Rovaniemi, the village of Santa Claus, is located eight kilometers north of the center of the city of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in the Arctic Circle, Finland. We are not sure that Santa Claus was really born in this place, but there is no doubt that Rovaniemi is a wonderful place, with a magical atmosphere and rich in scenery.
The Santa Claus Village is probably the main attraction of the city, many families spend their Christmas holidays there to give their children the opportunity to meet the old man with the white beard. In this enchanted land where it is always a celebration, the smallest and not only can fully immerse themselves in the authentic Christmas atmosphere by visiting directly the headquarters of Santa Claus. Inside the village of Rovaniemi there is the main post office where every year arrive the letters to Santa Claus from children all over the world, his private office and the workshop where the elves build the gifts to be delivered to good children.
Rovaniemi, however, is a city that offers multiple attractions besides those related to Santa Claus.
Snowmobile excursions
The winter season from December to April is definitely the best period for lovers of adventure and snow. Snowmobile excursions, super-equipped ski facilities, sled trips pulled by reindeer and huskies are just some of the activities that will make your stay in this fairy-tale place unforgettable.
You will certainly be amazed to admire the famous snow and ice architectures. This area of Finland is, in fact, renowned for its ice-carved constructions. Chalets, restaurants, bars, and chapels for religious ceremonies entirely made of snow and ice will literally leave you astonished.
Finnish Lapland is also one of the best places in the world to admire the Northern Lights, among the most extraordinary events of nature, where spectacular lights meet snowy landscapes creating surreal shades and color effects.
What to see in Rovaniemi
During the stay in the City of Santa Claus, culture lovers must absolutely visit the Korundi, the northernmost art museum in the world. Famous for the Slow Motion sculptures by artist Heli Ryhanen, the museum houses the concert hall of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra. Another interesting attraction in the city is the Arktikum, a wonderful museum and science center where you can deepen your knowledge of the nature, culture, and history of the North. In Rovaniemi, you can also cross the oldest cable-stayed bridge in Finland, the Jatkankynttila, an engineering work completed in 1989 and 299.6 km long that crosses and illuminates the Ounasjoki.
To conclude our journey inside this poignant and seductive city, we cannot fail to focus on the typical Finnish cuisine, considered highly prestigious. The Lapland gastronomic culture is linked to its wonderful untouched nature. The clear lakes and green forests are the sources of the delicious recipes based on fish, reindeer, game, and roots.
