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Planning a Trip to Saariselkä, Lapland
If you’re deep in Lapland research and stumbling across name after name, let me save you some time: Saariselkä is Lapland’s most remote, northern region — and honestly, it might be its most beautiful. This is where you come when you want to feel genuinely far away from everything. Think pristine, untouched landscapes, jaw-dropping bucket list stays (glass igloos, treehouses with fully glass fronts, views straight out of instagram), a small but utterly picturesque ski resort, and the kind of quiet you seek in sucha remote destination.
Is it the most convenient area of Lapland? No. Worth the extra effort to get here? Absolutely — especially if you’re a couple looking for a quiet romantic arctic getaway, or anyone who wants that true “great remote North” Lapland magic. This guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect trip to Saariselkä.
In This Guide:
- Where to Stay in Saariselkä
- Best Things to Do in Saariselkä
- Getting to Saariselkä
- Getting Around Saariselkä
- How Long to Spend in Saariselkä
- Saariselkä Itinerary
- Is Saariselkä Worth It?
- Lapland Finland Map
Also check out my full Lapland Winter Travel Guide covering all areas of Lapland & my recommendations — there are so many different areas to explore! If you’re set on Saariselkä this guide has everything you need. Personally, Saariselkä is one of my favourite areas of all of Lapland for sheer beauty and remoteness, but if you’re looking for more popular areas of Lapland like Levi or Rovaniemi this guide has all the details!
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Where to Stay in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is where some of Lapland’s most bucket-list-worthy accommodation live. This area skews more upscale and more remote than other parts of Lapland — which is a big part of what makes it so special. If you’re going to plurge on one stay during your Lapland trip, make it here. My top picks are below.
Hotels Aurora Collection
Luxury · Saariselkä
If you’re looking for that dreamy glass treehouse experience in Lapland’s most remote setting, Hotels Aurora Collection is your place. This is the kind of stay that ends up on your mood board and stays there until you actually book it. Stunning design, sky-facing glass walls for Northern Lights viewing, and that remote arctic atmosphere that Saariselkä does better than anywhere else in Lapland. This is the type of room you’ll never want to leave
Wilderness Hotel Kieppi
Upscale · Saariselkä
For that authentic wilderness lodge feel, Wilderness Hotel Kieppi absolutely delivers. Think log cabins, open fires, and that cozy Lapland atmosphere that makes you never want to leave. It sits right in the small town of Saariselkä and a 1 minute walk from the charming ski resort. It’s perfect for convenience, but also feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere
Northern Lights Village Saariselkä
Upscale · Saariselkä
Northern Lights Village is a ski in and out high end stay in Saariselkä. Most rooms/cabins include glass walls and ceilings for prime Northern Lights viewing, Saariselkä remote location makes it one of Lapland’s best spots for seeing the aurora. The property is truly stunning and the hotel also features a free breakfast buffet, a lovely terrace, restaurant, outdoor cold plunge pool and more.
Best Things to Do in Saariselkä
A note about Saariselkä – activities are extra pricy here. Lapland is expensive in general, but these are the highest prices anywere in Lapland. Saariselkä is hyper remote + extra luxury in my experience!
Ski Finland’s Most Picturesque Mountain
Don’t come to Saariselkä expecting a massive, high-adrenaline ski resort —Finland mountains are generally small, and this is the smallest. What you will get is a small, charming resort that looks like it was lifted straight off a Christmas card. The slopes are draped in twinkle lights, the views are absolutely stunning, and the whole vibe is quiet, peaceful, and magica & the Arctic colors are magic – think golden hour all day. Perfect for a chill, picturesque day on the slopes— worth it for the scenery alon View the piste map here.
Reindeer Farm & Sleigh Ride
A visit to a traditional reindeer farm is one of those Lapland experiences that sounds like a tourist cliché until you’re actually doing it — and then you completely understand the hype. Learning about the deep relationship between the native Sámi people and their reindeer, feeding the animals, and gliding through the snowy forest on a sleigh is genuinely one of the most magical things you can do up here. I’d put this high on your Saariselkä list. ~$190 per person.
Husky Safari
Husky sledding is an absolute Lapland bucket list experience. Fair warning: this is one of the pricier husky experiences in Lapland (Saariselkä skews more upscale across the board), but you get a genuinely less-crowded, more authentic experience for it. This is a 10K (6 mile) husky safari — roughly a 2-hour activity — and yes, you’ll be driving the sled yourself for a good chunk of it. It sounds terrifying, it feels terrifying for about 30 seconds, and then it is completely, absolutely exhilarating. I loved it. If you want the full husky experience rather than a taster, this is it. ~$381 per person
Snowmobile Safari on the Tundra
This is the one to book if you want to see Saariselkä’s most remote, untouched landscape — the kind of places roads simply don’t reach. A snowmobile safari takes you out across the open tundra through pristine wilderness that’s only accessible in winter, with scenery that’ll make you feel like the only person on earth (in the best possible way). Book the afternoon departure for the sunset — the light on the snow is unreal. Also worth knowing: the price is based on two people sharing a snowmobile, so if you’re solo expect it to be higher. ~$151 per person (two sharing).
