Top Free Things to Do in Rovaniemi, Finland
Best Free Things to Do in Rovaniemi
- Traveller favouritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveller rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
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Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Character Experiences
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
What travellers are saying
- Carlos_Gonzalez2013Ipswich, UK555 contributionsThis is a very nice, fun-packed themed park near Rovaniemi, with plenty of shops, bars, restaurants and Christmas attractions. Really nice place, although I find it quite expensive, I must say.Written 3 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- becsmileDelph, UK80 contributionsThe actual Father Christmas was really believable, looked the part and the accent definitely added to the magic.
But the experience as a whole was disappointing- the waiting area was quite small and could have been a lot more magical - just a few little extras would have gone a long way - we arrived at 10.30 and still had a good 40min wait. There wasn’t even a door blocking the queue from the Santa clause room just a rope so the kids could see what was happening. I think if I was to do it again I’d try booking one of the Santa tours into the forest.Written 29 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Joanna L51 contributionsMe? A bit less since the kids refused to leave, they thought it was that nice, so I had to stay there for 2 hours longer than planned. But since playgrounds ARE for kids mainly, I guess that is actually a good sign?Written 28 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Mikael FHelsinki, Finland23,765 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. - Ema RBucharest, Romania236 contributionsIn the summer is not a special nordic view. But is nice to cross it for a walk, to watch the water and boats. Definitely is so big that you cannot miss it.Written 9 July 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- B TLondon, UK826 contributionsThe church is worth a visit, it is open most of the time for you to go inside and there are beautiful paintings behind the altar and on the roof.Written 30 November 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Jules BOrmskirk, UK204 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. - B TLondon, UK826 contributionsI thought this was the best part of Santa's village. The prices of some of the souvenirs seemed cheaper than other places at Santa's village and it was not as crowded with merchandise. There is a cafe to eat and you could meet Santa here. The queues were shorter than at Santa's office.Written 30 November 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Christian WGraz, Austria78 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.
- Mikael FHelsinki, Finland23,765 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. - 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.
- lesley2805Essex323 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. - Mikael FHelsinki, Finland23,765 contributionsThis shopping center is located next to Lordi's Square and the main pedestrian street that is beautifully lit during Christmas time.
You can find here branded retailers, souvenirs, fast food & a movie theater.Written 13 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Giles6 contributionsWe loved learning how to make traditional Sami bracelets with Julia. She helped us through every step and was very generous with her story and family history. We had great conversations about the importance of sharing our cultures with others, and of the great resilience of Sami people across the Arctic.
This is highly recommended and so much more valuable than just buying the souvenir!
The gift store also has the most beautiful puukko knives we saw anywhere in Finland and carved reindeer antler. Beautifully individual and made in the workshop through the window.Written 24 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Peter MMelbourne, Australia954 contributionsThis is known as Marttinin Wanha Tehdas in Finish. It was built in 1928 and badly burned in the 1940s. It was refurbished in 1998 and the knife factory operates from this historical building. It has high quality knives which are sold in shops. I just saw it from outside and did not actually go in the buildingWritten 21 August 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
