Things to do in Ranua

No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Finland

Ranua Zoo

Ranua Safari Park is an hour away from Rovaniemi. The park houses typical Finnish and Nordic animals with more than 50 different species, including bears, Finnish polar bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines, moose and more. The only immigrants from abroad are the polar bears from Sweden. The visiting route in the park is about 2.5 kilometers long, passing through the jurisdiction of various animals, and you can see many wild animals. The park also houses JussanPirtti restaurant, candy shop and souvenir shop. The park is open year-round, with guided tours at night. Night safari is an entirely different picture, with many animals being extremely active at night.

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village is located 8 km north of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Every year, a steady stream of visitors flocks from all over the world to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Santa Claus Village is a group of wooden buildings, including a pointed main gate, restaurants, flower gardens, Santa's office, residence, post office, gift shops, and a reindeer park. The tents and antlers used by the Laplanders for their stay are also quite interesting souvenirs. Here you can also get a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle. The Santa Claus post office offers various fairy-tale stamps, greeting cards and gifts. All letters sent from here will bear a special postmark from the Arctic Santa Claus post office. Here you can also book a letter signed by Santa Claus at the post office, which will be sent to your friends and family during Christmas, bringing them a delightful surprise. By the woods stands a reindeer park enclosed with wooden fences, home to many beautiful reindeer. In summer, they lounge lazily on the grass to rest; come winter, especially during Christmas, they work hard for Santa and travelers, pulling sleighs across the snow at full speed. This lets travelers enjoy the thrill of snowflakes brushing their faces and experience the joy and warmth of Christmas, turning scenes from holiday cards into reality.

Ranuanjärvi Camping

No. 1 of Activities in Finland

Skiing in Rovaniemi

Skiing in Rovaniemi is a winter adventure that dances with the Arctic scenery. This city located within the Arctic Circle has a stable snow season of up to five months, from October to March of the following year. The polar climate of Finnish Lapland creates unique conditions for skiing. The ski resorts around Rovaniemi combine natural and cultural features. The diverse terrain design covers beginner, intermediate and advanced ski slopes, with both gentle slopes suitable for family entertainment and steep ski slopes that challenge technology. Some ski resorts are close to the primeval forest, and you can watch the traces of wild animals such as Arctic foxes and reindeer at close range while skiing. The professional coaching team provides multilingual teaching, so that tourists of different ages can experience the fun of skiing safely. Rovaniemi's ski season overlaps with the polar night phenomenon. In some months, you can "ski under the northern lights" in the twilight. This experience that combines natural wonders with sports is unique. As it is located at the transportation hub of Northern Europe, tourists can also easily connect skiing trips in Finland, Norway and other places to plan a ski trip around the Arctic.

Portimo Bird Watching Tower, Lean-to and Sandy Beach

Arctic Borealis Ky

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Finland

Rukatunturi

Rukatunturi in Finland is a magical winter destination, located in the Kuusamo region of Finnish Lapland, known for its long ski season and diverse winter activities. The resort features many ski runs suitable for skiers of all levels. From gentle slopes for beginners to FIS-certified tracks for those looking to push their limits, each one is meticulously designed. In addition to skiing, it offers a wealth of snow activities. Visitors can experience the speed and excitement of snowmobiling, or ride husky and reindeer sleds to feel the unique charm of the Arctic Circle. For visitors seeking thrills, ice karting is also an unmissable activity. The nights here are equally enchanting, especially during the season when the aurora is frequent. Staying in a glass-roofed cabin, you can watch the Northern Lights dancing in the night sky right from your bed.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Santa Claus Village

Arctic Circle Line

Arctic Circle Line is located within Santa Claus Village. It is a striking white line painted on the ground in the center of the village, corresponding to the latitude of approx. 66°33' N, and serves as the natural boundary between the North Temperate Zone and the North Frigid Zone. A classic activity for visitors here is to take a photo with one foot on each side of the white line, capturing a souvenir shot with one foot inside the Arctic Circle and the other outside. Visitors can also receive a personalized certificate of crossing the Arctic Circle as a keepsake. This line of latitude also marks the divide between the midnight sun and polar night: around the summer solstice, the sun does not set north of the line, while around the winter solstice, the region enters the long polar night. An interesting detail is that due to the slight wobble of the Earth's axis, the actual position of the Arctic Circle moves slowly northward every year. The fixed white line in the village now deviates slightly from the theoretical position, which has become a piece of trivia shared among visitors. The city of Rovaniemi, south of the line, was replanned after World War II by architect Alvar Aalto. Its overall layout resembles a reindeer, with extending roads like antlers, earning this city right next to the Arctic Circle the nickname "Reindeer City."

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Finland

Arktikum

The Arctic Center is located in Rovaniemi, Finland. It is a department of the University of Lapland, Finland. It mainly studies the natural environment of the Arctic and the hunting habits of the Inuit. At the Arctic Center, visitors can not only appreciate the beautiful Arctic region, but also learn about the impact of industrialization and modernization on the polar environment and society. The NorthernWay exhibition in the museum makes full use of various technologies and media to tell visitors about medieval Rovaniemi and the destruction of Rovaniemi in World War II. Museum exhibits also include brown bears, elk and more.

No. 2 of Activities in Finland

Aurora Chasing in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is a great place to watch the Northern Lights. Due to the special geographical location, auroras appear more frequently during the polar night in Rovaniemi. Cold winters and long nights create ideal conditions for aurora displays. This makes Rovaniemi a mecca for auroras lovers. People can look up at the stars in the long dark night and look forward to the colorful aurora dancing in the night sky. Many tourists come here specially to brave the cold wind of the polar night just to see this intoxicating brilliance.