When you think of Lapland and especially Rovaniemi, you immediately think of Santa Claus! Of course, Santa Claus is literally nowhere without his reindeer. Reindeer are not only important to Santa Claus but to the whole of Lapland. For centuries, humans and reindeer have lived closely together.
When it comes to animal tourism we are always a bit reserved and cautious. Using animals for tourist purposes is of course something different, but if it is done in a good and correct way it can only be recommended. That is why we always find out in advance how the animals are treated and taken care of before we engage with an animal activity.
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This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She visited Mrs. Claus and experienced Santa Claus Reindeer, on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences.
At Santa Claus Reindeer, sustainability, animal welfare and respect for nature are at the heart of the owners and every employee. Not just in words but in every decision they make. For them the Arctic isn't a backdrop for entertainment, it is their home!
Their connection to the land and the reindeer runs deep. They always choose the path that leaves space for nature to breath, traditions to endure and for future generations to experience the same wonder we all hold dear. This clearly shows in how they take care of the animals and how they share their way of life with visitors. The well-being of their reindeer is at the heart of everything they do.
Location
Both Santa Claus Reindeer and Mrs. Claus' Christmas Cottage are located in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. If you are standing on the main square of Santa Claus Village they are located behind Santa Claus Main Office. So when you are standing in front of Santa's Office, walk to the right, towards the Post Office, and then immediately left uphill. You will walk straight into the entrance of Santa Claus Reindeer.
Mrs. Claus' Christmas Cottage is a bit more hidden. But from the entrance of Santa Claus Reindeer it is indicated and signposted. Follow the signs and you will get there automatically. Very easy to find when you're in Santa Claus Village!
Mrs. Claus Christmas Cottage
The hidden gem of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi! That's what we think anyway after visiting Santa Claus Village multiple times. We must also honestly admit that we only discovered this during our last visit. We were always so focused on Santa that we completely overlooked Mrs. Claus's cozy little cottage. But as it turns out, Mrs. Claus Cottage is exactly that place. A super cozy wooden cottage, hidden in the woods of Santa Claus Village and surrounded by reindeer.
It sounds wonderful, it is wonderful! Once you walk inside, it only gets better. You are welcomed by the elves, Mrs. Claus little helpers. You enter a super cozy cafe where the Christmas trees are up all year round. There is enough space to sit and they make the most delicious coffees and hot chocolates. They always have enough choice for something tasty to go with your hot drink. The scent of gingerbread and warm glögi fills the air here, so inviting!
Meet Mrs. Claus
When you visit Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village you really must visit Mrs. Claus. She is the caring heart of Christmas. She is known for her gentle wisdom, joyful laughter and the twinkle in her eyes makes every guest feel truly welcome. And even more important, Mrs. Claus is much more than just Santa's loving partner. She is the organizer of Christmas cheer, she makes sure that everything behind the scenes of Santa's world runs smoothly.
From September 2025 they start with private pre-booked meetings. In this way they hope to limit waiting times and distribute everyone well over the available time slots. You can book the private meetings on their website. You will be able to enjoy a more personalized visit with Mrs. Claus. Each meeting includes scheduled private time with Mrs. Claus, entrance to the Christmas Cottage and one printed memory photo per group. Prices start at 50 EUR ($55 USD) for a family up to 5 people.
We actually met Mrs. Claus ourselves during our latest trip to Rovaniemi. Okay, it took us 5 trips before our plans finally aligned and we got to see her. Of course she knew that we had been there before and so she let us know that she was a little disappointed that we had not come by earlier. We are still very sorry Mrs. Claus! Meeting her was a real treat! She is the silent force behind Santa Claus and is a real power woman. We had a really nice meeting with her and afterwards we drank a super tasty hot chocolate in her cozy cafe.
Santa Claus Reindeer
Santa Claus is literally nowhere without his reindeer. Every year they are his main forces to deliver all the presents around the world on time. On that one night of the year, the reindeer are indispensable to Santa Claus. On all other days, they simply enjoy the Arctic life in Santa Claus Village.
You can visit the reindeer year round. Of course, each season brings different activities, but it is always fun and highly recommended to visit Santa Claus Reindeer!
Winter
Winter is by far the busiest season! This applies to all of Lapland, including Santa Claus Reindeer.From Santa Claus Village they offer various reindeer sleigh rides. For example, they offer a short 400 meter sleigh ride. Perfect for people who want to experience it but are perhaps short on time. Then they also offer a longer 800 meter sleigh ride and a winter adventure of 2-3 km.
During our last visit we got to do the Winter Adventure Reindeer Safari in Santa Claus Village. Truly a fantastic experience. From Santa Claus Village you are very quickly in the forest and most of this experience is through the forest. Really magical! Reindeer have a really slow pace, so you can take in the beauty of nature you're surrounded with. After the experience you're invited to the campfire for some snacks and drinks.
We also experienced the shorter sleigh ride during a previous visit. You make a round through Santa Claus Village and along surrounding resorts. Definitely recommended to experience more of Santa Claus Village and get an introduction to reindeer sleigh rides.
Summer
Summer is in many ways different to winter. Reindeer have a very busy life in winter, some even travel across the world. Summer is quiet and relaxed. You can still visit Santa Claus Reindeer in summer for a relaxed, walk-in encounter. You will meet gentle reindeer, enjoy a coffee by the fireplace and take part in fun activities like feeding the reindeer. No bookings are needed!
Autumn
Our favorite time of the year in Lapland is Autumn! The forests glow with autumn colors and the air turns crisp. It's the perfect time to add a little Arctic magic to your trip with Santa Claus Reindeer. Walk in and meet Santa's reindeer, you can pet them, feed them and capture beautiful and magical moments with these amazing animals against the backdrop of Lapland's autumn landscapes.
Reindeer Farm
Of course, the reindeer don't live in Santa Claus Village. They have their own Reindeer Farm about half an hour from Rovaniemi. You can also visit this farm. Here you can enjoy idyllic, private reindeer rides and the magic of the Lapland night sky with its stars and northern lights.
This reindeer farm is nestled in the heart of Lapland. The reindeer farm is a sanctuary for hundreds of these iconic Arctic animals. Reindeer live in their natural environment here, roaming in the Finnish landscapes like they have for centuries.
A reindeer farm is the perfect place to experience the real authentic heart of Lapland. It's where nature and tradition come together. Visiting a reindeer farm lets you step into the world of these amazing Arctic animals. Learn about their way of life and the deep connection between the people of the North and their reindeer.
Kotahovi Restaurant
Kotahovi Restaurant is a charming lunch restaurant located in the middle of Santa Claus Village. The main entrance to the restaurant is located inside the Santa Claus Reindeer resort. It's a Lappish restaurant with local, traditional cuisine. It's a cozy dining room with an open fire place in the middle. Keep an eye out, you might even spot a reindeer outdoors.
Overall thoughts
We love small, local entrepreneurs. The passion, love and energy that these companies and entrepreneurs radiate is always unmatched. Santa Claus Reindeer resort and Kotahovi Restaurant are owned by local family Körkkö. They are known to have herded reindeer since the 19th century. The next generation has recently taken over the company. We are curious to see how this generation will continue the beautiful and successful company.
Reindeer are powerful and special animals. They have an enormous calmness about them. Something we like very much. We visited Santa Claus Reindeer twice and enjoyed both sleigh rides very much. Knowing the same reindeer guide Santa Claus on his journey across the world is extra special.
When visiting Santa Claus Village a visit to Santa Claus Reindeer and Mrs. Claus is highly recommended when traveling to Rovaniemi.