Sodankylä today: weather now, the film festival in June, the Old Church and Alariesto museum, the Kitinen riverside, where to eat today and aurora chance.
Sodankylä Old Church: You can go inside in the summer months; at other times of year you can admire the church from outside. Completed in 1689 for the people of Central Lapland, it is one of the oldest surviving wooden churches in Finland. It was restored in 1926, and in 1992–1995 the Finnish Heritage Agency repaired its shingle roof and exterior cladding. The church seats 120 and has no heating, and its altarpiece was painted by Petter Bergström in 1739. It went out of regular use when the new church was completed in 1859. The photo shows the nave, looking towards the altar.
Midnight Sun Film Festival: Sodankylä’s film festival is held from 16 to 20 June 2027, when the sun does not set at all. It was founded in 1986 by Finnish filmmakers, among them the Kaurismäki brothers, together with the municipality of Sodankylä. Films are shown around the clock in four venues, including the Lapinsuu cinema and large tents: in all about 100 feature films in more than 120 screenings.
Alariesto Museum Gallery: A museum gallery in the centre of Sodankylä devoted to Andreas Alariesto (1900–1989), an artist, storyteller and keeper of tradition from Sompio in Lapland. The collections include 100 paintings, his miniature sculpture of a Lapland village and objects from his life, and the main exhibition changes every year. One room shows Reidar Särestöniemi’s exhibition Taivaanjaara. There is a museum shop and a café. Open all year from Tuesday to Saturday, except on public holidays.
Kitinen riverside and Nilimella beach: From the Old Church, cross the Kemijärventie bridge over the Kitinen to Nilimella beach on the far bank. In summer you can swim in the river or enjoy the midnight sun on the sand or the jetty; the swimming season in Lapland runs from 25 June to 15 August. There is little light pollution even in the village, and in winter the same bridge is one of the best places within walking distance of the centre to look for the northern lights. Do not go out on the ice: it is not safe, especially on the Kitinen.
Sodankylä Local History Museum: An open-air museum of 13 buildings where the Kitinen and Jeesiöjoki rivers meet, a 2 km walk from the centre. Its main building was saved from the village of Riesto, which was submerged when the Lokka reservoir was created. The museum is open in summer from Tuesday to Sunday: it usually opens in the second week of June and closes in the second-to-last week of August. Entry is free.
Porttikoski in Aska: Porttikoski is in the village of Aska, about 15 km south of Sodankylä, and is signposted from main road 4. There is a large dance pavilion and a high cliff with the Kitinen flowing at its foot. The cliff has a fence: stay behind it and take great care at the edge. The river is regulated, with a dam just upstream and a hydropower station downstream, so the flow and the water level vary. It is best visited in summer and autumn.
Ravintola Olohuone Tähti: Cozy Lapland-style pub-restaurant, reindeer stew, salmon soup, fresh pancakes.
North Pizza & Kebab: Pizza and kebab spot on the main street, generous portions.
Pizzeria Turkinpippuri: Pizzeria serving pizza, kebab and burgers, delivery available.
Ravintola RuusuSuola: Local restaurant serving lunch in central Sodankylä.
Kahvila Smak: Cafe in the heart of town, fresh sweet and savoury pastries.
Cafe Amalilo: Relaxed central cafe with homemade treats and specialty coffee.
Päivin Kammari: Cafe-restaurant in the town center serving coffee and lunch.
Ravintola Revontuli: Central karaoke pub, beer and pizzas, popular with locals.
Bar & restaurant Krouvi (Hotelli Sodankylä): Hotel bar-restaurant, weekend karaoke, billiards, darts and live acts.
Restaurant Kievari (Hotelli Sodankylä): À la carte restaurant in the town-centre Hotelli Sodankylä: pike-perch, reindeer, a chicken burger and Thai curry.
Rolls Sodankylä: Branch of the Finnish Rolls burger chain at the SEO station, with eat-in, order and takeaway.
Tori-Kioski: Kiosk grill by the market square serving burgers, grilled food, fries, hot dogs and meat pies.
Vanha Opisto (Niesta): Weekday lunch buffet restaurant with a vegan lunch option every day.
Piitsi Pubi: Riverside sports pub on the Kitinen with a finger-food menu, a terrace facing the river and beer, cider and wine.