We’re followers of leisurely journey. We prefer to take our time and benefit from the trip. On our method south from Saariselkä, my son and I made a decision to cease in Rovaniemi for a more in-depth look.
For those who’re touring to Lapland, you’ll want to spend an evening in Rovaniemi. Right here you’ll be able to chill out and benefit from the peace and quiet. Hostel Café Koti is the right place for individuals who love comfy beds and Nordic design. Positioned in the course of the town, every little thing is inside strolling distance!
A stroll alongside the riverside is a should in Rovaniemi. Right here you’ll be able to get pleasure from a panoramic view of the town.
In case you are curious and wish to be taught extra about tradition, the Arktikum Museum is the place for you. Or how a couple of hike on the (winter) path of Ounasvaara?
For extra motion, attempt a fatbike tour with RollOutdoors otherwise you go for a sleigh trip, pulled by huskies (extra to that later).
Travelling North and South
When my son and I returned from our journey in snowy Saariselkä, we had an excellent concept: we wished to spend an evening in Rovaniemi to keep away from the lengthy and exhausting public journey south (VR and Matkahuolto ought to actually coordinate their schedules, proper?).
And what can I say? It was simply nice! We had a lot enjoyable and had been completely impressed by the town.
As a substitute of an countless journey day stuffed with rush and stress, we took our time and slept late on the lodge in Saariselkä earlier than having fun with a scrumptious breakfast and catching the 11 am bus to Rovaniemi. We arrived relaxed a number of hours later.
The subsequent day we loved one other scrumptious breakfast on the Hostel Café Koti and walked to the practice station with our in depth baggage to catch the practice south.
As you’ll be able to think about, this journey plan was way more comfy than a day of stress that began at 6am and didn’t finish till 10pm if you lastly arrived residence.
So what did we do in Rovaniemi?
The Capital of Lapland
We arrived within the heart of Rovaniemi on our bus from Saariselkä and had been only a quick stroll from our cool hostel, Café Koti.
This gem of a hostel is just a few years previous and is situated in a totally renovated financial institution constructing – the previous workplaces at the moment are rooms for singles, doubles, households and dormitories.
The café on the primary ground has good drinks and snacks obtainable all day and serves a scrumptious breakfast.
After checking in, we put our ski luggage within the previous vault, which now serves as a safe baggage storage space. Then we went upstairs to our room.
I’m often a tent man, however I can recognize good design and decor, and our room at Koti – which suggests “residence” in Finnish. It was lovely. The room has pure supplies and colours, numerous home windows with nice views, and the beds had been improbable – I used to be beginning to really feel like a little bit nap wouldn’t harm. 🥱
However we wished to discover wintery Rovaniemi and had different plans!
Solely two minutes away from the principle sq. of Rovaniemi is the Hostel Café Koti.
On our technique to the Indignant Birds Playground, which can be solely 300 meters from the hostel, we had the chance to lastly arrive after an extended day on the bus. The playground is free and has numerous cool Indignant Birds themed gear – good even for youths who’re extra aware of different video games.
After a enjoyable go to to the playground, we took a stroll alongside the river. For those who really feel prefer it, you’ll be able to go XC snowboarding right here – there’s a path alongside the river. However we determined to stroll round and benefit from the lovely view of Ounasvaara.
That is actually a paradise for individuals who stay within the metropolis and are on the lookout for out of doors motion.
By the best way, if you happen to really feel like fatbiking, it’s best to go to RollOutdoors!
So we continued in the direction of the town, as our hungry bellies craved a scrumptious meal and my son was dying for a burger. We determined to attempt Kauppayhtiö as they had been presupposed to have the most effective burgers on the town.
We weren’t dissatisfied!
Each the vegetarian and the standard burgers had been a deal with for our palates. 🍔
The place is adorned with nice consideration to element and has an informal 50’s/60’s punk rock gallery vibe. For those who like this aesthetic, you’ll really feel proper at residence at Kauppayhtiö!
Come, we stroll by the middle of Rovaniemi on the best way again to Koti. It seems to be so good, every little thing is lit up and there are even some Christmas decorations.
It’s clear, Santa Claus has his residence right here, it simply has to look Christmassy. 🙂
Once we received again to the hostel, we checked out the sauna after which performed a spherical of Carcassonne within the widespread room. We’re massive followers of board video games and it’s all the time a spotlight when a hostel/lodge/cafe has a choice of video games obtainable.
After a number of video games, it was time to settle into our comfy beds and eventually chill out. The beds had been so inviting and comfy that we fell asleep instantly.
