In December, I traveled to Lapland (Finland) in Rovaniemi with my sister and her kids, drawn by the promise of snow, Santa Claus, and northern lights and while the experience was magical, it was also expensive and crowded due to the high season. If you’re looking to enjoy the magic of Santa Claus Village and Lapland while saving money and avoiding the crowds, here are my insights and tips.
Quick Overview: Visiting Rovaniemi on a budget
- Cost of living: €550 for 3 nights at an Airbnb (December).
- WiFi reliability: Excellent everywhere, even in the Airbnb.
- Food: Eating out is expensive; cooking at the Airbnb is a budget-friendly option.
- Getting around: Santa Express Bus (~€8 one way); Uber can be cheaper for groups.
- People: Friendly and welcoming.
- Best months to visit: October (affordable, better aurora chances) or December (festive but crowded).
- Personal recommendation: Great for families with young kids, but plan carefully to avoid overspending.
Best Places for a Santa Experience
Malaysia has a well-connected transportation network that allows for affordable travel between cities, making it easy to explore while working remotely. Here’s a breakdown of each city and what to expect:
Santa Park
Santa Park is an underground wonderland perfect for kids up to 10. It offers a mix of activities and festive fun, all under one roof..
- Highlights:
- Elf School: Learn elf secrets and get a certificate.
- Gingerbread Decorating: Fun for kids to make their own cookies.
- Santa’s Office: Free photos with Santa after waiting in line (~1 hour).
- Train Ride: A cute ride through the Arctic Circle story.
- Costs: Tickets are cheaper online (€30 per person depending on season).
- Time Needed: About 4 hours, though you could spend longer.
- Tip: Split up to wait in line for Santa while the kids enjoy other activities.
Santa Claus Village (touristy and expensive)
This outdoor attraction is much more commercial than I expected. While it has its charms, most activities come at a steep cost.
- What I expected: A festive outdoor market with hot cocoa, elves, and reindeer roaming freely.
- What it was: Over-commercialized with high costs for nearly everything.
- For free: Playground and post office are free, but most other attractions require payment.
- Drawbacks
- Husky Cuddling: €30 per person for 15 minutes; long waits with limited availability.
- Husky Enclosures: €15 per person to see them behind fences.
- Rides (Reindeer or Husky): €70 per person for a short lap in the park.
- Recommendation: Skip the rides here and book a dedicated tour for better value and scenic landscapes. If you want to cuddle with them here, book ahead (on websites like Get your guide) and skip the line.
My take on Santa Clause Village:
Be prepared to spend a lot of extra cash—around €400 for four activities for two adults and two kids—or skip the high-cost activities altogether. If you don’t want to skip, booking activities in advance is essential to avoid long waits.
Both Santa Park and Santa Claus Village are touristy, especially in December. It may be less crowded in other months. If I were to go again (with kids) I would opt for Santa Park.
Northern Lights Rovaniemi: What you need to know
Our December trip had limited aurora chances due to cloudy skies, but we did manage to see them after some effort.
Tour option
- Provider: Nordic Unique Travels
- Cost: €70 per person
- Experience: The tour included a Lappish BBQ in a beautiful riverside setting. Unfortunately, due to cloud cover, we didn’t see the aurora during the tour.
DIY aurora viewing
- Aurora Forecasting: We used the “Polarlichter App” to monitor aurora activity and cloud cover.
- Optimal Viewing Spot: After the tour, we drove beyond Santa Claus Village to a large parking area near Lake Olkkajärvi, a popular spot for aurora enthusiasts. This location is approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Rovaniemi and offers expansive views of the northern sky, away from city lights.
- Our Experience: At Lake Olkkajärvi, despite the earlier disappointment, we were fortunate to witness the Northern Lights. The open area and minimal light pollution provided an excellent backdrop for the aurora.
- Viewing spot in Rovaniemi Center: Arktikum Park, a popular spot near Rovaniemi city center known for aurora viewing. It’s easily accessible and offers a good view over the Ounasjoki River.
Capturing Northern Lights: How cameras see what we can’t
When photographing the Northern Lights, it’s essential to understand how the camera captures details the human eye might miss.
Camera Settings: To photograph the aurora, use a long exposure of at least 6 seconds. This allows the camera’s sensor to collect more light over time, revealing the vibrant greens, purples, and reds of the aurora that might appear faint or invisible to the naked eye. Use a tripod to keep the camera perfectly still during the exposure, as even minor movement can blur the image.
