It is one of the best tourist attractions in the sea town of Kotka. Kotka is already famous as sea port of Finland and Sapokka Water Garden is added feather in its beauty. Though the waterfall looks artificial, and it’s artificial, the scenic beauty around the park is tremendous. The live fishes in the adjacent pool/lake gives it an authentic attraction. It’s not that kid’s friendly that is kids can’t move around unattended. There are some free parking spaces around. You will find some fine dine restaurants around.

Kotka's best-kept magical secret. A waterfall-fed dreamscape disguised as a public park. Feels like stepping into a Miyazaki film—serene, chaotic, natural, and oddly punk. Perfect for a quiet stroll, deep thoughts, or dramatic selfies. Bonus: ducks.

By far one of the best parks, I have visited in all of Finland. Why though? The first reason is the awesome location of the park. Very easily assessable by both, public transport and cars. The park is situated at the tip of the island and the city of Kotka. The second reason is the very beautiful waterfall and the lake where it leads. By far the best waterfall that I have seen in Southern Finland. And the third reason is the beautiful vegetation of the park. There is all from beautiful peonies to cool-looking and well in blending trees.

A beautiful park and garden with water elements, bridges, breathtaking flowers and various trees with a Japanese touch. Even a small waterfall. Worth visiting especially in the summer. Also possible to visit by boat or car. A 15 min walk from the Kotka bus station.

try to check at the evening. if you are in Kotka, this is very calm place for rest.

Nice park to walk.

Well maintained place with beautiful and exotic plants and flowers. I recommend visiting while they bloom. There's big and funny looking fish swimming in the lake, it's find to spot them. There's also small animal statues around the park, the kids will like them.

Nice museum that we spent more time in than we thought. There is a lot to see.

It is huge. We didn't have time to visit all the exhibits. Have to visit again with more time. It was also kid friendly. They have kids route there.

Amaizing! When visiting ships outside, join the tour with a guide!

The Vellamo Maritime Museum in Kotka, Finland, offers a captivating journey through maritime history. You will get to experience a rich collection of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and immersive displays that bring the maritime heritage of Finland to life. The museum's unique blend of art and history creates an engaging experience for visitors of all ages, making it an ideal destination for both enthusiasts and casual learners alike. With its stunning waterfront location and well-curated exhibits, the Vellamo Maritime Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the seafaring traditions of Finland.

The Vellamo Maritime Centre is a commendable destination for those keen on delving into maritime history. The exhibition is informatively structured, with the ship Tarmo being a particular highlight, especially for children as visitors are afforded the opportunity to explore it firsthand.

Very interesting place for those interested in the maritime history of Finland and the Baltic sea Area. Covering also The recent times. Nice for Kids and for adults alike.

Wonderfully crafted exhibitions with incredibly interesting objects, themes, stories.... I would like to take my children here one day.

Beautiful place. It's nice to go alone and just enjoy the peace and feel the energy it gives you. I loved it there and I definitely recommend it. It's a nice getaway from people.

One of the most beautiful natural parks I have ever been. Well marked hiking trails and amazing bog ecosystems.

There is NOTHING AT THIS SPOT. The National park itself is huge so search for walking trails.. we made the mistake of coming and expecting to hike from here. Then had to walk all the way to (near) Kasmu to start one. The Kasmu hike was nice and we certainly got a dose of nature and away from people which was the plan but it was unfortunately ravaged by storm and not nearly so pretty as I was hoping.

Amazing walk along the bogs. The north point of Estonia was great as well but I recommend taking good shoes.

Amazing place so beautiful with lots of trails and mansions

Absolutely beautiful, a must do when in Estonia!

I went on a day tour to Lahemaa national park from Tallinn, and it was absolutely beautiful. So many nice sites and views but we were also blessed with good weather.

I shouldn't go here because I always find something to buy. Their chocolate and licorice are very tasty and good.

Very delicious, the mousse inside the chocolate is very special.

This chocolate shop sits right in the center of Porvoo and showcases the town’s own local brand. Inside you will find a huge range of options, from single bars to large mixed boxes perfect for gifts. The variety makes it easy to pick up something for yourself or bring a few treats home for friends. A must-stop for chocolate lovers visiting Porvoo.

Awesome chocolate products. Some pralines you can taste before you purchase any, which is great! Always crowded and busy but that's fine.

Delicious chocolate store with lots of samples and gluten free, lactose free, sugar free vegan chocolate

Nice chocolate shop. Very old. Not too big. But nothing is too big in Porvoo. Quiet village. Prices standard for northern countries (little bit expensive).

Better than promised. Wide variety of delicious and smooth chocolate. Orange is wonderful.

Located in the heart of Porvoo, this small cathedral features simple architecture and a calm atmosphere. The second floor is closed to visitors, yet the main hall still feels welcoming. At the entrance you can pick up postcards and other souvenirs, selecting the design or author you like, with an offer of your choice. I suggest visiting at least once.

Built in the 15th century with some parts from the 13th century, this is a small church in a quaint town with lots of history. If you're staying in Helsinki, I'm not sure it's worth the drive, but I am glad I went and got to see Porvoo.

A great 13th century rustic cathedral serving both the locsl Sw3dish and Finnisjh communities, with a commanding view of the surrounding settlement in Porvoo, about an hr from Helsinki central, overlooking a nice small river

The five stars are mostly for the great lecture we got from one of the volunteers. The lecture/tour seems to happen every hour or so at request. Strongly recommend doing it as it reveals so many interesting aspects of this historic building.

The church was probably finished in 1418, altough this is speculative. Making in One of the nations oldest, located in the heart of Old Porvoo.

Was closed for renovations, but outside was fantastic

Quaint church on top of a hill. Built in the 15th century with some parts from the 13th century. The church is small. There's a small table with souvenirs on the honor system.

Charming bed and breakfast spot in Porvoo. A shame we only stayed one night but the accomodations were cozy and inviting. The room we stayed in had a kitchen as well as a spacious living room. The living room had a nice view of the river. It was in the center of the town and easily accessible to the old and newer areas of Povoo. This would be a nice place for summer trip with the family.

