Villas in Sonkajärvi
Sonkajärvi suits quiet lake stays in a sauna cottage, and hosts the Wife Carrying World Championships each year in late July. It is a large, thinly populated municipality, so expect long drives for anything beyond the cottage door.
- Villas
- 10
- From, per week
- £585
About Sonkajärvi
Sonkajärvi is a spread-out rural municipality of around 3,500 people, with about 200 lakes in an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, so there is no single centre to stay beside. The homes are scattered across it, mostly sleeping four to six, nearly all with a sauna and a fireplace, and a few taking up to nine. Laakajärvi, the largest lake, is just over 20 km long, fairly narrow and shared with Kainuu. The church in the village is built of local black and grey granite. Evenings mean the sauna and the shore. Out of season it is very quiet.
Is Sonkajärvi right for you?
- Best for
- Quiet lakeside weeks with a sauna and a car
- Not for you if
- You want restaurants, shops or nightlife within walking distance of where you sleep.
Near Sonkajärvi
Iisalmi
The nearest town of any size and a neighbouring municipality, linked to Sonkajärvi by Matkahuolto coach services.
Jyrkkäkoski Ironworks
An iron mill that ran from 1731 to 1919, preserved as a nationally significant built cultural environment.
Talaskangas nature reserve
Almost natural forest and marshland in the border areas of Savo and Kainuu, a good choice for a day of walking.
Kuopio
The nearest airport; Sonkajärvi lies about 105 km north of the city.
Getting to Sonkajärvi
Kuopio is the nearest airport, with the municipality about 105 km north of the city, and Iisalmi is the nearest town of any size. Highway 5 runs about 10 km west of the centre. A car is needed for homes spread across a sparse area, though Matkahuolto coaches link Sonkajärvi with Iisalmi and a few trains a day stop at Sukeva.
When to go to Sonkajärvi
The Wife Carrying World Championships, run each year on a 253.5 m track, are the big date in late July. Summer is the lake season. Outside it services are thin and the area is very quiet, so check opening times before an off-season visit.
Villas in Sonkajärvi
4-star property
Miilu
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
9
4
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+8 more
from£125
per night
3-star property
Villiruusu
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
6
2
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+6 more
from£91
per night
3-star property
Malmi
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
6
2
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+10 more
from£84
per night
3-star property
Hietaniemen usko
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
8
1
0
DishwasherSaunaWashing Machine+6 more
3-star property
Koivu
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
6
2
0
DishwasherFireplaceMicrowave+8 more
from£121
per night
3-star property
Eskelänniemi
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
6
1
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+6 more
from£87
per night
4-star property
Syvälahti
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
7
2
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+6 more
from£118
per night
4-star property
Hiili
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
9
4
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+10 more
from£111
per night
3-star property
Liisakallela
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
6
2
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+8 more
from£97
per night
3-star property
Koivuniemi
Sonkajärvi, Northern Savonia, Finland
6
2
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+6 more
from£89
per nightSonkajärvi villa holidays: questions answered
Does Sonkajärvi really host the Wife Carrying World Championships?
Yes, every year, in late July. The first world championship was held in 1994. The track is 253.5 m long, and the carried woman must be over 17 and weigh at least 49 kg, with a rucksack added if she is lighter.
What is there to see around Sonkajärvi besides the race?
Jyrkkäkoski Ironworks, which operated from 1731 to 1919, a granite church built in 1909 and 1910, and a homeland museum that also houses an international bottle museum. Talaskangas nature reserve, almost natural forest and marsh, suits walkers.
Can you reach Sonkajärvi without a car?
You can reach it, but getting around is hard. Matkahuolto coaches run between Sonkajärvi and Iisalmi, and Sukeva station on the Iisalmi to Kajaani line has a few trains a day, yet homes are spread over a large, thinly populated area.
Which airport is nearest to Sonkajärvi?
Kuopio. Sonkajärvi lies about 105 km north of Kuopio, so a hire car from the airport is the practical choice for reaching a home.
Nearby towns to Sonkajärvi
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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