Travel guide / Free in Rovaniemi
Free things to do in Rovaniemi
Have a free day between tours? Some of the best things in Rovaniemi cost nothing: a walk along the riverbank, shelters with fireplaces in the forest, a view over the city from the hill and, if you are lucky, the northern lights just outside town. These are paths I walk myself.
First: ice and darkness
Never go onto the river ice
The ice on the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers, which run through Rovaniemi, is not safe even when it is covered with thick snow. The current is strong, and water released from dams prevents the ice from thickening. The city announces that the ice between the Jätkänkynttilä bridge and the railway bridge is dangerous all winter. Footprints on the ice do not mean it is safe. Always walk on the path along the bank; do not take children onto the ice.
- Short daylight: In December Rovaniemi gets 2–4 hours of daylight; at the end of December the sun rises at around 11 and sets at around 13:30. Plan forest walks between 11 and 14, and bring a headlamp.
- Slippery pavements: Ice grips that fit over your shoes (Finnish "liukueste") are sold in big supermarkets and sports shops, and they really work. Walk with short steps.
- Cold: Dress in layers and avoid cotton. A phone battery drains quickly in the cold; bring a power bank.
- Emergencies: 112. Health advice line 116 117.
My walking route through town
A route I also recommend to my guests, running from the loveliest district of the city to the riverbank and then to the fireplace shelters in the forest. It starts in the city centre, and all of it is walkable and free.
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Rovaniemi Church and the church pond
Right next to the church there is a small park and pond (Kirkkolammenpuisto) with benches and gazebos around it. The streets behind the pond are the loveliest district of the city. A short walk along Yliopistonkatu opens up a view of the frozen Kemijoki.
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Jyrhämä shelter (laavu)
An open shelter built of logs on a tongue of land by the river. There is a fireplace, a bench and firewood; it is especially popular in winter. Take your thermos and sausages and stop for a break by the fire. The firewood may not always be enough, so bring your matches.
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The garden around Arktikum
A garden of native plants and trees looked after by the University of Lapland. Arktikum's glass corridor looks wonderful from here. One of the closest aurora viewing spots to the city centre.
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Rotary Forest Park and the Northern Lights shelter
A forest park on the Ounasjoki bank, just north of where the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki meet. The Revontulilaavu ("Northern Lights shelter"), rebuilt by the Rotary clubs in 2023, is open to everyone and has a fireplace. A lovely place to wait for the northern lights by the fire in the evening dark.
Ounasvaara hill
The forest and hill closest to the city, across the Jätkänkynttilä bridge. The ski centre and the ski jumping towers are here too.
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Ounasvaara winter trail
A marked trail opened specially for walkers in winter; it is groomed with a snowmobile and can often be walked in normal winter boots. There are two shelters and a lookout tower on the route. Start: after crossing the Jätkänkynttilä bridge and Jäämerentie, turn left from the cycle path and climb the hill.
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Lookout tower (näköalatorni)
A roofed tower at about 160 metres above sea level. From here you see the city, the Kemijoki and a sea of forest. Next to the tower there is a fireplace and a shelter with a woodshed. The wooden steps up to the tower can be very slippery in winter; ice grips help.
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Ski jumping towers
There are six jumping hills of different sizes; the Olympic training centre is here.
Arctic Circle hiking area
About 25 km north-east of Rovaniemi, a forest and river area declared an official state hiking area in 2024 (Napapiirin retkeilyalue). Here you find the rapids of the Raudanjoki river, suspension bridges and shelters. You get there by car or with a guide; because it is further from the city, it is also a good place for the aurora.
| Route | Length | Time | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Könkäänsaari accessible trail | 1.5 km, circular | Short | Families with children; two shelters, fireplace, toilet |
| Vaattunkivaara nature trail | 4 km | ~1.5 hours | Those used to walking |
| Könkäiden polku (Rapids trail) | 10.7 km, one way | ~5 hours | Experienced walkers; 80 m of climbing, rocky sections |
These routes are not maintained in winter; on popular paths the snow gets packed down, but in deep snow you need snowshoes. The starting points are the Vikaköngäs and Vaattunkiköngäs car parks. Do not plan long routes in the short daylight.
