Santa Claus
On the way to Rovaniem, Lapland, in an InterCity train in Finland.
Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, where you can meet him on 365 days a year.
* Santa Claus has received visitors in Rovaniemi since 1985.
* Rovaniemi got the status of the Official Hometown of Santa Claus in 2010.
* Santa Claus is an ambassador of good will, love and peace.
* Santa Claus is available for interviews as well as photo and television shoots, but they need to be booked in advance.
* Santa Claus does not participate in brand promotions or the like. That is an interesting thing, since I think he is promoting Finland! Well it is one opinion.

Santa Claus Village is the main tourist attraction in Rovaniemi and Lapland with more than 300 000 annual visitors from all over the globe..
* The birth of Santa Claus Village was sparked by a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt in 1950. She visited Rovaniemi to see how the US initiative Marshall Plan was helping in the rebuilding process after World War II.

She wanted to visit the Arctic Circle, and Rovaniemi officials were helping to build a cabin eight kilometres north of the city. The cabin still stands today next to Santa Claus Main Post Office.

* Today, Santa Claus village is a holiday resort that features around 50 draws in the form of attractions, activity companies, design and souvenir shops, restaurants and cafés.

* Since 2011, accommodation has been available in Santa Claus Village. Today options range from holiday cabins to glass igloos and an igloo hotel.

* Santa Claus Village lies right on the Arctic Circle, and is the most popular place to cross the line as it is clearly marked.
* Santa Claus Main Post Office is one of the most popular attractions and shops in Santa Claus Village. It is a real post office operated by Finnish postal service Posti. 

Every letter sent from Santa Claus Main Post Office gets a special Arctic Circle postmark not available anywhere else.

SantaPark is Santa’s home cavern, mined 50 metres underground in the Syväsenvaara fell.
* SantaPark is possibly the only place in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle underground.
* SantaPark is the place to go for elf-themed activities like the Elf School and the Elf Workshop.
* SantaPark is well suited for private Christmas-themed shoots.
* The cave also features an ice gallery year round.

Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a magical phenomenon very popular among tourists, many of whom come to Rovaniemi mainly to see the dancing arcs of light in the sky. (Find out more about the Aurora Borealis.)

The Midnight Sun and white nights provide light around the clock in the northern summer. The light conditions are unique and ideal for photography. The nocturnal light also gives an extra edge to activities. (Read more on the Midnight Sun.)


Unique accommodation options
There are several unique ways to stay the night in Rovaniemi.
* Glass igloos by Arctic Glass Igloos half an hour from central Rovaniemi and by Santa’s Igloos in Santa Claus Village for Northern Lights viewing.
* Hotels built of ice and snow by Arctic SnowHotel half an hour from central Rovaniemi and Snowman World in Santa Claus Village.
* Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, nest-like rooms on stilts with large windows for Northern Lights watching next to SantaPark, a five-minute drive from the city centre.
* Beana Laponia Wilderness Boutique Hotel with Safaris is a resort designed for adults looking for relaxing holidays, personal service and outdoor activities in small groups.
* In Rovaniemi city centre, Arctic Light Hotel is the latest high-end addition to Rovaniemi’s range of hotels.
* Vartiosaari is a private island close to central Rovaniemi, with an establishment that has 11 guestrooms, each furnished with Finnish classics by designers such as Alvar Aalto
Rovaniemi's wide activity assortment
Rovaniemi has excellent grounds and facilities for a plethora of activities year round.
Most popular winter activities include:
* Husky tours
* Reindeer rides
* Snowmobiling
* Northern Lights hunting tours (starting end of August)
* Snowshoeing
Most popular summer activities include:
* Jet ski tours
* Activities under the Midnight Sun
* Tours on rivers, for example on a river boat or a floating sauna
* Hiking
* Mountain biking
And that’s just scratching the surface. Please see our Activities page for the whole range.

Changing seasons and weather
Rovaniemi has all four seasons – some locals would argue there are up to eight of them in the year – with stark contrasts between them, and each shows the city and surrounding natural areas in a totally different light. Read more on the four seasons and when to go.

Snow sauna
The snow sauna is an exotic concept even for Finns, to whom traditional sauna is a source of national pride. Arctic SnowHotel constructs snow saunas each winter. Getting steamy hot in a cubicle made of snow and ice is truly a unique experience!
Source has been a marketing newspaper of Rovaniemi.