Rovaniemi Winter Itinerary & Essential Travel Tips

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Planning a winter trip to Rovaniemi, Finland, and wondering how many days you need, what to do, or how to make the most of your time? This Rovaniemi winter itinerary, based on our recent trip, is packed with epic places and must-do activities for an unforgettable adventure!

From husky sledding and reindeer encounters to meeting Santa Claus, exploring an ice hotel, admiring snowy landscapes, and chasing auroras, this guide covers all the top Lapland winter experiences around Rovaniemi in five days. We’ve also included extra recommendations, so you’ll find plenty of inspiration for things to do if staying for a week or even longer.

Good to know: We recommend a minimum of 4-5 days in Rovaniemi in winter. Your days will be packed, but this will give you sufficient time to cover all the top places and experience bucket-list winter activities like husky sledding, reindeer, etc. Also, take into account limited daylight hours, especially if traveling around Christmas – New Year!

PRO TIP: To make the most of your Rovaniemi winter trip, don’t miss our experience-based tips on where to stay, how to get around, how to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, and more. You can find these hereunder before our detailed trip itinerary.

 

Tips for Visiting Rovaniemi in Winter

Below, you can find some practical info to help you plan your winter trip to Rovaniemi – from flights and accommodations to tours and watching the Northern Lights. I strongly encourage you to read all this info first, before you start planning the detailed itinerary!

Book Ahead

We visited Lapland in early March, which is high season, and booked everything just a few weeks ahead. It’s really not the best idea – availability was really limited and flights and hotels were really expensive.

If there is one tip I can give you when planning a winter trip to Lapland – book everything well in advance!

For the Christmas period, this means reserving your flights and hotels up to a year in advance. During our trip in early March, we saw many people complain on social media that it was already difficult to find any accommodation, let alone affordable options, for the end of December… And even in March when we traveled quite a few tours and winter activities were booked up.

Where to Stay

If you are not renting a car, consider staying either in Rovaniemi city center (e.g., Arctic City Hotel or Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus) or at the Santa Claus Holiday Village (SCV). This will make things a lot easier because most activity providers offer free shuttle services from these two locations.

Budget permitting, I highly recommend spending at least a night or two at a glass igloo, e.g. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle or Glass Resort (both at SCV, which is super central for everything) or Apukka Resort or Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos (further away from the city).

Our experience: We stayed at two different accommodations on this trip, a few nights each: Santasport Resort (a very affordable, family-friendly hotel near Ounasvaara ski resort just outside the city center) and Apukka (a luxury resort with glass igloos 15 minutes drive from the city). We opted for two different hotels because the availability was extremely limited, but also because we wanted to stay at a glass igloo – and it was totally worth it!

Flights

Rovaniemi is the most popular tourist destination in Lapland so there are tons of flights in the winter season. Finnair has like 8-10 flights per day but be sure to also check other airlines like Ryanair or easyJet, to mention just a few.

Our experience: Due to limited and expensive flight options and the limited availability of hotels in Rovaniemi, we opted for Finnair flights with overnight layovers in Helsinki (I highly recommend Clarion Hotel, right at the terminal).

While not ideal, it was significantly cheaper. Plus, we arrived in Rovaniemi early in the morning and departed late in the evening, which gave us 5 full days to explore with just 4 nights of expensive accommodation.

Getting Around

You don’t really need a car in Rovaniemi and can easily get around using public transport, taxis/Uber/Bolt, shuttles, and guided tours.

Winter driving in Lapland can be extremely challenging, with icy roads and harsh conditions, especially outside the city. Even experienced drivers may struggle, particularly in remote areas. Unless you’re highly confident driving in extreme winter conditions (often in darkness, depending on the month), I recommend booking guided tours for excursions to places like Korouma Canyon, Riisitunturi National Park, or Ranua Zoo.

That said, we found a great deal on Booking.com’s car rental platform and hired a car for our entire trip. It made scheduling and hotel changes easier, but we only used it for short distances around town. I grew up with winters similar to Lapland and learned to drive on ice, but for destinations over an hour from Rovaniemi, we chose guided tours (and I was very glad I didn’t have to drive in those conditions!).

