Sightseeing

Pyhä Luosto National Park was originally founded near the Pyhätunturi and has since spread to the Luosto area. The park has many different hiking trails and nature tracks with amazing views. Fells, primeval forests, beautiful ponds and steep gorges paint a spectacular scenery. On the east side, the Pyhätunturi fell, and on the west side the Ukko-Luosto fell dominate the landscape.

Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, located in the middle of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, is one of the world's few gem mines that welcomes visitors to its premises. It is also the only active amethyst mine in Europe! The amethysts of Lampivaara have formed 2000 million years ago, when ancient Alp-like mountains ruled the Pyhä-Luosto scenery. The mine is currently open from Tuesday to Saturday.

In the magical Santa Claus Village every day feels like Christmas! In the village, you can find many fun wintery activities, restaurants and shops. Cross the Arctic Circle in the village plaza, meet the real Santa Claus in his office, and send your friends Christmas cards stamped with the official post stamp of the Arctic Circle. You can also take a trip to the nearby Lapland nature for example on a husky sled or a snowmobile.

There are two reindeer farms in Pyhä-Luosto, Reindeer Park Kopara and Jaakkola Reindeer Farm. In these farms you get to greet the reindeer both independently and with guidance, and if you’re willing to, you may also take a ride in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The visit to a reindeer farm is an authentic cultural experience, during which you’ll also learn more about history and traditions of reindeer herding.

Dog sled driving is a thrilling wintertime activity! There are two husky farms that offer dog sled rides of different lengths in the Pyhä-Luosto area: Arctic Husky Farm and Luminenä Husky and Samojedi farm.

Ranua Zoo is Finland’s northernmost zoo. The zoo is open every day of the year, and its activities and programs vary depending on the current season. The park offers a great opportunity to see how arctic wild animals adapt to changing seasons. Spring is the mating season for many animals, which makes them very active and busy. The zoo’s domestic park of common farm animals opens during summer. Fall is the time of ruska, when leaves turn warm and colorful and animals begin to prepare themselves for winter. Winter is the favorite season of many arctic animals, and only a few of the park’s species hibernate.

Completed in 1950 after the Lapland War, Rovaniemi Church is a symbol of rebuilding. At the top of the tall tower of the stone church designed by architect Bertel Liljequist is a cross that is lit up with a red spotlight. The cross is a metaphor for absolution, but the color choice of its illumination used to cause discourse amongst the churchgoers.

Culture house Korundi is a home for Rovaniemi art museum and the Chamber orchestra of Lapland, opened in 2011 in the old building previously used as an old mail car depot. The building for Korundi is unique, since it’s one of the few buildings which survived the second world war in Rovaniemi. In Korundi they organize plenty of different cultural events, such as art exhibitions, concerts and club nights.