Rovaniemi City Guide

Try reindeer, salmon soup, and cloudberries. Good international options include Asian and Italian foods. Limited late-night options outside fast food. Vegan and vegetarian choices are growing.

Small but active nightlife with bars, pubs, and some live music. Most lively during tourist seasons.

Strong coffee culture with many cafes focusing on quality and cozy atmospheres.

Tipping is not expected and not customary. Service charges are included. You may round up if you want.

Buy SIM cards at kiosks, supermarkets, or carrier stores (Elisa, Telia, DNA). Good coverage, eSIMs increasingly common. No ID needed for prepaid.

The city is very clean with good waste management and high standards.

Few 24/7 services; some petrol stations have minimarts but late-night options are limited.

Supermarkets like K-Citymarket, Prisma, and S-market offer international products but with some limits. Usual hours are 7–22 weekdays, slightly shorter on Sundays.

Card payments work everywhere, even in small shops and taxis.

ATMs are widely available, including bank branches like Nordea and Osuuspankki. Withdrawal fees are low locally, but check your own bank's international fees.

Finnish-language schools are common. No full international school, but some local schools offer English instruction.

A small but growing community. Few dedicated spaces but reliable Wi-Fi in cafés and libraries.

Excellent green spaces including waterfronts and forest trails like Ounasvaara.

Safe running routes along rivers and on Ounasvaara trails. Air quality is excellent.

Multiple gyms offer fitness classes and gym equipment.

Tennis courts indoors and outdoors, usually bookable online or at clubs.

Padel courts are growing in number, with some facilities offering rentals.

Yoga studios provide classes, often with English-speaking instructors, plus spas and saunas.

Offers judo, karate, and combat sport dojos. Local communities vary in size.

Ounasvaara Ski Resort offers slopes from November to April with good snow. Equipment rentals available.

Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular on local rivers from June to September with rental options.

No surfing due to inland location.

Cold lakes and rivers make diving rare and impractical.

Rovaniemi Central Hospital provides quality care with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are well-stocked and regulated. Emergencies use 112.

Tap water is safe and of excellent quality to drink.

Several playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés. Popular attractions for kids include Santa Claus Village and SantaPark.

Rovaniemi is generally safe and accepting, with few specific venues but strong legal protections.

Pet-friendly spots exist, including some accommodation. Limited dog parks but plenty of green space.