Revealed: Santa Claus' s 'official hometown' is Lapland capital Rovaniemi

Christmas makes you dream of a winter scene with a tree decked in baubles. Add to it a man with twinkling eyes, snowwhite beard, jelly-like belly and a bundle of toys on his back. If there’s a place where this picture truly comes alive, it’s Rovaniemi, the “Official Hometown of Santa Claus” in Lapland. The northernmost region in Finland gives an authentic Christmas experience in the Arctic Circle.

The Finns believe Santa Claus’ original home lies in the mysterious Korvatunturi in Lapland. However, as the exact location must be kept a secret, he operates from an office at the picturesque Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. There elves will lead you through a dimly lit passageway lined with presents. There is a giant pendulum called “Earth’s Rotational Speed Regulator” — tell the child in you that Santa uses this to get around the world to deliver gifts.



Ascend a few stairs and you will spot a bearded man sitting on a large wooden chair, surrounded by books, a world map and a trunk full of letters. Since 1985, Santa Claus has received more than 15 million letters from over 200 countries. During the festive months, he receives around 30,000 letters a day.

With a big smile, he will welcome you: “Ho, ho, ho! Welcome to the Arctic Circle!” You can satiate your curiosity regarding Santa’s daily chores — ask him how he slides down the chimney with his sack full of gifts — simply give him a warn hug.

Next door, at the Santa Claus Village post office, you can write postcards to friends and loved ones. The mail will be stamped with a special Arctic Circle postmark, and you can have it delivered right away or just before Christmas.

Rovaniemi, with a population of 60,000, is one of the largest habitations closest to the Arctic Circle. Cross the Arctic Circle in Santa Claus Village, where the coordinates 66°34´N 023°51´E are marked on the ground.

Santa Claus Village is open every day of the year. To get there from Rovaniemi city centre, take local bus No. 8 or Santa’s Express that leaves hourly. You can also take a taxi or walk 3 km from the airport.

The capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is shaped like a reindeer, the iconic animal of the region. It was destroyed in World War II. When Alvar Aalto, one of the top Finnish architects, designed the reconstruction plan of Rovaniemi, he gave it the look of a reindeer’s head. This can be seen from the air. Another architectural marvel is the 320 m Jätkänkynttilä Bridge across the Kemijoki river. The cable-stayed road bridge pays homage to the logging industry of the city. When the river is frozen, you don’t need the bridge.

With more reindeers than people in Lapland, it’s unlikely not to run into the creature in Rovaniemi. Visit a reindeer farm for a sleigh ride. Dog lovers can opt for a husky sledge ride through snowy forests and frozen lakes.

In the evenings, roast sausage over an open fire at one of the 70 lean-to shelters along the river. Or, dance the night away at one of the many pubs, clubs and sports bars in the city that regularly host gigs and karaoke.

Lappish cuisine is simple, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and original flavours. To dine in a snowy ambience surrounded by intricate ice sculptures, head to the Ice Restaurant at Santa Claus Village.

Since reindeer husbandry and hunting are an old means of livelihood in Lapland, the animal is an essential part of the cuisine.

No part of reindeer goes unused. Try dishes like reindeer stew and sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and fresh lingonberries or lingonberry jam. Other varieties of game meat popular in the hunting season are elk, bear, capercaillie (a large, turkey-like Eurasian grouse), willow grouse, black grouse and waterfowl. Another Finnish experience is ice fishing. The waters of the region have salmon, trout, pike perch, whitefish, arctic char, grayling and vendace. You can master the art of catching a fish and cook it for dinner.

If you are visiting during Christmas, don't miss the pies and pastries made with forest-sourced berries - cloudberry, bilberry (northern blueberry), lingonberry and cranberry, to name a few.

A must-eat is leipajuusto ¡X a soft cheese fried and served with cloudberries or cloudberry jam. It is often called squeaky cheese due to the sound it makes when chewed. A popular sweet pastry is kampanisu, which translates to "comb scone" due to its shape. Seasonal food markets and weekend markets are the places to go for souvenirs.

A trip to Rovaniemi, where temperature drops to -14 degree Celsius, can still leave you fuzzy with the warmth of a childhood dream.