Prepared for an unforgettable winter journey? Uncover Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, and as further choices expertise an unimaginable husky safari on snowy trails, go to Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle.
Our Finland skilled Hendrik, determined to take it sluggish 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 trip. On our approach south from Saariselkä, my son and I made a decision to cease in Rovaniemi for a more in-depth look.
Should you’re touring to Lapland, make sure you spend an evening in Rovaniemi. Right here you possibly can calm down and benefit from the peace and quiet. Hostel Café Koti is the proper place for many who love comfy beds and Nordic design. Positioned in the midst of town, every thing is inside strolling distance!
A stroll alongside the riverside is a should in Rovaniemi. Right here you possibly can take pleasure in a panoramic view of town.
In case you are curious and wish to study extra about tradition, the Arktikum Museum is the place for you. Or how a few hike on the (winter) path of Ounasvaara?
For extra motion, strive a fatbike tour with RollOutdoors otherwise you go for a sleigh trip, 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 thought: we needed 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 had been completely impressed by town.
As an alternative of an infinite journey day stuffed 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 a number of hours later.
The following day we loved one other scrumptious breakfast on the Hostel Café Koti and walked to the prepare station with our in depth baggage to catch the prepare south.
As you possibly can 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 residence.
So what did we do in Rovaniemi?
The Capital of Lapland
We arrived within the middle of Rovaniemi on our bus from Saariselkä and had 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 workplaces are actually 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 often a tent man, however I can respect good design and decor, and our room at Koti – which implies “residence” in Finnish. It was stunning. The room has pure supplies and colours, numerous home windows with nice views, and the beds had been improbable – I used to be beginning to really feel like somewhat nap wouldn’t harm. 🥱
However we needed 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 method to the Indignant Birds Playground, which can 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 numerous cool Indignant Birds themed tools – excellent even for youths who’re extra aware of different video games.
After a enjoyable go to to the playground, we took a stroll alongside the river. Should you really feel prefer it, you possibly can 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 actually a paradise for many who reside within the metropolis and are in search of out of doors motion.
By the best way, if you happen to really feel like fatbiking, it’s best to go to RollOutdoors!
So we continued in the direction of town, as our hungry bellies craved a scrumptious meal and my son was dying for a burger. We determined to strive Kauppayhtiö as they had been speculated to have one of the best burgers on the town.
We weren’t disenchanted!
Each the vegetarian and the normal burgers had been a deal with for our palates. 🍔
The place is embellished with nice consideration to element and has an informal 50’s/60’s punk rock gallery vibe. Should you like this aesthetic, you’ll really feel proper at residence at Kauppayhtiö!
Come, we stroll by means of the middle of Rovaniemi on the best way again to Koti. It appears to be like so good, every thing 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. 🙂
After we acquired again to the hostel, we checked out the sauna after which performed a spherical of Carcassonne within the frequent room. We’re huge followers of board video games and it’s at all times a spotlight when a hostel/resort/cafe has a number of video games accessible.
After a number of video games, it was time to settle into our comfy beds and at last calm down. The beds had been so inviting and cozy that we fell asleep straight away.
Our sleep was deep and restful, and once we awoke the subsequent morning, we felt recent and alert. Nevertheless, our hungry stomachs had been crying out! With out hesitation, we made our method to the charming café the place we might take pleasure in breakfast.
The place was crowded, as breakfast attracts not solely hostel friends, but additionally many locals. This alone is an indication that we had been in an important place for a scrumptious meal!
For vegans, the breakfast choices had been a bit restricted, however in the long run I used to be full and glad – and the espresso was actually scrumptious, an actual plus.
After dinner, we performed a number of board video games and relaxed within the frequent room earlier than heading to the prepare station to move again south to Vaasa.
Though it could appear to outsiders that we didn’t do a lot in Rovaniemi, we had been certain that our plan to discover town, calm down, eat properly, and make our journey south stress-free was proper on the right track. We acquired what we needed and are very proud of our time in Rollo.
Should you’re touring to Lapland by public transportation, we advocate spending two days within the south. It’s at all times value visiting Rovaniemi and discovering the variety of town. Hostel Café Koti within the metropolis middle 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!
Should you preferred this text, please help me, Hendrik, on Patreon (and also you’ll get nice low cost codes from our companions – you possibly can save as much as 20% in your subsequent buy!)
Further Journey Dudes Ideas: Husky Safari on a Snowy Path
You too can expertise an unforgettable journey at a husky safari in Finland, by driving your personal canine sled group by means of the picturesque forests. Whether or not you’re the driving 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 study 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 trip by means of the Finnish winter panorama. Really feel the joys of racing by means of the snow along with your group of sled canine.
Don’t overlook to seize this unforgettable second and benefit from the stunning surroundings. After the trip, heat up with a sizzling 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 keep in mind for a very long time.
Good to know
They are going to decide 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 trip. Additionally, you will go to a husky farm and revel in Finnish snacks and sizzling drinks. Better of all, you can be supplied with winter clothes – overalls, boots and gloves.
Essential to know: Departure occasions could differ relying on season and availability. It’s best to examine with the tour operator. On weekdays and Saturdays they want a minimal of two folks for the tour. On Sundays and holidays they want a minimal of 4 folks. If the minimal variety of contributors isn’t reached, the tour could also be canceled or postponed. And please notice: Youngsters below 12 should be accompanied by a paying grownup. You possibly can cancel as much as 24 hours upfront and obtain a full refund.
Further Journey Dudes Ideas: 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 well known all yr spherical – Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi.
Right here you’ve the prospect to fulfill Santa Claus in individual 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 straight from Santa’s submit workplace.
If that’s not sufficient, you’ll even have the chance to stand up shut and private with the reindeer that assist Santa along with his duties. In your method to the Arctic Circle, you’ll move the painted white line that marks the border of the Arctic area. Whenever 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 length of this tour is 3.5 hours and you’ll cancel as much as 24 hours upfront for a full refund. The tour presents 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 may also converse different languages equivalent 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 recollections. And also you’ll obtain a certificates to show you’ve crossed the Arctic Circle.
