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Welcome to Lapland
Sleigh bells ringing in snow laden forests, reindeer frolicking in the glistening snow; Finnish Lapland is all this and so much more. It’s a place to fulfil all your snow-filled fantasies while giving your children a magical adventure that will stay with them throughout their lives. A chance to discover the best Santa experiences in Finnish Lapland and revel in the enchanted atmosphere is likely to top most children’s wish lists and maybe even some adults too!
Reindeer in a snowy Lapland forest. istock.com/wmaster890
Because this once-in-a-lifetime trip does not come cheap and there are so many similar holidays on the market, you’ll want to be certain to plan the perfect magical getaway and choose the right option for your family. Where exactly should you start in planning such a magical adventure? There are many choices to make but the most important ones are what kind of an experience are you after and where your base should be. So here are the best Santa experiences in Finnish Lapland.
Snowy forest istock.com/Alexandrite
Getting to Lapland
There are numerous flights to Rovaniemi from London Gatwick or alternatively you can fly to Helsinki and take a domestic flight from there. Train travel is also an option from Helsinki with both day and overnight sleeper services available.
You can hire a car at the airport for a self-drive holiday. However, if you are unsure about driving in the snow, buses and taxis can take you directly to Santa Claus Village. If you prefer local transport, the number 8 bus goes from Santa Claus Village to Rovaniemi centre and the railway station. There is also the special Santa’s Express bus that connects the airport, Santa Clause Village and the city centre.
Where To Go
The Santa Claus Village you are most likely to hear about is located just outside of Rovaniemi. Chances are you will be flying into Rovaniemi and you will have to decide whether you want to base yourself in the centre and commute to Santa Clause Village, stay on site at Santa Claus Village, only visit Santa Park or venture further north of the Arctic Circle to places like Luosto, Levi or Yllas in search of a more traditional Finnish experience.
In Rovaniemi there are two places to meet the man himself and both are located close to each other. If you haven’t had enough of the first Santa you can always visit the other for another dose of Christmas spirit although you may have some explaining to do to your children! Here we explain the best Santa experiences in Finnish Lapland.
Arctic Cottage in Finnish Lapland istock.com/dimamorgan12
Santa Claus Village
Located 8km north of Rovaniemi and just 4km from the airport, Santa Claus Village is effectively the Disneyworld of Lapland and the epicentre of Christmas spirit. With Rovaniemi being the official hometown of Santa, Santa Claus Village is as close as you can get to the myth and the legend. You can even watch Santa on livestream throughout the year which is a lovely way to build anticipation and prepare children before the big meeting.
The village is fairly large and offers gift shops, a variety of cafes and restaurants and a number of winter activities suitable for both children and parents. Most of these are based onsite which makes Santa Claus Village a convenient choice to visit. Some activities include husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling for young children, visiting Snowman World, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and even ice swimming for the bravest of souls. There is also a winter playground for the younger ones to kill some time in between activities.
Magical wintry nights at Santa Claus Village Smelov/Shutterstock.com
Twinkling Christmas lights at Santa Claus Village istock.com/dimamorgan12.
Meeting the dogsledding team.
Where to Stay
There is the option of staying at the village or staying in Rovaniemi and commuting to it. Bear in mind if you do stay at the village, you will be able to enjoy the area in the evenings once the day trippers depart by 5-6pm which is a pleasure in itself. The village offers the greatest choice of accommodation outside the city centre with treehouse cabins, wooden cottages and even glass igloos, along with all the standard AirBnB options. If you are planning to visit during the month of December, early booking is advisable. It is not unknown for some of the more popular hotels to start getting booked up a year in advance.
Check out some hotel options
in our Family Guide to Finnish Lapland.
Where To Eat
There is a large choice of restaurants in and around Santa Claus Village catering to a wide variety of tastes, all being family friendly. Many of these have a warm, calm and inviting atmosphere and make for a very special evening. You can feast in a restaurant made of snow and ice or even dine with Mrs. Claus and the elves, the choices are endless. However, if there is one place not to miss, it’s Santa’s Salmon Place. Check out the rest of Santa Claus Village dining options.
As Santa Claus Village is so popular, it does get extremely busy, particularly around Christmas time. Besides the guests who stay on-site, there are day visitors coming in from Rovaniemi. Some visitors find it far too commercialised and busy, with an impersonal atmosphere. There is no escaping it is extremely busy, and for this reason we opted for a more authentic experience further north. However, we couldn’t resist making a brief stop here and managed to fill a few hours with a tremendous amount of Christmas spirit and we wouldn’t hesitate to return again.
MAP OF SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE
Imagination Boosting Activities
in Santa Claus Village
Signpost to Santa Claus (Joulupukki) office istock.com/alxpin
Santa Claus Post Office
Hundreds of thousands of letters are sent to Santa each year and make their way to his post office located within the village. Have some fun and send a letter from here either to yourself or a friend, complete with a special Arctic Circle postmark. There is also a Christmas exhibition offered annually which is well worth visiting with children.
