Rovaniemi, situated on the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland have only an overall population density of 1,98 persons per square kilometer, which is one of the lowest in Europe, more reindeer than people, the cleanest air and waters in the world. It is a modern city filled with services and even luxury where summer nights are light like the most romantic pink twilight, and the summer temperatures are mild like the bird’s milk, as Finnish people like to say.
Rovaniemi is a booming yet relaxed summer city with plenty of local life experiences like yoga and husky hikes, brewery visits, berry picking, gold panning and not to mention arctic culture to explore. Rovaniemi is a hidden gem, offering experiences tasty local food and activities with nature hikes just around the corner. Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus® and the presence of Christmas all year round as a bonus will blow your mind
LIGHT- Here there is no night just light
The Midnight Sun is so getting ready to stay up throughout the night and marvel the light Finnish people call this period, “nightless night” when the sun doesn´t go below the horizon. This is the phenomena you must experience, to understand the people of the north. After a long cold snowy winter when it is enough cuddling inside, in front of the fireplace, then time comes to get ready to tune into summer. Staying up through white summer nights and getting happy with people. Outside in the Midnight Sun, biking, golfing, horseback riding and doing water sports on the arctic waters.
Everywhere on and above the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn´t go below the horizon during the summer months, because the Earth is slightly tilted on its axis. Rovaniemi gets to enjoy the days of the Midnight Sun between 6th June and 7th July. These times are for enjoying Lapland´s beautiful nature, fresh and clean arctic waters, and yes the cleanest air in the world. Just breathe and take a river cruise or a photography tour, or why not jump on the sauna ferry m/s Erkin Arkki and have an exclusive sauna experience on the Ounasjoki River. Or rent a SUP board and explore the sandy beaches of Ounasjoki rivers deltas.
ARCTIC – City surrounded by the woods
With the overall population density of 1,98 persons per square kilometer, people are used to the solitude and moments in nature. With a population of only 180 000, Lapland truly offers the space to breathe. The amount of reindeer, 200 000+, surpasses the number of people. You can enjoy the wilderness destinations nearby like Vietonen, Ranua, and Pyhä-Luosto with Bliss Adventures. We get to have adventures up north and visit Aurora Village in Ivalo and Wilderness Hotels in Inari and to have shorter day trips at the Amethyst Mine of Lampivaara and spend a night at Pyhä Igloos or Pyhän Esteli.
Since Northern people are active hikers and many of them spend nights outdoors annually even in the changing seasons. The beauty of Rovaniemi is that you do not need to be born with hiking boots to experience Lapland nature here and truly have moments of green safe solitude. You can roam the woods in the morning sun just a short walk from the city center and be back for a Lappish dish served in a fine dining restaurant by lunchtime. The Lappish superfood cuisine is a phenomenon itself, and it celebrates the best that our nature provides like mushrooms, game, fish, and berries. Tip: do not forget to order some of our local water, the crystal clear taste will blow your mind!
Rovaniemi is proud to carry a Reindeer Antler Town Plan designed by Alvar Aalto. Reindeer have always been a big part of livelihood and culture here in the northern regions for the herders and locals. Summer is the best time to see the offspring of these beautiful Arctic Animals at reindeer farms. How about a hike with reindeer or huskies? If you love huskies then summer is your season here at the Arctic Circle, because in most farms it is the husky-baby season at its best!
COOL – Dip in the cool arctic waters after a hot cleansing sauna
Can´t stand those hot summers, constantly trying to search for shade and somewhere to cool down? Look no further Lapland´s cool summer breeze awaits! Imagine the cool Arctic forests filled with pine woods covering the landscapes and the cool dip into one of the purest lakes or rivers in the world. In Lapland, even the accommodation is built to free-flow nature’s cool vibes between spaces. If your vegan or into food experiences or hip rustic indoors with a thought, then the award-winning Rovaniemi accommodations and versatile restaurants are just up your alley.
It wouldn´t be a cool Arctic summer without a sauna. To live like us locals you must do a Sauna. You have to experience the amazing cleansing effect of a hot sauna and a dip in the cool pure lake. This is a country up here on the Arctic region, a country where almost every home has a sauna.
Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus® and also a city where new stories are created every day. Here you can visit Santa Claus and all the sweet kindness that surrounds him and the magic of Christmas all year round.
Not sure how to get here? Fly to Rovaniemi with Finnair who operates via Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Or get groovy with the Railroads and jump in the train by VR or bus by Omnibus or Matkahuolto. By renting a car, it’s easy to move around in Rovaniemi and make even road trips to destinations close by.
Be a part of the Arctic Phenomena and add Rovaniemi to your bucket list.
