Flavors of Lapland

A Taste of the North
To eat in Lapland is never just to fill the body.
It's smoke rising from open fire, the silence of a wooden cabin, the sudden sweetness of a berry found beneath snow.
Each table holds more than food – it holds the stories of reindeer herders, fishermen and forests that feed both hunger and soul.

As Anthony Bourdain reminded us: do not follow the crowd. Sit where the locals sit. Order what you never thought you would. Step into the kitchen of a land – and let it change you.

Here begins your journey into the kitchens of the North with our personal curated list of gastronomic services we discovered nearby:

 

1) Tunturiporo, Muonio

“Local food with a northern heart.”
Reindeer dishes, freshly caught fish, seasonal berries – served in a rustic Lapland setting.
Menu highlight: Sautéed reindeer with lingonberries.
Our personal recommendation: The Fishburger and the Cheeseburger (where we haven´t tried the Reindeer Burger, yet).
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 12:00–18:00

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2) OTSO, Äkäslompolo

“Fine dining at the edge of wilderness.”
Nordic cuisine reinterpreted with modern elegance – blending local ingredients with contemporary craft.
Menu highlights: Arctic char with forest herbs.
Our personal recommendation: A distinctive bear meat burger – unusual in taste, yet highly recommended.
Business hours: daily, 12:00 - 22:00

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3) Swiss Café, Muonio

“Where Alpine roots meet Lapland simplicity.”
Freshly baked pastries, artisan coffee, and light meals with a Swiss touch – a cozy stop for both locals and travelers.
Menu highlights: Swiss-style rösti with smoked salmon, homemade cakes, rich hot chocolate.
Our personal recommendation: The salmon pie and the reindeer pie – hearty, warm and deeply satisfying.
Business hours: Daily, 10:00–18:00

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4) Poron Bensis, Levi (Teboil Station)

“Unexpected flavors at an unexpected place.”
Don’t let the gas station fool you – this place has its own cult status. Burgers, pizzas and Lapland specialties make Poron Bensis a favorite for both locals and travelers.
Menu highlights: Reindeer burger, hearty pizzas, daily comfort meals.
Our personal recommendation: The sautéed reindeer and the reindeer burger – simple, filling and surprisingly excellent.
kitchen hours: Daily, 10:00 - 17:00
business hours: Daily, 09:00 - 18:00

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5) Panimo Pub & À la Carte, Levi

“Where craftsmanship meets the table.”
More than a brewery – Panimo offers refined dining with white tablecloths and a sense of occasion. Each dish is prepared with care, balancing local ingredients and international inspiration. Not the cheapest place, but memorable for both taste and atmosphere.
Menu highlights: Slow-cooked lamb with Lapland herbs, Arctic char and freshly brewed house beers.
Business hours: Daily, 15:00 - 22:00 (in summer, Google maps and the website may hold outdated information)

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Day Trips

Day Trips

While Villa Lapland is surrounded by wilderness and quiet, there are many destinations within reach for a day trip. From local villages to ski resorts, from cultural sites to the edge of Europe itself – Lapland offers more than one visit can cover.

Muonio (35 km)

Nearest town with daily services and access to tours.

Facts:

  • Larger grocery stores, pharmacy, and restaurants

  • Local husky and reindeer tours

  • Fell Lapland Visitor Centre with exhibitions on Sámi culture and northern nature

Other Themed Attractions nearby

Unique destinations that add variety to your Lapland stay.

Facts:

  • Snow Village (Lainio, ~45 km): hotel and exhibition built entirely from snow and ice, redesigned every winter

  • Reindeer Farms: traditional visits with reindeer sled rides and Sámi stories (several near Levi and Muonio)

  • Husky Farms: guided sled tours and farm visits, available in Muonio, Äkäslompolo, and Levi

  • Aurora Camps: private wilderness bases for northern light viewing, often combined with kota dinners and open fire

Kolari (55 km)

Municipality centre and railway hub.

Facts:

  • Shops and local services

  • Direct night train connections to Helsinki (car transport possible)

  • Local museums and cultural events in summer

Äkäslompolo (60 km)

Village at the foot of Ylläs, popular for skiing and hiking.

Facts:

  • Wide choice of restaurants and cafés

  • Base for summer hiking routes and winter trails

  • Local shops and outdoor gear rental services

Ylläs (65 km)

One of Finland’s largest ski areas.

