A visit to the Santa Claus Village, Lapland, Finland

Preirna Prachi
Her Travel Spam
Published in
4 min readMar 3, 2024

During our visit to Rovaniemi, we took a day trip to Santa Claus Village. I will share my experiences here and also try to answer some frequently asked questions from people planning to travel to the place.

How to reach the Santa Claus Village

If you are not traveling by car, the easiest way is to check Google Maps and take the bus from the nearest bus station. Since we stayed at the center of Rovaniemi, there was a direct bus to Santa Claus Village.

The bus drops you right at the entrance of the village.

As we stepped into the Santa Claus Village, it felt like we were transported into a world straight out of a storybook. The air is filled with the scent of pine trees and freshly fallen snow, while the twinkling lights and festive decorations create an atmosphere of joy and wonder.

Everywhere you look, there are signs of Santa’s presence — from his cheerful workshop to his cosy log cabin nestled in the woods.

What to do in the Santa Claus Village Finland?

When you enter the village, you will find the Santa Claus post office. Buy a postcard and the stamps, write a message on the postcard and send it to your loved ones anywhere in the world. I wrote one to my best friend in the Netherlands and also posted one to my parents back in India.

You will be able to meet Santa in Santa’s house. And you will find a long queue waiting to meet Santa and getting the pictures clicked.

While waiting in the queue to meet Santa and getting a picture clicked, check the wall on your left and you will find pictures of a few popular people with Santa.

There are amazing restaurants in the village. We grabbed our lunch at one of the restaurants. It was a pretty affordable buffet.

Reindeer are an integral part of Finnish culture, and visitors to Santa Claus Village can enjoy rides in traditional reindeer-pull sleighs. It’s a magical way to explore the snowy landscapes surrounding the village.

What is the story behind Santa Claus Village?

Check out this blog to know more about the story behind the Santa Claus Village

What you can see in Santa Claus Village?

You will be able to experience the Christmas vibe no matter when you go to the village during the year. You will be able to meet Santa Claus, experience the house of Santa, enjoy some snow activities, eat some good food, post letters and postcards from the Arctic circle to anyone anywhere in the world and a lot more.

If you like, you can plan your stay in the Santa Claus Village since the place is equipped with many accommodations for travelers. You can also do adventurous activities like husky rides but I wouldn’t recommend it since it’s a small space and there are other places to experience them in Rovaniemi.

Is Santa’s village in Finland worth it?

Yes, the place is definitely worth the visit. Though it’s commercialized quite a bit, the beauty of the village still stays. If you are a passionate photographer like me, you will find so many spots to click pictures around the little place.

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