Inari
Discover Inari
Inari (North Sami: Anár, Inari Sami: Aanaar, Skolt Sami: Aanar, Swedish: Enare) is a village in the municipality of the same name in Finnish Lapland, on the shore of Lake Inari. The village is an administrative and cultural centre of the Sami people in Finland (but not of the municipality itself). The lake, its surroundings and some other destinations in the municipality are also covered in this article. Because Inari is 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, there is Midnight sun from late May to late July and Polar Night from the beginning of December to middle January. The last ice within the lake disappear at the end of May. Even in July, the average day temperature is only about 17°C. Inari municipality is the largest municipality in Finland by area covering 5% of the country, stretching from the Norwegian border in the west to the Norwegian and Russian borders in the east. There are less than 7,000 inhabitants though. The municipality got road connection when the road to Petsamo – connection to the Arctic Sea – was accomplished in 1931.
What to Experience in Inari
Taste of Inari...
Not available
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Inari.
There are several dedicated shops selling souvenirs and local handicrafts along the main road (Inarintie, E75). If buying Sami related products always check that they have Sámi duodji certificate of authenticity! Going out boating or on the trails, right to access applies, except minor protected areas (and of course private yards etc.). There are campfire sites along the trails (not to be used during wildfire warnings). There are open wilderness huts on some islands in the lake, and in the wilderness areas. There are also wilderness huts for rent. Camping by open wilderness huts or campfire places is to be preferred over wild camping, where reasonable. Yards of rental huts are to be treated as yards of private homes. Mobile phones should work well in the village and along the main roads, but in the wilderness there are large areas with spotty coverage.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe nearest airport is in Ivalo. By car, the easiest way to get here from southern Finland is by car/sleeper train to Rovaniemi. Inari lies along road E75, but it's over 15 hours by bus from Helsinki. There is one border crossing from Norway in the municipality, in Näätämö, and one from Russia: Raja-Jooseppi, with junction on E75 in Ivalo. Neighbouring Utsjoki has three more from Norway. From Norway, crossing the border anywhere is allowed, except at the border zone to Russia. There is a trail across the border from the backcountry of Kirkenes to Kessi, with road to Nellim. Coaches from or via Rovaniemi pass Inari on their way to Utsjoki, Vadsø, Nordkapp or Kirkenes. You can observe the northern lights dancing across the dark sky between September and March, during your night walk if the sky is clear. Lake Inari is ideal for fishing, canoeing/kayaking and boating: you are mostly alone and maybe won't meet any person for weeks....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You can observe the northern lights dancing across the dark sky between September and March, during your night walk if the sky is clear. Lake Inari is ideal for fishing, canoeing/kayaking and boating: you are mostly alone and maybe won't meet any person for weeks. The landscape is very nice because of the islands, but prepare for lots of mosquitoes. There are a number of open wilderness huts, lapp pole tents, and cabins for rent on the islands. For boating you need the Lake Inarijärvi yachting chart (Inarijärven veneilykartta; chart no 480). Canoes and bikes can be rented from the shop next to Hotel Inari. There are "sea kayaking" routes on the lake, and the Juutuanjoki for those preferring whitewater (but the Jäniskoski rapids have to be portaged; a memorial by the shore for one who thought he'll manage but drowned as he thought he had made it a little too early).
Where to Stay
Going out boating or on the trails, right to access applies, except minor protected areas (and of course private yards etc.). There are campfire sites along the trails (not to be used during wildfire warnings). There are open wilderness huts on some islands in the lake, and in the wilderness areas. There are also wilderness huts for rent. Camping by open wilderness huts or campfire places is to be preferred over wild camping, where reasonable. Yards of rental huts are to be treated as yards of private homes. Mobile phones should work well in the village and along the main roads, but in the wilderness there are large areas with spotty coverage.
Money & Budget
There are several dedicated shops selling souvenirs and local handicrafts along the main road (Inarintie, E75). If buying Sami related products always check that they have Sámi duodji certificate of authenticity! Going out boating or on the trails, right to access applies, except minor protected areas (and of course private yards etc.). There are campfire sites along the trails (not to be used during wildfire warnings). There are open wilderness huts on some islands in the lake, and in the wilderness areas. There are also wilderness huts for rent. Camping by open wilderness huts or campfire places is to be preferred over wild camping, where reasonable. Yards of rental huts are to be treated as yards of private homes.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Inari
Suspension bridge over the Jäniskoski rapids, reachable by the Juutua Nature Trail in Finnish Lapland
aerial view of snow covered trees during daytime
Wooden Wall
white and black houses on snow covered ground during daytime
Skiing off-track in wilderness. Morganmaras fell in Lemmenjoki National Park.
Hikers in Lapland.
Lemmenjoki scene during winter
trees on field covered with snow during Aurora Borealis Phenomenon
Under the Northern Lights
green leaf trees under aurora lights during nighttime
Suspension bridge over the Jäniskoski rapids, reachable by the Juutua Nature Trail in Finnish Lapland
aerial view of snow covered trees during daytime
Wooden Wall