Bagintravel
Download
Rovaniemi

Finland travel guide

What to see in Rovaniemi

The capital of Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle: Father Christmas, huskies, reindeer and the northern lights.

Updated 15 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 6 must-see places
  • Best time: March and from August to November
  • Typical food: Poronkäristys
Photo: Tarja Mitrovic · CC BY 2.0

Rovaniemi highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Santa Claus Village

    Where Father Christmas receives visitors all year round, with his post office and the Arctic Circle line.

  2. Arktikum

    A museum and science centre about the Arctic and life in Lapland.

  3. Santa Park

    A Christmas theme park inside a cave.

  4. Ounasvaara Hill

    Ski slopes, trails and views over the town and the rivers.

  5. Jätkänkynttilä Bridge

    The “Lumberjack’s Candle” bridge, the town’s symbol, lit up at night.

  6. Reindeer and husky farms

    On the outskirts, for a sled ride and to see how people live alongside them.

Day trips from Rovaniemi

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Rovaniemi

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Rovaniemi are March and from August to November.

  1. Jan with warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr with warnings
  5. May with warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec with warnings
  • December, January

    Polar night

    In December and January the sun barely rises and it can drop to -25 °C. It’s the best time for the northern lights.

    What to do: Proper technical clothing and daytime activities (sledding, snowmobiles) booked in advance.

  • from December to February

    Intense cold

    In midwinter, temperatures in Lapland are usually well below zero, with very few hours of daylight.

    What to do: Thermal layers, a hat, gloves and snow boots; many places to stay rent out thermal suits. It’s the season of Father Christmas and the northern lights.

  • April, May

    The thaw

    In spring the snow melts: muddy paths and the end of the winter activity season in Lapland.

    What to do: For snow, March is best; for nature and light, from June.

  • June, July

    Mosquitoes in Lapland

    In early summer there are lots of mosquitoes in Lapland and the lake regions.

    What to do: Repellent and long sleeves at dusk. In return, the midnight sun.

Typical food of Rovaniemi

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Rovaniemi from your kitchen).

Poronkäristys
Photo: Htm · Public domain

Poronkäristys

Thinly sliced reindeer sautéed and braised in its own juices with onion, served with mashed potato, lingonberries and gherkins. It’s the dish of Lapland and Rovaniemi.

  • Serves 4
  • 1 h

Ingredients

  • 600 g frozen sliced reindeer (or venison or beef sliced very thinly)
  • 1 onion
  • 80 g butter or lard
  • 300 ml water or beer
  • Black pepper and salt
  • Mashed potato, lingonberry jam and gherkins

How to make it at home

  1. Melt the butter in a casserole and add the sliced meat, separating it as it browns.
  2. Add the chopped onion and soften.
  3. Pour in the water, season and cook covered over a low heat for about 40 minutes.
  4. Uncover at the end to reduce the juices.
  5. Serve with mashed potato, lingonberries and gherkins.

The trick: The meat is sliced while frozen so the slices come out very thin.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a covered market (kauppahalli) or a lunch buffet (lounas). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Finland guide.

Frequently asked questions about Rovaniemi

What to see in Rovaniemi?

Santa Claus Village, Arktikum, Santa Park, Ounasvaara Hill, Jätkänkynttilä Bridge and Reindeer and husky farms.

What to see in Rovaniemi in one day?

Don’t miss Santa Claus Village, Arktikum, Santa Park, Ounasvaara Hill, Jätkänkynttilä Bridge and Reindeer and husky farms. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Rovaniemi?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Rovaniemi are March and from August to November.

What day trips can you take from Rovaniemi?

Northern lights, Husky sledding, Reindeer farm and Snowmobile.

What is the typical food of Rovaniemi?

Poronkäristys. Thinly sliced reindeer sautéed and braised in its own juices with onion, served with mashed potato, lingonberries and gherkins. It’s the dish of Lapland and Rovaniemi.

Bagintravel · We travel together

Shall we plan your trip to Rovaniemi?

Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.

The app is currently available in Spanish.

Download Bagintravel See how it works

Travel ideas with Rovaniemi

More in Finland

Guide reviewed 15 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.