SnowCastle of Kemi
LumiLinna
A castle rebuilt from snow and ice every winter, with an ice hotel, restaurant and small chapel. It is often visited on a day trip together with the Sampo icebreaker.
The SnowCastle of Kemi (LumiLinna) stands in the harbour district of Kemi on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. It has been rebuilt from snow and ice every winter since 1996, with a different theme and design each year. Inside are an ice sculpture gallery, a snow-and-ice restaurant, an ice bar, a small snow chapel where weddings can be held, and ice hotel rooms kept at around -5°C. The season runs from late January to early April, and tickets cost about €20. Snow-house accommodation must be booked in advance and includes warm sleeping bags. The castle is about 110 km from Rovaniemi, roughly 1.5 hours by car or train, and is usually arranged as a day trip together with the nearby Sampo icebreaker. Opening and operating dates vary each year, so check the official website.
Opening hours
Winter about 10:00–18:00 (opening period varies by year)
Nearby sights
- Sampo Icebreaker, Kemi
- Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
- Korundi House of Culture
- Aalto Centre (Town Hall, Library & Lappia Hall)
- Rovaniemi Church
- Pilke Science Centre
- Arktikum
- Lordi's Square & City Centre