Winter Wonderland: One Week in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Welcome to Rovaniemi, the enchanting capital of Finnish Lapland, and the official hometown of Santa Claus! Nestled amid snow-dusted forests and Arctic landscapes, Rovaniemi is a magical destination brimming with winter wonders and year-round adventures.

After arriving, check into your hotel, unpack your bags and let your vacation begin. Spend the day resting before the full week ahead. Warm up with a glass of Finnish glögi (warm spiced wine), hot blueberry juice, or relax in the sauna.

For your first full day in Rovaniemi, embrace the holiday spirit by exploring the Santa Claus Holiday Village, where it’s Christmas every day of the year. Wander through the log cabins and holiday decorations to discover all the festive attractions.

Make your way to the center of the village to cross over into the Arctic Circle. With a clearly marked string of lights. You will have the opportunity to step through and officially enter the Arctic.

Next, visit Santa Claus’ Main Post Office to share the holiday spirit with friends and family back home. Mail a postcard with the Arctic Circle’s special postmark, or arrange for Santa to send a Christmas greeting with his official stamp.

For animal-lovers, drop by Elf’s Farmyard to meet Santa’s pets at this cute animal experience. Take a reindeer for a walk through the forest, feed reindeer their favorite treat – dried moss – and see other Finnish barnyard animals like Finnsheep and goats.

No trip to the holiday village is complete without meeting the jolly old man himself. Visit the Santa Claus Office to share your Christmas wishes and take a souvenir photo with Santa. Afterwards, get a head start on Christmas shopping at the village’s boutiques, which offer a wide array of traditional Finnish handicrafts, souvenirs and Lapland gifts.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy fresh salmon grilled over an open fire at Santa’s Salmon Place, or indulge in sweet treats like cloudberry cheesecake and gingerbread hot chocolate at Loft Cafe.

On your third day, venture to a local reindeer farm to visit the gentle giants in their natural habitat, and discover their significance to the area. Reindeer are deeply intertwined with the cultural identity of Lapland and the indigenous Sámi people, appearing in folklore, art and traditions. For thousands of years, the Sámi have relied on reindeer herding for their livelihood.

Historically, reindeer were also used as the primary mode of transportation for the Sámi, enabling them to traverse through the Arctic landscape. Although modern modes of transport are more common today, reindeer continue to symbolize the Sami's connection to their ancestral lands and the importance of living in harmony with nature.

At the farm, meet and greet the reindeer with your guide. Feed them treats and prepare them for the day ahead. Afterwards, warm up in a Sámi hut around the campfire with hot drinks, while listening to stories about the Sámi way of life and traditional herding techniques.

After making new animal friends, experience the traditions for yourself with a relaxing reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy forest. If you’re lucky, you might see other arctic animals along the way.

On your fourth day, gear up to embark on an Arctic adventure in this winter playground. Choose a winter sport of your choice to explore the snowy terrain and enjoy an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Snowshoeing

Explore hidden trails and untouched wilderness with a snowshoeing adventure. Follow your guide to trek through the woods, pass along frozen rivers, and track taiga wildlife along the way. Learn local survival skills like how to start a fire without matches before snowshoeing back to the trailhead.

Snowmobiling

Race through rural Lapland like a local on a snowmobile safari. Feel an adrenaline rush as you zip along the snowy trails and carve through frozen lakes, stopping periodically to admire the idyllic scenery around you. Guided snowmobile tours cater to adventurers of all skill levels with easy-to-use controls and safety instructions.

Cross-Country Skiing

Whether you're a seasoned skier or a total beginner, there are ski trails and guided tours suited to every skill level in Lapland. Glide through the serene wilderness, breathe in the crisp Arctic air and immerse yourself in the beauty of Lapland's snowy wilderness.

Backcountry Skiing or Off-Piste

More adventurous visitors can opt for a backcountry skiing trip to chart their own course through the taiga. Seasoned guides teach you techniques for skiing off-piste on fresh, untouched snow before guiding you off the beaten path through more remote, rural areas in the Lapland backcountry. Guides will adapt the ski tour to your skill level, and no prior experience is required.

Insider Tip:

Most tour operators will provide all the necessary gear, equipment and clothing for their winter experiences. Tours usually begin with a quick stop at the operators’ office, where you will be outfitted with large snowsuits, boots and gloves. Pay close attention to what tours provide or recommend that you wear or bring with you.

Prepare yourself for another active day out in the snow. Enjoy more of Lapland’s nature, animals and adventures with dog sledding and Northern Lights hunting.

Husky Sled Rides

Although not native to Finland, dog sledding is another exhilarating Arctic experience that Rovaniemi offers. Join a team of energetic Huskies for a fast-paced run through the forest trails. Choose to steer the team or relax in the sled as you enjoy the scenery. Most rides conclude with Finnish snacks, hot drinks and stories of Husky training.

Northern Lights Hunting

Rovaniemi offers fantastic opportunities for spotting the breathtaking northern lights. Embark on a guided, minibus, snowmobile or sleigh tour to chase the elusive aurora borealis. Leave the the city lights behind to maximize your viewing chances through the Arctic skies. While waiting for the dancing lights, listen to your guide speak about the science and folklore behind the natural phenomenon. Enjoy traditional Finnish treats and gather photography tips to capture unforgettable memories. The peak season for aurora viewing in Finland generally spans from late September to late March, but keep in mind that sightings are subject to solar activity, weather conditions and light pollution.

Recover from your busy week by slowing down to enjoy a few local Finnish customs.

Saunas

If you only partake in one Finnish custom, let it be the sauna culture. With roots stretching back thousands of years, saunas play a central role in Finnish culture, offering a space for relaxation, socializing and spiritual rejuvenation. They are cherished not only for their physical and mental health benefits, cleansing the mind and body, but also for their role in fostering community bonds. Saunas also serve as a gathering place for family and friends to socialize. To many Finns, sauna sessions are considered an essential part of the Finnish identity and way of life. Visitors can immerse themselves in this cherished tradition by enjoying a sauna session in various settings from public facilities to private lakeside retreats.

Ice Swimming

After heating up in the sauna, cool off with another Nordic tradition, ice swimming. Also known as winter swimming or cold water swimming. This activity calls for taking a quick dip into a frozen lake or icy pool after a sauna session. These polar plunges are also often followed by another trip to the sauna to warm up again. It’s said that ice swimming helps invigorate the body, boosting circulation and strengthening the immune system.

Ice Fishing

Another important and popular Finnish hobby is ice fishing. Combining tradition and recreation, it’s a great way for visitors to explore more of the northern wilderness and local traditions. Join a fishing guide to learn safety tips for the ice, techniques for drilling the perfect fishing hole and the history of how ice fishing has been practiced for generations by the Sámi people. If you’re lucky to snag the catch of the day, you may get to grill it for dinner!

After a week in the Arctic, it’s time to defrost and depart from Rovaniemi. Whether you’re headed home or headed to another destination, you’ll likely first stop in Helsinki.

One unique transit option is the Santa Claus Express night train. This festive double-decker train offers a comfortable, easy and affordable way to get to and from Lapland. Trains have a variety of seating options, but for overnight journeys, definitely opt for the private sleeper cabins. These cabins feature two bunk beds, a private bathroom with a shower and an alcove for luggage storage. They were extremely clean and well worth their ticket price. Tickets can be purchased online and booked in advance.

Safe travels, and may your adventures continue wherever the train, plane or reindeer sleigh may lead.