# Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari

> 4-day road trip of about 353 km (219 mi) with 7 stops, from Rovaniemi to Siida. About 4 h 52 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b5-finnish-lapland/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 353 km (219 mi) with 7 stops, from Rovaniemi to Siida. About 4 h 52 min of driving in total. Santa, reindeer and the Sámi homeland, driving the long road north through forest and fells to Lake Inari.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 353 km (219 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 52 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Rovaniemi → Siida |
| Countries | Finland |
| Updated | August 17, 2026 |

## Route description

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, was rebuilt after the Second World War; Arktikum explains the Arctic world better than anywhere else. Just north of town the E75 crosses the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village.

The road then runs for hours through pine and birch forest, with reindeer often standing on the tarmac: slow down as soon as you see one. Sodankylä has an old wooden church from the 17th century and hosts a film festival under the midnight sun in June.

Further north, the fells rise around Saariselkä, gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park; the short climb to Kaunispää gives a wide view over the wilderness. Then the road descends to Inari, the centre of Finnish Sámi culture, on the shore of a huge lake.

Visit Siida and, if you have half a day, walk to the Pielpajärvi wilderness church. In winter the roads are well ploughed but you need winter tyres and patience with short days; the northern lights appear from late August to early April.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Rovaniemi** (Finland)
2. **Arktikum** (Rovaniemi, Finland): A museum and science centre on Arctic nature and people, under a long glass corridor pointing north towards the Ounasjoki river.
3. **Santa Claus Village** (Rovaniemi, Finland): Santa’s office, a post office and a painted line marking the Arctic Circle, beside the main road north of Rovaniemi. Busy but fun with children, especially in December.
4. **Sodankylä** (Finland)
5. **Saariselkä** (Finland)
6. **Inari** (Finland)
7. **Siida** (Inari, Finland): The national Sámi museum and nature centre, telling the story of the Sámi and of northern Lapland through the seasons, with an open-air section of old buildings.

## FAQs

**How long is Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari?**
4-day road trip of about 353 km (219 mi) with 7 stops, from Rovaniemi to Siida. About 4 h 52 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari?**
We suggest 4 days: about 4 h 52 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari start and end?**
It starts in Rovaniemi and ends in Siida.

**Which countries does Finnish Lapland: Rovaniemi to Inari pass through?**
Finland.