Santa Claus Village, just outside Rovaniemi, is one of the few places on Earth where you can straddle the Arctic Circle — one foot in the sub-Arctic, one foot in the Arctic north. It's the headline moment of any visit, and there's plenty more to enjoy around it.
The Arctic Circle line
A painted line runs across the Village marking latitude 66°33′ N — the Arctic Circle. Crossing it (and getting the photo) is a rite of passage for visitors to Lapland. You can even pick up an official certificate to prove you've been north of the line.
Meeting Santa — all year round
Santa Claus is in his office at the Village every single day of the year, not just at Christmas. Meeting him is free; photos taken by the official photographer are chargeable. It's a genuinely magical moment for children and a fun one for adults too.
The Santa Claus Main Post Office
Send a postcard from Santa's official post office and it goes out with a special Arctic Circle postmark. You can even arrange for a letter to arrive at home in time for Christmas — a lovely keepsake.
What else to do
- Browse the craft and souvenir shops
- Warm up with coffee and Finnish pastries in a café
- Meet reindeer and huskies at nearby farms
- Enjoy the festive lights and snowy scenery
Easy to combine: our Reindeer, Huskies & Santa Claus Village day tour includes free time at the Village along with reindeer and husky sleigh rides and a salmon soup lunch.
Planning your visit
Entry to the Village is free; individual activities and photos are paid. Allow a couple of hours to see the highlights without rushing — our day tour builds in free time so you can explore at your own pace before heading back to Rovaniemi.