Very cute B&B along the river in Porvoo, Finland. I stayed in the Star Room, which is a bit separated from the main property. Owner knocked on the door as I arrived. He apparently also owns the nearby restaurant Ranta-aitta, which had its commissary and bathrooms across from the property. Be aware this property and its windows all face an alley that will have fairly heavy foot traffic in the afternoon/evening hours because of the restaurant. I immediately drew all the blinds when I entered the unit. Other than that privacy inconvenience, the location is fantastic, right on the main strip of the old town of Porvoo. Inside the unit you have a nicely functional kitchen and washer/dryer (which I used and was very convenient). There's two bathrooms, one with a shower and one without. Shower is a bit small and confining, but solid. The chairs in the kitchen were not super comfortable and the wifi didn't reach the bedroom very well, so if you need to do something online for a decent amount of time the unit isn't the most ergonomic solution for this situation. There is a piano in the unit! I did not play or know if it was actually encouraged but it's something to consider. There is access to a sauna that's across the street from the main property, which I used. Its heat doesn't get much higher than 60-70ºC but with plentiful water you can get enough steam for a good sweat. Breakfast was solid.

We (two adults) stayed at Ida-Maria in Jan/2021 for two nights in ”Pieni huoneisto, puutarhanäkymä”. The room was lovely, cozy and clean. Delicious breakfast and very good service! All of this in the heart of Porvoo Old Town. Would absolutely recommend to anyone.

Beautiful river view from our bedroom. Fantastic breakfast in the red historic houses on the river. We had a great time, thank you!

If you like old-fashioned Finnish places, this is just perfect. Nice clean place to stay. Excellent service.

Everything is pretty good here! Only the pillow is a bit uncomfortable. But the location is great. My favorite is breakfast and sauna. Definitely recommended.

Peaceful place to stay overnight in the old city center, simple yet very good breakfast, small garden where you can eat breakfast and enjoy blossoming plants.

We had a fantastic time at the Heureka Science Museum! It’s the perfect spot for both kids and adults who love to explore, discover, and get hands-on with science. The exhibitions are interactive, creative, and beautifully designed to make learning fun and engaging. Our favorites were ice age exhibitions and the outdoor science park, which added an extra layer of excitement. Everything is well-organized, and most exhibits are available in multiple languages, including English and Finnish. Highly recommended for families, tourists, and anyone who enjoys a day full of curiosity and wonder!

Space exhibition was definitely worth a visit. My first visit to Heureka was over 30 years ago, but it still keeps surprising and the exhibitions are always interesting. Ice age moving mammoths and other animals were also interesting as usually you only experiment those as still standing setups. Visited it this on a regular Sunday, but might be interesting to visit during the themed NOX evening, when whole place is K18 and specific themed program is available as well.

Very nice and well executed science museum full of varied exhibits and demonstrations that take place throughout the day. The Ice Age animal exhibition was my favorite and my son really loved getting to build and test his own race car. This is a great way to spend several hours either the family! And the cafe has excellent food as well.

You can't but tickets online the same day, this is kind of strange. The parking is on the other side on the railroad – another oddity. The science center is huge and impressive though. Went here with two kids : 5 and 2.5. The older one was excited to try everything, however the most interesting things require 140cm of height and were unavailable for him. The small one was scared of the ice age animals but otherwise liked the museum. The cafe is extremely expensive, the buffet is mediocre. I'd recommend this place for 10+

Went there with 2 kids, aged 6 and 8. The kids were just the perfect age. They tested everything. We spent the all day there. Conveniently 5 minutes walk from Tikkurila station

Heureka is one of the must visit place in Vantaa. They havr variety of things(especially science and technology) to do and to see especially with kids, many creative, active, imaginative activities are available. But this tike they hace something special. The Ice Age Era which you can see a lot of animals from ice age, 14.000 years ago. They have some explanation about the animal, what happened to them and many more. You can see how big they are omgggg. They have a space which they train some rats to do some interesting activities, a section to know what blind people feel, a plac

Amazing, another place you have to visit, from ice age to space and basic science to be experienced.

It was a very interesting collection of aircraft with an excellent free audio guide. Military and civilian. Sadly the coffee was only out of a flask so as a Melburnian I couldn’t do that. But overall quirky but interesting collection. I walked to it from the nearby railway station in 8 minutes.

A great collection showcasing a fascinating part of aviation history, particularly related to Finnair. The DC-3 displayed outside is in excellent condition, and for me, the highlight of the museum was the Convair. You can comfortably explore the entire collection in under two hours. I just wish the museum store had a bit more items related to the Finnish aviation.

Visited in January, a bit over an hour before closing time. Still there were many other people visiting, but not too much that it would've been bothersome. Quite cold in the hangars as there was no heating and it was a cold winter day but it was fine. Lots of aircraft and parts and engines etc. I feel like there is something that could be added to enhance the experience — not sure what exactly — that's why the four stars and not five. Overall a great museum though and well worth a visit.

Great look into the history of Finnish aviation! A wide range of airplanes on display and some of them even for a visit in. There is a free-of-charge jet fighter simulator to try as well. Great place for a rainy day visit!

Small, informative, helpful, enjoyed the lunch at the cafe.

A well curated look into Finland's military and civilian aviation. The first hangar has various fighter and trainer planes from the air forces, most having stair so you can see into the cockpit as well. The second hangar has Finnair and its predecessors' planes, with a Convair 440 where you can visit the cabin as well. There's also a lot of plane related items, from engines, propellers and several old simulators as well.

Really nice and big place. Lots of interesting to see as per history and tech. Can recommend. A bit cold facilities and no heating in the halls. Unfortunately it looks like future spaces are way too small. Let's see. Does not look good.

Great view over the history of the Finnish railways. Many old locomotives to see. There's also a cafe outside with a possibility to hop on a small train that rides around the park area during the summer time and when it is dry.

Great half-day trip from Helsinki! The Finnish Railway Museum is perfect for families with kids. The miniature train ride in the garden is a highlight. There’s also a fun indoor play area with wooden train sets, drawing corners, and even a real locomotive they can climb into. The museum is just a 10-minute walk from Hyvinkää train station, making it super easy to reach from Helsinki. The museum grounds are spacious, with well-preserved station buildings and outdoor displays that feel like walking through a piece of history. A most to-do if you’re in Uusimaa.

