Lappish weekend

Santa Claus' city, razed to the ground by the German army in 1944, is not architecturally exciting. Alvar Alto's buildings, alone, save the day a little. The interest is therefore elsewhere, particularly in the exciting Arktikum centre dedicated to nature and the Arctic peoples. The site includes a museum and an Arctic research centre. In winter, you can play ice golf on the city lake and relax in the evening at the hotel's sauna. It is also the time to experience the avanto (diving into a hole provided for this purpose in the heart of the frozen lake).

8 km north of Rovaniemi, on the road to Ivalo (bus no. 8), you cross the Arctic Circle - Napapiiri - and enter Santa's village. After giving him your gift list, visit his reindeer and busy goblins in the post office. A diploma of official passage of the Napapiiri (marked on the ground) will also be issued to you. Santa Claus' village is an excellent starting point for snowmobile or pulkka excursions (sleigh rides with reindeer).