Curator’s statement
If you’re dreaming of Lapland—snow-covered forests, reindeer sightings and the kind of stillness you can actually hear—Levi is where you want to be. While Rovaniemi gets most of the attention, Levi feels more intimate, without sacrificing any of the magic. I stayed at Reindeer Manor Levi, a peaceful, forested property made up of cozy glass-roof igloos with private outdoor hot tubs—designed so you can look out (or straight up) at the sky from your bed. With large skylight-style windows and panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, it really leans into that “Arctic escape” feeling. It’s the kind of place where your days are filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and your nights end in a private hot tub under the Northern Lights.
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Where to stay in Levi, Lapland
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Things to do in Levi, Lapland
Northern Lights from our hotel, Reindeer Manor Levi
Northern Lights sight snowmobiling: One of the most memorable experiences of the trip. We didn’t actually see the Northern Lights during our excursion, but it didn’t take away from the experience at all. Driving a snowmobile through a completely dark, snow-covered forest is surreal—quiet, crisp and unlike anything else. Even without the aurora, it felt special.
Visit Snow Village: This completely exceeded expectations. Every year the Snow Village is rebuilt with a different theme, and when I visited, it was “Celebrations around the world.” Each ice room represented something different—holidays, birthdays, cultural traditions—and the level of detail in the ice sculptures was incredible.
Husky safari: My favorite activity of the trip, without question. The dogs were so clearly well cared for and genuinely excited to run, which made it even better. The ride itself is peaceful and almost meditative—gliding through quiet forest trails. It’s one of those experiences that sticks with you.
Explore Levi Village: Levi itself is small, but that’s part of the charm. We spent a few evenings walking through town—popping into little shops, grabbing dinner and just soaking in the cozy atmosphere. It’s relaxed and easy to navigate.
Northern Lights tours: We booked a van tour but didn’t have luck seeing them during that experience. Ironically, we saw the Northern Lights from our hotel on our last night. It’s a good reminder that while tours can increase your chances, nothing is guaranteed. If seeing the aurora is a priority, I recommend booking a tour early in your stay so you have multiple chances.
Reindeer experience: You can book a full reindeer excursion, but if you stay at Reindeer Manor, you can also interact with them right on property. Feeding them and spending time up close felt just as special and a little more relaxed than a structured tour.
Hot tub evenings: This became our favorite ritual. After a long day in the cold, sitting in your private hot tub surrounded by snow is something you don’t fully appreciate until you’re there.
Places to eat & drink in Levi, Lapland
Reindeer Manor Levi hotel and restaurant
Reindeer Manor Levi (on property): Some of the best meals we had on the trip. Everything felt authentic to the region while still being approachable, and having breakfast included made mornings effortless.
Pizza de Levi: Unexpectedly one of the best pizzas I’ve had—anywhere. Casual, cozy and perfect after a day outside.
Salteriet Levi: If you’re craving something hearty, this is the spot. The schnitzel was exactly what you want in Lapland—warm, comforting and satisfying.
Need to know
Getting there: Levi is a small ski town located in Finnish Lapland, well above the Arctic Circle and known for its peaceful, snow-covered landscapes. You’ll fly into Kittilä Airport, which is about a 15–30 minute drive depending on where you’re staying. Most flights to Kittilä connect through Helsinki, so you could absolutely turn it into a two-stop trip and spend a few days there. The flight from Helsinki to Kittilä is quick—typically around 1.5 hours—making it an easy final leg into Lapland.
We chose to stay just outside of Levi rather than directly in the ski village, which I would highly recommend if seeing the Northern Lights is a priority. Being farther from town means less light pollution and a better chance of catching them right from your hotel.
We relied on Ubers for our entire trip and had no issues—both from the airport and going into town. Each ride was around €35–€40 one way. All of our tours picked us up directly from the hotel and since we only went into town a couple of times, it was still much more cost-effective (and far less stressful) than renting a car.
Renting a car is definitely an option if you want flexibility, but snow conditions can be unpredictable, and most excursions include hotel pickup anyway.
Packing tips: It is very cold in the winter—colder than you think.
Bring a warm base layer (thermal top and bottom)
Heavy coat (ideally down)
Hat, gloves, scarf
Snow boots with good traction
Ski pants (highly recommend for staying warm and comfortable)
Most excursions provide outer gear like snow suits and boots, but you’ll still want proper layers for time spent walking around the property and town.
Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the biggest draws to Lapland—and when they appear, it’s every bit as magical as you imagine. It is never guaranteed. You need both strong aurora activity and clear skies—and the weather can change quickly. It snowed a lot during our trip, which made visibility tricky. To increase your odds, I recommend downloading an aurora tracking app (there are several good ones that show real-time activity and cloud coverage) and staying in close contact with your hotel’s front desk or excursion team—they’re incredibly knowledgeable and will often give guidance on the best times to look out.
We didn’t see them until our final night—and that was just by chance, right from our hotel. My biggest tip: stay for at least 4-5 days, plan multiple opportunities and manage expectations. When you do see them, it’s completely unforgettable—but patience is part of the experience.
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Erin Colatrella
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