Inari · Finnish Lapland
Saariselkä
Known as Europe’s northernmost ski resort.
- Airport
- Ivalo (IVL), 25 km
- From Helsinki
- about 1 h 40 by air
- Position
- 68°25′ N
- From Rovaniemi
- 260 km by road
- Aurora season
- late Aug to mid Apr
- Kaunispää fell
- 438 m
The place
What Saariselkä is actually like
Saariselkä is a beautiful small village located far north, about 260 kilometres from Rovaniemi and only a 25-minute drive from Ivalo airport. It is known as Europe’s northernmost outdoor and ski resort. The village is right next to Finland’s second largest national park, Urho Kekkonen National Park. The air of Saariselkä is some of the cleanest and freshest air in the world.
The national park starts where the village ends.
Saariselkä is a small village and everything is close by. There are no big city lights, so the night skies are very dark. You can see the northern lights on about half of the clear dark nights, from late August to the middle of April. From early December to early January, Saariselkä experiences the polar night, which means the sun never rises. On the other hand, from the end of May to around 20 July, the sun never sets and shines 24 hours a day.
You can stay in glass igloos in Saariselkä, where the igloos are warm and you can enjoy the northern lights with your loved one from your bed. You can also learn about the history and clothing of the Sámi people, the native people of Lapland. Restaurants here serve local food like reindeer meat, fresh fish and sweet wild berries. You can do fun activities here like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or riding on a husky sled.
What you do
What to do in Saariselkä
Ski touring and snowshoeing are what the village is for. Book safaris early for December and February.
Where to sleep
314 places, in four kinds
Every place to stay in and around Saariselkä, ranked so a strong score from hundreds of guests beats a perfect one from a single review.
Hotels & lodges
19 places · from €158 a night
Reception, breakfast, a restaurant that stays open in the dark. Resorts, lodges and guest houses too.
Pictured: Star Arctic Hotel & Activities · 8.8
See all
Apartments
62 places · from €130 a night
Your own kitchen and washing machine, in the village or close to the slopes.
Pictured: Gold Legend Paukkula #3 - Saariselkä Apartments · 9.6
See all
Cabins & holiday homes
233 places · from €135 a night
Log walls, a stove, a sauna. Villas and chalets count here too. The Lapland stay.
Pictured: Villas Karhunpesä · 9.5
See all
Glass igloos & aurora cabins
4 places · from €373 a night
A glass roof over the bed. Most are booked out for December and February months ahead.
Pictured: Aurora Queen Resort Igloos · 10.0
See allGetting here
Four ways to Saariselkä
Fly to Ivalo
Ivalo airport is 25 km away, about 25 minutes by road, with flights from Helsinki and, in winter, some direct flights from Europe.
Search flights
By train
The usual station is Rovaniemi, 260 km south; from there, coaches, our taxi or a hire car do the rest.
Times and tickets
By bus
Coaches run north from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä and on to Ivalo and Inari.
Times and tickets
Driving yourself
Winter tyres are the law from November, and we would not recommend driving unless you have driven on ice before.
Rent a car
Taxi from Rovaniemi · our own car
From Rovaniemi airport
to Saariselkä, door to door
Landing in Rovaniemi? We drive the 260 km to Saariselkä for you. Type your arrival and your address here: the fare shows straight away, and you book it in the same box.
- We watch the flight
- Give us the number and a late plane costs you nothing.
- Straight to the door
- Your cabin or hotel in Saariselkä, not a bus stop.
- Up to eight people and the bags
- Six with a suitcase each. Child seats and skis if you say so in the booking.
When to come
When to go to Saariselkä
The snow comes early this far north, and the aurora season is one of the longest in Finland.
Winter
December to March
A few weeks of polar night around midwinter, deep snow and the national park at its quietest.
Spring
April to May
Long days on deep snow: the best time for ski tours into the park.
Summer
June to August
The midnight sun and the park's hiking trails, with open wilderness huts along the way.
Autumn
September to November
Ruska in September turns the fells red; the first frosts come, and so does the aurora.
The sky tonight
Northern lights, honestly
Activity peaks near Kp 5.3 around 03:00, clearest 00:00–02:00 (23% cloud).
Kp now
1.67
live, every minute
Peak tonight
5.3
around 03:00
Cloud
58%
while dark
Dark
20:00–04:00
in Saariselkä tonight
Sun 10:37 Finnish time. Every number is read from NOAA and MET Norway and refreshes on its own.
Where to eat
Eight places to eat in Saariselkä
Our picks. A name opens the restaurant's own site, where the hours and menus live.
Laanilan KievariLaanila, south of the villageSateenkaarenpääntie 9, 99830 SaariselkäWebsite
Ravintola PetronellaVillage centreHonkapolku 5, 99830 SaariselkäWebsite
Ravintola Pirkon PirttiVillage centreHonkapolku 2, 99800 SaariselkäWebsite
Ravintola KaltioAt Santa’s Hotel TunturiLutontie 16, 99830 SaariselkäWebsite
Gastropub GiituVillage centreRevontulentie 1, 99830 SaariselkäWebsite
Ravintola Pub TeerenpesäVillage centreSaariseläntie 5, 99830 SaariselkäWebsite
Kaunispään HuippuTop of Kaunispää fellKaunispääntie 260, 99830 SaariselkäWebsite
Ravintola KaunisAt Star Arctic HotelYlämajantie 1, 99830 SaariselkäWebsitePlaces to visit
Places to visit in and around Saariselkä
Five places, from the fell above the village to the Sámi museum an hour away.
