Which City is Better Rovaniemi or Levi?
Lapland covers the top third of Finland and reaches into nearby countries too. It has ski hills, Santa Claus towns, and native groups living traditional ways. You may wonder which part of Lapland is the best to visit for a winter vacation, Rovaniemi or Levi?
The cities of Rovaniemi and Levi are both fantastic for winter trips and for people who love the outdoors. However, these places offer different experiences and show two sides of the Arctic Circle area. Picking one over the other could really change your travel adventure in Finland.
Our guide looks at what makes Rovaniemi and Levi special, from the activities to ease of travel. Where arctic foxes seem to dance across the sky, Lapland waits for you to come explore. Let’s find out which city seems best to you.
About Lapland
Lapland stretches into Sweden, Norway, Russia, and the Baltic Sea. It is a wildly beautiful place about the size of Portugal. Lapland is the original home of the native Sami people. It seems like a magical winter fairy tale world come to life. But Lapland also offers outdoor adventures and Christmas spirit.
Rovaniemi and Levi: Distances and Locations
The cities of Rovaniemi and Levi are about 170 kilometers (105 miles) apart by road. That drive takes around two and a half hours by car. There isn’t a direct train between these two cities. Levi lies further north than Rovaniemi. You can take a bus between them if you want to see both places on your trip.
Rovaniemi sits just below the Arctic Circle, while Levi is deeper in Lapland’s remote north. A key difference is Levi’s isolated location.
For the Winter Activities
Both cities offer many winter activities. But Rovaniemi has transportation hubs and gateways to the rest of Lapland. Levi is a peaceful ski resort and jumping off point to northwest parks, fells, and native areas.
Also Levi may be Lapland’s biggest ski resort, yet it’s a quiet town at the foot of Levitunturi mountain. Levi has frozen lakes dotting the compact area. There are lots of places to stay, plus stores, restaurants and lively bars downtown. Skiing draws most visitors. A popular ski school and many gear rentals are available. Levi is said to have the world’s purest air of anywhere people live. You can’t ask for a nicer atmosphere!
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Two Very Contrasting Cities
But Rovaniemi remains the most visited place in Lapland, for good reasons. It’s a more developed city than Levi with ten times as many people and lots of restaurants and stores.
Though bigger, Rovaniemi is still walkable. Wearing the right winter boots, you can reach most shops, eateries, and tour centers on foot. Unlike Levi’s lakes, Rovaniemi is surrounded by the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki Rivers.
In Levi, you won’t need a car for ski hills and winter fun downtown. But in Rovaniemi, it’s best to rent a vehicle to see the sights, since the top spots are outside the middle area. Even so, Rovaniemi has an exciting, festive vibe unmatched in Lapland’s wilderness.
Rovaniemi or Levi: How to Get There
Transport to Lapland
Lapland lies at Europe’s northernmost point, so getting there takes thought. Finland has some of the best transportation globally. But reaching these far off cities needs extra planning beyond grabbing a taxi.
Starting From Helsinki
Coming from Finland’s capital Helsinki is a fine way to start before heading north. You can take a plane or train to reach Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital. Norwegian Air and Finnair run daily, one-hour flights between the cities starting around $55 roundtrip. There’s also one train daily, taking eight hours with similar cost. This cross-country rail offers stunning views.
Choosing Between Train and Plane
The train takes more time and planning. But flying is faster if your time is limited in Lapland’s snowy lands. Either way, stunning journeys await!
Rovaniemi Airport and Connecting Routes
Rovaniemi Airport lies only 15 minutes outside the city by car or bus. A handy Airport bus shuttle takes travelers right to downtown or other local addresses. Some European cities offer direct flights too. But coming from further away, it’s often cheaper to connect through Helsinki first before heading north. Wherever you start, reaching the Arctic Circle and Lapland snowfields is part of the adventure!
Journey to Levi
Levi lies over 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of Rovaniemi. Visiting both in one trip is doable if the two-hour drive doesn’t bother you. Otherwise, Levi is just 20 minutes from little Kittilä Airport. Shuttles to Levi’s centre run regularly, costing $15 per person.
Travelling to Remote Levi
Coming from Europe or North America, reaching remote Levi takes a bit longer than Rovaniemi. Flights from Helsinki to Kittilä are around three hours, ranging $50-$160. Or you can take a train for about $80, journeying for nine scenic hours. Overnight sleeper trains also operate for a different adventure. Finnair has some direct UK flights to Kittilä too, but usually just one weekly during winter.
In summary, Rovaniemi has more transport links, so it’s easier to access than Levi. But both Arctic Circle areas require extra travel time and planning. The effort is rewarded with winter magic!
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Rovaniemi or Levi: The Best Things to Do
Arctic Adventures
Both Rovaniemi and Levi overflow with thrilling snow and Arctic adventures. From seeing the Northern Lights to snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and Santa visits, you’ll find most everything in either place. But some activities happen best in certain areas.
