Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland in Finland and one of the largest cities in the Arctic. With its never-ending summer days, picturesque snow covered forests, frozen lakes, Santa Claus and the laid back Finnish culture, it is without a doubt a one of a kind trip in Europe. If you’re contemplating spending your next holiday in the arctic circle, there are a few things you must take into account. In this article, we will provide the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Rovaniemi.
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How to get to Rovaniemi, Lapland?
Rovaniemi is located on the border of the Arctic circle in the north of Finland. This makes it a somewhat remote destination, however it boasts an international airport and charter flights from many European cities in winter. This will be the fastest way if you manage to find a suitable direct flight.
If you can’t book a direct flight, your other option is to fly into Helsinki first. There, you could take the night train to Kemijärvi and get off in Rovaniemi in the morning. This is a great budget friendly and also sustainable option. You can find online tickets, for as little as 49 EUR in a private sleeping cabin, on the Finnish railway’s website. Alternatively, take a flight, it only takes about an hour and Finnair operates up to 3 flights a day.
If you want to visit other Finnish cities on your way – consider a road trip from the south of Finland to Lapland. Due to the very short period of daylight and snowy roads, I wouldn’t recommend doing it in the winter, but it is definitely a great idea for the summer.
How to get around in Rovaniemi?
Even as the capital of Lapland, the city is very compact and distances are manageable on foot. If you still need transportation in the city – Lähitaksi
is the most recommended taxi company. Of course, you can use the local bus lines – there are more than 10, even one that goes to the Santa Claus village. Check their routes and timetable online here.
For activities outside the city, it is best to rent a car because it makes you more flexible. If you don’t want to, or it is not possible to rent a car, make sure that you book a transfer for your experiences. A lot of tour companies offer them for a small charge.
Is it expensive to visit Rovaniemi, Lapland?
It could be, depending on when you are visiting. During the high season (November – December) accommodation is pricy. Groceries, transport and souvenirs for example are a bit more expensive than in the central parts of Europe. However, Finland is the cheapest of all the Nordic countries. If eating out, you will be looking at about 80-100 EUR for a three-course dinner for two.
You can still visit in the winter, even on a budget, and we have some very good tips how to do that here.
How cold does it get in Rovaniemi, Lapland?
January is the coldest month. Winter day temperatures can drop to -17 °C (1 °F), but on warmer days it could be as high as 1 °C (34 °F). Strong winds or storms are very rare as the climate is mild. This and some warm garments make the cold quite tolerable.
July is the hottest month in Rovaniemi. Temperatures vary between 10 and 21 °C (50-69 °F) However, you must take into account some rainy days and some cold nights.
What clothes to wear?
The clothes you need to pack will depend a lot on the season when you are visiting.
In the winter you need layers – long-sleeved/long-legged thermal underwear, warm garments and a good insulated outerwear. Waterproof thick-soled boots and also accessories like mittens, a scarf, a hat or even balaclava to keep your head warm are crucial.
For more information on the necessary clothing, check out our detailed guide on dressing for the Arctic winter here.
The summer temperatures vary a bit, but it is predominantly mild, with some rainy days. It is also best if you have layers with light clothes, so you can take something off if it gets too hot. You’ll also need a waterproof jacket and shoes. The nights are mostly cold. The most important thing for your summer trip is the mosquito repellent, since most of Lapland turns into a swamp in the summer and there are many insects, especially between June and August. In case you forget that, it is easy to find some and buy it in Lapland.
What is the best time to visit Rovaniemi, Lapland?
Rovaniemi is worth visiting all year round. It depends on what you want to do and see.
Winter
In the winter, you can enjoy a lot of snow activities that you most probably can’t try in your home country, like husky rides or fishing in the middle of a frozen lake (yes, really). The best time is from the end of November till the end of March. Visit after Christmas if you want to avoid the high season.
Midnight sun
If you are intrigued by the Midnight sun (when the sun doesn’t set), it is best to plan your journey for mid-late June. Depending on the altitude, it could be just a day or more than a month. In Rovaniemi, it lasts from the 6th of June to the 7th of July. Fun fact, the city also holds the world record for most consecutive hours of sunshine – 122 hours, set in July 2021. In that period, there are also lots of activities available, such as water sports, floating on a lake or attending a live music event. The Midnight sun is like a festival in Lapland.
Northern lights
You can see the Northern lights from the end of August till the beginning of April. It is proven that the most favourable conditions occur at the beginning and the end of this season, but they are visible on around 150 nights a year in Finnish Lapland. There isn’t really “a best time to see Auroras”, because they can only be roughly predicted, and you need most of all – luck.
How many days do you need for Rovaniemi, Lapland?
If you only visit Rovaniemi and the Santa Claus Village, 2 to 3 days is absolutely enough. If you plan to stay in the city, but want to explore the surroundings by doing a few day trips, you will need around 5 to 6 days, depending on the activities.
Can you see the Northern lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland?
To see the Northern lights you need a clear dark sky, low light pollution and mostly luck. There are some very good spots in Rovaniemi where you can enjoy the Auroras with no light pollution. The best ones are probably the Arctic garden (the park next to the Arktikum museum) and Ounasvaara. Alternatively, you can join a guided Aurora hunt. There are a lot of companies offering different types of hunts. However, we advise you not to book it prior to your stay, but rather to wait until in Rovaniemi and book according to the weather conditions and Aurora predictions. There are plenty of apps (for example Aurora Alert App) that inform you about the chances of seeing the Northern lights in real-time.
Do you need a car in Rovaniemi?
If you are only staying in the city, or all of your tours include transfer, you don’t need a rental car. You can reach everything in the centre of Rovaniemi easily on foot. Although, if you want to go off the beaten track and visit a place on your own, renting a car might be your best option. For a family, it will most probably be cheaper than taxis or public transportation. Of course, it also makes you much more flexible.
If you are visiting in the winter and are concerned about driving in Lapland, check our article with essential tips so that you can have a safe journey.
Where and when can you see Santa?
The Santa Claus village is the obvious answer. This is where his main office is. It is just outside the city, about 10-minute drive or about 30 minutes by bus. It is open daily and it’s free.
Less known is Santa’s City office right in the hearth of Rovaniemi. And whereas in the village you will wait for quite some time with lots of other tourists in order to say Hello to Saint Nick, in the city the queue is usually shorter.
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