Free things to do in Rovaniemi

20 places in Rovaniemi with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Arctic Arboretum
The arboretum is about 7 hectares in size and on the southern bank of the Ounas river behind the Arktikum Science Centre. It showcases plant species which survive in the local conditions, with an emphasis on varieties of trees. Because of its location, the midnight sun shines nicely on the park's shore in the summer. In the winter, it is a reasonable place to look for northern lights.
Free of charge
See
Arktikum Science Centre
One of the best museums and science centres in Finland, focusing on life in the Arctic regions through the ages as well as the Sami culture, history of Finnish Lapland and Rovaniemi city. The museum shop has books, postcards, delicacies and jewellery. Sami music and some books in Sami languages. Lockers available. The building is actually quite cold in winter time. Lunch restaurant with student discount. In summer, don't forget to take a look at the arctic arboretum along the river bank. Visiting the arboretum is free of charge.
10:00–17:00 daily in summer, Tue–Sun in winter€18 for adults, €11 for students, the fee covers re-entry on the same day; Museum Card valid
See
Auttiköngäs waterfall
A 16-m-high waterfall and old-growth forest. Bus stop at the road, parking area 1 km farther. A 50-m steep trail for wheelchairs (assistance needed) to a hut with view to the rapids, a 3.5-km nature trail through varying terrain, with campfire sites; reserve plenty of time.
Free
See
German Soldier Cemetery
Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Rovaniemi Norvajärvi
This is the final resting place for 2,683 German soldiers who died during the World War II in Lapland. Constructed of large stone blocks and located virtually in the middle of nowhere, it seems to be of interest to some, as there are about 10,000 annual visitors. During autumn one can eat berries on the way. The road to the cemetery is not maintained in winter. No public transportation.
Free
Do
Harjulampi bird watching tower
Wooden bird watching tower by the eutrophic lake Harjulampi, built in 1995. Over 80 bird species have been observed here, of which 32 nest here regularly. Easy to access as the tower is less than 100 m off the street and within walking distance from the centre. There is a sign by the street and the path is easy to walk. Best times to visit are May and August–September.
Free
See
Jätkänkynttilä bridge
Jätkänkynttilän silta
Accomplished in 1989, the bridge has become one of the most important symbols of Rovaniemi. It runs over the Kemijoki close the northern end of the city centre. The bridge has a high pylon with bright yellow light on top.
Free
Drink
Kansan Pubi
Cheapest and therefore also fairly popular among young locals. Might be surprisingly crowded during the weekend evenings before people head to the nightclubs. Age limit 18.
daily 16:00–02:00Free admission, €3.5 for a 0.4-L domestic beer.
See
Kirkkolampi Arboretum
Kirkkolammen puisto
Popular park around the Kirkkolampi pond. Over 250 species of subarctic trees and perennials.
Free
Do
Koivusaari nature trail
Koivusaaren luontopolku
Another nature trail within walking distance from the city centre, on Koivusaari island. The islands at the confluence of rivers Ounasjoki and Kemijoki are protected as a remarkable nesting site for birds. There is a 2.5-km-long nature trail on Koivusaari island, mostly on duckboards as the terrain here might be quite wet. The trail goes around the northern part of the island where the environment is mostly open flood-affected meadow. There is a floating bird watching tower on the trail and the view to the river Ounasjoki from the northern point of the island is awesome. The trail also visits a site where the railway passed the river before World War II. Try to spot some birds and rare plants like Siberian blue lettuce, bluntleaf sandwort or almond-leaved willow on your way. Beware that there are sheep grazing freely on the island! Getting to the trail from the bridge is a bit tricky as you need to go under the bridge first but there are signs. Not suitable for people with disabilities. The trail can not be used during the spring flood (May–early June).
Free
Do
Louevaara cabin
The deserted cabin is the former fire guard's hut. The wilderness cabin is log-built, reasonably spacious and gets warm enough to sleep in during the winter (using the stove). In the vicinity of the hut, about half a kilometre away, there is the scenic Kuusilampi, which can be reached by following a hiking trail from the hut. In the hut there is also basic tableware for the use of hikers. An old fire guarding watch tower with a metal frame can be found near the hut. Enquiries: Pilke.
