Arktikum
A museum of the Arctic under a long glass tube reaching toward the river in Rovaniemi - the science and cultures of the far north in one striking building.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Arktikum in Rovaniemi is both a museum and a piece of architecture, its exhibitions running beneath a long glass tube that points toward the Arctic river. Inside, it tells the science of the north, from the aurora and permafrost to climate, alongside the cultures of Lapland and the Sami.
What you actually see
- The glass tube - the dramatic long glazed gallery reaching to the river.
- Arctic science - the aurora, ice, permafrost and northern nature.
- Lapland cultures - the Sami and settler history of the region.
- Climate and the north - how the Arctic is changing.
When to go
Year-round; a fully indoor museum, ideal for a cold or dark day and a good introduction before heading into Lapland. Allow a couple of hours.
Honest expectations
It is an informative museum rather than a thrill, so it suits the curious more than those after spectacle. Rovaniemi around it is a rebuilt post-war town rather than pretty. It pairs well with the Santa village as the substantial, grown-up half of a Rovaniemi day.
Nearby
The Santa Claus Village and Arctic Circle are just outside town; the Ounasjoki river runs alongside.
What to pack for Arktikum
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
