In the heart of Lapland, near the small town of Rovaniemi, close to the Arctic Circle, lies the official residence of the Finnish Joulupukki (Santa Claus). Santa's Village warmly welcomes guests all year round, offering unforgettable experiences in every season.
The story of this fairy-tale place began in 1950, when Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the 32nd President of the USA, wished to meet the legendary Santa during her visit to Finland. To fulfill the esteemed guest's wish, the Finns built a wooden cottage, decorated it, and invited actors to create an atmosphere of magic. The idea was so well-received that a whole village gradually grew around the cottage, annually welcoming hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world.
What to See in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
In the village, Santa lives not alone, but with his wife and faithful helpers - the elves. Every corner of this place is imbued with the spirit of Christmas and fairy-tale charm.
Santa's House
In the heart of the village is Santa's main residence - a place where children and adults from all over the world come to meet the legendary winter wizard. The reception of guests is scheduled, so it is better to plan your visit and get tickets in advance. Admission to the residence is free, but for an additional fee (about 40 euros), professional photo and video recording of the memorable moment of meeting Santa is available. Santa himself follows his image precisely - a benevolent, white-haired old man in a red caftan, who attentively listens to each child and gives him a personal gift. This touching tradition creates a truly magical holiday atmosphere for children, to be remembered for a lifetime.
Post Office
Every year, Santa receives millions of letters from children all over the planet, in which they talk about their dreams and wishes. All these messages converge in the Lapland post office - Santa's main residence. Here, the letters are carefully sorted and studied by Santa himself and his elf helpers. Children can also send postcards and letters from this place with a unique Lapland stamp. The postcard+stamp set costs 3-5 euros.
Reindeer Farm
Santa's faithful transport - his northern reindeer. On the village farm lives a whole herd of these majestic animals, ready to set off at any moment. Here you can admire the antlered beauties up close, pet and feed them. Also offered are rides in reindeer sleighs and horseback. The farm becomes especially magical during the Northern Lights, which in Lapland are observed from August to April.
Mrs. Claus's House
Near the reindeer pen, in a cozy wooden cottage, lives the hostess of the house - Santa's wife. Together with her elf assistants, she bakes stunningly aromatic holiday treats: gingerbread, ginger cookies, Christmas stollen, and more. Little guests of the village are offered a unique opportunity to participate in the cooking process: kneading the dough, shaping figures, decorating sweets, and, of course, tasting Mrs. Claus's creations! The program lasts about 30 minutes. The entire cottage can be rented for larger events.
Husky Safari
For lovers of dog sledding, the village has a real kennel with Siberian Huskies. Here you can play with adorable fluffy puppies, observe the life of adult huskies living in conditions as close to the natural Arctic environment as possible. The main highlight of the kennel is an exciting safari - rides in real sleds pulled by dog teams. These tours last 2-3 hours and include stops for a hot lunch, tea by the fire, and the opportunity to roast sausages. The safari costs 150-200 euros per person.
Santa Park
One of the newest attractions in Rovaniemi is the large thematic entertainment park dedicated to Christmas and winter holidays. Located in a vast underground cave near Santa Claus Village, visitors arrive at the park on a special Christmas express. Here, numerous elves conduct workshops on making Christmas tree decorations, cards, and other souvenirs. The park also features the "Gingerbread Man Kitchen" attraction and the enticing aroma of cinnamon and other Christmas spices.
Moomin Troll Castle
The hallmark of Santa's winter village is the large snow castle with figures of Finland's popular animated characters - the Moomin trolls and their friends. The construction of this large-scale sculpture is undertaken by the best artisans year after year. The castle is equipped with numerous bright photo zones, slides for tubing, and a café offering hot drinks and treats. Visiting "Moomin-land" is a must for those who come to visit Santa.
World of Snowmen
If you crave active winter recreation, head to the huge area with various outdoor attractions. Guests have access to ski trails, an ice rink, tubing slides, snow mazes, as well as an ice hotel and restaurant with ice sculptures. Traditional Lapland dishes and warming hot drinks are served in the restaurant. And for the most daring adventurers, there is the opportunity to stay in an ice room, designed like an igloo - the dwelling of indigenous northern peoples.
Snowmobile Park
The vast snow-covered plains of Lapland are a paradise for fans of high-speed snowmobile rides. The park employs professional instructors who conduct masterclasses on operating this winter equipment. Special children's snowmobiles are provided for little guests, where they can safely learn the basics of driving under the careful guidance of mentors. Excursions then take participants through snow-covered fields, forests, and rivers, with stops for picnics with hot tea and snacks by the fire. In addition to riding, there is also an exhibition of vintage snowmobiles.
Kotahovi Restaurant
Visiting Lapland and not tasting the national cuisine would be an unforgivable mistake! In Santa Claus Village, there is the Kotahovi Restaurant, decorated in traditional northern style. The rich interior of the establishment with elements of the Saami people's decor (the indigenous people of Finland) is an attraction in itself. The menu mainly features dishes made from reindeer, salmon, pork, and local forest mushrooms. The restaurant accommodates up to 50 guests, so it is recommended to book a table in advance.
Santa Claus Village in Summer
Lapland is beautiful in the warm season as well! In summer, Santa's village welcomes guests without Christmas decorations, but with the same warmth and hospitality. Almost all entertainments are available, except for strictly winter ones. Numerous shops and boutiques operate.
Summer activities in Santa's village include:
- Visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Sending postcards from Lapland to relatives and friends
- Receiving a certificate of crossing the Arctic Circle
- Visiting the Roosevelt cottage, where the village's story began
- Observing reindeer and other animals, feeding them
- Riding on wheeled dog sleds
- Picking mushrooms and berries in the forest with the cleanest air
- Tasting Lapland cuisine in local restaurants
If traveling by car, be sure to visit the Syuvasenvaara Fell viewpoint, a couple of minutes' drive from the village, offering stunning views of the forests and part of Rovaniemi.
How to Get There and Where to Stay
Santa's Village is located 2 km from Rovaniemi Airport and 800 km from Helsinki. Regular buses and trains run from the capital to Rovaniemi, from where you can reach the village by bus №8 or the special Santa Express (a 15-minute journey).
The drive from Helsinki to Rovaniemi takes about 13 hours.
In Santa Claus Village, there is a wide range of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget: hostels, hotels, apartments, villas. There is also parking for campers and trailers. Recommended options include:
- Guesthouse Outa: from 90 euros/night
- Santasport Resort: 90-110 euros/night
- Arctic City Hotel: 115 euros/night
- Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi: 227 euros/night
- Villa Lapintiira: villa rental 330 euros/night
It's more economical to travel in a group – apartments for several people can be found from 90 euros.
Don't forget to connect to a service provider for uninterrupted internet access – even in the far north of Europe, you can stream and share photos and videos from the magical Santa Claus Village!