Destination Comparison
Kemi vs Rovaniemi for Northern Lights
Kemi's SnowCastle and Arctic icebreaker experience versus Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village and glass igloos — two very different Finnish Lapland winter experiences often compared by travellers. Kemi sits on the Gulf of Bothnia coast while Rovaniemi is the Lapland capital 100km north.
✦6/10
Aurora Score
✓✦7/10
✓$120/day
Daily Budget
$130/day
Easy ✈️
Accessibility
Easy ✈️
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Months
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
14h
Dark Hours (Winter)
✓21h
Arctic
Region
Arctic
13 types
Activities
✓18 types
Our Verdict
Rovaniemi wins on aurora probability and overall winter holiday infrastructure; Kemi wins for the unique SnowCastle architecture and Arctic icebreaker cruise experiences.
Choose Kemi if:
Further north with better aurora odds, glass igloos, international airport, more accommodation, Santa Claus Village, family activities
Choose Rovaniemi if:
Famous SnowCastle hotel, Arctic icebreaker cruises on the frozen sea, less crowded, unique coastal sea-ice experience
Finland
Kemi
Families and couples wanting unique icebreaker and snow castle experiences with affordable Arctic prices
Finland
Rovaniemi
Families and couples wanting the full Finnish Lapland winter magic with glass igloo stays