Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Finnish Lapland

The Polar Explorer, a 1960 icebreaker converted into a cruise ship for tourists, carries up to 150 people for 3-hour polar safaris. We watch the pieces of ice cracking and being pushed out with a certain fascination. The highlight of the trip is the bath in the icy water. We lend you a survival suit, before you are lowered into the water. You can watch an introductory film and visit the engine room with a guide.

Created more than 2,000 million years ago, the amethyst mine was formed in the bowels of ancient mountains. The only amethyst mine in Europe, you can admire this stone and discover how it is extracted. During the visit, in addition to enjoying a superb view from the top of the hill, you can even dig yourself to bring back your own stone, which has become a good luck charm. The visit is fascinating and you learn a lot! Afterwards, you can have a snack or a drink at the Lampivaara café.

Kopara Reindeer Park organizes beautiful, authentic experiences with reindeer and professionals. By choosing the offer that suits you best, you'll have the chance to walk with reindeer, be pulled, feed them, and learn about their lives, all in the company of an experienced guide. Experiences last between 30 minutes and an hour. If the park offers other activities outside winter, these reindeer experiences usually take place from November-December to mid-April. On-site restaurant and store.

Following the E8 road from Kilpisjärvi, we reach a beautiful landscape of moorland and bushes about 45 km to the south. This is a good opportunity to discover a bit of Finnish nature away from the pine trees. You can stop at the parking lot and take a path of raised wooden boards to discover this beautiful ecosystem. Only reindeer and a few rabbits live among these desolate bushes and the moor seems to extend as far as the eye can see. The place is ideal for a picnic as well as for a walk easily accessible to the whole family.

This quality Saami handicraft shop is ideally located on the shores of Lake Kuivajärvi. In a hexagonal chalet in the heart of the reindeer farm is the art gallery, where handmade creations made from reindeer antlers, horn, leather, wool, etc. are on display, including a wide selection of traditional jewellery. In winter, the gallery is open on request. The owners also organize visits to the village, or various activities in the surroundings, guided by local partners.

The Kukkolankoski rapids (about three and a half kilometres long) are the largest in Finland. Already in the Middle Ages, the waters were known to be full of fish and a fishing festival is held here every year at the end of July. There are countless river and lake routes of all categories, ideal for rafting or canoeing. The Arctic Canoe Race (53 km) runs down the Tornionjoki River to the Gulf of Bothnia. The Nordic Safaris company organizes kayaking and rafting trips on the river.