Finland travel guide
What to see in Saariselkä
A mountain village in northern Lapland, next to Urho Kekkonen National Park: northern lights, skiing and silence.
Updated 15 October 2026 · How we make our guides
- 5 must-see places
- Best time: March and from August to November
Saariselkä highlights
The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.
- Urho Kekkonen National Park
One of Finland’s largest, with fells, forests and open wilderness huts for hikers.
- Kaunispää
A fell with a viewpoint over the tunturi, a walk from the village.
- Ski and snowshoe trails
Downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoe routes from the village itself.
- Tankavaara
The village of Lapland’s gold rush, with its gold prospector museum.
- Dark skies
Far from the cities, one of the best places in Finland to see the northern lights.
Day trips from Saariselkä
We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.
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When to travel to Saariselkä
The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Saariselkä are March and from August to November.
- Jan with warnings
- Feb with warnings
- Mar no warnings
- Apr with warnings
- May with warnings
- Jun with warnings
- Jul with warnings
- Aug no warnings
- Sep no warnings
- Oct no warnings
- Nov no warnings
- Dec with warnings
- December, January
Polar night
In December and January the sun barely rises and it can drop to -25 °C. It’s the best time for the northern lights.
What to do: Proper technical clothing and daytime activities (sledding, snowmobiles) booked in advance.
- from December to February
Intense cold
In midwinter, temperatures in Lapland are usually well below zero, with very few hours of daylight.
What to do: Thermal layers, a hat, gloves and snow boots; many places to stay rent out thermal suits. It’s the season of Father Christmas and the northern lights.
- April, May
The thaw
In spring the snow melts: muddy paths and the end of the winter activity season in Lapland.
What to do: For snow, March is best; for nature and light, from June.
- June, July
Mosquitoes in Lapland
In early summer there are lots of mosquitoes in Lapland and the lake regions.
What to do: Repellent and long sleeves at dusk. In return, the midnight sun.
Where and what to eat
To eat like a local: a covered market (kauppahalli) or a lunch buffet (lounas). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Finland guide.
Frequently asked questions about Saariselkä
What to see in Saariselkä?
Urho Kekkonen National Park, Kaunispää, Ski and snowshoe trails, Tankavaara and Dark skies.
What to see in Saariselkä in one day?
Don’t miss Urho Kekkonen National Park, Kaunispää, Ski and snowshoe trails, Tankavaara and Dark skies. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.
What’s the best time to travel to Saariselkä?
The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Saariselkä are March and from August to November.
What day trips can you take from Saariselkä?
Northern lights and Husky sledding.
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Travel ideas with Saariselkä
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Guide reviewed 15 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.