Riisitunturi National Park in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | Thierry Chevillard
Hiking in autumn in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | Thierry Chevillard
Ceramic reindeer in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | June Seo

Posio - Find Your Rhythm

Posio is the first destination to receive the Sustainable Travel Finland certification.

Posio is the center of ceramics culture in Finland.

The frozen Korouoma Canyon is the country’s most popular ice-climbing destination.

Slow down and find your natural rhythm in Posio, the most sustainable destination in Finland. Posio is also synonymous with the Pentik-Mäki Cultural Center and the ceramic arts.

Posio is many things: the center of Finnish ceramic culture, an idyllic village at the foot of Lapland’s most iconic fells, and the first destination awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland certification. In Posio, you’ll find your own rhythm among the endless landscapes, and the snow-capped forests will inspire the artistic visions inside you. Spend a slow day admiring the work of world-famous sculptors, or climb the fell alongside a pack of fluffy huskies and see what magic Posio inspires in you.

Ice-climbing in Korouoma Canyon in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Eden
Hiking in summer in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Metsähallitus | Heikki Sulander
Ceramics in nature in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | June Seo

ABOUT POSIO

Posio is where you can truly feel the cycles and patterns of nature. In winter, you’ll stare up at the ropey layers of ice pouring down from the top of the cascade waterfall, a pair of red birds take flight. Unlike the birds, you have to go up the hard way. This is Posio’s famous ice waterfall, the most popular in the country. Every winter, the streams pouring over the top of the canyon slow to a crawl and freeze, creating not one but 14 impressive icefalls. But that’s why spiked shoes and climbing harnesses exist, right?

Posio is no less enchanting in summer and autumn, an ideal place for birdwatching, nature photography and recreational angling. Or if sandy beaches are more your style, you’ll definitely want to visit Lake Livojärvi, Lapland’s very own Riviera. Flock to the water’s edge for a picnic with the kids, volleyball and swimming. Even this close to the Arctic Circle, the sun is warm, the days are long, the waters inviting.

Summer gives way to autumn in an explosion of color, not just in the trees and bushes, but also in the night sky. Auroras alight over Posio in late August and continue until April or May. Riisitunturi National Park is the perfect place to watch the dance of the Northern Lights over a fairy tale forest. When winter begins banging her drum, the forest is transformed, a mixture of high humidity, heavy snowfall and pure magic. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and pick a trail. You won’t be disappointed. Or combine your trip to Riisitunturi with the excited puppers of Kota Husky. These happy and healthy dogs are ready and willing to pull you across the snow to heights and sights unheard of.

All this natural beauty naturally inspires artistic beauty. Just ask Posio’s most famous artist, Anu Pentik: living legend, an artist of worldwide renown, and the creator and founder of Pentik ceramics. Inspired by landscapes and natural wonders, Anu still creates new work, even in her 70s. Your introduction to Posio ceramics will likely be the Green Key-certified Pentik-Mäki Cultural Centre, which includes galleries, art, design and furniture exhibits, a factory shop for unique Pentik ceramics, and the International Coffee Cup Museum. Not surprising for the country that drinks the most coffee in the world. Make sure you stop by the Lappi room for Lapland-inspired designs.

Sustainable Posio

Speaking of Green Keys, Posio is the first destination in the country to be awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland certification. Most Posio travel services–including guiding and accommodations–are owned and operated by locals, and responsibility is a foundational aspect in the services offered. Learn more about Sustainable Posio.

THINGS TO DO IN POSIO

Midnight sun or midwinter snow, you’ll discover exotic Arctic locales and sip coffee with endearing Arctic locals in Posio.

CROWNED WITH SNOW

  • Winter hiking
  • Ice-climbing
  • Husky Safaris
Snow-crowned trees in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | Thierry Chevillard
Bird in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | Thierry Chevillard
Ice-climbing in Korouoma Canyon in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Metsähallitus | Jonna Kalliomäki
Autumn in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | Thierry Chevillard
Summer in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio
Swimming in summer in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Harri Tarvainen

PERFECT POSIO SUMMER

  • Hit the water
  • Grab your GPS
  • Hiking

ARTISTIC LAPLAND

  • Pentik
  • Miki Studio
  • Arctic Ceramic Center
Ceramic flower garden in summer in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Harri Tarvainen
Ceramics in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio | Minttu Häkkinen

PLAN YOUR STAY IN POSIO

Every part of your holiday, down to your pillows and your entree should be magical.

Log cabin in winter in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Posio

NOCTURNAL RHYTHMS

  • Hotel Kirikeskus
  • Hotel Lapin Satu
  • Naali Lodge
Korpihilla Restaurant in Posio, Finland
Photo by: Visit Finland | Harri Tarvainen

TRAVELING TO POSIO

Map of Posio in Finnish Lapland

HOW TO GET HERE

Posio is never too far away. The Kuusamo airport (65 km away) and the Rovaniemi airport (130 km) offer convenient connections year-round, either through Helsinki or directly to European cities. If you’re coming via train, Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi (97 km) are the closest stops. And the scenery and villages along Kemijoki river will soothe the stress right out of you.

LOOKING FOR MORE POSIO?

The frozen waterfalls, snow-crowned trees, sunny beaches and ceramic masterpieces of Posio await.

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