Napapiiri: Santa Claus Mail and Reindeer Experiences

Napapiiri brings together special Santa Claus mail and seasonal reindeer experiences. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the time of year: in winter, rides and safaris take centre stage, while in summer, you can interact with the reindeer. Mail at the Santa Claus Main Post Office is another special attraction for visitors.

Santa Claus Mail with a Special Postmark

At the Santa Claus Main Post Office, you can send mail with a special Napapiiri postmark that is not available at other post offices. Santa Claus receives hundreds of thousands of letters from around the world every year; visitors can get a glimpse of these letters at the post office. Sending your own greeting is therefore combined with a look at the international mail received there. If the special postmark is important to you, check that it is available on site.

Reindeer Experiences in Different Seasons

In winter, reindeer rides and safaris are offered at Santa Claus Village without prior booking. During reindeer rides, you can also obtain a reindeer driving licence or a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle by reindeer. Check the current operating dates for seasonal activities before your trip.

The experiences vary with the seasons: in summer, visitors can feed and pet Santa Claus’s reindeer at Santa Claus Village. In spring and autumn, short reindeer rides in a cart are available. There is a choice of both encounters with the animals and rides; the season that suits you depends on which experience you are looking for.

Admission and Visit Planning

Admission to Santa Claus Village is free. As fee policies may change, it is advisable to check before your visit. When planning a trip to Napapiiri, you can also consider the seasonal activities separately: winter rides and safaris, short rides in spring and autumn, and feeding and petting reindeer in summer are available at different times of year.

Rovaniemi: Nature and Culture in the Wider Destination

Rovaniemi also offers its own nature and cultural attractions. This information relates to Rovaniemi and the places mentioned there, not to activities in Napapiiri. The Ounasvaara area has 100 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, 50 kilometres of which are illuminated; availability depends on the season and conditions. Ounasvaara Ski Resort has ten downhill slopes, with the longest run measuring 600 metres. In summer, summer tobogganing and downhill biking are available there.

Another option in Rovaniemi is the Ounasvaara Nature Trail: the 4.9-kilometre circular trail is suitable for hiking and Nordic walking and is open from May to October. It leads to a shelter and a viewpoint with sweeping views of Saarenkylä and the Kemijoki River. The ski trails, downhill slopes and circular trail appeal to different interests, from cross-country and downhill skiing to a scenic hike.

Cultural attractions in Rovaniemi include those at the Korundi House of Culture. It is home to the Rovaniemi Art Museum and the Lapland Chamber Orchestra; art exhibitions, concerts and performances are also held there. The exhibition and concert programmes vary. The cultural centre is located on the site of a mail coach depot completed in 1933, which survived the Second World War.

Lapland cuisine is another highlight in Rovaniemi. Its flavours include wild berries, mushrooms, fish and game, prepared in traditional or contemporary ways. These nature and cultural attractions complement the special mail and reindeer experiences that can shape your stay in Napapiiri.

Discover more destinations: Sodankylä, Savukoski, Räisälä, Patokoski, Mäntyjärvi, Tankavaara, Tornio, Pello.

View the wider travel guide: Lapland.