Timeline
11:00
Grab a seat at Lappish Restaurant Gaissa for lunch. The lunch buffet runs from 11:00 to 14:00 on weekdays, so arriving an hour before sunset gives you the quietest time to eat Lapland-style dishes before the evening rush.
11:40
Walk 11 minutes east to Ounaskoski beach. This is the popular sand beach on the river. The current is strong, so stay behind the safety barrier. It is a good spot to stretch your legs and watch the water flow while the light is still bright enough for a clear view.
12:20
End your walk at Restaurant Nili, just a short stroll from the beach. It is open until 23:00 and specializes in local specialties like arctic char and bear meat. It is a cozy place to warm up and reflect on the day after the walk.
Local tip
The lunch buffet at Gaissa is a reliable choice if you want to avoid waiting for a table later in the day. At Ounaskoski beach, remember that the river current is strong and the safety barrier is there for a reason.
Check before you go
- Lappish Restaurant Gaissa lunch buffet is available Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00.
- Ounaskoski beach has locker rooms and toilets.
- Restaurant Nili is open daily 12:00–23:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Rovaniemi (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).