How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Santa Claus Village in Finland
If you’re looking for something unique and magical to experience this Christmas, Santa Claus Village in Finland is the perfect destination for you.
Situated right on the Arctic Circle, just outside Rovaniemi, the capital of the Finnish Lapland and the official hometown of Santa Claus, the village is a whimsical and family-friendly spot.
In this travel guide, you’ll find tips for exploring Santa Claus Village, including the best activities and attractions, as well as more practical tips for planning an unforgettable trip.
The Best Time to go
Despite what its name implies, Santa Claus Village is open all year round. If you want to get the magical Christmasy experience, I’d recommend visiting when snow is falling (November-April).
Of course, December seems like the obvious choice, because it’s Christmastime – so it must be the best time to visit, right? But I don’t think that Santa Claus Village loses any of its magical Christmas atmosphere when it isn’t the ‘season’. And there are definite downsides to visiting right around Christmas.
The closer you visit to Christmas, the more crowded the place will be. So if you want to avoid crowds, plan your trip at least a few weeks earlier or later. I’d recommend anytime from late January to March for the perfect visit.
If you want to avoid crowds altogether, going in the off season from May to October could be your jam. But since many of the activities require snow, you might not get as much from your trip during these months. Of course, there are still lots of activities during the warmer months, just not as many.
If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, plan your trip sometime between late August and early April.
The evenings are also busier than the mornings, so consider planning your visit at around 9 or 10am.
Where to Stay
Where you choose to stay on your trip depends on whether you want to spend a few days in Santa Claus Village or want to explore Rovaniemi and the surrounding Lapland as well.
On our trip, we stayed in Rovaniemi, but I definitely see the benefit of staying right in Santa Claus Village, especially if you really want to immerse yourself in that Christmas vibe.
Not only will you have easy access to the village at its less busy times, but you also won’t miss out on any activities while you’re there. Most tours and activities are available from Santa Claus Village. You might even have a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights, because it’s away from the city, where light pollution makes it difficult to see on most days.
It is a bit pricier than staying in Rovaniemi though, so take that into consideration when planning.
Where to Stay in Santa Claus Village
- Santa Claus Holiday Village: Cute cozy cabins and suite apartments
- Santa’s Luxury Boutique Villa: A gorgeous villa nearby Santa’s Office, but not in an area flooded with tourists.
- Nova Skyland Hotels: Beautiful modern apartments situated 200 m from Santa Claus Village.
- Capsule Hotel Ibedcity: A budget-friendly hotel with shared facilities including a sauna, just 1.5km from Santa Claus Village. They also have fully equipped RVs for a unique experience.
Where to Stay in Rovaniemi
- Santa’s Holiday Homes: Simple but homey apartments in the heart of Rovaniemi.
- Apukka Resort Rovaniemi: A glass igloo hotel just outside Rovaniemi.
- Arctic Snowhotel and Glass Igloos: An ice hotel and glass igloos near Rovaniemi.
- Hostel Tikka: A budget-friendly, self-service option that is situated in the outskirts of Rovaniemi.
How to Get There
Santa Claus Village is located about 8km from Rovaniemi, the capital of the Finnish lapland. To get there, you’ll need to fly to Rovaniemi Airport.
We had a layover in Helsinki. This is normal, but there are quite a few big European cities with direct flights, including London, Paris, Amsterdam and Vienna.
After you’ve landed at Rovaniemi Airport, you’ll have several options to travel to Santa Claus Village:
By Car
At the airport, you’ll be able to rent a car. Make sure to book one ahead of time if you plan on doing so, to guarantee availability.
From there, get onto the highway E4 and follow the road signs. Just keep your eyes open, you won’t miss it.
By Bus
The Airport Express Bus runs to both Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi City Centre. Check the schedule ahead of time to ensure that the bus is running when you land.
But don’t worry, you can just buy a ticket from the bus driver directly. Tickets cost 8€, so this is one of the cheaper options.
By Taxi
Rovaniemi has multiple taxi services. You’ll find cards with taxi numbers, which you can call right at the airport.
But I much prefer booking taxis via apps, which offer not only fixed rates, but also secure payment without needing to have cash on hand. Download the Taksi Rovaniemi app and the Menevä app before your trip for a quick trip from the airport directly to your accommodation.
On Foot
I know this sounds a bit crazy, but you can absolutely walk to Santa Claus Village from the airport. It takes just over 30 minutes, so it’s a great option if you’re used to walking a lot and aren’t carrying a ton of luggage.
