[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ge":3,"en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter":211,"story-\u002Fen-gb\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffinland\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fsaariselka-inari":284},["Reactive",4],{"name":5,"created_at":6,"published_at":7,"updated_at":8,"id":9,"uuid":10,"content":11,"slug":18,"full_slug":196,"sort_by_date":197,"position":198,"tag_list":199,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":201,"meta_data":197,"group_id":202,"first_published_at":203,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":205,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197},"Header","2022-07-25T09:41:40.982Z","2026-10-25T14:47:59.976Z","2026-10-25T14:47:59.991Z",167377631,"aedb7dba-a9c4-4919-a156-7811e7dfa393",{"_uid":12,"logo":13,"items":17,"title":14,"component":18,"metaTitle":19,"nav_menus":20,"strapline":191,"search_page_link":192,"search_bar_placeholder_text":195},"79db3d30-00b1-497c-987c-f5f00938f54f",{"name":14,"filename":15,"fieldtype":16},"","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1663659218\u002FPicolo\u002FAssets\u002Fpicolo_logo_black-1_yml543.svg","asset",[],"header","Picolo Travel Tips",[21,59,93,139],{"_uid":22,"items":23,"title":57,"component":58},"308eea60-0253-48ab-98d9-615c6d12ffc0",[24,33,39,45,51],{"_uid":25,"link":26,"label":31,"component":32},"fec624b1-f4dd-4e39-8000-a482d71c41db",{"id":27,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":30},"eadd2a7c-1ee1-4e43-ae8c-af0cbedece52","story","multilink","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-breaks","Christmas breaks","link_list_item",{"_uid":34,"link":35,"label":38,"component":32},"18b2c236-8930-4151-ba6f-716ba652d3b8",{"id":36,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":37},"07e6db85-e2af-4b73-92e2-343e025252ee","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002Fnorthern-lights-holidays","Northern lights holidays",{"_uid":40,"link":41,"label":44,"component":32},"9799db86-f9fa-41b1-a1e0-08d2a2adb2a3",{"id":42,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":43},"159f3d9c-5d41-4fe5-9ffa-82c8e9f0839b","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwhere-is-hot-in-november","Where is it hot in November",{"_uid":46,"link":47,"label":50,"component":32},"69e1de62-4510-4ab1-862d-a4b096ac4163",{"id":48,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":49},"dad708db-4d7e-4b98-9e74-21fe14320433","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Ffebruary-half-term-sun-or-snow","Half term: sun or snow",{"_uid":52,"link":53,"label":56,"component":32},"60c47ed5-0af2-48d0-886a-9369d7820213",{"id":54,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":55},"e2fca915-bfea-4138-a458-6030be48ab28","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fchristmas-market-breaks","Christmas market breaks","Right now","link_list",{"_uid":60,"items":61,"title":92,"component":58},"076dab03-0dc1-4428-b543-541e4f74c20a",[62,68,74,80,86],{"_uid":63,"link":64,"label":67,"component":32},"0467df0d-120e-47da-9167-7c59a66264d1",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"2e2c00b1-d5f1-481e-9075-66f57043529e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002F","Hotels by theme",{"_uid":69,"link":70,"label":73,"component":32},"6a60804e-9f79-4a67-a83e-d29f8581b578",{"id":71,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":72},"7227e7b7-1e79-4544-9a16-4947234ba7da","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002F","Flights and hotels",{"_uid":75,"link":76,"label":79,"component":32},"cf311dbb-ff85-48f0-a805-848523029511",{"id":77,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":78},"3a730dc4-4926-4589-b1a4-11f85f26ca22","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fwinter-sun-destinations-europe","Winter sun in Europe",{"_uid":81,"link":82,"label":85,"component":32},"85334270-beb3-4a12-afd0-0937a2cb43a8",{"id":83,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":84},"e869e6a5-4388-456b-9e67-d5494078f88e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fnature-spa-breaks-europe","Nature spa breaks",{"_uid":87,"link":88,"label":91,"component":32},"33981365-4783-43ce-9dc3-4f73aa12b20f",{"id":89,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":90},"4197aa74-299f-4c2c-bb89-3bf995e8d516","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fhotels\u002Fvalentines-breaks","Romantic weekends","Find a hotel",{"_uid":94,"items":95,"title":138,"component":58},"bb4c77e6-620a-4cb5-a558-e9509808c4f9",[96,102,108,114,120,126,132],{"_uid":97,"link":98,"label":101,"component":32},"20873083-1a6b-480f-9d6b-e9487fdd3896",{"id":99,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":100},"d4bec25e-b0ce-454e-94d6-aabab96617a1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fnordics\u002F","Nordic experiences",{"_uid":103,"link":104,"label":107,"component":32},"926badc3-b116-47b1-96c7-8e5b1639334d",{"id":105,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":106},"e854f0f1-1618-4117-88a7-069db9211b76","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe experiences",{"_uid":109,"link":110,"label":113,"component":32},"22ce5e3a-5767-4673-a037-557ccaea4318",{"id":111,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":112},"71798c40-9b2b-4115-b340-77f2006f4054","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fski-resorts\u002F","Ski holidays",{"_uid":115,"link":116,"label":119,"component":32},"168333e8-fcea-4b43-82fd-0db41ecb0600",{"id":117,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":118},"13108ae9-ca64-4510-a112-6b1c3ea2944e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fusa\u002F","USA",{"_uid":121,"link":122,"label":125,"component":32},"2b26525f-4bf3-4242-a85e-d30a4900507e",{"id":123,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":124},"904ed885-bd21-4400-97a4-830a30341989","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Flong-haul\u002F","Long-haul",{"_uid":127,"link":128,"label":131,"component":32},"a0c1883d-a044-4509-b2c3-83d565975dfb",{"id":129,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":130},"3c8767b2-37cc-487c-b4c8-ce277e4e8cbb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Ffood-and-wine\u002F","Food and wine",{"_uid":133,"link":134,"label":137,"component":32},"41561fb3-d852-4cc3-81b8-59a72d343ffe",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"65b6931b-f03f-42c5-83b4-51a22d0c53f3","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002F","See all experiences","Things to do",{"_uid":140,"items":141,"title":190,"component":58},"faf95dbe-68cc-42ec-9f95-c047b12f6445",[142,148,154,160,166,172,178,184],{"_uid":143,"link":144,"label":147,"component":32},"f88be9cb-56b1-43bd-87e5-61b909e6d028",{"id":145,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":146},"4cfd8153-93bc-4589-8f91-f4ea9e124b55","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fnorway\u002F","Norway",{"_uid":149,"link":150,"label":153,"component":32},"71215f2d-3d4b-4631-aeaf-ade259f4c4f5",{"id":151,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":152},"bee8a472-ed8a-4679-8c3f-8c0a8cab414f","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fitaly\u002F","Italy",{"_uid":155,"link":156,"label":159,"component":32},"bedbfc2b-15df-45e0-bb55-5cfa5d962be1",{"id":157,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":158},"3d2c1717-b78f-46be-886c-a50329a1d5fb","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fspain\u002F","Spain",{"_uid":161,"link":162,"label":165,"component":32},"05d2e472-f3ab-499e-aed0-309c563eb265",{"id":163,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":164},"43400836-9ef5-4c7d-8738-8b52cf2ea330","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002F","Europe",{"_uid":167,"link":168,"label":171,"component":32},"b9d4845c-7006-4b34-a8e3-38256248a729",{"id":169,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":170},"75196b14-bd87-4113-9065-94eacad4509e","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fasia\u002F","Asia",{"_uid":173,"link":174,"label":177,"component":32},"9adf8203-f8af-417f-a8e6-584e36f1a052",{"id":175,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":176},"869bd101-b4f3-4ef6-99b7-aeffb194bb1a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Famericas\u002F","Americas",{"_uid":179,"link":180,"label":183,"component":32},"5fc3e140-ef59-4467-be36-edf30539e8f7",{"id":181,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":182},"522bcfc3-baa4-49f3-9403-8a65dc026d65","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Fafrica\u002F","Africa",{"_uid":185,"link":186,"label":189,"component":32},"af7c3323-096e-4eb2-a0d3-e3ce3a41d313",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},"9c79c139-575e-48ee-8138-b26efe313f6a","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002F","All destinations","Destinations","Inspiring and exciting experiences",{"id":193,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":194},"a9877681-b62b-4eae-8125-e96847aca2b1","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fsearch\u002F","Where to?...","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",null,10,[],false,167377332,"5ce8deff-b415-4f40-bb4b-c82a15584076","2022-07-28T21:11:26.000Z","default",[206],{"id":207,"name":5,"slug":18,"published":208,"full_slug":209,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":210},187661765,true,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Fheader",187661764,["Reactive",212],{"name":213,"created_at":214,"published_at":215,"updated_at":216,"id":217,"uuid":218,"content":219,"slug":273,"full_slug":275,"sort_by_date":197,"position":276,"tag_list":277,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":201,"meta_data":197,"group_id":278,"first_published_at":279,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":280,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197},"Footer","2022-08-01T10:17:45.534Z","2026-11-01T16:05:54.003Z","2026-11-01T16:05:54.017Z",170410593,"a3c27be4-5ddf-4376-9917-39ec88c6de35",{"_uid":220,"logo":221,"text":225,"columns":226,"component":273,"copyright":274,"strap_line":191},"aa4a67f6-5d8d-423e-b53f-a4c6411af5e0",{"id":222,"alt":223,"name":14,"focus":197,"title":14,"filename":224,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16},5439798,"Picolo","https:\u002F\u002Fa.storyblok.com\u002Ff\u002F166375\u002Fx\u002F377c9060a6\u002Fpicolo_logo_black.svg","Picolo