Urho Kekkonen National ParkNatureUrho Kekkonen National Park is a massive wilderness area and Finland’s second largest national park.
Kaunispää fell summitViewKaunispää fell is above the village. You can get there on foot or by car and enjoy 360-degree views of a snowy wonderland.
Siida, Sámi Museum and Nature CentreMuseumSiida is a famous indoor and outdoor museum in Inari, an hour by car from Saariselkä. It displays the rich history and culture of the Indigenous Sámi people.
Saariselkä Ski & Sport ResortSkiSaariselkä Ski & Sport Resort is known as Europe’s northernmost ski resort, with a range of downhill slopes, winter bike tracks and the longest toboggan run in Finland.
Saariselkä Reindeer FarmReindeerSaariselkä Reindeer Farm is a traditional local reindeer farm where visitors can get close to the reindeer, get to know Sámi herding culture and experience a reindeer sleigh ride.Before you come
The things nobody tells you
The first three are worth sorting out before you fly. The rest you only need to know.
Travel insuranceBook before you flyValid worldwide, for citizens of any country, at any age from 0 to 100.Check your cover
Phone and dataBook before you flyEU and EEA phones roam free here. From further away, or on a plan without EU roaming, an eSIM usually costs less.Get an eSIM
Renting warm clothesLutontie 3, 99830 SaariselkäComplete sets: insulated outerwear, winter boots, mittens and the accessories, picked for real Lapland conditions. Rent them here instead of packing a parka you will wear four times.
See the sets
What the cold meansMinus 20 degrees is normal from January to March. From the middle of January to the middle of February some winters go to minus 30. Wool next to the skin, then a warm layer, then a windproof one, and the cold is beaten. With the proper clothes, enjoy the beauty of the winter.
MoneyYou do not need to bring cash. Cards are accepted everywhere, including the taxi, the restaurants and the market stalls.
EmergencyCall 112 from any phone. You can speak English.
TippingTipping is welcome but not required. It is always encouraging to give something extra when the service was good, the taxi included.
Reindeer on the roadEvery reindeer here is domesticated and belongs to someone. In many cases they will not move for a car. If you meet them on the road, sound the horn to move them off, or drive slowly past. If you hit one, call 112 for help.
Questions
What people ask about Saariselkä
01
What is the nearest airport to Saariselkä?
The nearest airport to Saariselkä is Ivalo Airport (IVL). It is located just 25 kilometres from Saariselkä. Travellers can book the Lapland airport shuttle bus or take a local taxi to the airport from their winter holiday accommodation or glass igloo hotel.
02
Can we see the northern lights from Saariselkä village?
Yes, Saariselkä is one of the best places in Finland to see the northern lights. Because of its location, some 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, the aurora borealis is visible on about half of the clear dark nights, from late August to the middle of April. You do not even need to book an expensive northern lights tour. You can walk to the top of the nearby Kaunispää fell, where the dark, clear sky is perfect for aurora hunting.
03
Do we need to rent a car when visiting Saariselkä?
No. Saariselkä is a small village and everything is nearby, within walking distance. Hotels, grocery stores, safari tour operators and even the cross-country ski trails are all a short walk away. We also do not recommend driving in snowy or icy conditions if you do not have long experience of driving in them.
04
What is the best month to visit Saariselkä for snow and auroras?
The best time to visit Saariselkä depends on what you want to experience. December to February is the peak Christmas holiday season: deep snow, Christmas magic and long winter nights. March to April is the best time for winter sports, with longer daylight, slightly warmer sunny days and beautiful clear skies, which are ideal for the northern lights.
05
How cold does Saariselkä get in the winter?
The average winter temperature in Saariselkä is usually between -8 °C and -17 °C (18 °F to 1 °F). Sudden Arctic cold snaps can drop the temperature below -30 °C (-22 °F). But the air of Finnish Lapland is very dry, so the cold does not feel as biting as damp coastal winter weather. To stay comfortable during outdoor activities, wear several warm layers. You can rent winter clothes here.
06
How far is Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort from Saariselkä?
The famous Kakslauttanen glass igloo resort is only 10 kilometres south of the main Saariselkä village centre. It takes only 10 to 15 minutes by car, by taxi or by local bus to get there.
07
How do you get from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä?
Saariselkä is 260 kilometres north of Rovaniemi. You can go from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä by bus, which takes 3 to 4 hours. You can also go by rental car or by taxi. You can check the taxi price on our taxi page.
08
What can you do in Saariselkä if you do not ski?
There are plenty of activities for non-skiers: famous and authentic Lapland winter adventures including husky sledding, visiting a local reindeer farm, snowmobiling and snowshoeing in Urho Kekkonen National Park. You can also visit a traditional Sámi village to learn about their culture, experience a Finnish sauna or ride down Finland’s longest toboggan run.
Guest scores come from the booking sites the places are listed on. Aurora and weather come from NOAA and MET Norway and refresh on their own. The airport taxi is our own car at the meter tariff.