Skiing rules in Levi, though it has no shortage of other winter fun too. Enjoy the Christmas market, roast marshmallows over open fires downtown, take a reindeer sleigh ride, go ice karting, and chase the magical Northern Lights on a snowmobile safari.
Nearby Kittilä town has a 19th century wooden church. Northwest lies remote Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park with the leftover volcano Linkupalo, too far for Rovaniemi day trips. So Levi and its surrounding offer majestic skiing plus a mix of culture and extreme Arctic explorations!
Activities Comparison
For downhill skiing, Levi is tops in Finland, outdoing Rovaniemi’s slopes. In Rovaniemi, Artikum museum and science center teach about Sami people and crafts. But Levi’s Samiland Exhibition may feel more real by residing nearer the Sami’s Utsjoki homeland. See photos, replica buildings, and cultural artifacts. So Levi excels for skiing and gives a true peek into Sami lifestyle still thriving across Lapland’s remote north. Rovaniemi offers a more tourist-friendly version of the culture. Both cities unlock the winter magic, depending what you want.
Levi: Attractions
Levi has igloos and Santa’s own hideaway grotto to see his helpers at work. But Rovaniemi remains Santa’s official home, bursting with Christmas cheer. Top festive spots near Rovaniemi are the SantaPark Home Cavern and sprawling Santa Claus Village. Downtown lacks skiing, but Ounasvaara sits only four kilometers away right on the Arctic Circle, mostly having cross-country terrain. Serious downhill fans will prefer Levi’s slopes, but Rovaniemi also offers some downhill trails plus tobogganing and summer mountain biking options. So Levi excels for ski-focused trips. Yet Rovaniemi brings the North Pole to life with Santa magic around every corner!
Rovaniemi: Attractions
In Rovaniemi, go dog sledding, try ice fishing, see the Northern Lights, and enjoy restaurants and nightlife. Rovaniemi also has places of culture like the Arktikum and Science Center Pilke, where you can get hands-on with exhibits from the northern woods. Or book a room in an ice hotel. Or go to Korouoma Canyon about 90 minutes away, to see frozen waterfalls. The canyon ranks among the world’s best ice-climbing areas. So while Levi has skiing, Rovaniemi serves up winter fun plus culture.
Extreme Arctic spots like an ice canyon lie just outside town for adventure travellers.
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Rovaniemi or Levi: The Costs
Regional capitals and remote ski resorts can have very different costs to stay. Rovaniemi has more types of places to stay. But basic room rates are $80 to $160 there. This is higher than Levi’s $50 to $100 rates.
Getting to Levi costs more since it’s remote. The airport shuttle is $65 in Levi. But only $50 in Rovaniemi for a private minibus. Levi’s shuttle bus is $15. Yet the public bus from Rovaniemi’s airport is just $5 each way. Car rental is pricier in Levi too. With fewer choices and rental shops. But you likely won’t need a rental car in the small resort. Overall, daily transportation is around $40 in Levi. And only $25 in Rovaniemi.
Food and Drink Costs
Food and drinks cost less in Levi. Travelers spend an average of $30 a day on meals in Levi. But $40 in Rovaniemi. Special dining experiences cost more in Levi though. A Northern Lights dinner in Rovaniemi is $115. Levi’s wilderness camp meal is $155.
Drink prices are cheaper in Levi too. Alcohol is around $10 a day in Levi. The same drinks are $25 in Rovaniemi.
Activity Costs
Some experiences may cost less in Levi. A family Northern Lights tour with a barbecue is about $100 there. Other snow activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing and ice hotels cost about the same. These are $100-250 per person in both cities.
Conclusion
So the total daily cost is lower in Levi at $100 per person. In Rovaniemi it’s around $140. The price difference could make up for Levi’s remote location.
Rovaniemi Or Levi: For The Weather
Rovaniemi and Levi are just two hours apart. But their weather differs since Levi is higher up. Levi gets more snow and colder temps year-round. This could impact trips.
Temperature Differences
In February, Rovaniemi’s lowest temp is around 7 degrees Fahrenheit on average. That’s usually at night when you’ll see the Northern Lights or visit ice hotels. February is Rovaniemi’s coldest month with extreme weather. Yet Levi is even chillier, dropping to 1 degree Fahrenheit in the dark winter.
Levi gets more snow. Rovaniemi gets more rain. So Levi is better for skiing. Levi’s hottest month is July. Highs reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lows are around 50 degrees. Rovaniemi can hit 80 degrees in July. This sounds nice for sunbathing. But it’s not as good for winter activities.
Snow And Viewing The Northern Lights
Rovaniemi is Finland’s most popular winter spot. Yet Levi has more guaranteed snow and extreme cold. Levi also has better Northern Lights views. Being further north and higher up makes sightings more likely. Also Levi is actually inside the aurora zone. The glass cabins at the highest points see some of the best light shows.