Santa Claus Village and bus 8
- What is free: Entering the village, visiting Santa Claus in his office, crossing the Arctic Circle line and looking around the post office.
- What is paid: The official photos and videos in the office. Prices change, so ask before you go.
- My advice: The village is largely made up of souvenir shops, and in busy seasons the queues get long. If your time is short, see the Arctic Circle line and move on.
How to get there: No need for a taxi. Bus 8 runs from the city centre and the railway station. In the Waltti Mobile app, type your destination and it shows which bus to take and the times. A single ticket is €3.60 for adults (a little cheaper with the app) and €1.80 for children; there is also a 24-hour ticket. For the current winter timetable, see Visit Rovaniemi's public transport page.
A warning about taxis
Do not hail a taxi from the street in Rovaniemi. In winter taxis come to the city from all over Finland, and each taxi can set its own tariff. If you book through Uber or a similar app, you see the price beforehand.
What to see in town
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Jätkänkynttilä bridge
The bridge called the "Lumberjack's Candle", opened in 1989. The lamps on top of its two towers burn day and night; from the riverbank it gives the best photograph.
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Lordi Square
A square named after Lordi, the band from Rovaniemi that won Eurovision in 2006; the concrete slab on the ground has the band members' handprints.
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City library
A library designed by Finland's most famous architect; going in and sitting down is free, and there is Wi-Fi. It is also a good place to warm up on a cold day. The neighbouring Lappia building is also by Aalto.
Paid but worth it
- Arktikum: The nature of Lapland, Sámi culture and how the northern lights are formed. Adults €22, ages 7–17 €10, family (2+2) €54, free under 7. If you will visit both Arktikum and Korundi, the Culture Card, valid for 7 days, is €30.
- Korundi art museum: Adults €13. Exhibitions are free on Thursdays between 16 and 18.
- Pilke science centre: For families with children; admission is charged.
Aurora from town
The centre of Rovaniemi is bright, but when the northern lights are strong they can be seen from town too. It is enough to move a little away from the lights:
- Closest to town: The garden around Arktikum and the Northern Lights shelter on the Ounasjoki bank.
- By the fire: The Jyrhämä shelter on the Kemijoki bank.
- Darker: The Arctic Circle hiking area, more than 20 km north of the city. You need a car.
- Free forecast: The Finnish Meteorological Institute's free weather app shows the short-term cloud forecast and the aurora probability. For the aurora, cloud matters as much as activity: without a clear sky even the strongest aurora cannot be seen.
Why an aurora tour
It is possible to see it from town, but often the clouds are closed in one place and clear in another. On aurora nights I check the forecasts and drive to wherever the cloud opens; the night has no time limit, and I photograph you with the northern lights. See the programmes.
Campfire rules
- Finland's "everyman's right" lets you roam freely in the forest, but it does not cover making a fire on someone else's land. Make fires only in the official fireplaces at the shelters.
- The firewood at the shelters is open to everyone. You may collect dry branches from the ground; cutting or damaging a standing tree is forbidden.
- If there is a forest fire warning, open fires are forbidden. In winter, on snowy ground, this is rare, but the rule applies.
- Leave firewood for the next person; do not leave ash or rubbish.
Sources
Information checked in October 2026. Times, timetables and prices may change.
- City of Rovaniemi: it is not safe to go onto the ice in the centre; Visit Rovaniemi: about ice; Visit Rovaniemi: safety
- Visit Rovaniemi: Ounasvaara winter trail; Ounasvaara nature trail
- Rovaniemi Rotary: Northern Lights shelter; Life in Lapland: the church pond; Finnair: Rovaniemi's nature
- Metsähallitus: Arctic Circle hiking area; Könkäiden polku
- Visit Rovaniemi: public transport; Waltti Rovaniemi
- Arktikum: tickets; Korundi
- Metsähallitus: campfire rules