Ivalo today: Finland’s northernmost airport, the Ivalojoki river and its beaches, where to eat with today’s hours and tonight’s aurora chance by the hour.
Nellim log flume trail (Day trip, 49 km by car from Ivalo): An easy marked trail that takes about 1 hour. It starts by the historic log flume that runs from Lake Keskimöjärvi to Lake Nellimjärvi, with a half lean-to shelter and a fire pit near the flume, and leads to Rautaportti, the “Iron Gate”, where you can see wartime remains such as machine-gun nests. Orange paint marks on trees and brown wooden posts show the way, and there are roots and rocks underfoot. Walk it when there is no snow. The log flume and its dam bridge are closed to all use until the end of 2027 because they are in poor condition. The trail does not cross them, so keep off the flume and the bridge.
Ivalojoki river: According to Lapland North, the area’s tourism organisation, Finland’s first gold rush took place on the Ivalojoki, which is why it is also called the golden river. Prospectors still search for gold in the river and its tributaries. Right by the village are sandy beaches where locals and visitors swim in summer and enjoy the light of the midnight sun. The river is good for canoeing and fishing, and in winter for snowmobiling.
Ivalo Airport: Finavia, which runs the airport, calls Ivalo the northernmost airport in Finland. The terminal is called Lapinhelmi, and there are daily flights from Helsinki.
Karhunpesäkivi (Bear’s Den Rock): An erratic boulder at Myössäjärvi, about 25 km north of Ivalo. It is a tafone, a rock hollowed out by weathering, and you can crawl into its cave, which is about 4 m long, 1.5 m wide and 1–2 m high. A boardwalk, mostly steps, leads to the rock from the car park by the main road. The car park is not ploughed in winter.
Mielikköjärvi bird tower: A path of about 300 m leads from the car park to a birdwatching tower on the edge of the open mire by Lake Iso Mielikköjärvi. The tower was renovated in 2021, and from spring to late summer the area is popular with birdwatchers. The path is for the snow-free season only, and the car park is not ploughed in winter.
Nellim: A small lakeside village where Inari Sámi, Skolt Sámi and Finnish traditions meet, under an hour’s drive from Ivalo Airport. The Nellim log flume trail is a short drive from the village.
Hotel Ivalo -ravintola (Aurora): Hotel restaurant serving Lappish dishes by the Ivalo River.
Bistro & Cafe Ivalo: Central bistro-cafe with lunch, dinner and karaoke evenings.
Hannan Pizza: Popular Ivalontie pizzeria, known for reindeer pizzas.
Design House Idoli: Small design gallery with private arctic fine dining.
Ravintola Kultahippu (Hotelli Kultahippu): Riverside hotel restaurant in the village centre; weekday lunch buffet, à la carte daily.
CafeStop Ivalo: Central cafe with homemade cakes and coffee, weekdays.
Cafe Erja & Veera Ivalo: Small local coffee shop in Ivalo, since 2014.
Hotel Ivalo -baari: Hotel lobby bar by the fireplace, seats about 30.
Arctic River Resort (ravintola): Resort restaurant with breakfast, snacks and à la carte dishes: sautéed reindeer, reindeer burger and Lake Inari pike fish and chips.