ROVANIEMI: THE PERFECT BASE CAMP? 

1. EASY ACCESS TO LAPLAND 

One of Rovaniemi’s main advantages is its ease of access, especially in winter, when travel can become more complicated in remote areas.

Time is precious, especially when you only have a few days of vacation. Naturally, everyone wants to optimize their travel time so they can enjoy more once they arrive at their destination. Spending two days of your vacation traveling by plane, train, bus, or taxi to reach a more isolated destination will always mean cutting into the actual time you have to enjoy your stay, and probably giving up one or two activities…

In terms of accessibility, Rovaniemi offers:

• Direct flights in winter (and summer!) from Helsinki (1 hour 15 minutes) and many European cities
• A multitude of indirect flight options via Helsinki with optimized transit times
• The only destination in Finnish Lapland with an efficient rail link connecting it to southern Finland. Better still, the Santa Express offers night train journeys between Helsinki and Rovaniemi in comfortable cabins (12-hour journey) : you leave in the evening after visiting Helsinki, and wake up in the morning at the Arctic Circle!
• Well-maintained roads even in winter conditions, with most roads regularly cleared of snow and therefore safer
• The gateway to the rest of Lapland : if you choose to explore other regions of Lapland, you will have to pass through Rovaniemi anyway. This small town is the nerve center of Lapland’s road network, with all connections converging on it

Rovaniemi, in the center of the map, is an ideal starting point for exploring Lapland.

2. A STRATEGIC LOCATION

Located on the Arctic Circle, at the confluence of two of Lapland’s main rivers (Ounasjoki and Kemijoki), and at the intersection of two major highways, Rovaniemi enjoys a prime geographical location.

First, Rovaniemi offers beautiful landscapes and accessible nature… less than 10 minutes from the city center! Ounasvaara hill with its hiking trails, fatbike circuits, and downhill ski slopes, as well as the Ounasjoki river with its cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails, are two perfect examples!

But above all, it is easy to organize day trips from the city to other iconic destinations:

• Pyhä-Luosto National Park: a 1.5-hour drive away, perfect for hiking, snowshoeing on the tunturi peaks, or exploring the amethyst mine
• Korouoma Canyon and its frozen waterfalls in winter, 1.5 hours southeast of Rovaniemi
• Ranua Wildlife Park, an hour’s drive south of Rovaniemi, where you can observe Arctic wildlife (polar bears, lynxes, wolverines, etc.)
• The Ice Hotel and its many decorated rooms, 30 minutes’ drive north of Rovaniemi
• Yllästunturi National Park, with its vast expanses ideal for cross-country skiing, is a two-hour drive north of Rovaniemi
• The Levi downhill ski resort is 1 hour and 45 minutes north of Rovaniemi

Thanks to a good road network, well-organized local agencies, and suitable transportation infrastructure, Rovaniemi allows you to combine adventures in the great outdoors with logistical comfort. You can set off in the morning for a day of snowshoeing in the great outdoors, then come back in the evening to warm up in comfortable accommodation in town.

3. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, WHATEVER THE SEASON 

Rovaniemi stands out for the richness and variety of its tourist attractions, which cater to a wide audience. Whether you’re a thrill seeker, nature lover, or looking for relaxation, the city and its surroundings offer a multitude of activities that are easily accessible in both winter and summer.

Depending on the season, you can choose between:

• Experiencing the magic of the northern lights
• Exploring nature on a husky or reindeer sled
• Discovering the midnight sun
• Hiking in nearby national parks

And many other excursions! To discover the attractions of each season, check out our article When to Travel to Lapland?

Please note: Rovaniemi is ideally located for viewing the northern lights. They can be visible from late August to April, offering a longer viewing season than in more northern regions, where dark nights arrive later in the year.

This variety of activities allows every visitor, regardless of age or interests, to enjoy a rich and personalized experience. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo travelers will all find something to suit them thanks to this diverse and accessible offering.

To accommodate all these visitors, the range of accommodation is as varied as it is high-quality.

From modern hotels in the city center to traditional wooden chalets, comfortable lodges in the heart of nature, and the famous glass igloos where you can admire the stars from your bed, every traveler can find something to suit their tastes and budget. This diversity guarantees a tailor-made stay, from the most authentic to the most comfortable.

