If you're dreaming of a peaceful Lapland holiday surrounded by snow-covered forests, frozen fells and some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights, Saariselkä should be high on your shortlist.
Unlike busier destinations such as Rovaniemi, Saariselkä offers a quieter, more traditional Lapland experience. It's particularly popular with couples, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience the Arctic without the crowds, while still enjoying unforgettable experiences such as husky sledding, reindeer rides, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and glass igloo stays.
We've now planned three DIY Lapland trips ourselves, visiting destinations including Levi and Rovaniemi without ever booking a package holiday. By organising our own flights, accommodation and activities, we've saved ourselves thousands of pounds while still enjoying some of Lapland's most iconic experiences, from husky sledding and snowmobiling to the Arctic SnowHotel and unforgettable Northern Lights displays.
Although we haven't visited Saariselkä ourselves yet, we've spent the last few years researching Finnish Lapland, working with partners across the region and helping thousands of readers plan their own DIY Lapland holidays. This guide brings together everything you need to know, from flights and accommodation to activities, budgeting and practical planning tips, helping you organise your own independent trip with confidence.
From DIY itineraries and Northern Lights tips to budgeting advice, destination guides and honest reviews of the places we've visited, you'll find everything together in our Lapland Travel Guide Hub.
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📍 Location: Northern Finnish Lapland, around 250 km north of the Arctic Circle
✈️ Nearest airport: Ivalo Airport (around 25–30 minutes away)
⏱️ Recommended trip length: 4–5 days
👨👩👧 Best for: Couples, families, skiers and Northern Lights hunters
🌌 Known for: Glass igloos, Northern Lights, Urho Kekkonen National Park, husky safaris and cross-country skiing
🚗 Do you need a car? No. Airport transfers and organised excursions make it easy to visit without driving.
💰 Budget: Similar to Levi, although accommodation can vary significantly depending on whether you choose a cabin, hotel or glass igloo.
💡 Top tip: Saariselkä is one of the best destinations in Finland if your priority is experiencing a quieter side of Lapland while still enjoying all the classic Arctic activities.
Saariselkä is a small village in northern Finnish Lapland, around 250 km north of the Arctic Circle and approximately 30 km from Ivalo Airport. Surrounded by forests, fells and the vast Urho Kekkonen National Park, it's one of Finland's northernmost holiday destinations and a fantastic base for exploring the Arctic wilderness.
Unlike larger destinations such as Rovaniemi, Saariselkä has a much quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. It's best known for its spectacular natural scenery, excellent Northern Lights viewing opportunities and unique accommodation, including the famous glass igloos that have become synonymous with Lapland.
Despite its peaceful setting, Saariselkä offers everything most visitors are looking for on a winter holiday. You can enjoy husky sledding, reindeer experiences, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing and traditional Finnish saunas, all within easy reach of the village.
Its location far north also means Saariselkä is one of the best places in Finland to see the Northern Lights, thanks to its long, dark winter nights and low levels of light pollution. Whether you're visiting for adventure, relaxation or simply to experience the magic of Lapland, Saariselkä is an excellent destination for an independent DIY trip.
Unlike destinations such as Rovaniemi, there are currently no regular direct flights from the UK or Ireland to Ivalo Airport if you're planning a DIY trip. Instead, the easiest option is to fly via Helsinki, before taking a short connecting flight to Ivalo, the nearest airport to Saariselkä.
Once you land at Ivalo Airport, Saariselkä is only around 25 to 30 minutes away by airport transfer, taxi or hire car, making it one of the quickest Lapland destinations to reach after arriving.
Another option is to fly directly to Rovaniemi from the UK or Ireland and continue north by direct public bus. The journey to Saariselkä takes around 3 hours 15 minutes, with several services operating each day during the winter season. This can sometimes work out to be a cheaper alternative than connecting through Helsinki, particularly if you've found a good deal on direct flights to Rovaniemi.
Although hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore the surrounding area, it's by no means essential. Saariselkä is a compact village, many accommodation providers offer airport transfers, and most organised winter activities include transport as part of the booking.
If you're looking to save money, it's also worth comparing flights from different UK airports. While flying via Helsinki is the most common route, prices can vary significantly depending on your departure airport and travel dates.