Of course, if you’re visiting during winter I wouldn’t recommend this, but during the milder seasons it’s actually a great way to see some of the beautiful scenery.
OR: Take the Train to Rovaniemi
As an alternative (if you’re already in Helsinki), you can take the train. The Santa Claus Express Train is a night train that takes a scenic route from the capital city to the stunning Lapland. Book tickets here.
Where to Eat
Activities in Santa Claus Village
1. Meet Santa Claus
Of course, the main thing you can do at Santa Claus Village is to meet the man himself. And no, it’s not just for kids!
As you would expect, Santa is suuuper nice and his elves will also be there to make your visit that much more special. It’s kind of like Disneyland, except more unique and a bit less commercialised.
And the best part? Admission to Santa’s Office and the Christmas House is free of charge.
Because it’s Santa’s home, he’s there 365 days a year! And I promise, the magic of Christmas isn’t lost if you’re visiting Finland outside the holiday season.
Obviously, Santa also needs a break sometimes, so he’s not there 24/7. Check out his schedule on the official website to ensure he’ll be there when you visit.
2. Cross the Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is a line that represents the northernmost circle of the world. Everywhere inside the circle, two phenomena take place: the Midnight Sun (where the sun doesn’t set for 24 hours) and the opposite – the Polar Night.
Lucky for you, the Arctic Circle runs right through the heart of Santa Claus Village. You know those photos of people with two feet on either side of a border between two countries? This is kind of like that. It’s a perfect photo op!
On top of that, you can even get a certificate to show that you’ve entered the Arctic Circle.
3. Ride a Reindeer Sleigh
During spring and winter, you can visit Santa’s reindeer right in the village.
Riding a reindeer sleigh should definitely be on your itinerary! There’s something about it that made me feel like I was in a movie.
Alternatively, there is a reindeer farm about 20 km from Santa Claus Village, which you can also visit on your trip. The reindeer safari to this farm takes you straight from the village to see the beautiful reindeer.
4. Go on a Husky Sled Ride
Right next to Santa Claus Village, you’ll find the Arctic Circle Husky Park, which is home to more than 100 huskies.
Not only do they offer husky sled rides, but you can also do a meet-and-greet or a ‘hugging’ experience, in which you get to pet the dogs.
You can book activities on the official website, but you can also buy tickets when you get there. During winter, I’d suggest booking ahead of time, but it usually isn’t as busy during the warmer months, so it probably won’t be necessary then.
5. Stroll Around the Village
Santa Claus Village itself has a lot to explore! Besides the activities, you’ll find lots of little gems all around the park.
From the giant snowman to the massive selection of souvenir shops, you’re sure to find something to do. Next to the main square, you’ll also find a huge thermometer, which makes for a great photo to document your visit.
Santa Village is the perfect place to find souvenirs for loved ones back home, because there are charming shops all over. Though there are many mass-produced items, you’ll also find some beautiful handcrafted things.
6. Enjoy some Local Food
One of my favourite things to do wherever I travel is trying local foods. Some must-try foods I’d recommend in Finland are hot blueberry juice, creamy salmon soup, and braised reindeer.
Santa Claus Village is home to some fantastic restaurants. But I’d also suggest finding restaurants in Rovaniemi, as these are generally less commercialised and more affordable.
The Café of Mrs Claus is Christmas-themed, so it’s a must-visit spot when you’re in a Christmas-themed park. Alternatively, for a really unique experience, visit the Snowman World Restaurant, which is made entirely of ice!
7. Send postcards from the Main Post Office
While wandering around the village, visit the Main Post Office. From here, you can write and send postcards to loved ones all over the world!
Each postcard is stamped with the official Arctic Circle postmark and sent to its destination by Santa’s Elves.
Fun fact: The post office isn’t just there for decor and tourists – it operates like a normal post office, so you can even drop off packages here to be sent somewhere else.
8. See the Northern Lights
Seeing the Northern Lights is probably on 99% of people’s bucket list. It’s one of the most magical things I’ve ever experienced.
Unfortunately, the Aurora is usually not visible from Rovaniemi, due to light pollution. So you’ll have to travel out of the city a bit to find a place to see them. Santa Claus Village, however, is isolated enough that you can see the Northern Lights at the right time of year.
The best time to visit if you dream of seeing the lights dance across the sky is between September and April. Usually, they are strongest in September to October and mid-March.
