4 DAYS IN ROVANIEMI ITINERARY: PLAN YOUR PERFECT LAPLAND TRIP THIS WINTER!
WONDERING HOW TO SPEND A MAGICAL 4 DAYS IN ROVANIEMI?
Planning your trip to Rovaniemi?
Start here:
Skyscanner ↗ to find the best flights to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN).
Booking.com ↗ to browse the best places to stay in & around Rovaniemi.
Psst! We loved our stay at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara, book a room with private sauna!
🎟️ Viator ↗ to book unforgettable tours, from northern lights to ice floating.
🛡️ Staysure ↗ for easy, reliable travel insurance (UK travellers only).
4 DAYS IN ROVANIEMI FINLAND ITINERARY:
DAY 1: ARRIVE & SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
ARRIVING INTO ROVANIEMI
Fly into Rovaniemi Airport (RVN). You can immediately jump in a convenient (though pricey, around €30!!) taxi ride, or catch the budget-friendly Airport Bus to Rovaniemi centre. The drive takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
WHERE TO STAY (OUR TOP SUGGESTION)
We stayed “Mystique De Luxe Premium room with Sauna” at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara just outside of Rovaniemi city centre and loved it. Here’s a few pics from our stay:
“Mystique De Luxe Premium room with Sauna” room at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Photographs by Jordie. “Mystique De Luxe Premium room with Sauna” room at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Photographs by Jordie. “Mystique De Luxe Premium room with Sauna” room at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Photographs by Jordie. “Mystique De Luxe Premium room with Sauna” room at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Photographs by Jordie. Liam warming up in the cosy communal area at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Photographs by Jordie. The rooftop area where (if conditions allow) you can see northern lights at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Photographs by Jordie. Liam in the very popular and delicious Sky Restaurant on-site at Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara. Look at those panoramic forest views! Photographs by Jordie.
It’s snuggled in a small forest with frozen trees all round. Plus a better chance to see northern lights on your own from reduced light pollution.
It’s conveniently in catchment for most tour pick-up / drop offs too. The included breakfast was DELICIOUS, so was the on-site Sky Restaurant. Highly recommend it!
SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
First port of call HAS to be Santa Claus Village, the official home of Santa Claus!
There’s no need to book a tour or buy a ticket in advance. You can simply hop in a taxi or bus and explore the village at your own pace, free of charge (just check the opening times before you go).
The whole place is brimming with Christmas spirit!
There’s loads to do aswell. You can step across the Arctic Circle, send postcards home from the official Santa Claus Post Office, browse all kinds of festive souvenirs and lap up the festivities.
Of course, the highlight for most people is meeting Santa himself inside the “Santa Claus Office.” For both kids and us “big kids!!”, the experience is brilliantly staged and put together, everything from the themed walkway to the final meet-and-greet. And yes, he looks very convincing (because obviously… he’s real, right?)
You should expect to queue, but the good news is it’s totally free to meet Santa. The only catch is you’re not allowed to take your own photos or videos. If you’d like to keep the memory, you’ll need to buy the official images and footage they take. We didn’t buy ours, so here’s a photo of us standing next to the Arctic Circle line instead! 🤣
SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE: SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENT!
If your trip falls around the 23rd of December, don’t miss the annual “Santa Claus is on his way” event. It’s a really sweet celebration where crowds gather to watch Santa begin his journey delivering presents around the world. Again, it’s completely free to attend and very wholesome. You can watch last year’s livestream here.
Planning your Rovaniemi trip? These guides will help:
🗺️ Got an extra day? 5 days in Rovaniemi itinerary ↗
🌌 Want to see the northern lights? Best tours in Rovaniemi ↗
💎 Dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime stay? Glass igloos in Rovaniemi ↗
❄️ Want more things to do? What to do in Rovaniemi in winter ↗
📅 Deciding on dates? Rovaniemi in December (Christmas!) ↗
DAY 2: SNOWMOBILING & NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR
GO SNOWMOBILING (HALF DAY TOUR)
No trip to Rovaniemi is complete without a snowmobiling adventure through Lapland’s frozen wilderness. We did this Snowmobiling Quick Spin – 2 h snowmobile experience in Rovaniemi tour and absolutely loved it.
