Why fly to Rovaniemi?
Experience the true magic of Christmas with cheap flights to Rovaniemi: the official home of Santa Claus. This town in Finnish Lapland is a family favourite, but there's more to it than meets the eye.
Book direct flights to Rovaniemi today, and get ready to explore this winter wonderland.
Things to do in Rovaniemi
The biggest attraction is, of course, the Santa Claus Village. It's open all year round, but as you can imagine, it does get busier in the run-up to Christmas. There's loads going on in the village. Kids can meet the big man himself, enjoy sleigh rides led by reindeer, or have their picture taken with snow sculptures. There's even a post office where you can send postcards with a unique Arctic stamp.
But Rovaniemi is about more than just Santa. The town itself is well worth visiting if you're interested in learning more about life in the Arctic Circle. You can even get a photo of yourself crossing the white painted line representing the Arctic Circle and pick up a souvenir to prove you've done it.
The best places to learn about Arctic Circle life are the town's two science museums. The Pilke Science Centre focuses on Arctic nature, while the Arktikum Science Centre tells the history of Finnish Lapland. Both are great places to take the kids, with lots of fun interactive activities.
There's a pedestrian shopping street right in the heart of the town, around Lordi's Square. There are lots of little shops selling authentic Arctic Circle souvenirs, including reindeer leather accessories.
Outside of Santa Claus Village, one of the biggest attractions is the Ounasvaara Outdoor Resort. In winter, this is a popular place to ski, with slopes for beginners and experts. In summer, it turns into Finland's top destination for summer bobsledding, cycling, hiking, and family-friendly frisbee golf.
Food and Drink in Rovaniemi
When it's time to eat, you'll find lots of family options like pizzas and burgers in Santa Claus Village. There's an ice bar here too, which is a must-do if you've never tried one before. In the main town, you'll find more local dishes, such as sauteed reindeer and other traditional delicacies loved in the Arctic Circle.
Day trips to Kemi from Rovaniemi
If you're visiting Rovaniemi for a while, consider taking a day trip to Kemi. It's only a 90-minute train ride away, and it's well worth it. If you're travelling with kids, they'll love the Kemi SnowCastle, which is a year-round frozen castle that's made entirely from ice and snow. But Kemi is most famous for the Sampo Icebreaker, which was used as a real icebreaker for nearly 30 years. Today, it's a major tourist attraction that takes you out into the icy waters. You can even jump in if you have a special suit on!
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