Winter Activities & Day Tours

No winter trip to Lapland would be complete without some amazing winter activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer experiences, eFatBiking, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and similar.

• If you are traveling in late winter (February – March), when there is enough daylight, we recommend choosing two main activities per day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. In addition, consider sauna experiences and Northern Lights tours in the evening.
• If you are visiting in the darkest winter months (December-January), you may want to choose one longer experience including lunch – this will save you travel time and allow you to make the most of limited daylight time.

There are many tours to choose from in Rovaniemi. Just be sure to read descriptions and reviews carefully. Also, note that tour durations include the full experience – intro, drinks, etc. So, for example, a 2-hour husky tour typically includes around 30 minutes of sledding, while a 30-minute tour means just 5–8 minutes on the sled.

Our experience and tips: We did most of the winter activities at the Apukka Resort, where we stayed for a few nights. You can book directly with them, but we used GetYourGuide for everything we could on this trip (as we always do). GetYourGuide offers all the best tour options in one place, and you can read real customer reviews, book, amend, or cancel your reservations with just a few clicks (without having to send endless emails, explain anything, or wait for refunds for several weeks). Plus, their customer service is unparalleled.

We found that Apukka tours offer good value for money, with a wide range of activities in one place. Plus, they provide a free shuttle from the city or SCV, making it easy to visit without a car. You can book a 10 AM and 2 PM tour, enjoy a buffet lunch in between, and take advantage of free activities like kicksleds, tobogganing, or roasting marshmallows at outdoor fireplaces. That said, if you are not staying here, I would just come for a day and choose a different location for other activities.

PRO TIP: Most tour operators in Lapland provide winter gear such as warm overalls, wool socks, gloves, and boots to keep you comfortable in the cold. Even if you have everything, I highly recommend using what they provide. Not only will it keep you warmer, but it also helps protect your own clothing from snow, moisture, and even husky or reindeer hair!

Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights is a bucket list item for anyone planning a trip to Lapland. Rovaniemi’s location close to the Aurora Oval means you have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights here. If the sky is clear, you can see them pretty much every night, often even in town (although the darker the place, the better).

However, if it’s cloudy, booking a tour will significantly increase your chances. Local guides are experts at finding clear skies – even if it means driving to Sweden and spending the whole night chasing auroras.

Here is some information and tips for aurora tours in Rovaniemi:

• If you’re planning to book a Northern Lights tour, we recommend booking it early in your stay – this way, if conditions aren’t ideal, you’ll have the flexibility to reschedule.

• Aurora tours in Rovaniemi often sell out, so it’s a good idea to make a few cancelable bookings well in advance. If you wait until you see the forecast, the best tours will be sold out. We recommend booking aurora tours via GetYourGuide – you can compare all the best options and easily modify or cancel your bookings (in most cases, up to 24 hours before the tour).

• When booking a Northern Lights tour, read the description and make sure it’s an actual aurora hunt tour, where the guide will drive as far as necessary to find clear skies. Many Northern Lights tours in Rovaniemi simply take you to one or a few scenic locations (sometimes with BBQ dinner), which can be a great experience if the conditions are right. But if it’s cloudy, these types of tours won’t increase your chances of seeing the aurora. Look for tours with ‘guaranteed sightings’ or a ‘money-back guarantee’.

This is the recommended Rovaniemi itinerary based on our trip (you can do all of this with or without a car):

DAY 1: Santa Claus Village & Ice Hotel

On your first day in Rovaniemi, you’ll likely want to visit its top attraction – Santa Claus Village. We also recommend checking out Lapland’s most impressive ice hotel.

Plan to spend a few hours at each location, and since both can be visited in the morning or afternoon, you can easily adjust your itinerary based on your schedule. Santa Claus Village is at its quietest early in the morning and late in the evening but it can get packed during the day, so keep this in mind.

Here is what your day could look like:

Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village (SCV) is a must-visit in Rovaniemi, whether you’re traveling with kids, embracing the magic of Christmas, or simply wanting to cross the Arctic Circle. That said, I’d be selective with paid activities because you can easily spend a small fortune here, especially if you are visiting as a family.

Located right on the Arctic Circle, this festive village is home to Santa’s official office, where you can meet him in person, take a photo, and send postcards from the Santa Claus Main Post Office, which comes with a special Arctic Circle postmark.

