Rovaniemi Off The Beaten Path

Lapland Safaris are one of the biggest outdoor companies in Lapland that will take you for an outdoor activity, skiing, river cruise, a husky safari or just hiking around all depends on the season and availability.

To see the region in a nice way go to the top of the Ounasvaara (hill). Either on summer or winter the best view is on the top of the Sky Hotel. There are stairs on the side of the hotel - you can go there to sit or stand and watch around...its very nice, i promise. If you are EXTREMELY lucky you might see even the northern lights on winter. To get to sky hotel, you have to cross the old bridge to Ounasvaara side and turn right. Then just continue straight towards Urheilukeskus (sporting center). Sky Hotel is on the top so continue forward - there should be street signs to the hotel.

Reindeer Park is located 1 km south from Santa Claus Village. You can see from 30-50 reindeers throughout the year .
In winter time you can experience a
drive on sleds pulled by reindeer, but
you can also visit the Reindeer Park
in summertime when you can watch closely new born reindeer calves.

Santa Claus' spectacular Main Post Office is located close to Rovaniemi, in Santa Claus' Village. It's Christmas every day at Santa's Post Office, built of natural stone and AIHKI logs. More than half a million people visit the Polar Circle every year in search of the true Christmas spirit. At Santa Claus' Main Post Office a whole bunch of busy assistant elves are at your service, speaking different languages!

Each year, Santa gets hundreds of thousands of letters from 150 countries all over the world. The children in Great Britain, Poland and Japan are the busiest writers. During the summer months, Santa gets approximately 100 letters every day. He tries to answer letters from foreign countries, if the writer requests a reply.

Many children and grownups think that Santa's study with the fireplace is the nicest room of Santa's Main Post Office. There you can admire letters, pictures and gifts sent by children, and sit down for a moment in Santa's sturdy rocking chair. In the background you can hear lovely Christmas carols.

The address of Santa Claus is: Santa Claus' Main Post Office, Santa Village, FIN-96930 NAPAPIIRI

Santa Claus' Village is cute. It's more geared toward kids. But if you're up there it's worth a peek. First of all, it gives you the opportunity to meet Santa Claus. As any Fin will attest the “Real” Santa lives in Finland. But seriously, it’s a good place to take the kids. They have live reindeer, dog sledding, a souvenir shop and they’re located above the Artic Circle, so that’s one more line crossing you can cross off your list of things to do.

Auttinköngäs a river canyon with waterfall formed millions of years ago and located on the River Auttijoki, which runs into the River Kemijoki. At the waterfall the river is in a tight rock watercourse and its height is 16 metres. (uuuuu.... :))...A great recreation area about one hour from Rovaniemi.

I think that Finland is known about it's nature, so if somebody comes here, I think that he/she would have to see it! Thousands of lakes and forests... Actually let me think, Finland has only lakes and forests!! I'm sooo stupid, what am I stammering 'Of the beaten bath' ?!? :D

I live in one of the smallest country in the world, so you can imagine my delight and surprise when I saw a directional sign to Singapore! Yes, according to the marker, I was 9,934km away from home, it made me feel very homesick indeed...

You'll find the marker at Santa's Village. See website for details on how to get there.