gives you lesser-known stories about the best destinations and experiences around the world.",[227,246],{"_uid":228,"items":229,"title":245,"component":58},"6a300a87-a4c4-4643-9b24-1928696fcb77",[230,233,237,241],{"_uid":231,"link":232,"label":190,"component":32},"72634048-c738-4699-9680-b44f47d6b3ff",{"id":187,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":188},{"_uid":234,"link":235,"label":236,"component":32},"175aaac6-aab6-44c8-ac79-4e0b025e273c",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"Hotels",{"_uid":238,"link":239,"label":240,"component":32},"89c14a67-b335-4516-9ace-d532414548bb",{"id":135,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":136},"Experiences",{"_uid":242,"link":243,"label":244,"component":32},"0d5b99cc-091c-42e4-9f9c-90705b181a16",{"id":65,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":66},"Offers","Be Inspired",{"_uid":247,"items":248,"title":223,"component":58},"0c687126-87ed-4cb2-9072-be77225de293",[249,255,261,267],{"_uid":250,"link":251,"label":254,"component":32},"b9bedb2d-0db0-4467-bfd6-513146efcc43",{"id":252,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":253},"fdbc39a5-b257-491d-bb4f-dd2e97b0757d","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002F","About Picolo",{"_uid":256,"link":257,"label":260,"component":32},"094480ff-71fb-4df7-a5c1-bf3ab81cda3e",{"id":258,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":259},"4873e643-35c6-43ae-951c-9fee3b82596c","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fprivacy-policy","Privacy Policy",{"_uid":262,"link":263,"label":266,"component":32},"00851bfe-b5bd-4153-8110-822904a67d47",{"id":264,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":265},"0b522400-1ca4-43e2-aba3-c05be57bec77","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fterms-conditions","Terms and Conditions",{"_uid":268,"link":269,"label":272,"component":32},"a419e3c8-e0ed-4ef6-8e4c-bb88839fae2a",{"id":270,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":271},"35c57c05-32a6-4878-a541-59c7e9d650e9","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fabout\u002Fcontact-us","Contact Us","footer","© Picolo 2026","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",0,[],"235946ca-f453-4f27-9755-dad13461f1b9","2022-08-02T09:14:29.527Z",[281],{"id":282,"name":213,"slug":273,"published":208,"full_slug":283,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":210},187661766,"nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fglobal\u002Ffooter",["Reactive",285],{"name":286,"created_at":287,"published_at":288,"updated_at":289,"id":290,"uuid":291,"content":292,"slug":896,"full_slug":897,"sort_by_date":197,"position":898,"tag_list":899,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":900,"meta_data":197,"group_id":901,"first_published_at":902,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":903,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197},"Saariselkä and Inari","2026-11-02T19:37:56.502Z","2026-11-02T20:35:44.090Z","2026-11-02T20:35:44.107Z",237398738995013,"55fb2805-3364-4ea0-9531-d96ef0623ea1",{"SEO":293,"_uid":299,"body":300,"title":295,"author":880,"summary":885,"duration":333,"no_index":200,"overline":886,"tag_list":887,"component":892,"image_caption":893,"date_published":307,"featured_image":894,"transparent_header":208},{"_uid":294,"title":295,"plugin":296,"og_image":297,"og_title":295,"description":298,"twitter_image":297,"twitter_title":295,"og_description":298,"twitter_description":298},"39765f74-e4cd-4391-8ebc-76fb124fd7a5","Saariselkä and Inari: where to stay for the northern lights","seo_metatags","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793648118\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FFinland\u002FSaariselka\u002Fsnow-trees-urho-kekkonen-national-park-saariselka.jpg","Where to stay in Saariselkä and Inari: glass-roofed cabins on Kaunispää fell, wilderness lodges by the national park and Lake Inari, and UK flights.","5384b231-1a42-421e-9e39-380ed2376508",[301,347,351,368,442,492,502,604,626,635,649,679,804,860,872],{"_uid":302,"component":303,"scrolly_blocks":304},"1537e911-e8a8-4167-86b0-a480524d61fd","Scrollytelling",[305,344],{"_uid":306,"date":307,"theme":308,"title":295,"author":309,"opacity":332,"duration":333,"body_text":334,"component":335,"overline_text":336,"breadcrumb_link":337,"background_asset":338,"breadcrumb_label":14},"2d6f1024-1703-4035-9f44-db560bf24619","2026-11-02 00:00","noon",{"name":223,"created_at":310,"published_at":311,"updated_at":312,"id":313,"uuid":314,"content":315,"slug":324,"full_slug":325,"sort_by_date":197,"position":326,"tag_list":327,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":328,"meta_data":197,"group_id":329,"first_published_at":330,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":331,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197,"_stopResolving":208},"2022-10-15T08:51:22.931Z","2026-10-13T06:46:19.900Z","2026-10-13T06:46:19.912Z",204250509,"ff2f5543-33c1-43da-a26a-e0d65b9e3ddd",{"_uid":316,"name":317,"image":318,"overline":14,"component":323},"c2e040f6-0684-47a2-832a-b537ad63eb56","Picolo