Christmas in Finnish Lapland: Santa Claus Hometown

Trip Code: #12835

Overview

What's Included

Dates and Prices

Itinerary

Reviews

Things To Know

Our CMO, Carolina, at Apukka Resort Gate, Rovaniemi, Finland

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Reindeer Sleigh Ride, Rovaniemi, Finland (Photo by our CMO, Carolina)

Christmas in Finnish Lapland: Santa Claus Hometown

7 Nights

Trip Code: #12835

7 Nights: The Lapland every Christmas lover dreams of, then Helsinki to close out the trip. Tested and approved by our CMO, Carolina.

Why this package? Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus, sitting right on the Arctic Circle, with reindeer sleigh rides and the Northern Lights as the main event. Helsinki, Finland's capital on the Baltic coast, closes out the trip.

Trip Code: #12835

What's included?

All flights

Hotels

Transfers

Rovaniemi, Lapland, 4 nights

Helsinki, 3 nights

Expert trip manager

Taxes & fees

Trip Code: #12835

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Christmas Markets

Trip Code: #12835

Best Price Guarantee

Customize and Book with an Expert

(857) 214-2664

Dates and Prices

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Day By Day Itinerary

8-days itinerary trip visiting 1 country and 2 cities

Seven nights of a proper Finnish Christmas: Santa's official hometown, reindeer and husky sledding under the polar night sky in Rovaniemi, then Helsinki's Christmas markets and sauna culture to close out the trip, with a domestic flight connecting the two.

Christmas in Finnish Lapland: Santa Claus Hometown

Day 1Arrival in Rovaniemi
This 7-night trip covers two completely different sides of Finland: Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle, and Helsinki, Finland's coastal capital known for Nordic design and sauna culture. A domestic flight connects the two stops.
Welcome to Finnish Lapland! Airport transfers on arrival and departure are included.
Suggestion for the day: Santa Claus Village
Santa Claus Village sits directly on the Arctic Circle line, marked physically on the ground so you can stand with one foot inside the Arctic Circle and one foot outside it, a popular first photo of the trip. The village itself is really a cluster of attractions: the Santa Claus Office, where Santa receives visitors year round, the Santa Claus Post Office, which processes letters addressed to Santa from around the world and can stamp your postcards "from the Arctic Circle," and small husky and reindeer enclosures right on site if you want a first look before the dedicated excursions later in the week.
All suggestions are optional.
Good to know: December in Rovaniemi averages a daytime high of -4 to -7C (25 to 19F), dropping to -11 to -15C (12 to 5F) at night, with the polar night limiting daylight to just a few hours. Pack thermal base layers, a windproof and waterproof outer shell, insulated boots, and warm gloves, a hat, and a balaclava.
Itinerary note: This itinerary is a suggestion and the length of stay may vary on customized itineraries. All tours are suggestions unless clearly stated as included. No rental car is included in this package.
Day 2
Snowmobile Safari and the Northern Lights
Suggestion for the day: Snowmobile Safari and the Northern Lights
Snowmobile safaris require a valid driver's license to operate your own machine, and typically run in a convoy behind a guide for two to three hours, covering more ground than either the husky or reindeer excursions, often out to a frozen lake or a higher vantage point away from the town's lights. Evening and late-afternoon departures are usually built around aurora hunting specifically, since visibility depends on clear skies and solar activity, there's no guarantee on any given night, but Rovaniemi's position under the aurora oval gives it a realistic chance on clear nights through the winter season.
Tip: Don't schedule this for your last day in Rovaniemi, in case you need to reschedule due to weather or visibility and want another chance to see the Northern Lights.
All suggestions are optional.
Day 3
Husky Sledding or Reindeer Farm
Suggestion for the day: Husky Sledding or Reindeer Farm
Two classic Lapland excursions; pick the one that suits your pace.
Husky sledding: starts with time at the kennel to meet the dogs before they're harnessed, followed by a mushing briefing, on many tours, you drive your own sled for at least part of the route, standing on the runners while the guide leads from the sled ahead. The route runs through snow-covered forest for roughly one to two hours, ending with a warm drink around an open fire.
Reindeer farm and sleigh ride: starts at a working reindeer farm, where a local, often Sami, herder explains how reindeer husbandry works in Lapland. The sleigh ride itself is slower and quieter, a single reindeer pulling the sled along a short forest route, often ending with a certificate naming you an honorary reindeer driver.
All suggestions are optional.
Day 4
SantaPark or Arktikum
Suggestion for the day: SantaPark or Arktikum
A change of pace indoors, away from the sled-based excursions of the day before.
SantaPark: an underground Christmas theme park built inside a hillside cave near Rovaniemi, with an elf school, a gingerbread bakery, and an ice gallery, aimed squarely at the Christmas theme of this trip.
Arktikum: a museum on Arctic life and Sami culture, notable for being built partly inside a hill, a good option if you'd rather learn about the region than experience another themed attraction.
All suggestions are optional.
Day 5
Direct Flight to Helsinki (approx. 1h 15)
Take the domestic flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki.
Suggestion for the day: Senate Square and Tuomaan Markkinat (Helsinki Christmas Market)
Helsinki Cathedral, a white neoclassical landmark, overlooks Senate Square in the heart of the city, an easy first stop after arriving. Right beside it, Helsinki's Christmas market runs through December, with wooden stalls selling mulled glögi, gingerbread, and handmade crafts, along with a carousel and an ice rink set up for the season.
All suggestions are optional.
Good to know: Helsinki is noticeably milder than Rovaniemi thanks to the Baltic Sea, with daytime highs of 0 to 2C (32 to 36F) and nights around -4 to -7C (25 to 19F). Snow here is less reliable than in the north, expect a mix of rain, slush, and snow. Pack waterproof boots with good traction, a windproof jacket, and water-resistant layers.
Day 6
Suomenlinna
Day 7
Design District
Suggestion for the day: Design District, One More Round of the Christmas Market, and a Finnish Sauna
Spend the morning in Helsinki's Design District, a cluster of neighborhoods packed with Finnish design shops, galleries, and studios, a good way to see the aesthetic Helsinki is known for beyond the postcard sights. In the afternoon, head back to Tuomaan Markkinat for anything you missed the first time. In the evening, trying a public sauna is one of the more authentic things to do in Helsinki, it's a normal part of daily life here, not a tourist add-on.
All suggestions are optional.
Day 8Return Flight Home

