Summer Lake
Lake Inari is the perfect location for picturesque summer waters. The lake is surrounded by peaceful forests and Arctic fells, as well as many free-to-use wilderness huts. In the summer, its waves reflect the rays of the Midnight Sun for weeks on end, offering 24/7 sunlight for capturing water activities such as swimming, canoeing and cruising.
The shoreline of Lake Inari extends to some 3278 kilometers, making it the largest lake in Lapland and the third largest in all of Finland. Thanks to its considerable size, the lake can even resemble a sea from carefully chosen locations. With its versatile surroundings, Lake Inari offers different kinds of beach locations, from sandy to rocky and open to wooded. It is also home to some 3300 islands, including the iconic Ukonkivi, which has special significance in the Sámi culture.
Photos
Accommodation
There is a good selection of accommodation available across the municipality of Inari, with great options located on the shores of Lake Inari. The popular Saariselkä travel area (1 h by car from the Inari village) features hotels, cabins and holiday villages.
The accommodation capacity of the Saariselkä travel area is 6400 beds, while the number for the rest of Inari is 2900.
Restaurants & Catering
As with accommodation, there is a wide range of restaurant options to choose from in Inari, from fast food eateries and cafés to high-end culinary experiences. Some local businesses also offer catering services.
Other Services
Some additional local services that may be useful when filming at Lake Inari include:
- Guide services
- Transportation services
- Kayak, canoe and rowing boat rentals
- Fishing equipment rentals
- Boat cruises
But this is just to name a few. For more information on the services available in the area, visit the Inari-Saariselkä travel site and the Metsähallitus listing of local services.
Lapland is the most connected wilderness in the Arctic. Thanks to its five airports, vast and well-maintained road network and efficient public transportation, getting around is effortless throughout the year.
By Plane
The Ivalo International Airport (40 min by car from the Inari village and 20 min from the Saariselkä travel area) offers a daily connection to Helsinki year-round, and there are direct connections to some European cities during the winter season. The second-nearest airport is in Kittilä (2 h 30 min).
By Train
The nearest railway stations are in Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi (both 4 h by car). For timetables and tickets for trains, visit VR.
By Bus
You can travel to Inari by bus. For example, there is a direct bus line from Rovaniemi to Inari, which operates multiple times a day. For timetables and tickets for buses, visit Matkahuolto.
By Car
As all of Lapland, Lake Inarijärvi is easy to reach by car.
Crew & Filming Equipment
There are a number of production service companies that operate across Lapland. We’re happy to tell you more, so please get in touch.
Permits
Thanks to the Finnish concept of the Everyman’s Right, most of the Lapland nature is free to film in. In the case of Lake Inari, this means that if your production is on a smaller scale and does not cause disturbance to nature, there is a chance you may not need to worry about permits at all. But if you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask.
The Vätsäri Wilderness Area, the Inari Hiking Area, and the multi-purpose forests in the Lake Inari surroundings are managed by Metsähallitus (Parks & Wildlife Finland). In these areas, permits are required for all off-road traffic and any temporary structures. Metsähallitus handles filming and permit applications on a case by case basis. For more information, please see their instructions for permits for film production in state-owned areas in Finland.
The Everyman’s Right covers hook-and-line fishing, but you need a permit for all other fishing activities. For permits and more information on fishing at Lake Inari, visit Eräluvat.
Film Lapland does not issue permits, but we’re more than happy to help you determine whether you need one and with the permit process, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