Great museum with unexpectedly beautiful and nice renovated trains. The condition of the locomotives are very good and during my visit there was some outdoor event as well with some modern trains and a running locomotive. It was great to visit and just around the corner from where I was living.

Great collection of historic trains. Several free entrance days, worth watching out for. Some days in the summer of steam trains running... But many more days a diesel is running. The park "ride on" train is nice, a 3min lap of the grounds for 1euro each. (Only runs in the summer)

The museum located in an old locomotive depot. A lot of rare trains as steam locomotive's. Very nice place!

I really enjoyed my visit thanks to the plurality of trains exhibited there. Despite the fact that the big hall is not heated, it was really pleasant being able to go really close to all sort of trains, and even to take look into the inside from the windows. The only negative point is that a big part of the presentation signs are only written in finnish and not translated.

One of the most interesting museums in Finland. The Uusimaa area is full of quirky modern art museums so it’s exciting to visit a history themed one that provides insight into the development of not only railway but also technology and the entire country as a whole. The museum’s premise is large, with many things to see and experience.

Another amazing museum in Finland you have to visit. It’s beautifully made and arranged.

A must see museum if you travel to Jyväskylä, birth place of Alvar Aalto and Aino Aalto, legendary Finnish Architects!

Small but pretty informative, next to the Museum of Central Finland - one price to visit both.

Very comprehensive museum about Alvar Aalto ´s work. Could do with more information about Aino ´s and Elissa ´s work. The information about his works in the city are poorly indicated Highly recommend to attend the guided tour of the experimental house

Very interesting and nice museum if you want to know more about the great Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. It also has other exhibitions like the history of Central Finland and Jyväskylä.

We were lucky enough to go the the Aalto museum on the opening day. This was an amazing experience with the new additions being a welcome connection. It was great to see all of the hand drawings and original works.

It's a museum dedicated to Alvar Aalto, and to be frank, I was maybe not interested enough to find this super exciting. However, if you are interested in architecture this is most probably something for You.

i havent been before like amazing exhibiton , it is really good time travel. I recommend it to everybody who likes the plane and the history

Beautiful collections of military devices especially the old planes is very interesting

Great place to visit with kids – fun and educational! Located close to Jyväskylä with easy access via the highway, it's a convenient spot for a family outing. The place offers interesting learning experiences for children and adults alike. Parking is available, making the visit even more hassle-free.

One of the best aviation museums I've ever visited. The aircraft are amazingly well preserved, many in their original paint, rather than being restored with new parts. There are 4 cockpits you can sit in, with many parts still working. The cafe and gift shop are small. I was impressed to see a selection of relevant aircraft kits and decals in the shop.

This is a great museum offering detailed information about the history and development of the FInnish airforce. Owing to its location, it is best to get here by car. However, bus number 22 from the Jyvaskyla public transport takes you here. From the downtown of Jyvaskyla to the museum , the bus ride takes around 30 minutes.

Very cool museum with 40+ aircraft of all uses and sizes. This is accompanied ons of models and also very informative panels about the history of Finnish aviation including interesting backstories of the blue swastika and home-made planes Tiira. Another cool feature is that you can sit in real cockpits of two real fighter jets (just the cockpit part present in this case). Part of the exhibits are outside but most of the museum is hosted indoors.

Awesome place for the aviation nerd 🤣 Got two and a half SAAB J35 Drakens... the half being a front with a cockpit that you may sit inside (along MiG-21 too, so you can compare the east vs. west experience). The exposition is focused on Finnish air forces alone, and is very rich, extensive and well organised. Time very well spent!

Very nice guided tour in this wonderful 250+ years old wooden church made by local farmers

Just one area to visit but very interesting. Had an English tour that was pretty detailed. Amazing how a wooden structure is intact and well preserved. Easy to reach and don't lose the cemetery around the church.

It's a site worth seeing but the fee is 8 euro just to go inside. We choose to walk the grounds and view the exterior for free.

One of the best wooden churches I have been to - very quaint, simple, unique & well-preserved! A must visit if you are in Jyvaskala.

Beautiful old church with informative tour in the summer

The church is really nice, something that you rarely would see somewhere else as it is entirly made with wood. The church is small, but it's really interesting both for the architecture and for the history. If you're visiting it in winter remember to wear warm clothes as the church is not heated.

lovely old church. the guide let us in 15 minutes before opening time because we were already there!

One of the best museum experiences in Finland and must also be one of the most hidden ones. Very interesting display Universal Symphony by Keith Tyson ongoing whilst visiting.

Absolutely beautiful place up to world's standards. Combines classic Finnish and European heritage, modern and contemporary arts. Place itself is great, exhibitions are very well performed. The restaurant is highly recommended for the visit.

Surprising find in the Finnish countryside! Great collection in a stunning lake-side setting.

Such a lovely place with beautiful scenery. Art exhibition was interesting, but the highlight was the old mansion and its wine cellar.

From an architect's point of view, the merge between new and old buildings was brilliant. The spaces give a fancy yet minimal touch without taking too much from the art on display. As we went in August 2021 this is what we saw: Banksy's exhibition was still on. A perfectly staged area with lots of nice descriptions and collections. Santeri Tuori - Posing Time. With a beautiful nature dark immersed room and complementing sounds. Jani Leinonen's - The Truth. With a stunning burnt attic like contrasting with a radiant and colorful vitro mosaic window with harsh modern society critics in a beautiful display. The staff is super friendly and nice. Worth mentioning the outdoors, neatly and beautiful gardens with so many panoramic natural views. Definitely recommend to stop by and set at least 4-6 hours to really enjoy the place.

Went to visit the Banksy -exhibition and it was also my first time at Serlachius musemu Göstä. A very fine setting for annart museum with beautiful architechture and well designed and maintained exhibition area. Signage was clear, customer service great and space was well designed and lit. Good curation on the Banksy exhibition which definitely filled my expectations as a long time fan of their work! One star missing for the remote location even though the milieu is super beautiful and all the green areas are well cared for.