As total beginners, we were a little nervous beforehand, but honestly, we didn’t need to be. It’s the ideal choice for first-timers. The guides were patient, super clear with instructions, and made sure everyone felt safe and confident before heading out.
Once you’re kitted up in the thermal gear, you’ll drive out into the most peaceful Finnish forest landscape. About halfway through, you’ll stop off at a cosy Koti tent for hot berry juice and cookies before riding back.
Read more: Our full review on this snowmobiling tour
Top Tip: We recommend booking for no earlier than late November or the beginning of December. We lucked out with the very first tour of the season (late November), but just a few days earlier there hadn’t been enough snow and everything was cancelled.
NORTHERN LIGHTS CHASE (NIGHT TOUR)
Seeing the northern lights is probably high on your list, and Rovaniemi is one of the best places in the world to try. But to give yourself the best possible chance, it’s worth booking a proper guided tour away from Rovaniemi’s city lights.
To really boost your chances, we recommend this 5* rated Northern Lights Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Viewing & Unlimited Mileage tour, available to book from early August to mid April.
It’s a premium small group experience with flexible routing, meaning the guides keep a close eye on live solar forecasts and will drive wherever they need to – even across the Swedish border if they need to!!
Rather than standing in a spot and hoping for the best, this tour gives you multiple chances and locations in one night, led by a team that genuinely knows what they’re doing.
Top Tip: The best time to see the northern lights in Rovaniemi is during the winter months. September and March in particular tend to have stronger displays around the equinoxes, and often clearer skies thanks to fewer snow clouds.
Top Tip: Another great destination to see the northern lights in Finland is Levi.
DAY 3: ARCTIC SNOWHOTEL & AURORA ICE FLOATING
Did you know: You can actually stay overnight here in one of the Snow Suites! Read our full Arctic Snow Hotel guide after to find out all the details how.
AURORA ICE FLOATING (NIGHT TOUR)
Now, floating in a frozen -20°c lake in darkness of night sounds mad, doesn’t it? Well, that’s exactly what we did on this 5* ‘Aurora Arctic Ice Floating in Rovaniemi‘ tour.
Spotting this tour on Viator, we unknowingly signed ourselves up to the most unique activity we did on our Rovaniemi itinerary. Totally out of our comfort zones, absolutely loved it!
You’ll suit up in what can only be described as giant red lobster costumes (technically thermal dry-suits), which instantly “breaks the ice” – pun not intended, but hey we’re going with it – as everyone in your small group ends up looking ridiculous!! 🤣
You then lower yourself backwards into the lake using steps and after a little moment of panic, you’ll start to relax. It’s actually strangely peaceful. You just bob around, looking up at thousands of stars and – if you’re lucky – the northern lights too.
Afterwards, warm up around a roaring fire with hot berry juice and cookies.
Check out our Rovaniemi ice floating night tour review detailing our experience start to finish.
Top Tip: Wear extra layers of socks and gloves underneath the giant “lobster” dry suit. Your hands and feet are the first to feel the cold after about 10 to 15 minutes in the water.
DAY 4: EXPLORE ROVANIEMI CITY & OVERNIGHT STAY IN AN IGLOO!
ARKTIKUM MUSEUM
After checking out of your hotel, book a taxi straight to Arktikum Museum, a top thing to do in Rovaniemi city!
A massive perk is their free luggage store room. You can drop off all your bags here before entering the museum (€20 for adult ticket).
To be honest, the staff at the Arktikum Museum were so accommodating and friendly, you could probably leave your luggage here without even paying to go into the museum. Just head to the front desk and ask!
If you do, allow an hour or so to freely enjoy all its nature, science, culture and history-based displays of Northern Scandinavia. Check opening times for your dates.
Top Tip: At the museum, there are free toilets, coat hooks and WiFi to use. There are also a few small gift shop areas selling high quality souvenirs.
