Incredible things to do in Rovaniemi: 2024 Finnish Lapland guide

Have you ever dreamed of visiting Finnish Lapland? With sweeping arctic wilderness, dreamy snowscapes, colourful northern lights and herds of reindeer. It’s surely the ultimate travel bucket list destination.

To experience the best of Finnish Lapland, you must head to Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland.

There are so many incredible things to do in Rovaniemi and the surrounding Finnish Lapland area that it’s hard to know where to begin.

Incredible things to do in Rovaniemi

It’s a super cool city that is best known for being the “official” home town of Santa Claus himself.

I think the best time to visit Finnish Lapland is in the winter and as close to Christmas as possible for maximum festive feels. It’s the ideal Christmas destination in Europe.

Read my bumper Finnish Lapland guide and start planning your dream holiday to Lapland today!

what to do in rovaniemi

Ultimate guide to Lapland | activities, hotels and food

In this stunning part of the Arctic Circle, you can experience so many fun things to do.

You can go on a reindeer ride, meet huskies, stay in an ‘Aurora cabin’, chase the northern lights, go hot tubbing under the stars and feast upon Lappish cuisine.

There is so much to do in Rovaniemi, and I hope my guide inspires you.

Lapland Reindeer ride

One does not go to Finnish Lapland and not experience a reindeer ride. There’s nothing quite like being pulled along in a reindeer sleigh in -15°C conditions, with the sun setting in a glorious pastel shade haze.

A reindeer safari in Rovaniemi is a bucket list Lapland experience you don’t want to miss.

There is something incredibly romantic about the calm serenity and the sheer isolation of the frozen landscape when it is just you, your beloved, the reindeers and guide.

I turned to husband Luke to eloquently express this sentiment, only to find my face was frozen shut. Needless to say, wrap up warm kids.

Lapland Reindeer tour

I would book a Reindeer Farm Visit with Sleigh Ride in advance to make sure you have a Rovaniemi reindeer ride on your preferred days.

By booking a reputable Lapland reindeer tour in advance, you will have a Lapland reindeer ride with a professional guide and have extras like hotel pick up and drop off.

On our Lapland Reindeer tour, we were picked up from our hotel driven to the middle of an arctic forest.

We then had an incredible, wintery reindeer ride through the forest and even got to meet and feed some of the reindeer afterwards.

Whilst it was absolutely freezing in the forest, we were treated to hot juice and a roaring fire in a snug tipi after the ride. After many hot juices, I was thankfully able to talk and have facial expressions.

Some of the best Reindeer tours in Rovaniemi include:

Lapland Northern Lights

One of the best places to see the northern lights is in Finish Lapland. Seeing the Northern lights have long been an ultimate travel goal of mine.

I have longed to see the dancing aurora borealis in the clear night sky. The Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland are famously elusive and it can be down to sheer luck if you actually manage to see them.

If you are basing your trip around seeing the Northern lights in Finland, I recommend you check the northern lights Finland forecast to increase your chances of experiencing them.

Northern lights, Aurora Borealis in Lapland, Finland

Lapland Finland Northern Lights Tour

It’s really worth booking a Lapland northern lights photography trip in advance online.

This is because you Lapland northern lights tour will include things like a professional guide, help with photography and pick-up and drop off at your hotel.

Many Finland northern lights excursions will also include extras such as a Lappish BBQ, hot drinks in a cabin and warm Winter clothes to wear.

Northern lights tour Rovaniemi

On our Northern Lights trip, we were picked up from our accommodation, given warm overalls and taken to a quiet forest clearing.

Within minutes of arriving, the Northern Lights started to appear, and everyone fell silent.

Northern lights image taken in Finish Lapland

It’s hard to describe the feeling you have when you see them, especially when you are in a remote and snowy location. It almost feels like you have a deep connection with nature.

The silence was broken by me shrieking, “Shit, get the camera, we HAVE to get photos, think of the INSTAGRAMS!” Aren’t I a treat?

Some of the best Rovaniemi Northern lights tours include:

Stay in a Glass Igloo in Rovaniemi

Staying in a glass igloo has surely got to be top of your Lapland bucket list? You can stay in a premium Glass Igloo in Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle and enjoy a night under the stars.

