Enjoy a drink at a bar made of ice, tour one of the world’s largest snow castles and ride on an icebreaker boat in the picturesque town of Kemi. In the town’s captivating museums, learn how locals survive the winter.
Kemi is in Finnish Lapland, more than 430 miles (700 kilometers) northwest of Helsinki. The Arctic location provides stunning summer midnight suns. During winter Kemi features some of the world’s most beautiful ice architecture.
Kemi’s Snow Castle is rebuilt every winter. It covers a vast area and contains a restaurant, hotel and chapel. Enjoy a meal in unique, icy surroundings or rush down the outdoor tube slide. The exhibition center has information on the history of these snow structures and the building of the castle.
Visit the Gemstone Gallery in the town center. This old customs building houses more than 3,000 rare stones and jewelry. Admire the shimmering colors and read stories of the discovery of famous diamonds.
A short stroll away, see Kemi Lutheran Church, designed by Josef Stenbäckand completed in 1902. The tall spire and large rose window are particularly beautiful features of this Gothic creation.
The scent of the ocean is always in the air in Kemi. Spend time on the water during your trip. Visit the harbor for a trip aboard the great Sampo, an icebreaker that for years guided commercial vessels as they navigated treacherous waters. Motor gently through the fresh Arctic air and hear the spectacular sound of huge sheets of ice being torn apart. Don a survival suit to float in the freezing waters.
Fly from Helsinki to Kemi-Tornio Airport or ride a 9-hour sleeper train. Once you arrive, enjoy several pleasant hotels along with plenty of good restaurants and lively bars. Try the favorite local dish of fried reindeer and take home a thick fur from one of the town shops.
Experience an unforgettable piece of icy architecture and relax into a friendly, laid-back pace of life in Kemi.
