Sami Culture: Reindeer Experience in Kiruna

Explore Sami culture and meet reindeer on a thrilling day trip from Abisko. Discover authentic handicrafts and immerse in Lapland’s indigenous lifestyle.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Nutti Sámi Siida - This open-air museum offers an in-depth exploration of Sami culture, highlighting the construction of traditional buildings, the Sami way of life, and their interaction with the environment. Visitors can even buy a bag of Arctic moss to feed the reindeer, providing a unique opportunity for a memorable photograph with these…
What's Included
  • Entrance ticket to the Nutti Sami Sida open air museum, Café Sápmi & Handicraft shop
  • Time to get up close and personal with the reindeer
  • Optional guided tour. Starts 12:15PM and you report for it in the reception
  • Round trip transportation from Abisko/Björkliden to Jukkasjärvi, where Nutti Sámi Siida is located
What's Not Included
  • Lunch is not included but can be purchased at Café Sápmi for an additional cost
  • Warm clothing
Additional Information

This unique opportunity invites you to explore Kiruna’s premier open-air museum, managed by the indigenous Sami people of Swedish Lapland. This thrilling day trip offers direct access to Sami handicrafts and culminates in an unforgettable experience of the Sámi lifestyle. You’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with Lapland’s most iconic animal, the reindeer, within an authentic corral.

