Location: Rovaniemi
Top Things to do in Rovaniemi
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Rovaniemi, Lapland
Rovaniemi (Finnish: [roʋɑˈniemi] ( listen)) is a city and municipality of Finland. It is the administrative capital and commercial centre of Finland's northernmost province, Lapland. It is situated about 6 kilometres (4 miles) south of the Arctic Circle and is between the hills of Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara, at the confluence of the river Kemijoki and its tributary, the Ounasjoki. The city and the surrounding Rovaniemen maalaiskunta (Rural municipality of Rovaniemi) were consolidated into a single entity on 1 January 2006. The new municipality has an area of 8,016.75 square kilometres (3,095.28 sq mi), thus making it the largest city in the European Union by land. Rovaniemi has an approximate population of 62,000.
Restaurants in Rovaniemi
1. Orbas Reindeer Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Hey you traveller! We’re a local reindeer herder family from Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland. With us, you’ll get to know the tradition of Lappish reindeer herding culture at our family farm. Reindeer herding is our lifestyle, and with us you’ll experience traditional, calm, but simultaniously modern reindeer herding culture. Our farm is located in a remote location at the furthermost corner of Rovaniemi, far beyond the street lights and the facilities of modern lifestyle.
Reviewed By TrudyG181 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
We visited the family and they were willing to share their lives with us for one day. We have looked at and fed the herd of reindeer as they do every day. Weroasted sausages and drank hot drinks in the snow while sitting on reindeer skins. And we ended the tour sitting in the kitchen, eating a traditional meal while enjoying each other's company. We look back on a fantastic day.
2. Marttiini Store Old Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
MARTTIINI KNIVES – Est. 1928. Welcome to Marttiini Store for sharp shopping! Marttiini knives are a combination of generations of craftsmanship expertise and modern technology. The knives use natural materials like leather, curly birch and reindeer antler bone. The ultra-sharp blade is always made from finest steel. Marttiini knives are created to match the needs and capabilities of the user – the range consists of high-quality knives for outdoors, fishing, hunting and kitchen, as well as unique design and collector’s items. Marttiini-made, Rapala-branded FNF filleting knife is the world’s most sold filleting knife. Over the years, Marttiini has produced over 50 million knives that are sold wordwide and continues to create products that all bear the Marttiini heritage: performance, beauty and uncompromising quality.
3. Napapiirin Porofarmi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Thisadventurousmiss - Banff, Canada
This was one of our highlights in Lapland - Janne was incredibly friendly and welcoming and gave us so much info about the reindeer, as well as Sami traditions and buildings. There was no snow so we did not book a sleigh ride, just the farm visit (17 euro per person) but it was definitely worth it! We got to meet and feed the beautiful reindeer, they are so gentle and soft!! Finished up with a hot drink and delicious Finnish cookies. Would love to come back in winter one day!!
4. Santa Claus Office
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,776 reviews
Santa Claus Office is the place to meet Santa Claus himself in Rovaniemi. Have a chat with him and have your photo taken with him. Open every day, free of charge!
Reviewed By theadahapalla - Vienna, Austria
Whichever time of the year you come here, it will always give you the Christmas vibes. Don't forget to take a picture in the Arctic circle post. Visit the post office of Santa and some postcards to your loved ones.
5. Santa Claus Village
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,202 reviews
Reviewed By watsonc - Johannesburg, South Africa
This is a resort type of place with everything to offer to the young and the old. Nothing is more wonderful than to allow your imagination to run wild in the snow magical fun filled place. From visiting Santa’s post office, husky petting, snow tubing, ice skating, reindeer sleighing & all the other excursions & adventures on offer, this is truly a remarkable place to visit. Unfortunately the grotto was closed when we visited but there was plenty to keep us busy for the 3 days. Visiting Santa was also a treat. Just be prepared to pay as this is a tourist kinda trap but worth every cent. A definite must visit regardless if you are an adult or a parent with small children.
6. German Soldier s Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 53 reviews
German soldiers’ cemetery at Norvajärvi, 18 km north of Rovaniemi.The mausoleum is the resting place for more than 2500 Germans who fell in the Second World War. Open to the public April-September. At other times by special arrangement.
Reviewed By heidimva
We had couple of hours at our hands while waiting a train at Rovaniemi. Instead of the usual sightseeing we decided to try something different and this was totally worth it. It takes about 30min drive from Rovaniemi centrum to reach the parking lot followed by 10min walk down the forest path. We had a 4-year-old with us and the walk was suitable for him. He was mostly focused on the blueberries by the path! The memorial site itself is strikingly quiet. It's dark and cold inside the building and it's at the same time very beautiful and distressing place. After one year I still remember the exact feelings I went through when visiting the memorial site.
7. Rovaniemi Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By Mireyav78 - Sitges, Spain
we went there and it was a young lady practicing the piano....so calm and nice, also visit the cemetery, it was absolutely full of snow but still so beautiful.
8. Ortodox Church Rovaniemi
9. Lumberjack's Candle Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By 453isabelal - Tel Aviv, Israel
Amazing structure , a wonderful place for photography . On the first night in Rovaniemi I was lucky enough to see the Northern Lights . A dream came true !
10. Lordi's Square
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By 687paulinak - Tampere, Finland
I was very pleased when saw all the lights and 3 huuuge Christmas trees all in lights. Smaller ones around also were lighten up :). There were ice sculptures of 3 wise man and animals in the crib with baby Jesus Maria and Joseph. Nicely done!
