Sami Parliament and Karasjok

Karasjok, on the Finnmark plateau, is the cultural capital of the Norwegian Sami, home to the Sami Parliament in its striking timber building shaped like a lavvu tent, and to the RiddoDuottarMuseat with its collection of Sami art and history. It is the heart of reindeer-herding country and Sami self-government.

What you'll find

• The Sami Parliament - the timber assembly building, open for guided tours.
• The Sami museum - Sami culture, art and history on the plateau.
• Reindeer country - the herding landscape and, in season, the animals.
• Sami crafts - duodji, the traditional handicraft, in shops and the museum.

When to go

Summer for easy travel, tours and the midnight sun; winter for reindeer, snow and aurora, though the cold is severe. Check parliament tour times before visiting.

Things to know

It is deep in the far north, a long journey to a small plateau town, so it suits those genuinely interested in Sami culture. The parliament is a working assembly, so tours run to a schedule. The living Sami culture deserves respect rather than being treated as spectacle.

Nearby

The Finnmark plateau and its reindeer spread around; the Tana river and the Finnish border are close.