Rovaniemi bills itself as the official hometown of Santa Claus, but the real draw for most winter visitors is what happens after dark — a genuine shot at the aurora borealis over the Arctic Circle, with reindeer along for the ride.
This roughly three-hour excursion picks up from central Rovaniemi hotels and heads out into the Finnish wilderness for a sleigh ride pulled by real reindeer, with a stop at a local reindeer farm to meet the herders who raise them. Warm drinks are served during the ride, and souvenir photos are available to purchase if the lights cooperate. Groups run up to 30 travelers, and a minimum of two people is required to book.
Aurora sightings are never guaranteed — they depend on solar activity and clear skies — but late November through March is the strongest window, and the guides know where to go for the darkest, least light-polluted skies near the city.
Book This Excursion
See available dates and book this experience here.
What to Wear
Arctic winter nights regularly drop well below freezing, so this is not the trip for a fashion coat — pack real thermal layers and a genuine cold-weather jacket from our outerwear collection, plus warm gloves and a hat that actually covers your ears.
Book the earliest available night of your trip if possible, so there's a backup night left over in case clouds roll in.
0 comments