Guest guide · Nine Pines · Rovaniemi
Everything you need to know before — and during — your stay in Rovaniemi
Check-in, house rules, what the weather really does each month, how to see the northern lights, Santa Claus Village without the queues, buses, shops, saunas and the answers to the questions families ask us every week. Your personal arrival guide with the lockbox code comes by message three days before arrival.
Good to know at a glance
112
emergency number (EU-wide, free)
Tap water
drinkable, excellent
Cards
accepted everywhere, cash rarely needed
230 V
type C / F plugs (EU)
EET
UTC+2 (UTC+3 in summer)
English
spoken everywhere
Arrival
Check-in and check-out
- Check-in from 16:00, any time — also late at night. The key is in a code lockbox; the code and a photo guide come 3 days before arrival.
- Check-out by 11:00. Early arrival or late departure is possible when the calendar allows — ask us the day before.
- Address: Hillapolku 3, 96500 Rovaniemi (Korkalovaara). The same key opens the street door and the apartment. Second floor, one flight of stairs, no lift.
- Free parking space in the yard; an ice scraper and snow brush are in the apartment for your rental car.
- Wi-Fi name and password are on the fridge.
- Finnish law asks accommodation providers to keep a short traveller form per group — we send the link with your check-in details, two minutes.
Most asked
How to see the northern lights from Rovaniemi
Aurora season runs from late August to early April; the lights are a night-time thing, usually between 21:00 and 01:00. Three things decide whether you see them: solar activity, clouds and darkness.
- Check the forecast (Kp index) and the cloud forecast in the evening — clear sky matters more than a big Kp.
- Korkalovaara is darker than the centre: walk to the edge of the yard, face north, give your eyes 10 minutes.
- For a proper hunt, guides drive to clear skies — our guests get 5 % off with code NINEPINES5.
- Phone cameras: night mode, 3–10 s exposure, lean on something steady.
Weather & daylight
Rovaniemi month by month
Typical values from our years here — Lapland weather swings, so pack for 10 °C colder than the forecast in winter.
January
- −12 °C typical (−5 to −30)
- 4–6 h of daylight
Deep winter: snow guaranteed, long aurora nights, coldest weeks of the year.
February
- −11 °C typical
- 6–9 h
Best winter light. Snow, sun and auroras; the most reliable month for everything.
March
- −6 °C typical
- 9–13 h
Bright, sunny snow days and strong aurora activity around the equinox.
April
- 0 °C typical
- 13–17 h
Crust snow: sunny days, frozen nights. Last weeks for snowmobiles and skiing.
May
- +7 °C typical
- 17–21 h
Ice break-up on the Kemijoki, birds return, first green. Quiet and cheap.
June
- +13 °C typical
- 24 h midnight sun from early June
Hiking, swimming, Santa Claus Village without queues. Bring a sleep mask.
July
- +16 °C typical
- 24 h sun until early July, then 20 h+
Warmest month, berries start, mosquitoes in the forest — repellent helps.
August
- +13 °C typical
- 15–19 h
Cloudberries and blueberries, warm days; the first auroras return in the last week.
September
- +7 °C typical
- 11–15 h
Ruska autumn colours and dark lakes — our favourite month for northern lights photos.
October
- +1 °C typical
- 8–11 h
First snow some years, frosty mornings, few tourists. Good value.
November
- −5 °C typical
- 4–8 h
Snow usually settles mid-month; Santa’s season starts; Christmas lights go on.
December
- −10 °C typical (down to −30)
- 2–4 h, blue twilight
Christmas and kaamos: the darkest, most magical weeks. Book tours weeks ahead.
Rovaniemi essentials
Santa Claus Village, the Arctic Circle and getting around
- Santa Claus Village is free to enter and open every day of the year; meeting Santa is free (the photos are paid). Quietest before 11:00 and after 17:00.
- The Arctic Circle line runs through the village — the classic photo. SantaPark (the underground theme park) is next door and ticketed.
- By bus: the stop is 150 m from the door; buses 4 and 5 go to the centre (10 min), where bus 8 continues to Santa Claus Village. Pay by card on board.
- By car: 7 min to the centre, 15 min to Santa Claus Village, the airport and Ounasvaara, 1 h to Ranua Wildlife Park. Winter tyres are mandatory and included on rentals.
- Taxi from the airport about 15 minutes (roughly €30–40) — Menevä 0800 02120 or the Menevä Taksi app; taxis take cards.
- Walking in winter: pavements are gritted, not cleared to tarmac — boots with grip, and go slowly on the outside stairs.
Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle — about 15 minutes from Nine Pines by car or bus.
Packing
What to wear and pack
- Winter (Nov–Mar): wool base layer, fleece, windproof outer layer, warm boots one size up, mittens over gloves, hat that covers the ears, balaclava for children.
