Learning About the Coastal Sámi at Sjøsamisk Tun (in Smørfjord, Norway)
I am constantly looking for small businesses to visit on my road trips throughout the Nordics and I was pleased when I stumbled upon Sjøsamisk Tun, a Coastal Sámi museum and center, in Smørfjord, Norway.
Situated along the Porsangerfjord, Sjøsamisk Tun showed up at the right time for me! I was driving to Skarsvåg (on Magerøya) from Havøysund, and I hit incessant rain. I wanted to stop to make a coffee and couldn’t find a place to do so, and I was struggling to keep my eyes open.
I was so excited to see a sign for Smørfjord’s Sjøsamisk Tun, and I was just a few minutes shy of their daily opening. I waited in my car until their doors opened and ran inside asking for coffee. The lovely woman working (Regina) just so happened to be Finnish, so I knew coffee was a top priority. I enjoyed the coffee and bought a ticket to walk around the open-air museum.
This guide is about my stop at Sjøsamisk Tun in Smørfjord and how you can also visit it on your Finnmark road trip. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!
About Sjøsamisk Tun in Smørfjord
Sjøsamisk Tun is a cultural center for the Sea Sámi people. What a lot of people don’t realize is that the Sami, primarily known for reindeer herding, are not all herders. It was a way to lump a minority group together.
But the Coastal Sámi, or Maritime Sámi (also sometimes called the Sea Sámi), are known for their fishing history, livestock, and position right on the sea (not to say that some don’t also own reindeer).
The family-run cultural center along the Porsangerfjord highlights the Sjøsamisk and their unique culture.
On-site, you’ll find an open-air museum, a gift shop with locally-made products, a cafe, a small camping area, a nature trail, and a food truck. It is the perfect stop for those on a road trip or those wanting to stay overnight (more on that below).
At Sjøsamisk Tun, there is a reconstruction of a Sea Sámi settlement from the early 20th century, including several different buildings filled with objects (many donated or on loan from locals in the area).
There is also an exhibition that focuses on the clothing of the Sea Sámi people in Norway. Some of the other buildings and exhibits you’ll find are a small gammen, communal barn (where animals lived on one end and humans on the other), traditional boathouse (fjæraskjå), and more.
You will also find a nature trail that is around 5km (about 3mi) that will take you up for a view over the Porsangerfjord. I didn’t have time to do this because of the rain that day and my need to get to Skarsvåg by a certain time, but I definitely plan to next time I am there.
As mentioned above, there is also a small cafe within the gift shop and ticketing area, as well as a small area to eat (separate building called the Grill House), and a food truck called Nord2Vilt. There is also a second-hand shop there where you can find some cool dishes and mugs.
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Hours & Ticket Prices
Sjøsamisk Tun is currently looking to extend their season and hours, but for now, count on it being open during the summer months (with limited spring and autumn opening days) from 11am until 6pm.
Adult ticket prices are 60 NOK (about $6) per person and children are free. You can purchase your ticket at the kiosk where the gift shop is.
Camping at Sjøsamisk Tun
There are a few camping spots for tents and campervans. They have toilets and hot water for those staying overnight. The 2025 fees are as follows:
- Tent: 150 NOK (about $15)
- Car/tent: 200 NOK (about $20)
- Campervan: 200 NOK (about $20 and 50 NOK extra if you want to hook up to electricity)
NordVilt2 Food Truck
One of my highlights from my visit was having lunch at NordVilt2! This food truck opens around the same time as the museum and sells local and seasonal dishes with a rotating menu.
I had such a craving for fish and chips as soon as I saw it on the menu, so I ordered it. I also had a chance to try some smoked reindeer heart and fresh cloudberry juice. Everything was incredible! The fish and chips were easily one of the best meals I had on my 2-week trip.
I hope that if you find yourself driving the E69 north to North Cape that you can take an hour or two and stop at Sjøsamisk Tun in Smørfjord!
This is a family business that was so kind and one of the coolest stops I had on my Northern Norway itinerary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, or you can ask them in their Facebook group. They are looking to create a new website, so the information on the site is not fully up-to-date, but their Facebook group has all the latest details (and I will try to keep everything updated here, as well).
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