Meeting Santa
Heading off to Santa Claus Office in the village is a very exciting experience for children. Filled with the magic of the moment, their anticipation levels are sky high as you make your pilgrimage to the site. After being greeted by an elf, you are shown around and informed of the different jobs they do including making presents.
The experience with Santa is everything you would expect it to be. He listens intently to your child talking about their Christmas wish list. Despite being busy, this experience does not feel rushed in any way. Be aware that photography in Santa’s Office is not permitted but they do take photographs and video during the meeting which you can purchase afterwards. Children do not get gifts from Santa in this meeting.
Cross The Arctic Circle
The line of the Arctic Circle conveniently runs through the middle of Santa Clause Village offering a perfect photo opportunity, clearly marked by a strip of blue lights and conveniently placed lanterns. Let your children stand on the line and contemplate in awe their position on the planet. Arctic Circle Crossing Certificates are also available from the Arctic Circle Information Office and make a great souvenir for children to bring home.
Snowman World
This unique snow and ice theme park is located within Santa Claus Village. At Snowman World, children can participate in a variety of outdoor activities. See them whiz down daring ice slides, try ice skating and snow tubing. When they have had their fill of these adrenaline fuelled activities, they can visit an ice castle and enjoy some incredible ice sculptures, or for adults visit the magical Ice Bar, or dine together in a unique icy environment at the Ice Restaurant.
Entry costs €30 per person per day, under 3s free.
Santa Park
Entrance to Santa Park Finnish Lapland lenisecalleja.photography/shutterstock.com
Santa Park is located on the same road as Santa Claus Village, close to each other. It is effectively an underground bunker referred to as the “Underground Cavern of Santa Claus”. As the name suggests, you have an encounter with Santa Claus in an enchanting indoor Christmas theme park.
This is a great place to go if you are looking for a warmer alternative as it is more enclosed and there are even lockers to keep coats and bags. You can cross the Arctic Circle here as well and enjoy other activities such as the Princess’ Ice Bar but try to stay clear of tour group arrival times to avoid long queues.
Santa Park is reachable by car or Santa’s Express Bus, being 8km from Rovaniemi centre.
Tickets to Santa Park last for two days and prices vary depending on the dates you visit. Adults €39-42, children 3-12 years old €33-36. Under 3s are free.
Enchanting Activities In Santa Park
Attend Elf School
An extraordinary opportunity to learn about elves in Santa’s elf school. His personal elves greet you at the entrance for a lesson in elf secrets and skills such as peeking through windows and kindness towards others. This runs in 20 minute slots and a diploma and elf’s hat are awarded to the most dedicated. We highly recommend this experience for children and adults alike.
Mrs. Gingerbread’s Kitchen
A chance to show off or learn some culinary skills with gingerbread. Children have the opportunity to decorate the gingerbread confectionary that comes out of the oven. As a grand finale they get to eat their delectable creations!
Santa’s Magic Train
A mini train seating four people takes visitors on a ride showcasing scenes from the elves’ workshops, wintry Lapland and various snow-filled fairytale-like scenery. This ride is reminiscent of ‘It’s A Small World” ride at Disney.
Rovaniemi
Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge Rovaniemi IlkkaKoivula/shutterstock.com
If ever a place felt like the inside of a Christmas card, this is it. The city goes all out for the Christmas season with festive decorations and cozy cafes to curl up in. The biggest draw to Rovaniemi is Santa Claus Village and being just 8km away with a variety of transport available, the city centre makes an ideal base. Situated on the Arctic Circle means that Rovaniemi doesn’t get as cold as the rest of Lapland which is a major bonus when visiting.
Once you’ve had your fill of Yuletide cheer, there is plenty to do and see in the city. For a wide variety of restaurants, accommodation and activities, staying in the centre of Rovaniemi is an ideal option.
Christmas Decorations istock.com/NikolaiTsuguliev
Educational Must Dos In Rovaniemi
Arktikum Science Centre
Visit this fascinating museum and science centre housed in a modern building. The Arktikum Science Centre is conveniently split into two with natural history on one side and cultural history on the other. Interactive exhibits serve as an excellent introduction to the local people and the landscape of Lapland.
Admission €15 Adults, €5 children 7-15 yrs, under 7s free of charge.
Science Centre Pilke
Learn about forests and trees in Finland, where paper comes from and how it is made as well as jobs associated with forestry. The Science Centre Pilke is incredibly fun and interactive with child-friendly displays along with accessible games and toys. There are even diggers and tree choppers to climb up into. Highly recommended for a fun-filled few hours.
Admission €7 Adults, €5 Children 7-15 yrs, under 7s free of charge. There are also family ticket options.