These luxurious igloos are the perfect place to enjoy the northern lights and the famous midnight sun in the Arctic Circle. It’s one of the best places to stay in Rovaniemi.

Even if you don’t see the elusive Northern Lights, you can still enjoy a gorgeous starscape as you drift off to sleep.

Staying in a glass igloo in Rovaniemi was one of my favourite things to do in Finnish Lapland.

It really was such a unique experience to snuggle up in a cosy igloo with a hot chocolate and enjoy the serenity of the Arctic Circle wilderness.

If you want to spoil yourself on your trip, consider booking a stay here.

Go on a Husky ride in Rovaniemi

There is something thrilling about racing through an Arctic forest and being pulled along on a sledge by excitable Huskies. A husky ride in Finnish Lapland is one of the must-do things.

Book a Lapland husky ride excursion in advance to secure your husky ride in Rovaniemi today.

By booking your Rovaniemi husky ride in advance, you will have added extras such as a local guide and pick-up and drop-off from your hotel.

Finnish Lapland husky tour

There’s a definite feel of ‘days gone by’ when you find yourself whizzing through the forest listening to your guide command the Huskies in Finnish.

I was amazed at the speed we were going along at. These huskies freaking LOVE to run. Getting some snaps as they bounded through the snow mind was a real challenge.

We also met the trainers after our ride, asked lots of questions and played with the Huskies.

It was an amazing experience and I do hope you have more luck getting a ‘Huskie selfie’ than I did. We miraculously managed a ‘Sledge selfie’ whilst flying through the snow.

Having a husky ride in Rovaniemi is definitely a bucket list activity in Lapland.

Ice Floating in Rovaniemi

I imagine that ice floating in Finland came about because of a conversation like this.

“Say now, Sven. How about we pop tourists in unflattering rescue suits and stick them in a frozen lake?

We’ll it ‘ice floating’ and tell them it’s ‘what the locals do’. We’ll have a right old laugh.”

We had a once-in-a-lifetime experience floating in survival suits, in a frozen lake, on a special ice floating experience with Safartica.

Ice floating Rovaniemi

When you arrive in the remote lake setting, you will be outfitted with a special dry suit that will keep you warm when floating in the freezing lake water.

With the help of your buoyant dry suit, lie back and relax as you let your mind drift in the peaceful surroundings.

You can also book a special Aurora Ice Floating experience and gaze up at the Northern Lights as you gently float in the still, icy waters.

Go on a Snowmobile Safari in Rovaniemi

There’s nothing more thrilling than riding your snowmobile around the Arctic Circle on a Lapland snowmobile safari.

Enjoy the beautiful wintry forest scenery and take many snowy photos during your exciting ride.

Many tours will also offer you the chance to hunt down the northern lights on a snowmobile with a professional guide.

If you don’t fancy driving a snowmobile, why not kick back and be driven around on a snowmobile or snow train?

Let a guide take you to the best Northern lights spots whilst you relax under warm blankets.

Some of the best Lapland snowmobile tours include:

Ski across the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi

Explore the winter forest with just you and your guide on a Rovaniemi cross-country ski adventure through the Arctic Finnish wilderness.

Discover magical scenery and frozen lakes as you keep your eyes peeled for reindeer.

You can book a private trip with a guide who will show you how to cross-ski. Your guide will also tell you about the surrounding area and some history on Lapland and the Sami people.

Now we’re going to ski across the frozen lake” beamed our guide. My anxious husband, Luke, looked like he was having a mini-stroke at the suggestion and needed to be coaxed onto the lake.

Cross-country skiing Rovaniemi

Cross-country skiing is a great way to get through the snow and explore the frozen landscape without sinking into the snow.

After initial hesitation, Luke decided he was the lead ‘explorer’ and excitedly charged through the snow.

It was wonderfully peaceful skiing across the lake; there was no one else around and all we could see ahead were miles of serene snowscapes.

Crossing the Arctic Circle in Lapland is an incredible experience and one of Rovaniemi’s best things to do.

Meet Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

No visit to Lapland is complete without meeting Santa Claus, even if you’re a middle-aged married couple

Meeting Santa in Rovaniemi is a wonderful family activity in Finnish Lapland and something the kids will never forget.

