Located in Finnish Lapland, this village of 7,000 people is the center of Sámi culture. Visitors can see northern lights, learn about reindeer herding, and visit Lake Inari.
Inari, Finland's northernmost holiday destination, sits along the shores of Lake Inari, the third-largest lake in Finland. This municipality in Finnish Lapland includes the 2,850-square-kilometer Lemmenjoki National Park and Lake Inari with its 3,000 islands. In the town center, you'll find the Siida Museum displaying Arctic wildlife exhibits and Sámi artifacts, while at Sajos Cultural Center, you can watch traditional Sámi handicraft demonstrations and attend cultural performances.
Getting to Inari
The town lies 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, accessible through Ivalo Airport or by car along European Route E75. From Helsinki, you can take a sleeper train to Rovaniemi and continue by bus or car, though the journey takes over 15 hours. The nearest airport in Ivalo connects to Helsinki year-round.
Weather and Natural Phenomena
The extreme northern location creates distinct natural phenomena throughout the year. From late May to late July, the midnight sun never sets, while polar night lasts from early December to mid-January. Winter temperatures can drop to -30°C, but summer days can reach 17°C. The northern lights appear frequently between September and March when skies are clear.
Lake Inari and Water Activities
Lake Inari stretches 40 by 80 kilometers, with more than 3,300 islands. In summer, you can join electric-hybrid catamaran tours or fish for Arctic char, trout, and pike. When the lake freezes in winter, you can explore by snowmobile or sleep in floating Aurora huts. On Ukonsaari Island, you can visit a former Sámi sacred site with rock formations and ceremonial grounds.
Sámi Culture and Museums
At the Siida Museum, you'll find exhibits about Arctic wildlife and Sámi culture, including traditional clothing, tools, and photographs. The Sajos Cultural Center houses the Sámi Parliament of Finland and hosts weekly craft workshops, film screenings, and music performances. You can learn about reindeer herding practices and watch demonstrations of traditional yoik singing.
Wilderness Areas and Hiking
Two national parks and six wilderness areas lie within the municipality. The Inari Hiking Area has 30 kilometers of marked trails, from 2-kilometer nature paths to 12-kilometer challenging routes. A 3-kilometer trail leads to Otsamo fell's summit at 418 meters, where you can see lakes Inarijärvi and Muddusjärvi from the viewing platform.
Seasonal Activities
Summer activities include 3-hour lake cruises, hiking, and guided fishing trips. In autumn, you can pick cloudberries, lingonberries, and mushrooms in the forests. Winter activities include reindeer sledding, dog sledding on 5-to-15-kilometer trails, and 50 kilometers of maintained cross-country ski tracks. Local Sámi families lead many of these activities, sharing their knowledge of the land.
Local Food and Agriculture
Local families herd approximately 7,000 reindeer in the Inari area. The cold climate and clean environment shape local dishes made with freshwater fish, wild berries, and reindeer meat. By River Juutua's rapids, Restaurant Aanaar serves traditional dishes like smoked whitefish and cloudberry desserts using ingredients from nearby forests and waters.
