8 Best Things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland, in the Summer

Looking for the best things to do in Rovaniemi in the summer? We’ve got you covered!

While Rovaniemi is best known for snowy landscapes, reindeer sleigh rides, and the Northern Lights, summer is a surprisingly magical time to visit. Thanks to the Midnight Sun, you’ll enjoy almost endless daylight, making it the perfect season for hiking, wildlife experiences, and exploring Lapland’s beautiful forests and rivers. You can even meet Santa Claus in the middle of summer!

Whether you’re planning a Lapland adventure or just passing through Finnish Lapland, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do in Rovaniemi in the summer. Let’s get into it!

Rovaniemi at a Glance

Rovaniemi is surprisingly easy to explore, but a few local tips will help you make the most of your trip. After visiting ourselves, these are the things we found especially helpful!

Important Tip: Plan around the Midnight Sun and book tours in advance!

Take advantage of guided tours: Many of Rovaniemi’s top attractions, like Korouoma Canyon, Ranua Wildlife Park, and river cruises, are outside the city centre. The good news is that most tours include round-trip transport, so you can easily explore without renting a car.

Know what to expect in summer: June and July bring the Midnight Sun, meaning it stays light almost around the clock! It’s an incredible experience, but packing a sleep mask can make it much easier to get a good night’s rest.

Don’t expect to see the Northern Lights: One of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors is that the aurora isn’t visible during summer because the sky never gets dark enough. Northern Lights tours usually don’t begin until late August, so focus instead on hiking, wildlife, and enjoying Lapland’s beautiful summer landscapes.

How I would Spend 3 Days in Rovaniemi

If you’ve got three days in Rovaniemi during the summer, you’ll have plenty of time to experience the best of Finnish Lapland. Here’s how we’d spend 3 days in Rovaniemi.

Day 1: Start by crossing the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village before meeting some of Lapland’s famous huskies on a summer kennel tour. In the evening, head up to Ounasvaara to enjoy the Midnight Sun and take in the beautiful views over Rovaniemi.

Day 2: Spend the day exploring Korouoma Canyon on a guided hiking tour, and if you’re visiting from late August onwards, finish the day by heading out on a Northern Lights tour.

Day 3: Slow things down with an authentic reindeer farm experience, where you’ll also have the chance to canoe through Lapland’s peaceful wilderness. If you still have some energy left, round off your trip with a stroll along the Koivusaari Nature Trail before enjoying one final evening in Rovaniemi.

Things to do in Rovaniemi

1. Explore Lapland on Horseback

Summer in Rovaniemi is all about long days and green forests, and we think that this horseback riding tour is the perfect way to get out and explore the Finnish wilderness at this time of year! You’ll head to a small family-run farm outside the city, where you’ll get to know your four-legged companion and even help groom them before setting off through the peaceful Lapland countryside.

The guided ride takes you along forest trails and open paths, with plenty of time to soak up the scenery as you make your way towards a scenic fell viewpoint. With the landscape at its greenest and daylight stretching late into the evening, summer is an especially beautiful time to explore this part of Finland. You may even spot moose or reindeer along the way!

After your ride, you’ll return to the farm to care for your horse before gathering inside a traditional Finnish kota, which is a type of cozy wooden hut. Here, you’ll enjoy grilled sausages and hot drinks around the campfire while your hosts share stories about the local area. 

Round-trip transfers from central Rovaniemi are included, which makes this a super easy way to escape into the countryside. If you want to experience Lapland’s summer scenery in a unique and wholesome way, we think this tour is well worth adding to your itinerary.

2. Hike through Korouoma Canyon

If there’s one summer day trip from Rovaniemi you shouldn’t miss, it’s Korouoma Canyon.

We loved this tour because it shows you a completely different side of Finnish Lapland. While Rovaniemi is famous for Santa Claus, reindeer, and wintry adventures, Korouoma Canyon is all about wild landscapes and dramatic Arctic scenery.

The canyon is known for its steep cliffs, rugged trails, and beautiful wilderness views, and hiking here in summer is such a memorable experience. Instead of snowy paths and frozen waterfalls, you get lush forest, fresh air, and that wonderful feeling of being far away from everything.

Another big plus is that this is a guided small-group tour, so you don’t need to worry about navigating the route yourself or hiring a car. Your guide will lead the way, share stories about the area, and help you make the most of the experience.

After the hike, you’ll stop for a traditional Finnish barbecue around an open fire, which was one of our favorite parts of the day. There’s something so lovely about eating outdoors after a good walk, especially when you’re surrounded by Lapland’s beautiful nature.

At around 7 hours long, this is a full-day trip, but it’s absolutely worth it if you want to see more of the Finnish wilderness beyond Rovaniemi. For us, it was the perfect summer adventure, and a reminder that Lapland is just as magical without the snow.

3. See Arctic wildlife at Ranua Zoo 

Meeting Arctic animals is one of the most memorable things to do in Rovaniemi, and this guided day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park makes it incredibly easy. With hotel pickup and drop-off included, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride before spending a few hours exploring Finland’s most famous Arctic wildlife park.

