Prepared for an unforgettable winter journey? Uncover Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, and as additional choices expertise an unimaginable husky safari on snowy trails, go to Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle.
Our Finland professional Hendrik, determined to take it gradual and stopping over within the capital of Lappland.
Right here is his expertise within the fantastic winter world of Rovaniemi:
We’re followers of leisurely journey. We prefer to take our time and benefit from the journey. On our means south from Saariselkä, my son and I made a decision to cease in Rovaniemi for a better look.
If you happen to’re touring to Lapland, remember to spend an evening in Rovaniemi. Right here you may chill out and benefit from the peace and quiet. Hostel Café Koti is the proper place for individuals who love comfy beds and Nordic design. Situated in the course of the town, every part is inside strolling distance!
A stroll alongside the riverside is a should in Rovaniemi. Right here you may get pleasure from a wide ranging view of the town.
In case you are curious and need to be taught extra about tradition, the Arktikum Museum is the place for you. Or how a couple of hike on the (winter) path of Ounasvaara?
For extra motion, attempt a fatbike tour with RollOutdoors otherwise you go for a sleigh journey, pulled by huskies (extra to that later).
Travelling North and South
When my son and I returned from our journey in snowy Saariselkä, we had an excellent concept: we wished to spend an evening in Rovaniemi to keep away from the lengthy and exhausting public journey south (VR and Matkahuolto ought to actually coordinate their schedules, proper?).
And what can I say? It was simply nice! We had a lot enjoyable and have been completely impressed by the town.
As an alternative of an countless journey day filled with rush and stress, we took our time and slept late on the resort in Saariselkä earlier than having fun with a scrumptious breakfast and catching the 11 am bus to Rovaniemi. We arrived relaxed just a few hours later.
The following day we loved one other scrumptious breakfast on the Hostel Café Koti and walked to the prepare station with our intensive baggage to catch the prepare south.
As you may think about, this journey plan was far more comfy than a day of stress that began at 6am and didn’t finish till 10pm while you lastly arrived house.
So what did we do in Rovaniemi?
The Capital of Lapland
We arrived within the heart of Rovaniemi on our bus from Saariselkä and have been only a quick stroll from our cool hostel, Café Koti.
This gem of a hostel is only some years previous and is positioned in a totally renovated financial institution constructing – the previous places of work at the moment are rooms for singles, doubles, households and dormitories.
The café on the primary ground has good drinks and snacks accessible all day and serves a scrumptious breakfast.
After checking in, we put our ski baggage within the previous vault, which now serves as a safe baggage storage space. Then we went upstairs to our room.
I’m normally a tent man, however I can admire good design and decor, and our room at Koti – which implies “house” in Finnish. It was stunning. The room has pure supplies and colours, plenty of home windows with nice views, and the beds have been unbelievable – I used to be beginning to really feel like a little bit nap wouldn’t harm. 🥱
However we wished to discover wintery Rovaniemi and had different plans!
Solely two minutes away from the principle sq. of Rovaniemi is the Hostel Café Koti.
On our approach to the Offended Birds Playground, which can also be solely 300 meters from the hostel, we had the chance to lastly arrive after a protracted day on the bus. The playground is free and has plenty of cool Offended Birds themed tools – excellent even for teenagers who’re extra accustomed to different video games.
After a enjoyable go to to the playground, we took a stroll alongside the river. If you happen to really feel prefer it, you may go XC snowboarding right here – there’s a path alongside the river. However we determined to stroll round and benefit from the stunning view of Ounasvaara.
That is really a paradise for individuals who dwell within the metropolis and are in search of outside motion.
By the best way, when you really feel like fatbiking, it is best to go to RollOutdoors!
So we continued in the direction of the town, as our hungry bellies craved a scrumptious meal and my son was dying for a burger. We determined to attempt Kauppayhtiö as they have been presupposed to have the very best burgers on the town.
We weren’t dissatisfied!
Each the vegetarian and the normal burgers have been a deal with for our palates. 🍔
The place is embellished with nice consideration to element and has an off-the-cuff 50’s/60’s punk rock gallery vibe. If you happen to like this aesthetic, you’ll really feel proper at house at Kauppayhtiö!
Come, we stroll by means of the middle of Rovaniemi on the best way again to Koti. It seems so good, every part is lit up and there are even some Christmas decorations.
It’s clear, Santa Claus has his residence right here, it simply has to look Christmassy. 🙂
Once we acquired again to the hostel, we checked out the sauna after which performed a spherical of Carcassonne within the widespread room. We’re large followers of board video games and it’s at all times a spotlight when a hostel/resort/cafe has a collection of video games accessible.
After just a few video games, it was time to settle into our comfy beds and at last chill out. The beds have been so inviting and comfy that we fell asleep instantly.