Editorial",{"id":14,"alt":223,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":223,"width":319,"height":319,"filename":320,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16,"public_id":321,"aspect_ratio":322,"is_external_url":200},775,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1666004568\u002FPicolo\u002FAssets\u002FBlank.png","Picolo\u002FAssets\u002FBlank",1,"Author","pic_editorial","data\u002Fpicolo\u002Fauthors\u002Fpic_editorial",-90,[],188599312,"2d3ef349-2c90-49b3-892b-92191f1e8838","2022-10-15T08:53:07.116Z",[],"100","7 min","Saariselkä is a small village on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, with fells, forest and some of the darkest skies in Finland. Ivalo Airport is a short drive away, and Lake Inari and the Sámi capital lie further north. Here is how to choose a base, and the hotels we would book.","ScrollyHero","Saariselkä",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"alt":339,"name":339,"focus":14,"title":339,"width":340,"height":341,"source":342,"filename":297,"copyright":342,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":343,"is_external_url":200},"Snow-laden trees in Urho Kekkonen National Park near Saariselkä",3840,2160,"Harri P \u002F Unsplash",{"alt":339,"title":339,"copyright":342},{"_uid":345,"Click":200,"component":346},"38453580-cb46-41ac-8274-da8677493da1","StorytellingEnd",{"_uid":348,"content":349,"component":350},"225d133f-fa0a-4c32-84ca-4f337328cbf9","\u003Cstyle data-picolo-spacing>.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:3rem;margin-bottom:3rem}@media (min-width:1024px){.blok__page>div:not(:first-of-type){margin-top:4rem;margin-bottom:4rem}}.blok__block-listing>.pb-40{padding-bottom:2.5rem}.blok__article-footer .grid{row-gap:1rem}.blok__page>div:has(style[data-picolo-spacing]){display:none!important}.blok__page>div:has(img.fixed){clip-path:inset(0)}\u003C\u002Fstyle>","Embed",{"_uid":352,"body":353,"card":365,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"f03b2c40-d386-4fea-9227-5f80d1bdeefe",{"type":354,"content":355},"doc",[356],{"type":357,"content":358},"paragraph",[359],{"text":360,"type":361,"marks":362},"This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.","text",[363],{"type":364},"italic",[],"0","BodyBlock",{"_uid":369,"body":370,"card":441,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"bb17e3b1-11fa-46c8-bcf4-9643c090820f",{"type":354,"content":371},[372,379,424],{"type":373,"attrs":374,"content":376},"heading",{"level":375},2,[377],{"text":378,"type":361},"In short: Saariselkä and Inari",{"type":380,"content":381},"bullet_list",[382,394,404,414],{"type":383,"content":384},"list_item",[385],{"type":357,"content":386},[387,392],{"text":388,"type":361,"marks":389},"Where:",[390],{"type":391},"bold",{"text":393,"type":361}," the far north of Finnish Lapland, more than 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, about 20 to 30 minutes by road from Ivalo Airport.",{"type":383,"content":395},[396],{"type":357,"content":397},[398,402],{"text":399,"type":361,"marks":400},"Best for:",[401],{"type":391},{"text":403,"type":361}," a northern lights trip with wilderness, skiing on the fells and Sámi culture in Inari.",{"type":383,"content":405},[406],{"type":357,"content":407},[408,412],{"text":409,"type":361,"marks":410},"From the UK:",[411],{"type":391},{"text":413,"type":361}," direct flights to Ivalo from London Gatwick in winter 2026\u002F27, and charters from several regional airports.",{"type":383,"content":415},[416],{"type":357,"content":417},[418,422],{"text":419,"type":361,"marks":420},"How long:",[421],{"type":391},{"text":423,"type":361}," at least three nights, ideally four or five.",{"type":357,"content":425},[426,430,432],{"text":427,"type":361,"marks":428},"Our first choice:",[429],{"type":391},{"text":431,"type":361}," Star Arctic Hotel on Kaunispää fell. ",{"text":433,"type":361,"marks":434},"Check availability and prices at Star Arctic Hotel",[435],{"type":436,"attrs":437},"link",{"href":438,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FFZ91is7","_blank","url",[],{"_uid":443,"body":444,"card":491,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"b09f1a96-343d-4dac-ab8a-66d997252fea",{"type":354,"content":445},[446,451,483],{"type":373,"attrs":447,"content":448},{"level":375},[449],{"text":450,"type":361},"Where to stay: three bases",{"type":380,"content":452},[453,463,473],{"type":383,"content":454},[455],{"type":357,"content":456},[457,461],{"text":458,"type":361,"marks":459},"On the fell:",[460],{"type":391},{"text":462,"type":361}," above Saariselkä village, with skiing from the door and the widest view of the sky.",{"type":383,"content":464},[465],{"type":357,"content":466},[467,471],{"text":468,"type":361,"marks":469},"In the wilderness:",[470],{"type":391},{"text":472,"type":361}," lodges