For kids, there’s the Elf’s Hat Academy, meeting Mrs. Claus or Santa’s Pets, and plenty of other things to do. If you have extra time, you might want to check out Snowman World, where you can go snow tubing, ice skate, or visit an ice bar.

You’ll also find tons of souvenir shops, several restaurants, and winter activities like husky and reindeer rides. However, based on everything we read, heard, and experienced, I recommend doing all these activities elsewhere – you’ll get much better value for your money. Overall, SCV is super commercialized and lacks an authentic Lapland feel. For kids, it might feel magical, but I would just visit it to check it off your bucket list and that’s it.

Good to know: Santa Claus Village keeps the holiday spirit alive all year round. While some activities are seasonal, you can meet Santa every day – even in summer. Just be prepared to pay premium prices for pretty much everything, from taking a photo with Santa to sending a postcard or meeting Santa’s pets.

Lunch at Santa’s Salmon Place

There are plenty of restaurants at Santa Claus Village, but only a few have great reviews. Santa’s Salmon Place is one of the best when it comes to both price and quality – and on top of that, it offers a truly unique Lappish experience.

It’s set inside a kota, a traditional Sami hut with an open fire in the middle where food is prepared. You’ll see these all over Lapland, and many guided tours include kota experiences – whether it’s grilling sausages after a long walk, roasting marshmallows, or sipping warm berry juice by the fire.

Santa’s Salmon Place has a tiny menu with just one main dish: salmon. They claim it’s the best salmon in the world, and honestly, I have to agree. Their wood-grilled salmon is unlike anything we’ve ever tasted – perfectly cooked, smoky, and incredibly flavorful.

Even my teenage son, who isn’t into fish at all and needed a lot of convincing to walk past the burger and pizza places, was blown away. He ended up listing this meal as one of the top 3 experiences of our Rovaniemi winter trip. That pretty much says it all.

Good to know: Tucked away in the car parking area at the far east end of Santa Claus Village, this restaurant is a true hidden gem – even if you know about it, it will take some effort to find it. The restaurant is open from noon until late in the evening, but it’s small and doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table.

Arctic SnowHotel

Arctic SnowHotel, located about half an hour north of Rovaniemi, is the best place in Lapland to experience an actual ice hotel.

Built entirely from snow and ice, it’s an incredible sight – like stepping into a frozen fairytale. Here, you can explore the Ice Bar, Ice Restaurant, Ice Chapel, and even the hotel rooms, all intricately carved and beautifully lit. You’ll need a ticket to visit.

Beyond the ice structures, there are fun outdoor activities as well. When we visited, they had a small hill for snow tubing and kick sleds available on the frozen lake – both free of charge.

If you have a car, you can drive here and buy your ticket on the spot. Otherwise, book a tour that includes a transfer from Santa Claus Village.

Good to know: You can also have dinner at the Arctic SnowHotel or book a snow sauna experience or even both! If you’re interested, check availability and book in advance.

TIP: In addition to the rooms inside an ice hotel, the property also has glass igloos – perfect for Northern Lights viewing. If you’re looking for a unique place to stay near Rovaniemi, you may want to check for availability at Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos.

DAY 2: Korouoma Canyon & Arktikum

On your second day in Rovaniemi, we recommend visiting the frozen waterfalls of Korouma Canyon. In addition, upon your return to the city, you can spend some time at Arktikum, the best museum in town. This is what your day could look like:

Korouoma Canyon

Korouoma Canyon, known as one of the best places in Lapland to see frozen waterfalls, is the most popular day trip destination from Rovaniemi. In winter, this canyon transforms into a winter wonderland, with massive ice formations cascading down its cliffs.

The best way to explore is via a 4.5 km circular trail that takes you through a scenic forest and closer to the frozen falls. The hiking trail itself is steep in places and can be a bit challenging if slippery. Most guided tours provide crampons if necessary, and there are also ropes for support.

Good to know: Korouma Canyon is located about 1.5 hours from Rovaniemi. If you have a car, you can drive here, but keep in mind that the roads are slippery and the last part of the road toward the canyon is really narrow. We recommend booking a guided tour, or – if you prefer to avoid the crowds – a transfer service.

