Lake Inari
A vast, cold, island-strewn lake sacred to the Sami in the far north - with a holy island and the cultural heart of Finnish Sapmi on its shore.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Inari is the third-largest lake in Finland, a huge, cold expanse scattered with thousands of islands in the far north, held sacred by the Sami people. On its shore sits the village of Inari, the cultural capital of Finnish Sapmi, and out on the water lies Ukonkivi, a holy island of the old Sami religion.
What you actually see
- Ukonkivi holy island - the sacred island of the Sami, reached by summer boat.
- The island-strewn lake - vast cold water dotted with more than three thousand islands.
- Inari village and Siida - the Sami cultural centre and museum on the shore.
- Winter ice and aurora - the frozen lake under the northern lights.
When to go
Summer for boat trips to the holy island and the midnight sun; winter for ice, snow and aurora. Spring and autumn are transitional and quieter.
Honest expectations
It is a huge, wild lake in the far north, so its scale is best felt from a boat or the shore rather than a roadside glance. The water is cold even in summer. The Sami culture around it is living and deserves respect, not spectacle.
Nearby
The Siida Sami museum is in Inari village; Lemmenjoki and Urho Kekkonen parks lie to the south and west.
What to pack for Lake Inari
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
