https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/rovaniemi/best-things-to-do/10070001049090
Best Things to Do
Top 4 Best Things to Do in Rovaniemi [2025]
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Santa Claus Village
4.5
/5
298 reviews
7.6
Based on 4,703 reviews
7.5 km from downtown
Phone +358-16-3562096
Address: 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Featured in 2025 Europe 50 – Family-Friendly Attractions
Highlights:
Postcards with Santa's special postmark
Buy Lapland tents & antler souvenirs
Saved by 663 users122 positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Santa Claus Village is a must-visit for those looking to immerse themselves in a winter wonderland and enjoy an authentic Christmas experience. However, it’s also a very touristy spot, and it can be expensive, so it may not be for everyone.
A visit here was amazing. To stand on the Arctic Circle line was brilliant. There is so much to see and do here. We visited in September and it was still magical minus the snow. We found a few hidden geocaches and when we saw Santa he knew all about them.
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Arctic Circle Snowmobile park
4.3
/5
99 reviews
4.9
Based on 422 reviews
7.5 km from downtown
Phone +358 50 4720023
Address: Joulumaantie 5, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
Perfect for colorful night photos
Midnight sun in the Arctic
27% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
The Arctic Circle is marked at 66 degrees 33 minutes north latitude. The 66°33' North Pole line connecting Santa Claus' office and Santa Claus Village Post Office is covered by snow. But don't be disappointed, there is also a 66°33' 07" white North Pole line indoors, where you can take photos in winter.
The Arctic Circle of Santa Claus Village in Finland can only be seen from the lobby of the main entrance of the visitor center in winter, and the outdoor area is covered with snow. Stepping into the Arctic Circle means that you can see the Northern Lights under certain conditions.
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Santa Claus Office
4.0
/5
43 reviews
4.5
Based on 1,857 reviews
7.5 km from downtown
Phone +358 20 799999
Address: Joulumaantie 1, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
Highlights:
Meet Santa Claus up close
Santa Claus Village experience
35% positive reviews
Verified User Reviews
Coming to the Christmas Village to take a photo with Santa Claus was supposed to be a meaningful game, but ended up spending most of the day waiting in line (too many people, December 25th). From getting a number to queuing up to enter the venue, I waited for more than three hours in the (outdoor) snowy and (indoor) crowded space... In the end, I missed the last bus back to the city (closed at 17:18), so I had to take a taxi 🚕 It took half an hour to wait for the bus and 30 euros to get back to the hotel (Note: The distance from the Christmas Village to the hotel is less than 6 kilometers)
The place is fun but I have always wanted it to be a little bigger to offer a full day experience. Currently it’s suit for half a day only including visiting Santa. The food options are somewhat limited but pizza and burgers are available. The location just next to the main road 4 (E75) not far from Rovaniemi city is perfect.
No.
4
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Ranua Zoo
4.1
/5
20 reviews
4.5
From AU$ 48.94
Based on 811 reviews
70 km from downtown
Phone +358 16 4692050
Address: Rovaniementie 29, 97700 Ranua, Finland
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Rovaniemi
Highlights:
Night safari with a guide
See Nordic wildlife & hike
Verified User Reviews
The wildlife park is about an hour's drive from Rovaniemi city. It is a good place to see small animals in winter. There are representative animals such as polar bears and elks, as well as owls and so on?
It’s not the usual boring touristy zoo - highly recommended to check out this wildlife safari with arctic animals. You wouldn’t even see a zookeeper in sight. A totally different feel in winter with the snow! Watch polar bear, arctic fox and reindeers in action. Can easily spend about 2-3hours here. Just a short 45mins bus ride from Rovaniemi.
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