Stunned by all the art treasures found here,both contemporary and the classics like Schjerfbeck, Galken-Kallela and Monet. And I really recommend the restaurant, especially the picnic set if the weather is good.

The food was very good. Sitting inside ist not my preferred option but sitting outside is very nice especially when the sun is not that hot!

Absolutely brilliant. The restaurand was recommended by the staff at the hotel. I went there the evening and ordered the Mushroom dip, which was already very good. Following then by the Salmon steak with Beetroot risotto. An amazing combo and incredibly tasty. The restaurant staff were also very nice there. Thank you very much!

Excellent service, delicious food and awesome company. I really enjoyed my dinner here.

Food was amazing, the place was amazing, recommended to reserve before going

A disappointing place. Food wasn’t really tasting good. Not a cheap place though. Main course was not tasting well. Rosti not good with the perch, sauce funny taste, too salty, too spicy - chicken was un-tastefull (no feta?!) - more like food from a takeaway grill. Mayo on the reindeer carpaccio was a mistake. Apple crumble un-interesting. House wine poor. Cook did not do a good job. Waited 20 min just to order (not busy at that time). Banana flies at our table!

Food was just fine, french fries 🍟 are not home made, burger 🍔 is served with a super spice pepper 🌶️. Service was fast. The place is nice, you can go only for a drink here.

Very nice food, tasty and well presented. Lovely service

Shallow swimming area, you will have to walk quite a distance to swim in deeper water. Sandy beach. There are rocks at the water's edge, followed by a sandy bottom. Very beautiful sunsets in the evenings. There are changing rooms, bicycle parking, and a fenced-in playground nearby.

Large, clean beach. Public transportation connection by bus, although one has to walk quite far, around 15 minutes to reach the bus stop. Was a life guard, a small amusement park for children, mini golf and restaurants.

I went to this place in winter and had an amazing experience walking on the frozen sea. It was an out of the world feel. People have been walking, running, skiing, skating and ice fishing on the frozen sea. The first experiences are one of the best experiences and this was one such for me. Lovely landscape, completely white all around and a peaceful surrounding. In summer this would be another best spot to swim, camp and spend some quality time outdoor

Good place to watch the sunset. A place to be if u visit Oulu, but don't expect crystal clear water 😅

Beautiful beach (Clean and less crowded) I was staying in Radisson Blue and took a Cycle from the Hotel . Its 3.5 KM from the Hotel and you will really enjoy the way to this Beach. Never ever miss to go to this beach by cycle (if you don't know how to skate :) ). The scenic beauty is awesome.

Beautiful view but the beach stinks awfully which was unpleasant. Surprised to see anyone in the water as I read it was heavily polluted as it is Baltic water.

Lovely day at the beach in Olou with the St: Clara Church from Sweden Stockholm

We visited the Santa Claus Office in the summer, with temperatures into the low 30s, and unfortunately left disappointed. Aside from a few overpriced souvenir shops and cafes, there wasn’t much to see. We genuinely wanted to enjoy the experience, but it felt like a major money grab. Charging €40 for a single photo with Santa, plus an extra €55 for digital downloads, is excessive. The visit itself was rushed — less than five minutes — and Santa didn’t even ask what we wanted for Christmas. The facilities also looked tired and in need of maintenance. Sadly, the magic just wasn’t there.

We had a really special visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi with our two kids (8 and 9). We went twice—once on a Thursday and again on Sunday in late November. Thursday was definitely the quieter day, but no matter whether it was light or dark, the whole place felt magical. We did the husky ride, which cost €220 for the four of us for about 15 minutes. We booked it through Bearhill in advance, and it was absolutely worth it—such a lovely experience. We also tried the reindeer ride. It was €100 for a short 400-meter loop. It was fine, but there was quite a long wait for something so quick, and you definitely don’t need to book that one ahead. Meeting Santa was the big highlight. Even though we had booked, there was still about a 40-minute wait, but the line moved through a corridor filled with little details the kids really enjoyed. They loved peeking through keyholes and “spying” on elves at work. Santa himself was wonderful—gentle, warm, and incredibly authentic. There were a lot of adults in the queue ahead of us, but when it was our turn, he genuinely lit up seeing the kids. You can choose between buying the video and digital photo or just the printed picture. The whole place is full of great photo spots, and it ended up being a really memorable experience for our children.

I would not have the patience to stand in long lines during Christmas but it was a fun and quick thing to do in the summer. Santa had a kind conversation with us and then they took our picture—it’s 50 euros to buy 😂 thanks but no thanks. They have made the area where you wait look like Santa’s workshop, which would be fun for young children. Suggest getting there before it opens if this is a must do for your family in December

Unhappy... they proposed the digital package for 55eur. Then they claimed that there was additional photos for additional 25 eur... we accepted believing that there were 3 or 4 photos, at the end it was only 1... so overall, 4 pictures + the whole video was 55 eur. A photo more 25 eur... when asked to reimburse they refused. Strong recommendation: check for the details to avoid what happened.

The Real Santa..... brilliant! Quite a qué but great themed rooms as you approach the big man in red. 🎅. Photos and video digital and printed at 90Euros for the package.

This is where you can meet Santa Claus and have a photo taken for remembrance. There's also a shop selling all kinds of Christmas stuff.

Today this remarkable event happened. To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. Such a huge number of people is hardly enjoyable, and I truly do not understand why the majority are adults. There were not that many families with children. Special thanks to the elf who understood our situation and helped us reduce the waiting time. While I was standing in the queue, I remembered that Santa Claus — Joulupukki — has an amazing gift: he can clone himself and be in different places at the same time. Now I have a question for the organisers: is it really impossible to “clone” the Santas so they can welcome people in different rooms? These queues are unbelievable. And what if a child has special needs and physically cannot wait? Only the elf was able to help us. Once again, thank you to him.

I know of wearied travellers who eschew the experience because it’s highly touristy and everything’s ridiculously overpriced and to be perfectly honest, I do not disagree with any of that. Personally if I were from a neighbouring Nordic country with the same reindeer and the same snow and the same subzero temperatures, I would probably be rolling my eyes at the entire spectacle myself. However, as fate would have it, I am seated on another line on the globe altogether- more specifically, the Equator Line- so you can imagine how (and why) all this was truly a Heaven-on-Earth moment for me. I am so personally deeply obsessed with Christmas so I cannot even begin to wonder just how to break down this place to you without bias. I love how vast the Village is (like, it is literally a village) made up of all these little shoppes and log cabins and park trails; and I definitely love the giant trees and fairy lights and campfires and its very festive spirit all round. Every tree’s a Christmas tree, and every day’s Christmas; and it all gets twice more magical once the snow starts to fall. Here the line is marked, and you can literally cross in (or out) of the Arctic Circle and get a certificate for it too (for a fee, of course). You can also virtually tick off your entire Rovaniemi check list from within the confines of these grounds, starting from accommodation in its cabins and igloos, to your more standard Arctic Circle laundry list including reindeer sleds, husky rides, Northern Lights, ice castles, snowbiling, and more. The one thing you can do here that you cannot do anywhere else though, is write a letter to your loved ones (or even yourself) and post it back via the North Pole post. There’s one that mails out immediately, and one that holds your post until closer to Christmas. It’s all very immersive and whimsical.

If you dont have kids, this place has limited appeal. Visiting the Santa is "free", but no pictures are allowed inside and then they want to charge €30+ for a picture, €45 if you want it digital. The Arctic Circle line is cool though.

We spent the weekend in a lodge,snow overnight and then a fantastic day visiting Santa 🎅🏻 and his pets . Including reindeer of course. Toasted marshmallows. Tried everything in Santaland, elves training,gingerbread decoration,watching a superb show. My grandsons were enchanted.

not that much to do here if you're a poor student like us. The whole village and seeing Santa is free but only after waiting for 45mins (if you're here out of season) you learn you can't take photos with him - they take it for u and it's 30€/photo. Santa's pets (a zoo) is 15€, the reindeer and other anaimals are lovely. Otherwise not much to see if your budget is low; a 4 hour visit is definitely enough.

Lovely village ☃️😍 It was such a pleasure to meet Santa and his adorable pets. The atmosphere is magical and full of Christmas spirit! I’ll get back for sure!

Meeting Santa Claus excited everyone regardless of age. We were looking forward to it. I don't want to believe that you can enjoy talking to Santa so much. He can even thank you in Polish. Despite the visit to the village at 27 degrees ( July), I remember my stay exceptionally. The photo with Santa is one of the most valuable in my photographic collection of memories. Accommodation is very comfortable. I hope to visit the village in winter someday. Friends had a surprise - they received Christmas greeting letters from Santa Claus himself. It's a brilliant idea. I'm glad I was able to give them such pleasure. Unforgettable and interesting memories and souvenirs. Poor Santa Claus.. I had a high fever later that day, I hope I didn't get infected with anything.

A must go place if you are ever in Rovaniemi unless perhaps you're a resident!! In any case, you visit Rovaniemi because of Santa Claus Village right? We went there on a freezing day when the temperature dips to minus 4.. Freezingly cold ❄️ and we ended up running from one indoor attraction to another indoor place to enjoy the warming.. Outdoor activities are really for those willing to brave the cold. Reindeer rides, husky carriages, horses and snow sports. Nice place overall. Lots of souvenir shops all with similar items but prices can be different so be smart. Must do - standing at the Arctic circle line and seeing yourself on YouTube.

We visited the Santa Park on 1 November 2025 and can't recommend this place highly enough for kids young and old who want to truly experience a magical Christmas experience in Lapland. We absolutely loved every second of it. Santa was so warm and friendly, the elves were super friendly and interacted with everyone, the train was magical, the elf school was surreal, the cookie decorating was like something out of a storybook and the elf show was heartwarming. We couldn't fault anything. It was our second trip to Rovaniemi to visit Santa with our four children and our first time visiting the Santa Park. It was the highlight of our time in Lapland. We can't wait to go back. Even the walk there through the forest from our apartment was magical. Well worth visiting!

We visited Santa park 5th November, just before the tourist season & Christmas rush it was as simply perfect. Family of 5, two adults 3 kids (14,12 and 5) everyone of them loved it & so so we 10/10 the elves are all amazing.. they make it extra special for the kids the atmosphere is magical. Santa visit was the highlight of our trip…. Amazing

The most magical place from beginning to end. Everything you could possibly wish for and more. Santa was spectacular and spent so much time with the children and even took their letters and read them. Would highly recommend Santa park for anyone travelling to Rovaniemi. We will definitely be back again.

This is where dreams come true and made off, a wonderful magical experience. The Elves were so cute and loved seeing Santa and the Gingerbread cook 🧑🏼‍🍳, the Elves show was spectacular ! The train ride is full of Christmas magic, highly recommend!

Great place to visit , lots to do from visiting Santa 🎅 , art activities ,show, elf academy and games for children to do and for us adults it keeps the magic alive ⛄️🎄

Magical.... my 3 and 5 year old were taken away to the magical Christmas land with Elves and got to meet the real santa. The staff are extremely welcoming, the show is awesome and the food pretty good. We had the VEP package and we thought it was worth the extra cost. Highly recommended!

Kids had the best day here. They are 8 & 10 and really enjoyed the park. We did the Elf School, cookie decoration, Christmas decoration & met Santa. They also enjoyed the Elf Show & went in the Santa train 3 times. Spent about 4 hours there it was really lovely. My kids are picky so I brought some snacks as they didn't like the food at the restaurant

We had a good few hours here & learnt a lot about Finlands history & interesting Arctic exhibits. I also recommend this area as a good spot to see the Aurora if the conditions are good. Walk down to the lakes edge & although there is light pollution we still saw some great Aurora activity.

