Where to go in Finnish Lapland, which town or resort ?

This is THE question that seems to be the most important: which resort to go to in Finnish Lapland? It’s true that there’s more and more choice. Small family resorts, remote spots, the Finnish aurora capital, festive places… in short, you can be sure you’ll find THE resort that’s right for you.

To help you make your choice, I’ve put together a description and comparison of the classic Finnish Lapland resorts that are easy to get to. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Rovaniemi, for example, is a big town with countless activities and service providers, while Inari is a small place in the middle of nature, in the very north, for those who want peace and quiet. We’ll see in a separate article, but in either case, you’ll find the same classic activities such as the Northern Lights, snowmobiling (a way of life in Finland) or dog sledding in the great forests of Lapland.

Come on, let’s have a look, you’re bound to find the right place for what you’re looking for.

Rovaniemi

So I’ll start with Rovaniemi because it’s the Northern Lights capital of Finland. It’s quite a big city, with lots of advantages but also some disadvantages.

I must confess that it’s not my favorite place to discover Lapland and see the northern lights. First of all, as far as the northern lights are concerned, it’s right on the Arctic Circle. So it’s okay, but not crazy, as it’s 250km south of Saariselkä and over 500km from Tromso. These towns are much further north and therefore better placed to see the aurora under classic conditions (the famous northern oval). So even Ylläs or Levi are more interesting for this.

After that, Rovaniemi is a pretty big town, and THE most popular in Finnish Lapland. So there’s a lot of activity, a lot of people, but also a lot of service providers and accommodation. So I’d say you can find absolutely everything in Rovaniemi.

But the advantage is that you can easily get away from the city and find some peace and quiet, have your own cottage in the middle of nature.

Also, one nice thing is that you can go downhill skiing in Rovaniemi at Ounasvaaran hiihtokeskus.

So, to sum up Rovaniemi:

• Benefits
  • very easy to get to, with a well-connected airport
  • many activities and service providers
  • you can do everything without a car
  • a city full of bars, restaurants and social life
  • discover all the dog sledding tours in Rovaniemi
  • here are the good places to stay in Rovaniemi or Santa Claus Village
• Disadvantages
  • there are better places to be at night (cities further north)
  • big city, lots of people

Recommended agencies and activities in Rovaniemi

There are lots of great things to do in Rovaniemi. I’ll write a little article about it, but here are a few recommendations:

• Northern lights: Lapin Taivas Arctic Expeditions
• Dog Sledding: Apukka Husky
• Snowmobiling: Arctic GM Experience
• Reindeer: Apukka
• Ice karting: Access Lapland
• Korouoma ice waterfalls: Arctic GM Experience
• Santa Claus Village: discover all activities

4 recommended accommodations in Rovaniemi

Levi / Sirkka

Well, I must also confess that the first time I came to Levi, I wondered what I was doing there. But that was because I hadn’t done any research at all!

Levi is THE most popular resort in Finnish Lapland because :

• the ski area is big and really good
• it’s a lively resort, with pubs, music, life – it’s not just a family ski resort where you do the activities, sleep and that’s it!
• there are a host of activities and service providers
• in just a few minutes, you’re in the middle of nature
• not bad at all for the northern lights

So that’s point 2, which I hadn’t considered, i.e. I thought I’d end up in a quiet little resort.

Levi is super convenient because it’s right next to Kittila airport, with direct flights from France.

So I’d say Levi is great if you want to get out and about, meet people and ski in a great area. But if you’re looking for peace and quiet, then look at the following resort instead.

Recommended agencies and activities in Levi

There are lots of great things to do in Rovaniemi. I’ll write a little article about it, but here are a few recommendations:

• • Northern lights: Lazy Santa Safaris
  • Sled dogs: Keo Wilderness
  • Snowmobiling: Wild Nordic Levi
  • Rennes: Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park
  • Ice fishing with snowmobile: Safartica
  • Snowshoe trekking: Beyond Arctic

4 recommended accommodations in Levi

Ylläs

I must confess that I found absolutely everything I was looking for in Ylläs. It’s a small ski resort at the foot of a mini mountain. As I was saying, the Finns don’t really have mountains, so as soon as they get a good hill, poof! they turn it into a ski resort. And frankly, it looks pretty good, especially here.