on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, further from the lights, with activities arranged for you.",{"type":383,"content":474},[475],{"type":357,"content":476},[477,481],{"text":478,"type":361,"marks":479},"By Lake Inari:",[480],{"type":391},{"text":482,"type":361}," about 40 minutes from Ivalo, close to Siida, the Sámi museum, with a frozen lake behind the hotel.",{"type":357,"content":484},[485,489],{"text":486,"type":361,"marks":487},"Our advice:",[488],{"type":391},{"text":490,"type":361}," for a first trip, stay on the fell in Saariselkä. For a quieter, darker stay with guided activities, choose a wilderness lodge.",[],{"_uid":493,"image":494,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":500,"caption_text":501,"caption_title":14,"image_caption":501},"1281c5f0-9a2f-46a4-be1b-805d3d08a5df",{"id":14,"alt":495,"name":495,"focus":14,"title":495,"width":340,"height":496,"source":497,"filename":498,"copyright":497,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":499,"is_external_url":200},"Wooden cabins in the snow at Wilderness Hotel Muotka near Saariselkä",2560,"Wilderness Hotel Muotka \u002F Hotels.com","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793647971\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fwooden-cabins-snow-wilderness-hotel-muotka.jpg",{"alt":495,"title":495,"copyright":497},"FullImage","Wilderness Hotel Muotka, on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park",{"_uid":503,"body":504,"card":603,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"f19d54c2-847c-4178-95a4-5102aa7f9c6d",{"type":354,"content":505},[506,511,517,529,535,540,544,552,557,561,569,574,578,586,591,595],{"type":373,"attrs":507,"content":508},{"level":375},[509],{"text":510,"type":361},"The best hotels in Saariselkä and Inari",{"type":373,"attrs":512,"content":514},{"level":513},3,[515],{"text":516,"type":361},"Star Arctic Hotel: glass roofs on the fell",{"type":357,"content":518},[519,521],{"text":520,"type":361},"On top of Kaunispää fell, a minute's walk from the slopes, with glass-roofed Aurora Cabins, suites with a sauna, Restaurant Kaunis and a hot tub. Rated 9.4 out of 10 across 265 reviews. ",{"text":522,"type":361,"marks":523},"See our full review of Star Arctic Hotel",[524],{"type":436,"attrs":525},{"href":526,"uuid":527,"anchor":197,"target":528,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffinland\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fstar-arctic-hotel","86012f87-664c-4b55-95c2-0eed8549907f","_self",{"type":357,"content":530},[531],{"text":433,"type":361,"marks":532},[533],{"type":436,"attrs":534},{"href":438,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},{"type":373,"attrs":536,"content":537},{"level":513},[538],{"text":539,"type":361},"Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos: on the edge of the national park",{"type":357,"content":541},[542],{"text":543,"type":361},"Log cabins and igloo-style rooms about 20 kilometres from Saariselkä, a few minutes from Urho Kekkonen National Park, with Restaurant Tuisku and guided activities. Aurora Cabins are about 34 m². Rated 9.4 out of 10 across 183 reviews.",{"type":357,"content":545},[546],{"text":547,"type":361,"marks":548},"Check availability and prices at Wilderness Hotel Muotka",[549],{"type":436,"attrs":550},{"href":551,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002F0dXkCgg",{"type":373,"attrs":553,"content":554},{"level":513},[555],{"text":556,"type":361},"Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos: by the lake",{"type":357,"content":558},[559],{"text":560,"type":361},"On the shore of Lake Inari, a few minutes from Siida and Inari church, with Aurora Cabins of about 35 m² and log cabins for six. Guests praise the restaurant. Rated 9.4 out of 10 across 439 reviews.",{"type":357,"content":562},[563],{"text":564,"type":361,"marks":565},"Check availability and prices at Wilderness Hotel Inari",[566],{"type":436,"attrs":567},{"href":568,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FShUYmvI",{"type":373,"attrs":570,"content":571},{"level":513},[572],{"text":573,"type":361},"Aurora Village Ivalo: close to the airport",{"type":357,"content":575},[576],{"text":577,"type":361},"Aurora Cabins and two-storey Aurora Towers by the Ivalo River, about 17 minutes from Ivalo Airport, with Restaurant Loimu and a sauna. Rated 9.4 out of 10 across 174 reviews. Choose it for a short trip with little travel time.",{"type":357,"content":579},[580],{"text":581,"type":361,"marks":582},"Check availability and prices at Aurora Village Ivalo",[583],{"type":436,"attrs":584},{"href":585,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FASwUbMO",{"type":373,"attrs":587,"content":588},{"level":513},[589],{"text":590,"type":361},"Northern Lights Village Saariselkä: near the village",{"type":357,"content":592},[593],{"text":594,"type":361},"Cabins of about 29 m² with a kitchenette, a short walk from Saariselkä's shops and restaurants, with Restaurant Kota and a sauna. Rated 8.8 out of 10 across 213 reviews. Choose it for a family trip on a