Our sleep was deep and restful, and after we awoke the following morning, we felt recent and alert. Nonetheless, our hungry stomachs have been crying out! With out hesitation, we made our approach to the charming café the place we might get pleasure from breakfast.
The place was crowded, as breakfast attracts not solely hostel friends, but additionally many locals. This alone is an indication that we have been in an awesome place for a scrumptious meal!
For vegans, the breakfast choices have been a bit restricted, however ultimately I used to be full and happy – and the espresso was actually scrumptious, an actual plus.
After dinner, we performed just a few board video games and relaxed within the widespread room earlier than heading to the prepare station to go again south to Vaasa.
Though it might appear to outsiders that we didn’t do a lot in Rovaniemi, we have been positive that our plan to discover the town, chill out, eat nicely, and make our journey south stress-free was proper on course. We acquired what we wished and are very proud of our time in Rollo.
If you happen to’re touring to Lapland by public transportation, we advocate spending two days within the south. It’s at all times price visiting Rovaniemi and discovering the range of the town. Hostel Café Koti within the metropolis heart is a good place to remain. We will certainly cease right here once more on our subsequent north-south journey.
We like to take our time and journey relaxed!
If you happen to appreciated this text, please assist me, Hendrik, on Patreon (and also you’ll get nice low cost codes from our companions – you may save as much as 20% in your subsequent buy!)
Further Journey Dudes Suggestions: Husky Safari on a Snowy Path
It’s also possible to expertise an unforgettable journey at a husky safari in Finland, by driving your individual canine sled group by means of the picturesque forests. Whether or not you’re the motive force or a relaxed observer on the sled, benefit from the breathtaking fantastic thing about the snow-covered panorama.
Go to an area husky farm and be taught all in regards to the breeding and coaching of those unimaginable Arctic animals. Learn the way they’re skilled to race and work within the forest.
After a brief briefing, you’ll embark on an thrilling 10 km journey by means of the Finnish winter panorama. Really feel the joys of racing by means of the snow together with your group of sled canine.
Don’t neglect to seize this unforgettable second and benefit from the stunning surroundings. After the journey, heat up with a scorching juice and Finnish gingerbread – the locals’ favourite winter snack.
Hearken to fascinating tales about huskies and immerse your self in Finnish tradition and traditions. That is an journey you’ll bear in mind for a very long time.
Good to know
They are going to choose you up and take you to your lodging inside 15 km from the middle of Rovaniemi. Length of the tour is 3.5 hours.
With an English talking information (different languages on request: German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese language) will take you on a ten km husky sled journey. Additionally, you will go to a husky farm and revel in Finnish snacks and scorching drinks. Better of all, you may be supplied with winter clothes – overalls, boots and gloves.
Vital to know: Departure instances could fluctuate relying on season and availability. It’s best to verify with the tour operator. On weekdays and Saturdays they want a minimal of two individuals for the tour. On Sundays and holidays they want a minimal of 4 individuals. If the minimal variety of contributors just isn’t reached, the tour could also be canceled or postponed. And please word: Youngsters below 12 have to be accompanied by a paying grownup. You’ll be able to cancel as much as 24 hours prematurely and obtain a full refund.
Further Journey Dudes Suggestions: Choice to go to the Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle
There’s additionally the choice to go on a journey to a spot the place Christmas is widely known all 12 months spherical – Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi.
Right here you could have the prospect to fulfill Santa Claus in particular person and cross the Arctic Circle to take distinctive memento pictures. What would a go to to Santa Claus be with out greetings to your family members? Ship your vacation greetings instantly from Santa’s put up workplace.
If that’s not sufficient, you’ll even have the chance to rise up shut and private with the reindeer that assist Santa along with his duties. In your approach to the Arctic Circle, you’ll move the painted white line that marks the border of the Arctic area. While you cross this line, you’ll obtain an official certificates that you would be able to proudly show.
However earlier than you head again to your lodging, a culinary deal with awaits you: a Lapland lunch buffet. Let your self be tempted by the regional specialties and benefit from the distinctive ambiance of Santa’s Village. An unforgettable expertise that can stick with you for a very long time.
Good to know
The period of this tour is 3.5 hours and you’ll cancel as much as 24 hours prematurely for a full refund. The tour provides you the chance to be picked up and transported comfortably out of your lodging inside 15 km (driving distance) from the middle of Rovaniemi. You’ll be greeted by an English talking information who also can communicate different languages comparable to German, French, Italian, Spanish or Chinese language upon request.
A scrumptious lunch buffet awaits you. The spotlight of the tour is a gathering with Santa Claus, which is able to go away you with unforgettable reminiscences. And also you’ll obtain a certificates to show you’ve crossed the Arctic Circle.
