A Finnish city where Santa Claus resides year-round. Home to the Arktikum museum, wooden buildings, and the Midnight Sun Film Festival in summer.
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, sits on the Arctic Circle. This northern city welcomes visitors with its Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa any day of the year. Watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky, go dog sledding with huskies, or explore Arctic wildlife at the Arktikum Science Museum. Taste local dishes like reindeer meat and cloudberries while experiencing the magic of the Arctic.
Santa Claus Village
Santa Claus Village lies 8 km north of Rovaniemi and opens daily. Meet Santa Claus, send postcards from the Arctic Circle post office, and step across the Arctic Circle line marked in the village square. Feed and pet reindeer, or take a reindeer-pulled sleigh ride through the snow-covered landscape in winter.
Viewing the Northern Lights
Rovaniemi's location near the Arctic Circle allows for Aurora Borealis viewing. Spot the Northern Lights from late August to early April when nights are dark enough. Take guided tours away from city lights to increase your chances of seeing this natural phenomenon. Some accommodations, like glass igloos and aurora cabins, give you a clear view of the night sky.
Winter Activities
Rovaniemi buzzes with winter activities. Go dog sledding with huskies, snowmobile through forests, or try ice fishing on frozen lakes. Ski and snowshoe at the nearby Ounasvaara Ski Resort. For a different experience, try ice floating - lie in a frozen lake wearing a protective suit, gazing up at the stars or Northern Lights.
Arktikum Science Museum
The Arktikum Science Museum and Arctic Science Centre features a long glass tube structure extending towards the Ounasjoki river. Explore exhibits about the nature, culture, and history of the Arctic region. Learn about the Northern Lights, Sami culture, and life in the Arctic.
Local Food
Rovaniemi's restaurants serve traditional Lappish cuisine and international dishes. Try reindeer meat, which is lean and often comes as steaks, in stews, or dried. Taste fire-roasted salmon, cooked on planks around an open fire. For dessert, sample cloudberries, a tart Arctic berry often made into jams or served with cream.
Getting There
Fly into Rovaniemi Airport, 10 km north of the city center, with several daily flights from Helsinki. The flight takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Alternatively, take a train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, with the journey lasting about 9 hours. In Rovaniemi, use local buses to reach Santa Claus Village and other attractions from the city center.