💡 Top tip: Before booking your flights, compare a few different departure airports. We've often found that travelling a little further from home can lead to cheaper flights, better connections or more convenient travel times.
For the latest routes, airlines and tips on finding the best-value flights from the UK and Ireland, take a look at my UK Flights to Lapland guide, where I've explained the different airports, routes and booking options to help you plan your own DIY trip.
No, not necessarily.
If you're staying in Saariselkä Village, it's perfectly possible to enjoy a holiday without hiring a car. The village is compact and easy to explore on foot, airport transfers are readily available, and many of the most popular winter activities include transport as part of the booking.
For most first-time visitors, organised excursions and airport transfers are all you'll need. Whether you're heading out on a husky safari, snowmobile tour, reindeer experience or Northern Lights excursion, transport is often included, making it easy to explore the surrounding area without driving.
That said, if you're planning to venture further afield or would like the freedom to explore at your own pace, hiring a car can be worthwhile. It gives you the flexibility to visit nearby viewpoints, explore more of Urho Kekkonen National Park or simply travel on your own schedule.
For most people, though, I'd say a hire car isn't essential. Saariselkä is one of the easiest Lapland destinations to enjoy independently without driving, making it an excellent choice for a DIY winter holiday.
If you're hoping for the classic snowy Lapland experience, I'd recommend visiting between January and February. By this point, winter is usually well established, giving you the best chance of deep snow, reliable conditions for winter activities and long, dark nights for viewing the Northern Lights.
December is also a magical time to visit, especially if you're travelling with children or hoping to experience the festive atmosphere. However, it's also the busiest and most expensive time of year, with accommodation and flights often booking up months in advance.
March can be another excellent choice if you prefer slightly longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. There's still usually plenty of snow, and the extra daylight makes it easier to enjoy outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, skiing and exploring Urho Kekkonen National Park.
Saariselkä is also one of the best places in Finland to see the Northern Lights. Thanks to its far northern location and very little light pollution, you have an excellent chance of seeing the aurora if the skies are clear, particularly between September and March.
💡 Top tip: If the Northern Lights are high on your bucket list, I'd recommend staying for at least 4–5 days. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but spending a little longer in Lapland gives you several opportunities if conditions are right.
I'd recommend spending 4 to 5 days in Saariselkä. This gives you enough time to enjoy the destination's most popular winter activities while still leaving plenty of time to relax and soak up the peaceful Arctic atmosphere.
A typical four or five-day trip gives you time to experience activities such as husky sledding, reindeer rides, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and a Northern Lights excursion. It also allows you to explore Urho Kekkonen National Park, unwind in a traditional Finnish sauna and enjoy the slower pace that makes Saariselkä such a special place to visit.
If you're staying in one of Saariselkä's famous glass igloos, a longer trip also gives you several opportunities to watch for the Northern Lights from your accommodation if conditions are favourable.
If you're combining Saariselkä with another destination such as Rovaniemi, Levi or Ivalo, then 3 nights can still be enough to experience many of the highlights before continuing your journey.
If you're still deciding how long to stay, I've put together a dedicated guide on how many days you need in Lapland, comparing one-day trips through to week-long holidays, with real itineraries from our own DIY trips to help you choose the right length for your visit.
💡 Top tip: Don't try to fill every hour with organised activities. Some of the best moments in Saariselkä come from simply enjoying the scenery, taking a walk through the snow-covered forests or relaxing in a Finnish sauna after a day outdoors.
Choosing where to stay in Saariselkä depends on the type of Lapland holiday you're looking for.
For most visitors, Saariselkä Village is the best base. Despite its small size, the village has a good selection of hotels, apartments, restaurants and shops, with many winter activities departing nearby. Staying here also makes it easy to explore on foot without needing to hire a car.
If you're hoping to tick a glass igloo off your bucket list, Saariselkä is one of the best places in Finland to do it. The area is home to several famous glass igloo resorts, offering the chance to watch for the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. Just bear in mind that these unique stays are extremely popular and often book up many months in advance.
If you're looking for a more traditional Lapland experience, you'll also find plenty of cosy log cabins and holiday apartments, many complete with private Finnish saunas. These are often a great option for families or anyone planning a longer stay.
