2024 Muonio Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)

Jerisjarvi Arctic Sauna World

Finnish people love to go to sauna and it’s part of almost everyone’s weekly traditions to go to a sauna. Many people even have own saunas at home. I was hiking for a week and after living in a tent I wanted to find a place to relax and clean myself after the long hike before returning home from Lapland. At Jerisjarvi (lake Jeris), there’s an Arctic Sauna World. It’s located in the address Jerisjarventie 91 not far from Pallastunturi and the town of Muonio near the crossing of streets 957 and 9572. If wanted, hiking trails to the nearby fells start from almost the front door of the hotel. The place is collocated with a tiny hotel and a camping area for camping cars and trailers (and even tents). The entry is 25 euros for an adult and 15 euros for a child (under 12) in 2021. The place has four different saunas. There’s two (or some days three) normal saunas, a smoke sauna and an IR sauna. All of them well designed and giving different bathing experience. There’s also a sports massage salon, a restaurant and a swimming opportunity (around the year) in the lake. There are also suitable all weather relaxation areas with a good lake view in a few places so it’s usable even during the bad weather and winter. I definitely recommend the place. I think the service of the staff was very friendly and places have been kept in a good condition. It’s worth the money spent for a true Finnish sauna experience. As a Finn myself I can guarantee it. #finland #lapland #muonio #jerisjarvi #sauna #hiking#roadtrip#summervacation#beachvacation#hotelstay#urbanexplorer

Fresh air, lovely nature and seeing birds everyday feels amazing to live in this country 🇫🇮 #birdspotting #finland #jarvenpaa

Long winter is over! Strolling in spring time witness the flowers grow and bloom. Wild flowers everywhere, fresh air and peace of mind is truly in here in Finland 🇫🇮🙏 #springblossoms #finland #ofwlife #healthcare #nature

Muonio Swiss Cafe

Sometimes there are unexpected things in unexpected places. I got my moment of surprise when I drove to the tiny town on Muonio in the Western Lapland in Finland just near the Swedish border (by the road E8). All suddenly I found a Swiss Cafeteria in this tiny town. The place was founded by Swiss Agnes Bissig who moved to Muonio in 2008. She used to be a florist but they founded the cafeteria with another Swiss baker Thomas Achermann who moved to Muonio in 2009. The cafeteria makes clear that it’s a Swiss place, not even trying to be Finnish. They sell Swiss chocolate (delicious but expensive) and even Swiss Chocolate. There are also some handmade things such as pastries and chocolate from the cafeteria’s own kitchen. I have to say the place is very cozy but it’s situated in a place that can’t be accidentally found. You have to leave the E8 road and even drive a tiny distance away from the supermarkets in the center to arrive there. But the place is worth visiting. The pastries are delicious and not even extremely expensive. The Swiss Hot chocolate is fairly expensive but worth having. You can find the cafeteria using its address Puthaanrannantie 5, Muonio. #coffeeshop #café #muonio #finland #lapland #roadtrip#summervacation#urbanexplorer

Summit of Taivaskero Fell at 809 m

There are no real mountains in Finland. Those that still exist have been reshaped by the ice age to roundish-topped hills with maximum around 1,3 km in height. These fells were as high as 4 km when they were younger but having existed for 1,9 billion years, they have undergone a lot of erosion. But this doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be interesting! Quite the contrary! If you happen to visit the Pallastunturi region in Finnish Lapland near the ski resorts of Levi and Yllas, you definitely can use some time and complete the Taivaskero hiking tour. Of course it’s only available in the summer (without skis) and during the midsummer season you can even see a gorgeous view of the midnight sun. The route leaves from Pallastunturi Hotel and is 9 km in length and has ascension of about 470 meters. You can decide whether you want to climb the hill using the shallow path on the right side (that looks like the Great Wall of China from the distance - see the last pic) or climb quickly using the ski slope path just behind the hotel. The views from the summit are spectacular. And I have to mention, the Olympic Fire for Helsinki Olympics in 1952 was fired there too. And this fell / mountain as well as the surrounding area is part of the Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park. #finland #pallastunturi #lapland #muonio #travelguide#hiking#historicculture#nationalpark#naturalwonders#summervacation#hikingtrails#urbanexplorer