10 Magical Alternatives to Rovaniemi (Without the Crowds)
Where to find Christmas magic, Northern Lights and winter wonder… without elbowing your way through Santa souvenirs.
Meeting the cutest reindeer (he looks suspicious..) at Sámi Siida, near Kiruna
Rovaniemi is lovely.
It’s iconic.
It’s Santa’s “official” hometown.
It’s also… completely flooded from November to early January.
Families, buses, long lines, sold-out activities, €450 reindeer rides, and prices that make reindeer reconsider their life choices.
If you're dreaming of Christmas magic without the stampede, Scandinavia is full of places that feel just as magical — sometimes more.
We’ve spent winters all over the Arctic — Kiruna, Abisko, Luleå, Alta, Tromsø, Svalbard, and Finnish Lapland (outside Rovaniemi) — and there are SO many places where the Christmas vibes are strong, the Northern Lights are bright, and the prices are (slightly) less terrifying.
And if your kids are begging for Santa, we’ve included a bonus a bit further away… but definitely off the beaten path!
Here are the best Rovaniemi alternatives, and what makes each special.
Where to go instead of Rovaniemi in Northern Europe
Our happy place: mushing in Swedish Lapland
❄️ 1. Kiruna, Swedish Lapland — Icehotel, reindeer, and wild Christmas quiet
If Rovaniemi is “Christmas Disney,” Kiruna is Christmas real.
You get:
the original ICEHOTEL (the big one!)
reindeer and sámi experiences that feel personal
deep winter silence
cozy cafes
insane Northern Lights
Need Santa vibes?
The ICEHOTEL already looks like somewhere Santa would keep his champagne (or his vodka?).
Explore our dedicated articles:
👉 Things to Do in Kiruna in Winter
Perfect alternative for: families, couples, first-timers.
Find things to do in Kiruna and around:
❄️ 2. Abisko, Sweden — Possibly the clearest Northern Lights in the world
Abisko’s weather is legendary.
It’s so dry, locals joke the clouds get scared away. And there’s a blue hole!
If you want:
Northern Lights almost every night (weather allowing)
a calmer version of Lapland
snowshoeing and cozy cabins
small-group dog-sledding
the Aurora Sky Station (bucket-list!)
This is your place.
Perfect alternative for: aurora chasers, photographers.
❄️ 3. Alta, Norway — Santa vibes + Northern Lights capital
Alta has the world’s first aurora observatory, a glowing Northern Lights cathedral, and the kind of winter calm you wish Rovaniemi had.
What you get:
perfect winter weather (protected by mountains)
fewer crowds
amazing Northern Lights (Alta beats Tromsø in cloud cover)
dog sledding
reindeer tours
fjords lit up under winter stars
Explore more with our articles:
👉 Northern Lights Tours in Alta
👉 How to See the Northern Lights in Alta
👉 Best hotels with sauna in Alta
Perfect alternative for: travelers who want magic + calm.
Explore things to do in Alta:
Northern lights for Christmas anyone? Here in Alta
❄️ 4. Tromsø, Norway — Christmas markets and whale season
Think of Tromsø as the Arctic’s cozy winter city.
You get:
Christmas lights everywhere
whales (Nov–Jan!)
reindeer camps
nightlife and cultural scene
Christmas vibes
fjords + mountains everywhere
a cathedral that looks straight out of Narnia
Read more:
Perfect alternative for: people who want winter magic + city life.
Find a place to stay in Tromsø
🐋 From November to January, the fjords around Tromsø come alive with migrating orcas and humpbacks chasing herring. Locals can sometimes spot them right from the harbor.
If you fall in love with these Arctic giants, you can actually follow one’s journey through our partner Fahlo — their Whale Bracelet supports marine research and lets you track a real whale’s migrations in the North Atlantic.
💙 Our readers get 20% off through this link: Track a real whale with Fahlo
❄️ 5. Levi, Finnish Lapland — Rovaniemi’s less chaotic cousin
Levi is Finland’s winter playground, with:
alpine-style village
slopes + snow parks
reindeer farms
aurora cabins
Santa experiences without bus loads
It’s festive but never overwhelming.
