Saariselkä
Skiers and snowmobilers who want aurora viewing combined with outstanding winter sports
About Saariselkä
Saariselkä is a Finnish fell resort village in the heart of Urho Kekkonen National Park, Finland's largest protected area. The elevated position on the fells (around 480m) gives exceptional dark skies with minimal light pollution — a significant advantage for aurora viewing. The resort is well-developed with a good selection of glass igloo accommodations and traditional log cabin stays, alongside a small village centre with restaurants and a spa. Snowmobile trails extend for hundreds of kilometres through the national park, passing frozen rivers and dense boreal forest. Cross-country ski trails are maintained to a very high standard. Unlike Rovaniemi, Saariselkä feels like a genuine wilderness resort rather than a tourist attraction, and the star-gazing quality rivals anywhere in Finland.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan★ Best | -15°C | 23h | High |
| Feb★ Best | -13°C | 17h | High |
| Mar★ Best | -8°C | 10h | Med |
| Apr | -2°C | 3h | Low |
| May | +5°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jun | +12°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jul | +14°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Aug | +12°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Sep | +5°C | 6h | Med |
| Oct★ Best | -1°C | 13h | High |
| Nov★ Best | -8°C | 20h | High |
| Dec★ Best | -13°C | 23h | High |
Activities
Getting There
Fly to Ivalo Airport (20min drive) via Helsinki. Charter flights from Europe in winter. Shuttle buses from Ivalo.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Glass Igloos
- ✓Aurora Cabins
- ✓Fell Hotels
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $135/day in Saariselkä. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
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Aurora Queen Resort
Muotkantie 110, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotel
Saariselkä Villas
Koivupolku 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotel
Wilderness Hotel Kieppi
Raitopolku 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotel
Wilderness Hotel Saariselkä
Laanilantie 5, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
resort hotel
Aurora Collection
Koivutie 2, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotelNorthern Lights Village Saariselkä
Rovaniementie 3222E, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
resort hotelSuomen Latu Kiilopää/Fell Centre Kiilopää
Kiilopääntie 620, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotelSanta's Hotel Tunturi
Lutontie 16, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotelHoliday Club Saariselkä
Saariseläntie 7, 99830 Inari, Finland
hotelLapland Hotels Riekonlinna
Saariseläntie 13, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
hotel🍽️Where to Eat(10)
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Gáldu Restaurant
Viskitie 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurant
Restaurant Kaamos
Laanilantie 5, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurant
Fieno
Kiveliöntie 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurant
Laanilan Kievari
Sateenkaarenpääntie 9, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurant
Gastropub Giitu
Revontulentie 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurantRavintola Petronella
Honkapolku 5, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurantRavintola Pirkon Pirtti
Honkapolku 2, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurantRavintola Pub Teerenpesä
Saariseläntie 5, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurantKaunispään Huippu Oy
Kaunispääntie 260, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
tourist attractionKieppi Kitchen & Bar
Raitopolku 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
restaurant🎯Things to Do(10)
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Private Snow Safaris Oy
Kiveliöntie 8, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
transportation service
Arctic Crusade
Saariselkä-Inari, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
point of interest
Arctic Timetravels DMC
Vuonelo 5, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
travel agency
Slominski Adventures
Kakslauttanen, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
point of interest
Polar Creek Oy
Kelotie 2, 99830 Inari, Finland
serviceLapponia Tours
Honkapolku 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
serviceLapland Safaris North / Lapland Safaris Saariselkä
Saariseläntie 13, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
bicycle storeJoiku-Kotsamo Safaris
Lapponia Tours, Honkapolku 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
point of interestActivity Bookings Saariselkä by Wilderness Hotels
Saariseläntie 10, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
point of interestSafartica Saariselkä
Lutontie 16, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
adventure sports centerNearby Destinations
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