Utsjoki

The municipality is very sparsely populated, with large wilderness areas . Virtually all the population have their homes in the valleys of river Teno and river Utsjoki and therefore most of the municipality is uninhabited, used as reindeer pasture and foraging and hunting grounds. Actually the population is concentrated into three villages: Utsjoki, Karigasniemi and Nuorgam. About half the population is Sámi; Utsjoki is the only municipality in Finland having a Sámi-speaking majority. Border trade with Norway is the most important source of income.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Ivalo (170 km), Kittilä (320 km) and Rovaniemi (450 km) in Finland, and Lakselv (190 km) and Kirkenes (190 km) in Norway. Ivalo has daily connections to Helsinki.

By Train

There is no railway to Utsjoki. The nearest railway stations are in Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi.

By Car / Road

The normal way to get to Utsjoki is using the roads; either driving or travelling with the bus. Snowmobile routes and hiking trails provide alternatives for the more adventurous. Remember that distances are huge.

The European routes E6 and E75 meet across the border in Norway. The former travels through Norway all the way from Halden in the south to Kirkenes in the east, the latter runs through Finland via Rovaniemi, Ivalo and Inari to Utsjoki and across the bridge to Norway.

There are daily coaches from Rovaniemi via Ivalo, Kaamanen, Utsjoki and Nuorgam to Tana Bru. A ticket costs about €30 from Ivalo and €83 from Rovaniemi. There are also daily minibuses from Karasjok and Varangerbotn.

The village itself is small, but it is stretched out along the rivers, such that you have to like walking and have some time to manage without vehicles (6 km from the tourist information to the church).

You can use daily long distance coach services from Rovaniemi for destinations along E75 and possibly school buses along the other roads. Taxis are probably the most practical solution for anything farther than you want to walk.

The panorama of the Teno River .

The Sámi Bridge

( Sámi šaldi ).

The bridge over the Teno river was built in 1993. Before that the river was crossed by boat. Crossing the border to Norway you need to carry travel documents with you (and contact customs if you have something to declare) even though there is no active passport control.

( updated Aug 2019 )

Salmon fishing in the Teno river, the most important salmon river in Europe. As in salmon rivers elsewhere, this requires an easy to buy special permit in addition to the national fishing management fee. Check the procedures for disinfecting your fishing equipment. Note Norwegian requirements if crossing the border, even if not landing.

Restaurant Deatnu, Ellintie 25, +358 400 948 210. Weekdays 11:00–22:00, weekend 16:00–22:00. Hotel and cottage restaurant by the Teno river.

Annukan Grilli, Ringi 29, +358 40 760 2260. Normally 15:00–22:00, summer 10:00–02:00. Hamburgers (including reindeer burger), reindeer kebab, and reindeer stew.

Pub Rastigaisa, Utsjoentie 4, +358 40 700 8154. M–Th 07:00–22:00, F 07:00–02:00, Sa 13:00–02:00, Su 13:00–22:00. The only pub in the main village. Karaoke. Lunch 11:00–16:00. Pizzas in the evening.

Pub Rastigaisa (see Eat) serves as the main watering hole in Utsjoki, with karaoke and a local atmosphere. At Giisá village house you can also get coffee and light refreshments.

Hotel Pohjan Tuli, Hietaniementie 40 (6 km south from centre), +358 40-416-9993. Hotel by lake Mantojärvi. €75.

Hotel Utsjoki, Luossatie 4 (in the centre), +358 40-418-1462. A legendary hotel that re-opened in 2019. Approx €100.

Holiday Village Valle and Hotel Deatnu, Ellintie 25 (2.5 km upstream), +358 400-948-210. Hotel and 4-person cabins by Teno. Restaurant. Fat bikes and kayaks for rent.

Camping Lapinkylä (300 m south from centre), +358 40-559-1542. Open June–September. Café. Fishing trips, licences, boat rental. Cabin €50–70, caravan €20, tent €12.

People coming from the Norwegian side of the border usually head for the Alko store in Nuorgam to buy liquor, because it's far cheaper than in Norway. Tourists from elsewhere will most probably find some souvenirs more interesting.

Uulan Säästö ,

Utsjoentie 1 ,

+358 16 677 105 .

daily 09:00-20:00 .

The only grocery store around is actually quite large and sells about anything from screws to fresh meat. Fishing permits. Mail service. Some drugs. Alko pick-up point. Gasoline.

( updated Aug 2019 )

Šiella ,

Utsjoentie 9 ,

+358 40 822 8889 ,

[email protected] .

Sámi handicrafts.

( updated Aug 2019 )

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