What I appreciated about Ylläs, compared to Rovaniemi and Levi, was its size and tranquility. It’s family-friendly, not noisy. The resort of Ylläs is located at the foot of the mountain, ideal for the ski lifts. But above all, you’ve got the town just a few minutes away by car if you want a little more life, a little more shopping and a lot more activities (cross-country skiing, snowmobiling).

After that, you’re not far from Kittilä, Levi and Kolari. All these towns are close to each other, so you can sleep in one and enjoy the activities and ski area of the others during the day.

So to sum up, I really enjoyed Ylläs because :

• it’s quieter, less festive, less of a factory
• the view from Mount Ylläs is fantastic, but it’s a bit cold!
• we have all the activities
• and it’s less touristy, so it’s an excellent compromise

Do I find anything negative about this place? not really. Let’s just say that if you’re looking for more activity, more social life, go to Äkäslompolo or Levi. Otherwise, it’s really nice!

Recommended agencies and activities in Ylläs

• Northern lights by snowmobile: Kylmämaa
• Dog Sledding: Safartica
• Snowmobiling: Safartica
• Ice floating: Safartica
• Ice fishing: Northwind Lapland

4 recommended accommodations in Ylläs

Äkäslompolo

I was there more quickly than in Ylläs, so I won’t be able to give you a very detailed review of Äkäslompolo, but it’s a nice little seaside resort located on the other side of Mount Ylläs. So it’s really nearby!

I told you that Ylläs was a family resort, but here there’s a bit more life, more activity, more restaurants and rental agencies. It’s more dedicated to snow activities like dog sledding or snowmobiling, whereas Ylläs is really at the foot of the ski slopes. Here in Äkäslompolo, you’ll need to take a shuttle bus for 5/10 minutes. That’s fine!

Recommended agencies and activities in Äkäslompolo / Ylläs

• Northern lights by snowmobile: Kylmämaa
• Dog Sledding : Safartica
• Snowmobiling: Safartica
• Ice floating: Safartica
• Ice fishing: Northwind Lapland

4 recommended accommodations in Äkäslompolo

Saariselkä

This is the real northern Lapland resort.
Small but very well organized: hotels, restaurants, rental stores, excursions… it’s all there.
The ski slopes are right next door, snowmobile and snowshoe trails leave from the village, and husky and reindeer tours are all around.

It’s the right place for :

• those who want an easy, all-inclusive, car-free holiday,
• families, couples or first-time visitors to Lapland,
• combining comfort with typical activities (aurora, huskies, snowmobiling, spa, etc.)
• those who want to be ideally placed to see the Northern Lights

Then there’s the important thing: the atmosphere. Saariselkä is touristy, yes, but not a “tourist factory”. It’s a bit like Levi, but more Nordic, more peaceful, and very well managed for visitors.

So it’s an excellent compromise in north-east Finland, but less easy to get to, as there are no direct flights to Ivalo, so there’s bound to be a stopover with Finnair.

Recommended agencies and activities in Saariselkä

• Northern lights: Arctic Timetravels
• Dog sledding: Arctic Timetravels
• Snowmobiling: Laplandn Welcome
• Rennes: Safartica
• Snowshoeing in Urho Kekkonen Park: Outdoor Expert Saariselkä

4 recommended accommodations in Saariselkä

Inari

Inari is the spiritual heart of the Sami people, with its Siida museum and a very different atmosphere.
People come here for the winter activities, of course, but also to understand the deeper Lapland, its traditions and its even wilder landscapes. For my part, I love the region’s forests, the fir trees as far as the eye can see, without encountering anything or anyone.

Of course, there are some activities (snowmobile, huskies, reindeer…), but everything is more discreet, more real, and these are generally small local companies.

For the northern lights, I’d say it’s the best located, because it’s very far north, but above all because the weather is generally excellent, better than in Rovaniemi or Norway. So it’s the best!