I was looking for something to fill up our last day in Rovaniemi and fortunately saw this museum. We spent a few hours in two exhibits. The science area had so many hands on things to do. I had to drag my preteen out because we were running out of times it was such a great time, and I liked how they blended culture, geography, science and more into a seamless Arctic exhibit. Then we went to the more historical exhibit and my son was less in. No big deal… we had spent so much time in the science area 🤷‍♀️ I highly recommend this museum! We even tried to build an igloo

Fantastic museum filled with information on the Arctic environment, history of Finland, Sami culture and much more. It is packed with exhibits allow at least 2 hours. Very nice selection at gift shop and cafe and also attached arboretum.

Arktikum is a must see. We spent over 2 hours there. There are interactive displays on the Arctic region, snow & ice, northern lights, Sami people and culture. We learnt a lot about the planet and its northern people and animals. If you have time then buy the 7 day cultural pass that gives you unlimited entry to 3 museums and art gallery.

Artikum is full of information! My family and I learnt so much about Finland when we visited it. We spent 4 hours absorbing as much information as we could. It has some interactive sections which was fun. The building is beautiful with its high glass ceiling, clean interior and it also houses Artikum Cafe which served pretty decent food. Note: We visited in March 2025, but I forgot to put in the review until now.

Amazing digital-interactive and can-touch exposition abut the polar circle and its life and nature. Part of it, is a year-round cinema and aurora borealis show (for those vising in summer, when daylight lasts 20hrs and there is no real night). You can build igloo, paint your own aurora borealis. Highly recommended inteligent amusement. Way-way better than nearby Santa-visit over-commercial attraction.

The museum is not so big as expected, or so interactive But definitely interesting, with a lot of info to gain, nothing boring, also appropriate for kids. The store is very nice, obviously expensive, nothing found to be with the allergy label available... And above all, the ticket Culture pass allows you to see all 3 museums with the same ticket.

An extraordinary experience with ice floating, walking on ice and a very friendly staff, we had an interesting tour around the vessel and a diploma at the end. Unforgettable moments!

A once in a lifetime experience aboard the Sampo Icebreaker in Finland! The views were incredible! Watching the massive ship churn through thick ice was mesmerizing! Our plan was a tour of the ship, lunch, and then the famous polar plunge. The ship tour was fascinating. It was so neat to see all the rooms and learn about the ship’s operations up close. Lunch was a surprising delight! They offered a delicious buffet with plenty of options. Normally, I dread buffets, so it was a great surprise to enjoy. The Icebreaker bar was a fun stop. We were given a complimentary shot served in a glass made out of ice which made for memorable toast! Then came the polar plunge! They suit you up in these giant survival suits that basically turn you into a human buoy. Watching everyone floating around in the icy water was hilarious and unforgettable! If you don't want to suit up, you can also walk on the frozen glacier, which was equally amazing. My visit was a perfect mix of adventure, comedy, and gorgeous scenery I will never forget!

The experience on the SAMPA Icebreaker was absolutely incredible! From the moment we boarded, we were amazed by the breathtaking views and the unique energy of the Arctic landscapes. Sailing through the vast ice fields and feeling like we were in a frozen wonderland was extraordinary, like a dream come true. The part where we went out onto the ice and into the water with the special NASA-designed suits was unforgettable—a sense of safety combined with an unparalleled adventure. A big thank you to the professional and friendly crew who took care of every detail and made this experience one of the most memorable ones for us. Highly recommended for anyone looking to feel the Arctic magic up close!

Incredible trip! Recommend to book early. It was such a once a lifetime kinda thing to do. Seeing the Sampo break through the ice with the breathtaking view was so therapeutic. The buffet lunch was tasty. Walking on the frozen sea was interesting.And last but not least the Swimming was fun!

It's an experience. Thought we could like do swimming with the suit but too bad, NO, you can only lie down, not even like on the standing position. That's why I don't feel very comfortable. Lunch served was so-so to me. Maybe I'm not used to it. Staffs are all friendly and nice.

The experience of floating was not as it appears in videos. They just make a very small congested space to float. and allow for a minute may be. Not really like too much. Not too much worth. Cruise was okay, food was okay and staff was cooperative.

An amazing experience!! You will see the frozen lake cracks, float in the ice water, and take some amazing pictures. The latte in the coffee stand is great !!

I visited The SnowCastle of Kemi in Finland toward the end of the season, and it was an awesome experience! Some of the sculptures had started to melt sadly (a few missing arms and smaller details), but it didn’t take away from how incredible the whole setup was! They had an awesome ice slide that both the kids and adults were overjoyed with sliding down! It was definitely a highlight to see all the happy faces! The merchandise shop was impressive too, with lots of great souvenirs including clothing and home items. A great variety! They also have a cafe offering drinks and snacks. I almost missed the actual SnowCastle! It’s a short walk across the parking lot from the main building (easy to overlook if not paying attention because it looks like a warehouse). The driveway was very slippery with black ice when we visited, and there were several buses coming in and out. I made sure to tread extra slow. Thankfully, I wore some really good snow boots! Overall, it was a really cool experience! Unique, fun, and worth the visit!

So disappointed with our visit, the snow castle was just a pile of snow you could enter… my four year old daughter liked the slides but the slides in a normal park is for free. The ice part is ok but small, if you gonna mark yourself as a snow castle, go big or just stop. Look at my pictures and you are really not missing anything.

The SnowCastle of Kemi can be part of your winter wonderland experience. The intricate ice sculptures were fascinating to see, each one a masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship. The highlight was definitely the giant ice slide, which was incredibly fun and added a playful touch to the enchanting atmosphere. A truly unique and memorable experience.

SnowCastle is a giant ice room.Inside you find sculpters on all kind of sfuff made of ice. Worth to visit absolutely . On the other side of building there is a restaurant , the Best food in the whole town !

Great food, live music, and in the winter it looks like an awesome place to see the northern lights. People of Kemi are really welcoming and the restaurant here has the best views of the water and landscape. Food was fresh and the service was top tier. Loved the once in a lifetime look into the hand sculpted ice room. Loved my time here. Will come back again.

The building includes a restaurant, a café, bathrooms, and souvenir shops, in addition to a castle snow 365 experienc. The experience is beautiful; everything there is made of snow, and you can try the ice slide. However, I find the price exaggerated as the ticket is 18 euros, usually covering the snow experience and snow garden. Despite the snow garden being closed, and we only saw the small snow castle, they charged the full ticket price. I believe there should be a discount when the service or the offer is not complete. Besides that, the staff is courteous and friendly.

