Uncover Rovaniemi: Gradual Journey within the Coronary heart of Finnish Lapland

Prepared for an unforgettable winter journey? Uncover Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, and as additional choices expertise an unbelievable 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 wish 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 more in-depth look.

In case 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 right place for many who love snug beds and Nordic design. Positioned in the course of town, every little 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.

If you’re curious and need to study 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, strive a fatbike tour with RollOutdoors otherwise you go for a sleigh ride, pulled by huskies (extra to that later).

Travelling North and South

When my son and I returned from our adventure in snowy Saariselkä, we had a superb thought: 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 had been completely impressed by town.

As a substitute 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 just a few hours later.

The following day we loved one other scrumptious breakfast on the Hostel Café Koti and walked to the practice station with our in depth baggage to catch the practice south.

As you possibly can think about, this journey plan was far more snug 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 heart of Rovaniemi on our bus from Saariselkä and had been only a brief stroll from our cool hostel, Café Koti.

This gem of a hostel is just a few years outdated and is positioned in a totally renovated financial institution constructing – the previous places of work are actually rooms for singles, doubles, households and dormitories.

The café on the primary flooring has good drinks and snacks obtainable all day and serves a scrumptious breakfast.

After checking in, we put our ski baggage within the outdated 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 suggests “residence” in Finnish. It was lovely. The room has pure supplies and colours, a number of home windows with nice views, and the beds had been improbable – I used to be beginning to really feel like a little bit nap wouldn’t damage. 🥱

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 solution to the Angry 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 a number of 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. In case 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 lovely view of Ounasvaara.

That is actually a paradise for many who stay within the metropolis and are in search of outside motion.

By the way in which, when you really feel like fatbiking, it is best to go to RollOutdoors!

So we continued in 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 alleged to have the very best burgers on the town.

We weren’t disenchanted!

Each the vegetarian and the standard burgers had been a deal with for our palates. 🍔

The place is adorned with nice consideration to element and has an off-the-cuff 50’s/60’s punk rock gallery vibe. In case 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 way in which again to Koti. It appears to be like so good, every little 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. 🙂

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 massive followers of board video games and it’s at all times a spotlight when a hostel/resort/cafe has a number of video games obtainable.

After just a few video games, it was time to settle into our snug beds and eventually calm down. The beds had been so inviting and cozy that we fell asleep instantly.

Our sleep was deep and restful, and once we awoke the subsequent morning, we felt recent and alert. Nonetheless, our hungry stomachs had been crying out! With out hesitation, we made our solution to the charming café the place we’d take pleasure in breakfast.

The place was crowded, as breakfast attracts not solely hostel friends, but in addition many locals. This alone is an indication that we had been in an ideal 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 just a few board video games and relaxed within the widespread room earlier than heading to the practice station to move again south to Vaasa.

Though it might appear to outsiders that we didn’t do a lot in Rovaniemi, we had been positive that our plan to discover town, calm down, eat nicely, and make our journey south stress-free was proper heading in the right direction. We acquired what we wished and are very proud of our time in Rollo.

In case you’re touring to Lapland by public transportation, we suggest spending two days within the south. It’s at all times price visiting Rovaniemi and discovering the range of town. Hostel Café Koti within the metropolis heart is a superb 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!

In case you favored this text, please assist me, Hendrik, on Patreon (and also you’ll get nice low cost codes from our companions – you might save as much as 20% in your subsequent buy!)

Additional Journey Dudes Suggestions: Husky Safari on a Snowy Path

You too can expertise an unforgettable journey at a husky safari in Finland, by driving your individual canine sled crew 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 unbelievable 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 fun of racing by means of the snow along with your crew of sled canines.

Don’t overlook to seize this unforgettable second and benefit from the lovely surroundings. After the journey, heat up with a scorching juice and Finnish gingerbread – the locals’ favourite winter snack.

Hearken to attention-grabbing 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 may 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 journey. Additionally, you will go to a husky farm and luxuriate in Finnish snacks and scorching drinks. Better of all, you’ll be supplied with winter clothes – overalls, boots and gloves.

Essential to know: Departure instances could range 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 word: Youngsters below 12 should be accompanied by a paying grownup. You may cancel as much as 24 hours prematurely and obtain a full refund.

Additional Journey Dudes Suggestions: Possibility 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 have got the prospect to fulfill Santa Claus in particular person and cross the Arctic Circle to take distinctive memento photographs. What would a go to to Santa Claus be with out greetings to your family members? Ship your vacation greetings immediately from Santa’s publish 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 solution to the Arctic Circle, you’ll cross the painted white line that marks the border of the Arctic area. While you cross this line, you’ll obtain an official certificates you can 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 may stick with you for a very long time.

Good to know

The length of this tour is 3.5 hours and you may cancel as much as 24 hours prematurely for a full refund. The tour provides you the likelihood to be picked up and transported comfortably out of your lodging inside 15 km (driving distance) from the middle of Rovaniemi. You may be greeted by an English talking information who may also converse 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 can depart you with unforgettable reminiscences. And also you’ll obtain a certificates to show you’ve crossed the Arctic Circle.