Population 2500 / 69.2 degrees north

Karasjok, Norway

Karasjok is the main centre for Sami culture in Norway with the Sami parliament being located here. Karasjok is also located on the border of Norway’s largest contiguous wilderness area, the Finnmarksvidda Plateau. 

Fun Facts About Karasjok

Latitude: 69.2 degrees north

Population: 2,584

Sami Name: Kárášjoga

Hottest Month: August

Coldest Month: February

Wettest Month: October

Windiest Month: January

Annual Precipitation: 499mm

Karasjok Municipality

In this Travel Guide...

Things to See & Do

Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Karasjok

The Sami Collections

The Sami Collections is the main museum for Sami art, culture and history. About 5,000 objects are preserved here. 

Karasjok Guides

Find guides to Karasjok on our online store. 

Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences

Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!

Sapmi Park

This is kind of like Disney Land for Sami culture. There’s a theatre, cabins for rent, cafes, and a glass-blowing workshop. 

Engholm's Husky

Engholm’s Husky offers winter dog-sledding tours. 

Ravdol Reindeer Herding

This Sami run venture is a great way of learning about Sami culture and reindeer husbandry. The experience is run by Mikkel Eira, a reindeer herder. 

Coffee the Sami Way

On this private tour, you’ll visit a lavvu and sit and have coffee with the Sami people, discussing their culture and way of life. 

Feed some reindeer

Join this tour to go our to a reindeer farm and feed them while learning about reindeer culture. 

Reindeer Calving Experience

This tour is only available in May when the reindeer are born, but this incredible experience takes you with the Sami to watch the reindeer being born. 

Road-Trips

Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Karasjok

Lakselv to Kirkenes on the E6

This is the last stretch of the E6 in Norway! It passed through Karasjok. 

Self-Guided Walks

No self-guided walks are currently available for Karasjok

Karasjok on YouTube

Watch my YouTube videos featuring Karasjok

Lakselv to Utsjoki

In September 2023 I took myself on a road-trip around Finnmark. The drive from Lakselv to Utsjoki on the E6 includes going through Karasjok at around the halfway mark. 

Uniquely Karasjok

Here are some things that you must do and try in Karasjok

Sami Parliament

The Sami Parliament is Norway’s representative body for preserving and protecting Sami culture. 

History of Karasjok

Karasjok grew out of an old winter camp. 

Karasjok Today

The important industries here are reindeer husbandry and agriculture, as well as outdoor industries like hunting and fishing. Administration and public services are also important to the community.

Around 80% of the inhabitants of Karasjok speak Sami. Important Sami institutions are here, such as Sami Parliament, NRK Sapmi, the national museum De Samiske Samlinger, the Sami Artist Centre, athe Sami library and the Child and Youth Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic. 

Travel Information

Getting Here

Fly: 

Drive: Karasjok is located on the E6 that runs along the entirety of Norway. 

Train: No train access

Ferry: No ferry access. 

Getting Around

Karasjok is walkable. 

Shops

Places to Eat

Cafes & Bakeries

Biepmu Kafea is a nice cafe in the centre of town. 

Quick Bites

 

Reasonable Restaurants

 

High End & Unique Eats

Gammen is the Norwegian restaurant in town. 

Places to Stay

All my hotel recommendations are based on research and experience. I don’t recommend somewhere unless I think it is wonderful! The Hidden North focuses on accommodation that provides good quality for price or offer local or unique experiences. 

Camping

Karasjok Camping is a small campsite on the hill with views out to the river. 

Cabins & B&Bs

 

Chains & Mid-Range

The Scandic Hotel Karasjok is a nice hotel in the centre of town. 

Click here to view rates & book

High End & Unique Properties

It is possible to stay at the Engholm Husky Design Lodge, a unique property out in the forest. There is a restaurant here, too. 

Click here to view rates & book

Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages

January

Sunrise: 10:51am

Sunset: 12:03pm

Average Temperature: -16C (3F)

February

Sunrise: 7:48am

Sunset: 3:16pm

Average Temperature: -15C (5F)

March

Sunrise: 5:41am

Sunset: 5:14pm

Average Temperature: -9C (16F)

April

Sunrise: 4:19am

Sunset: 8:19pm

Average Temperature: -2C (28F)

May

Sunrise: 1:27am

Sunset: 11:10pm

Average Temperature: 5C (41F)

June

Midnight sun

Average Temperature: 10C (50F)

July

Midnight sun until 24 July

Average Temperature: 13C (55F)

August

Sunrise: 3:19am

Sunset: 9:21pm

Average Temperature: 11C (52F)

September

Sunrise: 5:29am

Sunset: 6:54pm

Average Temperature: 7C (45F)

October

Sunrise: 7:26am

Sunset: 4:39pm

Average Temperature: -1C (30F)

November

Sunrise: 8:53am

Sunset: 1:10pm

Average Temperature: -8C (18F)

December

Polar night

Average Temperature: -11C (12F)

All Posts About Karasjok

Karasjok Photo Diary