CityOutline guide

Ivalo

Village in Lapland, Finland

Photo: Tyg728, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Ivalo (Northern Sámi: Avvil, Skolt Sami: Âˊvvel, Inari Sami: Avveel)) is a town in Finnish Lapland, with airport and on the main north-south road of Finland, Highway 4 (E75).

Where to eat, drink and stay

Sleep5 places

In or near the centre

Hotel Ivalo
Address
Ivalontie 34
Phone
+358 16 688-111
Website
hotelivalo.fi
Hotelli Kultahippu
Address
Petsamontie 1
Phone
+358 16 320-8800
Website
hotellikultahippu.fi
Naverniemi Holiday Center
Näverniemen Lomakylä
Camping, cottages and apartments.
Address
Näverniementie 17
Phone
+358 16 677-601
Website
narkka.com
Ivalo River CampingCottages €35–100 for 1–4 persons, apartments €65–105 for 1–6 persons; caravan €16+€4/2, electricity +€8–10; tent €14+$4/2; meals €10–12
Camping and cottages. Some cottages have en suite facilities, otherwise kitchen, toilets and showers are shared, in a service building. Restaurant with hamburgers, salads etc. Also karaoke or dance some evenings in season. Breakfast to be ordered in advance.
Hours
All year (check off season); Mon–Sat 08:00–23:00, Sun 09:00–23:00
Price
Cottages €35–100 for 1–4 persons, apartments €65–105 for 1–6 persons; caravan €16+€4/2, electricity +€8–10; tent €14+$4/2; meals €10–12
Address
Kerttuojantie 1
Directions
3.5 km south from the centre, along E75
Phone
+358 400-395-046
Website
ivalorivercamping.com

Other

Guesthouse Husky€92–136 depending on season
Price
€92–136 depending on season
Address
Hirviniementie 65
Phone
+358 16 663 377
Website
guesthousehusky.fi

Getting there and around

Getting there

By bus
Ivalo is on national road 4 (E75) from Norway via Utsjoki to Sodankylä and to the railhead at Rovaniemi (3 hours away), and is thus served by any buses plying this route, including connections…
By car
The above mentioned road 4 from Helsinki can of course also be driven by car. From the west coast, drive E8 to Kemi, where the two share tarmac.
By train
An overnight train to Rovaniemi and a coach for the last three hours is a less painful but not particularly cheap alternative; the train is a viable option also if you want to bring your own car.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

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Ivalo Airport

Ivalo · International · IVL

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Read before you go to Ivalo

Articles and travel topics about Ivalo and Finland.

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Itineraries

Highway 4 (Finland)

Highway 4 (Finnish: Valtatie 4, Swedish: Riksväg 4) is by far the longest numbered road in Finland. It stretches 1,295 km (805 mi) from Helsinki to Utsjoki, almost the full length of the country from south to north.

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

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UnderstandThe municipality of Inari, at , 5% of the country, is the largest in Finland – but has a population less than 7,000. Ivalo is its administrative centre, with half the population and e.g. the health care centre.

Get inRovaniemi airport (RVN) is another option, usually with cheaper flights.

Get around

SeeAlthough quite large, Ivalo is not that well-known by tourists. The village was destroyed during the Lapland War 1944–1945. Most tourist businesses offer services for outdoor activities and visiting the nearby areas.

DoThe Ivalo River (Ivalojoki) through the town was the site of a gold rush upstream in the 1870s, and some gold panners still try their luck.

EatHotels are your best bet, although there may also be some restaurants.

SleepThere are several accommodation businesses in and around Ivalo. Those in the neighbourhood often offer cottages and also activities.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Ivalo" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Ivalo", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Tyg728, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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