Why settle for a brief encounter with Santa Claus in a crowded mall when you could visit him in his Arctic homeland, surrounded by snowy forests, cozy log cabins, and maybe even glimpse the magic of the northern lights overhead? As winter blankets Europe, there’s one place that captures the essence of a holiday wonderland—Rovaniemi, Finland. Straddling the Arctic Circle, this small town is known as the ‘hometown of Santa Claus’ thanks to its Santa Claus Village, which has drawn travelers from all over the world since its opening in the 1980s. Whether you're planning to explore the Christmas park or simply immerse yourself in the outdoor lifestyle that has made Finns some of the happiest people in the world, here’s how to make the most of your visit to Santa’s homeland.
Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village Visitors to Rovaniemi step into a world where holiday magic is woven into everyday life. Santa Claus Village , open year-round, is at the heart of this charm. Here, families can enjoy reindeer sled rides, take part in festive workshops, and, of course, there’s the chance to meet Santa himself.
Following this memorable visit, there’s an opportunity to buy souvenirs and even to mail postcards and letters from Santa’s Post Office, complete with a genuine Arctic Circle postmark. Unusually for an attraction in Northern Europe, Santa Claus Village is open every day of the year, even on Christmas Day itself. As for whether there will be snow, it usually arrives from .
