Ivalo

Tourist rarely stay in Ivalo, while the town is beautiful there are few hotels, so most visitors venture into the wilds of Lapland straight from the airport. A 35km bus transfer can take you to the real snow or glass igloos of the ‘snow village’ at Hotel Kakslauttanen, where you can enjoy a truly unique arctic experience. Alternatively, those in search of snug rooms, apartments and cottage can find the rustic husky and horse farm of Kamisak around 4km from Ivalo. If you would rather stay in the town and save a little cash you can book a room at the riverside Kultahippu.

There are plenty of Lappish handicrafts to be bought on a trip to Ivalo including ornaments made from antlers, reindeer hide, gnarled pieces of wood, silver and gold. If you want to buy these handicrafts at a reasonable price, you can visit Lahjatalo Näkkäläjärvi to grab a bargain. Fashion conscious visitors may also want to visit Lake Design House Idoli, 10km north of Ivalo on the shores of Lake Inarijärvi, where you can find a range of drop-dead gorgeous designer Finnish goods. Those looking for a little challenge could head 39km northwest to Inari, where they’ll be rewarded with a slew of artisan workshops - including Sámi Duodji Ry and Samekki for Sámi folk crafts.

Ivalo’s best restaurants are found in the surrounding countryside rather than in the town. For a classy wine selection and a mouth-watering menu, Restaurant Siberia is worth the 30km trip to Saariselka. Foodies in search of a superb view should visit the Restaurant Huippu which boasts a panoramic look over a ski resort 26km south of Ivalo. Near Restaurant Huippu you will also find the family-run Laanilan Kievari which serves traditional Lappish cuisine finished with their own root beer.

With such a unique Lappish culture, you can be sure there are several events that will make for a memorable holiday. Be sure to check what’s going on during your visit:

January: Skabmagovat

A film festival focused on the art and culture of the indigenous peoples is held in Saariselka, south of Ivalo. A selection of films are shown at the fairytale snow-built Arctic Theatre which is nestled in a candle-lit forest by the Sami Museum.

March: Champion Reindeer Race

To work out how fast reindeer can run when they aren’t weighed down by sleigh full of presents, the village of Inari hosts the annual reindeer race over two days in late March. There’s also a full fair and lots of fun attractions, including lassoing contests and demonstrations.

August: Ijahis idja

This festival celebrates the strong musical traditions of the indigenous peoples of Lapland. It takes place in Inari at the Sajos Sámi Cultural Centre.

November: Camera Borealis

A huge photography festival, Camera Borealis challenges visitors to capture the beautiful local landscapes. Many local photographers take the opportunity to show off their skills and pass on their wisdom with talks and demonstrations across the region.