Ranua Wildlife Park is one of the few places where you’re guaranteed to spot animals like polar bears, Arctic foxes, lynxes, and wolverines. And this isn’t a typical zoo, either. It’s more of a sanctuary, with spacious enclosures designed to mimic the animals’ natural habitats. The scenic walking trail winds through the pine forest, so visiting feels more like a peaceful nature walk than a trip to the zoo.

Once you arrive, you’ll have around three hours to explore at your own pace, which is plenty of time to stroll the 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) trail, watch the animals, and stop for lunch or a coffee if you fancy it. There’s also a Fazer chocolate shop where you can pick up some tasty Finnish treats before heading back to Rovaniemi.

If you’re visiting Lapland in the warmer months, we think this is a fantastic way to experience the region’s unique wildlife while enjoying a peaceful day surrounded by nature. It offers a completely different side of Rovaniemi and makes a great break from the city’s attractions.

4. Enjoy the Midnight Sun from Ounasvaara 

If you’re visiting Rovaniemi in the summer, you can’t miss the chance to experience the Midnight Sun.

One of the best places to soak up those long, golden evenings is Ounasvaara, a hill and outdoor area just a few kilometers from Rovaniemi city centre. It’s close enough to visit independently, but it still gives you that lovely feeling of escaping into nature.

The Ounasvaara Nature Trail is a 4.9-kilometer (3-mile) circular route that’s open during the snow-free season, usually from May to October. It’s moderately difficult, so you’ll want decent shoes, but it’s a manageable walk for most active travelers.

Along the way, you’ll follow marked trails through peaceful forest, with viewpoints overlooking Rovaniemi and the surrounding landscape. In summer, this is a fantastic place to experience the long Arctic light, especially in the evening when everything feels calm and golden.

Best of all, visiting Ounasvaara is completely free, making it one of the easiest summer activities to add to your itinerary. It’s simple, but magical, so take your time enjoying it!

5. Meet Lapland’s huskies on a summer kennel tour 

Just because there’s no snow doesn’t mean you can’t meet Lapland’s most famous four-legged residents! This summer husky kennel tour gave us a completely different perspective on these incredible dogs. Instead of rushing off on a sled ride, we got to spend time learning about their lives, seeing how they’re cared for during the warmer months, and, of course, giving them plenty of fuss!

During the tour, you’ll visit a working husky kennel, where you’ll meet energetic sled dogs, playful puppies (if you’re lucky!), and retired huskies enjoying a slower pace of life. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and explain everything from how the dogs are trained to what they get up to when there’s no snow on the ground.

If the weather is cool enough, you’ll also get to enjoy a short husky cart ride through the forest. Because huskies can easily overheat, these rides only take place when temperatures are below 15°C (59° F). The welfare of the dogs always comes first!

Another thing we really appreciated was how relaxed the whole experience felt. Rather than being rushed from one activity to the next, there was plenty of time to ask questions, meet the dogs, and learn more about this important part of Lapland’s culture.

6. Cross the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village

No trip to Rovaniemi is complete without visiting Santa Claus Village! While it’s best known as a winter attraction, we actually think it’s just as much fun in the summer. With fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures (and maybe even the Midnight Sun!), it’s the perfect time to explore the village at a more relaxed pace.

One of the biggest highlights is crossing the Arctic Circle, which runs right through the middle of the village. There’s a clearly marked line where you can step across one of the world’s most famous lines of latitude, making it a must-have photo during your visit. It’s also a pretty special place to stand, as the Arctic Circle marks the southernmost point where the sun can stay above the horizon for 24 hours during the summer months.

Of course, no visit would be complete without meeting Santa himself! Best of all, it’s completely free to visit Santa in his office, and he’s there every day of the year, not just at Christmas.

Before you leave, make sure you stop by Santa’s Main Post Office. You can send postcards with a special Arctic Circle postmark and browse the souvenir shops. It might feel a little surreal celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer, but that’s all part of the fun!

Whether you’re traveling with children or simply embracing your inner kid, Santa Claus Village is one of those places that’s guaranteed to leave you smiling. After all, how often do you get to cross the Arctic Circle and meet Santa on the very same day?

7. Spend a peaceful summer day with reindeer and canoes

If your idea of the perfect holiday involves slowing down and reconnecting with nature, this is the tour for you. 

We absolutely loved how peaceful this experience was! Instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, it gave us the chance to slow down for a while and spend time with two of the things the region is most famous for: reindeer and wild scenery! 

The experience begins at a traditional family-run reindeer farm, where you’ll meet the animals up close and learn about the important role they have played in Lapland’s culture for centuries. We really enjoyed hearing about the life of a modern reindeer herder and getting to feed these gentle animals while learning more about them.