Most tours also include a lunch break by the fire, where you can warm up with grilled sausages and hot drinks – a classic Finnish outdoor tradition. If you come on your own, don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch and some warm drinks!

TIP: Pack a quality thermos flask to Lapland and fill it up with warm tea every morning!

Arktikum & Rovaniemi City Center

In the late afternoon, head back to Rovaniemi and visit Arktikum, the city’s best museum and science center. It’s a nice place to learn a bit about Arctic life, with exhibits on Lapland’s history, Sámi culture, and the Northern Lights. Don’t miss the short film about Finland’s nature – it will inspire you to come back in other seasons too!

Arktikum is fun for all ages and is a great place to visit when it’s dark and cold outside. The museum is usually open until 6 PM, and -1.5 hours is plenty of time for a visit, so it’s easy to add a visit here to any Rovaniemi itinerary. You can see some pictures and find more info here.

TIP: If you are staying in the center, the city park by the river just near Arktikum is one of the best places to watch the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi.

If you have time, take a stroll to the city center and explore the streets around Lordi’s Square, where you’ll find most of Rovaniemi’s shops and restaurants. That said, don’t expect too much – Rovaniemi is a small town, and the real highlights lie in its stunning natural surroundings rather than the city itself.

Watching Auroras in Rovaniemi

On our second night in Rovaniemi, the skies were clear, and the aurora forecast looked promising. Instead of driving outside the city, we decided to stay near our hotel and wait for alerts from the aurora apps.

We were staying at Santasport Resort, just outside the city center, and the staff recommended walking to the Ounasvaara Observation Tower nearby. This outdoor recreation area, with walking trails and ski slopes, is a great dark spot for aurora viewing.

When we arrived, we found two cozy fireplaces with people gathered around, roasting marshmallows and chatting while waiting for the lights to appear. The viewing platform at the top of the tower is quite small, and the stairs were extremely icy (ice cleats are a must!), but the auroras were just as spectacular from the ground. The whole experience had such a warm and welcoming atmosphere!

DAY 3: Husky Sledding & Reindeer Journey + Ice Fishing

Time for some real winter fun! For our third day, we chose husky sledding and a reindeer journey including ice fishing. We were also lucky to see auroras again. Here is what our day looked like:

Husky Sledding

We booked the 2-hour Apukka husky adventure for 10 AM (tour link if you prefer to book directly). The experience began with a short introduction to mushing, and once everyone was familiar with the basics, we headed straight to the sleds.

If you’ve never been dog sledding before, the first encounter with the huskies can be overwhelming – in the best way! These dogs are bursting with energy and eager to run, barking and howling in excitement. Our guides advised us not to interact with them at this stage, as all they want to do is get going. It’s best to cuddle them afterward when they’ve burned off some energy and are much calmer.

If you have any concerns about animal welfare, they’ll quickly disappear when you see how well these dogs are cared for. Huskies are treated like family, and as the staff jokingly put it, they probably get better care than humans – with rest days, massages, yummy treats, and plenty of attention.

The actual sledding took a little over half an hour, with plenty of time afterward to cuddle the dogs, take photos, and even meet some adorable husky puppies. The tour wrapped up in a traditional kota (Lappish wooden hut) with warm drinks and cookies by the fire – a perfect ending to an unforgettable experience.

TIP: As already mentioned, there are many husky sledding tours to choose from in Rovaniemi. While they may seem similar at first glance, they vary significantly in location, duration, and overall experience. Be sure to read tour descriptions and reviews carefully to know exactly what to expect.

Good to know: Husky sledding depends on good snow conditions and cold temperatures. A week before our trip, Rovaniemi had unusually warm weather, melting snow, and even rain, leading to some tour cancellations. However, Apukka’s tours were still running, thanks to their snowmaking capabilities and well-maintained trails. Their location, further from the city, and dedicated tracks for different activities likely help keep conditions more reliable.

Lunch

If you book several activities at the same resort, you can just stay here and have lunch at their buffet restaurant. The prices are reasonable, with big discounts for kids under 15. If you prefer something lighter, they also offer sandwiches and small snacks at the bar.

