Rovaniemi, Finland is an enchanting destination and should be on everyone’s list of travel goals. You will witness the most spectacular scenery where the forests and snow sparkle magically . You will embrace exciting adventures and the chance opportunity to see the Northern Lights in all its glory! We experienced this dream trip, and are anxious to share with you how you can plan your ultimate dream trip to Rovaniemi, Finland!
Quote:
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
Everybody needs to visit Finland! Whether you are traveling solo, couple, friends, family, etc., you will quench your thirst for an unforgettable fairytale experience!
Brittany and I consider our Finland trip to be an epic journey that gave us memories that we will cherish forever. Every moment we spent there was extraordinary, and our only disappointment was having to leave. This trip produced a fantastic opportunity for Brittany and me to connect as mother and daughter. We had such a exciting time together that we want to share it with all of you so that you can experience it as well.
A Little About Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, Finland. It is also considered the official hometown of the beloved Santa Claus. You will even find Santa Claus residing in the Santa Claus Village. The Village is located right on the Arctic Circle. Visiting the Village is a must-do for your visit to Rovaniemi. The Village offers several activities, including reindeer rides, huskies pulling sleds, snowmobiling, and sledding to just name a few. There are many gift stores, bars, restaurants, and hotels, too.
For more information on what to see and do while you visit Santa’s Village: Visit Rovaniemi
Best time to Travel to Rovaniemi:
The best time for a trip to Rovaniemi, Finland depends on what you choose to do. All their seasons are characterized by their weather, temperature, natural phenomena, and ideal activities.
Winter:
If you enjoy snow based activities and want a better chance to view the Northern Lights, winter is the best choice for you! This is an opportunity to do activities such as:
- Northern Light Tours
- Reindeer snow sleigh rides
- Husky tours and petting
- Snowmobiling
- Ice Fishing
- Snowshoeing
- Cross Country Skiing
- Skiing
- Ice Floating in a lake
We stayed during the last week in February and the first week of March. We considered this to be ideal for what we wanted to accomplish, which was all the listed activities above! It was perfect!
Average temperatures in the winter:
- December: -20 to -10 degrees Celsius
- January: -30 to -15 degrees Celsius
- February: -20 to -15 degrees Celsius
- March: -15 to -5 degrees Celsius
Spring:
In April and May, the snow fades, ice breaks up and nature is reborn. Several of the winter activities in Rovaniemi still run in early April. After that, it’s time to shift away from snow activities and concentrate your focus on enjoying the beginning of the beautiful green spring landscapes.
Average temperatures in the spring:
- April: 5 to 10 degrees Celsius
- May: 10 to 20 degrees Celsius
Summer:
It is time for the Midnight Sun when the sun does not go down! This period usually lasts from early June to early July. The nights are not nights as we know them, but remain bright and light through the summer in Rovaniemi. Warm spells can be expected to happen in July as well.
Pic Credit: Visit Rovaniemi
Average temperatures in the summer:
- June: 15 to 20 degrees Celsius
- July: 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
We were told by many to be prepared for lots of mosquitos during the summer. It would be essential to have plenty of bug repellent with you so that you can appreciate nature!
Fall:
Although it may still seem like summer at the beginning of August, when you’re nearing the end of the month, you see that nature is changing. The fall leaves start taking on the earthy shades of amber, auburn, and crimson. The fall colors are ideal for the enjoyment of activities such as hiking. Save your energy for the late nights when you can begin looking for the Northern Lights.
Pic Credit: Visit Rovaniemi
Average temperatures in the Fall:
- August: 10 to 20 degrees Celsius
- September: 5 to 15 degrees Celsius
- October: 0 to 10 degrees Celsius
- November: -10 to 5 degrees Celsius
Where to Stay:
Staying at Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle is a must when planning to stay in Rovaniemi, Finland. Not only does the hotel offer an ideal location, but it’s also spectacular to stay in an igloo! The glass igloos are located within a short walking distance to Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle.
