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.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Kiilopääntie 9, Sodankyla
The price is ₹14,406 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹14,406
₹16,422 total
29 Jul - 30 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)
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Reviewed on 7 Apr 2025

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos

Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos

3 out of 5
Luppokeino 1, Sodankyla, Lapland
The price is ₹9,664 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
₹9,664
₹11,017 total
20 Aug - 21 Aug
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! (155 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 17 Jun 2025

Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos
Hotel Karhu

Hotel Karhu

2 out of 5
7 Lapintie, Sodankyla
The price is ₹10,399 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
₹10,399
₹11,855 total
25 Jul - 26 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 ...
7/10 Good! (26 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
Kuukkeli Apartments Vuotso

Kuukkeli Apartments Vuotso

3.5 out of 5
Nutukastie 11, Sodankyla, Sodankylä
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Sodankyla. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and patios. Popular attractions Gold Prospector Museum and Koilliskaira Visitor ...
Kuukkeli Apartments Vuotso
Villa Luppopirtti

Villa Luppopirtti

3 out of 5
Hillapolku 47, Sodankyla
Stay at this 3-star chalet in Sodankyla. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a sauna. Popular attractions Pyha-Luosto Hiking Trail and Ukko-Luosto Hiking Trail ...
Villa Luppopirtti
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

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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