Inari, Finland, is a small village with big cultural importance. It is considered the cultural capital of the Sámi people. Considered Europe’s only indigenous group, the Sámi are reindeer herders, living well above the Arctic circle. Their homelands stretch through Lapland, across the North of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. If you want to understand the rich culture of the Sámi, Inari, Finland, is a must-visit destination in Lapland.
In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know to make the most of a stay in Inari, including:
- How to nuzzle a reindeer
- Where to find the world’s best ribs
- Where to stay to enjoy the northern lights.
Where is Inari, Finland?
Inari is located in the far north of Finnish Lapland, deep inside the Arctic Circle. Confusingly, Inari is both the name of the surrounding municipality – containing various settlements – and of the village itself.
Inari village is home to around 500 people, and sits on the shores of Lake Inari, Finland’s third-largest lake. On its other sides, Inari is surrounded by thick pine forests.
Inari is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Ivalo, the nearest town with an airport. It is approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland.
Despite its small size, Inari is considered the cultural capital of Finnish Sápmi, the traditional homeland of the Sámi people, which extends across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. It is the perfect gateway to explore Sámi culture, and the beautiful wilderness of Northern Lapland.
How to Get to Inari, Finland
The closest airport to Inari is in Ivalo, just 40 kilometers away, and it has connections to various cities in Western Europe and Finland. Rovaniemi and Oulu airports are further South but have a wider choice of flights.
There is a daily bus from Oulu to Inari, via Rovaniemi. It leaves around 8am from Oulu bus station. The return bus leaves around 6am from K-Market in Inari. Check the up-to-date bus schedule to Inari.
Inari is located along Finnish National Road 4 (E75), which is one of Finland’s main highways running from Helsinki to Utsjoki, near the Norwegian border. In Winter, it is well de-iced and safe to drive with winter tires.
Best Things to Do in Inari, Finland
Inari has a bit of everything – great nature, unique cultural experiences, and a few restaurants serving traditional Lapland dishes.
Explore Lake Inari
Lake Inari is the beating heart of Inari, busy with boats in the summer and hikers and snowmobiles crossing its icy surface in winter. As the biggest lake in Sapmi, the lake has an important cultural history. Several of its 3300 islands were sacred pagan sites – although the Sami people have been mainly Christian since the 1700s. Traditionally, Sami families would move between summer houses in the fells and winter houses on the edge of the lake, where ice fishing could provide sustenance throughout the cold winters.
Visiting the lake should be top of your list whatever time of year you visit. In summer, you can take a boat trip to far away islands or rent a canoe to explore it yourself. In Winter, the lake is completely frozen from November until early June, turning it into a vast playground, ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or going on a snowmobile tour. You can rent snowshoes or skis from Visit Inari, opposite K-Market.
We went on a two-day hike across the lake, spending a night in a wilderness hut on an island. Crossing the endless expanse of white ice reminded me of the Bolivian salt flats, and it was a beautiful and disorienting experience! We saw a couple of groups of reindeer crossing the lake, too. Some of them stopped and waited for us, letting us herd them (or possibly be herded ourselves).
Hike to the Wilderness Church
Around 6 kilometres walk from the village centre is the charming Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church, a wooden building that is one of the oldest structures in Lapland, dating back to 1760. It makes for a nice day hike through the forest, or cross-country ski route in winter over the lake.
Visit the Siida Sámi Museum and Nature Center
The Siida Sami Museum is the biggest museum of Sami culture in the world, and it truly immerses you in the rich history and lifestyle of Europe’s only indigenous people. It was renovated in 2023 and awarded the European Museum of the Year Award in 2024.
You’ll learn about Sami lifestyle and traditions and the Arctic tundra that they are closely intertwined with. Outside, an 800-metre walking trail takes you through an open-air museum of Sami buildings, including houses, saunas, turf huts, and a lavvu, the traditional Sami tent, which is similar to a tipi. In winter, there is also a cinema made out of ice, with tiered seating and a big smooth block of white snow to project films onto.
The museum has a cafe, a shop selling beautiful local handicrafts, and a helpful tourist information centre.
Discover Sajos, the Sámi Parliament of Finland
Sajos is a beautiful building of wood and glass, built to reassemble the pine forests surrounding it. Inside, it is all curved lines and warm wood tones. The building houses the Sámi Parliament, a library, a Congress hall, and a crafts shop.
The Sami parliament, with its vast oval meeting chamber, was established in 1973 as a representative body for Finland’s Sámi people. It has powers over cultural and linguistic matters, education, and land use consultations. However, its decisions are only advisory, and the Finnish government retains ultimate authority.
