Summer in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi, the Arctic Capital of Finnish Lapland, is situated on the Arctic Circle. The Official Hometown of Santa Claus offers the best access to the arctic region and is a perfect place to experience the aspects of Finnish happiness and nightless nights.
Stay
Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, offers a range of accommodation from budget to luxury. Find your place to stay from numerous alternatives!
Eat and drink
Traditional Lappish food tastes delicious both in restaurants and by a campfire. Rovaniemi has great options for local culinary excursions, see more here.
Finnish happiness under The Midnight Sun
The lively town under the magical light of the Midnight Sun offers a wide range of exciting but easy and safe outdoor activities and the greatest amount of Lappish culture, sights and attractions, restaurants, local design shops and much more. In Rovaniemi you can easily experience the nature and urban services, and of course, here you can cross the Arctic Circle.
24 hour of sunshine
In Rovaniemi, nights are bright throughout the summer and days are warm, making the summer holiday delightful and refreshing at the Arctic Circle. Make the most of the arctic summer with activities like river cruises, swimming, golfing across the Arctic Circle, horseback riding, floating, hiking, visiting husky and reindeer farms and a whole lot more – pretty much anything you can do during the day, you can do in the night.
Summer vibes at the Arctic Circle
Rovaniemi combines the wilderness, nature and characteristics of an urban town destination, cultural experiences, local lifestyle and short distances.
Once in a lifetime bucket-list experiences to do in Rovaniemi under the midnight sun are crossing the Arctic Circle and meeting Santa Claus in a world-famous Santa Claus Village. Only here you can meet Santa Claus every day.
Book summer activities at the Arctic Circle!
Visit to a real reindeer farm in Rovaniemi
Visit the pasture of an authentic reindeer farm in Rovaniemi. See the reindeer up close and feed them.
Horse ride to the hill
Explore Lapland’s Beauty. Prepare, ride, and feel. Also for beginners.
Ranua wildlife park
Take a journey in the Ranua wildlife Park and it’s arctic animals
Yoga Hike
Experience the healing power of nature by hiking and doing yoga in the nature.
Gold Rush, River Boat and Gold Panning Activity, 4 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the excitement of treasure hunting and enjoy charm of the campfire and a traditional Finnish picnic.
Horse Riding in Arctic Wilderness – Small Group
Explore Lapland’s enchanting forest trails on our horseback riding tour in Rovaniemi, where safety meets adventure. Experience the thrill of learning horseback riding aboard Finland’s esteemed horses
Private Traditional Lakeside Sauna with Midnight Sun
For your authentic Finnish experience, sit back in the lakeside private traditional Finnish sauna with the mild steam warming you up.
Hiking Trip to the Amethyst Mine
Explore the beauty of Pyha-Luosto National Park with a guided hike through the forest and fells to reach the amethyst mine. Visit of the mine and lunch snack around the fire are included in this all-day adventure.
Discover Rovaniemi in the Summer!
A paradise for hikers and nature explorers
In the summer the days are long, and the short nights are light, which makes hiking in the Midnight Sun popular. Trails close to the city center are the Koivusaari nature trail in the river delta area, and the several trails of Ounasvaara. Altogether there are hundreds of kilometers of marked trails in Rovaniemi with hundreds of lean-tos and resting spots.
The Arctic Circle Hiking Area is a versatile beautiful location a little further from Rovaniemi city. One can choose for example the obstacle-free trail of Könkäänsaari, or the educational Kielosaari trail with mushroom and plant information.
One hour drive away is the protected primeval forest of Auttiköngäs, where you can listen to the sound of a rapid in complete peace. The ancient hills of the nearest national park, Pyhä-Luosto National Park, are 1,5 hour’s drive from Rovaniemi.
Midnight Sun – nightless night
Did you know? The sun officially stays above the horizon for a full 24 hours on summer solstice, 21st or 22nd June. However, the Midnight Sun period in Rovaniemi lasts for a month, from 6th June to 7th July; this is due to the Earth’s slightly tilted axis and refraction of sunlight. This is called Midnight Sun, an opposite phenomenon to Polar Night.
