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Municipality in Finnmark, Norway
Photo: Gálaniitoluodda, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kautokeino (Northern Sámi: Guovdageaidnu) is a town and municipality in Finnmark, northern Norway. It is situated on Finnmarksvidda, the inland plateau. The municipality has a 90% Sámi majority.
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Kautokeino bygdetun
Sámi museum indoors and outdoor museum showing the old Kautokeino village.
Church from 1958 built in old style. The old church was burnt by the German in 1944.
Astonishing large exhibition, mirroring the interests of the owners: Lapish and Nordic design and handicraft is mixed with oriental goods and interior design. The silver jewellery made here, nice as it is, occupies just a modest section. Nice view over Kautokeino. Café.
Beaivváš Sámi Našunálateáhter
Professional theatre with Sami as stage language. Tours in all of Sápmi, and also tours for promoting Sámi culture internationally, are an important part of the mission.
Fish in some of the thousand lakes. You need a fishing permit. Equipment, also boots etc., must be disinfected or thoroughly dried before use in new waters, because of the salmon plague. Check also other rules.
Few tracks but wonderful landscape. Have a guide unless you know what you are doing.
The snowmobile was the invention that allowed Sámi to live in one place and still look after the reindeer. It is extensively used by locals. A snowmobile tour can be combined with learning about Sámi life, trying the Sámi lasso, visiting a lávvu and eating traditional Sámi food.
Two points of the – among the more challenging points of the arc to visit – are in Kautokeino.
Festival with exhibitions, races, ice fishing, film and music festivals, concerts etc. The Easter has been an important time, the last chance to gather with friends before it is time to move the reindeer to the calving grounds.
Sámi Musihkkafestivála
Song and joik (traditional Sámi singing) competition, usually with artists from Norway, Sweden and Finland. The winner is sent to Liet-Lávlut, a music competition for European minority languages.
Proper hotel.
Camping area; also rooms and cottages.
Camping ground by Unna Buletjávrráš. Trailhead for Nordkalottleden.
Ráisjávri
Statskog cabin, half of which for rent, the other half for Fjelltjenesten staff. Electricity, refrigerator, beds for 6 persons. Outhouse privy, water from the lake. Distance from road 3 km (not maintained in winter; 40 km from Kautokeino by car). Advance booking necessary. Check key arrangement.
Wild camping possible out of town for those so inclined, according to the right to access.
Started as shop for Sámi handicraft material. Now also all kinds of finished products, such as toys, boots, knives, guksi, shawls, jewellery and gift items.
Silver jewellery
Kautokeino is on E45, here coinciding with road 93 between Alta (130 km) on the coast and Hetta (80 km) in Enontekiö, Finland.
Read in the guideBus transport is sparse, so a car is useful. Taxi is the main option for many destinations outside of the town. There is also a network of snowmobile routes (look for "skuterláhtut").
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Enontekio · Regional · ENF
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