You can visit Sajos on your own, or as part of a guided-tour, which takes place on weekdays at noon.
Experience Sámi Culture at a Reindeer Farm
Reindeer herding has been vital to the Sami people’s survival in the harsh Arctic climate for thousands of years. The animals were used for meat, their bones for tools, and their hides for staying warm.
Today, Sami families continue to raise reindeer as livestock. Most families own at least a few of the animals, for reasons that are cultural as much as economical. For most of the year, the reindeer live freely in vast grazing lands in the forests and fells of Sami.
Twice a year, the reindeer round-up takes place. In Autumn, when the animals are selected for butchering, and in Spring when they are moved to calving areas. The reindeer round-up sounds like a very chaotic affair. Some reindeer are quite tame, others less so, and the herders need to jump on their necks to get them inside the enclosures.
Meeting the big, gentle characters of our Christmas tales is a highlight of any trip to Lapland. The best way to do so is to visit a Sami family farm. Several have opened up to visitors in recent years. They provide tours that take care of the animals, and help sustain the traditional way of life of reindeer herding families.
I went to Renniina Reindeer Family, run by the friendly Kitti Raisa. Friendly, soft-snouted reindeeer ate moss out of my hand while Kitti told us about reindeer husbandry, and Sámi lifestyle today.
Discover Traditional Sámi Handicrafts and Local Cuisine
As part of a growing wave of family businesses who are taking back the narrative and presenting a more accurate view of there way of life, craft and cooking workshops have pooped up in Inari in recent years.
Renninna Reindeer Farm also organizes craft workshops, where you can make a beautiful souvenir out of reindeer leather, or help cook a traditional meal of reindeer meat and berries. At the Arctic Craft School, you can learn how to make beautiful Sami boots, with curled up toes, which are perfect for snowy weather.
If you’d rather shop for handicrafts than make them, check out the shops at Sajos and at Siida, which have many locally-made products.
See the Northern Lights in Inari
Inari is an ideal place to see the Northern Lights, as there is very little light pollution from the small village. On my first night there, I walked out onto the frozen lake and saw greenish trails in the sky.
It was beautiful, although, as often with the aurora borealis, the pictures make it look more vibrant than it is in real life! In winter, the northern lights are visible around 50% of the time on clear nights, so you have a good chance of seeing them. Get away from the center of the village by walking along the side of the lake.
You could also take a snowmobile safari to hunt for the Northern Lights – driving across the lake under the stars, chasing colors in the sky, is an atmospheric way to spend an evening!
Where to Stay in Inari, Finland
Inari village has a dozen or so accommodation options, ranging from simple rooms to boutique hotels or cabins surrounded by forest.
Hotel Inari – The Best In-House Activities
Hotel Inari, on the shores of the lake, is a popular choice. It is well-located, next to the bus station and in the centre of the village. The hotel offers boat and ski rental and even thick snow suits for its winter guests. You can enjoy the sauna, and the on-site Restaurant Aurora, which has a delicious meny of local specialities.
Wilderness Hotel Juutua – The Most Luxurious
Wilderness Hotel Juutua is short walk from the centre of the village, on the edge of the river Juutua. Its rooms have French windows opening onto forest views, giving you a feeling of being in the middle of nature while only a short walk away from the village. Some rooms have private saunas. Holiday Village Inari
Holiday Village Inari – The Best For Northern Lights
Holiday Village Inari is a great choice for those who want to see the Northern Lights. A little outside of the village, it looks onto the dark lake at night, providing perfect panoramic views of the sky. You’ll sleep in wooden cabins along the edge of the water, many of which have their own cooking facilities. There is also a lakeside sauna.
Where to Eat in Inari, Finland
Most restaurants in Inari are located in hotels.
One of the best choices is Aanaar in Wilderness Hotel Juutua, which uses local ingredients, from lichen to reindeer and fish straight from Lake Inari.
Restaurant Aurora, in Hotel Inari, has beautiful views over the lake, and a menu including local fish and roast reindeer.
The popular PaPaNa restaurant, which doubles as the village pub, serves delicious pizzas.
Are there any Supermarkets in Inari, Finland ?
Inari has two large supermarkets, Sale and K-Market, which are cheap and well-stocked. They both have camping supplies, including camping gas.
K-Market has a deli counter, which serves rotisserie chicken, lasagna and sometimes pork ribs. Several Google reviews describe them as the best in the world. While I can’t back that fact up with any evidence at all, they are certainly very tasty!
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