Nivunki Village: Experience the serenity and warmth of Lapland, whatever the season

By Molly McPharlin | Photos: Nivunki Village

Seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland features high on many travel bucket lists. At Nivunki Village in Muonio, close to the Arctic Circle in the far north of Finland, that experience is given a quieter, more intimate setting, with an adults-only resort and uniquely designed glass huts emphasising privacy, stillness and peace.

Founded by legendary local Lappish entrepreneur Mauri Kuru, the concept behind Nivunki Village is rooted in Lappish väärti culture, where hosts and guests share a close and respectful relationship. “Working in hospitality has been part of the Kuru family for nearly 100 years, beginning with Mauri’s grandparents hosting travellers under their own roof in the early days of tourism in Lapland,” says Sami Luoto, head of Nivunki Village. “The mission of Nivunki Village is to return to those roots of Lappish hospitality and create a place built around nature, with authenticity, local culture, personal service, and meaningful experiences at its core.”

Photo: Filippo Dias

A different kind of glass house experience

Many glass accommodations in Lapland focus on architecture or Northern Lights visibility. Nivunki Village offers something deeper. Far away from crowded resort centres and light pollution, the village is situated lakeside on approximately 300 hectares of private land. Guests often mention the silence, calmness, and relaxed pace of life as the most memorable parts of their stay. Another difference is that the entire concept is deeply rooted in local heritage. The guides, hosts and owners are local people who grew up in Lapland. Activities begin from the village in small groups, with a focus on personal encounters rather than mass tourism.

The architecture itself is also unique. “The glass huts were designed specifically for Nivunki Village in Finland, inspired by the traditional Sámi kota, a mobile teepee-like shelter historically used by Sámi people travelling with reindeer,” says Luoto. Combining modern comfort and simple Nordic design, each hut has heated floors, air conditioning, private bathrooms, and large glass surfaces through which guests can observe the surrounding wilderness from a cosy bed or armchair.

Nivunki Village: Experience the serenity and warmth of Lapland, whatever the season

Exquisite local cuisine in historic settings

Although the restaurant building is new, it was built by local craftspeople in a time-honoured style, using whole logs. It is a culinary haven in the middle of the wilderness, highlighting local ingredients such as fish, wild berries, mushrooms, and game in classic Finnish dishes.

At the centre of Nivunki Village is a traditional farmyard that feels lifted from historic Lapland, with several 200-year-old wooden buildings still standing. While much of the region was destroyed towards the end of the Second World War, Nivunki’s buildings survived. They have since been carefully renovated and are now protected as cultural landmarks by the National Museum of Finland. Today, the main house serves as a lounge for guests.

Nivunki Village: Experience the serenity and warmth of Lapland, whatever the season

Explore Lapland at any time of the year

With spring and summer still relatively undiscovered by international visitors, the quiet of these seasons makes them an especially rewarding time to visit. In spring, bright snowy days still offer the possibility of skiing and snowshoeing. Meanwhile, summer brings uninterrupted sun, perfect for hiking, fishing, canoeing, and cycling. “Many guests are surprised by the peacefulness of summer in Lapland, when forests, lakes, and fells can feel almost untouched,” says Luoto.

Autumn is also becoming increasingly popular because of the beauty of the changing leaves and the excellent visibility of the Northern Lights. During winter, Lapland’s most favoured season, guests can experience husky safaris, reindeer rides, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and spectacular shows of aurora borealis.

Nivunki Village: Experience the serenity and warmth of Lapland, whatever the season

The friendliness and creativity of Lappish people

Rather than urban attractions, the region around Muonio is defined by nature, local culture, and small northern communities. Guests can explore handicrafts, artists’ studios, galleries, reindeer farms, and traditional northern ways of life, while the nearby Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park offers open fell landscapes and air considered among the cleanest in the world. For Luoto, Nivunki Village’s collaboration with local businesses and artists adds further depth to the guest experience, connecting the resort more closely to the place around it. “We collaborate with local reindeer herders, fishing guides, artists, and storytellers to create authentic moments connected to the region. Most are arranged by our own guides, all of whom are locals with more than ten years of experience.”

For Luoto, what makes Lapland special is difficult to capture through images alone. “It’s the feeling of space, silence, darkness, clean air, and the connection to nature that people remember most vividly,” he says. “In Lapland, we really have eight distinct seasons. They’re all so different from each other, and each one offers a reason to visit.”

Nivunki Village: Experience the serenity and warmth of Lapland, whatever the season