How to Plan the Best Santa Claus Village Itinerary

Rovaniemi is the official home of Santa Claus and, in my opinion, the best winter wonderland you can visit. The Christmas spirit is everywhere here. You can meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle Line, see the aurora borealis, and explore some of the most beautiful places in Lapland. It is truly a unique experience and really feels like you’re inside a holiday movie. In this guide, I’ll show you how to plan the best Santa Claus Village itinerary, including when to visit and my top tips to make your Lapland trip unforgettable.

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Unique Experiences to Book in and around Santa Claus Village

Table of Contents

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What Makes Santa Claus Village So Magical?

When I visited Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, it felt like I was inside a Christmas movie. The place is full of joy and excitement from the moment you arrive, a truly magical experience! I think this is a great place and overall destination for families, couples, or anyone who still wants to feel a bit of Christmas magic.

If you’re planning a Santa Claus Village itinerary, this is where you should start. You can visit Santa’s Post Office and send a letter with the official Arctic Circle stamp, or take a reindeer ride through the snowy landscape.

Even if it’s your first time here, you’ll feel the warmth and charm of the place right away. The combination of holiday spirit and Arctic adventure makes Santa Claus Village a destination you’ll always remember.

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Best Experiences to Include in Your Santa Claus Village Itinerary

Now that you’re here, it’s time to explore the best things to do in Santa Claus Holiday Village, the official North Pole of Finland! From snowy adventures to fun outdoor activities and meeting Santa himself, these are the experiences that make a Lapland itinerary so much fun.

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Meet Santa Claus in Person

Santa Claus Village Itinerary. Lapland Finland — Santa Claus Village, Finland

If it’s your first time in the capital of Lapland, visiting the Office of Santa Claus is something you absolutely have to do. This is the heart of the village, where you can meet Father Christmas himself! It’s one of the best places to start your visit because it truly captures the magic of the North.

Santa Claus office is inside the main building of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Meeting Santa is free, but if you want a photo or video of your visit, there’s an additional cost. The photographers do a great job, and the photos are a nice souvenir. I recommend going early in the day, right after you arrive, because the lines get longer later, especially in December.

Visit Santa’s Official Post Office

This is one of the most charming stops in the Village. Inside the red-and-white post office, you can sit down and write postcards straight from the Arctic Circle. How special is that? The Postal Elves will mail them anywhere in the world, and each letter gets the official Arctic Circle postmark. It’s a great souvenir to take home.

There’s also a little secret: if you drop your mail into the red post box, it’ll be held and sent out just before Christmas, even if you visit in summer! You can also order an official Santa Claus Letter, personally sent by Santa himself, before the holidays.

The shop is open all year and sells cards, stamps, and small gifts. It’s such a fun and heartwarming stop. This was actually the first thing I did on my Santa Claus Village Itinerary.

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Cross the Arctic Circle Line

One of the most exciting moments is crossing the Arctic Circle Line, the invisible boundary marking your entry into the Arctic! The line is clearly marked on the ground, so you can take photos as you step into the Arctic. You can also stop by the main office to get an official certificate for a small fee. It’s a nice souvenir from your time in Lapland.

Meet the Reindeer & Go on a Safari

Meeting reindeer is a must in Lapland. At a local reindeer farm, you can learn about their role in Sami culture and daily life in the Arctic. They also offer classic reindeer sleigh rides through the snowy forest. It’s peaceful and feels like a scene from a Christmas story. The ride lasts about 30 minutes, and you get a reindeer driving license as a souvenir.

Go Husky Sledding

Dog sledding is one of the best adventures in Lapland. Join one of the local husky safaris and glide through snowy forest trails. I rode in a pair: one of us drives the sled while the other sits and enjoys the view, and you can switch halfway. The huskies are energetic and love to run. Most tours last about 2.5 hours and include warm drinks and time to meet the dogs. I recommend this if you want a real Arctic experience.

Visit Snowman World

If you want a place for family fun, Snowman World in Santa Claus Village is a good choice. It’s a winter park with activities like ice skating, sledding, and exploring snow structures. After a day in the snow, you can also visit the Snowman World Ice Disco. This is a unique experience and always a great time.