Itinerary presented is a suggestion and the length of stay may vary. All tours are suggestions unless clearly stated.

Make It Truly Yours

Want a few changes? Our team can adjust flights, hotels, and activities to fit you perfectly.

Why We Love This Deal

Carolina D.

Travel Crafter

If you love Christmas like me, this is the real deal.

Reindeer and Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, a side of Finland I got to experience myself, then Nordic design and sauna culture in Helsinki to close out the trip.

This 7-night winter trip starts in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, sitting right on the Arctic Circle and known as the official hometown of Santa Claus. Four nights here leave room for optional winter activities like husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, and chasing the Northern Lights, none of which are included in the package price, but all easy to add on request. From there, a domestic flight takes you south to Helsinki, Finland's capital on the Baltic coast, for three nights with time to explore Nordic design, the Suomenlinna sea fortress, and the country's sauna culture at your own pace. Flights, hotels, and the domestic connection between the two are already arranged.

Trip Code: 12835

Things to Know

About the Destinations

Important Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Finnish Lapland package include?

Are flights included? Can I change my departure airport or upgrade my flight class?

How do I get between Rovaniemi and Helsinki?

What is there to do in Rovaniemi?

What is there to do in Helsinki?

What is the weather like in Rovaniemi and Helsinki in December?

What should I pack for this trip?

What is the cancellation policy, and who do I contact for support?

Do I need a visa, and is it safe to travel to Finland?

Which hotels are included, and can I upgrade?

How do I get around if my hotel in Rovaniemi is outside the town center?

Is breakfast included, and what about city taxes?

If I'm travelling solo, is there a single supplement?

Is checked luggage included?

Can I extend my stay in either city?

What optional excursions can I add on this trip?

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Available Experiences

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

Santa Claus Premium Experience: Photo with Santa, Reindeer and Husky Safari with Lunch (Tour)

Additional cost applies

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

Hiking to Vaattunki from Rovaniemi - Half-Day Tour (Tour)

Additional cost applies

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

Northern Lights Sledge Ride By Snowmobile (Tour)

Additional cost applies

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

Husky and Reindeer Experience with Snowmobiling - Tour (Tour )

Additional cost applies

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi 2 Days Adventure Package: Snowmobile, Santa, Ranua Park and Northern Lights (Package)

Additional cost applies

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

From Rovaniemi: Elf Hat Academy in Santas Village (Tour)

Additional cost applies

Optional

Location: Rovaniemi

From Rovaniemi : Visit The Amethyst Mine in Luosto (Tour)

Additional cost applies

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