If you’re looking for a very special destination for your winter vacation this year, you can stop looking, because this city in Finland will be hard to beat. We are of course talking about Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, or better known as the official hometown of Santa Claus. Snow-covered forests, reindeer and the beautiful glittering northern lights of Finland are just some of the reasons why Rovaniemi attracts countless visitors from all over the world every year.
The popularity of the Finnish winter wonderland with us Germans is proven by the figures: together with Great Britain and France, we are among the leaders when it comes to foreign tourism in Rovaniemi. Last winter, over 180,000 Germans opted for a vacation in Santa’s neighborhood – and not without reason. From Christmas shopping to snowmobile rides, husky sledding and more, we have compiled the top activities in the city for you:
1. Santa’s Village
Christmas is celebrated here every day of the year! Festive cheer is on the agenda around the clock at the official home of Santa Claus. Visitors of all ages can enjoy walks through the enchanting, snow-covered village, watch the elves at work, and design and send their own wish lists (the postal route here is much shorter than from home). And of course, the highlight is not to be missed: a meeting with Santa Claus himself.
Another highlight this year is the magical candlelight concerts, which will bring a very special sparkle to the winter days in January. The flickering light of thousands of candles will illuminate SantaPark (Santa’s secret cave deep below the Arctic Circle) and a string quartet will enchant the audience with a repertoire of classical and modern pieces, from Vivaldi to Queen and Coldplay.
2 The Northern Lights
Finland’s clear skies, combined with minimal light pollution and its location directly above the Arctic Circle, provide the ideal conditions to admire the breathtaking natural spectacle of the Aurora Borealis in all its glory. In contrast to Germany, where you could only be lucky enough to see the fascinating lights in the sky once in a while (admittedly in a much dimmer form), Rovaniemi offers the opportunity to experience the colorful celestial veils up close on around 200 days a year, especially from August to April.
3. nature and wildlife
Have you always wanted to experience a ride on a real reindeer sleigh? Rovaniemi fulfills this dream and offers much more. The area is home to some of the rarest animal species in the world: Arctic foxes, moose, snowy owls and many other fascinating animals can be found in the vastness of Lapland, and in Ranua Wildlife Park, a nature reserve that is home to over 40 animal species, you can marvel at Finland’s only polar bear. However, the region is particularly famous for its reindeer and huskies, with which you can go on numerous safaris on unforgettable sleigh rides to explore the Finnish wilderness.
4th activities
If you like to relax, you can of course pamper yourself in the famous Finnish spas and get your circulation going with a combination of soothing sauna sessions and refreshing ice baths. But Rovaniemi is also guaranteed not to disappoint the adrenaline junkies among you. Whether skiing or snowmobiling through the snow-covered forests, speedy ice karting on the race tracks or snowshoeing along the mountains – there are numerous exciting activities in the snow that are sure to keep you entertained.
5. history and culture
If you are interested in Nordic legends, the indigenous Sámi culture, astrology or the classical music and art of the region, you should definitely visit the Arktikum Museum, the Pilke Science Center or the Korundi House of Culture. These institutions offer fascinating insights into the rich history and culture of the far north.
Rovaniemi’s title as the official home of Santa Claus didn’t just come out of nowhere – for generations, mythical stories about the Norse god Odin were told here. He is considered the “forerunner” of the modern figure of Santa Claus and plays a central role in the old folklore of Lapland.
If you fancy a bit of shopping or a few drinks during your time in Rovaniemi, Lordi’s Square, named after the Finnish rock band, is the perfect place to do so. The square is surrounded by shopping centers as well as numerous cosy bars, cafés and restaurants serving traditional Finnish specialties and drinks. There is also a selection of boutique stores selling handmade artwork, jewelry and other regional specialties. Nordic authenticity combined with modern charm!