Where to Stay in Finnish Lapland: Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Inari and Ruka

The short answer: choose Levi for the easiest journey and a lively resort village, Ylläs for longer ski runs and a national park on the doorstep, Saariselkä for wilderness in the far north, Inari for a remote lakeside stay in the heart of Sámi Lapland, and Ruka, in the Kuusamo region just south of Lapland, for skiing next to Oulanka National Park. All of them have long winters, saunas and northern lights season from late August to early April.

The bases at a glance

Levi: the easiest to reach

Levi is about 15 kilometers from Kittilä Airport, which has flights from Helsinki year-round and seasonal flights from other European cities in winter. The resort village sits at the foot of Levi fell, with lifts, restaurants and shops close together, and more than 200 kilometers of cross-country trails run through the surrounding forest. Villas on the Utsuvaara heights and in the forest around the fell are quieter, with darker skies. Read more in our Levi guide.

Ylläs: the highest ski fell in Finland

At 719 meters, Ylläs is the highest fell in Finland with ski lifts, and its longest runs reach about 3 kilometers. Äkäslompolo, on the north side, has a lake and a village feel, and Ylläsjärvi lies on the south side. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park begins right beside the resort. Kittilä Airport is about 39 kilometers away, and Kolari station, about 37 kilometers away, has direct trains to Helsinki.

Saariselkä: wilderness in the far north

Saariselkä is a compact village beside Urho Kekkonen National Park, one of the largest national parks in Finland, with Kaunispää fell rising above it. It is a place for skiing trails, snowshoeing and wide northern skies rather than nightlife. Ivalo Airport, Finland’s northernmost airport, is about 25 minutes away by car.

Inari: Lake Inari and Sámi culture

Inari is the center of Sámi culture in Finland, with the Siida museum and nature center and the Sajos cultural center in the village. It sits on the shore of Lake Inari, a huge lake scattered with islands that freezes over in winter. It is one of the most remote places to stay in Finnish Lapland, about 50 kilometers north of Ivalo Airport.

Ruka: just south of Lapland

Ruka is the ski resort on Rukatunturi fell in Kuusamo, northeastern Finland. It is not officially part of Lapland, but it shares the same winter landscape and is known for a long ski season. Oulanka National Park, with its river canyons and the Karhunkierros, Finland’s most famous hiking trail, is close by. Kuusamo Airport is about 25 minutes from the resort.

Which one is right for you?

• First trip to Lapland, or traveling with young children: Levi, for the short transfer and everything close at hand.
• Serious skiers: Ylläs for long runs and cross-country trails, or Ruka for its long season.
• Northern lights as the main goal: Saariselkä or Inari, in the far north, though every base has good chances on clear nights.
• Privacy and quiet: Inari, or a villa on the edge of Ylläs or Saariselkä.
• Summer and autumn hiking: Ruka and Oulanka, or the national parks around Ylläs and Saariselkä.

What a private villa adds

Most of our Lapland villas are log villas or lodges with private saunas and outdoor hot tubs, and many come fully staffed with a private chef, a driver-host and housekeeping. That changes the trip: meals at the villa, a car at the door for every activity, and someone to plan the days around the weather and the aurora forecast. We confirm exactly what each villa includes before you book.

Tell us your dates, your group and what matters most, and we will recommend the right base and villa. Browse all our villas and lodges in Finland.