Hotel in Sodankylä, Lapland, Lapland
Sodankylä Hotel Kantakievari
A well-regarded traditional Finnish hotel in the market town of Sodankylä, serving as an excellent central Lapland base for national park explorations. The hotel restaurant serves hearty local food including reindeer and salmon.
Sodankylä Hotel Kantakievari occupies a prominent position in the market town of Sodankylä, a municipality of around eight thousand residents that functions as the commercial and administrative hub of central Lapland. Located at Sompiontie 3, the hotel stands close to the town centre and the Kitinen river, at the geographical heart of Finnish Lapland — approximately 130 kilometres north of Rovaniemi and equidistant from Saariselkä, Inari village, and the Norwegian border. This central position makes Kantakievari the most practical stopping point for travellers transiting through Lapland by road on the E75 highway.
The hotel embodies the traditional Finnish provincial hotel character: solidly built, professionally operated, and focused on reliable comfort rather than resort-style luxury. The building reflects a functional Scandinavian aesthetic characteristic of post-war Finnish construction in market towns. Regular guests include businesspeople working in the regional timber, reindeer herding, and defence industries alongside tourists using the town as a base for national park explorations.
Guest rooms are practical and well-maintained, offering the standard amenities of a mid-range Finnish hotel: satellite television, WiFi, private bathrooms, and central heating calibrated for Arctic winters. The hotel's sauna facilities provide the essential Finnish restorative experience after a day in the wilderness or on the road.
The restaurant serves as one of Sodankylä's more accomplished dining venues, with a menu deeply rooted in Lapland's larder: reindeer filet, smoked and fresh salmon, Arctic cloudberry and lingonberry desserts, and hearty winter soups. The bar is popular with locals and hotel guests alike. Breakfast is included in most room rates and reflects the Finnish tradition of substantial morning meals.
Bicycle rental from the hotel offers a practical means of exploring Sodankylä town and its surroundings during the summer months, when the midnight sun allows almost unlimited outdoor activity. The hotel is a practical base for visits to Urho Kekkonen National Park, whose closest entrance lies approximately 75 kilometres to the northeast, and for the annual Midnight Sun Film Festival in June.
Amenities
- restaurant
- sauna
- bar
- parking
- bicycle rental
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +358 16 612 121
Location
Sompiontie 3, 99600 Sodankylä
67.4172, 26.5964 — View on map
Highlights
- Central Lapland position — the ideal midpoint for road trips connecting Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, Inari, and Norway
- Hotel restaurant with genuine Lapland cuisine including reindeer, local salmon, and Arctic berry desserts
- Convenient base for Urho Kekkonen National Park day trips and wilderness trail access
- Bicycle rental for summer exploration of Sodankylä town and the Kitinen river trails
- Full-service hotel in a working Lapland town, away from resort crowds and inflated resort prices
Tips
- Sodankylä fills during the Midnight Sun Film Festival in June — book accommodation weeks in advance if travelling during this period
- The hotel is a practical overnight stop when driving the E75 highway north through Lapland toward Saariselkä and Inari
- Fuel up in Sodankylä; petrol stations become increasingly sparse heading north toward Inari and the Norwegian border
- Ask staff about current national park trail conditions and recommended access routes into Urho Kekkonen National Park
- Bicycle rental is most useful from June to August, when the midnight sun extends riding hours around the clock
FAQ
How far is Sodankylä from Rovaniemi?
Sodankylä lies approximately 130 kilometres north of Rovaniemi on the E75 highway, a journey of around 90 minutes by car in fair road conditions.
Is Urho Kekkonen National Park accessible from Sodankylä without a car?
The national park visitor centre at Tankavaara is approximately 75 kilometres from Sodankylä, making a private vehicle or guided tour essential for reaching the park. The hotel can assist with tour operator recommendations.
Does the hotel accommodate large groups or conferences?
Hotel Kantakievari has meeting facilities suitable for groups and small conferences. Advance notice is recommended for specific room configurations or catering arrangements.
What is the midnight sun like in Sodankylä?
Sodankylä experiences continuous daylight from late May through mid-July. This creates an unusual atmospheric quality that can disrupt sleep patterns; the hotel provides blackout curtains in guest rooms.
Is there a spa or pool at the hotel?
Hotel Kantakievari does not have a swimming pool. Sauna facilities are provided for guests, consistent with the standard Finnish hotel offer.
Accessibility
Hotel Kantakievari has accessible ground-floor rooms and a step-free entrance from the main road. Guests with wheelchair or mobility requirements are advised to contact the hotel to confirm room suitability and bathroom configuration.
When to visit
September through March for Northern Lights and winter road trips through central Lapland; June for the Midnight Sun Film Festival and continuous daylight. The hotel is practical year-round as a central Lapland base.