Sodankyla Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Urho Kekkonen National Park featuring landscape views, forest scenes and tranquil scenes
Urho Kekkonen National Park featuring tranquil scenes
Urho Kekkonen National Park featuring signage, tranquil scenes and a bridge
Sodankyla
Sodankyla

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.

Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos
Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos
3 out of 5
Luppokeino 1, Sodankyla, Lapland
The price is £102 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£102
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Sodankyla. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Pyha-Luosto Hiking Trail ...
9/10 Wonderful! (148 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Kiilopääntie 9, Sodankyla
The price is £150 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£150
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this lodge in Sodankyla. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attraction Ruijanpolku ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (208 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 7 Apr 2025

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Hotel Karhu
Hotel Karhu
2 out of 5
7 Lapintie, Sodankyla
The price is £101 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£101
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Sodankyla. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Museum-Gallery Alariesto and Sodankyla Old Church ...
7.2/10 Good! (25 reviews)
"The room was dirty very old fashioned sauna only you can use for 7pm to 9 pm breakfast was not good at all reception staff was nice I stayed three nights in this hotel and they haven’t t done any Room service I would not recommend this hotel"

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2025

Hotel Karhu
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.
Mökit & Camping Peurasuvanto
Mökit & Camping Peurasuvanto
2 out of 5
5086 Ivalontie, Sodankyla, Lappi
Stay at this cottage in Sodankyla. Enjoy free parking.
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"Vaellukselta palatessa yövyttiin, hyvin sai nukuttua ja saunottua."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Mökit & Camping Peurasuvanto
Mokko-mökki by Interhome
Mokko-mökki by Interhome
Sodankylä
Stay at this holiday home in Sodankyla. Enjoy a sauna, laundry facilities and in-room fireplaces.
Voyage Noël 2024
"Voyage mémorable avec nos 2 enfants 5 et 7 ans.Logement au top, communication avec le propriétaire parfait..Nous recommandons ce logement.Tout était parfait, rien ne manque petit plus à disposition luge et raquettes parfait po pour les enfants plus... Luge"

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2025

Mokko-mökki by Interhome
Luostonseita 3 by Interhome
Luostonseita 3 by Interhome
Sodankylä, Lapland
Stay at this holiday home in Sodankyla. Enjoy a sauna, laundry facilities and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Pyha-Luosto Hiking Trail and Ukko-Luosto ...
Lovely cosy cabin in the forest
"The cabin was just right for me and my wife enjoying our honeymoon in Lapland. It’s cosy, well equipped and the living area was very comfortable. The only thing that let it down a bit were the pillows, they were small and very firm. Aside from that it was great. The pictures of the cabin on the advert ..."

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2019

Luostonseita 3 by Interhome
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sodankyla

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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.

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