The road Simo-Vardo takes you
from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Ocean
Simo-Vardø - E-75
Use this map to navigate along the roads from Simo to Vardø
Simo
The road Simo-Vardo starts at the small Simo municipality on the south-western border of Finnish Lapland. The road ends at Vardo on the Arctic ocean in Norwegian Lapland. Did you, by the way, know that the E75 starts at the island Crete in Greece?
Read more about Simo and the Simo river
Kemi and Keminmaa
The Gemstone Gallery at Kemi is our next stop. It contains more than 3000 remarkable stones and jewellery from all over the world. They even have the regalia of the first and last king of Finland. Read about the Kemi Gemstone Gallery.
From Kemi and Tornio you can also access the Bay of Bothnia national park which is located in the archipelago outside these two cities.
Read more about Kemi and Keminmaa.
Side trip to Torino and Haparanda
From the E-8/E-75 crossroads at Keminmaa you can go to Tornio and Haparanda on the E-8. See map. The E-8 goes through the Torne river valley through Kilpisjarvi and further on to Tromso in Norway.
Tervola
At Tervola the old church is an attraction.
Rovaniemi
is the administrativ centre of Finnish Lapland. Here is the famous museum and science centre called Arktikum and the Rovaniemi Church where Lapp elements are used in Biblical stories in wall paintings and altar piece.
Just about 10 kilometres north of Rovaniemi you will cross the Arctic Circle and see the famous Santa Claus village with the Santa Claus post office and gift shops, to mention some of the features of the village.
At Norvajarvi the Germans have built a large memorial in commemoration of their fallen soldiers during World War II. Se map.
Read more about Rovaniemi.
Side trip to Kittila and Levi
From Rovaniemi you may want to go to Kittila and the large ski resort at Levi on road 79.
Sodankyla
At Sodankyla, still on the Simo-Vardo road, there is the Alariesto Gallery containing the works of an extraordinary Lapland artist, Andreas Alariesto. You can also see the aurora borealis at the Aurora House
Side trip to Kittila and Levi
From Sodankyla you may want to go to Kittila and the large ski resort at Levi on road 80. See map.
Side trip from Torvinen to Pyha-Luosto
What about picking your own gem stones? Your own amethyst? If so, take to the right at Torvinen down to the amethyst mine and even the Pyha-Luosto National Park
About 40 km north of Sodankyla we find the Ilmakki-aapa petland protection area with access to a bird watching tower.
Read more about Sodankyla.
Inari
Inari is a Sami municipality. A modern Sami museum is situated on the shore of the reknowned Lake Inari.
A visit to the Pielpajarvi wilderness church is worthwhile.
Read more about Inari.
Alternative route to Varanger national tourist road
From Kaamanen you may go on road 971 through Sevettijarvi to Neiden on the Norwegian side. From there just follow the E-6 to Varangerbotn where you get on to the E-75 again. See map.