With our next tour starting at 2 PM, we had some free time to explore Apukka. The resort has a small hill for tobogganing and sledding, an ‘Instagram swing’ for photos, and several outdoor fireplaces where you can roast marshmallows (bring your own or buy some at the bar).

If you have extra energy, you can also take a walk on the frozen Olkkajärvi Lake or try kicksledding – it’s a fun experience, but surprisingly more tiring than regular walking.

Reindeer Journey + Ice Fishing

For our afternoon adventure, we joined the Reindeer Journey & Ice Fishing tour, a combination of two traditional Arctic experiences. This particular tour is only available on select days and must be booked directly, but if you’re just interested in reindeer sledding, it’s offered daily and can also be booked via GetYourGuide.

The experience began with a 10-minute walk to a secluded reindeer farm, far from noise and crowds that could stress the animals. We then boarded reindeer-pulled sleighs for a peaceful ride through the snowy forest.

Unlike husky sledding, where excitement runs high, reindeer rides are really slow – you simply sit back and enjoy the quiet beauty of the winter landscape.

After about 20 minutes, we arrived at a frozen lake to try our hand at ice fishing. Our guides showed us how to drill holes through the thick ice, handed out fishing gear, and explained how to use it. Catching something isn’t guaranteed – in fact, the guides mentioned that even one fish per week is a lot! So it’s more about the experience of fishing in subzero temperatures than the actual catch.

While we were fishing, the guides served warm drinks and cookies. They also built a fire where we could grill sausages. If you’re lucky enough to catch a fish, they’ll help you prepare and cook it.

Afterward, we returned to our reindeer for a 15-minute sleigh ride across the frozen lake back to where we started. With the sun setting in the distance, it was such a scenic ride!

Good to know: The standard reindeer sledding tour (without ice fishing) follows the same route through the forest and across the lake, with snacks by the fire, but is about 30 minutes shorter. Alternatively, you can book a snowmobiling tour that includes ice fishing or choose an ice fishing experience on its own.

Dinner & Auroras

We ended the day with a lovely dinner and yet another Northern Lights show.

The aurora forecast predicted a very low KP Index, so we didn’t have high expectations. But with clear skies, even weak auroras put on a beautiful display – lighting up the sky multiple times throughout the evening and during the night.

Staying in a glass igloo at Apukka Resort, we could also watch auroras right from our bed. That said, I have to add that we were so tired after all the outdoor activities that we soon silenced all aurora alert apps so we could get some sleep. 🙂

DAY 4: Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing & Finnish Sauna Experience

For this day, we chose a mix of adventure and relaxation and booked a snowmobile safari in the morning and a snowshoeing tour in the afternoon, followed by a Finnish sauna experience in the evening. Here’s what our day looked like:

Snowmobiling

Snowmobile tours are an exhilarating way to explore the Arctic wilderness, offering a mix of speed, adventure, and breathtaking scenery. The location of your tour plays a big role in the experience. Needless to say riding through snowy forests and across frozen lakes is far more scenic than sticking to trails near main roads and towns.

We booked this 2-hour snowmobile safari at Apukka (direct link), and the surroundings here were truly stunning. We drove in a different direction than on the husky and reindeer tours, so it didn’t feel repetitive.

That said, if you’re not staying at Apukka, you might want to explore different areas each day for more variety. Here’s an overview of the best snowmobile tours in Rovaniemi to help you choose. As always, check tour descriptions and customer reviews for details like actual driving time, what’s included, and overall experience.

Our tour began with a safety briefing and driving instructions. Snowmobiling is fairly easy as long as you follow the guide’s tracks, but keep in mind that the trails can be icy and bumpy, requiring your full attention. We spent about 1.5 hours driving, with a few short photo stops along the way.

TIP: Looking for a longer adventure or another location? Check out this highly-rated 5-hour tour that includes 3 hours of snowmobiling, plus ice fishing and lunch. It’s a great option if you want a full-day Arctic experience.

Here’s some practical information and tips for snowmobiling:

• Driver requirements: You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license to operate a snowmobile. Two people share a snowmobile, and if both want to drive, they can switch halfway through the tour.

