Things to do in Kemi

No. 13 of Best Things to Do in Finland

The SnowCastle of Kemi

The SnowCastle of Kemi is a large ice and snow art structure located in Kemi, Finland, first built in 1996 and rebuilt every winter since, making it one of Finland's well-known winter tourist attractions. The building materials are sourced from the frozen seawater of Kemi Bay, and the building area is typically between 13,000–20,000 square meters. It is renowned for its exquisite ice sculpting craftsmanship and grand scale, showcasing the infinite creative possibilities of ice and snow in the extreme northern climate. With The SnowCastle of Kemi and icebreaker ships dedicated to tourist cruises, Kemi has become an important destination for winter tourism in Finland.

Icebreaker Sampo check-in

Icebreaker Sampo check-in is an icebreaker from Finland built in the 1960s. It spent nearly 30 years clearing paths for merchant ships in the northern Gulf of Bothnia, was purchased by the city of Kemi in 1987, and has been used for tourism since the following year. Today, it is a core experience of winter tourism in Kemi. During the frozen winter season, this old ship sets sail again: it does not ram the ice with its bow; instead, it rides its reinforced bow onto the ice and uses its own weight to slowly crack ice around 1 m thick. Standing on the deck, you can feel the muffled sound of ice cracking beneath the ship through your feet, and the ship vibrates slightly. This moment of experiencing steel crushing ice up close is something ordinary cruise ships cannot offer. During the voyage, you can follow a guide from the engine room to the bridge to learn about the power and operation of this old ship. Once the icebreaker has cleared an open area in the icy sea, the signature activity begins—donning an orange-red waterproof survival suit and floating on your back in the water between the ice floes. This rubber suit, jokingly called a lobster suit by tourists, keeps you steadily afloat on the freezing sea, surrounded by broken ice, making you feel as if you are in a polar expedition.

Kemi Church

Kemi Church was built between 1900–1902 and officially consecrated in 1903. Designed by architect Josef Stenbäck, it is a prominent Neo-Gothic brick building in northern Finland. The church's exterior is characterized by its towering steeple, spires, and triangular gables. The circular stained-glass window above the main entrance is a signature design element, and large windows on the altar wall allow ample natural light into the interior. The interior arcades and colonnades echo the traditional layout of European cathedrals, while the simple decorations reflect the style of Finnish religious architecture. It has a seating capacity of approx. 1,200. It was renovated in 2003 and is an important cultural landmark in the city of Kemi.

SnowExperience365

Kallin Hiihtokeskus Oy

Sauvosaaren Urheilupuisto

Kemi Historical Museum

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village is located 8 km north of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Every year, a steady stream of visitors flocks from all over the world to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Santa Claus Village is a group of wooden buildings, including a pointed main gate, restaurants, flower gardens, Santa's office, residence, post office, gift shops, and a reindeer park. The tents and antlers used by the Laplanders for their stay are also quite interesting souvenirs. Here you can also get a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle. The Santa Claus post office offers various fairy-tale stamps, greeting cards and gifts. All letters sent from here will bear a special postmark from the Arctic Santa Claus post office. Here you can also book a letter signed by Santa Claus at the post office, which will be sent to your friends and family during Christmas, bringing them a delightful surprise. By the woods stands a reindeer park enclosed with wooden fences, home to many beautiful reindeer. In summer, they lounge lazily on the grass to rest; come winter, especially during Christmas, they work hard for Santa and travelers, pulling sleighs across the snow at full speed. This lets travelers enjoy the thrill of snowflakes brushing their faces and experience the joy and warmth of Christmas, turning scenes from holiday cards into reality.

Kemi Dog Park

Mansikkanokka Swimming Beach