Arktikum is home to the Regional Museum of Lapland and University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre, and with its striking glass tunnel stretching from the main building to the Ounasjoki River, this combined cultural and science museum is one of the highlights of Rovaniemi. Pair a visit with a guided tour of Rovaniemi to better understand the area’s unique history and culture, and take a deep dive into the delicate ecosystems and disappearing peoples of Arctic Europe, Asia, and North America. Guided tours of Rovaniemi generally include a stop at Santa’s Village to meet Santa Claus and send postcards with Santa stamps.
The museum is located on the banks of the Ounasjoki River, just off highway E4 running along the edge of Rovaniemi’s downtown, and is best reached by car or taxi.
The museum is a welcome break from the biting cold of this Arctic city, so pop in to relax after a bracing walk through the downtown, or a popular sled or snowmobile ride. In spring and fall, the museum is closed on Mondays.
Adjacent to the museum and running along the Ounasjoki River, Arktikum Beach is one of Rovaniemi’s most scenic parks, filled with a variety of alpine plants and vegetation, copies of ancient rune stones and runic symbols and works of sculpture. During the summer, the midnight sun shines into the park from the north; in autumn and winter, the park is an ideal spot to observe the Northern Lights.