Things To Do
in Rovaniemi

A traditional Lappish dish of thinly sliced reindeer stew served with mashed potatoes, lingonberries and pickles; widely available in local restaurants and taverns.

Must-Try!

Fresh-caught fish often served simply grilled or smoked, with seasonal sides — common at riverside restaurants and markets.

Mild fresh cheese typically served warm with sweet cloudberry jam — a Northern Finnish specialty found in cafés and dessert menus.

A rustic rye-bread pie filled with fish (often perch or vendace) and pork in some versions — hearty and traditional, available in bakeries or regional restaurants.

Small market where locals sell berries, mushrooms, smoked fish and handicrafts—great for sampling fresh berries, smoked salmon and local breads during summer.

Seasonal and year-round kiosks offering sausages, pies, pastries and quick snacks—useful for a quick bite during visits to the village.

Finns value punctuality—arrive on time for tours, appointments and social engagements.

Public behavior tends to be calm and reserved; loud conversations in public transport or quiet nature areas can be frowned upon.

It's customary to remove shoes when entering private homes; hosts may provide indoor slippers or expect you to use socks.

Treat natural areas with care (take waste with you) and be respectful when visiting Sámi cultural sites—ask before taking photos of people or private ceremonies.

Tipping is not obligatory in Finland; service charges are usually included. Rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% for exceptional service is appreciated but not expected.

Cards (chip and contactless) are widely accepted—even for small purchases—and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, mobile banking apps) are common. Carry a small amount of cash for remote areas, market stalls or tipping if desired.

Long nights (Dec–Feb) bring dark skies ideal for northern lights viewing, heavy snow, and winter sports; temperatures commonly range from -5°C to -30°C, so pack warm layers, insulated boots and face protection. Many activities (husky sledding, snowmobile safaris, ice fishing) are seasonal and require advance booking.

March–May sees melting snow and variable weather—some sunny mild days but also cold snaps. Trails begin to open; late winter activities may still operate in early spring, and prices often drop outside peak winter season.

June–August offers long days and midnight sun (late May–July), mild temperatures (10–25°C), and excellent hiking, canoeing and berry-picking. Insect repellent is useful in boggy areas; many services and trails are fully accessible.

September–November brings dramatic fall colors, increasingly chilly weather, and the start of snow later in the season; it's a good time for photography of birch forests and quiet wilderness without summer crowds.

A network of well-marked trails close to the city with options for short walks, longer hikes and trail running—offers panoramic views and ski tracks in winter.

About an hour's drive from Rovaniemi, this park has varied terrain, fells, old-growth forests and marked routes for day hikes and multi-day treks; excellent for autumn colors and summer hikes.

A bit further afield but reachable for multi-day trips, offering remote trekking, wilderness cabins (wilderness huts) and classic Lapland fell landscapes.

Short trails combined with cultural interpretation where visitors can learn about Sámi reindeer routes and heritage while enjoying manageable walks.

Most residents are ethnic Finns living in urban and rural parts of the region.

Indigenous Sámi people live in Lapland and preserve distinct cultural traditions, language and reindeer herding practices—visible in cultural sites and local enterprises.

Rovaniemi hosts a university campus (University of Lapland) and vocational schools, contributing to a population of students and researchers.

Seasonal and year-round workers in hospitality, guiding and winter-activity sectors form a visible part of the local workforce.