Visit reindeer and huskies at summer time
Visit reindeer and huskies at summer time
For many seeing reindeer is a bucket list item while visiting Lapland. The iconic horn head of the north has been a way of life here for centuries. The authentic reindeer farms are welcoming guests during summer to get to know the traditional livelihood of Lapland.
And then there’s huskies, the loyal canine family members that love the northern rough elements. Equally cute and cuddly they melt hearts with their knowing eyes and soft paws. Get to know the athletic furry marathon runners during summer by visiting a kennel, learning about the year cycle of the sled dogs and choosing the activity of your choice, such as hiking with the huskies under the Midnight Sun.
Experience the summer in a local style
Experience the summer in a local style
Rovaniemi has unique local lifestyle and rich culture. Explore the history, art and arctic design by visiting museums, science centres and local sights and attractions. Summer is the best time to experience the Finnish happiness and fully find your nature connection.
Meet the wonderful local artists, listen to the tour guides authentic stories and be inspired by Lappish characters, who are happy to share their way of living. Summer holiday in Lapland opens your eyes to the magical arctic world and gives you the opportunity to see, feel, live and cherish the sustainable, nature-connected Finnish lifestyle.
Explore more with a local guide
Explore more with a local guide
With an experienced local guide, you can enjoy your summer holiday to the max. There are tours available from an easy-going soft adventures to a true ‘live like a local’ exploration.
Plan your summer holiday
Cottages
Special accommodation
Eat and drink
Traditional Lappish food tastes delicious both in restaurants and by a campfire. Rovaniemi has great options for local culinary excursions, see more here.
Getting around
Rovaniemi is a town with short distances. The centre is easily explored on foot, and many transport options are available for reaching the surroundings. Find out more here.
Looking for warm, but refreshing summer holiday destination?
Rovaniemi is a wonderful summer destination in Lapland with bright sunny summer days. Temperature is nice and warm, but not sizzling hot. Warm enough to enjoy sunshine and summer activities, cool enough to relax and chill out.
Practical information about the summer months
Northern Lights: Not Visible
Snow: No snow
Phenomenon: Midnight sun – the nightless night with 24 hour daylight
Average temperature: Between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 24 hours
Northern Lights: Not Visible
Snow: No snow
Phenomenon: Midnight sun
Average temperature: Between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 21 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear in the end of August
Snow: No snow
Phenomenon: Northern Lights
Average temperature: Between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 17 hours
Explore summer tips
Midnight Sun experiences in Rovaniemi
Midnight Sun Activitites
Summer by the river in Rovaniemi
Browse summer activities
Finnish Sauna Culture
There are over 3 million saunas in Finland – that’s more than passenger cars. It’s safe to say we love our saunas! For an absolute Rovaniemi experience one must try sauna.
Lapland’s food culture in Rovaniemi
Read more about Lappish treats
Fall in love with the Rovaniemi phenomena
Autumn Colours
When bright arctic summer ends and nature is preparing for winter at the Arctic Circle, we are enchanted by the changing colors of the season. In Rovaniemi this amazing nature’s display is at its best in September when trees and ground is covered with spectacular colours. Get your cameras out and head to nature!
Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun, the nightless night or polar day – can be seen only here in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle or above. From early June until early July, and nights are white throughout the summer. See more here.
Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
Snow And Ice
For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there’s white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year. Find out more here!
Santa Claus
There’s no place like Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, for genuine Christmas experiences. See here for some Rovaniemi Christmas magic.
Explore the Arctic Seasons
Early winter
Winter
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and reallife winter wonderland located at the Arctic Circle in Lapland Finland.
Christmas time in Rovaniemi
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Spring
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Autumn
There is something so magical in nights spent under the Auroras in Glass Cabins and Igloos or waking up from a unique accommodation to a first snowfall.