Our adventure in the north, i.e. camper through Lapland part II – Rovaniemi and Luosto

Referring to the previous article “adventure in the north…”, we return to the next places that are worth visiting while traveling in our camper through Lapland 😉

Rovaniemi – the heart of Lapland

If you are traveling with children, the obligatory place to which you must visit is Rovaniemi, located in northern Finland. Rovaniemi is not only the capital of Lapland, but above all the official seat of Santa Claus – the heart of this city, making it one of the most characteristic places on the world map!

The first thing to see is of course Santa Claus Village! Its central point is the office of St. John the Baptist. Santa Claus, where children can take pictures of themselves and talk about what they would like to get for Christmas. Around the office you will find numerous shops with souvenirs, Christmas decorations, gifts for loved ones, clothes and other gadgets associated with this place. If we have enough time, it is worth visiting the Village of Elves and the surrounding cafes, where we can try local delicacies and drink delicious, hot chocolate 😉

In the area around Rovaniemi you will find many farms that breed husky dogs and reindeer. There you have the opportunity to drive a dog sled or take a ride on reindeer-drawn sleighs and learn about the traditional means of transport of the Sami people of Lapland.

Rovaniemi is also an ideal place for those who would like to see the Aurora Borealis. Due to its location north of the Arctic Circle, the city offers excellent conditions to admire this unique phenomenon!

Where to park a motorhome in Rovaniemi?

The first car park can be found next to Santa Claus Village and it is a tourist resort Santa Claus Village.

Another is Camping Ounasvaara. Situated on the hill of Ounasvaara, the campsite offers other amenities beyond the parking spaces for motorhomes 😉 including showers, toilets, supply points and access to ski trails and hikes.

Also within the city itself you will find paid public parking, which may be suitable for motorhomes. However, it is best to check whether there are spaces for larger vehicles and whether there are time limits for parking.

Luosto

About 110 kilometers north of Rovaniemi, located in the heart of Lapland nature, is the charming village of Luosto. It is an ideal place for lovers of nature, peace and active relaxation.

The main attraction of Luosto is the Lapland National Park, which includes vast mountain areas, forests, waterfalls and numerous tourist trails. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the local nature, especially when hiking or cross-country skiing.

Another popular spot in Luosto is the hill Lampivaara, on the top of which there is an emerald mine. Tourists coming here have the opportunity to participate in excursions, during which the guides talk about the history of the mine, the process of extracting emeralds and the stones themselves. The trip will take you through the mines, where you can learn more about the formation of emeralds and the conditions in which they are formed. Being in the mine you have a unique and unique opportunity to independently search for emeralds (something for my husband ;-), and those who find valuable stones can take them with you as a souvenir.

Luosto is also a perfect place for winter sports enthusiasts. There are many well-maintained slopes for beginners and advanced skiers. There is also a ski lift and downhill skiing trails in the surroundings.

After an active day outdoors, we can relax in one of the local restaurants, where traditional Lapland dishes and Finnish cuisine are served. Luosto also offers comfortable accommodation, including hotels, cottages and camps, which provide all the necessary facilities for travelers.

Where to park a motorhome in Luosto?

In Luosto there is campsite – Luosto Camping, which offers specially designated parking spaces for motorhomes. The campsite shall provide all necessary facilities such as showers, toilets, water and electricity supply points and the possibility of discharging sewage.

In Luosto there are also many holiday resorts and cottages that offer the possibility to rent a place to park a motorhome. For detailed information on availability or prices, it is worth contacting the chosen center.

To sum up, traveling to Lapland, especially to its Finnish part, is relatively easy and convenient. However, let’s remember to prepare for the changeable weather conditions before leaving and to learn about local customs and regulations so that our journey goes smoothly 😉