A woman picking blueberries and berries in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

Respectful and responsible holiday – tips for visitors

Sustainability is a state of mind and a way of life. By honouring the nature and all its miracles, we are halfway there. By making some personal responsible choices and actions we are truly making a difference.

You as a visitor can make responsible choices. We are happy to share the beauty of our country with you, but we hope we all stick to promising to take a good care of it. Here are some tips for you to take this into consideration on your Lapland holiday.

Winter scenery with snow and sunset in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

A person during summer under the midnight sun in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

All of us can make a difference. We can, for example make sure to switch off the lights, pick up your trash, recycle, eat local food, buy local products, use responsible companies and aim to travel outside busy seasons, and by doing all this, you are already an ambassador of sustainable goodwill.

When you are in nature, please make sure that you keep the forests and lakes plastic-free, making sure not to leave any rubbish behind. The world-class tap water shall quench the thirst, so no need to use bottled water in Rovaniemi.

A hand picking up a blueberry in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

In Finland it’s our equal right to roam free and there is lot of space and nature to wonder free. This right should be enjoyed responsibly. The berries and mushrooms are there to be eaten by anyone, but you should stick to the paths that are already beaten. Long before humans the wildlife’s been there, so don’t set up camp just anywhere.

Often the forests are owned by someone, so it is not allowed to go to just any forest, near settlements or the shores owned by locals, as it is violating on private property. Therefore, it is responsible and respectful to use the public hiking areas.

People enjoying winter, snow and sunshine with snowshoes in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

Northern Lights, Midnight Sun, Polar Nights, and nature experiences in general can be admired independently or by attending a tour. If you are an independent traveller, you can use the private lean-tos and public hiking areas. These include, for example, the Arctic Circle hiking area and Ounasvaara.

It is good for you to know, that if you are attending a tour, public hiking areas are forbidden for companies. The respectful companies are taking you to other agreed places which are tailored for businesses and private groups.

View from Ounasvaara Observation tower to Rovaniemi City Centre during summer with beautiful sunset, in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

Arctic city surrounded by nature

Rovaniemi combines nature and urban services in Finnish Lapland

A couple in Arktikum museum in Rovaninemi Lapland, Finland.

When you understand better, it is easier to respect something you know. We are people with rich roots and heritage up here on the Arctic Circle. You can get a wonderful overview by visiting the main cultural art and science centers.

Easy way to get familiar with the local ways of life and habits is to get to know Sauna, for example. A traditional Finnish sauna is like the local food culture, pure and simple.

Being able to create something with your own hands, is a valuable skill in today’s digital world. Visiting local family and getting to know local culture and tradition, can also be considered as a responsible and sustainable choice on your holiday.

A man skiing during winter with snow and sunshine in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

It is good to keep in mind that even if there is lot of space and the town traffic is not that big, there are things to consider. The road can be very slippery and icy, so crossing the road through big roads instead of walking paths, is not safe. Also sleighing at the cross-country paths can be risky when the locals might be skiing with high speed. It causes a risk to accidents. Sleighing also damages the skiing tracks causing extra costs for locals in maintenance.

It is important to respect the lives of locals, and to consider that when using cameras or loud vocals. It is not allowed to take tours, such as Northern Lights hunting trips to any location, such as private yards of locals.

Couple watching green northern lights during winter with Beyond Arctic in Lapland.

Take tours that are responsible held, respecting nature and local people, also providing you the best possible experience. What ever you bring to nature, should be taken away. No rubbish, or bonfire traces should be left in nature.

Always choose local, reliable and trustworthy companies and service providers.

Sustainable Travel Finland companies

Making coffee in campfire in summer in Kings-lean-to, Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.

The atmosphere by the campfire is pleasant, but it is forbidden to light a campfire directly on the ice of the river or lake. The remaining, charred wood is difficult to clean. In the springtime all the remains of hundreds of campfires on our lakes look terrible and is considered as an environmental crime – lean-to sites should be used as campfire sites. The rule applies to individual visitors and guided groups and tour operators.

The City of Rovaniemi and Visit Rovaniemi have instructed safari companies on how to light campfires in the right way and how to act responsible. There should not be any garbage, or any remains of campfire left on the lake ice, snow or in the nature.