Saariselkä
The furthest-north easily reachable village in Finnish Lapland, right on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Aurora season: 09-01 - 03-31
Practical info
- Population
- About 7,200 residents (Inari municipality, vast and sparsely populated)
- Airport
- Ivalo Airport (IVL), 30 min by road, direct seasonal flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich (Dec-Mar)
- Train
- No: no station on site, the nearest is Rovaniemi (about 3-4h by road/bus)
- Car
- Useful but not mandatory: airport shuttles and organised tours exist, a car helps explore the national park
- Temperatures
- -20°C to -8°C on average, among the coldest in this selection
Why choose this destination
The further north you go, the darker and longer winter nights get, which works in Saariselka's favour for aurora watching. It also has the widest concentration of glass igloos and glazed cabins in all of Lapland, with direct access to a genuine national park for snowshoe hikes.
Accommodation options
Hotels in the village centre, forest cabins with a private sauna, and Kakslauttanen nearby for glass igloos and ice huts.
Things to do
Hiking and snowshoeing in Urho Kekkonen National Park, husky sledding, and near-zero light pollution for aurora watching.
Best spots to watch the northern lights
Kaunispää
A fell with a café at the summit, reachable on foot or by seasonal chairlift, with open views over the village and national park.
Kiilopää
A neighbouring summit in the national park, noted for clear viewing conditions.
Urho Kekkonen National Park
A vast wilderness area that acts as a buffer against light pollution, with several trails open in winter.
Activities to book
Husky or reindeer sledding
Book several weeks ahead around Christmas and the February holidays, a few days is enough the rest of the season.
Guided snowshoe trip in the national park
A few days ahead is usually enough, except for small-group departures in high season where a week is safer.
Snowmobiling
As elsewhere in Lapland, allow 1-2 weeks during peak weeks, a few days is enough otherwise.
Stays on the map
Where to stay
Glass iglooKakslauttanen Arctic Resort
€€€Lapland's best-known glass igloo resort, on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park.
- The most recognised name in the region
- Chalets and glass igloos
- Direct access to the national park
from €169 / night
Cabin / chaletNorthern Lights Village
€€€Cabins with a full glass ceiling, designed for aurora watching without leaving the bed.
- Full glass ceiling
- On-site sauna and restaurant
- Shuttle from Ivalo
from €209 / night
HotelWilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos
€€A wide range of stay types in the Saariselka area, from standard rooms to glass igloos.
- Several room formats on one site
- On-site lodge restaurant
- Close to cross-country trails
from €129 / night
HotelWilderness Hotel Kieppi
€A 4-star hotel on Raitopolku, right on the border of Urho Kekkonen National Park. A recent building with restaurant, bar and buffet breakfast.
- On the national park border
- Recently built
- Buffet breakfast included
from €115 / night
HotelLapland Hotels Riekonlinna
€In the centre of Saariselka, with some rooms featuring a balcony and private sauna. On-site restaurant and buffet breakfast.
- Central Saariselka location
- Some rooms with private sauna
- Buffet breakfast
from €126 / night
HotelHoliday Club Saariselkä
€A large resort hotel in the centre of the village, next to the shops and spa. Budget room categories are available.
- Village-centre location
- Next to the spa and shops
- Budget categories available
from €92 / night
HotelGrand Hostel Ivalo
€A hostel set in a former school, Kirkkokuja 14 in Ivalo, 15 minutes' walk from the centre. Shared kitchen, sauna and free morning porridge.
- Set in a former school building
- Sauna and shared kitchen
- 15 min walk from Ivalo centre
from €95 / night
HotelOutapailakka K19
€A fully equipped apartment at 4 Kelotie in Saariselka, well suited to longer stays.
- Fully equipped apartment
- Well suited to longer stays
- Central Saariselka location
from €97 / night
Cabin / chaletNorth Frontier Cabins
€Forest cabins on Laanilantie, close to the village, each with its own sauna and fireplace.
- Sauna and fireplace in every cabin
- Deep in the forest
- Close to the village
from €99 / night
Cabin / chaletFell Centre Kiilopää
€€Hotel rooms and chalets 15 km from Saariselka centre (shuttle available), right at the entrance of the national park. Free sauna and river swimming.
- At the national park entrance
- Free sauna
- Shuttle from Saariselka
from €150 / night
Glass iglooStar Arctic Hotel & Activities
€€A hilltop hotel at Kaunispaa with 15 'Aurora Glass Cabins': a three-panel glass roof right above the bed, away from light pollution.
- 15 Aurora Glass Cabins
- Away from light pollution
- Glass roof above the bed
from €379 / night
Cabin / chaletAurora Collection Inari
€€Ski-in/ski-out suites in Inari with private sauna and jacuzzi, as a premium chalet option.
- Private sauna and jacuzzi
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Premium chalet option
from €330 / night
Frequently asked questions
Is Saariselka harder to reach than Rovaniemi?
Slightly: you arrive via Ivalo airport (a 30-minute drive) rather than direct from Europe. In exchange, nights are darker and the landscape wilder.
Are there things to do besides aurora watching?
Yes: snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Urho Kekkonen National Park, husky and reindeer sled safaris, and wilderness sauna sessions.
Why is the sky said to be clearer in Saariselka than in Rovaniemi?
The village is much smaller and further north, with far less light pollution than a town the size of Rovaniemi.
Is Urho Kekkonen National Park reachable without a car?
Several stays and local shuttles give access without a car, but having your own vehicle gives more freedom to explore.
Is Kakslauttanen in Saariselka itself?
It sits in the same area, a short drive from the village, making it an easy day trip or lodging option to combine with a Saariselka stay.