Can you imagine lying in your bed and staring up at your glass-windowed ceiling at the incredible night sky? And if you are lucky enough, you might have an opportunity to see the Northern Lights. But even if you don’t have the chance to view the Northern Lights from your igloo … I promise your views from the glass ceilings will be exquisite!
Advantages to Staying Here:
- Approximately 5 minutes from the airport
- A 10-minute walk to Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle
- A 10-minute walk to tours and activities
- Wonderful restaurant for breakfast and dinner
- Glass ceilings that are warmed to remain clear for viewing
- Some rooms have sauna’s
- Some igloos offer views of the Northern Lights
Pic credit: Santa’s Arctic Igloos
Where to Eat:
We were very focused on doing as much as we could with outdoor activities that we didn’t want to spend too much time inside in the restaurants. Because of this goal, we opted to utilize the hotel’s restaurant. We were also treated to a fabulous dinner in town and lunches at Santa’s Village.
- Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – Arctic Eye for breakfast (which is included in your stay) and dinner.
- Restaurant Gaissa – (Dinner) Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus in central Rovaniemi features modern Finnish dishes and Lapland favorites.
Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus Restaurant Gaissa
- Three Elves Restaurant – (Lunch) – Three Elves Restaurant offers Lappish cuisine every day of the year. It is situated right at the Arctic Circle in Santa Claus Village.
We enjoyed this pork dish so much that we came back the next day and ordered it again.
- Snowman World’s Ice Bar – Enjoy ordering a fun cocktail or have a glass of champagne. We did!
Cheers!
Closest Airport:
Daily flights between Rovaniemi airport and Helsinki airport are operated by Finnair and Norwegian. The airport code is RVN.
5StarTip🌟: It’s a small, but comfortable airport. There are no airline business class lounges. However, there is a cafe to grab a drink and a sandwich with lots of comfortable places to sit. You do not need to arrive there too early before your flight. Check-in is a breeze. We arrived an hour early and that was the perfect amount of time.
5StarTip🌟: Brittany and I reserved our flight connections from Helsinki Airport to Rovaniemi. That turned out to be the correct choice for us traveling from California, USA. I would highly recommend it if you are visiting Rovaniemi. We flew with Finnair and found that it was a good option for the price and times available.
Transportation To And From The Airport:
It is about a 6-10 minute taxi drive from the Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle or Santa Claus Village.
For other ways to connect to Rovaniemi, Finland:
5StarTip🌟: Taxis are the easiest, but I would recommend you pre-arrange a time with the hotel’s front desk for your arrival and departure times to assure you have a ride. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle bus, too, based on availability on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Our Top 5 Best Adventure Activities:
Brittany and I stayed in Rovaniemi for 3 days, so we wanted to pack in a lot in a short amount of time. Since we had already experienced a reindeer ride and snowmobile excursion in other parts of Finland, we opted for these amazing Rovaniemi activities:
- Husky Snow Ride
- Puppies (Husky) – petting
- Snowman World’s Ice Bar – to enjoy a cocktail and champagne
- Arctic Ice Floating
- Exploring Santas Village and crossing the Arctic Circle
- Reindeer petting
- Snowman World’s – exploring the ice sculptures and snow tubing
- Chasing the Northern Lights
Before You Go – Information You Need to Know:
Before you plan your trip to Rovaniemi, Finland there are a few
5StarTips🌟 you will appreciate knowing before you even begin your journey. Click below to learn what those tips are:
5StarTips🌟: Before You Go to Lapland Finland – Information You Need to Know!
Always5Star Finland Winter Snow Packing List
Final Thoughts:
I wish you the opportunity to visit Rovaniemi to all of you! There are not enough words to describe how this dream vacation exceeded our expectations. With the above details, you are now ready to travel to Rovaniemi, Finland! It will be a holiday that will create memories you will cherish forever. Cheers to you and your journey to this magical place! Please comment below if you have any questions. We would love to help!
Please note: This was a sponsored opportunity to enjoy Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle and some of the activities mentioned. We were not compensated for writing this article and the opinions expressed are entirely authentic and our own.
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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