Sodankylä Travel Guide
( Sodankylä is a village as well as municipality in central Lapland, its municipal shield can be seen on the right side of the bulding )
Sodankylä is located in the heart of Lapland along the E75 Highway and is a village as well as the administrative municipality for the surrounding area. For Lapland standards, the village has a large population of nearly 9,000 and is home to the The Jaeger Brigade of the Finnish Army. Sodankylä has also grown considerably in the past few years with the expansion of the Lapland mining industry in the nearby vicinity. In terms of tourism, its home to some well-known local festivals yet does not offer the same types of winter or summer activities as other notable destinations nearby.
In the map below, you will find practical places to know about for planning a trip and things to do in Sodankylä. Below the map you will find some helpful travel information by clicking on a topic button and scrolling down to read.
In the map below, you will find practical places to know about for planning a trip and things to do in Sodankylä. Below the map you will find some helpful travel information by clicking on a topic button and scrolling down to read.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: How to Get to Sodankylä
Sodankylä is on the E75 highway between Rovaniemi and Ivalo and so centrally located in Lapland. The only way to Sodankylä is by car or bus as there are no airports or railway stations in the near vicinity. Buses can be taken though from Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Kemijarvi, and Kittila where there are airports or rail connection.
You can see bus timetables and buy tickets and on the Matkahuolto website.
You can see bus timetables and buy tickets and on the Matkahuolto website.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Getting Around Sodankylä
The village itself is small enough to walk pretty much everywhere, however if you are basing yourself in Sodankylä to explore the attractions in the surrounding area you will indeed need a car, bus, or taxi to reach them.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Sodankylä Weather
Check out the forecast on the FInnish Meteorological Institute for up to date weather in Sodankylä or have a look at the average year-round temperatures in Sodankylä.
(Current weather in Sodankylä)
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Things To Do in Sodankylä
Winter
- Cross country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Viewing Auroras
Summer
- Festivals
- Fishing
- Swimming
Most typical Lapland winter and summer activities that can pursued are not located the village itself, but instead in the area surrounding Sodankylä such as in Pyhä-Luosto.
Things To Do in Sodankylä
- Pappilanniemi Shore Walking Trail - 3km walking trail along the shores of the Kitinen River
- The Old Wooden "Lapp Church" of Sodankylä - one of the oldest wooden churches in Finland
- Midnight sun - In summer time its quite a surreal experience to stay up late into the evening to watch the different colors produced as the sun floats on the horizon. In general, the night sky is luminous from May until mid August
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Sodankylä Travel Tips
- Sodankylä is one of the few larger towns with shopping options for getting supplies if passing through in the summer time.
- Practical Lapland Travel Information
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Finding Accommodation
- Everyman's Right (in Summer)
- There are several hotels in Sodankyla.