13 days in Rovaniemi, Oulu & Lappeenranta Itinerary

An urban center set amongst the great Arctic wilderness, Rovaniemi serves as the capital of Lapland province.

Go for a jaunt from Rovaniemi to Ranua to see Ranua Zoo about 1 hour away. There's lots more to do: get engrossed in the history at Arktikum, make a trip to Santa Claus Village, see Santa Claus Office, and engage your brain at Pilke Science Centre.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Rovaniemi trip planner.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Rovaniemi is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and train. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from Amsterdam in July, expect Rovaniemi to be slightly colder, temps between 22°C and 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) so you can take a train to Oulu.

Oulu is a city and municipality of inhabitants in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. Oulu is known for shopping, beaches, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: enjoy the sand and surf at Nallikari Beach, admire the natural beauty at Botanical Garden, University of Oulu, hunt for treasures at Kauppahalli, and engage your brain at Tietomaa.

For maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Oulu driving holiday planner.

Traveling by train from Rovaniemi to Oulu takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 23°C, and evening lows to 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to travel to Lappeenranta.

On the shores of the country's largest lake system, Lappeenrata serves as the economic and cultural center of southeast Finland.

Change things up with these side-trips from Lappeenranta: Repovesi National Park (in Kouvola), Savonlinna (Olavinlinnan Musta Passi, Olavinlinna Castle, &more) and The Parikkala Sculpture Park (in Parikkala). There's lots more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Saimaa Canal, admire the sheer force of Imatra Waterfall, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God, and walk around Sapokka Water Garden.

To find where to stay, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Lappeenranta route builder app.

You can do a combination of flight and train from Oulu to Lappeenranta in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In August, plan for daily highs up to 23°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.