- Tours provide thermal overalls and boots — pack for walking in town, not for the snowmobile.
- Feb–Apr: sunglasses and sunscreen, the snow glare is real. Summer: mosquito repellent, swimwear, a sleep mask for the midnight sun.
- We have a washer and tumble dryer, hair dryer, iron, baby cot, colouring books, an ice scraper and sledges to borrow — ask.
- Pharmacy basics to bring: lip balm and moisturiser; the air is very dry in winter.
Shops & food
Groceries, restaurants and alcohol
- K-Market and Sale are in the neighbourhood (open daily, typically until 21–23); big Prisma and K-Citymarket stores are on the way to the centre.
- Supermarkets sell beer and cider until 21:00; wine and spirits only from the state shop Alko (closed Sundays).
- Restaurants fill up in December — book dinners ahead. Leima Kitchen & Bar in the old Postmaster hotel does Lapland food properly; our guests get 5 % off food with NINEPINES5.
- Finnish things to try: reindeer stew with lingonberries, salmon soup, cloudberry jam with cheese, rye bread, cinnamon buns.
- Tipping is not expected anywhere; rounding up is a nice gesture.
Sauna
No sauna in the apartment. The city swimming hall in the centre has public saunas (swimsuit in the pool, nude and gender-separated in the saunas, as Finns do). For the real thing, our guests get 5 % off the private wood-heated sauna and ice-swimming tour.
With children
Sledging on the Korkalovaara hills (we have sledges), Ounasvaara toboggan run and ski school 15 minutes away, Arctic Paws short husky rides for toddlers, Ranua Wildlife Park with polar bears an hour south, the Arktikum science museum for a snowy-day afternoon.
Health & safety
Emergency number 112. Pharmacies (apteekki) are in the centre; the Lapland Central Hospital is in Rovaniemi. EU citizens: bring the EHIC card; others: travel insurance that covers winter activities. Below −25 °C keep windows closed and children’s cheeks covered.
House rules
Living in a Finnish family building
- Maximum 9 guests, all named in the booking. No overnight visitors.
- Quiet hours 22:00–07:00 — families live on both sides of you.
- No parties, events or celebrations; quiet birthdays with balloons are fine (we can even set them up).
- No smoking or vaping inside or on the balcony, and no open flames (LED candles are provided). Pets by prior agreement only — ask first.
- Shoes off indoors, as Finns do.
- Keep windows closed in freezing weather; never leave the balcony door open.
- Rubbish is simple: one bin for everything, one for deposit bottles and cans; full bags go to the bins in the parking lot.
- Check-out by 11:00: start the dishwasher, take the rubbish to the bins, close the windows, key back in the lockbox.
- Report any damage immediately — we are fair about accidents.
Frequently asked
Questions families ask us
Is Nine Pines big enough for 8 or 9 people?
Yes — 103 m² on one floor with three bedrooms, a living room and two toilets. Six sleep in real beds, up to three more on the sofa bed and armchair bed. Please book with the real number of guests; linen and the price are set by it.
Can we see the northern lights from the apartment?
On a strong, clear night yes — from the yard, facing north. Korkalovaara is darker than downtown. For a guaranteed hunt, guides drive to clear skies; code NINEPINES5 gives 5 % off.
How do we get to Santa Claus Village without a car?
The bus stop is 150 m away: buses 4 and 5 to the centre (10 min), then bus 8 to Santa Claus Village. A taxi takes about 15 minutes. We can also arrange a guided Santa Claus Village tour.
Is there a sauna?
Not in the apartment. The swimming hall in the centre has public saunas, and our guests get 5 % off the private wood-heated sauna and ice-swimming tour.
Is the apartment suitable for babies and toddlers?
Yes — a cot is free on request, there are colouring books, and the building is quiet. One flight of stairs (no lift) is the only thing to plan for with a pram.
How cold does it really get?
December to February days are usually −5 to −15 °C, with cold snaps to −30 °C. Dress in wool layers; tours lend thermal overalls. The apartment is kept at 21 °C and the dryer sorts the snowsuits overnight.
Can you arrange activities for us?
Yes. Tell us your dates and the children’s ages and we suggest what fits; book with code NINEPINES5 on our activities page or ask us to arrange it.
Can we celebrate a birthday or anniversary at Nine Pines?
Quiet celebrations, yes — balloons, roses and a decorated apartment can be waiting when you walk in (from €190, message us). Parties, no.
Do you take a deposit?
On Airbnb no; Booking.com applies its damage policy. Tell us straight away if something breaks — accidents are never a problem when we hear about them first.
When is the cheapest time to come?
October–November and late April–May are the quiet, cheap months; mid-December to early January is the most expensive and sells out months ahead.
Check dates and prices
Hosted by Joona & Alla, a local couple working in Lapland tourism. Self check-in from 16:00, answers usually within the hour.