Facts:

  • 63 slopes, 330 km of cross-country ski tracks

  • Summer: hiking and mountain biking on marked trails

  • Scenic gondola lift with panoramic views

Levi (68 km)

Finland’s largest ski resort.

Facts:

  • Downhill slopes, ski schools, equipment rental

  • Indoor spa and wellness facilities

  • Wide range of restaurants, cafés, and après-ski

  • Elves Village (Tonttula): theme park built around Lapland folklore – forest trails, elf houses, family activities

Kittilä (70 km)

Town and airport hub for the region.

Facts:

  • Nearest airport with regular flights to Helsinki and seasonal flights from Europe

  • Shops and services for daily needs

  • Church of Kittilä (built 1831), one of Lapland’s oldest wooden churches

Hetta (Enontekiö, 100 km)

Gateway to the northern fells.

Facts:

  • Visitor Centre for the northern part of Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park

  • Traditional Sámi museum and handicrafts

  • Starting point of the famous Hetta–Pallas hiking trail

Rovaniemi (220 km)

Capital of Lapland.

Facts:

  • Arktikum museum and science centre – Arctic culture and climate

  • Santa Claus Village (year-round attraction, more commercial atmosphere)

  • Good stopover for train connections south

Nordkapp – The End of Europe (520 km, one way)

For some, the journey is the destination. From Villa Lapland you can reach Nordkapp, the northernmost point of mainland Europe accessible by road. It is a long trip – but a unique experience: driving through tundra, crossing into Norway, and standing on the cliff where land meets the Arctic Ocean.

Facts:

  • Travel time in winter: approx. 9–10 hours by car (one way)

    • Roads may be closed due to harsh conditions; sometimes only passable in convoy with road service

  • Travel time in summer: approx. 6 hours by car (one way)

  • Best planned as an overnight or two-day trip

  • Midnight sun in summer, polar night atmosphere in winter

  • Visitor Centre with exhibitions and panoramic hall

  • Opening hours vary by season

  • Parking: approx. €11 for 5 hours (no overnight stay)

  • Entrance fee to Visitor Centre: €30 per person

Welcome to Villa Lapland

Villa Lapland: Where Silence Speaks – and Nature Answers

Snow-covered Lapland landscape under the northern lights – silence, forest, and endless sky

Far from the world, nestled in the ancient forests of Lapland, you’ll find Villa Lapland – Rihmakuja 2. Here, where the cold air whispers stories and the wind hums old songs through the trees, 80 m² of retreat, tranquility, and reconnection await – surrounded by the untouched magic of the Finnish winter wonderland. Deep snow-covered forests, shimmering blankets of white, dancing northern lights and a silence that reaches the soul – this place speaks before it is even understood.

Your Stay

Our villa is more than just a holiday home. It is a place of arrival – featuring:

  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Private 2-seater Jacuzzi with panoramic view
  • High-speed Wi-Fi (300 Mbit/s)
  • Traditional 4-person barrel sauna in the garden

Amenities

  • Bathrooms: two in total – one with shower, toilet and sink; the other with toilet, sink and private Jacuzzi
  • Bedrooms: one with double bed, one with two single beds; sofa bed in the living room for two additional guests
  • Pets: welcome at no extra charge – because Villa Lapland is a place for the whole family

The Jacuzzi is more than just warm water: it invites quiet relaxation or cherished togetherness with a view of the snowy forest. A space where closeness regains meaning – and perhaps new plans take shape.

Wood inside, wilderness outside. Through the large windows, your gaze stretches to Mount Pallas, while the silence of the tundra fills the rooms. On cold nights, the northern lights dance above the roof – and if you listen closely, you may hear the old gods walking through the darkness.

For Families & Friends

A soundproof connecting door to the neighboring villa allows for expansion to 12 guests across 4 bedrooms and a total of 160 m² living space – ideal for families or groups of friends. Keep the door closed for absolute solitude.

Activities

Winter

  • Guided reindeer or husky sled tours
  • Ice fishing on nearby lakes
  • Cross-country skiing on groomed trails
  • Campfire beneath the starry sky – with a chance to see the northern lights

Summer & Autumn

  • Vast hiking trails through Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park
  • Routes along clear rivers, moors and ancient Sámi paths
  • Exploration on foot or by bike – here, nature doesn’t just receive you, it welcomes you

Sauna & Hottub with a View

SaunaAfter a day in the vast, untouched nature of Lapland, the evening ends best in the traditional garden sauna or Hottub – with a view over the open landscape and warm silence in the air, where the smoke remembers your ancestors.