Dubbed the official hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, the largest and northernmost of the regions of Finland. In addition to offering the chance to meet the “real” Santa, the city provides endless opportunities to discover the history and culture of the Arctic Circle.
Start your day with breakfast at Coffee House, a welcoming café serving an array of sandwiches and bagels as well as warming coffee and tea in the town center for less than $10.
The Arktitkum © Doods Dumaguing | Flickr
Get to know the extensive history of the city at Arktikum, a museum and science center that tells the story of the North and facts about the Arctic. The attraction offers admission to several exhibits and a show about the Northern Lights for about $13.
The buffet lunch at Arktikum is the perfect spot to catch your breath while touring the exhibits, serving soup, salad and two main courses for $13. Dishes include specialties like forest mushroom soup and smoked salmon pasta.
Santa Claus Village © Ruslan Kurbanov | Dreamstime
Spend the afternoon getting to know the “real” Santa at Santa Claus Village in the Arctic Circle, an amusement park located a short distance from downtown Rovaniemi. No matter the time of year, visitors can enjoy a Christmas atmosphere at Santa Claus Village, offering admission to holiday-themed shops, Santa’s office and Santa Park for about $22.
For a taste of Lapland, visit Restaurant Nili for dinner, serving Finnish specialties prepared with fresh Arctic ingredients. The restaurant serves traditional entrees like sautéed reindeer with homemade lingonberry jam and bear meatballs from about $20.
© Lukasz Janyst | Dreamstime
Read This Next
Under $100: Helsinki
Europe
Dec 9, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Apr 22, 2025What to Expect at New Nobu Hotel Toronto
Book your guestroom now for a summer stay at new Nobu Hotel Toronto, opening in June. The property follows the luxury brand’s restaurant in Toronto (opened last year) and will offer just three dozen guestrooms and suites.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Slideshow
Apr 22, 20257 Must-See Sites in Richmond, Virginia
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are seven must-see sites in Richmond, Virginia.
Hotel
Apr 22, 2025This Caribbean Resort Has 74 Pickleball Courts (and Counting)
Did you know April is National Pickleball Month? What better place to celebrate and play the popular leisure sport than at a resort with a whopping 74 pickleball courts? Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean boast the most pickleball courts in the region, with even more currently in the works.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Technology
Apr 21, 2025Skyscanner’s New Feature Will Save You Money on Flights
Avid travelers have long known Skyscanner is a great place to go to find affordable flights, especially if you’re flexible about where you might travel on your next trip, allowing you to search for flights to anywhere from your home base. The platform just recently dropped a new feature, though, that’ll help you save even more on flights.
ShareThis