Santa Claus Village & Rovaniemi Day Trip from Levi — Arctic Circle, Santa’s Office, the Magic Path and the City
This is the full day out — from Levi to the Arctic Circle and back, with time at Santa Claus Village, a meeting with Santa, the Post Office, free time in Rovaniemi, and a return in good time for dinner.
Why This Is the Classic Santa Claus Day Trip from Levi
- Santa Claus Village is on the official Arctic Circle line — cross it on the way to Santa’s office and receive a personal diploma
- Pre-booked slot to Santa’s office — required for entry; walk-in visitors without a booking cannot enter
- The Magic Path — the route through the village leading to Santa’s door
- The Official Santa Claus Post Office — send a postcard with the official Arctic Circle stamp or order a letter from Santa for next Christmas
- Free time in the Village — Finnish design shops, souvenir stores, cafes
- Rovaniemi city centre — the Christmas market on Koskikatu, the main pedestrian street, with festive atmosphere, cafes, shops and restaurants
- 170 km from Levi — a proper road trip with a guide who tells you the history along the way
Santa Claus Village — The Arctic Circle and the Magic Path
Santa Claus Village sits directly on the Arctic Circle line, 8 km from Rovaniemi city centre. It began with a single celebrity visit in 1950 and has grown into one of the most visited destinations in Finnish Lapland. The guide gives a short introduction to the Village’s history on the way.
To reach Santa’s office, guests walk the Magic Path — the route through the Village leading to his door. At the door, you cross the official Arctic Circle line and receive your personal diploma. Inside the office, Santa meets each group personally.
The Pre-Booked Slot — Why It Matters
A pre-booked slot is required to enter Santa’s office — walk-in visitors without a booking cannot enter. STG secures a group slot for the entire party, meaning the whole group enters together. Guaranteed access to Santa’s office is part of what you are booking.
Photography at Santa’s Office
Inside Santa’s office, personal cameras and phones are not permitted. A professional elf photographer takes photos and videos, available to purchase at the exit. Outside the office, in the Village and at the Post Office, guests are free to photograph as much as they like.
The Official Santa Claus Post Office
Next to the Village, the Official Santa Claus Post Office receives thousands of letters from children and adults around the world every year. Guests can send a postcard with the official Arctic Circle Post Office stamp, or order a personal letter from Santa delivered to a child before Christmas.
Rovaniemi City Centre
After the Village, the program continues to Rovaniemi city centre for approximately two hours of free time. The main destination is Koskikatu — the pedestrian street running through the city centre, lined with the Christmas market, festive lights, cafes, restaurants and shops. This is where most guests have lunch, browse for gifts and soak up the Christmas atmosphere. The Lumberjack Bridge over the Kemijoki river, the Arktikum science museum, the Pilke Wood Centre and the Rovaniemi Art Museum are all nearby for those who want to explore further. Lunch in Rovaniemi is not included in the price.
Who This Is For
- Families with children of all ages who want to meet Santa in his official home on the Arctic Circle
- Groups for whom the full Rovaniemi day out is part of the Lapland experience
- Anyone who wants the Santa Claus Village visit combined with time in Rovaniemi city
- Those who prefer this version without Santa Park — for the Santa Park full-day version see Santa Claus Village & Santa Park Day Trip with Lunch
PRIVATE TOUR NOTE
Available as a private charter — your group, your vehicle, your guide, your schedule. Contact us to arrange.
Responsibility waiver: Scandinavian Travel Group is not responsible for changes, disruptions or unavailability affecting Santa Claus Village, Santa Park, the Santa Claus office or any third-party venue visited during this program, for whatever reason. Where a venue is unavailable, the guide will make reasonable alternative arrangements where possible. No refund is due for circumstances beyond our control.
What's included
- Full transportation by minivan, minibus or coach (170 km each way, approximately 2.5 hours)
- Guide throughout the full program
- Pre-booked slot for entrance to Santa Claus office*
- Personal Diploma of crossing the Arctic Circle
Not included
- Meals and drinks.
- Photos and videos with Santa Claus inside his office (professional elf photographer only — available to purchase at the office exit).
- Shopping, postcards, Santa letters and any other purchases at the Village or in Rovaniemi.
Important remarks
F.A.Q.
- What does the pre-booked slot to Santa’s office actually mean?
A pre-booked slot is required to enter Santa’s office — walk-in visitors without a booking cannot enter. STG secures one group slot for the entire party. The whole group enters together, and access to Santa’s office is guaranteed as part of this tour.
- Can we take photos with Santa?
Not with your own camera or phone inside Santa’s office — this is the official policy of Santa Claus Village. A professional elf photographer takes photos and video inside the office; these are available to purchase at the exit. Outside the office, everywhere else in the Village and in Rovaniemi, guests can photograph freely.
- Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is during the free time in Rovaniemi city centre and is at each guest’s own choice and expense. There are several restaurants and cafes within easy walking distance of the city centre stops.
- Is this suitable for very young children?
Yes. All ages are welcome. Most of the program is indoors or in covered areas. The journey is 2.5 hours each way by comfortable vehicle. Child price applies for ages 3–12. Children under 3: fixed rate applies.
- What is the difference between this tour and the Santa Park day trip?
This tour includes Santa Claus Village, Santa’s office, the Post Office and free time in Rovaniemi city centre. The Santa Park version replaces the Rovaniemi city time with a full visit to Santa Park — an underground theme park with shows, workshops, train rides and a guaranteed family meeting with Santa — plus a buffet lunch.
Important remarks:
Pre-booked slot: Required for entry to Santa’s office. Walk-in visitors without a booking cannot enter. Included in the tour price.
Photography: Own cameras and phones not permitted inside Santa’s office. Professional elf photographer available — photos purchasable at exit. Freely permitted everywhere else.
Rovaniemi free time: Approximately 2 hours. Lunch, drinks and purchases at guests’ own expense.
Pickup: Free pick-up and drop-off from several designated locations in the Levi area.
Child pricing: Child price applies for ages 3–12. Children under 3: fixed rate applies.
Clothing: Normal winter clothing is sufficient. Most of the program is indoors. Warm winter clothing rental available from Safarimarket in Levi centre if needed.
Recommendation
- Normal winter clothing is sufficient for this tour — the program is mostly indoors.
- A warm coat and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- If you need thermal clothing it can be rented from Safarimarket in Levi centre; please provide shoe, trouser and jacket sizes in advance.
Cancellation Policy
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 21 days or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 10% if booking is cancelled 365 days or less before the event