Go on a Snowmobile Adventure

If you want to try something exciting, I really recommend riding a snowmobile through the snowy forests of Lapland. Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park is a family-run company based in Santa Claus Village. They’ve been around since 1999 and offer all kinds of safaris for individuals, families, or small groups. You can pick a short ride or go for a longer adventure that takes you deep into the Arctic wilderness.

The guides were super friendly and made everything feel easy and safe, even if you’ve never tried snowmobiling before. You can go on an evening tour to chase the Northern Lights, or pick a daytime ride through the forest with amazing snowy views. This is one of those activities that will make your trip to Finnish Lapland really special.

Explore SantaPark Arctic World

SantaPark Arctic World is just a few minutes away from Santa Claus Village, and it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Rovaniemi. The whole theme park is underground, so it really feels like you’re stepping into a Christmas fairytale. You’ll walk through tunnels decorated with twinkling lights and festive music.

You can also join elves for workshops at elf school, decorate cookies, and attend fun shows for kids. There’s also an ice gallery, a Magic Train ride, and you can meet Santa again in his cozy cave office. This is a great way to warm up and enjoy a few magical hours indoors, especially after spending time outside in the snow.

Enjoy a Cozy Lunch by the Fire

After a morning of snowy activities, I stopped for a meal inside one of the traditional teepee-style restaurants. They serve salmon cooked over an open fire, along with soups, pastries, and warm drinks to help you warm up. I really enjoyed this authentic and cozy Lapland experience!

Top tip: These teepees are small and fill up fast. There is usually a long line, especially around lunchtime. If you don’t want to wait, come early when they open for lunch to get a spot by the fire and enjoy your meal in peace.

Go Shopping at Santa’s Village Shops

I couldn’t resist browsing the cute shops around the Village. It’s the perfect place to pick up Christmas ornaments and festive gifts. You’ll find wool socks, reindeer souvenirs, and handmade crafts that make nice keepsakes. I bought a few ornaments to hang on my tree back home as a reminder of my time in Lapland’s North Pole.

Chase the Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights was one of the most magical parts of my trip. You can join one of the Northern Lights tours that leave right from Santa Claus Village, usually in a small group with a local guide who knows the best viewing spots. They take you away from the city lights and help you take photos if the sky is clear.

Top tip: check the aurora forecast and book early in your stay. Sometimes you need a little luck (and patience!) to catch them dancing across the Arctic sky.

Stay Overnight in a Glass Igloo

Spending the night in one of Lapland’s glass igloos was such a dream experience. Imagine lying in bed, watching the snow fall, or even spotting the Northern Lights, right through the clear roof above you.

There are a few places near Santa Claus Village, like the Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos and Apukka Resort, both offering cozy glass igloos and Arctic-style hospitality. It is a splurge, but waking up surrounded by snow and Arctic light is a unique experience.

Relax at an Arctic Sauna or Jacuzzi

After a full day in the snow, relaxing in a warm Arctic sauna or jacuzzi was my favorite way to end the day, especially with the cold air and snow around you. Many hotels and resorts near Santa Claus Village have saunas or outdoor hot tubs, and sitting there with a view of the snowy trees is a nice experience. I enjoyed ending my day this way.

Try Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake

If you want to try a real Arctic activity, go ice fishing! You go out onto a frozen lake with a local guide who shows you how to drill a hole in the ice, bait your line, and wait for a catch. It’s peaceful, just you, the snow, and the quiet Lapland landscape. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s such a fun way to experience winter life in the Arctic.

Tips/ things to know before visiting Santa Claus Village

Where Is Santa Claus Village Located and How to Get There?

Santa Claus Village is located in the city of Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. It’s only about 8 km from the city center and sits right next to the airport. You can even see the runway from the village. Getting here is very easy, and you have a few options depending on your budget and schedule.

By Plane

The fastest way to get here is to fly straight to Rovaniemi Airport. There are direct flights from Helsinki all year, and the flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Once you land, it’s just a quick 5–10 minute drive to Santa Claus Village. If you have a few days in Finland, you can also explore Helsinki first before heading north to Rovaniemi.

By Train

If you want a slower and more scenic trip, you can take the overnight train from Helsinki Central Station to Rovaniemi Train Station. The journey takes about 8–10 hours and is a comfortable way to see the Finnish countryside. I recommend booking a sleeper cabin for extra comfort.

