Points of Interest & Landmarks
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THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Rovaniemi
Best Free Things to Do in Rovaniemi
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What travellers are saying
- Sue PLondon, UK13 contributionsWe enjoyed our visit here, spent about two hours wandering around. We were lucky and waited only 5 minutes to see Santa Claus - didn't buy the photo!
We waved at the webcam and took lots of photos around the village. Had a hot chocolate in the Loft Cafe and checked out the souvenir shops.
Yes, it's commercialised but we enjoyed it! And you don't have to spend loads of money if you don't want to.Written 28 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - catherine411790Essex, UK151 contributionsGreat play park for kids, very spacious and not too busy . Don’t go sledding here as a road below which is dangerous but plenty for kids to play on including zip line and pitch . Some kids play elements I haven’t seen in other parks beforeWritten 3 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Christian WGraz, Austria106 contributionsAmazing and very impressive view over Finland and rovaniemi if you have a sunny day. Hidden spot but worth to walk there even if it’s cold!Written 8 January 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jules BOrmskirk, UK270 contributionsWe took a drive down from Rovaniemi which took just over an hour. Easy to find.
We only saw two other couples on the entire 3.5km trail - if was a cold day with snow around which perhaps puts the locals off visiting. The cafe was closed.
The trail is very well marked and once you are away from the force of the dam and former log chute, there are literally no sounds other than nature to disturb.
An inquisitive reindeer followed us for a while but given it was winter the rest of nature was keeping warm elsewhere.
There are a few steps up and down and as it was slippery underfoot we covered the route in a steady 2.5 hours.
A lovely way to take in the fresh air and see some of Finland’s natural beauty.Written 13 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tweet69228 contributionsThis is for the children people, seriously, there is a little wait, peak December, a little wait. Yes it's no different to anywhere else, it's commercial. Santa was great, he was genuinely interested in us. The house is fantastic. Temper expectations and remember it's for the kids.Written 5 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tyler BTring, UK306 contributionsWe visited the city centre from the Santa Claus Village to pick up some winter clothes that we were renting, so we decided to spend the morning in Rovaniemi. There really isn't much to do here but visit the Arkitrum museum and take in the views of the Lumberjack Candle Bridge. Is it good? Sure. It's an impressive bridge, and it's worth a photo. I'm not sure what else to tell you about it.Written 21 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Arctic_LyonTromso, Norway364 contributionsWe had to stop in town for a little bit and I wanted to see at least one heritage place, so this was it. This church is rather massive, even though it isnt a cathedral, and the exterior, although fine is quickly overshadowed by the light, colorful and harmonious interior, endowed with a magnificent frescoe. Outside the church, there is a beautiful WW2 monument and grave as well. and the city library is very close by. Basically, there is no reason not to take a look in here.Written 1 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mikael FHelsinki, Finland31,001 contributionsThis square is named after Lordi who is from Rovaniemi and won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. You can find here Lordi's handprints and signatures.
During Christmas time, the square is not so ugly. There are beautiful Christmas lights and some booths selling handicrafts. Also, there is a little cottage with a nativity scene.Written 13 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - lesley2805Essex495 contributionsOur Canterbury travel guide arranged for us to have a short shopping stop here before our flight home from Rovenimi airport. Because we had seen the REAL Santa in his home, we were advised to give the large red building on the right a very wide berth as they advertised a chance to meet a certain person!!! . But that wasn't a problem as there was lots of tourist shops in the Arctic village, they all sold pretty much the same things. But because the place we had stayed had been so remote we hadn't managed to buy any Christmas mementos . At the village there was a good choice of Xmas decor, and obviously lots of soft toys. But we also had the chance to post Xmas cards back to the UK with the Arctic circle postmark direct from the North Pole post office. I had taken cards with us ready just for this..
We only had an hour there, I would have liked a little longer, but we cut it fine for our flight home. The airport is only minutes away. It was lovely to finish off the perfect holiday here, and nothing was ridiculously priced, even for a captive audienceWritten 16 June 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tweet69228 contributionsA lovely experience, a great Santa, warm, welcoming and friendly. Not to long to wait, busy but that's to be expected. Thoroughly enjoyed our time here.Written 5 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Expedition6910243 contributions90 year old knives house…One of the few buildings spared during the second world war. Take a look at the mini museum of old knives and pick souvenirs to bring back.Written 30 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mikael FHelsinki, Finland31,001 contributionsThis library was completed in 1965.
It is one of the many libraries designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto who also designed the Lappia House (Rovaniemi Theater) next to the library.
All of his libraries are known for the spacious library hall, book recesses, and skylights.
In addition to books, you can always find a small art exhibition at this library.Written 13 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - justin oVienna, Austria70 contributionsYes we have all heard about the Second World War but this memorial is to a part that at least I wasn't familiar with. The dealings between Finland, Germany and Russia are the backdrop to the existence of this memorial/cemetery and an important part of the recent history of the area.Written 22 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- juno_usaNashville, TN187 contributionsThe formations are interesting and the place is only 20-25 minutes from Rovaniemi centre by car so worth a visit if you have time. Do not expect much, only several churns and rocks, we spent there just 10-15 minutes and that is all. Toilets, hut and a bench was available nearby.Written 28 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Janka KBrno, Czech Republic9,379 contributionsThe corridors felt a bit cramped, but maybe there aren't many people that passes at the same time. My friends and I stopped by specifically because we wanted to play a minigof that's at the basement floor.Written 14 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
