See the Northern Lights！A must-visit world wonder – Finland’s “Santa Claus Village”

Text and photos / Excerpted from the book “World Wonders Worth Dying to See,” provided by Yuan Shen Publishing

World Wonder 58 – Santa Claus Village, Finland

A museum-themed park located in the suburbs of Rovaniemi in northern Finland. Here, it’s Christmas all year round, and you can meet Santa Claus every day. Since part of the village lies within the Arctic Circle, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights near the Arctic Circle.

How to get to the wonder
There are no direct flights from Taiwan to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. You can fly via Hong Kong or Bangkok to reach Helsinki. The nearest airport to Santa Claus Village is Rovaniemi. There are 4 to 6 direct flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi every day, taking just 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Rovaniemi Railway Station or the bus terminal, take Bus No. 8, and you’ll arrive at Santa Claus Village in 20 minutes. Santa Claus Village is open all year round.

Sample travel itinerary
Day 1/2/3: Taiwan → Transit in Hong Kong → Helsinki, stay two nights in Helsinki
Day 4/5: Helsinki → Rovaniemi (Santa Claus Village, Santa’s Office, Santa’s Post Office, dog sledding, Northern Lights) Tour Santa Claus Village, take photos with Santa, stay one night in Rovaniemi
Day 6: Rovaniemi → Helsinki, stay one night in Helsinki
Day 7/8: Helsinki → Return to Taiwan
Recommended season: December to January

Santa Claus Village is filled with Christmas cheer all year round. The summer with the midnight sun is beautiful, but the combination of winter scenery (November to February) and Santa Claus is even more thrilling. Winter-exclusive activities are also a major highlight.
Travel budget

Approximately NT$120,000
Includes airfare, bus fees, and accommodation with breakfast.
Travel tips

Santa Claus Village is located in Rovaniemi within the Arctic Circle. Even in summer, you should bring a warm coat that offers sufficient protection against the cold. Houses have heating, so winters are quite cozy. It’s recommended to dress in layers to adjust to the changing temperatures. Additionally, the sun in the polar region is very close to the horizon, so be sure to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm to protect yourself from the sun.
Recommended side trips

When returning from Rovaniemi to Helsinki, consider taking the sleeper train “Santa Claus Express”! Each sleeper cabin has a shower, and there’s also a dining car on the train. Sleeping on the train saves time. During the summer daylight period, you can enjoy stunning Finnish scenery that you’d never see from a plane. Traveling on the “Santa Claus Express” during the white nights or Christmas season will surely leave you with unforgettable memories of Finland.
When returning from Rovaniemi to Helsinki, consider taking the sleeper train "Santa Claus Express"! Each sleeper compartment has its own shower, and there’s also a dining car on the train. Spending the night on the train saves time. During the summer daylight period, you can enjoy the stunning Finnish scenery all night long—views you’d absolutely never see from a plane. Traveling on the "Santa Claus Express" during the daylight or Christmas season is an unforgettable Finnish experience you’ll cherish forever.