Our sleep was deep and restful, and after we awoke the subsequent morning, we felt contemporary and alert. Nonetheless, our hungry stomachs had been crying out! With out hesitation, we made our technique to the charming café the place we’d get pleasure from breakfast.
The place was crowded, as breakfast attracts not solely hostel company, but in addition many locals. This alone is an indication that we had been in an awesome place for a scrumptious meal!
For vegans, the breakfast choices had been a bit restricted, however ultimately I used to be full and glad – and the espresso was actually scrumptious, an actual plus.
After dinner, we performed a number of board video games and relaxed within the widespread room earlier than heading to the practice station to go again south to Vaasa.
Though it could appear to outsiders that we didn’t do a lot in Rovaniemi, we had been positive that our plan to discover the town, chill out, eat properly, and make our journey south stress-free was proper heading in the right direction. We received what we wished and are very proud of our time in Rollo.
For those who’re touring to Lapland by public transportation, we advocate spending two days within the south. It’s all the time price visiting Rovaniemi and discovering the variety of the town. Hostel Café Koti within the metropolis heart is a good place to remain. We will certainly cease right here once more on our subsequent north-south journey.
We like to take our time and journey relaxed!
For those who appreciated this text, please assist me, Hendrik, on Patreon (and also you’ll get nice low cost codes from our companions – you would save as much as 20% in your subsequent buy!)
Additional Journey Dudes Suggestions: Husky Safari on a Snowy Path
You too can expertise an unforgettable journey at a husky safari in Finland, by driving your individual canine sled workforce by the picturesque forests. Whether or not you’re the driving force or a relaxed observer on the sled, benefit from the breathtaking fantastic thing about the snow-covered panorama.
Go to an area husky farm and be taught all concerning the breeding and coaching of those unbelievable Arctic animals. Learn the way they’re educated to race and work within the forest.
After a brief briefing, you’ll embark on an thrilling 10 km trip by the Finnish winter panorama. Really feel the fun of racing by the snow along with your workforce of sled canines.
Don’t neglect to seize this unforgettable second and benefit from the lovely surroundings. After the trip, heat up with a sizzling juice and Finnish gingerbread – the locals’ favourite winter snack.
Hearken to attention-grabbing tales about huskies and immerse your self in Finnish tradition and traditions. That is an journey you’ll bear in mind for a very long time.
Good to know
They may choose you up and take you to your lodging inside 15 km from the middle of Rovaniemi. Length of the tour is 3.5 hours.
With an English talking information (different languages on request: German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese language) will take you on a ten km husky sled trip. Additionally, you will go to a husky farm and revel in Finnish snacks and sizzling drinks. Better of all, you may be supplied with winter clothes – overalls, boots and gloves.
Necessary to know: Departure occasions might range relying on season and availability. It’s best to test with the tour operator. On weekdays and Saturdays they want a minimal of two individuals for the tour. On Sundays and holidays they want a minimal of 4 individuals. If the minimal variety of members isn’t reached, the tour could also be canceled or postponed. And please be aware: Kids below 12 have to be accompanied by a paying grownup. You’ll be able to cancel as much as 24 hours upfront and obtain a full refund.
Additional Journey Dudes Suggestions: Possibility to go to the Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle
There’s additionally the choice to go on a journey to a spot the place Christmas is widely known all 12 months spherical – Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi.
Right here you may have the prospect to satisfy Santa Claus in particular person and cross the Arctic Circle to take distinctive memento pictures. What would a go to to Santa Claus be with out greetings to your family members? Ship your vacation greetings straight from Santa’s publish workplace.
If that’s not sufficient, you’ll even have the chance to stand up shut and private with the reindeer that assist Santa together with his duties. In your technique to the Arctic Circle, you’ll go the painted white line that marks the border of the Arctic area. Once you cross this line, you’ll obtain an official certificates you can proudly show.
However earlier than you head again to your lodging, a culinary deal with awaits you: a Lapland lunch buffet. Let your self be tempted by the regional specialties and benefit from the distinctive ambiance of Santa’s Village. An unforgettable expertise that can stick with you for a very long time.
Good to know
The period of this tour is 3.5 hours and you’ll cancel as much as 24 hours upfront for a full refund. The tour gives you the chance to be picked up and transported comfortably out of your lodging inside 15 km (driving distance) from the middle of Rovaniemi. You can be greeted by an English talking information who may converse different languages equivalent to German, French, Italian, Spanish or Chinese language upon request.
A scrumptious lunch buffet awaits you. The spotlight of the tour is a gathering with Santa Claus, which is able to depart you with unforgettable recollections. And also you’ll obtain a certificates to show you’ve crossed the Arctic Circle.