budget.",{"type":357,"content":596},[597],{"text":598,"type":361,"marks":599},"Check availability and prices at Northern Lights Village Saariselkä",[600],{"type":436,"attrs":601},{"href":602,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FMGvf5Vl",[],{"_uid":605,"body":606,"card":625,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"7dc32325-6f4c-49f8-ab08-8fb0f65ca8b7",{"type":354,"content":607},[608,613,617],{"type":373,"attrs":609,"content":610},{"level":375},[611],{"text":612,"type":361},"Getting to Saariselkä from the UK",{"type":357,"content":614},[615],{"text":616,"type":361},"Finavia lists direct flights to Ivalo from London Gatwick in winter 2026\u002F27, and several UK tour operators fly charters to Ivalo. Saariselkä is about 20 to 30 minutes by road from Ivalo Airport, and Inari about 40 minutes. Avoid Kittilä unless you have to: the transfer from there takes about three hours.",{"type":357,"content":618},[619],{"text":620,"type":361,"marks":621},"See flight and hotel packages to Saariselkä",[622],{"type":436,"attrs":623},{"href":624,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FWAIIgxF",[],{"_uid":627,"image":628,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":500,"caption_text":634,"caption_title":14,"image_caption":634},"e6a03f96-a3c5-4bd4-97ad-3c2e8e14fc77",{"id":14,"alt":629,"name":629,"focus":14,"title":629,"width":340,"height":630,"source":631,"filename":632,"copyright":631,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":633,"is_external_url":200},"Igloo-style cabins in the snow at Wilderness Hotel Inari",2558,"Wilderness Hotel Inari \u002F Hotels.com","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793647974\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsaariselka\u002Figloos-snow-wilderness-hotel-inari.jpg",{"alt":629,"title":629,"copyright":631},"Wilderness Hotel Inari, on the shore of Lake Inari",{"_uid":636,"body":637,"card":648,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"22d9de73-3cba-48df-b2ec-3cc7f693fe50",{"type":354,"content":638},[639,644],{"type":373,"attrs":640,"content":641},{"level":375},[642],{"text":643,"type":361},"When to go",{"type":357,"content":645},[646],{"text":647,"type":361},"The northern lights season runs from about September to March. In December the sun barely rises, which gives you long dark hours but little daylight for activities. February and March bring more snow, more daylight and often clearer weather, which suits the February half term. Whatever the month, book at least three nights.",[],{"_uid":650,"theme":308,"title":516,"people":651,"cta_link":674,"overline":675,"body_copy":676,"component":677,"cta_label":678},"b43172ef-3a8d-4c48-bb3b-699d9369a428",[652,664],{"_uid":653,"name":654,"text":655,"image":656,"cta_link":662,"component":663,"job_title":14},"ec6dc0aa-66e3-494c-a723-c912c5fcc78d","Aurora Cabins","The compact Aurora Cabins have a glass roof over the bed, high above the village lights, so the sky is dark whenever the clouds clear.",{"id":14,"alt":657,"name":657,"focus":14,"title":657,"width":658,"height":340,"source":659,"filename":660,"copyright":659,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":661,"is_external_url":200},"Glass-roofed Aurora Cabins in the snow at Star Arctic Hotel",2553,"Star Arctic Hotel \u002F Hotels.com","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793647962\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fglass-roof-aurora-cabins-star-arctic-hotel.jpg",{"alt":657,"title":657,"copyright":659},{"id":14,"url":438,"target":528,"linktype":440,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":438},"person",{"_uid":665,"name":666,"text":667,"image":668,"cta_link":673,"component":663,"job_title":14},"985899b4-52ac-43df-b5a2-731c145dfc17","Hot tub","After a day in Urho Kekkonen National Park, the hot tub looks out over the fells, and the Aurora Suites add a private sauna.",{"id":14,"alt":669,"name":669,"focus":14,"title":669,"width":670,"height":340,"source":659,"filename":671,"copyright":659,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":672,"is_external_url":200},"A hot tub by a window overlooking the fells at Star Arctic Hotel",2561,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793647969\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fhot-tub-fell-view-star-arctic-hotel.jpg",{"alt":669,"title":669,"copyright":659},{"id":14,"url":438,"target":528,"linktype":440,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":438},{"id":14,"url":438,"target":528,"linktype":440,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":438},"Our recommendation","Star Arctic Hotel stands on top of Kaunispää fell above Saariselkä, about 20 minutes from Ivalo Airport. It has glass-roofed Aurora Cabins, Restaurant Kaunis and the ski slopes a minute's walk from the door.","HalfAndHalfBlock","Check availability and prices",{"_uid":680,"body":681,"card":803,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"2232fc4a-138f-42b5-9b0b-e0bc933d6d21",{"type":354,"content":682},[683,688,696,704,712,717,722,726,731,735,740,744,749,753,758,762,767],{"type":373,"attrs":684,"content":685},{"level":375},[686],{"text":687,"type":361},"Our