured, although that is thrilling, it’s a completely secure exercise to get your adrenaline flowing. The icing on the cake? As soon as the journey is finished, you’ll be able to sit down and have some heat drinks and grilled sausages by an open hearth. So collect your loved ones and associates for this exercise — if not, doing it solo is ok too because you’re sure to satisfy equal-minded individuals who like your type of enjoyable!
DINING OPTION: Other than being an exquisite lodging place, Cafe & Bar KOTI is a good spot to dine in not just for a snack however for a meal too. They’ve a day by day lunch particular or salad buffet which you could strive — in any other case, they’ve a la carte dishes so that you can take pleasure in. In different occasions, their espresso is a should as it’s produced from freshly floor beans. Pair it off with some pulla (Finnish candy bread) and also you’re solved! (If pulla will not be your factor, in addition they haver different baked pastries out there).
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If in case you have extra time or if you happen to merely need another selections, contemplate the next:
– With Arctic Pleasure
Do a canyon tour: Finished as a day journey, that is performed in Korouoma’s 100-meter rocky partitions and serpentine river, and as you do that in the summertime, you’ll get to benefit from the canyon’s distinctive flora and nature.
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– With SantaPark Arctic World
Go to one other Santa Claus park: Separate from the Santa Claus Village, it is a paid park the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in varied actions in any season with your loved ones. In the summertime you are able to do issues like going by a Santa Claus’ Helper Course, using the Magic Practice, becoming a member of Elf College, visiting the Ice Princess and lots of others. (Sure, you may also meet Santa Claus right here!)
A day for Arctic animals
◘◘ Do an moral husky kennel go to
I’m in love with canines and I really like huskies probably the most! Since Rovaniemi’s sled canine excursions are insanely in style, I had the prospect to go to a good husky kennel heart close to town and it was referred to as Bearhill. I can completely advocate them as a result of they put the well being of the canines at the beginning whereas being a contemporary eco-friendly institution as properly.
And if you happen to ask me, late summer time is definitely a good time to go to Bearhill as a result of you’ll be able to witness how the canines are educated and ready for the approaching winter. You possibly can even meet all of the new child husky puppies which can be being taken care of.
Throughout my go to with them at Rovaniemi in summer time, I had the prospect to participate of their canine staff coaching* as I rode a husky cart myself, and it was SO a lot enjoyable! To not point out, that I additionally helped give a number of lovely puppies their day by day train within the woods. Naturally, I used to be in canine heaven all all through my expertise! (And sure, I took quite a lot of canine selfies. In fact.)
NOTE: Since huskies can’t do strenuous actions when temperatures are increased than 15 levels Celsius, driving a husky cart for 30 to 40 minutes is climate dependent.
◘◘ Get pleasure from a riverboat cruise to a reindeer farm after which do a ceremonial Arctic Circle crossing
Picture by ©Go to Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Advertising Ltd.)
This can be a distinctive expertise that you are able to do with Lapland Safaris. The very first thing that you just do on this tour is to trip a picket riverboat as you undergo serene landscapes to expertise the summer time of the Arctic.
When you attain the reindeer farm, you’ll take part in a conventional ceremonial crossing of the Arctic Circle which makes for a memorable expertise — I received’t spoil the enjoyable however it was fairly fascinating! When that is performed, you’ll lastly get to satisfy the majestic reindeer that they’re holding on the farm as you feed them up shut.
Earlier than doing one final river cruise (again to town heart) that marks the tip of the tour, additionally, you will get to take pleasure in some drinks and snacks in a conventional Finnish residence. The guides that they’ve are additionally approachable and pleasant, and they’re going to share with you some nice trivia about Finland and basic; in any other case, don’t be afraid to ask some questions!
DINING OPTION: Cafe & Bar 21 is arguably the best place to dine in particularly with their distinctive dishes and candy waffles which you could order all day! If there’s one factor that it’s essential to strive, it will likely be their Lapas Plate (Lappish Tapas)!
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If in case you have extra time throughout Rovaniemi in summer time or if you happen to merely need another selections, contemplate the next:
– SnowCastle: This can be a excellent place to go to in case you have a automotive. Positioned in Kemi, which is 80km south of Rovaniemi (which can take about an hour by automotive or bus), is SnowCastle. Mainly, it is among the largest ice buildings on this planet and past its gorgeous faux-drawbridges, ramparts, and ice watchtowers is its well-known SnowRestaurant. Should you e-book on-line, you’ll be able to sit on a fur-topped tree stump and desk made from stable ice, as you bask in a tremendous 3-course dinner!
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– Ranua Wildlife Park: Additionally present in Kemi, this zoo presents its guests the chance to look at Arctic animals all all year long in a pure atmosphere for as a lot as attainable.
TIP: Reserve your tickets and be part of a Ranua guided tour to keep away from the trouble of driving right here by your self. In addition to, this tour begins from Rovaniemi with a cease to Ranua Wildlife Park and lasting for less than half a day.
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– With Arctic Nature: Do horse path using ~ Participate on this 2-hour horse trip by a fantastic forest, round some fields and up the hills. To mark the tip of the tour, campfire lunch will even be served.
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– With Nortsav: Do boat fishing ~ Expertise a guided boat fishing tour on the rivers of Kemijoki and Ounasjoki. Should you get some catch, it’s completely attainable to arrange and smoke them! (This tour already contains fishing gear and fishing licenses).
