Travel 1 Day in Rovaniemi: Best Vacation Spots in Rovaniemi

Day 1 | Morning

Santa Park

Opening Hours: Open from 9:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: 35 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-4 Hours

Location: Tarvantie 1，96930 Arctic Circle

Christmas Park, also known as Santa's Cave, is only 2 kilometers from Rovaniemi Airport and is another must-visit place for Christmas fans in Rovaniemi. This large-scale amusement park with the theme of Santa Claus is located under the small hills. It was built and opened to the public in 1998. Everything here is set up around Christmas, the environment is like a cartoon world, mobile games, reindeer sleighs, puppet theaters, Christmas receptions, multimedia performances telling the story of Santa Claus, using high technology to let tourists experience the four seasons, etc., all-inclusive. Visitors enter through a long tunnel, and the first thing they see is the wizard workshop in the middle. A large number of elves preparing gifts for Santa are busy working there all year round. In addition to seeing them up close, try making Christmas gingerbread. There are many mobile games on the side of the wizard workshop, and you can also take the magic train in the fantasy country of Lapland. Santa Claus appears at the Elf Factory and Paradise Cafe at any time. While tourists ask him different questions, it is natural to take a close photo. Christmasland also has a Christmas gift shop, where you can buy a variety of exquisite Christmas souvenirs.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Just near Christmas Village, it is an indoor amusement park, there are elf, performances and some activities to participate, and there is an ice world to experience the freezing Arctic, adults and children will be very happy!

Mama668: very good excellent ... must go place at Finland very good excellent ... must go place at Finland very good excellent ... must go place at Finland very good excellent ... must go place at Finland

Day 1 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Santa Park, don’t forget pay a visit to Ranua Zoo.

Ranua Zoo

Opening Hours: Open from 10:00am-4:00pm

Ticket Price: 15 EUR

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Rovaniementie 29, 97700 Ranua

Ranua Safari Park is an hour away from Rovaniemi. The park houses typical Finnish and Nordic animals with more than 50 different species, including bears, Finnish polar bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines, moose and more. The only immigrants from abroad are the polar bears from Sweden. The visiting route in the park is about 2.5 kilometers long, passing through the jurisdiction of various animals, and you can see many wild animals. The park also houses JussanPirtti restaurant, candy shop and souvenir shop. The park is open year-round, with guided tours at night. Night safari is an entirely different picture, with many animals being extremely active at night.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: It’s not the usual boring touristy zoo - highly recommended to check out this wildlife safari with arctic animals. You wouldn’t even see a zookeeper in sight. A totally different feel in winter with the snow! Watch polar bear, arctic fox and reindeers in action. Can easily spend about 2-3hours here. Just a short 45mins bus ride from Rovaniemi.

Day 1 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Ranua Zoo? Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos is one of your top choices.

Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos

Featuring a lakeside sauna and shared terrace, this inn is located by Lake Ranua in Southern Lapland, 4 km from Ranua Zoo. It offers a private beach plus canoe and motor boat rentals. Guesthouse Ranua’s simple rooms feature modern comforts such as a microwave, refrigerator and tea/coffee maker. Free WiFi internet is available in public areas. Guests can rent fishing equipment and enjoy a day on Lake Ranua. Cross-country skiing tracks start just 400 metres from the property. Guesthouse Ranua offers discounted tickets to Ranua Wildlife Park

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.