Inari

Sami heartland, a vast wilderness lake and pure aurora skies

Browse Inari

Find hotels in Inari Book tours & experiences

Inari is the cultural heart of the Finnish Sami, a tiny village on the shore of the great Lake Inari deep in Arctic Lapland, home to the excellent Siida museum and some of the clearest northern-lights skies in Europe. Our local picks run from the lake and the wilderness church to reindeer and cloudberries. Filter by category and budget below to plan your visit.

Inari at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: February to March and September to October for the aurora
Highlights: Lake Inari, the Siida Sami museum and the aurora
Where to stay: the village of Inari or nearby Saariselka
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: a car is essential this far north

Where to stay in Inari

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Inari

Pielpajarvi Wilderness Church

★ 4.7

Inari village (riverside)

Restaurant Aanaar

Why it matters: chef and second-generation owner Heikki Nikula is Indigenous Sami on his father’s side, and Aanaar – the Inari Sami word for Inari – is his tribute to the region’s food culture. The kitchen leans on whole-animal reindeer, Lake Inari fish, lichen and foraged Arctic herbs, almost all sourced within about 300 kilometres. It has been named Finland’s Restaurant of the Year and regularly ranks among the country’s best tables, yet sits quietly beside the Juutua rapids. Tip: book the tasting menu well ahead – the dining room is small and fills fast in season.

★ 4.8

$$$

Inari

Sajos Sami Cultural Centre

★ 4.5

Inari

Sami Culture & Reindeer Tour

★ 4.7

$$$

Inari

Sami Handicraft Shop

★ 4.6

Inari

Sarrit Cafe-Restaurant

★ 4.4

Inari

Siida – Sami Museum

★ 4.7

Inari village

Siida – The Sami Museum and Nature Centre

Why it matters: opened in 1963 as the first independent Sami museum in the Nordic countries, Siida is run by the non-profit Sami Museum Foundation and tells the story of Europe’s only Indigenous people in their own voice. Its permanent exhibition ‘These Lands Are Our Children’, reopened in 2022, braids Sami history together with the subarctic nature of Inari along a single winding path. Give yourself a couple of hours, then head outside to the open-air museum, where traditional Sami buildings are scattered through the pine forest. Tip: the on-site cafe and Siida Shop stock genuine duodji and hard-to-find Sami books.

Ukko (Ukonsaari Island)

Ukko — the island of Ukonsaari rising from the waters of Lake Inari — is one of the most sacred sites in all of Sámi Lapland. This dramatic rocky islet, visible for…

Inari

Villa Lanca

★ 4.5

Nangu

Wilderness Hotel Inari

★ 4.6

$$$

Before you go

Things we recommend sorting before any trip. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing's Nomad Insurance works like a subscription: pay by the month, cover in most countries worldwide, and you can sign up even after your trip has started.Check prices on SafetyWing

Data the moment you landAn Airalo eSIM gets your phone online in 200+ destinations before you even leave the airport - no SIM swap, no surprise roaming bill. Use code UNLIMITED4YOU for 15% off your first Unlimited eSIM (through Sept 30, 2026).Get an eSIM on Airalo

Book your trip to Inari

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Inari Book tours and experiences

Inari travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Inari?

Two to three days lets you visit the Siida museum, get out on Lake Inari and spend clear nights watching for the northern lights.

Where is the best area to stay in Inari?

The village of Inari is closest to the lake and museum, while Saariselka nearby offers more resorts and activities.

What are the best things to do in Inari?

Browse the local picks above, from the Siida Sami museum and a boat on Lake Inari to a wilderness church, husky trips and aurora watching.

What is the best time to visit Inari?

The dark, snowy winter is best for the aurora and husky safaris; late summer and autumn bring hiking and autumn colours.