Things to do in Lapland

Many people book a trip to Santa Claus Village to meet the real Santa Claus in the flesh, perhaps for the first time in their lives. According to Finnish tradition, Santa Claus comes to the village on Christmas Eve to take a short break on his long journey, sing Christmas carols with children and drink a glass of glögi before giving out presents and getting back on his way – he is happy to meet visitors who come to see him! Surprise your kids by organising a trip to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, in the Arctic Circle.

Step into some of Lapland’s most dramatic wilderness in Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Amethyst mines, pockets of centuries-old woodland and sporting resorts are dotted around a landscape of untamed beauty. With limited light pollution, this is also an ideal place to watch the aurora borealis (northern lights) flickering in the night sky.

Follow in the footsteps of a heavy metal group in Lordi’s Square, a plaza in central Rovaniemi named after the Finnish group that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. This city center attraction features a tribute to the band and is surrounded by busy areas for shopping and dining. Begin your exploration of Rovaniemi in this square before walking to some of the town’s fascinating nearby attractions.

Get ready for outdoor adventures amid the pristine and inspiring landscapes of Pallas-Yllästnturi National Park (Pallas-Yllästnturi kansallispuisto). The park spreads across over 250,000 acres (101,171 hectares) of barren wilderness in Finnish Lapland. It incorporates a chain of fells, ancient forests, lakes, rivers and undulating hills. Pallas-Yllästnturi National Park is a great vantage point for viewing the mystical midnight sun and northern lights.

Enjoy the greatest light show on earth at the Arktikum and find out if you could survive in the Arctic. Stare into the eyes of a polar bear and discover the weird and wonderful creatures that live year-round in the Arctic.