Nice employees, but there is no snow or ice castle for 5 years here. There is an ice sculpture, jewlleries, etc exposition.

I had the pleasure of visiting & staying in Kukkolaforsen during December. The owners & employees were super nice, helpful and friendly. Very peaceful location. I highly recommend 🤩

We arrived at a charming fishing town. We had lunch at a local spot – the soup and salmon were absolutely delicious.

What a wonderful lunch place! Really tasty buffet. The view from windows to river Tornio is so pretty. Lots of space. Interiot is nice and clean. Price is also really good.

Great traditional fish & amazing view! Very friendly staff. Thanks for the nice evening.

Kukkolaforsen rapids is always such a nice place to visit during summer. The scenery is such a treat for your eyes. You can just sit down for a picnic, rent a small cabin with affordable prices, and bring your caravan. The restaurant by the rapids has a great menu, and customer service is great. I highly recommend visiting werther you are visiting Tornio or Haparanda. Just go over the swedish side of Kukkolaforsen.

[UPDATE] This time, lunch only and it was very tasty for sure - smoked fish, of course! Super summer lunch. The only thing that is not quite up to my (Finnish!) expectations is the coffee that is definitely not strong enough [UPDATE] Me and wife drove some 45 minutes only to have a dinner at Kukkolaforsen and we sure had a superb meal to a very reasonable price! We decided on one of the menus - Kukkolaforsen, I believe - that started with a spectacular smoked tartar, followed by the (extremely!) local, traditional fish. Delicious crème brûlée for dessert! A stunning river view is a great bonus and so is the fact that you can buy the local fish, smoked at the premises, on your way from the restaurant. Higly recommended; we'll be back for sure.

It is the off season and the fishing museum is closed. However, the outdoor signs are still available to read and learn about the whitefish fishing history of the area. Photo opportunities near the rapids and river, and by request at the saunas that are models used for sale or retreats. The restaurant was in use today by a group, so it was closed. We were offered to order for ourselves the same meal that was prepared for this group, but we were looking for something else. We declined, but from what I could smell, I imagine the meal was good.

Temporary activity starting in January/February of every year until the ice starts to melt. There is around 10 km of ice track, that is cleared from snow. Most time there are two "streets" parallel, one is completely clear to skate or use one of the free kick sleighs waiting on the sides and the other is with a bit of snow, so you can walk there even without spikes. The ice thickness is checked regularly by the city.

Super! We loved skating and sledging over the sea ice.

An amazing place to slide, to have some fun and to challenge yourself on the way to island. It was an unforgettable moment I will always remember.

Very beautiful ice road to walk on, or go ice skating (rented from a store not far from it). Nice scenery and it's cool to walk on frozen water !

It's one of the most amazing place in which I have ever been. It is an ice road "built" on the sea around Luleå, opened from January/February to April, depending on the weather conditions. The Luleå municipality keeps care of it, cleaning it from the snow and smoothing the ice. It also organize a lot of events on the ice, for example an ice skating competition, dog sledge tours and BBQ on the ice! On the ice road you can do ice skating (sometimes you can borrow the ice skates in the southern Harbour), have a BBQ, use the sledges (provided by the city) or just walk towards the small island of Gråsjälören (in the weekends there is a small waffle house on the island, where you can warm yourself having a waffle or a reindeer meat sausage with a warm cup of coffee/tea), just ten minutes from the southern Harbour be foot. I really suggest to visit the Isbanan in Luleå, it's something that everyone should try in its life! And by the way, the ice road is a good place where to spot the Northern Lights and live them in their entire power!

An incredible place to do ice-skating on, we rented ice skating shoes in a nearby outdoor activity store, which make this activity available to anyone (and I recommend it)

A must visit! The closest Ice road from the center of the town. And walking on a frozen river was an experience ;)

Fantastic village, loads of history and the people in the museum, gift shops and cafes were super helpful

Gammelstad Church Town in Luleå is truly one of the most charming and historically rich places I’ve visited in Sweden. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this well-preserved church town dates back to the 15th century and features over 400 small red wooden houses built around the impressive Nederluleå Church. Walking through the narrow gravel paths feels like stepping into a different era. The peaceful atmosphere, the unique northern Swedish architecture, and the sense of tradition are simply unforgettable. It’s incredible to think that these little cottages were once used by churchgoers who traveled long distances and stayed overnight for Sunday services. The area is exceptionally well maintained, and it’s easy to see how much the locals value and protect this cultural treasure. Whether you visit in the summer under the midnight sun or in the winter when everything is covered in snow, the town has a timeless charm. There are also guided tours, a visitor center, and small local shops that add to the experience. It’s a perfect destination for those who love history, culture, and peaceful surroundings. I highly recommend visiting Gammelstad if you’re anywhere near Luleå. It’s a magical place that stays with you long after you leave.

Good place to visit. Best time to arrive is at 11am when most sites opens. Visitor centre opens at 12am.

Gammelstad Church Town in Luleå, Sweden, is a wonderful place to visit. The old wooden houses and the beautiful 15th-century church are very interesting. Walking around the village feels like going back in time. It's a great spot for anyone who likes history and old buildings. Highly recommended!

Lulea old town is a must for families visiting Lulea. The streets are stunning and there is an open air museum with fun activities for the kids. We had Fika in a nearby small shopping centre before finding the centre of the old town about 1 km away. We had a great time.

Scenic church village. Didn't visit the church because both times we tried there was a funeral taking place (two different funerals). Nevertheless, there were some activities (for families) happening at the open air museum and had the opportunity to see some folklore scenes from Swedish peasant life like bread making, and blacksmith works.

Did a visit during the afternoon and evening. Very beautiful and peaceful to be here. It’s a nice visit for free and there is a lot of information here to read on signs and in a visitors center (with gift shop).

