Kirkkotien kyly – A Stylish Home with a Legendary Wood-Burning Sauna in Finland’

Rental basis: Entire house or apartment
Number of bedrooms: 4; Number of other rooms with beds: 0
Number of bathrooms: 1
If you cause damage to the property during your stay, you may be required to pay according to YourRentals’s property damage policy.
“Kyly” means sauna in the Karelian dialect — and at Kirkkotien kyly, the sauna is the heart of the house.

Kirkkotien kyly is a beautifully renovated, stylish 160 m² private home in Ilomantsi, in the far east of Finland. The house comfortably accommodates 5 guests, with the possibility to host up to 3 additional guests for an extra fee.

This premium residence is ideal for holidaymakers, families, remote workers and business travellers who appreciate space, privacy, comfort and high-quality surroundings — with a touch of northern wilderness.

Every surface of the house has been carefully renovated with attention to detail. The home features four bedrooms, a bright living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a separate dining area, and one exceptional highlight: a traditional Finnish wood-burning sauna.

Outside, the house is surrounded by a large, level private yard — perfect for peaceful evenings, children’s play, fresh air and quiet moments under the northern sky. Although the setting is calm and private, the house is located in a quiet residential area within walking distance of shops, restaurants and local services.

A Sauna Experience You Will Remember

The wood-burning sauna at Kirkkotien kyly is more than an amenity — it is an experience.

Recently renovated and deeply atmospheric, it offers soft, authentic Finnish steam and the comforting scent of warm wood. This is the kind of sauna Finns dream about: calm, traditional, deeply relaxing and, quite possibly, the best wood-burning sauna in the world.

After the sauna, step outside into the quiet yard, breathe in the clean eastern Finnish air, and let the silence settle around you.

One thing is certain: you will sleep exceptionally well afterwards.

For swimming and leisure, the public lakeside beach and swimming hall are only about 500 metres away, making it easy to enjoy both nature and town conveniences.

In the Wild East of Finland

Ilomantsi is a place where Finland feels different — more eastern, more mysterious, and closer to the wilderness.

This is the land of deep forests, clear lakes, old Karelian culture, Orthodox influences, borderland stories and wide northern skies. The forests around Ilomantsi are home to wildlife such as bears, wolves, elk and lynx. You are unlikely to meet them in town, but their presence gives the region its unforgettable sense of wilderness and quiet excitement.

Here, you are not just visiting Finland. You are visiting its eastern edge.

Ilomantsi is home to the easternmost point of Finland — and the entire continental European Union. From Kirkkotien kyly, you can visit the Itäpiste viewing area at Lake Virmajärvi, where a marked route leads safely to the iconic border pole.

It is a memorable experience: a mixture of geography, borderland atmosphere, wilderness and adventure — without requiring a border zone permit.

Guest Access

When booking the entire house, you will have exclusive access to all facilities.

No other residents will be in the building during your stay, so you can enjoy complete privacy.

Good to Know

A comprehensive information folder awaits you on the kitchen serving table. It includes:

appliance instructions
sauna and fireplace heating guides
WiFi password
local recommendations
practical Ilomantsi tips

Your host, Teija, is happy to provide additional information and help you make the most of your stay in Ilomantsi, Karelia and Eastern Finland.