Korundi Contemporary Art Museum
This art museum’s main focus is Finnish contemporary art and Northern art. The Korundi Contemporary Art Museum gives a great insight into the art culture of the area. This museum may suit slightly older children due to the nature of the exhibits.
Admission €10 Adults, €6 Children 7-15 years, under 7s free. There is also a family ticket €25 for 2 adults and 2 children 7-15 yrs.
Rovaniemi Local Heritage Museum
Showcasing life in a local farmhouse one hundred years ago, the Rovaniemi Local Heritage Museum is a wonderful museum for children of all ages to visit and explore items dating from 19th and 20th centuries. Located just 3.5km from the city centre it is easy to access by car or local public transport.
Admission €6 per adult and €4 per child 7-16 yrs old, under 7s free.
Handicraft Workshops
A variety of handicraft workshops are available within a short distance of Rovaniemi. Meet a Lappish family in their log-built home and learn the sustainably traditional art of carving reindeer antlers or take a reindeer antler decoration workshop. There are snow sculpture workshops as well as a variety of other educational activities to do with children. Check out Visit Rovaniemi.
Angry Birds Activity Park
This open air playground inspired by the Angry Birds characters is located on the riverbank by Valtakatu Street, within walking distance from the city centre. The Angry Birds Activity Park features a ropewalk, slides, swings and climbing frames with open space for ball games or other recreational activities. Free of charge and open throughout the year it is a great way for children to burn off some energy.
Culture Pass is a way to experience three of the best culture attractions in Rovaniemi. It is a non-transferable multi-entry ticket valid for seven days and you are able to visit three attractions as many times as you like.
Adults €20 and €10 per child 7-15 years. Under 7s are free.
Exploring Further North
Why not travel further afield beyond the Arctic Circle to explore the remote Arctic wilderness. Specialist operators organise incredible experiences to far-flung destinations such as Luosto, Levi or Yllas. These places provide a more authentic adventure and some say the best Santa experiences in Finnish Lapland.
Enjoying the mysterious solitude of Finnish Lapland.
Charming restaurant in remote part of Finnish Lapland.
Glass igloo praphablouilarpprasert/shutterstock.com
These locations offer delightful stays in log cabins with a full range of snow activities and far more interaction with Santa and his elves throughout. We chose a four day epic adventure which took us north of the Arctic Circle.
Read about our personal experience in A Quest to Find Santa In Finnish Lapland.
If based in the UK, these are some popular tour operators to investigate which will provide you with the best Santa experiences in Finnish Lapland:
Inghams to Levi or Yllas
All these tour operators offer unique and personalised experiences which will not disappoint.
The Bottom Line
Reindeer Sleighs istock.com/RomanBabakin
So which option is the best for a family’s first visit to Lapland? Consider the activities your family want to do, how long you wish to spend with Santa, and whether it’s important that Santa has a gift to give your child during their encounter. Whilst Santa presents gifts during your child’s interaction on the specialist tours, he is not able to do that at Santa Claus Village. That in itself may guide you in a particular direction.
Many operators offer single day trips all the way up to one week epic adventures. We would have loved to explore the area for a week, but our own time constraints limited us to four days. However, we found this was ample time to enjoy a host of activities as well as relax and bask in the Finnish atmosphere.
If your family prefers a theme park experience, then Santa Claus Village or Santa Park are excellent options that will offer a full range of accommodation and activities. These parks offer everything in one location with excellent access, making it a convenient option.
However, some people prefer a quieter, more remote and less commercialised option through specialist tour operators further north of the Arctic Circle. This was our personal choice and we found it to be an exciting fun-filled magical experience which we highly recommend.
Book well in advance for small group trips as this is bucket list adventure for many families. Travelling closer to Christmas makes it all the more magical and your children.
Start by sending the big man himself a letter to his official address in Lapland:
Santa Claus, Santa Claus’s Main Post Office, 96930 Napapiiri, Finland
There are numerous options when it comes to choosing the best Santa experiences in Finnish Lapland but your family is sure to be surrounded by magic no matter which one you decide to enjoy!
Suggested 7-Day Itinerary
There is so much to see and do in Lapland that it can easily become a longer holiday. Why not spend a week in Lapland to enjoy all that it has to offer? Here is a suggested one week itinerary focusing on Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village:
Day 1 Arrive Rovaniemi and explore city. Overnight Rovaniemi.
Day 2 Rovaniemi – visit a museum and do a handicraft workshop. Overnight Rovaniemi.
Day 3 Drive to Santa Claus Village and enjoy a reindeer ride in afternoon. Overnight in Santa Claus Village.
Day 4 Santa visit, post office, and Arctic Circle. Overnight Santa Claus Village.
Day 5 Dog sledding, snowmobiling, visit Snowman World. Overnight Santa Claus Village.
Day 6 Santa Park Elf School. Overnight Santa Clause Village.
Day 7 Return flight.
We hope you have enjoyed reading the Best Santa Experiences In Finnish Lapland!
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