Why Karasjok Is the hidden gem of Norway

Many people who visit the northern tip of Norway are familiar with the many incredible things that it has to offer. However, not nearly enough people are aware of the cultural hub that is Karasjok. This municipality is the place to be for many different reasons.

No matter what you hope to experience in Norway, whether it is summer skiing or world-class Norwegian food, chances are that you will be able to locate an incredible place to do it here. Here is a little bit about what makes Karasjok the ultimate vacation destination in Northern Norway.

Massive Sami Population

With all of the hustle and bustle of today's modern life, it is sometimes nice to take a break from the fast pace of city life and step out into the laid-back countryside of Finnmark County. This is where Karasjok can be found nestled in the Southeastern region, only a couple dozen kilometers from the Finland border.

The municipality and the surrounding municipality of Kautokeino are largely populated by the Sami people. These indigenous people have spent thousands of years conquering the frigid weather of the region's Northern lands. It has resulted in them becoming masters of their environment and being able to not only successfully live there, but also create welcoming and thriving environments that persuade many tourists to come for a visit every year.

As soon as you arrive here, you will immediately notice a difference in your environment due to a variety of factors. One of which is that the vast majority of locals will likely be speaking a language that you are unfamiliar with. This is because almost 90 percent of the 3,000 population of Karasjok are able to speak Sami. Luckily, the vast majority of them are also bilingual, meaning that you should have no problem communicating with them and getting the enjoyable experience that you are hoping for.

Culture Spotlight

The Sami population are extremely proud of their heritage and are more than happy to demonstrate the beauty and importance of it to any newcomers. This means that you can wander to nearly any village in the Karasjok municipality and find something incredible to take part in. In fact, some of the best things to do in Norway can be found here.

Some of the greatest examples of this include being able to listen to the enchanting Sami chant, which is known as the joik, and being led by a team of reindeer or huskies as you get pulled up on to the mountain plains and witness the gorgeous snow-covered scenery.

Of course, there is also the option to have a bit more modern entertainment as well. For example, you can easily check out the Sami Museum, library, theme park, and a variety of other things that are all offered throughout Karasjok.

As a group of people who are well in touch with nature, the residents of Karasjok are also able to offer you the opportunity to do one of the most gorgeous activities in Norway, and the rest of the world as well. By being located so close to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, anyone staying in Karasjok is given the opportunity to see the Northern Lights like never before.

Many people take Norway vacations specifically to see the Northern Lights, so if you are going to look at this beautiful example of nature, then you should do it with the best views ever.

Thriving Reindeer Population

While you may never be able to see Santa's workshop, this is a close second. The population of Karasjok takes great pride in their close relationship with reindeer, which extends back hundreds of years. There are so many, in fact, that the population of reindeer at its highest is more than 60,000. During the fall and winter seasons, this is the equivalent of 20 reindeer for every one resident!

That is why the Sami lifestyle is so closely intertwined with the native population of reindeer. This makes Karasjok one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy the taste of a traditional reindeer stew, which is commonly known as bidos.

The best arctic experiences

Check out our exciting collection of activities in the arctic here!

Life in the arctic

Norway’s Arctic Climate

Norway’s Arctic is one of the most astounding places on the planet. From the vast untouched snowy landscape, to the breathtaking Aurora Borealis, to the unique wildlife, the Arctic is truly something incredible. Unfortunately, climate change is having a devastating impact on Arctic regions worldwide. If change doesn’t occur rapidly to repair the damage that has already been done, the results will be devastating for Arctic regions as well as the rest of the world.

Animals in the arctic

It should come as no surprise that the Arctic region is one of the toughest places on earth for wildlife to live. Humans have been able to adapt fairly well to living in this part of the world due to the ability to wear clothing and reside in heated structures throughout the majority of the winter. However, for the animals that are forced to stay outside and venture through the Norwegian fjords and other areas of the Arctic, the climate is much more inhospitable.

Mining community of Longyearbyen, Svalbard - Norway

The Arctic Circle

Sitting at Earth’s most northerly latitudes, you can think of the Arctic as the planet’s hat. The main focus of this area is, of course, the North Pole, however there is so much more to it than that. Surrounding the North Pole is the Arctic Circle which stretches out into different countries, forming a line around the top of the Earth. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating part of the world.

Aurora Safari Tromsø - Northern lights tour from Tromsø, Norway

How to have the ultimate arctic adventure

When you book a trip to somewhere adventurous like the Arctic, you want to make sure that every second of the journey is packed with as much excitement as possible. But in order to do this, you need to know a variety of things about your destination such as where to sleep, what to do, and what to eat while you are there.