Perfect alternative for: families with kids who love snow.
Read more:
👉 Finnish Lapland Travel Guide
Find fun activities in Levi:
❄️ 6. Ylläs, Finland — The Lapland postcard
Think:
log cabins
fireplaces
husky trails
soft Christmas lights
snow everywhere
quiet everything
Ylläs is essentially a Christmas card you can sleep in.
Perfect alternative for: couples, cozy travelers.
Find a place to stay in winter wonderland:
❄️ 7. Saariselkä, Finland — Santa, snow tunnels, and magic for kids
Saariselkä is the place families switch to when Rovaniemi is sold out.
It still has:
Santa experiences (and a secret Santa cabin)
reindeer farms
snow safaris
winter parks
festive lights
But with better availability and fewer queues.
Perfect alternative for: families with small children.
Explore Santa tours and winter fun in Saariselkä:
❄️ 8. Luleå, Sweden — Frozen archipelago + Gammelstad village
This one is so underrated.
Imagine:
a frozen sea you can walk on
colorful houses
cinnamon buns
UNESCO old village
cozy Christmas markets
Northern Lights are solid (we had 3 nights of intense activity when we were there) and the atmosphere is lovely.
Check our guides:
👉 Winter Travel to Luleå, Sweden — Frozen seas, saunas, and Arctic calm
👉 Luleå Northern Lights — Ice roads, frozen seas, and aurora skies across Swedish Lapland.
👉 Best Hotels in Swedish Lapland — Icehotels, glass igloos, and cozy cabins under the northern lights.
Perfect alternative for: culture + winter fans.
Explore tours in Luleå:
Did someone say winter wonderland? Walking on icy water in Luleå
❄️ 9. Nuuksio + Finnish wilderness lodges
For people flying into Helsinki who want a winter escape without a long connection north.
Think:
log cabins
forest saunas
frozen lakes
Christmas markets in Helsinki
husky farms an hour away
Perfect alternative for: quick Christmas breaks.
Find dreamy cabins in Nuuksio:
❄️ 10. Faroe Islands — Not Santa, but VERY Christmassy
This one’s outside Lapland but:
December in the Faroes is cozy, moody, lantern-lit perfection.
You get:
Christmas markets
tiny villages
turf-roof houses
dramatic cliffs
misty Christmas mystery
pure hygge vibes
Not family-Santa-but perfect for couples.
Read our full Faroe Islands Travel Guide for more.
Find a place to stay in the Faroe Islands (zoom in on the map to see options):
🎅 BONUS: North Pole, Alaska — The one that’s Actually called North Pole
Love these street lamps!
If you’re willing to travel further — much further — there’s a tiny town outside Fairbanks where it’s Christmas every single day of the year.
It’s called North Pole, because of course it is.
You get:
candy-cane street lamps
Santa’s House open year-round
reindeer outside the shop
ornaments on every window
Christmas decorations in the supermarkets (even in July)
a giant Santa statue that looks weirdly majestic in -30°C
And the best part?
It’s just 15 minutes from Fairbanks, which is one of the best aurora destinations in the world.
We’ve seen some incredible Northern Lights here — including in late August, long before most Arctic destinations even hit darkness.
If you want a Christmas-with-aurora combo that feels American quirky and Arctic magical at the same time, North Pole is a fun addition to a Fairbanks winter trip.
Perfect alternative for: families, Americans, people who want to tell their friends they literally “went to the North Pole.”
Read our Alaska Travel Guide for more.
Explore tours and activities around North Pole:
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Explore Alta with Heymondo! Their plans cover snowmobiles, dog sledding, aurora chasing, and all the wild ideas that sound fun until you have a problem in the middle of nowhere.
👉 Get 5–15 % off your policy here and travel insured, not worried.
🎁 How to Choose the Best Rovaniemi Alternative for You
Even if you don’t see Santa in Lapland, reindeer will be there to remind you they’re actually the ones running the show! Here near Kemijärvi.
