This Undiscovered Arctic City With Husky Safaris, Northern Lights, And A New Tourism Surge Is The Ultimate Winter Escape

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If you’ve been considering hopping across the pond to the Nordics this winter for husky safaris, Northern Lights dancing in a pitch-black night sky, and cozy chalet retreats reading a good Scandi thriller by the fireplace, we’ve got just the place for you.

Rovaniemi in Finland is the capital of Finnish Lapland, and it leaves you right on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful wintry scenery you’ll ever experience.

Last winter, it already recorded impressive tourism numbers, with 1.5 million overnight stays between October 2025 and April 2026, and for the upcoming season, a further growth of 7% is expected. That’s roughly 100,000 additional nights.

Who cares about numbers, right? But they definitely don’t lie, and people keep flocking here for a reason:

Arctic Escapes Without The Complicated Logistics

Perhaps the main draw to Rovaniemi is how it’s literally a 66,000-strong community set on the edge of the Arctic Circle, near the kind of crazy, wild, frosty nature you’ve only seen before in NatGeo specials led by those fancy-named, award-winning wildlife experts… yet getting here doesn’t involve crazy logistics.

I mean, I’d love to visit Svalbard, Greenland, or if we’re venturing to the complete opposite end of the globe, even Antarctica myself one day, but between the week-long cruises, jaw-dropping $5,000-plus expedition fares, and complicated travel arrangements, it seems like it would require a lifetime of planning—and savings.

On the other hand, Rovaniemi is a short 3–4-hour flight from many major European hubs, with one-way fares starting from as low as $35 on Ryanair from London Stansted on select dates in January 2027.

Yep, this little corner of the Arctic is served by an international airport, hosting flights from over 30 European airports and a handful of other destinations in winter, so there’s no need for expensive charter flights, days-long boat journeys, or complicated overland transfers.

You’ll be landing right in the thick of the action, only about 10 minutes from the city center, and a mere 5-minute drive from Santa Claus Village.

Check The Local Travel Rules In Europe Before You Fly

If you’re traveling from the United States, the easiest way to reach Rovaniemi is flying nonstop to Helsinki first, then connecting domestically onto Rovaniemi.

Finnair operates nonstop flights to the Finnish capital from major American airports, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Miami during winter.

From Helsinki, Rovaniemi is only another 1h20min flight north, with several daily connections operated by Finnair.

Before you go, however, double-check the entry requirements that apply to Americans.

Finland is part of the Schengen Area, meaning American passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, provided they are able to prove to the border officer they will leave the zone before the time is up, usually through producing a number of documents.

Use our Entry Requirement Checker to find out exactly what documentation you’ll need before traveling.

The Home of Santa Claus

I’m not sure about you, but half the magic of winter for me is Christmas.

What if I told you Rovaniemi is the literal European capital of Christmas, and it’s home to a whole purpose-built, year-round Santa Claus Village?

Our favorite jolly, bearded old man actually hails from this part of the world, according to Finnish folklore, and Rovaniemi is widely considered to be his homoetown.

In the center of Rovaniemi, the festive village is filled with twinkling fairy lights, wooden cabins, souvenir shops, and cozy chalet-style eateries slinging steaming salmon soup and local reindeer-meat burgers you should definitely be open to trying before leaving.

For an introduction to Lapland’s local flavors, make sure you add Three Elves Restaurant to your wishlist: they serve the most delicious reindeer burger covered in lingonberry mayonnaise.

You can also meet Santa himself at his office and send postcards bearing the official Arctic Circle postmark.

Where To Stay In Rovaniemi This Christmas

If you’re coming for Christmas, there are countless lodging options that will give the family that picture-perfect holiday atmosphere:

Santa Claus Holiday Village is a cottage-style resort with apartment accommodations equipped with a kitchenette, private sauna, and terrace, and it’s only a short 10-minute drive from K-Citymarket, for whenever you need to stock up on supplies in the lead-up to Christmas Eve.

The cottages accommodate up to four guests, and staying in the village means you’re a short walk from Santa’s office, all the most popular restaurants, and the festive attractions, no driving through the snow required.

Sometimes, the accommodation can be the whole point, especially this far north, where you’re literally paying upwards of $400 a night to sleep beneath the Northern Lights, in the middle of a snow-covered wilderness.

For those days when you’re feeling a bit drained by the almost constant darkness, and you don’t really fancy stepping out into Santa Claus Village for another round of festive shopping, picking the right place to stay makes all the difference.

