Nellim: Sámi Culture and Nature by Lake Inari

Nellim lies at the southeastern corner of Lake Inari. The lake and Arctic landscape shape the village, as does its vibrant Sámi culture. When choosing a holiday rental in Nellim, the main consideration is therefore which aspects of the destination you would like to experience: cultural encounters, wilderness activities, or the special atmosphere of clear nights.

Sámi Culture and Local Cuisine

Sámi Village offers visits to a living Sámi family homestead in the centre of Nellim. Guests can hear rare Inari Sámi songs and drum music there, and learn a few words of the Inari Sámi language. A visit thus combines music with a first introduction to the language. Nellim is a meeting place of three cultures: Finnish forestry workers later moved to the village, followed after the war by Skolt Sámi. Those interested in culture and history will find a special focus for their trip here.

Sámi Village also serves homemade Sámi specialities. The menu includes, for example, reindeer or elk meat, lake fish and Lapland potatoes, as well as fresh bread and cheese. Berries, herbs and cakes round out the selection. These ingredients and dishes give the culinary visit a distinct regional character. You can therefore combine your visit not only with music and language, but also with Sámi cuisine.

Lake, Wilderness and Winter Experiences

Its location on Lake Inari offers various ways to include the lake in your trip. Canoeing, boating and ice fishing are possible in the area around Nellim. Sámi Village also rents canoes and kayaks for exploring the surrounding wilderness. If you would rather be accompanied, you can consider the guided wilderness excursions organised by Sámi Village. This gives you a choice between different options: exploring the water independently or taking part in a guided excursion.

Winter brings another side of the village into view. The “Nellim Winter Adventure Week” programme includes a husky safari: sled dogs travel through the winter landscape and across frozen Lake Inari. The programme also includes guided snowmobile tours through the wilderness on numerous trails, as well as lunch by an open fire. These experiences are quite different from the water-based activities available in the warmer months. If you are considering a holiday rental in Nellim, you might therefore think about whether the lake, Sámi culture or winter activities like these will be the focus of your trip.

From autumn to late spring, Nellim’s clear Arctic nights and lake landscape offer good conditions for viewing and photographing the Northern Lights. Night-time and the view of the sky are central to this experience; viewing the lights can be considered a distinct focus alongside cultural visits and activities on the lake. The timber flume, a restored structure highlighted as a visitor attraction worth seeing, and the Paatsjoki Bridge are other places considered sights in Nellim.

Getting There and Choosing Your Destination

Nellim is less than an hour’s drive from Ivalo Airport. A demand-responsive minibus, a shared taxi, operates on a timetable along the Nellim–Ivalo route and is available to all passengers. Reservations must be made with the operator by 4 p.m. the day before. If you plan to travel using this service, booking in advance is therefore one of the practical details to take care of beforehand.

The choice of Nellim depends above all on the experiences you are looking for: encounters with Sámi culture and cuisine, nature and activities around Lake Inari, or winter excursions. A holiday rental in the village is a suitable option for travellers who have chosen Nellim as their destination; the available accommodation and its amenities depend on the individual listing.

Other places in this page overview: Rautuskylä, Ylläsjärvi, Napapiiri, Sirkkakoski, Pello, Kittilä, Naruska and Kaamanen.

To the main travel overview: Lapland.