RunCityRovaniemi with kids
A shorter walk through Rovaniemi for families: about 3 km past 5 of its best-known sights, with 2 playgrounds and other kid stops on the way, so there is a break before small legs get tired.
Open Rovaniemi in RunCity
Old centre, two bridges and the river
- 5Sights
- 2Kid stops
- about 3 kmDistance
- 2 hoursWith play time
This walk is about 2.9 km and links five of Rovaniemi's sights: Lordi's Square, the Jätkänkynttilä Bridge, the Ounaskoski Bridge, Rovaniemi Church and the City Hall. Two playgrounds break it up. The Vanhatori playground comes first, a short way from Lordi's Square, and the Angry Birds Activity Park lies on the riverbank between the two bridges.
The centre sits where the Ounasjoki meets the Kemijoki, and every stop is on the city-centre side of the Kemijoki, so the walk needs no river crossing. The Angry Birds park has space for ball games and running races, so it is the place to spend the longest, before the last stretch past the church to the City Hall.
-
-
Vanhatori playground Playground
A public playground that the city of Rovaniemi lists among its larger ones.
-
Jätkänkynttilä Bridge (Lumberjack's Candle)
The tall pylon with its flame, seen from the riverbank.
Photo: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
-
Angry Birds Activity Park Playground
An open-air playground on the riverbank with a ropewalk, slides, swings and climbing frames in Angry Birds style.
-
-
-
Rovaniemi City Hall
Alvar Aalto's white city hall in the Aalto Centre.
Photo: GualdimG · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tips for parents
- The Rovaniemi tourist board describes the Angry Birds Activity Park as an open-air playground on the riverbank by Valtakatu, with a ropewalk, slides, swings and climbing frames, and space for ball games and running races for small children.
- The city of Rovaniemi names Vanhatori as one of its larger playgrounds. At the city's playgrounds pets are not allowed and smoking is banned.
- If the children want more, Santa Claus Village lies right on the Arctic Circle. Local bus 8, Santa's Express and the Airport Express go there, and the Arctic Circle line is marked in the village's central square.
Public toilets
No public toilets are mapped close to this walk.
The full Rovaniemi walking route →
Questions
How long is the family walk in Rovaniemi?
About 3 km, roughly 2 hours with time to play.
Are there public toilets on the way?
None are mapped close to the walk, so plan a stop at a café.
Is the walk free?
Yes. The route, the map and the playgrounds on this page are free. Some sights charge for going inside; the walk passes them outdoors.