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Kittilä

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Lapland’s Arctic Playground Year-Round

Kittila is a small town in Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region known for its cold climate and long winters. The area features pine forests, frozen lakes and open skies that stretch across the horizon. Local culture centers on reindeer herding, winter sports and traditional Finnish hospitality. Visitors can experience snowy landscapes, aurora displays and quiet rural life away from crowded tourist spots. In summer, daylight lasts almost 24 hours, making it a unique place to explore nature’s extremes throughout the year.

Town in Finland
Climate zone: Boreal

Boreal: Cool-summer subarctic climates with brief mild seasons, long cold winters and coniferous forests adapted to low temperatures.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 8.3
General Safety:9
Health & medical:7
Accessibility:6
Tap water:10
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, ski resorts, and by tour operators. Most locals working in tourism are used to international visitors, so communication is easy in main areas.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Kittilä Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Great for winter adventures and Arctic nature. Ski snowy slopes, ride snowmobiles, watch the northern lights and explore peaceful Lapland forests.
Place score
8.0
Best at:
Spotless
9
Natural sites
9
Snow
8
Guided tours
8
Walkable
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
❤️ 9
Couples
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
Finland – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Euro (EUR)
£1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are very common, and even small transactions are typically cashless.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not customary, but rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount is appreciated.
Public drinking: Public drinking is regulated and often prohibited outside designated areas.
Public smoking: Smoking is restricted in public spaces and near entrances.
Midsummer
(June)
Public celebrations occur nationwide.
Independence Day
(December)
Cultural events and commemorations happen.
Christmas
(December)
Festive markets and closures.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt
Other: Saunas are an essential part of Finnish culture. Winter can be extreme, so pack accordingly.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Kittilä, Finland
🌨️
Jan
🌨️
Feb
🌨️
Mar
🌨️
Apr
☁️
May
🌥️
Jun
🌤️
Jul
🌤️
Aug
☁️
Sep
❄️
Oct
🌨️
Nov
🌨️
Dec
High season: Jan. - March, July, Sep., Dec.
Shoulder season: April, June, Aug., Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness: 5 (Moderate tourist numbers)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Aurora season runs late August to early April, best on clear nights in autumn and winter
Christmas and New Year are extremely busy; flights and accommodation book out far ahead
Midnight sun lasts from late May to mid July; polar night from early December to early January

Why travel to Kittilä?

Kittilä is a dream for anyone who loves the outdoors or wants a taste of Lapland’s unique culture. In winter, it’s all about snow: world-class skiing and snowboarding at Levi, husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobiling and the surreal magic of the northern lights. But don’t skip summer – the hiking, cycling, fishing and foraging are incredible, with national parks and nature reserves at your doorstep. The food scene is surprisingly vibrant, with local restaurants serving up fresh Arctic flavors and the Sami influence is everywhere from art to festivals. Caution: Winters are long, cold and dark (but beautiful), so pack properly and be ready for sub-zero temperatures. Summer brings long daylight hours, but mosquitoes can be a nuisance in July. Kittilä is remote, so transport can be pricey and limited if you don’t have a car. Still, if you’re after authentic Arctic adventure and a true sense of space, Kittilä is unforgettable.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Levi Ski Resort
  • 2 Seitakivi
  • 3 Lapland Hotels Snow Village
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Levi Husky Park
  • 2 Särestöniemi museum
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Levi Ski Resort
  • 2 Ounasjoki
  • 3 Seitakivi
  • 4 Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
🎈Events
  • Levi World Cup (Alpine skiing, November)
  • Polar Night Jazz Festival
  • Sami cultural events
  • Midsummer celebrations
  • Christmas and New Year festivities

Knowledge before you go

  • Dress in layers. Arctic temperatures drop below -30°C.
  • Book flights early. Kittilä Airport serves Levi ski resort and handles peak winter crowds.
  • Check extreme weather forecasts; recent cold snaps caused flight cancellations and stranded travelers.
  • Hunt Northern Lights away from light pollution; insider spot near Levi offers clearer aurora views.

How to travel to Kittilä

Kittilä has its own airport with direct flights from Helsinki and some European cities, especially in winter. Buses and shuttles connect the airport to Levi and the town center. Trains run to Kolari (80 km away), with bus connections onward. Driving from Rovaniemi or other Lapland towns is straightforward, but be prepared for winter road conditions.

Access summary

  • From Kittilä Airport (KTT): Short taxi or bus ride, around 10–15 minutes.
  • From Helsinki: Direct flight to Kittilä about 1.5 hours, quick transfer.
  • From Levi ski resort: Airport or shuttle bus via Kittilä, roughly 20–30 minutes.

Where to stay in Kittilä

You’ll find everything from luxury spa hotels and cozy log cabins to stylish apartments and budget hostels, especially around Levi. Snow hotels and glass igloos are a unique winter treat. Book early for peak winter and World Cup dates. Some remote lodges offer true wilderness experiences, but plan for limited services.

How to get around Kittilä

Kittilä’s main hubs – Levi resort, the church village and nearby attractions – are best reached by car, taxi or shuttle. Local buses connect the airport, Levi and some villages, but schedules are limited. Walking and cycling are great in summer, while winter activities often include hotel shuttles or tour pick-ups. For remote nature spots, a rental car is very useful.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+19 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 19% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Rovaniemi, Finland - 133 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£74
£171
£447
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£32
£76
£156
🍝 Food per day
£30
£83
£254
🚕 Transportation per day
£12
£12
£36
Notable additional fees: Levi day pass about €58 (£48.55). Ski, boot and pole hire runs roughly €30 – 40 (£25.11 – 33.48) a day.
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£38
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£12
🍟 Fast food combo
£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£10
☕ Cappuccino
£3.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£6
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£2.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.50
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£90
🤧 Cold medication
£10
💇 Basic haircut
£19

Safety information overview

General safety
9
Kittilä is very safe, with extremely low crime rates. The main risks are weather-related: frostbite in winter, slippery roads and getting lost in the wilderness. Always dress for the conditions and let someone know your plans in remote areas.
Health & Medical
7
Good medical care is available in Kittilä and Levi. Bring any prescription medications. The cold can be harsh — watch for frostbite and hypothermia in winter. Tap water is safe and clean.
Accessi­bility
6
Levi and main attractions are accessible, but some trails and wilderness areas may be challenging for those with mobility issues, especially in winter. Check with your accommodation about accessible rooms and services.
Tap water
10
Tap water in Kittilä is among the cleanest in the world-safe, fresh and delicious. Public fountains and hotel taps are all drinkable. Bring a reusable bottle to stay hydrated.

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