I was in Sweden for 2 days 2 years ago. My first night was in this place. It was really good. The swimming pool was good. My favourite was Space Bowl, but I hit my head a little bit, but it didn't hurt. I was at the Superior Room and I recommend for a 4-person family to sleep there. The breakfast there was super good. Recommend to be here

The Piteå swimming pool is a clean, family-friendly facility with warm water, modern changing rooms, and a relaxed atmosphere. It offers separate pools for kids and adults, a small water slide, and a sauna area. Staff are kind and helpful. Perfect for families visiting northern Sweden.

We bought an Easter package and stayed at the hotel for 2 nights with our family. The price-performance ratio is quite good. The package we bought included the aquapark, breakfast and dinner. There is also an entertainment area for children and it is included in the price. It is an ideal holiday for families with children. The dinners were open buffet concept and were the same both days. The open buffet included sausage, tacos, chicken and meat (as well as other ingredients for tacos and french fries).

Camping was really good, in semtemper no peoplé so we were al our self on the camp😉

We went to nimbys world, not at the hotel. Was a wonderful place, great theater show for kids. I wouldn't try bowling, but the rest was great.

Nice place with horrible service. In three weeks no one came even one time to clean up the room. Despite repeated requests.

Great beach, well dimensioned for all the people, great localities for the family, there is something for everyone.

Disappointing. Bought a cap gun for our son but the didn't have any of the caps to go with it. Only "ones that fit guns we don't sell".... no kids drinks available to buy. Was scorching hot almost 30°C and you think my 1 and 3 year old can drink coke or fanta....? The dinosaur thing has lost the baby dinosaur so its also disappointing. Generally lazy, low to no maintenance done to the place and we won't be returning

Nice polite bartenders. Food was great and not that expensive. Beer on the other hand was quite expensive. €7,50 for one bottle. I know it's always expensive in Sweden, but this was more than I was used to. For the rest it's a real nice scene to walk through, nice cottages and a good ambiance.

I drank all the beer and it was cool

In the very north of Sweden a feel of the American Wild West. Yeehaw!

My best Birthday ever☺

Nice show. Very professional: sound, voices, dances, lights. And food is delicious

Nobody was at the reception when we tried to check in and we called their emergency number but nobody answered! Me and six friends ended up sitting in the car the whole night!!

We went there around 14:30. The food has finished in the cafeteria so we had to survive with just drinks. I suggest them to have food until the zoo closes. We took the train to see around. It was a good experience. We saw some animals. But I wish there were more animals to worth the entrance fee of 250 sek. Clean and tidy.

Really liked the zoo. We saw arctic fox, muskox, moose, wolf and some other animals 👍🏻

Feeding time was the best part.

The animals are well cared for and they have english information for most animals. Recommended for family or couples, it’s a lot of walking so be careful if you have bad knees. They offer a ”train” that will take you around the park as they are about to feed the animals

Too expensive considering the number of animals and activities in the zoo, otherwise an ok ZOO On mountain top.

A wonderful zoo experience with family and kids. The park has plenty of animal and fun activities to keep everyone entertained for an entire day. There are bathrooms , small places to grab something to eat all over the place. If you visit for the first time, take the guided tour, you will experiance the entire park. Sweden is expensive and yet the prices here are decent. I will definitely come back here with my family.

A great experience! About an hour walk around the entire place if you stop briefly to see all the animals but you'll stay longer 😁 bears are especially awesome! Make sure to say hi to big boy Gimli 😎😊

Fantastic museum Well laid out and interpreted. Loads for kids to do and a fly though 3D experience of Lapponia that was breathtaking. A pity the cafe was closed and there was no coffee BUT there was a great Grill House around the corner.

Very interesting museum, which teaches a lot about the history of the Samipeople, their art and culture. Nature and animals of the north are explained very competent too.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ájtte Museum A truly fascinating and well-organized museum! The exhibitions offer deep insight into Sámi history, culture, and the natural environment of Sápmi. Beautifully curated and easy to follow – highly recommended for anyone interested in the North and its heritage.

Very good museum, my daughter who is currently writing her masters on history/museum learned something about how the Swedish state still suppress the Sami culture, by not giving credit to the Sami people who assisted on expeditions.

Super museum - for all ages. Even if you are not a museum lover, it's a great way to fill time.

We were there because I'm very interested in the samí-culture. The exhibition was really interesting. You can borrow some informations in a handbook in Swedish, english and also in German. Was really great!

Really interesting and informative, I loved the descriptions, sounds, stories and interactive displays. A fabulous gift shop and friendly staff.

A large souvenir shop, with a café. Lots of different Norwegian products; T-shirts, caps, sweatshirts, children's clothes, etc. The outdoor terrain is amazing. There were trails in every direction where you could have gone hiking.

Like the place (visited in July), recommend to stop. Inside the center, there are a lot of Norwegian souvenirs 🫶🏼

The Arctic Circle Centre is an excellent place to stop during a long journey. Although the prices of the items are a little high, my Norwegian husband didn't find them so. The baguette with reindeer meat was something special, and the staff are exceptionally friendly.

Beautiful place very serene lot of nature to look at. It was my first time here and the centre has much nice things to look at and purchase too. Nice little cafe and tasty food too.

Such a nice place to stop! So many different souvenirs to look at. Great views at the hiking spots near the center. Clean bathrooms and a small cafe with food, desserts, and beverages. Workers are super friendly and helpful!

Great photo stop right on the highway. Lots of cute (albeit expensive) souvenirs. Walk around outside for the full experience.

The food and souvenirs are perfect. Many memorable items available especially the caps.

This is the best museum I’ve ever been to that’s based on a writer. If you haven’t ever read Hamsun, this will make you want to read Hamsun. The staff are also super friendly and incredibly willing to answer any questions you may have.

Way more interesting than I expected! Nice permanent display of the writers life, with an interesting concept of each floor representing a new stage in his developnent/condition. Top floors are getting weird and croocked!

Really nice place. Nice and friendly staff. The building itself is worth a visit and the exhibition is wonderful.

Great exhibition and the best cafe/bar in the area.

Lovely museum with architectural elements that builds a great fundament for telling the history of the great author Knutsford Hamsun

Amazing place, beautiful architecture, knowledgeable and friendly staff

Very loving and carefully crafted museum.