Things to do in Ruka
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Top 10 attractions in Ruka
Santa Claus Village
Santa Claus Village is located 8 km north of Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle. Every year, a steady stream of visitors flocks from all over the world to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Santa Claus Village is a group of wooden buildings, including a pointed main gate, restaurants, flower gardens, Santa's office, residence, post office, gift shops, and a reindeer park. The tents and antlers used by the Laplanders for their stay are also quite interesting souvenirs. Here you can also get a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle. The Santa Claus post office offers various fairy-tale stamps, greeting cards and gifts. All letters sent from here will bear a special postmark from the Arctic Santa Claus post office. Here you can also book a letter signed by Santa Claus at the post office, which will be sent to your friends and family during Christmas, bringing them a delightful surprise. By the woods stands a reindeer park enclosed with wooden fences, home to many beautiful reindeer. In summer, they lounge lazily on the grass to rest; come winter, especially during Christmas, they work hard for Santa and travelers, pulling sleighs across the snow at full speed. This lets travelers enjoy the thrill of snowflakes brushing their faces and experience the joy and warmth of Christmas, turning scenes from holiday cards into reality.Finland · Rovaniemi
Oulanka National Park
The Karhunkierros hiking route has rough terrain and visitors can feel the force of the currents. Oulanka National Park has several hiking routes and suspension bridges that take you to Finland's spectacular waterfalls. The picturesque scenery here, with leaping wild brown salmon, diving European river birds, cotton sedge swamps and delicate orchids, is difficult for even experienced nature photographers to accurately record such a wonderful picture.Kuusamo · 24.8km from Ruka
Palosaari Reindeer and Fishing Farm
Kuusamo · 17.2km from Ruka
Oy Levi Ski Resort
Oy Levi Ski Resort is located near Kittila in northern Lapland, Finland, and is one of the largest ski resorts in Finland. The resort centers around Levi Fell, which features open, gentle terrain with ski lifts and slopes in all directions, suitable for skiers of all levels. The winter offers stable snow conditions and a long ski season, while in summer, the summit offers expansive views overlooking the vast tundra and lake landscapes of Lapland. Located within the Arctic Circle, it offers opportunities to observe the northern lights on winter nights and the wonder of the midnight sun in summer, making it an iconic destination for experiencing the natural environment of Finland's far north.Finland · Kittila
Santa Claus Office
The Santa Claus Office is located in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, and is the exclusive place for visitors to meet the officially certified Santa Claus. In this Christmas-themed space designed specifically for children and families, Santa Claus is in residence year-round, welcoming visitors from all over the world and creating a unique and heartwarming Christmas experience through one-on-one meetings. The surrounding Santa Claus Village features supporting areas such as reindeer farms and aurora experience zones, with an overall atmosphere full of childlike wonder, and is one of the core locations for the Christmas tourism experience in Lapland, Finland.Finland · Rovaniemi
Saariselka
Located approx. 250 km north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, Saariselka is a tourist destination characterized by its fell landscapes and serves as the main gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The rolling terrain offers hiking and mountain biking trails in summer, and becomes a popular spot for cross-country and downhill skiing once covered in snow in winter. The Saariselka region is known for its vast Arctic wilderness and pristine starry skies, where long polar nights in winter intertwine with the northern lights, and summer features several weeks of white nights, making it one of the iconic destinations for experiencing the natural environment of Finland's far north.Finland · Saariselka
Urho Kekkonen National Park
Urho Kekkonen National Park is located in northern Lapland, Finland. Established in 1983, it covers an area of approx. 2,550 sq km and is one of the largest national parks in Finland. It is named after the former Finnish president (who also served as prime minister), Urho Kekkonen. Situated north of the Arctic Circle, the park is characterized by open fell landscapes, pristine coniferous forests, and vast wilderness, serving as a key hinterland for the Saariselkä tourist area. The park features designated wilderness areas that preserve the native polar ecosystem. In summer, visitors can hike through the hills, while winter offers vast spaces for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, making it an iconic destination for experiencing the Arctic wilderness.Finland · Sodankyla