Afterward, you’ll head out onto the water for a relaxing canoe trip through the surrounding wilderness. Gliding across the calm lake, surrounded by forests and complete silence, was one of our favorite moments of the day. It was just so peaceful! 

And don’t worry if you’ve never been canoeing before, either. You’ll receive basic instruction before setting off, and the pace is relaxed, so it’s suitable for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers.

To round off the experience, you’ll enjoy hot drinks and cookies while taking in the beautiful surroundings. How cute is that? It’s a simple touch, but one that makes the whole tour feel even more authentic. We think that this is definitely one of the best summer tours you can take from Rovaniemi!

8. Walk the Koivusaari Nature Trail

For a peaceful break from sightseeing, head to the Koivusaari Nature Trail! This is one of the best free outdoor activities close to central Rovaniemi, and it’s ideal for those who appreciate a good stroll. 

The trail winds through the Ounasjoki River delta, with wooden duckboards leading across wetlands and small islands. It feels quite wild considering it’s only a few kilometers from the city center, so it’s an easy option when you want to spend a few hours in nature without arranging transport or committing to a long hike.

Koivusaari is particularly popular with birdwatchers. An impressive 135 bird species have been recorded across the delta islands, and there’s a birdwatching tower with views towards central Rovaniemi and Ounasvaara. Bring binoculars if you have them, although the scenery alone makes the walk worthwhile.

The trail is best visited during summer and early fall, when conditions are generally drier, and the wetlands are full of life. Spring flooding can affect access to some sections, so it’s worth checking local conditions before setting off.

We think this is a lovely choice for travelers who want a calm and low-cost activity away from Rovaniemi’s busier attractions. It’s easy to reach and doesn’t take up your whole day, so it’s perfect for when you want a change of pace.

Related Read: Summer is incredible, but winter transforms Rovaniemi into a true Arctic wonderland. Our 3-day Rovaniemi winter itinerary shows you how to make the most of it.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

Now that you’ve got plenty of ideas for things to do in Rovaniemi in summer, the next step is finding the perfect place to stay. Prices here definitely aren’t cheap, especially during peak summer months, but the good news is that Rovaniemi has some truly fabulous accommodations. Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime Lapland trip or just want something cozy and convenient, you can make your stay as luxurious or as budget-friendly as you like.

To make choosing easier, we’ve rounded up our top picks for every budget below:

Luxury – $$$

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is one of the most memorable places to stay in Rovaniemi, offering cozy suites with huge picture windows that look straight into the forest and sometimes the northern lights. The Nordic-style rooms come with a minibar, coffee maker, plush robes, and a private entrance, creating a warm retreat after winter adventures. 

Guests love the peaceful location near SantaPark, along with the on-site restaurant, bar, and helpful concierge service that can arrange husky safaris, reindeer tours, and sauna experiences. Winter rates usually go for €850–€1,500+ per night—check Booking.com for the best prices!

Mid-range – $$

Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara is a fantastic pick for travelers who want nature, views, and easy access to summer activities. Set on top of Ounasvaara Fell, this hotel overlooks Rovaniemi and the Kemijoki River valley, with direct access to scenic walking trails. Many rooms even come with a private sauna.

The award-winning Restaurant Sky Ounasvaara is another highlight, serving Lappish and international dishes with panoramic floor-to-ceiling views. Guests also enjoy the cozy lobby bar, fireplace, and spacious rooftop terrace for northern lights spotting. 

Rooms here range from around €360–€800 per night in summer. Browse availability and current rates on Booking.com!

Budget – $

Hostel Café Koti is a bright, stylish, and surprisingly cozy budget-friendly stay right in the heart of Rovaniemi. Rooms and dorms feature clean Scandinavian design, and guests can choose between private bathrooms or shared facilities. The hostel has a fully equipped communal kitchen, a comfy lounge, and even a Finnish sauna—an impressive perk for this price range.

Its central location is a major highlight: shops, cafés, and museums are all within walking distance, and Santa Claus Village is just 8 kilometers (5 miles) away. Summer rates typically start around €150 per night for rooms and just €32 per night for a bed in a dorm room. Check Booking.com for current deals!

For even more great accommodations, check out all of Rovaniemi’s hotels listed here!

Thanks for reading!

We never expected to fall in love with Rovaniemi in the summer, but it quickly became one of our favorite places in Finnish Lapland! Between hiking through dramatic canyons, meeting huskies and reindeer, and experiencing the Midnight Sun, there are so many unique ways to enjoy this Arctic destination without the snow. Even if you only have a couple of days, we’re sure you’ll leave with unforgettable memories.

Before you go, check out our other Europe travel guides! We love sharing our favorite experiences, hidden gems, and practical tips to help you plan amazing trips. Or scroll down below for a few related articles to inspire your next adventure!

How to Spend ONE or TWO DAYS in Helsinki, Finland: 1 or 2-Day Itinerary

How to Spend TWO DAYS in Zermatt, Switzerland in Winter: 2-Day Itinerary

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Tromsø, Norway: 3-Day Itinerary