Rovaniemi Car Hire

Guide of Rovaniemi

Geography

Rovaniemi is the capital of the northern Finnish province of Lapland. It also serves as the administrative and economic centre for Finland's northernmost province, Lapland, as well as its southernmost component, Peräpohjola. The city centre is located around 6 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, between the hills of Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara, at the confluence of the Kemijoki and its tributary, the Ounasjoki. It is the second-largest city in Northern Finland after Oulu.

Climate in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi has a subarctic climate with short, pleasant summers and long, cold, and snowy winters because of its proximity to the Arctic Circle. If you want to see the Northern Lights, visit in the winter from December to March. On the other hand, if you want to experience the Midnight Sun, visit in the summer from June to July.

Culture

Religion, folklore, and mythology abound in Lappish culture, drawing you into a plethora of sagas rooted in the region's long history. The 'gakti,' or vibrant clothes, is essential to their way of life. The costumes of different locations vary somewhat, and it is stated that they flip their outfits inside out to protest against something.

Things To Do in Rovaniemi

Enjoy the Christmas Spirits at Santa Claus Village

Rovaniemi is well-known across the globe as Santa Claus' official hometown. The Santa Claus Village, situated 8 kilometres from the city centre and directly on the Arctic Circle, is one of the top tourist attractions in the area. To get to The Village, take Bus No. 8 or drive down Highway 4 if you have your own car. Kids will appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the cheery Mr. Claus himself. Wander through The Main Post Office, where you may mail letters with a distinctive Arctic Circle postmark, purchase some fascinating keepsakes and handicrafts from the tourist stores, or eat some gingerbread or other delicacies at The Village's charming cafés and restaurants. They are all open all year, but the month of December is undoubtedly the busiest.

Visit the Korundi House of Culture

A visit to the Korundi House of Culture is a must if you want to learn about Lapland's distinctive history and culture. It is made up of the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland and the Rovaniemi Art Museum, both of which promise a delightful evening. Explore art from all around the world at the Rovaniemi Art Museum's permanent and rotating collections. As you sit in the 340-seat performance hall of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra, you will be enchanted by northern music. Check out the list of future events at Korundi and reserve your tickets in advance to enjoy the interesting exhibits and musical extravaganzas.

Go cross-country skiing

Rovaniemi is known as the "Gateway to the Arctic." Cross-country skiers will love it here since the snow is dry and consistent, making it excellent for the sport. There are several well-kept ski routes, and you can readily hire ski equipment. Before hitting the trails, novices may even take lessons from qualified instructors.

Eating Out in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi offers a great selection of fine dining restaurants as well as campfire meals. Arctic Boulevard serves wonderful seafood and fish from Lapland's lakes and the Arctic Ocean. Charcoal-grilled meat from the seasonal menu is also available. Enjoy duck, crab, and reindeer in wonderfully proportioned quantities. Nili is a one-of-a-kind hunting lodge with a rustic appeal. You'll like the décor and style, which includes reindeer heads, antler chandeliers, and sepia photographs of Lapland. Dishes such as zander lake fish with tar-and-mustard foam and reindeer with pickled cucumber and lingonberry jam are recommended. Roka is Rovaniemi's hippest restaurant, with a post-industrial vibe. Enjoy its trademark dish, braised pig belly, as well as major courses such as reindeer and pan-fried pike.

Transport

Airport

Rovaniemi is served by Rovaniemi Airport (RVN), which is located about 8 km from the city centre.

Getting Around Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is easily accessible from many Finnish towns since there are several train lines, including six from Helsinki. If you’re travelling in December, you can take the seasonal ‘Santa Claus Express’ from Rovaniemi. You may also use coach services such as Omnibus to get here from the south. Many people opt to hire a car for maximum comfort, especially if they are travelling in a large group. Large SUVs are preferred as they have ample space for luggage. If you choose to go by car, however, be prepared for changeable weather conditions. Make sure your vehicle is fitted with winter tires if you will be driving on snow. If you are hiring from a reputed car hire agency, they will take care of this for you.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Rovaniemi

● Rovaniemi is a famous destination for being the capital city of Lapland. It is also known as the home town of Santa Claus. As such it's very popular during Christmas and the attractions have merry themes. If you'd like to explore Rovaniemi at your own pace it's recommended to go for a car rental and not depend on public transport too much. Some of the must see parts of the town include the Santa Claus Village, the Santa Claus Express, the Ice Village, River Kemijoki and of course to head out of the city and see the Northern Lights of Northern Finland. Many of these attractions including River Kemijoki are less than a 2 hour drive from Rovaniemi but a car rental is required to ensure you can reach them easily.

● Rovaniemi Airport offers a lot of car hire options. If you wish to get your hire car from the moment you step in the city then going for a Rovaniemi Airport car hire is highly recommend even though it may turn out slightly more expensive from other locations. The benefits include picking up your car immediately and having many car hire company offices and car models to pick from. Their service desk is easily accessible at the main terminal.

● If you go for Rovaniemi car hire you'll need to get used to driving along roads that are covered in ice. This is very common in Finland, and can be dangerous, so you and vehicle should come prepared. The roads are well maintained but when they've covered in ice, you'll need to get used to the feel of the car hire. An advice would be to stick with the lower speed limits as you're getting accustomed. Part of your preparation should include bringing a valid driving license, signing a collision damage waiver, being aware of the speed limit and the general locations of petrol stations.

● Rovaniemi is a very tranquil town where traffic is almost nonexistent. The way it's spread out makes it so no specific part of the city encounters heavy traffic, even if it's the rush hour or in the middle of the city centre or the Rovaniemi railway station.

● A great number of users found car rentals in Rovaniemi for less than £50 per day.

● Booking your rental car in Rovaniemi in advance, even if it's by at least a few days before your trip, would net you better car hire rates, but if you do it by at least 2 weeks before the trip, you'll get the best below average prices.

● Renting your car in locations in Rovaniemi that are away from the airport tend to be cheaper on average compared to airport locations.

● Small compact cars such as mini rental cars are cheaper and more popular in Rovaniemi by a big margin, compared to other car rental types. The only situation a passenger van is recommended is if you're traveling with family or in a big group.