From glass-roofed igloos designed for Northern Lights viewing, to cozy log cabins set along the shores of frozen lakes, surrounded by snowy pine forests, Rovaniemi has some of the most unique winter accommodations in Europe:

1. Santa Claus Holiday Village: from approximately $150 per night. Traditional Lapland-style cottages with private saunas, kitchenettes, and terraces, right in the heart of Santa Claus Village.
2. Nova Skyland Hotel: from approximately $310 per night. Stylish Scandinavian suites and villas with large panoramic windows, Finnish saunas, and expansive forest surroundings.

1. Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos: from approximately $350 per night for a glass igloo with Northern Lights views directly from bed. Located roughly 30 minutes outside Rovaniemi.
2. Apukka Resort: from approximately $395 per night in late winter. A lovely lakeside retreat with glass-roofed cabins made for Aurora sightings.
3. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel: from approximately $400 per night. One of Rovaniemi’s most sought-after boutique hotels, due to its wooden suites featuring enormous panoramic windows.
4. Glass Resort: from approximately $595 per night. Glass-roofed apartments in Santa Claus Village, complete with private saunas, outdoor hot tubs, and panoramic windows.

Is Rovaniemi Safe?

Perhaps just as importantly, Rovaniemi is the perfect choice for travelers who prioritize safety this winter, especially in the midst of Europe’s ongoing demonstrations and violent protests.

Finland is a Level 1 destination according to the U.S. Department of State, meaning Americans are advised to exercise normal precautions when visiting.

It’s one of the safest countries in Europe, with low levels of violent crime, and Rovaniemi is a truly-relaxed, family-friendly city.

Also, feel free to double-check Finland’s traveler-reported safety ratings on the Travel Off Path Traveler Safety Index, where it currently scores 81 out of 100:

Beyond Santa Claus Village: A Real-Life Winter Wonderland

Perhaps most importantly, Rovaniemi is a real-life winter wonderland.

If you’re not exactly a fan of the crowds in Santa Claus Village, and you’re after anything but touristy circuits, there are countless nature-based activities you can book from local tour providers:

• Husky safari: head out into the Lapland wilderness on a dog sled through snowy forests. Bearhill Husky is my go-to pick for guided kennel visits and sledding.
• Northern Lights chasing: join a guided aurora hunt that takes you away from the city lights to remote forests and frozen lakes. Wild About Lapland is one of the top operators offering excursions.
• Sámi cultural experiences: learn about the traditions of the Indigenous Sámi people of Lapland through handicraft and storytelling experiences (check out LAURI for handicraft workshops)
• Reindeer sleigh rides: visit Santa Claus Reindeer in Santa Claus Village, where you can take a leisurely ride through the snow-covered surroundings and learn about reindeer husbandry.

• Snowmobile safari: cruise through frozen forests and snowmobile trails on a guided, action-packed adventure with Lapland Safaris or Safartica.
• Ice fishing: follow a local guide onto one of the countless frozen lakes near Rovaniemi, drill a hole yourself through the thick sheet of ice, and try catching Arctic fish.

My own favorite winter activity in Rovaniemi, though? None of the above, but unwinding in a traditional Finnish sauna by the river.

Finland is not only the home of Christmas magic, but also the global capital of sauna culture. There are roughly 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.6 million.

And Rovaniemi’s Roiske Arctic Sauna Retreat is easily one of the most atmospheric places to experience this Finnish tradition so far north.

The best part? Rovaniemi is definitely no budget winter break, with a three-night getaway for two easily costing $1,500–2,500, but a one-hour session at Roiske starts from only $33.

Heading To Europe This Winter?

Don’t miss out on these 8 other incredible, lesser-known winter wonderland destinations:

• Chur, Switzerland: one of Europe’s oldest alpine towns, with a beautiful medieval center, colorful historic buildings, and easy access to the snowy landscapes of Graubünden.
• Lake Bled, Slovenia: a fairytale Alpine lake town with a tiny church-occupied island, a medieval hilltop castle, and picturesque lakeside chalets backdropped by the Julian Alps.
• Brixen, Italy: a charming South Tyrolean town with a landmark Christmas market, pastel-colored medieval streets, and easy access to the Plose ski area.

• The Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland: an alternative to the usual snowy mountains, with dramatic Atlantic cliffs, windswept coastal villages, and the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway.
• Bansko, Bulgaria: a traditional mountain town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, with incredible-value skiing about half the price of Switzerland, cozy Bulgarian tavernas, and a gorgeous historic center.
• Tignes, France: a high-altitude French Alpine resort with reliable snow conditions, some of the most extensive ski runs in Europe, and a snowpiercer train that cuts travels up a literal mountain
• Tallinn, Estonia: an intact medieval capital best known for its magical festive feel, cobbled streets, and snow-sprinkled Gothic towers.
• Pozar, Greece: a series of natural hot springs surrounded by snow-clad mountains in Northern Greece, a short 1h40min drive from Thessaloniki.

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