Santa Claus Village Map

Description: This map shows roads, walking routes, parking lots, shops, mailbox, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, luggage, reindeer, huskies, horses, elves, Mrs. Santa Claus, reindeer sleigh, alpacas, gold panning, snowmen, snowtrain, hiking, snowmobiles, ice karting, ice skatig, points of interest, and tourist attractions in Santa Claus Village (Rovaniemi).

Description: This map shows buildings, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, points of interest, and sights in Santa Claus Village.

Santa Claus Village is a Christmas-themed amusement park and resort located in Rovaniemi, Finland, situated on the Arctic Circle, approximately 8 kilometers northeast of downtown Rovaniemi. Established in 1985, this attraction receives approximately 500,000 visitors annually from around the world. The village operates year-round and serves as Finland's most internationally recognized tourist destination.

The origins of Santa Claus Village can be traced back to 1950 when Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States, visited Rovaniemi to witness the city's reconstruction following World War II. A cabin was built for her visit, which later became known as "Roosevelt Cottage" and still stands in the village today. The Arctic Circle line running through the area is marked with a white line, allowing visitors to literally step across the Arctic Circle. The official coordinates of the village are 66°32'35" North and 25°50'55" East.

The primary attraction is Santa Claus's Main Post Office, an official Finnish postal outlet that receives over 500,000 letters annually addressed to Santa Claus from children worldwide. Visitors can send postcards and letters with a special Arctic Circle postmark. The Santa Claus Office offers visitors the opportunity to meet Santa Claus himself every day of the year. Professional photographers capture these meetings, though visitors may also take their own photos.

Arctic Circle Crossing is a ceremonial landmark where visitors receive a certificate documenting their crossing of this geographic line. The village also features Snowman World, an ice and snow attraction with ice sculptures, slides, and an ice restaurant operating during winter months. SantaPark, located nearby in an underground cave, offers additional Christmas-themed activities and shows.

The commercial area includes numerous souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafés selling traditional Finnish handicrafts, local delicacies, and Christmas-themed merchandise. Accommodation options range from glass igloos at Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle to traditional cabins, allowing visitors to experience the Northern Lights during winter months. Various tour operators based in the village offer activities including reindeer sleigh rides, husky safaris, snowmobile excursions, and Northern Lights viewing tours, depending on the season.

Santa Claus Village has expanded significantly since its founding and now encompasses numerous buildings across 8 hectares of land. The Finnish government has officially designated Rovaniemi as "Santa Claus's hometown," and the village operates as a significant driver of Lapland's tourism economy, particularly during the winter holiday season when international charter flights bring thousands of visitors specifically to experience this Christmas destination.

Main Attractions in Santa Claus Village