The best way to see the Aurora Borealis is by going on an excursion, offered at Santa Village or by external tourism companies. We found our tour on Get Your Guide, and we got lucky enough to see the lights on our first try.
According to our guide, many tourists visit Lapland in the hopes of seeing the Northern Lights, but because it depends on so many factors, like light pollution, cloud cover, phases of the moon, and, not least of all, luck, many of them end up disappointed. Luckily, many companies offer a compensatory second excursion in case you don’t see them on your first try, so keep an eye out for that when booking.
9. Visit the Elf’s Farm Yard
Elf’s Farm Yard is exactly what the name suggests – it’s a little farm on which you can meet lots of different animals in the middle of the forest.
From alpacas and reindeer to goats and bunnies, it’s a great spot to visit with kids. Here you can not only see the animals, but pet and feed them, too.
On top of that, they also offer activities. You can try traditional cross-country skiing, or you can go hiking with the alpacas or reindeer.
For a full list of activities with pricing, and to book your experience, visit the official website.
10. Ride a snowmobile
One of the first things you’ll see when you enter Santa Village is the snowmobile park. From here, you can take go on a snowmobile safari, which is a fantastic way of seeing the stunning scenery in an adventurous way.
Don’t worry, there’ll be an experienced guide to show you how to drive.
Keep in mind, if you want to try this experience, you’ll need a valid, English driver’s license (class B). If you or someone in your group doesn’t have a license, you can sit as a passenger on a sled behind the guide. Make sure you clear this up when you make your booking, as refunds aren’t issued for this reason.
To book your tour and to see all the available activities with pricing, visit the official website.
Other Things to Do Nearby
1. Visit the Snow Sauna
The Arctic Snow Hotel, situated about 35km from Santa Claus Village, is a great place to experience the beloved Finnish sauna.
The spa package enables you to visit not only the sauna, but also the outdoor jacuzzi, which is surrounded by the magical forest of Finnish Lapland.
This experience is offered with transfers to and from the village between 15 December and 31 March.
Of course, there are also other activities available, including staying in an ice hotel or a glass igloo.
Visit the Arctic Snow Hotel’s official website for more information on activities and to book your trip.
2. See the Sukulanrakka Giant’s Kettles
The Sukulanrakka Giant’s Kettles are glacial potholes found in the Finish Lapland. They’re situated about 30 km south of Santa Village, so it makes for the perfect day trip.
Unlike most of the activities on this list, this is definitely not a winter activity. During winter, the potholes are very difficult to access, so it’s not recomended.
But during the warmer months, when there is no snow or ice, it’s a great day trip perfect for nature lovers – go hiking and find all the Giant’s Kettles in the forest.
3. Spend some time at the Auttiköngäs waterfall and nature trail
Auttiköngäs is one of Finland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Another great experience for nature lovers, it is situated about an hour from Santa Claus Village.
Here, you can hike along the rocky trail and see the 16-metre tall waterfall. During winter, you can still visit the area on snowshoes, so it’s not limited to a particular season.
Although the best way to get there is by driving, you don’t need to hire a car to visit Auttiköngäs. There are many day trips available with transfers from Rovaniemi, so check Get Your Guide or Viator for available tours.
4. Visit Ranua Wildlife Park
Ranua Wildlife Park is a fantastic family day trip from Santa Claus Village. It’s basically a zoo for animals that live in the Finnish lapland.
It is home to many animal species unique to Arctic areas, including the arctic fox. You can also see wolves, wolverines, and even a polar bear (the only one in Finland!).
The park has feedings you can watch and public talks about the animals by experts.
There are many day trips available from Santa Village and Rovaniemi, or you can drive there yourself. For more specific information and to book your tickets, check the official website.
5. Visit the Arktikum Science Center
If you’re interested in science and history, the Arktikum Science Center is the place for you! It’s situated in Rovaniemi, so it’s really easy to get there.
The exhibitions explore the science of phenomena unique to the Arctic, as well as the traditional ways of the Finnish people.
The museum constantly has temporary exhibitions on many different topics, from history to geography.
To check which exhibitions are available and to book your tickets, visit the website.
Other Tips for Visiting
- If you’re visiting during winter, dress in layers! You’ll most likely spend lots of time outside, but once you’re inside, you’ll probably be way too hot.
- Pack a powerbank! Keep in mind that batteries drain more quickly in cold weather, so this will definitely come in handy.
- Buy food at a grocery store in Rovaniemi to avoid spending an absurd amount of money on food.