You may find your accommodation here.

4. A WINTER RESORT WITH NO LOCAL LIFE? 

Not at all! Rovaniemi’s strength lies in its remarkable balance between preserving its cultural roots and offering high-quality modern infrastructure. The city has managed to retain a strong local identity while developing services that make life easier for visitors.

So, beyond its image as a winter tourist destination, Rovaniemi is a dynamic city with an authentic local life that thrives all year round. This is evident in its cuisine, but also in its many cultural, sporting, and musical events. Watching an ice hockey game or singing karaoke in one of the city’s pubs are typical forms of entertainment in Rovaniemi. It is not just a seasonal resort, but a real urban center inhabited by a population attached to its culture and environment. And unlike towns further north, Rovaniemi still gets at least four hours of daylight even in the depths of winter — a small but significant difference that helps keep city life vibrant and active.

If you want to know more about things to do in the city, don’t hesitate to read our article: What to Do in Rovaniemi in the Evening?

BUT THEN, WHY SO MUCH HATRED? 

1. A CITY THAT ATTRACTS ATTENTION… AND THEREFORE RIVALRY 

As the capital of Finnish Lapland and the home of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi enjoys unparalleled international visibility. Every year, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors, media outlets, influencers, and tour operators. In short: it attracts attention—and therefore envy.

However, in a region where tourism is a vital but still developing economic sector, this dominant position can be irritating. Some more remote localities, which struggle to make themselves known, may be tempted to criticize Rovaniemi not for what it really is, but for what it represents: a powerful and visible player.

It is not uncommon for some competing service providers or destinations to build their sales pitch around a contrast:

“Here, it’s not like Rovaniemi : it’s more authentic, wilder, more intimate…”

These criticisms, although partly sincere, are often used as a marketing tool to position the city differently. In reality, Rovaniemi does not claim to be an isolated village at the end of the world. It is a modern city in the heart of Lapland, offering easy access to nature while providing services that other places cannot offer (transportation, hospitals, museums, choice of accommodation, etc.).

2. SCAMS, EXPECTATIONS, MISUNDERSTANDINGS: WHAT’S THE REALITY? 

Finally, like any well-known destination, Rovaniemi also attracts visitors who don’t always have realistic expectations: some expect a fairytale village frozen in time, others an immediate immersion in the wild taiga. When they arrive in a lively, modern city with its inhabitants and infrastructure, they may be surprised. But this is not a flaw: it’s what makes Rovaniemi… local! Much more authentic than a ski resort!

However, some agencies take advantage of the myth of “Santa Claus” to sell artificial experiences that have no real connection to local culture or Arctic nature. Unscrupulous, they play on travelers’ expectations and organize “tourist trap” tours by selling dreams. Upon arrival, visitors find themselves in very large groups, often without personalized supervision, with activities timed like an assembly line, sometimes even without a qualified guide. The result: impersonal, inauthentic experiences that are sometimes much more expensive than their true value.

It is therefore essential to choose agencies that focus on quality rather than quantity. Nordic Odyssey does just that, offering small group excursions, far from the crowds, led by qualified and passionate guides. Each activity is designed to offer a true discovery of Lapland, respecting the environment and the pace of travelers. A sincere alternative, far from tourist clichés.

Check out our article: Holiday in Rovaniemi: Avoid the Tourist Traps! 

ROVANIEMI: A GATEWAY, NOT A SHOWCASE!

What people criticize about Rovaniemi is often the flip side of its fame and success. It is not a “sterile” destination, but an active, practical, cultural, and well-located base. And if it is sometimes criticized, it is also because it gets in the way of those who would like to attract some of its limelight.

Rather than pitting Rovaniemi against other destinations in Lapland, it is better to see it as a complementary entry point, allowing visitors to explore all the riches of the region… including its more secret corners.

But to do so, you need to choose your service providers carefully. Behind the very touristy shop windows, there are also committed local agencies offering authentic experiences. By surrounding yourself with the right people, Rovaniemi becomes much more than just a stopover: it becomes a lively, welcoming, and inspiring gateway to the real Lapland.