Pilke Tiedekeskus

Top choice in Rovaniemi


Downstairs in the Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) building next to the Arktikum, this is a highly entertaining exhibition on Finnish forestry with a sustainability focus. It has dozens of interactive displays that are great for kids of all ages, who can clamber up into a bird house, build a timber-framed dwelling, get behind the wheel of a forest harvester or play games about forest management. Multilingual touch screens provide interesting background information.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rovaniemi attractions

1. Arktikum

0.04 MILES

With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s finest museums. One half deals with Lapland, with…

2. Rovaniemen Taidemuseo

0.47 MILES

A wide collection of contemporary Finnish art rotates in the clean white exhibition space of this gallery in an old brick truck depot. Performances by the…

3. Rovaniemen Kirkko

0.89 MILES

Completed in 1950, this church replaced the one destroyed during WWII. The impressively large fresco behind the altar depicts a Christ figure emerging…

4. Santapark

3 MILES

Built inside a cavern in the mountain, this Christmas-themed amusement park features an army of elves baking gingerbread, a magic sleigh ride, a carousel,…

5. Santa Claus Village

4.15 MILES

The ‘official’ Santa Claus Village is built atop the Arctic Circle marker, denoted by a line painted on the pavement (Arctic Circle certificates cost €4…

6. Santa Claus Post Office

4.18 MILES

Situated within the Santa Claus Village, this post office receives over half a million letters each year from children worldwide. You can browse a…

7. Santa's Grotto

4.21 MILES

Santa sees visitors year-round in this impressive grotto, with a huge clock mechanism (it slows the earth’s rotation so that Santa can visit the whole…

8. Konttaniemen Porotila

4.23 MILES

Meet reindeer (including adorable calves in season) and find out about their life cycle at this reindeer farm 7km northwest of Rovaniemi. Tours complete…