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Village in the municipality of Kolari in Finland
Photo: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen), CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Äkäslompolo is a resort town and a village of 600 inhabitants (2022) in Finnish Lapland, around the namesake lake in the municipality Kolari. It is a hub for travellers of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park both in the summer and winter, part of the Ylläs ski resort and also a destination of its own, with a large track and trail network for skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and mountain biking.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Chapel. Concerts.
Information and advice on the national park, reservation of lodgings, maps. Exhibitions and video presentations on the nature and culture of the area. Logging museum. Nature trails and guided tours (guiding to be reserved in advance, €50/hr). Souvenirs. Fishing and hunting permits. Café and restaurant.
A 4-km-long circular trail through the narrow Varkaankuru valley. The microclimate in the valley is peculiar and the vegetation is exceptionally lush.
Lunch from 11:00 at least in season. Also catering and programme.
Äkäshotelli's "Moonshine Church" is probably the liveliest place in town, with live concerts by touring Finnish bands and a nightclub in the basement. The hotel itself mainly provides holiday apartments (3–6 persons, 40–60 m²).
Pub with karaoke, sharing house and kitchen with Eväskori, which serves pizzas etc.
Café on the trail. Pets welcome.
Lomakeskus Seita
The house is known for its good food. After having breakfast you may pack your picnic lunch with you from breakfast buffet. After sauna dinner buffet is waiting for you.
Cottage accommodation in a peaceful area near ski tracks.
In the middle of Äkäslompolo. Eight full-equipment cottages, with nice services, open around the year.
The self-proclaimed "most famous grocery in Lapland" is well and truly a cut above your average corner store: it has a deli selling freshly made sushi, a cheese and wine bar, and smokes its own meat and fish. If you don't have a car, order online and they can deliver for €13.90.
There are buses going to Äkäslompolo from Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Kolari, Enontekiö and Kemi.
Read in the guideThe village is not very big: you can explore it by walking, although if your cabin is a bit off, you will appreciate a vehicle. In skiing season there are ski buses around the Ylläs mountain, single ticket is around €2.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kittilä · International · KTT
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