Kittilä
Stunning natural landscapes, spot the magical Northern Lights and journey to Levi, one of Finland's largest ski resorts and Santa searching region.
Approximate flight time:
3 hours 20 minutes (1378 miles)
Airlines that fly direct:
TUI
Airports in Kittilä:
Kittilä International Airport
Seasons:
High = June - August
Low = November - March
Currency:
Euro (€)
Arriving at Kittilä
The airport in Kittilä is well suited to the remote, snowy terrain of the area. The airport serves regular domestic flights from Helsinki and seasonal international flights from various European cities, especially during the winter ski season.
The airport is about 5km from Kittilä town centre and also serves nearby resorts like Levi and Ylläs, which are popular for skiing, winter sports, searching for the Northern Lights and Santa's village.
Several airport shuttle bus services operate from Kittilä Airport to Levi and Ylläs.
Regular bus services also connect Kittilä to other towns in Finnish Lapland, including Rovaniemi, Muonio, and Kolari.
Taxi and car rental services are readily available outside of the airport terminal.
What to expect in Kittilä
Think winter wonderland, frosty frozen lakes and picture postcard views. Kittilä is popular for winter activities from November to April, and if you're in luck, you can often see the magical Northern Lights. The town is surrounded by natural beauty.
You can enjoy dog sledding, reindeer sleigh rides, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. The Snow Village, built from ice and snow each winter, is a unique attraction featuring ice sculptures, themed rooms and an ice bar.
In summer, Kittilä transforms into a hub for hiking, cycling, and water activities, with the Midnight Sun providing extended daylight. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park offers scenic trails, while cultural experiences include visits to local museums and traditional Sámi activities. Spa resorts, golf under the Midnight Sun, and berry picking are also popular.
Culture in Kittilä
The community in Kittilä is warm and welcoming, with a slower, more relaxed pace of life. The love of nature is apparent throughout the area. Traditions like reindeer herding, Sámi handicrafts (duodji), and storytelling remain central to every day life.
Seasonal celebrations for Midsummer and Christmas are incredibly popular in Kittilä with families, couples and solo travellers.
Traditional food dishes include reindeer meat, particularly in stews (like poronkäristys), as well as fish from local lakes, such as salmon and Arctic char. Traditional Lapland cuisine also features wild berries (like cloudberries and lingonberries), mushrooms and game meats.