Rovaniemi Church
Rovaniemi Church was completed in 1950 and designed by Finnish architect Bertel Liljequist. It is one of the important buildings in the post-WWII reconstruction of Rovaniemi — the original church was destroyed in the war in 1944. The church features a simple, modernist style with an emphasis on natural light and a sense of space. Behind the altar stands a massive fresco titled "The Source of Life," created by artist Lennart Segerstråle in 1951. It is approx. 14 m high and 11 m wide, is considered one of the largest altarpieces in Finland, and symbolizes post-war hope and reconstruction. The entire church can accommodate approx. 850 people and houses a 45-stop pipe organ.Finland · Rovaniemi
Kemi Church
Kemi Church was built between 1900–1902 and officially consecrated in 1903. Designed by architect Josef Stenbäck, it is a prominent Neo-Gothic brick building in northern Finland. The church's exterior is characterized by its towering steeple, spires, and triangular gables. The circular stained-glass window above the main entrance is a signature design element, and large windows on the altar wall allow ample natural light into the interior. The interior arcades and colonnades echo the traditional layout of European cathedrals, while the simple decorations reflect the style of Finnish religious architecture. It has a seating capacity of approx. 1,200. It was renovated in 2003 and is an important cultural landmark in the city of Kemi.Finland · Kemi
Oulu Cathedral
Oulu Cathedral, built in 1777 by the famous designer Carl Ludwig Engel, is an evangelical Lutheran church located in the center of Oulu. In 1822 the city of Oulu suffered a fire and the wooden structure of the church was destroyed. Soon the cathedral was renovated by building on the old stone walls and building a new central dome and a new tower. The cathedral was completed in 1832 and the tower in 1845. The cathedral and its crypts are available to parishioners for Christian family celebrations.Finland · Oulu
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Free things to do in Ruka
Santa Claus Village
Finland · RovaniemiOulanka National Park
Kuusamo · 24.8km from RukaPalosaari Reindeer and Fishing Farm
Kuusamo · 17.2km from RukaOy Levi Ski Resort
Finland · KittilaSanta Claus Office
Finland · RovaniemiSaariselka
Finland · SaariselkaUrho Kekkonen National Park
Finland · SodankylaRovaniemi Church
Finland · RovaniemiKemi Church
Finland · KemiOulu Cathedral
Finland · Oulu
More ways to travel from Ruka
What travellers say about Ruka
YoYo_0T9A3B0L1 May 2026
5.0
The tree in the center of the square gets its decorations changed every year, and the lighting is quite cozy. There's a Santa Claus office in the village where you can take photos, and a post office where you can send postcards with an Arctic Circle postmark. The tree itself isn't particularly special, but the surrounding wooden houses and reindeer sleighs, combined with the lights in the snow, create a nice atmosphere. It's a good place to bring children to experience Christmas culture.
Santa Claus Village
M32***237 September 2022
5.0
[Scenery] The Leivi Ski Resort, which I came to for Santa Claus Village, is really interesting. Overall, it is very suitable for vacation. There are not many tourists and it is cozy and comfortable!
[Fun] Many street scenes are unique and distinctive!
Oy Levi Ski Resort
Koupipii25 July 2021
4.0
The place is fun but I have always wanted it to be a little bigger to offer a full day experience. Currently it’s suit for half a day only including visiting Santa. The food options are somewhat limited but pizza and burgers are available. The location just next to the main road 4 (E75) not far from Rovaniemi city is perfect.
Santa Claus Office
B.Me12 October 2022
5.0
snow and forest and nature. lovely deer all over the road. super cold but amazing place to go and visit. good food and friendly people
Saariselka
潇扬28 July 2023
4.0
There are a lot of people coming to Rovaniemi Church to worship on weekends, and the atmosphere is great!
Rovaniemi Church
佛系中年妇女21 August 2023
5.0
Kemi Church⛪️ is very beautiful, majestic and dignified, the stained glass is dreamy and everyone loves it.
Kemi Church
Lalida Noychumphae25 September 2025
5.0
Oulu, Finland, is another city worth visiting. It boasts beautiful scenery and numerous interesting sites. You can visit important landmarks and take photos to preserve your memories. It also serves as a great way to share your experiences with those who visit for a short break.
Oulu Cathedral