Chase the Northern Lights
Here’s the thing about Saariselkä — it’s arguably the best place in all of Finnish Lapland to see the Northern Lights. It’s the most northern and remote area, meaning darker skies, less light pollution, and wide open landscapes that give you a full canvas of sky to work with. If you stay at one of the glass igloo or glass-roofed options above, you may not even need to leave your bed (my preference haha)
That said, the lights are never guaranteed. You need two things: active solar activity and a clear sky. These two apps are your best friends:
- Hello Aurora – gives you a % chance of seeing the aurora, cloud cover details, aurora strength (you want low clouds, high strength!), plus the best part: other nearby travellers can share real-time photos with their location on a map. You might only need to drive a few miles to find clear skies.
- Aurora – similar but easier to read at a glance for probability by time window. I’d recommend having both — Hello Aurora for the community photos, Aurora for the quick probability check.
Getting to Saariselkä
Ivalo Airport (IVL) is your gateway to Lapland’s most northern, remote region — and it’s a small, easy airport to navigate. It sits about a 20-minute drive from Saariselkä, and you’ll want to rent a car here (more on that below — just know a car is non-negotiable in this area).
Flights connect through Helsinki and while they’re not as frequent as into Rovaniemi or Kittilä, they’re very manageable — book in advance and you’ll find good options.
Prefer to road trip it? Saariselkä is about 3 hours from both Rovaniemi and Levi, so if you’re doing a wider Lapland loop it makes complete sense to drive rather than fly into multiple airports. The drive through the Lapland wilderness is genuinely spectacular in winter — consider it part of the experience!
Getting Around Saariselkä
You need a car in Saariselkä. This isn’t like Rovaniemi where you can get by on tours with hotel pickup and the occasional (expensive) taxi. The region is genuinely remote, there are fewer organised tour operators, and the highlights are spread out across the wilderness in ways that require your own wheels to access properly.
Rent at Ivalo Airport when you land — it’s the easiest and most practical option. Winter driving in Lapland isn’t as scary as it sounds (cars come with or proper winter tyres and roads are well-maintained), but if winter driving genuinely isn’t for you, Saariselkä might not be your best Lapland pick. Rovaniemi or potenitally Levi will serve you much better in that case.
How Long to Spend in Saariselkä
2–3 Days
Saariselkä is best enjoyed slowly — this is not a rush-through destination. Two to three days gives you enough time for the big activities (reindeer farm, huskies, snowmobile), a day on the ski slopes, and at least one night properly aurora chasing without feeling like you’re racing through it all. It’s also the kind of place where doing nothing — sitting in your glass igloo watching the sky — is genuinely time well spent.
If you’re doing a broader Lapland trip, I’d suggest pairing Saariselkä with Levi or Ruka rather than trying to do all three (unless you have 10+ days) — Saariselkä is far enough from the other major areas that it really needs 2-3 days to be worth the travel!
Saariselkä Itinerary
Day 1: Reindeer farm visit & sleigh ride — check into your accommodation in the evening and spend the night aurora watching from your cabin or property.
Day 2: Morning husky safari — afternoon to rest and explore the village on foot. Evening aurora chasing.
Day 3: Hit the slopes & enjoy one of Lapland’s most postcard-like ski resorts. If skiing/snowboarding isn’t your thing a slow morning followed by a snowmobile adventure for the afternoon/sunset is the perfect last day activity.
Is Saariselkä Worth It?
Yes — with one big caveat. If you need a car-free trip or want lots of organised tours with hotel pickup, Saariselkä will frustrate you. Go to Rovaniemi or Levi instead. Also, if you cost is a factor for you Saariselkä is not the best option. All of Lapland is expensive, but Saariselkä is the most pricy area of, try Ruka or Rovaniemi.
But if you don’t mind renting a car, and spluring a bit + you want the most remote, breathtakingly beautiful, genuinely wild version of Lapland? Saariselkä is potentially the most stunning area in all of Finnish Lapland. The accommodation options here are on another level, the Northern Lights viewing is exceptional, and the sheer quiet and remoteness of the place is something you simply can’t find in Levi or Rovaniemi.
Lapland Finland Travel Map
Planning a Lapland Winter Adventure?
Check out all of my Lapland Finland guides and recommendations below!
- Lapland Winter Itinerary
- Guide to Skiing in Finnish Lapland
- Ultimate Lapland Winter Travel Guide
- Levi Travel Guide – Lapland’s cutest ski town + ultimate homebase for arctic excursions
- Ruka Travel Guide – gateway to Lapland’s dreamiest national parks + skiing
- Rovaniemi Travel Guide – home of Santa Claus Village + most accessible Lapland destination