Inari is ideal for :

• those who want authentic Lapland, nature and culture,
• travellers who avoid tourist resorts,
• combine discovery of the Sami people and unspoilt landscapes.

In terms of atmosphere, let’s just say it’s quiet, the true Lappish experience, inspiring, with a little feeling of being lost in the Arctic.

Like Saariselkä, it’s reached via Ivalo airport.

Recommended agencies and activities in Inari

• Northern Lights: Xwander Nordic
• Sled dogs: Wilderness Husky or Taigausko Husky Experience
• Snowmobiling: Ivalo Safaris
• Reindeer: Galddoaivi Safaris
• Ice fishing: Arctic Guides
• A night in a cabin on Lake Inari: Galddoaivi Safaris

4 recommended accommodations in Inari

Kilpisjärvi

It’s not the easiest or best-known Finnish resort to get to. Kilpisjärvi is a small village in the far north-west of Finland, on the border with Sweden and Norway, best known for being the last-chance solution for Tromso aurora hunters when the weather is rotten on the Norwegian side 😀

But it’s much more than that. I stayed there for a week recently, and Kilpisjärvi has everything you need for a great winter holiday:

• wide open spaces! Kilpisjärvi lies on a huge lake, which is frozen for most of the year.
• you can do all the classic Lapland activities: dog sledding, snowmobiling, watching the northern lights
• speaking of the northern lights, this is an excellent place to see them, as the weather is favorable and there are plenty of opportunities to get away from the lights.
• good accommodation, from small chalets to glass igloos

It’s not an obvious destination, as the nearest airport is Tromso, a 3-hour drive away. So coming exclusively to Kilpisjärvi is probably not the best option. But if you’re going to Norway and want to make a detour via Finnish Lapland, this is a good opportunity!

Recommended agencies and activities in Kilpisjärvi

Well, I’m not going to lie, there aren’t dozens of agencies in Kilpisjärvi. There’s Kilpissafarit and … well, that’s it 😀 But they offer pretty much everything! It’s an excellent family agency.

• Snowmobiling (the star activity) for 4 hours: Kilpissafarit
• Sled dogs: Active North
• Discover reindeer: Kilpissafarit
• See the northern lights on snowshoes: Kilpissafarit
• Snowshoe tour: Kilpissafarit Kilpissafarit
• Ice fishing: Kilpissafarit

4 recommended properties in Kilpisjärvi

Map of Finnish Lapland

I’ve created a map of Finnish Lapland that includes everything you’ll need to plan your trip:

• accommodation, including ice igloos under the northern lights
• all the best activities, in every town, such as dog sledding and snowmobiling
• all reindeer farms
• aurora borealis agencies
• and lots more info for each resort!

In conclusion

Now you know everything! Every city, every resort has its advantages and disadvantages. If you don’t want the hassle, if you want a plethora of activities, then check out Rovaniemi and Levi, but they’re pretty big and lively. If you want something family-oriented, then Ylläs might be for you. The in-between is Saariselka, with better weather.

My preference, in terms of auroras, tranquility, weather, but still with possibilities for activity, is Inari, but this choice really depends on each individual, your desires, the social life you’re looking for, but also the offers you find.

In any case, Finnish Lapland is a crazy destination, you can’t go wrong 🙂

Useful links for Finnish Lapland

• Discover Finnish Lapland: find out all you need to know to organize your stay in this superb region.
• Sleep in an igloo under the northern lights: it’s a dream in Lapland! Sleep directly under the aurora, and it’s easier than you think!
• Discover Kilpisjärvi in Finnish Lapland: a little-known but very pleasant destination, just a stone’s throw from Norway and Sweden.
• Dog sledding in Finnish Lapland: a must-do activity, and probably the most enjoyable of your stay!
• Map of Finnish Lapland: a unique interactive map with all the information you need, accommodation and service providers.
• What to do in Finnish Lapland : a liste of must-do activities !
• Discover the resorts of Rovaniemi – into nature or near city center, there are some incredible places to stay