Why the Camera Sees More:
- The human eye adjusts to low light but prioritizes motion and contrast over detail in the dark.
- The camera, however, doesn’t rely on real-time processing. With a long exposure, it “gathers” light from the aurora over several seconds, amplifying the colors and patterns that are otherwise too dim to see clearly.
Seeing the Lights Without a Camera: If the aurora is strong, you’ll spot the lights with your eyes, though they may appear more muted—a grayish-green or white shimmer that dances across the sky. For weaker displays, the colors and details are more prominent in photographs.
For the best results, experiment with ISO settings (800–1600 is a good start) and aperture (as low as your lens allows, such as f/2.8). With a little practice, your camera can unlock the full beauty of the aurora, even if your eyes can’t.
5 Tips for saving money in Rovaniemi
- Stay at an Airbnb: Cooking meals saves you money, and WiFi is excellent for remote work.
- Choose Santa Park over Santa Claus Village: More value for families with kids.
- Explore free activities: Vanhantorin Leikkipaikka Park and hiking trails are great options.
- Book tours and tickets in advance: Activities like reindeer rides are cheaper and easier to schedule online.
- Don’t go in high season
Budget-friendly family activities
Vanhantorin Leikkipaikka Park
This small park was a hit with the kids. They enjoyed sledding, skating, and sipping hot cocoa.
- Cost: Sledding is free; skate rentals available at Naava Café for a small fee, where you can also get hot cocoa with marshmallows.
- Time Needed: A few hours of simple, affordable fun.
Ounasvaara Winter Trail
A scenic hike through snowy forests, offering peace and beautiful views. Perfect for families who enjoy the outdoors.
Best times to travel Lapland Finland Rovaniemi
Your ideal time to visit Rovaniemi depends on what you want to experience. Here’s a breakdown based on common priorities:
1. Festive Atmosphere (November – February)
Experience a winter wonderland with Christmas markets and Santa attractions. Expect high prices, large crowds, and unpredictable weather and only a few hours of sunlight per day.
2. Northern Lights (October–March)
Best chances for aurora viewing are in October and March due to clear skies. Autumn offers mild weather; winter adds snowy landscapes.
3. Snow Activities (November–March)
Ideal for husky sledding, snowmobiling, and skiing. February and March offer longer daylight and milder temperatures.
4. Budget-Friendly Travel (October, February–April)
Lower prices outside the December peak. Autumn and spring months are less crowded with unique seasonal charms.
5. Summer Adventures (June–July)
Enjoy 24-hour daylight, the Midnight Sun, and activities like hiking, cycling, and river rafting in Lapland’s green landscapes.
Choose your dates based on your priorities, whether it’s festive magic, auroras, or snowy adventu.
Getting to Lapland, Finland, Rovaniemi
Flights: Rovaniemi Airport has frequent connections from Helsinki.
Getting around locally
- Santa Express Bus: Budget-friendly transport to Santa Park and Santa Claus Village (~€8 one way).
- Uber: Often cheaper than buses if traveling in a group.
- Car Rental: Offers flexibility but be cautious driving on icy roads.
Local food and vegetarian options
Traditional dishes to try
- Poronkäristys: Sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes.
- Loimulohi: Flame-grilled salmon.
- Lapland Cheese: Warm cheese with cloudberry jam.
Vegetarian-friendly spots
- Cafe & Bar 21: Soups, salads, and vegetarian waffles.
- Rang Mahal: Indian curries with great vegetarian options.
- Arctic Boulevard: Local veggies and mushroom-based dishes.
Budget-friendly eats
- Santa’s Salmon Place: Affordable flame-grilled salmon.
- Kotipizza: Pizza with veggie toppings.
- Rovaniemi Market Hall: Cheap soups and baked goods.
Money-Saving Tip
Cook at your Airbnb or look for lunch specials (“lounas”) for great value.
Sustainable travel in Lapland, Finland, Rovaniemi
- Eco-friendly activities: Opt for certified reindeer or husky tours and low-impact hikes like Ounasvaara Winter Trail.
- Transportation: Use buses, carpool, or stay centrally to reduce emissions.
- Tips: Avoid single-use plastics and support local businesses.
Help preserve Lapland’s beauty by traveling responsibly!
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