By Bus

Another option is taking a long-distance bus from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The trip takes about 11 to 12 hours, but it’s usually the cheapest way to travel. You’ll get to see Finland’s peaceful landscapes along the way.

How to get around Lapland?

The easiest way to get around Lapland is by rental car. Everything is pretty spread out, and public transportation isn’t very convenient, especially in winter when schedules are limited. With a car, you can explore at your own pace, visit small villages, and stop for scenic views whenever you want.

Daylight Hours in Lapland

Depending on the day of the year, daylight in Lapland can change a lot. In December and January, you only get about 3–6 hours of daylight. Around December 21, during the Polar Night, the sun doesn’t rise at all. But even then, you’ll see a few hours of soft blue light that makes everything look magical and adds to the cozy winter vibe.

Best time to visit?

For the ultimate experience, the best time to visit is from late November through March, when the village is covered in snow and looks like a real-life holiday postcard.

December – March (peak season)

This is the best time to visit Finland, especially if you want to experience the holiday season. The snow is perfect, the northern lights are at their best, and the whole place feels like a winter wonderland. You can go skiing, sledding, or try to catch the auroras. Temperatures can drop to -30°C, so make sure to pack warm clothes and sturdy snow boots to stay cozy.

April – June

As the days get warmer and sunnier, the nights are still cold, but this is a great time to see the northern lights under clear skies. This is a quieter season, and it’s a peaceful time to explore Finland’s snowy landscapes before the snow melts.

July – August

Summer in Lapland is mild, with average temperatures around 17°C. It’s perfect for outdoor adventures like canoeing, hiking, and sea kayaking. In June and early July, you get almost 24 hours of daylight because of the midnight sun, so you can explore as much as you want.

How Long Do You Need in Santa Claus Village?

You can easily visit Santa Claus Village as a day trip, especially since it’s so close to the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi. Most of the main attractions, like meeting Santa, crossing the Arctic Circle, and visiting the reindeer farm, can be done in one day. If you want to try more outdoor activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling, or chasing the Northern Lights, I recommend staying a few days. Spending at least two nights lets you explore at a relaxed pace and really enjoy the Arctic atmosphere.

How many days do you need in Lapland?

7–10 DAYS: Lapland is a winter wonderland that’s best enjoyed slowly. With a week or more, you’ll have time to visit Santa Claus Village, look for the Northern Lights, and join reindeer or husky safaris. You can also try snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, and snowboarding. When you want to relax, spend a night in a glass igloo or ice hotel, and warm up in a cozy Finnish sauna.

Finland’s winters can get very cold, sometimes dropping to -30°C. To enjoy your trip, you need to pack the right clothes and be ready for the weather. The best way to stay warm is by layering. It’s always better to wear an extra layer you can take off if you get too hot than to not have enough when it’s freezing.

What to wear in Lapland?

Santa Calus Village itinerary, Lapland Finland

Finland gets very cold in the winter, with temperatures that can drop to -30°C. To enjoy your trip, it’s important to pack warm clothes and be ready for the cold. The best way to stay comfortable is by layering. It’s always better to wear an extra layer you can take off if you get too hot than to not have enough when it’s freezing.

PACKING ESSENTIALS: What to wear to stay warm and comfortable during our trip:

5 layers: A base layer, a mid-fleece layer, a sweater, a heated vest, and a heavy winter jacket.
2 pairs of wool socks (or heated socks for extra warmth).
Insulated gloves or a base layer of gloves paired with mittens (heated mittens are great for added warmth).
A wool or fleece scarf to protect your neck and face from the chilly winds.
A beanie hat at all times—make sure it covers your ears to keep warmth in.
Waterproof insulated boots or moon boots are the best option for keeping your feet warm and dry. Moon Boots were a lifesaver for me. They’re extremely warm and reliable, and I saw a lot of other people wearing them too.

If you’re taking part in any outdoor activities, you’ll be provided with all the necessary gear to protect you from the cold.

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Travels with MR

Growing up between Europe and New York, I was always drawn to new places and how they made me feel. After visiting over 25 countries, that love has only grown. I enjoy finding great places to visit, stay, and eat—and I’m someone who really loves planning and staying organized. Through this blog and on Instagram, I share my travel tips, personal experiences, and ready-to-go itineraries to help you plan memorable trips.

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