Car & Van Hire - Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi's claim to fame is being home to Santa Claus, so most visitors come here looking for a festive-themed experience. Santa Claus Village is an amusement park that offers the most complete Christmas-related experience. Here you can meet Santa in person, tour the gingerbread bakery and cross the Arctic Circle.

In Rovaniemi, must-sees include Arktikum Science Museum, the perfect place to learn more about life in one of the world's most extreme climates and the modern art museums at KorundiCulture House and Taidemuseo.

Due to its location on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi also attracts visitors interested in seeing the Northern Lights and getting close to the rugged landscapes of the Arctic. Kotatieva Leisure Park is a great place to see the Northern Lights and experience Lapland's magical winter landscapes. Winter sports enthusiasts will find everything they need at Ounasvaara ski resort (only 3 kilometres away from the city centre). With your own wheels, you can drive to the ski resorts of Pyha and Luosto, located deep in Lapland's forests.

But the city isn't just a winter holiday destination. After picking up your can or van hire in Rovaniemi, you have total freedom to explore Lapland's wild nature and find the perfect spot to witness the eerie beauty of the midnight sun. Summer is also the perfect time to visit the magnificent Auttikongas waterfalls and explore Piha Luosko national park. When you don't want to venture far from town, you can spend some time in Arctic Garden, a large city park with a riverside beach.

Rovaniemi is the perfect destination for a holiday with children. Top kid-friendly attractions include Santa's Grotto and post office, the Elf's farm, which is home to bunnies, alpacas, goats, reindeer and more, the Arctic Circle husky park, and Pilke Science Centre, where kids can learn about the importance of forests. You can also drive the family to Roiske Centre for Summer Activities, where kayaking, surfing, wakebording and many other watersports are available.

If you're hungry, Santa Claus Village has several on-site restaurants serving Asian and European cuisine. For in-town options, take to the streets around Lordi Square, where you'll find anything from fast food to cafes and upscale restaurants.

Want to buy gifts for family and friends? The biggest shopping venues in Rovaniemi are Sampokeskus, Revontuli and Rinteenkulma, shopping centres conveniently located in the downtown area. Santa Claus Village has a gift shop, and for locally inspired handicrafts and souvenirs, check out Arctic Design and Lauri Atelier.

Many cultural events and concerts are held at Lappia Hall, Rovaniemi's performing arts centre. The most well-known open-air concerts are SimeRock (a rock music festival held in July-August) and Jutajaiset music and folklore festival.

If this is your first time driving a car or van rental in Rovaniemi and the surrounding area, there are a few pointers you need to remember. Due to the region's extreme weather, winter tires with a minimum tread depth of 3mm are mandatory between 1 November and 31 March or outside these dates if adverse weather conditions are present.

In winter, you must always check the weather forecast at your destination before setting off. If you plan to drive outside Rovaniemi, make a note of the location of rest areas and petrol stations. Also, check your planned route with locals for up-to-date advice since online maps or GPS apps don't always show the safest route. Specifically, ask about whether the roads you plan on driving are salted or plowed.

Elk, deer and reindeer are often found on Lapland's roads, so be vigilant to avoid hitting them. These animals are most active in the autumn and during the hours around dusk and dawn. In rural areas, pedestrians may be on the roads, especially on the left side.

Finland has one of the most active drink-driving law enforcement programs. The legal limit is 0.5g/l, and if this amount is exceeded, the police can issue a fine and prevent the driver from continuing the journey until blood alcohol levels are within the limit.

In built-up areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h and goes down to 30 or 40 km/h in city centre streets and residential areas. On motorways (such as motorway 4, which you'll need to get to and from the airport and Santa Claus Village), the speed limit is 120 km/h but goes down to 100 km/h in winter and low-light conditions. On other roads, like roads 78 and 79, which take you north and south of Rovaniemi into Lapland's wilderness, the speed limit is 80 km/h.