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Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and the hometown of Santa Claus, is the perfect place to spend a winter day. With snow-covered forests, cosy saunas and winter activities, there's so much to do and see in this city on the edge of the Arctic Circle.
If you're wondering how to spend one day in Rovaniemi, you've come to the right place. This 1 day itinerary will help you make the most of your time, from the best winter activities to the top attractions and where to stay.
Morning: Visit Santa Claus Village
Start your day by visiting one of the most iconic attractions in Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village - the official hometown of Santa Claus himself. Just 15 minutes from the city centre, this winter wonderland is where you can immerse yourself in festivities and experience winter activities.
In the village, you can meet Santa in his office, send postcards from the official Santa Claus Post Office and quite literally cross the Arctic Circle, marked by a white line running through the snow. It’s touristy, yes, but also well worth a visit, especially if you're travelling with kids!
There's also a few cafes so you can grab some breakfast and a hot chocolate or coffee to warm up before heading onto the next adventure.
Mid-morning/afternoon: Husky & Reindeer Safari
After a magical morning at Santa Claus Village, it’s time to experience a husky sledding safari and a peaceful reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy forests.
These are two of the most iconic winter activities in Rovaniemi and if you’re short on time, you can even do them both in a single combo tour.
If you prefer a shorter tour, this Reindeer and husky safari is only 2.5 hours long and includes visiting a reindeer farm and going on a reindeer sleigh ride, as well as visiting a woodland husky farm and experiencing a husky-pulled sled ride.
We absolutely loved husky sledding, it was one of our favourite experiences - we'd say it's a must-do activity when you're in Lapland. We did our tour with Bearhill Husky and couldn’t recommend it more. If you'd rather just do a husky safari, this one's perfect - it's just 30 minutes outside of Rovaniemi.
If you want a longer tour with extra activities included, this Husky and Reindeer Experience With Snowmobiling is perfect. It's a 6 hour tour which includes a husky safari, reindeer farm visit and sleigh ride, a snowmobile safari and a visit to Santa Claus Village. If we only had one day in Rovaniemi, we'd definitely do this!
Top Rated Tours
Evening: Sauna and Ice Dipping Experience
After a day of arctic adventures, there’s no better way to warm up than with a traditional Finnish sauna. Sauna culture is a huge part of life in Finland, it’s where locals go to relax, recharge and socialise! It's even more magical when you're surrounded by snowy forests and icy lakes.
In winter, many saunas in Rovaniemi offer the full experience: a wood-fired or electric sauna session followed by a refreshing ice dip or bath, if you dare. It’s the ultimate way to boost circulation, clear your head, and end your day like a true Finn.
The Best Sauna Options in Rovaniemi:
Rovaniemi Sauna World is located at Lapland Winter Park, just outside of the city centre with a free shuttle bus available. It features a variety of saunas, plus a hot tub and a traditional cold dip pool.
We did our sauna experience at Apukka Resort (where we stayed) and it was incredible. Apukka is just 10 minutes outside of the city centre and has a few different sauna experiences, including a Lakeside Sauna & Arctic Bath and a Sauna with an Outdoor Jacuzzi.
Lakeside Sauna at Apukka
We did the Lakeside Sauna & Arctic Bath experience which we couldn't recommend more. We had 1.5 hours to relax in the sauna and dip into the frozen lake, which was definitely a challenge!
Top Rated Experiences
Late Evening: Northern Lights Tour
After a session in the sauna, you’ll be completely relaxed, and if the skies are clear, keep an eye out. You might just spot the Northern Lights as the perfect end to your one day in Rovaniemi.
If you're staying the night and the aurora forecast is looking good, join a guided northern lights tour to get the best chances of seeing the aurora.
Rory Watson
The guides will take you into Lapland's wilderness to find the best viewing spots based on the forecast and weather conditions. Most tours start around 7-8pm, so they're perfect to add onto the end of your day.
Top Rated Guides
Where to Stay in Rovaniemi?
If you're spending the night in Rovaneimi, we'd highly recommend Apukka Resort, we stayed in their Kammi Suite which was so cosy and luxurious. It's also perfect as you can have the full sauna experience on-site and they offer Northern Lights tours.
Chloe Butcher
If you only have one night, we'd highly recommend staying in a unique glass igloo - there's no other experience like it, so it's definitely something to splurge on. Some other great accommodation options include 👇
- Glass Resort (Luxury) - Stunning glass igloo apartments located at Santa Claus Village.
- Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara (Mid-range) - A beautifully designed hotel with large glass windows and private saunas.
- Hostel Café Koti (Budget) - A cosy and modern hostel in the centre of Rovaneimi.
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other Finland travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