verdict",{"type":357,"content":689},[690,694],{"text":691,"type":361,"marks":692},"What Picolo would choose:",[693],{"type":391},{"text":695,"type":361}," Star Arctic Hotel for a first northern lights trip, Wilderness Hotel Muotka for a quieter wilderness stay. If you want Sámi culture and a lakeside setting, choose Wilderness Hotel Inari.",{"type":357,"content":697},[698,702],{"text":699,"type":361,"marks":700},"Why:",[701],{"type":391},{"text":703,"type":361}," Saariselkä and Inari combine dark skies, real wilderness and a short transfer from Ivalo, with fewer crowds than Rovaniemi.",{"type":357,"content":705},[706,710],{"text":707,"type":361,"marks":708},"The trade-off:",[709],{"type":391},{"text":711,"type":361}," direct flights from the UK are mainly from Gatwick, and there is less to do in the evenings than in Levi or Rovaniemi. For Santa and a choice of airports, Rovaniemi is easier.",{"type":373,"attrs":713,"content":714},{"level":375},[715],{"text":716,"type":361},"Frequently asked questions",{"type":373,"attrs":718,"content":719},{"level":513},[720],{"text":721,"type":361},"Is Saariselkä good for the northern lights?",{"type":357,"content":723},[724],{"text":725,"type":361},"Yes. Saariselkä lies more than 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, under the band where the aurora appears most often. The village is small, so the sky is dark a short walk from the centre. The season runs from about September to March. Book at least three nights to allow for cloud.",{"type":373,"attrs":727,"content":728},{"level":513},[729],{"text":730,"type":361},"How do you get to Saariselkä from the UK?",{"type":357,"content":732},[733],{"text":734,"type":361},"Fly to Ivalo, which Finavia lists in winter 2026\u002F27 with direct flights from London Gatwick, or book a charter from a regional airport through a UK tour operator. Saariselkä is about 20 to 30 minutes from Ivalo Airport by road. The transfer from Kittilä takes about three hours, so Ivalo is far better.",{"type":373,"attrs":736,"content":737},{"level":513},[738],{"text":739,"type":361},"Saariselkä or Levi?",{"type":357,"content":741},[742],{"text":743,"type":361},"Choose Saariselkä for wilderness, darker skies and a quiet village by the national park. Choose Levi for a bigger ski resort, more restaurants and nightlife, and direct flights from four UK airports. Both have glass-roofed hotels. For a pure northern lights trip, Saariselkä is the stronger choice.",{"type":373,"attrs":745,"content":746},{"level":513},[747],{"text":748,"type":361},"Where should you stay in Saariselkä?",{"type":357,"content":750},[751],{"text":752,"type":361},"On Kaunispää fell for skiing and the widest view, at Star Arctic Hotel. In the wilderness for a quieter, darker stay, at Wilderness Hotel Muotka. By Lake Inari for Sámi culture, at Wilderness Hotel Inari. Near the airport for a short trip, at Aurora Village Ivalo, about 17 minutes from the terminal.",{"type":373,"attrs":754,"content":755},{"level":513},[756],{"text":757,"type":361},"Can you ski in Saariselkä?",{"type":357,"content":759},[760],{"text":761,"type":361},"Yes. Saariselkä Ski & Sport Resort has its slopes on Kaunispää fell, a minute's walk from Star Arctic Hotel. A ski bus runs from the village to other fells such as Kiilopää. Urho Kekkonen National Park starts at the edge of the village for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, so you can ski by day and watch for the aurora at night.",{"type":373,"attrs":763,"content":764},{"level":375},[765],{"text":766,"type":361},"Sources",{"type":357,"content":768},[769,771,777,779,785,787,793,795,801],{"text":770,"type":361},"Hotel facilities, room sizes, distances and guest ratings come from Hotels.com and Expedia. Direct flights from the UK come from ",{"text":772,"type":361,"marks":773},"Finavia",[774],{"type":436,"attrs":775},{"href":776,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.finavia.fi\u002Fen\u002Fnewsroom\u002F2026\u002Fthree-new-direct-flights-uk-kittila-and-rovaniemi-airports-next-winter",{"text":778,"type":361}," and ",{"text":780,"type":361,"marks":781},"Time Out",[782],{"type":436,"attrs":783},{"href":784,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.timeout.com\u002Ffinland\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-to-get-to-lapland-winter-2026-2027-102026",{"text":786,"type":361},", and transfer times from ",{"text":788,"type":361,"marks":789},"Inghams",[790],{"type":436,"attrs":791},{"href":792,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.inghams.co.uk\u002Flapland-holidays\u002Flapland-adventures\u002Fresorts\u002Flapland-finland\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fstar-arctic-hotel",{"text":794,"type":361},". The aurora forecast for Finnish Lapland is published by the ",{"text":796,"type":361,"marks":797},"Finnish Meteorological Institute",[798],{"type":436,"attrs":799},{"href":800,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi\u002Fauroras-and-space-weather",{"text":802,"type":361},". The three bases, the comparison of