With just a few days left until Christmas arrives, we thought that we could incorporate the holidays one more time in our blogs. And what better way to wait for the arrival of one of the jolliest celebrations in the world than by exploring the place where Santa Claus lives? It isn’t an everyday thing that you get to experience the closest thing to a Christmas village with Santa, Ms. Claus, the elves and all of the reindeers needed to bring presents and joy to all of the children of the world. Of course, we’re talking about Lapland, a huge region that spans territories in much of northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia) and that is home of the Same people, the only remaining indigenous people in Europe. However, we’re going to focus on the Finnish Lapland, much of which sits above the Arctic Circle and is renowned around the world thanks to its deep connections with Christmas and especially, Santa Claus.
If you’re not familiar with what we’re talking about… let us introduce you to the Santa Claus Village, a place that has been carefully crafted to recreate where Santa lives and works all year-round to make Christmas night the most special of the year. But that’s not all that makes the Finnish Lapland so beloved and an increasingly popular winter destination. Remember how we said that most of the region sits above the Arctic Circle? Well, that actually helps because it means that the Northern Lights are easily visible (under the right conditions) and you’ll have a great chance of seeing the breathtaking auroras. As if that wasn’t enough, Lapland is also a natural wonder, filled with amazing landscapes, ecosystems and animals that will keep you enchanted throughout your visit. So, let’s go over the magic of Lapland and see how you can spend the most charming Christmas in the world.
Exploring the capital Rovaniemi:
First things first. In order to better understand the Finnish Lapland, a great starting point is its capital, Rovaniemi, a city with around 64,000 citizens and 12,500 reindeer. The number of people who live in the city might give the impression that it is rather small, but in reality, with its 8017 km², it is the largest town in Europe. And Rovaniemi certainly lives up to its status, because there is a vast cultural and historic heritage that can be explored there. The Arktikum, a science center and museum, provides a deeper understanding of the Arctic and the Regional Museum of Lapland is the place to go if you want to learn about Lappish culture, its prehistory, history and heritage. Additionally, Rovaniemi is a privileged city because it is surrounded by wilderness, so there are hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails for the adventurers who want to explore the natural side of this arctic city. As you can see, the capital of Lapland is a vibrant city filled with culture, entertainment and nature, and a wonderful way to begin your Arctic adventure.
Rovaniemi is the Finnish Lapland’s capital and the place where the magic begins.
Catching the Northern Lights:
Haven’t you dreamed about being able to witness the northern lights? They are a captivating sight that reminds us of our human condition and the vastness of the universe, so actually getting to see them is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Fortunately, your visit to Lapland during Christmas would mean that you’re in the right place and at the right time to experience this phenomenon! To enhance your chances of actually catching the auroras, you should head to Northern Lapland, where, if there’s a clear sky, chances are there’s going to be a northern light (thank you Arctic Circle!). But if you’re enjoying your time in Rovaniemi and are worried you’re not going to be able to catch them, relax, you just have to step out of the city center and that’s it. The Northern Lights usually appear between 10 pm and 2 am, so grab some dinner, drink a hot cup of coffee and wait for the spectacle to begin.
The proximity of the Arctic Circle makes Lapland, and Rovaniemi, the perfect place to try and catch the Northern Lights.
Merry Christmas from Santa Claus Village:
We’ve come to the key part of our blog on Lapland, the reason why it is an unmissable destination during Christmas! Santa Claus Village is located in Rovaniemi, and it has been designated as Santa’s official hometown. As the story goes, Northern Finland has been Santa Claus’ home for centuries and many Christmas secrets are safely kept in the wonderful land of the Arctic Circle. A visit to Santa Claus Village is family friendly and everyone will reconnect with his or her inner child. There are plenty of places where you can meet Mr. Claus at the Village: At Santa’s Office, you’ll see him in action, getting everything ready for Christmas with the help of his elves, and at the Christmas House, he’s going to greet you happily and give you a warm welcome to his home. You can also visit his Main Post Office, where you can write letters to your friends from the Arctic Circle! The Postal Elves will help you deliver your greetings, so that everyone can know where you’ve been. It comes as no surprise if we tell you that Santa loves animals, right? Well, at the Village, there’s the Elf’s Farmyard, a place where you’ll be able to feed and meet reindeers, as well as alpacas, ponies, goats, sheep, rabbits and other animals to make your visit fluffy and charming.
Santa Claus Village has become an iconic place in Lapland and the best destination for those eager to spend a charming Christmas with Mr. Claus himself.
Where the locals eat:
We couldn’t end this blog without talking about where to eat in Lapland. Just as everything else related to this region, there’s a magic that comes with the fresh ingredients and delicate dishes that you can try. When you live in Lapland, which is so rich in nature, it would be impossible not to have a gastronomy that matches the wilderness and delightful spirit of this place. Regardless of the restaurant you’re at (whether it is a high-end restaurant or a food stall) the meat will often come from the local reindeer herders and the fish will come from the nearby Arctic Ocean. Mushrooms, herbs and all kinds of plants used as ingredients will be picked from the nearby forest. That is, most of what you eat will be locally produced and pretty natural, so take a big bite in order to feel all of the Northern elements of your dishes. Just so you have an idea of where you can eat, we will recommend two restaurants. The first one is called Rakas, meaning darling or sweetheart, and it is close to downtown Rovaniemi, with a cozy and relaxing atmosphere and a menu of typical Lapland dishes such as fish, reindeer, berries and mushrooms, although they come with a modern twist. One could say it is a perfect representation of Scandinavia: the key is to create the perfect combination between simplicity and intricate details that make it all stand out. We also wanted to include the Deatnu Restaurant because it specializes in traditional Sámi dishes, so it is the perfect opportunity to get to know more about the beautiful culture of this indigenous group.
The gastronomy in Lapland is fresh, creative and delicious, with locally sourced ingredients and the influence of the Sámi people.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our Christmas adventure in Lapland and that you’re considering planning a trip to meet Santa, pet reindeers and watch the Northern Lights. We cannot deny that it sounds like a dreamy experience! Remember that this is the most wonderful time of the year, so make the most of it.
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