Rovaniemi
For December travelers, no other destination makes more sense than Rovaniemi, considered the official home of Santa Claus. A fairy-tale place just four kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village feels like a mix of an amusement park and an Arctic wonderland. Northern aurora tours are popular in the Rovaniemi area. Over 200 aurora borealis displays can be seen here every year – one of the highest numbers in Scandinavia.
Even if you don't catch a display of northern lights, Rovaniemi goes through a magical period of Polar Twilight (rather than Polar Night), where the sun will still rise for a couple of hours per day. During these months, bluish, glittering snowdrifts cover everything, providing a magical quality to nature and buildings alike. The Ounasvaara outdoor area around the town is perfect for snowshoeing among snow-covered forests, while Ounaskoski beach is a famous spot for winter swimming under the midnight sun. When you need some indoor time, Rovaniemi offers plenty of icy breaks, including a snow restaurant, an ice hotel, ice slides, and castles - plus a warmer break in the form of the Arktikum Science Museum.
- Location: Lapland, Finland
- Where to Stay: Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle; Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle; Arctic City Hotel; Scandic Pohjanhovi
- Things to Do: Sledding, Winter Hiking, Seeing The Aurora, Skiing
- TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
