Plan Rovaniemi 2026: Santa Claus Village (free entry), Arktikum, aurora tours from town. Flights from Helsinki 1h 15min, night train 12h.
The Arctic Circle under the midnight sun
Home to the Arktikum museum and the launch point for Lapland safaris and aurora tours.
The capital of Finnish Lapland sits right on the Arctic Circle, where the journey north begins for most travellers. The city is home to Santa Claus Village and the Arktikum museum, and it was rebuilt after WWII in the shape of reindeer antlers to a plan by Alvar Aalto.
December–March for snow & aurora, June–July for midnight sun
Direct flights from Helsinki (1h 15min). Night train from Helsinki (12h). Rovaniemi is the main hub for all Lapland travel.
Cross the Arctic Circle line, meet Santa every day of the year, and send postcards from Santa's Post Office. Free entry to the village itself.
Award-winning museum and science centre built into an Arctic landscape. Northern Lights theatre, Sámi culture exhibitions, and the 172-metre glass tunnel.
The only place in Finland with polar bears. Over 50 Arctic and Nordic species in natural enclosures, wolverines, lynx, moose, brown bears. 1 hour south of Rovaniemi.
The city's own fell, ski slopes in winter, hiking and mountain biking trails in summer. Northern Lights visible from the summit, 10 minutes from city centre.
The "Lumberjack's Candle", an iconic bridge over the Kemijoki River. The eternal flame at its center burns year-round. Best viewed at blue hour.
One of the largest snowmobile safari operators in Lapland. Routes across frozen rivers and through snowy forests. Night aurora rides available.
Where the Arctic Circle meets childhood wonder