We were lucky enough to have a private audience with Santa at the Santa Claus Holiday Village.

There was some initial confusion whereby I thought we were meeting Santa at his Festive residence.

However, 5 minutes before meeting Santa, it transpired Santa was coming to visit us at our holiday cottage.

Meeting Santa in Rovaniemi

“Quick, run back, tidy for SANTA”, I started shrieking at Luke in a panic. “Santa can’t see my underwear on the floor!” Perhaps being married to me isn’t quite the delight I think it is?

After a frantic tidy, with everything shoved into cupboards, Santa arrived with a helper elf and instantly I was a little girl, in awe of Santa again.

During our time with Santa, he sang to us in Finnish, gave us a gift and asked what I would like for next Christmas? “A basket of kittens please”, was my optimistic response.

Santa and husband exchanged nervous glances as I promised to be “extra good”. I am still waiting for my Kittens. You move Klaus, your move.

Hiking in Rovaniemi

There are lots of fabulous walks in and around Rovaniemi. We walked through the snow following the popular ‘two bridges walk’, that combines the old railway bridge and the ‘Lumberjack’s candle’ bridge.

Rovaniemi Trails are well-marked and are suitable for novice walkers as well as keen ramblers.

For a longer Rovaniemi hike, take the open ‘aapa mire trail’ or the ‘forest trail to Sortovaara’.

More information about walks in the area can be found on the national parks website.

We also walked to the Arctic Garden, following the River Ounasjoki. Make sure to wrap up warm when hiking in Lapland, it can get super cold.

Check out my guide to winter trip packing essentials, to get an idea of what to pack for Lapland.

Rovaniemi walks

It was so quiet when we explored the forests; we didn’t see another person around us and everything was so still and peaceful.

I had never walked through a snow-covered forest before, and I was completely blown away by how beautiful it all looked.

I would really recommend strapping some snow boots on and getting outside to experience some dreamy snowscapes.

Rovaniemi City Photography Tour

If you love taking snowy snaps, why not book a Rovaniemi City Photography Tour and get some incredible photos from your Instagram grid?

This fun photography tour will take you to the best locations around Rovaniemi City and the surrounding area to photograph some of its most iconic landmarks and natural sights.

You will be guided by a professional photographer who can teach you some new tricks in photography and share information about Rovaniemi and the surrounding areas.

Your photographer and guide will also conduct a professional photo shoot during the trip, and you’ll receive edited, high-quality photos of your visit to Rovaniemi.

Your friends and family back home will frankly die with jealousy when you post your ‘winter forest’ pics on Facebook.

Explore Rovaniemi Town Centre

The capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi, has a quaint and compact centre.

Here, you’ll find shops, bars, restaurants, mini skating rinks and Christmas stalls in winter.

The town centre is also within walking distance of attractions such as the Arktikum Museum and is a cutesy and convenient base for organising nearby activities.

Rovaniemi is a great place to base yourself for your Lapland holiday, as it is close to many attractions and sites.

Christmas in Rovaniemi

It really felt like a festive town when we visited in January, with Christmas trees, sparkly Christmas lights, snow, and the sound of Christmas songs being played in shops and cafes.

There were adorable wooden huts where you could buy traditional Lapland handicrafts and gifts. More modern stores and boutique shops can also be found in the centre.

Where to stay in Rovaniemi

There are many fantastic places to stay in Rovaniemi and the surrounding area. Lapland’s capital has modern hotels, festive-themed cabins, glass igloos and budget places to stay.

You can find a hotel to suit your budget and length of time by using travel resources such as Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Rovaniemi.

Looking for where to stay in Rovaniemi? Check out my article on the best places to stay in Rovaniemi for inspiration.

Some of the best hotels in Rovaniemi include:

Getting around Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is a small town with short distances between locations. In the city centre, everything is close together, including shops, restaurants and cafes.

If you are considering hiring a car in Rovaniemi, make sure you are comfortable driving in snowy and cold conditions.

Especially if you are visiting Lapland in winter, there’s a definite skill to driving in wintery conditions that’s for sure.

Rovaniemi buses

If you aren’t hiring a car, buses are the only form of public transport available in Rovaniemi. Bus timetables, routes and ticket prices can be found online.