• Kids: Children aged 4-14 usually ride in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile (younger kids are not allowed). On our tour, children over 140 cm could ride on a snowmobile behind the driver but had to be booked as adults and pay the full price.

• Stay warm! Snowmobile tours provide warm winter gear – use everything including balaclavas, winter overalls, and mittens. My 14-year-old rode behind me and loved it, but his hands got cold despite two pairs of warm gloves. Be sure to pack hand warmers for the passenger!

• Don’t forget sunglasses!

Lunch

Since we opted for two separate 2-hour experiences, neither of which included lunch, we enjoyed a meal at the resort – just like the day before. And, of course, we couldn’t pass on another opportunity to roast some marshmallows over a fire.

If you book a longer snowmobiling tour, many include a small lunch – usually grilled sausages, warm drinks, cookies, and similar.

Snowshoeing

For the afternoon, we booked a snowshoeing tour. While we were already familiar with the surroundings (doing all the tours in one resort, you inevitably pass the same places), snowshoeing provided a totally different experience. It allowed us to access places otherwise unreachable and explore the Arctic wilderness at a slower, more serene pace.

Our guides led us deep into the forest, where we walked over fresh, deep snow effortlessly while enjoying the peaceful silence of the surroundings. With two local Finnish guides, we learned about the area’s flora and fauna, identified animal tracks along the way, and heard fascinating stories about life in Lapland.

We also stopped to warm up with hot berry juice and cookies by a cozy fire – an essential part of every outdoor winter activity in Lapland! The second part of the tour took us across the frozen lake and back to the resort.

Alternative: If snowshoeing sounds too slow for your liking, consider an eFatBike tour. Our resort offered both of these experiences, but the timing didn’t work for us to try the electric fat bikes. We did, however, see others biking in the snow at a different Rovaniemi location, and it looked like a lot of fun!

Finnish Sauna (& Ice Plunge)

No winter trip to Lapland would be complete without a traditional Finnish sauna experience. It’s the perfect way to warm up and unwind after a day of sightseeing and you should really try it at least once during your visit.

Many hotels and resorts in Lapland have saunas, and some hotel rooms and apartments even come with a personal sauna. But for a more authentic experience, look for a sauna with a lake or ice pool for a true Finnish cold plunge – if you dare!

We booked a sauna experience at our resort, but you can find many other places that offer traditional sauna experiences with an ice-cold plunge. Some of them even include dinner and a chance to see auroras in a beautiful lakeside setting.

DAY 5: Riisitunturi National Park or Ranua Zoo

If you have another full day, we recommend exploring Lapland’s incredible nature and/or wildlife.

If you’re up for an outdoor adventure (and don’t mind a really long drive), Riisitunturi National Park offers the most spectacular snowy scenery. If you prefer a more relaxed experience – or are traveling with kids – Ranua Wildlife Park is a great alternative for a day trip near Rovaniemi.

If you have an extra day in Rovaniemi, you may want to visit both of these places!

Riisitunturi National Park

Riisitunturi National Park is one of the most magical places to experience Lapland’s untouched beauty. This national park is famous for its fairytale-like snow-covered trees and panoramic views over frozen lakes.

In winter, Riisitunturi transforms into a surreal wonderland, where thick snow bends the trees into ghostly, otherworldly shapes. These iconic Lapland snow formations, known as Tykky, are a photographer’s dream. The scenery is very rewarding, and it feels like walking in a real-life winter postcard.

We visited here at the end of a very warm winter with little snow, and it was still magical. I can just imagine what it looks like with thick snow and -30°C…

The best way to explore Riisitunturi is by hiking its 4.3 km circular trail. The route itself isn’t difficult and can be done in regular winter boots. We saw many locals here pulling kids in sleds. So, if you are visiting with small children and are worried about the hike, buy or rent a sled in Rovaniemi and bring it with you!

Good to know: Riisitunturi National Park is about 2.5 hours from Rovaniemi. If you have a rental car and feel very comfortable driving in snowy and icy conditions, it’s an unforgettable day trip. Otherwise, simply book a guided tour and enjoy the scenery along the way without having to stress about driving conditions.

About halfway through the hike, you’ll find a cozy fireplace shelter, where you can grill sausages over an open fire. Most guided tours include this, but if you are visiting on your own, be sure to bring everything you might need for lunch.

