Kemi, a town located by the Bothnian Bay in Finnish Lapland, is a treasure trove of natural beauty. In winter, Kemi transforms into a wonderland of snowy landscapes, offering visitors the chance to witness the magical Northern Lights. Summertime in Kemi is perfect for relaxing on the town’s beaches or taking scenic walks along the coastline. Come autumn, Kemi’s nature transforms into a vivid tapestry of yellows, oranges and reds – a phenomenon the Finnish call ruska.

Direct flights to Kemi

Finnair flies directly from Helsinki to Kemi multiple days a week and the flight time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. The Kemi-Tornio Airport is located about 6.5 km from Kemi and you can reach the town by taxi in approximately 10 minutes. By bus, the journey takes about half an hour. Book flights to Kemi and experience the charm of Lapland’s nature! 

Sights and activities in Kemi

SnowCastle – when in Kemi, the SnowCastle is a must-see. The main attraction is the exhibition room SnowExperience365, where snow can be enjoyed all year round. Walk on snowy floors, admire beautiful ice sculptures, go down the ice slide or relax at the ice bar. Once you’re done exploring the exhibition room, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the SnowCastle’s restaurant, which offers seasonal menus and scenic sea views. If you wish to stay overnight, you can book accommodation at one of the beautiful Seaside Glass Villas.

Inner harbour – enjoy a scenic walk on the waterfront boulevard, which locals affectionately refer to as their ‘living room’. In the inner harbour area, you can take a dip in the sea and enjoy a warm sauna at the Satamakonttori facilities at any time of the year. If you’re feeling hungry, stop by the Sataman Krouwi restaurant.

Icebreaker Sampo Cruise – in wintertime, you can explore the frozen Bothnian Bay with a cruise on the retired icebreaker Sampo. You will be given a tour of the icebreaker and if you dare, you can even put on a special suit and participate in the ice-floating experience on the sea.

Bothnian Bay National Park – the national park consists of the outer archipelago and skerries of Kemi and Tornio, where fishermen used to live for centuries. Now, the park takes you on a serene nature exploration. While many islands of the national park are small and difficult to access, the short nature trails of the islands of Selkä-Sarvi and Pensaskari allow you to marvel at the local birds and plants. You can access the park on taxi boats and cruise liners.

Winter activities – Kemi offers a wide array of exciting winter sports and activities. Enjoy skiing on the city’s public skiing trails or glide down the slopes of the nearby Kalli Ski Resort. Discover the uniquely northern experiences of going on a husky safari and visiting a reindeer farm or try out snowmobiling, ice fishing or snowshoeing.

Nature trails – if you enjoy hiking, Kemi’s nature trails are sure to impress. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy picturesque views of the beautiful bogs, magnificent forests and scenic coastline.

Beaches – in the summertime, you can relax at Kemi’s beaches. Mansikkanokka beach is a wide sandy beach with shallow water, great for swimming and sunbathing. In the southern part of the town, you will find Paavonkari beach. If you prefer swimming in a lake, Takajärvi, Kemi’s only inland beach, is the choice for you.  

Museums – there are plenty of museums in Kemi. Marvel at modern art of Lapland at Kemi Art Museum, meet familiar cartoon characters at the Comics Collection exhibition or learn about Kemi’s history at the Kemi Historical Museum. 

Things to see and do near Kemi

Rovaniemi – you can reach Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kemi by train or car. Visit the Santa Claus Village for a chance to meet the beloved Christmas character or head to science centre and museum Arktikum to learn about northern history, nature and cultures.

Country border in Tornio – at Kemi’s neighbouring city, Tornio, you have the chance to cross the Finland-Sweden border and step into another time zone. The border is primarily situated in a river, so you can use a walking bridge to cross the border. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also cross the border on a fishing raft or in the wintertime, by snowmobiling or skiing across the border.

Ranua Wildlife Park – if you would like the chance to see a polar bear, reindeer and other northern animal species in real life, Ranua Wildlife Park is the place for you. It is most convenient to reach the wildlife park from Kemi by a car ride, which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.  

Practical information about Kemi

Currency – Euro (€).  

Electricity – 230 volts and type C plug, in other words, the two-wire plug with round pins is what you need to have with you.

Payment – cards are accepted in most places.  

Tips – not a must as service charges and VAT are included in the bill at restaurants and hotels, but you can leave extra if you wish.

Time zone – UTC/GMT +2.

Climate – subarctic climate, mild in summer (average temperature usually ranging from a low of 8°C to a high of 19°C) and cold in winter (average temperature usually ranging from a low of -15°C to a high of -3°C).