Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is where Arctic magic meets modern comfort. Sitting on the Arctic Circle, it’s home to Santa Claus, snowy forests, and glass-roofed stays perfect for watching the Northern Lights. Winter brings reindeer rides and husky safaris; summer offers Midnight Sun hikes and wild nature. With Sámi culture, striking design, and year-round adventure, Rovaniemi is the perfect Arctic gateway.
Luxury Santa Holidays in Rovaniemi
A word from our travel specialist
Rovaniemi is a magical trip whatever age you are – Santa’s hometown and a real life winter fairytale. From the moment we landed, it was non stop excitement — snowball fights, reindeer sightings, husky howls, and approximately 47 hot chocolates. I got to visit Santa Claus Village, sent a postcard from the Santa Claus Post Office, and had my inner child bursting with joy every step of the way.
Every part of this trip felt like stepping into another world. From cosying up in a glass igloo under the stars, to sledding through the forest behind a team of huskies, to warming up in a sauna while snowflakes fell outside… Rovaniemi isn’t just a destination, it’s a feeling. A slow, quiet kind of magic that stays with you long after you leave.
Zoe
Nordic Experience Specialist
Rovaniemi, Designed Around You
Sitting on the Arctic Circle, it’s home to Santa Claus, snowy forests, and glass-roofed stays perfect for watching the Northern Lights. Winter brings reindeer rides and husky safaris; summer offers Midnight Sun hikes and wild nature. With Sámi culture, striking design, and year-round adventure, Rovaniemi is the perfect Arctic gateway.
Tailor-Made Ways to Experience Rovaniemi
Winter here is a wonderland of husky adventures and frozen beauty, the gateway to Lapland that’s both accessible and deeply atmospheric. For travellers looking to blend the extraordinary with ease, Rovaniemi is where Arctic dreams begin.
Where to Stay: Handpicked for You
Beneath its snow-blanketed forests and beside the flowing Kemijoki River, visitors can dive into Arctic experiences like reindeer sleigh rides, glass-roofed cabin stays under the Northern Lights, and immersive Sámi cultural encounters.
Kuru Private Resort
Private villas, Nordic wellness and forest calm
The Torby Hotel, Fiskars Village
Design-led boutique hotel in Fiskars Village, where industrial heritage, Finnish craftsmanship and a calm creative atmosphere come together.
Levin Iglut Glass Igloos
Glass-walled igloos under the northern lights in Lapland
Skýra Retreat
A serene lakeside retreat near Rovaniemi, where handcrafted log suites, Nordic wellness and forest calm create a peaceful Arctic escape.
Nivunki Village
Glass-roofed kota huts in Lapland’s wilderness by a lake, Northern Lights and Nordic calm
Jänkä Resort in Ylläs
Premium luxury villas in Lapland’s forests near Levi, private sauna and hot tub.The Guidebook
Explore Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi is much more than a festive destination — it’s a gateway to Arctic adventure year-round. Nestled on the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi offers a unique blend of wilderness, culture, and magic. Whether you come for the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun, or the authentic Sámi encounters, Rovaniemi invites you to redefine luxury through its captivating Arctic experiences.
The town seamlessly combines easy accessibility with wild landscapes, making it an ideal base for curated journeys into Lapland’s untamed nature.
Getting There
Rovaniemi is one of Lapland’s most accessible Arctic destinations. Rovaniemi Airport welcomes direct flights from Helsinki and several European cities, with flight times from Helsinki under 90 minutes. During peak seasons, direct international flights also operate.
Once landed, you’re just 10 minutes from the city centre. Private transfers, chauffeur-driven vehicles, or self-drive options can all be arranged to tailor your arrival, ensuring every moment of your journey feels seamless and personal.
Arctic Circle Gateway
Positioned directly on the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi offers visitors the chance to cross this iconic latitude — a true bucket-list moment. Visit Santa Claus Village year-round, where festive magic meets Arctic tradition, and even post a letter from Santa’s official post office.
Beyond the holiday charm, Rovaniemi is a hub for Arctic expeditions, offering easy access to vast forests, frozen rivers, and snowy wilderness ripe for exploration.
Nature & Northern Lights
From late August to early April, Rovaniemi becomes a stage for the Northern Lights, with numerous vantage points just outside the city limits offering breathtaking displays. Private Aurora hunting experiences take you deep into the silence of Lapland’s wilderness, far from any light pollution.
In summer, the Midnight Sun transforms Rovaniemi into a playground of endless daylight, perfect for river cruises, hiking, fat biking, and forest foraging under the golden Arctic sun.
Winter brings snow-laden forests, frozen rivers, and endless opportunities for snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice fishing, and reindeer safaris — all with expert guides to ensure each moment is tailored to your sense of adventure.
Culture & Cuisine
Rovaniemi offers an introduction to the rich Sámi heritage of Lapland. Engage with local craftspeople, storytellers, and reindeer herders to experience a culture deeply connected to the Arctic landscape.
The food scene is quietly impressive, celebrating pure, locally sourced ingredients. Sample Arctic char, wild mushrooms, reindeer tenderloin, and forest berries. Dine in glass-roofed restaurants under starry skies, or enjoy intimate fireside meals inside traditional Lappish kota huts.
Climate
Rovaniemi enjoys a subarctic climate. Winters are cold and snowy, with average temperatures ranging between -10°C and -20°C, creating perfect conditions for snow-based adventures. Summers are pleasantly cool, averaging 15–20°C, but the endless daylight of the Midnight Sun offers boundless energy for outdoor exploration.
Rovaniemi is a place where Arctic wilderness meets warmth, wonder, and curated adventure — offering experiences that linger long after your return.
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!
Sophie & Guy
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
Kelly
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Tori
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!
Doreen
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris