【Winter Exclusive】Kemi SnowCastle in Finland

Text & Photos: E Cat (some images courtesy of the official website)

Visiting a snow castle in winter is practically a must-do when traveling to Northern Europe. I remember during my last trip to Finland, after exploring Santa Claus Village, I drove for 3 hours to reach the port town of Kemi, where I encountered a uniquely charming snow castle.

The Kemi SnowCastle is located near Kemi Bay and is only open to the public from late January to mid-April each year. The ice sculptures inside are hand-carved by Finnish master artisans over several months, featuring vivid and intricate designs that leave a lasting impression. The snow castle is mainly divided into five sections: the Ice Sculpture Exhibition Hall (with about 4–6 themed exhibitions each year), the Chapel Area, the Ice Fun Zone, the Dining Area, and the Hotel Area. All rooms and facilities are custom-designed by Finnish designers based on current news, cartoons, or mythological themes of the year, ensuring a unique experience no matter when you visit.

 “Angry Birds,” designed by Finns, receives support from the snow castle for local creativity,
so there’s an ice-sculpted Angry Birds room every year.

While the themes of the snow castle carvings change annually, they are generally inspired by mythological stories.

 
The Dining Area serves authentic Finnish cuisine (reservations required), such as rich salmon soup paired with chicken risotto—absolutely delicious.

Travel Information
Kemi SnowCastle (The SnowCastle of Kemi)
Admission: Adults £15 (approx. HK$127), Children £7.5 (ages 4–11, approx. HK$64)
Address: Kauppakatu 29, 94100 Kemi, Finland
Inquiries:www.visitkemi.fi/en/snowcastle