The villages of Kittilä

In the municipality of Kittilä, there are over thirty villages to visit.

Founded in 1868, Kittilä is a lively municipality of just over 6,700 inhabitants in Lapland. The fourth largest municipality in Finland by area, it has over 700 lakes and 10 fells. There are about 12 000 reindeer in the municipality.

In the villages of Kittilä, visitors can experience many cultural and historical experiences in beautiful landscapes. The villages, which have been preserved from the past, take visitors on a journey through time, surrounded by old farmsteads and buildings of cultural and historical value.

The villages of Kittilä – how many have you already visited?

Alakylä is located in the southern part of Kittilä along the Ounasjoki River, which offers excellent fishing opportunities. The first cooperative bank in Northern Lapland, founded in 1912 in Alakylä, can be considered the beginning of the present Pohjola Cooperative Bank.

Hanhimaa is a landscape area of national importance, with old buildings on the Lismajoki River estuary. The village (Goose Land in English) is said to have been named after the geese that used to feed in the Lismajoki River near the village.

Helppi is one of the southernmost villages in the municipality of Kittilä. The Ounasjoki River runs through the village, and an ice road crosses it to connect the banks and the settlements on them in winter.

In Kallo, the beautiful landscape is adorned by two lakes; Kallojärvi and Syväjärvi. According to legend, the name of the village (Skull in English) dates back to the 17th century, when a skull would have been caught in a net on a fishing trip. The saying goes: 'In Kallo, between two eyes'.

Kaukonen is one of the oldest and strongest villages along the Ounasjoki River. The modern infrastructure offers a wide range of services and recreational opportunities. Kaukonen has been assessed as a landscape area of national importance.

The village of Kelontekemä is located in the beautiful landscape of Kumputunturi and on the shores of Kelontekemäjärvi, the largest lake in Kittilä, which is rich in fish. In summer, the village is adorned with magnificent flowerbeds and in winter it is truly peaceful.

Kiistala-Lintula-Rouravaara, these three villages are connected by their location near the Kittilä gold mine. Kiistala is a lakeside village, while Lintula is one of the most representative villages in Lapland with a traditional look. Rouravaara, on the other hand, is home to the gold mine.

In the Kinisjärvi-Vuoma area, the Kinisjärvi Lake offers great opportunities for fishing and canoeing. Various fishing competitions are also held in the area.

Kirjaselkämaa is a new village, which has only been in operation since 2011. The village is a vibrant place to live, thanks to businesses and a growing number of holidaymakers. The name of the village comes from the shape of the terrain, which is like an open book.

The village of Kittilä is a hub of municipal services. It offers public and commercial services and a wide range of leisure facilities. An international airport is also located a few kilometres from the village.

Kuivasalmi-Nilivaara are two villages in Kittilä that have always worked together. On the eastern shore of Lake Rastinjärvi in Korteniemi, tradition tells us that the settlement of Päiviö the Shaman, who lived in the 17th century, was located.

Kuusajoki-Siitonen are two small villages located close to each other, and the village association also includes Hormakumpu. The area also includes the Lopsunoja gold panning site.

Köngäs offers a wide range of things to do for both tourists and local residents. The Ounasjoki River flows through the village, offering good fishing and recreational opportunities. Köngäs means rapids in English.

Lehmilehto-Maunujärvi are located in the peace of nature, surrounded by clean air. You can swim in Lake Maunujärvi or watch the many species of birds that live in the area. There is also a home museum with old farming and household tools.

Lompolo is a small lake with a river running through it. From the village of Lompolo you have a magnificent view over the lake to the Pallas-Ounastunturi fells. According to folklore, the area was once inhabited by stalas, or giants.

The village of Molkojärvi is situated on the shore of the lake of the same name, which is one of the largest lakes in the municipality of Kittilä. Objects found on the shores of Molkojärvi indicate that the village would have been inhabited as early as the Stone Age.

Pakatti is a residential area close to the village. The village is home to the Kittilä Local History Museum.

Pokka is one of the northernmost villages in Kittilä, near Inari. The village of Pokka also holds the Finnish record for frosts, set in 1999, when it recorded -51.5°C.

Pulju is a northern wilderness village. The beautiful nature and its peace are present here. In the wilderness area, a fell with the same name as the village, rises to almost 500m.

The village of Pöntsö offers natural peace and quiet near Levi. In Pöntsö you can also experience art in the multi-faceted Gallery Raekallio.

The old farmsteads and peasant houses of Rauduskylä are located on the shores of the lake, about 33 km north of Kittilä.

Raattama is located on the shores of Pallastunturi and is a peaceful, beautiful village. The village is surrounded by berry-rich forests and fish lakes.

Rauhala is a village with a good location connections between Kittilä and Muonio. Rauhala is located on the shores of Lake Jerisjärvi, close to Pallas-Yllästunturi. There are many hiking trails in the area and several tourist centres in the region are easily accessible.

Over the past decade, Sirkka has grown rapidly into a residential area alongside the internationally renowned tourist resort of Levi. Several events are organised in the village every year. Of the villages in Kittilä, Sirkka is perhaps the best known for Levi, a year-round leisure centre.

Tepasto is a vibrant village situated along the Ounasjoki River in the fells. The area has an active tourist industry and preserved agricultural and reindeer husbandry.

The village of Tepsa can be found near the Sodankylä border, in eastern Kittilä. The village has a strong tradition of music and dance, which has been preserved for several generations.

Veittivuoma is located near Rovaniemi, in southern Kittilä. The village offers a peaceful place to live for those working in nearby centres.

The villages of Vittakumpu and Kumpu area also include Pitkäkumpu, Kotakumpu, Riikonkumpu and Kenttälä. Settlements can be found along the busy road leading to Inari and the gold mine.