Inari · Finnish Lapland
Inari & Ivalo
The cultural hub of the Sámi people of Finland.
- Airport
- Ivalo (IVL), about 50 km
- From Helsinki
- about 1 h 40 by air
- Position
- 68°54′ N
- From Rovaniemi
- 330 km by road
- Lake Inari
- more than 3,000 islands
- Official languages
- four
The place
What Inari and Ivalo are actually like
Inari is widely known as the cultural hub of the Indigenous Sámi people of Finland. Inari has the Sámi Parliament of Finland, which sits inside a beautiful building called Sajos. Here leaders meet to make important decisions for the Sámi people. Inari is the only municipality in Finland with four official languages: Finnish, North Sámi, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi.
The only municipality in Finland with four official languages, three of them Sámi.
Inari is located nearly 330 kilometres from Rovaniemi, in the far north of Finnish Lapland. It is the largest municipality in Finland by area, covering over 17,000 square kilometres, but only 7,000 people live here. Finland’s third largest lake, Lake Inari, is here. The lake has more than 3,000 islands and is so big that local people call it the ‘Sámi Sea’.
Apart from its rich culture, Inari is a magical place to experience the spectacles of nature. In winter the lake freezes completely into thick ice. Tourists can ride husky sleds on it and see the northern lights in the dark sky. In summer the sun never sets for about two months, from late May to late July. Inari is the perfect place to enjoy, relax and hear the music of silence.
What you do
What to do in Inari and Ivalo
Most trips here mix the wilderness with Sámi culture. Book safaris early for December and February.
Where to sleep
101 places, in five kinds
Every place to stay in Inari village, Ivalo and around, ranked so a strong score from hundreds of guests beats a perfect one from a single review.
Hotels & lodges
18 places · from €78 a night
Reception, breakfast, a restaurant that stays open in the dark. Resorts, lodges and guest houses too.
Pictured: Wilderness Hotel Inari & Igloos · 9.2
See all
Apartments
22 places · from €147 a night
Your own kitchen and washing machine, in the village or close to the slopes.
Pictured: Apartment Neitamo44 · 9.9
See all
Cabins & holiday homes
57 places · from €80 a night
Log walls, a stove, a sauna. Villas and chalets count here too. The Lapland stay.
Pictured: LapinTintti Eco-Cabin in Inari · 9.8
See all
Glass igloos & aurora cabins
5 places · from €484 a night
A glass roof over the bed. Most are booked out for December and February months ahead.
Pictured: Aurora Village Ivalo · 9.0
See all
Budget & unusual
4 places · from €89 a night
Hostels, campsites, holiday parks, homestays. Fewer of them, cheaper, and often the better story.
Pictured: Lake Inari Mobile Cabins · 9.8
See allGetting here
Four ways to Inari and Ivalo
Fly to Ivalo
Ivalo airport is a short drive from Ivalo and about 50 km, 40 to 50 minutes, from Inari village, with flights from Helsinki all year.
Search flights
By train
The usual station is Rovaniemi. From there it is a long road north, by coach, our taxi or a hire car.
Times and tickets
By bus
Coaches run north from Rovaniemi through Saariselkä and Ivalo to Inari.
Times and tickets
Driving yourself
Winter tyres are the law from November, and we would not recommend driving unless you have driven on ice before.
Rent a car
Taxi from Rovaniemi · our own car
From Rovaniemi airport
to Inari, door to door
Landing in Rovaniemi? We drive the 330 km to Inari for you. Type your arrival and your address here: the fare shows straight away, and you book it in the same box.
- We watch the flight
- Give us the number and a late plane costs you nothing.
- Straight to the door
- Your cabin or hotel in Inari, not a bus stop.
- Up to eight people and the bags
- Six with a suitcase each. Child seats and skis if you say so in the booking.
When to come
When to go to Inari
A long, dark winter, a bright spring on deep snow, and a summer when the sun does not set.
Winter
December to March
Polar night around midwinter, long aurora nights and, in January, the Skábmagovat indigenous film festival in Inari village.
Spring
April to May
Long bright days on deep snow: the best time to cross the lake ice and ski the fells.
Summer
June to August
The midnight sun over Lake Inari, boat trips to the islands and the trail to the old wilderness church.
Autumn
September to November
Ruska colours the fells in September, and the aurora returns before the lake freezes.
The sky tonight
Northern lights, honestly
Activity peaks near Kp 5.3 around 03:00, clearest 01:00–03:00 (29% cloud).
Kp now
2.00
live, every minute
Peak tonight
5.3
around 03:00
Cloud
57%
while dark
Dark
20:00–04:00
in Inari & Ivalo tonight
Sun 11:33 Finnish time. Every number is read from NOAA and MET Norway and refreshes on its own.
Where to eat
Five places to eat in Inari
Our picks. A name opens the restaurant's own site, where the hours and menus live.
Restaurant AanaarInari villageSaarikoskentie 2, 99870 InariWebsite
Restaurant UkkoAt Wilderness Hotel InariInarintie 2, 99870 InariWebsite
Restaurant AuroraAt Hotel InariInarintie 40, 99870 InariWebsite
Ravintola SarritInside the Siida museumInarintie 46, 99870 InariWebsite
ScanBurger InariInside the Neste station, Inari villageMenesjärventie 1, 99870 InariWebsitePlaces to visit
Places to visit in and around Inari
Six places, from the Sámi museum in the village to a sacred island in the lake and the largest national park in Finland.
