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All Finland Rovaniemi Rovaniemi's Arctic Circle Border

Rovaniemi's Arctic Circle Border

If you visit Santa's village, you can get your passport stamped to show you crossed into the Arctic Circle.

Rovaniemi, Finland

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CoolCrab
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Outside crossing when there is no snow.   Aviageek/cc by-sa 3.0
Outside crossing when there is no snow.   Aviageek/cc by-sa 3.0
The outside crossing during winter.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Passport stamps   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Inside crossing.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Inside crossing.   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Outside crossing without snow.   Maasaak/cc by-sa 4.0
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About

There are many places in the world where you can cross the Arctic Circle and, depending on the season, step into near-constant darkness or sleep beneath the midnight Sun. However, it’s unusual to come across a fixed border, complete with greeters and passport control.

You don’t need to worry about security here—these checks are voluntary, and they’re just the start of a charming trip to the Santa Claus Village. In Finland, the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is considered the “official home” of the beloved jolly old elf himself.

To visit Santa’s village, you get to cross the border of the Arctic Circle, without all the typical fuss involved with crossing other geographical boundaries. On the line painted to mark the border, you can see the number 66°33′45.9″ (or something close to it), which is the latitude at which the Arctic Circle starts. The number changes because the Earth's North Pole is moving, but never by much.

Once on the other side of the border, you can explore the village’s many attractions. There’s even a post office, where kids can send their letters to Santa and even get a reply.

Related Tags

Arctic Circle Arctic Border Crossings Borders Santa Claus Geographic Markers

Know Before You Go

The Arctic Circle, just like the park, is free to cross and enter. For a small fee, you can get your passport stamped with an Arctic Circle stamp, proving that you came there.

Community Contributors

Added By

CoolCrab

Edited By

IJVin, CDVV86

  • IJVin
  • CDVV86

Published

April 4, 2019

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Sources
  • https://santaclausvillage.info/arctic-circle-rovaniemi-finland/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Circle
Rovaniemi's Arctic Circle Border
700 Sodankyläntie
Rovaniemi, 96930
Finland
66.543239, 25.839687
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Santa Claus's Main Post Office

Rovaniemi, Finland

miles away

Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua, Finland

miles away

Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos

Ranua, Finland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi

Finland

Places 2

Nearby Places

Santa Claus's Main Post Office

Rovaniemi, Finland

miles away

Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua, Finland

miles away

Arctic Guesthouse & Igloos

Ranua, Finland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi

Finland

Places 2

Related Stories and Lists

7 Places Dedicated to the Story of Santa Claus

List

By Jonathan Carey

15 Places Where Borders Get a Little Strange

List

By Jonathan Carey

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