Best places to visit in Lapland

In all 3 Lapland resorts, you will be able to enjoy searching for the Northern Lights, get a feel for the local Sámi culture and cuisine and take part in a range of excursions & activities from skiing, husky & reindeer sleigh rides to snowmobile safaris.

Selecting the right resort for you is easy - whether its lively Levi, cultural Saariselkä or family oriented Ylläs (though we do believe all 3 offer a bit of everything).

Discover more about what makes each resort special.

Which Lapland resort is best for you?

Levi resort

Best for - Action packed fun

Levi is the resort to choose if you love the hustle and bustle of a busy town and enjoy a plentiful supply of bars and different restaurants from five-star cuisine to fast food. It is the most visited resort by tourists and locals in Finland.

Things to do for adults in Levi
For the adults there are multiple karaoke venues to choose from because it is a favoured Finnish pastime, with the bonus of warming up with an alcoholic mintu hot chocolate.

Family activities in Levi
For the whole family, you can find Ice Karting (for those over 140cm), Laser tag, the Sámiland museum, local crafts at the Christmas market by Zero Point (until the 9th of January), bowling, Water World Levi, and Kid’s land for tobogganing and beginner child skiers.

Skiing & Snowboarding in Levi
Hosting the start of the Ski World Cup each year is proof that the skiing in Levi is top-class. For the more advanced and adventurous boarders and skiers, there is an opportunity to ride down the famous World Cup black run.

Access to the main ski resort is from Zero Point which is centrally located in town. Two red runs lead into this side of town (a great starting point for intermediates) and the best slopes for beginners is only a short ski bus journey to South Point.

Ylläs resort

Best for - Enjoying your surroundings

Ylläs is the resort for you if you prefer a more authentic feeling. Settle into a cosy cabin in traditional Lappish style, nestled in the Arctic wilderness. Tucked away in the corner of the Arctic Circle, Ylläs is made up of two villages - Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjarvi - both are named after local lakes.

Think of the area of Ylläs as three mini resorts that can be explored by the ski bus or taxi – Äkäslompolo, Saaga, and Ylläsrinne.

Family activities in Ylläs
Äkäslompolo is home to Lapland's biggest supermarket where you can all try some local food and here you will also see if your children can spot the largest anatomically correct reindeer.

Ylläs feels like you have your own home away from home with cabins nestled in the forest, so you can cosy up for movie nights with hot chocolates. If your children are a bit older, the streetlamps on the main road are turned off around 10pm and the village goes dark, giving you the best chance to spot the northern lights.

Things to do for adults in Ylläs
Though quieter than Levi, there are a few local pubs including Selva Pyy which often hosts live music events or the karaoke bar Joiku across the road. For the night owls there is even a nightclub in Akashotelli until 5am most nights in peak season. If you’re happy with a couple of local pubs and a handful of restaurants to choose from you’re all set.

Skiing & Snowboarding in Ylläs
Saaga is home to the gondola and chair lifts of the mountain. For the keen snowboarders and skiers that want to be on the mountain most days this is the spot for you. Only a hop skip and a jump over to the slopes.

Go on an adventure to many of Ylläs’ wilderness cafés by foot, cross country ski, or snowshoe.

Saariselkä resort

Best for - An immersive experience 

Saariselkä is the best resort if you want the highest chance of viewing the Northern Lights with displays 200 nights out of the year. Similar to Ylläs, Saariselkä has the tranquillity of a remote location. A compact village and Ingham’s most Northern resort.

Family activities in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is home to the longest toboggan run in Finland at 1.8 km long. Perfect for families to enjoy together at your own pace and there's even a bus that can drop you off at the top of the hill.

If your children are closer to teenage years, visit the Urho Kekkonen National Park and explore the park by snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Skiing & Snowboarding in Saariselkä
Saariselkä is Europe's most Northern ski resort, so you are guaranteed lots of good snow to explore the runs around Iisakkipää and Kaunispää fells. An ideal area for beginners to intermediates.

Good to know for adults in Saariselkä
What makes Saariselkä extra special is you will have an intimate guided experience by a Destination Expert that will support you throughout your stay, share their top tips, and joins you on your booked excursions. This 1-2-1 rep experience will give you all the knowledge and guidance that you require so you can sit back, relax, and have lots of fun.