Budget Tips for Your Stay in Rovaniemi
- Accommodation: Consider staying in a hostel or homestay to save money. Booking in well advance (I mean 6 months or more) can also help you find better deals. Booking.com often offers best deals what comes to accommodations.
- Transportation: Rovaniemi city area is a walkable, and many attractions are within walking distance of each other. Use public transportation when needed. Here is Guide for Public Transportation in Rovaniemi
Eating on a Budget
Consider shopping at grocery stores for breakfast and snacks to save on meals if you have change to cook in your accommodation. In the city area small markets are quite pricey, so if you want to save on groceries go to Lidl, Prisma or Minimani. They are all couple kilometers from the city, but quite easily reachable by public transportation, or just walking. If you are not up for the journey, avoid tiny stores like K-Market or Sale in the city, they tend to be much more pricey. K-Supermaket in the Rinteenkulma shopping centre has vider selection.
Some of my favorite budget-friendly dining spots are:
- Kauppayhtiö: Fantastic burgers! Try their reindeer burger paired with chili fries. They also serve delicious pizzas featuring Lappish ingredients.
- Roka Street Bistro: True to its name, this spot offers street food with a twist. The freshly baked bread packed with flavorful fillings is a must-try, especially salmon option!
- Yuca: A Mexican-style restaurant known for its killer burritos and tacos. Again the salmon option is particularly amazing.
- Cafe & Bar 21: Famous for their savory waffles, and with good reason. A must-visit for something special and tasty.
- Wingston: My top pick in the city. They serve big portions at reasonable prices. While burgers and wings are their specialty, they also offer a great selection of other dishes like steaks and salmon.
In these options you can have a full meal in average around 20-25€. Everyone has cheaper and more pricey options.
If you are looking for something even more budget options, there is always fast food, Rovaniemi has several options. You’ll find familiar chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Subway. Local fast food options include Hesburger and Kotipizza—Kotipizza’s pizzas have even received praise from many international visitors I’ve had! There are also many kebab and pizza places around the city. Turkinpippuri being a standout for its easy location and big portions. Fast food meals typically range from €8 to €15, making them a good choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Free & Low-cost Activities
Take advantage of Rovaniemi’s free activities, such as hiking, Northern Lights hunting, and exploring the city’s cultural landmarks. Visit to Santa Claus Village and meeting Santa himself is also free, only pay the public transportation to get there. Ice skating on a real ice is super fun and low-cost activity in the city, usually around 10€/person to rent the skates. Lordi’s square have city Santa you can meet for free, some Christmas markets and often some events.
Don’t underestimate the fun you can have with snow! Snowball fights, making snow angels, sledding—it’s all part of the experience. In Rovaniemi, you’ll find free-to-use sleds scattered around the city, so take advantage of them!
Most Finnish houses, apartments, and almost all hotels and hostels have saunas, so if you have the chance, make sure to enjoy this quintessential Finnish experience!
You can book discounted tours and attractions via GetYourGuide*! *Affiliate link. With no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Budget-Friendly Northern Lights Hunting
Seeing the Northern Lights is a bucket-list experience, but you don’t need to book an expensive tour to catch this natural wonder. Rovaniemi offers several good spots where you can view the auroras for free. Simply find a dark location away from city lights, such as Ounasvaara Hill, the shores of the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki rivers, or the Arctic Garden near the Arktikum Museum. Keep an eye on the aurora forecast, bundle up, and enjoy the show. Read also; Hunting the Northern lights in Lapland: How to Avoid common mistakes and gear up right. If you want guided aurora tour, you can book them on GetYourGuide*! *Affiliate link. With no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Free & Low-cost Cultural Experiences
Arktikum Museum and Science Centre
While the Arktikum Museum usually charges an entrance fee, it’s worth checking if there are any free admission days or special discounts available during your visit. The museum offers an in-depth look at the history and culture of Lapland, and even if you have to pay, it’s a valuable and enriching experience.
You can also get culture pass for 3 main premier cultural attractions for 25€/adults kids 7 and over 10€ and kids under 7 free. Korundi House of Culture where you can discover new and daring northern perspectives through contemporary art. Arktikum Science Centre and Museum and Science Centre Pilke, where you learn about northern forests, the sustainable use of wood and the possibilities of bioeconomy by doing and experiencing. (Actually fun way to learn for kids too.) Tickets here.
Local Events and Festivals
Keep an eye out for local events, markets, and festivals that may be happening during your visit. These often offer free or low-cost entertainment and are a great way to experience the local culture. Find upcoming events here.
Rovaniemi may be known for its luxury experiences, but with a bit of planning, you can enjoy this arctic city without straining your budget.
If I were to splurge on one costly activity, it would be a Northern Lights tour, whether it’s by snowmobile, husky sled, reindeer sled, horse, or even the aurora train. (Apukka has one of those, haven’t tried yet, but it looks super fun!) While there’s no guarantee you’ll catch the Northern Lights, the experience of venturing into dark forests under the night sky adds a touch of magic that’s hard to match.
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