Places to stay and things to do in Nordheimsund

Kautokeino, or Guovdageaidnu, as it is called in Northern Sami, is located to the west of the Finnmark plateau, approximately halfway between Alta in the north, Karasjok in the east and the Finnish border in the south. 

Whether you want to explore the northern Norwegian nature, find tranquillity on the plateau or experience Sami culture and tradition, Kautokeino is the place. There are also excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights, go bird watching or try your luck at fishing – or you can ride in a reindeer sled, test your skills on an ATV or join a snowmobile trip. 

Just remember to dress properly! Kautokeino’s seasons are varied and even though summer can be nice and warm, King Winter tends to offer many cold degrees – in fact, the temperature has crept to below 50 degrees here.

Attractions and places to see

Juhls Silver Gallery

Juhls Sølvsmie has been part of Kautokeino since 1959, and is a natural stop when you visit the site. Here you get a glimpse into the Juhl family’s work with everything from traditional cofte silver to contemporary jewellery inspired by the northern nature. There is free entrance and a guided tour, and in the gallery you can buy a piece of jewellery as a souvenir from Finnmark.

Kautokeino Bygdetun

By the Kautokeino river lies Kautokeino bygdetun, an open-air museum that shows how life in the area was around 100 years ago. Here you can see traditional buildings, peathouses and exhibitions of Sami art and tools. Bygdetunet is part of the RiddoDuottarMuseum and offers a good insight into local history and culture.

Sami Easter Festival

If you want to experience Kautokeino when it’s really buzzing with life, you should head here for Easter. The Sami Easter Festival offers concerts, markets, art exhibitions and competitions such as lasso throwing and reindeer races. You can also join the Sámi Grand Prix. The festival attracts many visitors, so it’s worth booking your stay well in advance.

SPEED AND EXCITEMENT

Snowmobile tour with lasso throwing

Are you tempted to zoom across the vast expanses on a snowmobile, where you get close to the raw northern Norwegian nature? Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of honing your lasso-throwing skills? The tour starts from the hotel, lasts about four hours and is normally held from January to May. You can borrow warm clothes and during the tour you stop at a lavvo (Sami tent) for some traditional entertainment and a refill of food and drink. And of course there is a prize for the winner of the lasso competition!  

Full speed with reindeer and sleigh

Want to challenge your extended family, group of friends or colleagues to a competition? In the Sokki Adventure reindeer camp you can enjoy lasso-throwing and riding with reindeer and sleighs or skis. After action-packed activities, your body may need a little refill? Then head into the lavvo (Sami tent), where traditional Sami food is served and entertainment is provided. 

ATV safari across the Finnmarkvidda plateau

Join Hættas opplevelser on an eventful ride on a quad bike from Kautokeino city centre to the lavvo in Naibešjávri. The tour starts with instruction and distribution of safety equipment, before an approximately mile long journey across the plateau awaits. Once in the lavvo, traditional Sami food will be served along with storytelling and joik (traditional form of song) and if you want, you can try your luck at fishing for char or trout. Or maybe you’d like to challenge someone in lasso-throwing? If there are ripe cloudberries, a taste of the plateau's gold also awaits! The tour normally takes place from June to September. Guaranteed a fast-paced and exciting experience for both young and old!

Climate and nature

Chasing the Northern Lights

Finnmarksvidda has a cold and dry winter climate that offers good opportunities to see the Northern Lights. You can join a northern lights safari with a snowmobile and drive into the great outdoors in search of the green light. Warm clothes are included, and there will be a stop for coffee and something to bite in along the way. The season usually lasts from December to May.

Try your luck at fishing

With around 10,000 fishing waters in the area, the chances of catching are good. From December to May, ice fishing trips are arranged to Suohapatjavri, a popular fishing lake in Kautokeino. Here, fishing is combined with a campfire, coffee and a small competition for those who want to.

Go on an excursion with a local guide

If you want to find the best fishing lakes, good hunting areas or cranberries when they are ripe, you can join a local guide. Sápmi Adventures customises tours to suit your needs - from day trips to overnight stays in a class of its own. Summer is best for fishing, autumn for hunting, and late summer for mulberries.

Riverboat safari

Kautokeino offers good conditions for fishing in both water and river. Together with Sápmi Adventures, you can go fishing for trout, herring and hawk, or go on a river boat safari up the Kautokeino river with a fishing stop along the way. At the fishing camp you can cook and relax in traditional surroundings. The season runs from June to September.

Group activities

Snowmobile tour with lasso throwing

Join Sápmi Adventures on a snowmobile tour across Finnmarksvidda. The tour starts from the hotel, lasts about four hours and is normally held from January to May. You can borrow warm clothes, and on the way there are stops in the lavvo with food, drinks and entertainment. There will also be a lasso competition with a prize for the best hit.

Full speed with reindeer and sleigh

Gather family, friends or colleagues for an active day in the reindeer family room. Here you can try lasso throwing and ride reindeer and sleigh or ski behind the reindeer. Afterwards, traditional Sami food and entertainment awaits in the lavvo. A social experience with both speed and community.

ATV safari across the Finnmarkvidda plateau

From June to September, you can join Sápmi Adventures on an ATV safari from the centre of Kautokeino to Naibešjávri. The tour starts with instruction and distribution of safety equipment, before an approximately mile long journey across the plateau awaits. Traditional Sami food is served in the lavvo, and you can hear stories and joik. There will also be opportunities for fishing, lasso throwing and, when the season is right, a taste of mulberry.

Chasing the Northern Lights

Winter in Kautokeino offers good chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Together with Sápmi Adventures, you can join a northern lights safari with a snowmobile into the great outdoors. Warm clothes are included and coffee and sweets are served along the way. The trips normally run from December to May and provide an experience you won't forget.

Try your luck at fishing

Ice fishing combines calm, excitement and a little patience. There are around 10,000 fishing lakes in Kautokeino, so the possibilities are many. From December to May, Sápmi Adventures organises a trip to Suohapatjavri, a popular fishing water in the area. There will be a campfire, coffee and something to bite into and a small competition for those who want to test their fishing happiness.

Go on an excursion with a local guide

If you want to find the best fishing spots, good hunting areas or molluscs when they are mature, you can join a local guide. Sápmi Adventures customises tours to suit your needs, whether you want to go on a day trip or stay overnight in a class of its own. Summer is best for fishing, autumn for hunting and late summer for mulberries.

Riverboat safari

With lots of fishing waters and good rivers, Kautokeino is a great place to fish. Together with Sápmi Adventures, you can go fishing for trout, herring and hawk, or go on a river boat safari up the Kautokeino river with a fishing stop along the way. At the fishing camp you can cook and relax in traditional surroundings. The season runs from June to September.

When you stay at Thon Hotel Kautokeino you can combine your stay with a number of unforgettable activities. We are happy to help if you have any questions or want to arrange trips.