Sodankyla

Travel Guide
Urho Kekkonen National Park featuring tranquil scenes
Despite its remote location, sparsely populated Sodankylä is known around the world for its film festival and beautiful scenery.

Situated at the heart of Lapland, Sodankylä is a large area, home to both mining activities and national parks. Sodankylä is known around the world for its Midnight Sun Film Festival, but any holiday in Sodankylä would not be complete without a visit to the only working amethyst mine in Europe or the Urho Kekkonen National Park, which is located partly within the area.

The main tourist attraction in Sodankylä is the charming scenery of Lapland, and in mid-June, the Midnight Sun Film Festival brings a cosmopolitan atmosphere by attracting 15,000-25,000 annual visitors. Especially popular are the silent films presented with live music.

Before leaving the centre of Sodankylä, take time to visit its two churches located nearby, the Sodankylä Old Church and the Sodankylä New Church. The new church was built from locally mined grey stone and has a light and restful atmosphere. The old wooden church, built in 1689, is now used only during the summer.

For local history enthusiasts, don't forget to visit the Sodankylä Museum of Local History and Culture. Explore the traditions of Sodankylä in a Lappish house or a summer barn. However, a holiday in Sodankylä would not be complete without the glimmer of gold, so visit the Tankavaara Gold Museum and try your hand at panning for gold.

A relaxing and low-cost holiday in Sodankylä can easily be organised if you include a visit to the Urho Kekkonen or Pyhä-Luosto National Parks. Urho Kekkonen National Park is one of Finland's most popular hiking destinations. Start from the Koilliskaira Visitor Centre then follow the nature trail of your choice. Pyhä-Luosto Visitor Centre Naava provides information on the mountain paths of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. In the Pyhä-Luosto area be sure to visit Lampivaara Amethyst Mine and search for precious stones.

Sodankylä is easily reached if you first fly or take a train to Rovaniemi, but the long distance to go to Lapland is easiest to cover by car. You might want to stay, for instance, in a distinctive glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Igloo Village.

Hotelli Sodankylä
Hotelli Sodankylä
3 out of 5
Unarintie 15, Sodankyla
The price is S$182 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
S$182
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sodankyla. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Museum-Gallery Alariesto and ...
7.6/10 Good! (108 reviews)
Nice hotel and food
"Nice hotel, good breakfast and lovely evening food."

Reviewed on 23 Oct,2023

Hotelli Sodankylä
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
4 out of 5
Kiilopääntie 9, Sodankyla
The price is S$246 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
S$246
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this 4-star lodge in Sodankyla. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a sauna. Popular attraction Ruijanpolku is located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (139 reviews)
"We stayed for 6 nights and enjoyed every minute of it. We loved the Kelo cabin. Everything about this place made for a very relaxing vacation. We were very satisfied the dining each night. They had four main menus that rotated each day. Our favorite excursion was the dog sledding. We have enthusiastically ..."

Reviewed on 14 Apr,2024

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos
Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos
3.5 out of 5
Muotkantie 204, Sodankyla, Lapland
The price is S$187 per night from 19 Jun to 20 Jun
S$187
per night
19 Jun - 20 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Sodankyla. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a sauna. Popular attraction Ruijanpolku is located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (123 reviews)
"Absolutely amazing experience, all-around. The lodging, the food, the activities, the staff, the views, etc."

Reviewed on 31 Mar,2024

Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ski-Inn PyhäLinna
Ski-Inn PyhäLinna
4 out of 5
Kultakeronkatu 20, Pelkosenniemi
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Pyhatunturi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Vanha tuolihissi and PyhäExpress ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (37 reviews)
Beautiful place, very well located
"The place is very nice, well located, and everything is as it should be. However, the communication at arrival could be better as we found difficult to arrive and locate our flat. The sauna is great."

Reviewed on 28 Dec,2023

Ski-Inn PyhäLinna
Holiday Club Saariselkä Apartments
Holiday Club Saariselkä Apartments
4 out of 5
Saariseläntie 7, Saariselka
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Saariselka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Saariselkä Ski ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (102 reviews)
"sauna good"

Reviewed on 15 Dec,2022

Holiday Club Saariselkä Apartments
Holiday Club Saariselkä Superior Apartments
Holiday Club Saariselkä Superior Apartments
4 out of 5
7 Saariseläntie, Saariselka
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Saariselka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Saariselkä Ski Resort and Saariselkä ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
"Liked finnish sauna"

Reviewed on 10 Mar,2024

Holiday Club Saariselkä Superior Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Sodankyla

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
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4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Beautiful place if you like peace and quiet, very convenient with respect to air travel, especially from London. Nice and friendly people, mostly well educated and speak English, easy to have conversations and overall happy place.