Finland is a country in Northern Europe that is already known for its sustainability, safety, water and air quality, nature, saunas, you name it! But did you know that Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland is arguably the best place to visit if you want to see your Instagram followers getting ‘green with envy’?
This magical city is not only the official hometown of Santa Claus. It is home to the most famous arctic animals such as adorable Reindeers and Huskies. Besides that, most of the area of Lapland is densely forested and offers pure and unique viewpoints. From there you can enjoy sunsets and sunrises that look like from different world. Therefore it is needless to say that Rovaniemi and surroundings are some of the most beautiful places in the world. Furthermore, you can observe Northern Lights or Midnight Sun without having to step out of your comfort zone.
Absolutely everything about Rovaniemi screams #wanderlust. So are you an #adventureseeker already planning a holiday trip to Rovaniemi? Do you also strive for #instatravel with a refreshing feed that is visually pleasing and shows your great adventures? We handpicked our top 10 most Instagram friendly locations and activities in Rovaniemi for you to enjoy all year round!
1. Snowman world
Have you ever had dinner in the ice restaurant and drinks at the ice bar? Perhaps you want to bring a smile to your child’s lips by ice skating with a snowman or sliding down the snowy hill. We know a place which brings magic in everyone’s life – old or young. Our No.1 instagrammable place in Rovaniemi is Snowman World! This place full of unique experience is available from December until March. It can get a bit cold, but you can always warm up with a delicious meal cooked from the ingredients that are typical for Lapland – salmon, arctic berries, arctic seafood, etc.
We chose this place as most Instagramsome for the beautiful and elegant ice sculptures and animal figures carved out of snow and ice. The drinks are also served in ice glasses 🧊🍸. Actually, an entire Ice Bar is built from ice – from the floor to the ceiling and it is placed in the large igloo made of snow.
2. Santa Claus Village
Ho-ho-ho! Wait a moment, Snowman World is actually located in jolly and festive Santa Claus Village. Before you leave, don’t forget to take a memorable picture with Santa Claus himself and his elves. You can also send the letters to your family and friends from his office.
Are you planning your visit during the summer? No problem! The Christmas vibes in the holiday village are everlasting. After all, Santa Claus is there all year round at, preparing presents for all the good kids. Besides that, summer is the best time to cross the line denoting the Arctic Circle and become true arctic #adventurer.
3. Ounasvaara hilltop
Our next instagrammable place is Ounasvaara hill. Located right next to the centre of Rovaniemi is arguably the best location to view the whole city. Right on top of it, there is an observation tower. From there you can take amazing panoramic pictures of the surrounding forests and Rovaniemi as well as enjoy snacks in the lean-to shelter close by.
In addition, there are various ski slopes for winter sports and in summer you can enjoy many bike and hiking trails. But most importantly, look at this irresistible view!
4. Visiting Huskies
Visiting the husky farm is an amazing and adventurous activity for the winter but also the summer. During winter months you can try exciting sleigh ride pulled by a pack of huskies.
A husky sleigh ride is a magical experience where you can slide across the snowy wilderness and boreal forest while observing the unique arctic nature. Of course, do not forget to bring your camera.
Another and probably the cutest thing you can do at this farm is petting little husky pups that will fill your heart with joy. Just look at that little ball of fur.
5. Meeting the Reindeer
Next on our list but equally adorable are reindeer. Luckily, they can be found on the same farm as huskies and so you don’t need to go far to meet them!
These gentle arctic animals are kept and fed in the farms during the winter. When the summer arrives, most of them go back to the forest where you can spot them with little calves.
Besides meeting the reindeer at the farm, you can also take a scenic sleigh ride through the arctic forest. Last but not least, at the farm you can feed them some delicious mosses and leaves.
6. Staying at Glass igloo
An extraordinary arctic experience is awaiting not far away from Santa Claus Village. This is the opportunity to get accommodated in a unique Aurora Cabin/Aurora Igloo. Just lie down in the comfortable bad and admire the stars above you. Above all, if the stars are lucky you might even see an amazing performance of the Northern Lights in the sky. Make sure you have your camera ready as this beautiful dance might last only for a couple of minutes.
Besides that, every igloo has a personal Jacuzzi ready for you to enjoy warm water even during coldest arctic nights. If you need to warm up more, all the igloos are equipped with an electric sauna.
7. Hunting Northern Lights
Ready to cool down in the freezing cold lake after the traditional finish sauna? Look at these young polar bears capturing their moment with northern lights! Would you be interested?
Or perhaps something more romantic?
The choice is yours!
These are my favorite best places to see Northern Lights. All within the walking distance from Rovaniemi city center!
- Arktikum park <1km
- Ounasvaara Winter Trail <1km
- Pöyliövaara Laavu <5km
- Alakorkalo Laavu <6,5km
Are you planning to visit just for a short time and you want to increase your chances of seeing aurora? Maybe you prefer a professional photographer to capture this moment for you. We at Nordic Unique Travels offer a wide range of Northern Lights tours. In these tours, we take you to a top location far from the city as well as light pollution. During these tours, we might visit up to 3 places while hunting for the best Northern Lights! Just have a look.
8. Sunbathing under Midnight Sun
Well, you probably knew that Lapland is famous for #auroraborealis #northernlights. But did you know, that summer in Lapland is like a heaven for photographers? Yes, it is true! As from the beginning of Jun until the end of July, the sun does not set in this region, you will have enough light for your photographs at any time of the day. The most beautiful part of the day starts around the Midnight when the sun gets close to the horizon and the sky plays all the colors you can imagine! If you take a night walk to one of the following locations, you can be sure to capture something beautiful.
Here are my top 4 locations to enjoy Midnight Sun. These locations are within walking distance but you can rent a bike to get to the location much faster! All the pictures taken during the golden hour look stunning!
- Ounaskoski Beach
- Koivusaari nature trail 6km
- Pöyliövaara Spring Trail 5km
- Kuninkaanlaavu 10km – far but worth it!
9. Feeding Arctic Birds 🐦
10. Be an Instagram star anywhere!
During the winter season, you can try many amazing activities and this one is one of my favourites. Moreover, it is completely free. Wait till the temperature drops bellow -20°C take some hot water in the thermos and you are all set. Simply, throw the water behind your back at the desired location and set the video in slo-mo directly through the Instagram app. You don’t need to worry you’d get burn since the water freezes instantly and creates a wave of the frosty mist! Check it out!
Note: don’t try this in the summer 😀
Mix it all up in one day
Great news, you don’t need to look to for the separate locations and worry about booking the tickets, commuting, food and all that hustle. Our team created an amazing Rovaniemi Instagram Tour where a professional guide will take you to top 5 instagrammable locations. All the entrances, transportation as well as food is included in the price. Of course, we will help you take some remarkable pictures to make your Instagram feed shine! You will also get Adobe Lightroom Presets for the mobile app where you can bring your pictures to perfection!
Do you have any questions about these places or Lapland and possible tours and activities? Check out our website or contact us directly. To sum up, your fantastic holiday is just a click away!