Take pleasure in tradition and science
◘◘ Tour Arktikum Museum and Korundi
Picture by ©Go to Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Advertising Ltd.)
When you’ve made your go to to Pilke, contemplate making a go to to those different prime museums in Rovaniemi…
- Arktikum: Should you solely have the time to go to one museum throughout your keep, then a cease by Arktikum is your best option which you could make! In any case, this world-class museum has various exhibitions that may lead you on an journey to find extra concerning the tradition and historical past of Finnish Lapland, in addition to the information concerning the Arctic area.
- One other facet to like about Arktikum is its design through which it boasts a 172-meter lengthy glass tuber over its primary house. Resulting from its picturesque aesthetic, it is a favourite spot amongst photographers and Instagrammers. It’s additionally fairly a sight from the surface too through which you will note the museum trying as if it’s buried within the earth — an amazing design that mimics the best way Arctic animals hibernate in the course of the winter time.
- TICKETS: E book on-line
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- Tradition Home Korundi: This contemporary construction holds 2 artwork establishments, specifically the…
- Chamber Orchestra of Lapland: The multi-purpose live performance corridor has 340 seats and there are numerous occasions held right here, from concert events to conferences.
- Rovaniemi Artwork Museum: Options Finnish fashionable and nice artwork from the Forties as much as the current.
- TICKETS: E book on-line
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TIP: It’s greatest to get the Tradition Move which is a good-for-value entry that means that you can go to the entire prime 3 museums in Rovaniemi (Arktikum, Korundi, and Pilke). That is legitimate for 7 days and you should purchase it from any of the three aforementioned sights.
◘◘ Do a night pictures tour (perhaps spot some Northern Lights!)
Picture by ©Go to Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Advertising Ltd.)
If you wish to discover the most effective areas round Rovaniemi to expertise and {photograph} the distinctive nature of Lapland, then a pictures tour with Past Arctic is a should!
If you’re fortunate you may even see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) particularly if you happen to time your go to across the finish of August — in spite of everything, it’s the time once they begin to present. If you wish to be up to date on the forecasts, you’ll be able to obtain this app.
TRIVIA: Finnish folks used to assume that the flick of a fox’s tail by a snowdrift triggered the looks of the Northern Lights!
MEAL OPTIONS: Go over to Frans & Cherie Restaurant, a French bistro that additionally serves a number of native Lappish dishes similar to leipäjuusto or Finnish squeaky cheese which is one among my favorites! That is greatest eaten heat, in my view. (And sure, because the title suggests, it does have a particular texture which makes some type of ‘squeaky’ sound when chewed).
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If in case you have extra time throughout Rovaniemi in summer time or if you happen to merely need another selections, contemplate the next:
– Do different Aurora Borealis excursions: For example, Arctic Life-style presents this sort of tour on jet skis whereas Lapland Welcome does it with an ATV.
– Do climbing or biking: Go on a day journey on a nature path resulting in the 16-meter waterfalls of Auttiköngäs that’s primarily open in the summertime. This can be a forested canyon that’s a part of the Northern Finland’s old-growth forest safety program so that you’re definitely going to see some wealthy fauna and flora!
Immerse your self in Rovaniemi’s nature
◘◘ Check out fatbiking!
Fats bikes are nice to make use of within the winter — however it’s a enjoyable trip to do in the summertime too! I did fats biking with Roll Outside in the summertime by the close by woods of Rovaniemi and it was one of the crucial enjoyable actions that I did throughout my keep. Throughout our day trip, I additionally had the prospect to take pleasure in some views from up excessive in addition to some berry selecting.
NOTE: You possibly can select from both a guide or digital fats bike. Helmets are offered and you may also strap in a GoPro on it if you wish to.
◘◘ Meet a neighborhood artisan and do a workshop
Picture by ©Go to Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi Tourism & Advertising Ltd.)
Head on over to Hornwork to go to the artisan workshop and residential of Mrs. Irene & Mr. Ari Kangasniemi. With them, you may get a deeper understanding of the native way of life, in addition to have the prospect to make your personal souvenirs.
Reality be advised, there are lengthy traditions of arts and handicrafts from native supplies like wooden and reindeer antlers in Lapland and that is one of the best ways to be taught extra about it!
◘◘ Expertise an genuine Finnish sauna
Stress-free in a Finnish sauna is a should to do whenever you’re in Finland! Certain, Tampere stands out as the sauna capital however there are many sauna locations in Rovaniemi the place you can begin. In any case, a Finnish sauna expertise is on the core of each Finnish individual’s life-style and tradition, so why not give it a strive too?
So the place to do it? Most definitely, your lodge will have already got a sauna heart on its premises — if not, ask them about it and so they’ll absolutely level you in the best course. In any other case, right here’s an inventory of some nice sauna experiences on this web page.
~ Wanna know some how-to’s, ideas and issues to do in a Finnish Sauna? Learn right here.
MEAL OPTIONS: Amarillo might not be an genuine Lappish restaurant however it’s a preferred Mexican-style restaurant that’s positive to fulfill your cravings!
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SUBSTITUTE ACTIVITIES: If in case you have extra time throughout Rovaniemi in summer time or if you happen to merely need another selections, contemplate the next:
– With Helios Tour: Up on Lampivaara hill is an amethyst mine and every customer can dig up their very own fortunate quartz that may slot in one fist.
– With Pleased Fox: How about some gold? With Pleased Fox you’ll be able to be part of a tour the place you’ll be able to expertise gold panning together with a ship journey.