Drive it Yourself: Kautokeino to Havøysund via the Alta Canyon & Havøysund Tourist Road
This drive takes you from the Finnmark Plateau down to a remote island by the sea.
The Hidden North
North European travel guide
Population 2,800 / 69 degrees north
Kautokeino, Norway
Kautokeino is one of the main centres of Sami culture in Northern Norway.
Fun Facts About Kautokeino
Latitude: 69 degrees north
Population: 2,800
Sami Name:Guovdageaidnu
Hottest Month: July
Coldest Month: January
Wettest Month: July
Windiest Month: June
Annual Precipitation: 425mm
Kautokeino Municipality
In this Travel Guide...
Things to See & Do
Here’s an overview of some of the best things to see and do in Kautokeino
Kautokeino Museum
This museum is all about the history of the Sami in the area and includes examples of their dwellings and outbuildings.
Kautokeino Guides
Find guides to Kautokeino on my online store.
Hikes, Day Trips & Experiences
Looking to go for a hike or take part in a unique experience? Here are my recommendations!
Road-Trips
Follow my road-trip guides for scenic trips around Kautokeino
Kautokeino to Havøysund
This drive includes the Alta Canyon. I did this drive in October 2021, just after the first snow came.
Kilpisjarvi to Kautokeino
This drive crosses through Finnish Lapland into Kautokeino. I did this drive back in October 2021.
Self-Guided Walks
No self-guided walks are currently available for Kautokeino
Kautokeino on YouTube
Watch my YouTube videos featuring Kautokeino
Kilpisjarvi to Kautokeino
This drive crosses through Finnish Lapland into Kautokeino.
Uniquely Kautokeino
Here are some things that you must do and try in Kautokeino
History of Kautokeino
The area where Kautokeino is was settled shortly after the last Ice Age ended 10,000 years ago. The first peoples here were hunter-gatherers, and arrowheads have been found here dating back to 7000BC.
Until 1751, Kautokeino was part of Sweden. Tax lists of the Sami in Sweden go back to 1553. Eventually Kautokeino was incorporated into Norway.
In 1852, Kautokeino was the site of a Sami uprising against the Norwegian authorities. This was one of the few violent reactions by the Sami against the exploitation policies of the Norwegian government and the only known confrontation between Samis and Norwegians with loss of human lives.
In the 1930s, the vast majority of Sami here still lived the nomadic lifestyle.
Kautokeino Today
The main industry here is reindeer herding, though the theatre/movie industry is also important here as Sami filmmaker Nils Gaup is based out of Kautokeino.
Travel Information
Getting Here
Fly: The closest airport is Alta, about 140km away.
Drive: The European Highway E45 runs through Kautokeino.
Train: No train access
Ferry: No ferry access.
Getting Around
Kautokeino town centre is walkable.
Shops
Juhl’s Silver Gallery is a wonderful place to visit. The jewellery is inspired by Sami designs and handicrafts.
Places to Eat
Cafes & Bakeries
Quick Bites
Reasonable Restaurants
High End & Unique Eats
Duattar is a Norwegian restaurant within the Thon Hotel. Of course you should try the reindeer!
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
Cabins & B&Bs
High End & Unique Properties
Sunrise/Sunset & Weather Averages
January
Sunrise: 10:35am
Sunset: 12:39pm
Average Temperature: -14C (6.6F)
February
Sunrise: 7:54am
Sunset: 3:30pm
Average Temperature: -13.7C (7F)
March
Sunrise: 5:51am
Sunset: 5:24pm
Average Temperature: -9C (15F)
April
Sunrise: 4:32am
Sunset: 8:26pm
Average Temperature: -3C (27F)
May
Sunrise: 1:51am
Sunset: 11:03pm
Average Temperature: 3.7C (39F)
June
Midnight sun
Average Temperature: 9.9C (49F)
July
Midnight sun until 23 July
Average Temperature: 13C (56F)
August
Sunrise: 3:34am
Sunset: 9:26pm
Average Temperature: 11C (52F)
September
Sunrise: 5:40am
Sunset: 7:03pm
Average Temperature: 6C (43F)
October
Sunrise: 7:34am
Sunset: 4:51pm
Average Temperature: -1C (29F)
November
Sunrise: 8:55am
Sunset: 1:28pm
Average Temperature: -8.4C (17F)
December
Polar night
Average Temperature: -11.8C (10F)
All Posts About Kautokeino
Drive it Yourself: Kilpisjärvi to Kautokeino in Finnish Lapland & Finnmark
Enjoy this remote and scenic drive through Finnish Lapland into Finnmark