the hotels and our picks are Picolo's own. Last checked: 2 November 2026.",[],{"_uid":805,"body":806,"card":859,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"615e2f6a-3971-4cb2-aacb-a0667cc9d409",{"type":354,"content":807},[808,813],{"type":373,"attrs":809,"content":810},{"level":375},[811],{"text":812,"type":361},"Read more",{"type":380,"content":814},[815,826,837,848],{"type":383,"content":816},[817],{"type":357,"content":818},[819],{"text":820,"type":361,"marks":821},"Glass igloos for the northern lights",[822],{"type":436,"attrs":823},{"href":824,"uuid":825,"anchor":197,"target":528,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fexperiences\u002Fnordics\u002Fglass-igloos","8f1dd339-2a47-4358-8f3c-b07467c6f194",{"type":383,"content":827},[828],{"type":357,"content":829},[830],{"text":831,"type":361,"marks":832},"Levi: where to stay for the northern lights and skiing",[833],{"type":436,"attrs":834},{"href":835,"uuid":836,"anchor":197,"target":528,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffinland\u002Flevi\u002Flevi-finland","d4d3d16f-db84-44dc-b0c2-1e815f6e2750",{"type":383,"content":838},[839],{"type":357,"content":840},[841],{"text":842,"type":361,"marks":843},"Where to stay in Rovaniemi",[844],{"type":436,"attrs":845},{"href":846,"uuid":847,"anchor":197,"target":528,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffinland\u002Frovaniemi\u002Fwhere-to-stay-rovaniemi","98fb8d48-0ef7-4340-a30b-af6af2888a0c",{"type":383,"content":849},[850],{"type":357,"content":851},[852],{"text":853,"type":361,"marks":854},"Northern lights weekend from the UK",[855],{"type":436,"attrs":856},{"href":857,"uuid":858,"anchor":197,"target":528,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fflights-and-hotels\u002Fnorthern-lights-weekend","9f174020-34c4-4624-affc-854d9391feae",[],{"_uid":861,"theme":14,"author":862,"component":867,"author_name":14,"author_text":14,"author_image":868,"section_overline":869,"facebook_share_link":870,"instagram_share_link":871},"4b7a7e3b-4a6e-4bae-898f-451cf6a2b407",{"name":223,"created_at":310,"published_at":311,"updated_at":312,"id":313,"uuid":314,"content":863,"slug":324,"full_slug":325,"sort_by_date":197,"position":326,"tag_list":865,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":328,"meta_data":197,"group_id":329,"first_published_at":330,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":866,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197,"_stopResolving":208},{"_uid":316,"name":317,"image":864,"overline":14,"component":323},{"id":14,"alt":223,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":223,"width":319,"height":319,"filename":320,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16,"public_id":321,"aspect_ratio":322,"is_external_url":200},[],[],"ArticleFooter",{"id":197,"alt":197,"name":14,"focus":197,"title":197,"filename":14,"copyright":197,"fieldtype":16},"Happy aurora hunting",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"_uid":873,"card_type":14,"component":874,"filter_by":875},"5039166b-304b-4ef1-ad50-fbe03ce33944","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":876,"plugin":877,"values":878},"ae4cbb20-e492-492c-9d9c-8ea78c01fefb","storyblok-tags-select",[147,879,240],"Oslo",{"name":223,"created_at":310,"published_at":311,"updated_at":312,"id":313,"uuid":314,"content":881,"slug":324,"full_slug":325,"sort_by_date":197,"position":326,"tag_list":883,"is_startpage":200,"parent_id":328,"meta_data":197,"group_id":329,"first_published_at":330,"release_id":197,"lang":204,"path":197,"alternates":884,"default_full_slug":197,"translated_slugs":197,"_stopResolving":208},{"_uid":316,"name":317,"image":882,"overline":14,"component":323},{"id":14,"alt":223,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":223,"width":319,"height":319,"filename":320,"copyright":14,"fieldtype":16,"public_id":321,"aspect_ratio":322,"is_external_url":200},[],[],"Saariselkä and Inari in the far north of Finnish Lapland: the best hotels on the fell, in the wilderness and by Lake Inari, direct flights to Ivalo from the UK and which base suits which trip.","Experience",{"_uid":888,"plugin":877,"values":889},"eb9e8526-bd27-4af2-957c-1939b31b51fc",[890,891],"Northern lights","Finland","Article","Urho Kekkonen National Park, on the edge of Saariselkä",{"id":14,"alt":339,"name":339,"focus":14,"title":339,"width":340,"height":341,"source":342,"filename":297,"copyright":342,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":895,"is_external_url":200},{"alt":339,"title":339,"copyright":342},"saariselka-inari","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ffinland\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fsaariselka-inari",-10,[],237398151485157,"d54d9ee2-9ebe-4d69-82c5-59402834a6c1","2026-11-02T19:37:56.564Z",[904],{"id":905,"name":906,"slug":896,"published":208,"full_slug":907,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":908},237399869421580,"Saariselkä og Inari","nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinasjoner\u002Feuropa\u002Ffinland\u002Fsaariselka\u002Fsaariselka-inari",237398152034023]