Siida, Sámi Museum and Nature CentreMuseumSiida is a famous indoor and outdoor museum in Inari, an hour by car from Saariselkä. It displays the rich history and culture of the Indigenous Sámi people.
Sajos Sámi Cultural CentreCultureIt is a beautiful modern wooden building shaped like a traditional Sámi craft. It houses the official Sámi Parliament of Finland and often hosts local cultural and music concerts.
Ukko’s island (Ukonkivi)Lake InariUkko’s island, also known as Ukonsaari, is a steep, rocky island in the western part of Lake Inari, about 11 kilometres from the village. It is an ancient and highly sacred place of worship and sacrifice for the Indigenous Sámi people.
Jäniskoski RapidsNatureIt is located along the scenic Juutua nature trail just outside the village. The rushing river with its spectacular hanging bridge makes the whole place magical.
Nellim VillageVillageNellim is a small and peaceful village near the Russian border. It is on the edge of Lake Inari and is known as the place where three cultures live together: Finnish, Inari Sámi and Skolt Sámi.
Lemmenjoki National ParkDay tripFinland’s largest national park, in the south-west of Inari municipality. It is also known as a paradise for hikers. It is famous for its beautiful river valley, huge pine forests and a fascinating history of gold panning.Before you come
The things nobody tells you
The first three are worth sorting out before you fly. The rest you only need to know.
Travel insuranceBook before you flyValid worldwide, for citizens of any country, at any age from 0 to 100.Check your cover
Phone and dataBook before you flyEU and EEA phones roam free here. From further away, or on a plan without EU roaming, an eSIM usually costs less.Get an eSIM
Renting warm clothesLutontie 3, 99830 SaariselkäComplete sets: insulated outerwear, winter boots, mittens and the accessories, picked for real Lapland conditions. Rent them here instead of packing a parka you will wear four times.
See the sets
What the cold meansMinus 20 degrees is normal from January to March. From the middle of January to the middle of February some winters go to minus 30. Wool next to the skin, then a warm layer, then a windproof one, and the cold is beaten. With the proper clothes, enjoy the beauty of the winter.
MoneyYou do not need to bring cash. Cards are accepted everywhere, including the taxi, the restaurants and the market stalls.
EmergencyCall 112 from any phone. You can speak English.
TippingTipping is welcome but not required. It is always encouraging to give something extra when the service was good, the taxi included.
Reindeer on the roadEvery reindeer here is domesticated and belongs to someone. In many cases they will not move for a car. If you meet them on the road, sound the horn to move them off, or drive slowly past. If you hit one, call 112 for help.
Questions
What people ask about Inari & Ivalo
01
How cold does Inari get in winter, and what should I wear?
In winter the average temperature in Inari is about −12 °C (10 °F), with nights around −17 °C (1 °F), but it can drop to −35 °C (−31 °F). But the air of Finnish Lapland is very dry, so the cold does not feel as biting as damp coastal winter weather. To stay comfortable during outdoor activities, wear several warm layers. You can rent winter clothes here.
02
Is Inari better than Saariselkä for seeing the northern lights?
Inari is a better place to see the northern lights because it is a small village with less artificial light. You can simply walk to the dark lakeshore in minutes and see the lights. You can check the current aurora forecast on our dedicated northern lights page.
03
Can you cross Lake Inari in winter?
Yes. Lake Inari freezes completely from November until early June. The ice becomes incredibly thick and perfectly safe for winter adventures like husky sledding and snowmobiling.
04
Can I visit Inari without renting a car?
Yes, you can come without a car: from Ivalo airport (IVL) by bus or by taxi. A car makes it easier to move around, but we do not recommend driving in snowy or icy conditions if you do not have long experience of driving in them.
05
Does Inari have its own airport?
No. The closest airport is Ivalo Airport (IVL). Inari is only about 50 kilometres, a 40 to 50 minute drive, from Ivalo airport.
06
Can you visit both Saariselkä and Inari in one day trip?
Yes, you can. Saariselkä and Inari are only 70 kilometres apart, about a 50 to 60 minute drive. So you can stay in one village and plan a wonderful day tour to explore the other.
07
Is Inari too touristy or crowded?
Not at all. Inari village is very small, with around 500 to 1,000 people living here. It is a peaceful, uncrowded and quiet destination where you can experience authentic Finnish Lapland.
08
Can tourists visit Ukko’s island (Ukonkivi)?
Ukko’s island, also known as Ukonsaari, is a steep, rocky island in the western part of Lake Inari, about 11 kilometres from the village. It is an ancient and highly sacred place of worship and sacrifice for the Indigenous Sámi people. Nobody lands on the island any more: out of respect for the sacred site, Metsähallitus removed the stairs and the pier in 2021. You can see it from the water on a guided boat tour in summer, or from the ice on a guided snowmobile tour in winter, and must show deep respect.
Guest scores come from the booking sites the places are listed on. Aurora and weather come from NOAA and MET Norway and refresh on their own. The airport taxi is our own car at the meter tariff.