Location
Nutti Sámi Siida
Marknadsvägen
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(15 Ratings)
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Jms2222
Mar 5, 2026
YOU WILL HAVE REINDEER EATING OUT OF THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS!!! - This was a wonderful experience. We were picked up at our lodge in Abisko and driven to Kiruna where we experienced feeding reindeer. So much fun holding out your hand as they come up to you and gently eat out of your hand.Great opportunity to experience interacting with reindeer as well as a great photo op!! Then we met a Sami woman who was absolutely incredible. She taught us about the Samis, how they live, work, how they are connected to & take care of their reindeer. It was fascinating & educational!! I left with a true understanding and appreciation for their culture. I highly recommend this day trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside04310084371
Feb 25, 2026
Best Sami reindeer experience - The views from the bus were great, the guided tour at the museum was very nice , the guide knew a lot and could answer all questions and very clear and vividly, like a great historical story. The experience being close to the reindeers was amazing. Also it did not feel too touristic as the guide explained now the cooperation with the sami worked and so that this is a way of support. Tour guide Romy was very professional and cheerful and made all tourists enthousiastic about the tour. She made sure everybody was comfortable and knew where to go when and what to do. It was an amazing experience and I had so much fun
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Sightsee00721660825
Feb 4, 2026
Chasing the Aurora Borealis with Sara - We had a late start from New York, so were very worried when we missed our flight connection from Stockholm to Abisko. There is no need to book a new flight or hotel, because Swedish Air can take care of that. (We had rebooked another flight and hotel, but now we have to ask for a refund after our trip is over). Also, Sara, our guide, assured us that we would not miss anything we had planned, and met us at the airport when we finally did arrive. We took our time at the Sami and Reindeer Day Trip, which was particularly informative for us, and was a perfect way to begin our visit to the area. We did not ask Sara to take us to other Sami places so we can purchase items, and we did not think about it until we got back to the airport on our way back to the States. I think you should ask your guide if there are places to buy things you would like to purchase as souvenirs. Sara is also very knowledgeable about Sami culture, Sápmi and its reindeer herding tradition, which we found particularly helpful, informative, and made our trip very special. We loved learning about yoik singing and distinct regional gákti. Cooking local/native dinners on your own at your lodgings was unique, and actually added greatly to the experience, and we tried every dish. Our lodging location was fantastic, and we took advantage of staying near the store. Our first night out, we did not see the lights, but Sara took us out to various locations, so we could become familiar with the photo equipment, and to explore. Building a fire in a turf hut, and having lingonberry juice with yummy cookies were a great way to top off the excursion and day. The next day, we went on the snowmobiling excursion with a different guide. Take the opportunity to take your turn to drive the snowmobile, you will be warmer that way. We saw very beautiful, healthy, and colorful array of reindeer, two baby moose with their mommy, and two dog sled groups. It was so picturesque. I would recommend, that if your guide offers to get the sauna started for you, say yes. After that, you can do it on your own, when you want. It is a bonus luxury in an otherwise semi-rustic outdoor adventure. WE SAW THE LIGHTS THAT NIGHT! Can you see how excited we were??? Soooo worth all the effort to make this trip. We took so many photos, and Sara helped by chasing the lights. The clouds were coming in, so we had to keep moving east. It was so much fun. The next day, we took the showshoeing excursion with her, which was a wonderful way to get off the beaten track, and we were so lucky to see a herd of reindeer as they were headed back up the mountains. That night, we took more photos of the lights, while using a canvas yurt, which also made for a beautiful rustic photo setting. This was definitely a fantastic once in a lifetime adventure for us, and we are so happy with how it went. Be patient, and play things by ear. You will be glad you did.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X3173kimariannen
Jan 29, 2026
Love the guides 🫶 - Super nice experience. All the guides have been absolutely wonderful. Very helpful and flexible. How can you travel together with friends and family but also alone as in my case. Have nothing bad to say 🫶
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135sheenan
Nov 10, 2025
Learning about the sami and feeding reindeers moss - Our tour guide Gavin was great! He is really knowledgeable about the area and was happy to let me combine the ice hotel in the same trip. The Sami guide was very friendly and I really enjoyed her tour. Learning about sami people and their way of life with the reindeer. I loved feeding the reindeer moss and seeing how excited they are by it! Would recommend this tour for anyone interested in the sami culture and meeting the reindeers :)
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544pippab
Oct 28, 2025
Thank you Miquel! - We had an amazing experience with Miquel! He was not only incredibly friendly and welcoming but also so knowledgeable, both about the Sami museum and the local culture, as well as photography and the Northern Lights. His enthusiasm made the trip really special, and we learned so much along the way. Thanks to his tips, we even got some great photos! We’re really grateful for the experience and would highly recommend Miquel and Lights over Lapland to anyone visiting the area.
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Pioneer00412298700
Oct 25, 2025
Sami Culture - This was it great site to visit. I had no previous knowledge of the Sami culture. During the drive to Kiruna, Sara shared a lot of her personal firsthand knowledge from having worked with Sami people in the past. She was very prompt in her pickup and transportation times.
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João
Oct 21, 2025
Great visit ! - Our driver, Sara, was very kind and give us a lot of informations about the Sami culture on our way to Nutti Sami Siida. We stayed around 3 hours there and the guided visit with David was especially interesting as he is a reindeer herder himself ! Unfortunately there was no arctic lichen to give to the reindeer but we could move very close to them, so it was already very nice !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
דליה
Oct 10, 2025
A day trip to visit the Sami and the reindeer - Miquel was an absolutely amazing guide! He has deep knowledge about the Sami culture, which truly fascinates him, and he shares it with genuine passion. He’s also well-traveled and loves exchanging stories and travel tips, making him a wonderful conversationalist. At the Sami camp, I unfortunately had to wait about two hours before my tour began, which was quite frustrating. However, Miquel noticed my disappointment, showed great empathy, took the issue seriously, and promptly informed Lights Over Lapland. The company responded immediately, took full responsibility even though it wasn’t their fault, and went above and beyond to make things right. The tour itself was interesting and enriching, and thanks to Miquel’s kindness and the company’s professionalism, it turned into a very positive experience. I’m so glad I booked with them – they are truly the best company to explore Lapland with!
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Barbaraen3511ng
Nov 22, 2025
I’m disappointed! - I was really disappointed. Apart from the fact that there were real reindeer there, nothing else matched the description of the tour. None of the people I met there were Sami. Not even the guide! There was hardly anything in the shop that was interesting to buy. The food served in the restaurant consisted of traditional Swedish meatballs and onion soup. How Sami is that? What a shame!
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