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Short answer
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and lies just below the Arctic Circle, where the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers meet. The city has approximately 66,000 inhabitants and is the official home of Santa Claus. Santa Claus Village is located 8 kilometers outside the city center. The airport is 10 kilometers away, and KLM flies directly there from Amsterdam from November 21, 2026, to March 28, 2027.
Checked on September 27, 2026 by the editors of Winter Tours
| Subject | Rovaniemi |
|---|---|
| Residents | Approximately 66,000 |
| Location | Center approximately 6 km below the Arctic Circle |
| Airport | 10 km from the center, 2 to 3 km from Santa Claus Village |
| To Levi | 170 km, 2 to 2.5 hours by bus |
| Shortest day | Just over 2 hours of daylight around December 21 |
| Known for | Santa Claus, the Arctic Circle, reindeer and huskies |
In October 1944, at the end of the Lapland War, German troops destroyed approximately 90 percent of the buildings in Rovaniemi. In 1945, architect Alvar Aalto designed a new city plan in the shape of reindeer antlers: the main roads are the antlers, the center between the rivers the head, and the sports field the eye. In the center stand buildings by Aalto, such as the library and the Lappia Hall.
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KLM is flying directly from Amsterdam this winter, and Ryanair from Charleroi. From the airport, the Airport Express runs every 25 minutes between 9:00 and 21:30 to Santa Claus Village and the city centre. You can also take the night train from Helsinki. More in fly directly to Lapland. The center is small and within walking distance; city bus 8 goes to Santa Claus Village.
Most visitors go to Santa Claus in Santa Claus Village or Santa Park. In addition, there are husky and reindeer tours, snowmobile safaris, and the museum Arktikum. Outside the city you will find Ranua Wildlife Park with Finland's only polar bear and the frozen waterfalls of Korouoma. Everything at a glance in What to do in Rovaniemi and sights in Rovaniemi.
With strong Northern Lights, you can even see them from the city, but outside the center, your chances are much better. Places within walking distance include the Arctic Garden at the Arktikum and the hill Ounasvaara. Read Seeing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi or join the Northern Lights Tour Rovaniemi with photographer & guarantee.
In January, the average daytime temperature in Rovaniemi is -7°C and the average nighttime temperature is -14°C. Rovaniemi does not have a polar night, but around December 21, there are only just over two hours of daylight. See the weather in Rovaniemi. A sample schedule can be found in Rovaniemi in 3 days. Hesitating between Rovaniemi and Levi? Read Levi or Rovaniemi.
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