The 5 BEST activities to do in Finland

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If you’re looking for the best activities to book in Finland to make your arctic circle experience unforgettable, then you’re in the right place. Having researched and experienced some of the most magical activities available in Rovaniemi and the surrounding areas, I’m excited to share all the best places to book – with the links so its super easy for you to kickstart your adventure.

1. Ice Dive

Ice dive in a frozen Finnish lake

This was one of my favourite activities! If you’re looking to step out of your comfort zone of just enjoy a cold dip, then I have the perfect spot for you. There are so many touristy spots, where you have to wait for ages and by the time you realise what you’re waiting for, you’ve changed your mind. Not at Roiske Water Centre. It’s super quiet, picturesque and from my experience, not a tourist trap. Perfect for a sunset visit.

Here’s what you get for €19.90:
– Access to a Finnish style sauna
– Ice dive in a frozen Finnish lake
– Bragging rights to all your friends and friends
– Ice Slide

With easy booking online – you can enjoy this experience solo or with others! Couple of things to note: Bring a towel, warm clothes and a flask of your favourite hot drink. There are basic changing rooms for the above price, or you can upgrade to heated changing rooms: However, I found part of the fun was quickly getting changed and heading to the teepee to warm up beside the fire.

2. Hiking Ounasvaara Winter Trail

long walk with snow covered path and snow capped trees

This is one of my favourite places to explore. Nestled 1.6km away from Rovaniemi lies towering snow capped trees and barely anyone there! After spending 4 hours admiring the beauty, I only saw 3 people! It’s free, well marked and breathtakingly beautiful. You can walk from Rovaniemi or take a taxi to the trail head for another perfect addition to your activities list.

3. Husky Mushing

This was a bucket list item for me. Having watched ‘Snow Dogs’ from a young age, I was way too excited to do this. For this activity, there are loads of companies to choose from, with different price ranges depending on the length of the trip. You can complete anything from 500m to 15km or even do a whole holiday based solely around husky mushing. I did a 10km excursion with Appuka, which fit into my budget. I was picked up in Rovaniemi and brought to the well sought after Appuka Resort to meet the dogs and start the journey to happiness.

The team at Appuka were excellent, they explained everything clearly, they reassured those who were anxious and were super friendly. I highly recommend booking with Appuka because they also catered for solo travellers or people looking to complete the excursion alone – at no extra cost!! Most other companies didn’t accept single bookings, or charged you a single supplement (basically paying for 2 people). If you need some extra encouragement, head to my instagram and see how much I enjoyed it!

polar sky with huskies running
polaroid photos of husky

4. Dining in Sky Ounasvaara

An incredible, luxurious set menu catering to all your taste buds. Sky Kitchen, Ounasvaara comes as a highly recommended dining experience. We had the vegan menu which was an incredibly creative and exquisitely presented. Unfortunately I didn’t capture much of the dishes and was too busy enjoying each course to note down specifics. But honestly no justification needed here, one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at.

The restaurant prepares a set menu of 3 or 5 courses which included Finnish cuisine, including reindeer! My friend and I both had the vegan menu due to preference and food intolerances and I would fly back to Finland just to eat here again. With mouth watering cuisine with incredible views, what more could you want!!

5 star hotel reception with wood carvings and Finnish design
mushroom dish from a 5 star restaurant

5. Watching the Northern Lights

I cannot speak about Finland without discussing the Northern Lights. Although I never got to see the Northern Lights during my trip, this blog will give you some tips to increase your chances. If your entire holiday is based around seeing the Northern Lights, then staying in a more remote area would probably be best!

  • Stay in remote areas as the light pollution is lower and you have an increased chance of seeing without the need to book a tour.
  • Use the My Aurora App to be informed of when the Northern Lights have been spotted, where they have been spotted and the likelihood of seeing them in your area.
  • Be aware that the Northern Lights don’t appear the same as they do in photos and video, especially when they have been edited!
  • Be patient – you may not see them on your first time trying.
  • If you’re staying in a hotel/resort/homestay, staff or your host may alert you (and it could be at 3AM).

I hope you enjoyed reading this post. Make sure and check out my affordable adventures in Finland Blog for all the practical tips for booking your next trip.

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