Places to Visit in Sodankylä
In Sodankylä you can relax with wild fells, northern art and the authentic peace of Lapland. Pick up lunch from the village, throw your backpack on your back and set off on a trip. You can find activities for the whole family!
Pyhä-Luosto National Park
One of the oldest Finnish National Parks is called Pyhä-Luosto. It offers numerous options of activities, for example hiking, snowshoeing, fatbiking, biking, cross-country skiing, down-hill skiing, spotting the northern lights, staying overnight in a hut and so on! Pyhä and Luosto are both tourist centres and you can choose from which place you start your way into the national park. If you are not sure which hike you want to do, you can always find information at Visitor Centre Naava in Pyhä. When you decide to explore Pyhä-Luosto, you have many options. It depends if you are up for a longer hike or if you prefer it shorter. In Pyhä-Luosto, you find a lot of lean-to shelters, with the option to take a break and make a fire. You also have the option to stay overnight in a wilderness hut or if you would like to reserve one just for you, it is possible in a rental hut.
Sompio Strict Nature Reserve
Sompio Nature Park, located in the heart of Urho Kekkonen National Park, is dedicated to preserving forest, mountain, and salt marshes for future generations and scientific research. Reindeer husbandry is one of the area’s primary sources of income, and it is also a feature of the park’s scenery. Hikers will enjoy Sompio Nature Park’s unique natural experiences. You can follow the marked trails and decide for yourself if you prefer a short hike or a longer one.
Roaming in Sompio Strict Nature Reserve is possible all-year around on the marked trails of the terrain. You have the option to camp, but only on the shores of Lake Sompiojärvi.
Sodankylä old church
Another sight in Sodankylä is the old church, one of the oldest preserved wooden churches in Finland. It was built in 1689 for the people of central Lapland. It is located close to the centre, on the banks of the River Kitinen surrounded by its own cemetery. The old church is made of dark wood with a typical tar scent. Throughout the years, it has preserved its own authentic character.
Location: Kemijärventie, 99600 Sodankylä
Sodankylä Museum of Local History and Culture
One of the best places to visit for tourists. In a lovely riverbank setting, the Museum is a striking sight. The main building of the former village of Riesto, salvaged before the Lokka reservoir was built, is the focal point of the yard.
Museum-gallery Alariesto
The paintings of Sompio-born Andreas Alariesto, a well-known Lappish naïve artist, can be seen at the Alariesto Museum and Gallery.
Monuments
“A Reindeer and a Lapp,” Sodankylä’s most famous sight, stands in the village’s center. This is, however, only one of roughly 50 monuments in Sodankylä.
Midnight Sun Film Festival
Every summer, this is what attracts a large number of visitors from the south. In terms of atmosphere, the Sodankylä film festival is one of a kind; famous filmmakers, upcoming stars and an international audience gather in the warm atmosphere under the midnight sun and in the heart of boundless Lapland nature for the Midnight Sun Film Festival. Above all else, the festival is defined by a passion for movies. The event’s vibe is easygoing and bohemian, and stiff formalities and bureaucracy are absent.
Kakslauttanen Art Gallery
The Kakslauttanen Art Gallery, located in the new Kakslauttanen igloo tower, exhibits excellent modern Finnish and Lappish art.
