9 days in Rovaniemi & Helsinki Region Itinerary

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

Change things up with a short trip to Amethyst Mine Lapland in Luosto (about 1h 35 min away). Next up on the itinerary: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, get engrossed in the history at Arktikum, take in the views from Lumberjack's Candle Bridge, and get in on the family fun at Santa Claus Village.

To see photos, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Rovaniemi holiday maker site .

New York City, USA to Rovaniemi is an approximately 16.5-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also fly; or do a combination of bus, flight, and taxi. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Rovaniemi is 7 hours. Traveling from New York City in December, things will get much colder in Rovaniemi: highs are around 22°F and lows about 11°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sun) so you can travel to Helsinki.

Finland's largest and most populated metropolis, the maritime town of Helsinki boasts varied architecture, a lively cafe culture, and plethora of picturesque natural delights.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Old Market Hall and Marimekko. Take a break from the city and head to Aurinkolahti Beach and Hietaranta Beach. When in Helsinki, make a side trip to see Nuuksio National Park in Espoo, approximately 46 minutes away. There's much more to do: brush up on your military savvy at Fortress of Suomenlinna, admire the landmark architecture of Rock Church, admire the masterpieces at Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali).

To see where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Helsinki travel planning app .

Traveling by flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Rovaniemi in December: high temperatures in Helsinki hover around 37°F and lows are around 27°F. You'll have a few hours on the 27th (Thu) to wrap things up before traveling home.