WANDER ROVANIEMI CITY CENTRE
Before you head to your final night’s accommodation, take time to wander the Rovaniemi’s quaint city centre.
To be honest, Rovaniemi city is pretty small. You can warm up browsing the Revontuli shopping centre before wandering the high street to find a great lunch spot.
Recommended places to eat in Rovaniemi are Restaurant Nili and Gustav Kitchen and Bar for more traditional dishes.
I myself am I sucker for a good fajita, so we headed to Amarillo. Can also highly recommend eating here.
Tonight’s new accommodation (below) is self-catering and not near any shops, so be sure to stop off at the large K-Market supermarket to stock up on bottled water, treats, a small carton of milk for tea or coffee and some bits for breakfast tomorrow. Side note – Enjoy THE MOST organised and visually pleasing supermarket aisles you’ll ever see!
Head back to Arktikum to collect your luggage and use their free WiFi if needed to book a taxi to your next stop…
SPEND YOUR LAST NIGHT IN A GLASS IGLOO
Make your final night in Rovaniemi extra special by staying in a glass igloo! We stayed at LakeLodge Kiehinen & Igloos, an affordable igloo style experience at around £170 per night.
Set directly against an enchanting frozen lake with little light pollution, snuggle up in your warm Aurora igloo as you witness millions of stars from the comfort of your own bed and – hopefully – the Northern lights!
Top Tip: LakeLodge Kiehinen & Igloos is a 10/15 minute drive away from Rovaniemi airport.
Top Tip: There is no WiFi currently at LakeLodge, though you do get phone data signal (if your provider allows you to use roaming free of charge). If not, we recommend pre-booking your taxi to the airport tomorrow on the Menevä Taxi app back at Arktikum Museum with their free WiFi.
OTHER BRILLIANT THINGS TO DO IN ROVANIEMI
🧊🦞🏊♀️
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
>>> Best Of Lapland: Sauna, Ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights (book 4.30pm slot for chance of northern lights)
🛷🎿⛷️
SNOW-BASED ACTIVITIES
>>> Korouoma Canyon Frozen Waterfalls guided hike (full day tour)
>>> Private Electric Fat Bike Winter Tour in Rovaniemi (half day)
🦌
WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES
>>> Authentic Reindeer Farm Experience in Rovaniemi
🌘
OTHER NIGHT TOURS
MORE PLACES TO STAY IN ROVANIEMI
Just outside of Rovaniemi
(we stayed here in a “Mystique De Luxe Premium room with Sauna”. Just outside Rovaniemi in idyllic forest, catchment for tour pick-up / drop-offs. Loved it!
(this beautiful hotel is next to Santa Claus village)
Glass igloos near Rovaniemi
(15 minutes from city, very popular choice)
(modern igloos, also next to Santa Claus village)
(we stayed here! 20 minutes from the city, idyllic isolated lakeside location. Budget friendly canvas igloo option)
In Rovaniemi city
WHAT TO PACK FOR ROVANIEMI
CONCLUSION: 4 DAYS IN ROVANIEMI ITINERARY
And that’s a wrap on the ultimate 4 day Rovaniemi winter itinerary, filled with stunning frozen forests, the “official home of Santa Claus”, wild reindeer, the swirling magic of the Northern Lights and a visit to a real-life ice hotel!
To be honest, 4 days is a great amount of time to spend in Rovaniemi, gifting a perfectly paced mix of epic adventure and relaxed exploring.
Use this guide as your ready-made blueprint and feel free to tweak the days to match the weather, your travel plans or preferences! Please do get in touch if you follow this guide, we’d love to hear from you 😊
Have the best, best time in Rovaniemi!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
Got a trip coming up? Look no further than:
Skyscanner for the best flight deals
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Booking.com to stay somewhere amazing
Most free cancellation on anything from glamping to luxury stays.
Viator for unforgettable experiences
All the best tours & activities in one easy place! Free cancellation on most.
Staysure Travel Insurance to feel safe & confident
Easy, stress-free, reliable insurance with excellent customer service. (UK only)
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