For Northern Lights:
Alta
Kiruna
Abisko
For Santa vibes:
Levi
Ylläs
Saariselkä
For scenery + fjords:
Tromsø
Alta
For romantic cabin vibes:
Ylläs
Luleå
Abisko
For families:
Levi
Saariselkä
Kiruna
FAQ: Alternatives to Rovaniemi for Christmas
Is it too late to book a Christmas trip if Rovaniemi is sold out?
Not necessarily. While Rovaniemi sells out early, many alternative destinations in Swedish and Finnish Lapland (like Kiruna, Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä or Abisko) still have availability later in the season. You may need to be flexible with dates, airports and accommodation type, but a Christmas or winter trip is still possible.
Where can I find Christmas magic similar to Rovaniemi but with fewer crowds?
Levi, Ylläs and Saariselkä in Finnish Lapland all offer Santa experiences, reindeer, husky tours and cozy villages without the same level of crowds and queues. In Swedish Lapland, Kiruna and Luleå feel festive and wintry without being overwhelmed by buses and tour groups.
Which Rovaniemi alternatives are best for the Northern Lights?
For reliable Northern Lights, Abisko and Kiruna in Swedish Lapland, as well as Alta and Tromsø in Norway, are excellent options. These areas combine good aurora activity with landscapes that make the sky feel huge and dramatic.
Are these alternatives cheaper than Rovaniemi?
Prices vary, but many alternatives can be slightly more affordable, especially for accommodation and activities. Smaller resorts and towns often have better availability and more range in price. However, Lapland and the Arctic in general are never truly “cheap,” especially around Christmas.
Can I still meet Santa outside Rovaniemi?
Yes. Many Finnish Lapland destinations, including Levi, Ylläs and Saariselkä, have Santa visits, Christmas activities, and family-focused experiences. They may be less famous than Santa Village in Rovaniemi, but the atmosphere can feel more relaxed and personal.
Are these destinations suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. Places like Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä and Kiruna all work well for families, with short activities, plenty of snow play and kid-friendly accommodation. Just keep in mind that winter days are short and temperatures can be very cold, so plan for warm clothing and regular indoor breaks.
Do I need a car to visit these Rovaniemi alternatives?
It depends on the destination and your plans. Many towns and ski resorts offer transfers and organised excursions, so you can manage without a car. In more remote areas, or if you want maximum flexibility for Northern Lights chasing, having a rental car can be useful if you are comfortable driving in winter conditions.
Is North Pole, Alaska a realistic alternative to Rovaniemi?
It is much further away for most European travellers, but it is a fun option if you are already planning a trip to Alaska. North Pole offers year-round Christmas decorations and is close to Fairbanks, which is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.
Rovaniemi is wonderful — but it’s not the only place with Christmas magic, reindeer, fairy lights, snow-covered forests, and Northern Lights whisking across the sky.
All across Finland, Sweden, and Norway you’ll find:
log cabins
saunas
husky runs
reindeer farms
Santa villages
cozy markets
cheaper prices
and MUCH fewer crowds
If anything, these alternatives feel more real, more intimate, and more peaceful than Rovaniemi ever can in December.
Follow your winter vibe — there’s a place for every kind of magic.
Planning a winter trip? Explore our guides:
🏨 Best Hotels in Rovaniemi — Igloos, cabins, and Arctic charm under the Northern Lights.
🧊 Svalbard & Jan Mayen — Polar bears, ghost towns, and next-level Arctic mystery in Norway’s far north.
⛰️ Lofoten Hiking Guide — Dramatic ridges, secret beaches, and cod-drying racks in Arctic Norway.
🌋 Iceland Guide — Volcanoes, waterfalls, and the road trip of your geothermal dreams.
🦅 Alaska Travel Guide — Grizzlies, glaciers, and getting gloriously lost in the Last Frontier.
🎄 Finnish Lapland — Reindeer, saunas, and winter magic with a side of forest silence.
❄️ Swedish Lapland — Aurora skies, Sami culture, and the northern edge of cozy.
🌌 Alta, Norway — Northern Lights HQ with quiet trails and snowy adventures far from the crowds.
❄️ Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide — How to explore, survive, and avoid becoming a polar bear’s lunch.
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
🦌 Arctic Food Guide — Whale steak? Cloudberries? Reindeer stew? What to eat (or not eat) in the high North.
