Parks and the outdoors in Rovaniemi

33 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Rovaniemi.

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
Do
Arctic Circle National Hiking Area
Hiking area with much infrastructure, such as lean-to shelters. There are three trailheads with parking areas. Coaches to Kemijärvi or Sodankylä stop at Lake Vikajärvi, near one of them. Two nature trails (200 m and 1.5 km) are suitable for wheelchairs and prams, the longer with assistance or motor. There are also longer or more demanding nature trails, as well as marked hiking trails, the longest, Olkkajärvi Hiking Trail of 12 km each way, requiring some hiking skills, suitable footwear and possibly equipment for an overnight stay.
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
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
Do
Kalliosalmi–Olkkajärvi canoe route
64 km canoe route. The last 23 km section, through the Arctic Circle hiking area, is the most demanding. Earlier on the route services are scarce.
Do
KesäRafla summer restaurant and sauna
Open June-August. Very popular unisex sauna for up to 35 people. Beach volley court and SUP board rental. The terrace restaurant offers drinks and charcoal grilled food. In winter 2024 there is also the WNTR Sauna.
Sauna free in summer; towel €5; in winter with ice swimming €24/1½ hr
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
See
Korkalonrinne residential area
Interesting, if you are into architecture by Alvar Aalto. The Korkalonrinne residential area consist of bright white row houses and apartment buildings in a park-like surroundings. Built 1956–1958 this neighbourhood follows his vision of a 'garden city'. The neighbourhood is also known as Pikku Tapiola (little Tapiola) after the very similar residential area Tapiola in Espoo.
Do
Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park
Kotatievan talvipuisto
An outdoor park for spending an active day. Mostly known for a 500 meters long ice skating track. Available from December to March.
Do
Lapland Escape
Small-group tour operator offering Northern Lights excursions, snowmobile safaris, husky tours, reindeer experiences, hiking and national park tours. Tours are available in English, Italian, Chinese, Polish and Spanish (depending on tour type). Some of the tours include long transfers, such as to Kemi, Posio, Ranua or Sodankylä.
DailyFrom €100–200 for daytrips of 2½–9 hr including transfers
See
Local Heritage Museum
Rovaniemen kotiseutumuseo
A local history museum. The main building and two outbuildings built in 1840, 14 relocated buildings from the Rovaniemi area. The collections consist of household items, hunting and fishing equipment, and agricultural tools. From the river bank there is a picturesque view to the city centre and the river Kemijoki. Café. Within walking distance (1 km) from the Forestry Museum.
Jun–Aug: Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00€6/4, reduced price for students and children, Museum Card valid
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
Niskanperä bird watching tower
Bird watching tower by river Kemijoki. Numerous different waders; the fauna is most diverse during the migration season: May–June and September–October. The site is easy to access by a car or by bike. From highway 4 turn east on road Niskanperäntie and continue driving until you see the tower on your left. The parking lot is right next to the tower but to enter the tower you need to climb narrow stairs.
See
Orthodox church
Rovaniemen apostoli Andreaksen kirkko
A small Orthodox church is on the other side of the Kemijoki river. Built 1957 and dedicated to Saint Apostle Andrew.
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 Outdoor Resort
Downhill skiing on 13 slopes, snow park for snowboarders. Separate forest skiing area with unmaintained slopes. 100 km of cross-country skiing tracks. Trekking and MTB available at the summer. Disc golf course.
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
Do
Paavalniemi bird watching tower
Popular bird watching tower at a place where river Kemijoki expands into a lush bay, about 10 km off-town. Numerous northern waders and waterfowl. The tower is on the point of peninsula, a 300-m walk from the end of the road, and is not accessible for the disabled. The trail is a bit rugged and the last part of it is on narrow duckboards.
Drink
Paha Kurki Rockhouse
Notable rock-ish beerhouse, close to the safari company offices near the river.
Mon–Thu 16:00–03:00, Fri Sat 16:00–04:15, Sun 18:00–03:00
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
Eat
Restaurant Pohjanhovi
A legendary restaurant and a bar in even more legendary hotel. Tables by the windows have excellent view to the river. The breakfast buffet is open to everyone.
Daily 18:00–22:00
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
See
Santapark
Underground amusement park within walking distance from Santa Claus Village. Open only during the winter season.
€39-49/adults
Buy
Shell Rovaniemi Napapiiri
Shell gas station with some restaurant services and even a caravan park.
24 hours daily
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
Sukulanrakka Giant's Kettles
Sukkulanrakan hiidenkirnut
Fourteen giant's kettles, including three very deep ones, can be found on the Sukulanrakka hill slopes near the island of Rautiosaari. Nature trail with stairs, partly rough. No public transportation.
24 hr dailyThe site is free-of-charge to visit; shelter facilities €30/10 people, bigger groups or overnighting in the shelter €50
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
Do
Santa's Motor Park
A motor park with 750-meter-length track.

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