Popular accommodation options include Holiday Club Saariselkä, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Star Arctic Hotel, Northern Lights Village Saariselkä and Santa's Hotel Tunturi, each offering a slightly different style of Lapland experience.
💡 Top tip: If staying in a glass igloo is high on your bucket list, book as early as possible, especially if you're travelling in December or during the February half-term holidays. These are some of the most sought-after places to stay in Finnish Lapland.
One of the biggest questions people have when planning a DIY Lapland trip is what to do about winter clothing.
If you're booking a package holiday, thermal suits and winter boots are often included. When planning your own trip, you'll usually need to organise these yourself.
The good news is that you don't necessarily need to spend hundreds of pounds on brand-new clothing. For our own trips, we've picked up excellent bargains on Vinted and eBay, while supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl often sell affordable ski clothing as part of their winter Specialbuys. If you're unlikely to use the clothing again, buying second-hand can be one of the cheapest options.
If you'd rather travel light, you can also hire winter clothing once you arrive in Lapland. Many rental companies offer thermal suits, boots and gloves for a fraction of the cost of buying everything yourself.
If you're not sure what you'll need, take a look at my What to Wear in Lapland guide, where I've shared exactly what we packed after three DIY Lapland trips. don't forget anything.
Despite being one of Lapland's quieter destinations, Saariselkä offers an incredible range of winter activities. Whether you're hoping to chase the Northern Lights, experience traditional Arctic adventures or simply enjoy the peaceful scenery, there's plenty to fill a four or five-day itinerary.
Some of the most popular experiences include:
• Husky sledding through snow-covered forests
• Reindeer sleigh rides and farm visits
• Snowmobiling across frozen landscapes
• Northern Lights excursions
• Staying in a glass igloo
• Cross-country skiing
• Downhill skiing at Saariselkä Ski Resort
• Snowshoeing in Urho Kekkonen National Park
• Ice fishing
• Tobogganing
• Traditional Finnish saunas
• Fat biking on snowy trails
• Visiting the gold mining village of Tankavaara
• Winter hiking
• Horse-drawn sleigh rides
Whether you're looking for adrenaline-filled adventures or a peaceful escape surrounded by Arctic nature, Saariselkä has something to suit every type of traveller.
We've now planned three DIY Lapland trips ourselves without booking a package holiday, saving ourselves thousands of pounds by booking our own flights, accommodation and activities separately.
Planning your own trip also gives you much more flexibility. You can choose the accommodation that suits your budget, decide exactly which activities you want to do and travel for the number of days that works best for you, rather than following a fixed package itinerary.
If you're happy to spend a little time planning, building your own Saariselkä itinerary can often work out significantly cheaper while giving you a much more personalised Lapland experience.
Looking to keep costs down? I've also put together 10 Tips to Visit Lapland on a Budget, sharing the money-saving tricks we've learnt while planning our own trips, from finding cheaper flights to deciding where it's worth spending a little more.
Absolutely. If you're looking for a quieter, more traditional Lapland experience, Saariselkä is well worth considering.
While it doesn't have attractions such as Santa Claus Village, it's one of the best places in Finnish Lapland to experience the region's incredible natural beauty. From husky sledding and reindeer experiences to snowmobiling, skiing, glass igloos and the chance to see the Northern Lights, Saariselkä offers everything many people dream of when planning a trip to Lapland.
It's particularly well suited to couples, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking to escape the crowds. With its peaceful atmosphere, spectacular scenery and direct access to Urho Kekkonen National Park, it's a destination where you can slow down and enjoy a more authentic side of Finnish Lapland.
It's also an excellent choice for independent travellers. With a little planning, it's easy to organise your own flights, accommodation and activities, giving you the flexibility to create a trip that suits your budget and interests without relying on an expensive package holiday.
Whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends or as a family with older children, Saariselkä offers a completely different experience to busier destinations such as Rovaniemi. If your priority is stunning Arctic landscapes, unforgettable winter adventures and some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights, I think it's a destination that's more than worth adding to your shortlist.
Whenever I spot great-value DIY Lapland flights and accommodation from UK airports, I share them with members of the Build a Break Travel Club. If you'd like to experience Lapland without paying package holiday prices, it's a great place to start.
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