Our experience: We visited Riisitunturi on a guided tour, and I’m so glad we left our rental car at the hotel. The roads in this area were incredibly icy – so slippery that it felt like an ice skating rink.

In fact, our tour van (with super old and worn tires, as we found out too late), had an accident on the way back. The tour company handled it so poorly and I have serious concerns about their safety measures so I can only recommend avoiding them. That said, I highly recommend visiting Riisitunturi – just with a different tour provider!

TIP: Book a tour with a photographer for the best experience, and avoid the tour we took (or any operated by Wild about L***). Thankfully, we had booked this tour via GetYourGuide, and they saved the day for us. You can check the provider’s name under “Activity provider” on any tour you book via GetYourGuide – it’s at the very top on mobile and just below customer reviews on desktop.

Also, reserve well in advance. All photography tours were fully booked when we planned this trip almost two months ahead, leaving us with very few options for our dates. If Riisitunturi is on your list, it’s worth securing your spot early. It’s easier to cancel if your plans change than to book at the last minute.

or… Ranua Wildlife Park

For a more laid-back day, Ranua Zoo, aka Ranua Wildlife Park, offers a chance to see over 50 species of Arctic animals in a beautiful forest setting. The northernmost zoo in the world is home to Finland’s only polar bears, as well as lynxes, wolves, arctic foxes, and many more species that thrive in the cold north.

The park is designed as a 2.8 km walking trail through the snowy forest, allowing you to see wildlife in its natural setting. In winter, the landscape is especially beautiful, and some animals are at their most active in the cold weather. That said, the enclosures are really big, so it’s not always easy to see all the animals as well as you may expect.

In addition to the zoo, the wildlife park also has a reindeer and husky farm and several other activities (extra cost and a lot of extra time needed). There is also a restaurant where you can warm up with a hot drink or a meal.

Good to know: Ranua Zoo is located just an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi, it’s open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, and you can book tickets online or on the spot. If you are not renting a car, you can take a bus from the city (only two departures per day and just one in the morning), or book a tour.

TIP: If you go on a tour, it’s usually just 5-6 hours, which means that you can still enjoy some free time in Rovaniemi in the late afternoon. If you haven’t visited Arktikum yet, you could do it on this day.

If You Have More Time

Here are some additional suggestions for things to do and places to visit in Rovaniemi in winter if you have more time:

• Icebreaker Cruise and Ice Floating. If you have a full day to spare and are looking for something truly unique to do in Lapland, check out these highly-rated icebreaker experiences. You sail the frozen waters of the Gulf of Bothnia in an icebreaker ship and float in the icy water in a special suit. I’ve heard nothing but great things about this experience, but we didn’t have the time to try it out. Most tours include transfers from Rovaniemi.

• Ice Floating. If you want to try ice floating but don’t have much time or don’t feel like spending that much money, check out this 3-hour tour that includes an ice floating experience in a frozen lake near Rovaniemi.

• Ski-trekking, skiing, winter hiking, etc. There are many options – with guided tours or on your own. Ounasvaara ski area, just outside the city center, is a nice place to spend a day outdoors.

• Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park. Located just 15 minutes north of Rovaniemi, this winter park offers a day ticket that includes all the activities. If you like ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, traditional saunas, etc., this is a great place to spend a day with the whole family. Lapland Winter Park offers a similar experience, plus ice karting, and is also just a short ride from the city (more info).

• SantaPark – the Home Cavern of Santa Claus. This is a sort of Christmas theme park in Rovaniemi, not far from Santa Claus Village. It’s only open from November to mid-January and is mostly focused on families with young children. More info.

So, this is our Rovaniemi winter itinerary. As you can see, there is enough to see and do to fill a week or even two here, not to mention the other places in Finnish Lapland.

I hope this guide inspires you to visit this magical winter wonderland and helps you plan a truly unforgettable adventure! Have a great time in Rovaniemi!

TIP: Looking for some more winter travel inspiration? Check out our winter guide to Tromso in Norway! Wondering what to wear and what to pack for a winter trip to the Arctic? See our Arctic winter packing guide – everything in it applies to Rovaniemi in winter as well.

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