Free
Do
Ounaskoski beach
Popular sand beach for swimming in the river. Locker rooms and toilets. The current of the river is strong, the safety barrier is there for a reason.
Free
Do
Ounaspaviljonki beach
Popular sand beach by river Ounasjoki. Playground for children and a beach volley court. Café service in the summer.
Free
Do
Ounasvaara nature trail
Ounasvaaran luontopolku
A 4.8-km-long circular nature trail with info plates both in Finnish and English. The starting point is by a parking lot some 600 m uphill from Santasport. Conifer forest, small bogs, awesome views down to the river valley, and two natural springs with ice cold water ready to drink. Try to spot Siberian jays, spotted nutcrackers, reindeer, or elks (of these, reindeer are the most probable). There is a wooden lean-to shelter and fireplace in the far end, close to the springs. The terrain is occasionally difficult and the trail is not suitable for the disabled. The nature trail is part of much larger network of different trails that expand to surrounding forests; be careful with trail markings, especially on the open, rocky area uphill from the shelter. The nature trail is marked with blue patches having a white cone in them.
Free
Do
Ounasvaara winter walking trail
Ounasvaaran talvikävelyreitti
First of all: it is absolutely forbidden to walk on a skiing track. If you don't have skis but still wish to see how the forest looks like at winter, don't worry. There is a 6-km-long winter walking trail at Ounasvaara hill. The trail partially follows the nature trail but the official starting point is closer to the city centre. You can also enter the trail from Santasport or at Sky Hotel Ounasvaara. The trail visits the viewing tower and its lean-to shelter with campfire place and firewood. Walking the whole trail takes about 3 hours – note sunset time, as the daylight is short during midwinter. The winter walking trail is marked with blue patches with a white walker and a snowflake. Follow them and do not enter the skiing tracks.
Free
See
Pilke Science Centre
Those attracted by northern forests will want to visit Pilke, where exhibitions describe sustainable use of northern forests and diverse yields, forest products and commodities. Same day re-entry free of charge, lockers available. The museum shop and information has various interior design items made of wood. Maps and other information about nature destinations in Lapland. Tentatively scheduled for closure at the end of 2026, see it while it is still there.
Tue–Fri 09:00–18:00, Sat Sun 10:00–18:00€7/5, reduced price for students and children 7–15, Museum Card valid
See
Saarenpudas bridge
Saarenputaan silta
This tiny (just 16 m long) arched bridge, completed in 1925, is the only bridge on the road to the Arctic Ocean that was not destroyed by German soldiers during the Lapland War 1944–1945.
Free
Do
Salmijärvi beach
This rather popular beach by a lake doesn't have the problem with strong current but suffers occasionally of swimmer's itch.
Free
Do
Santa Claus Forest nature trail
Joulupukin metsä -luontopolku
A nature trail next to the Santa Claus Village. From the Santa's Village you need to walk through the underpass next to the bus stop and there you are. The trail starts with duckboards over a beautiful aapa-type mire (aapa mires are extremely typical for these latitudes) and then continues to nice pine and spruce forests. In the far end there is a park-like planted spruce colony called "Santa's forest". The trail is 1.5 km in one direction and returns the same route. There are wooden stairs as help at the steepest climbs. The trail is not suitable for the disabled.
Free
Do
Siberian wood-species trail
Siperian puulajipolku
During past decades the Finnish Forest Research Institute planted over 20 different species of economically important tree species to this area to observe how well they grow and survive this climate. There is a 2-km-long circular nature trail through the area. Next to the parking lot there is a day-trip hut and a campfire site at the yard. The place got its name from the Siberian larches. The site is distant and not accessible with public transportation.
free
See
Haunted Walk and Gallery of Darkness
Kauhun Galleria
A horror-themed art gallery by Hanna Pilve.
In summer: Wed–Fri 12:00–18:00, Sat 12:00–16:00; other times by requestFree

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Rovaniemi (CC BY-SA 4.0).