In the northern part of Swedish Lapland, 200 km above the Arctic Circle, lies Kiruna, nestling in a natural setting of imposing mountains, deep forests and thousands of lakes in the midst of wilderness, yet only a 90 minute flight from Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, or 3,5 hours from Heathrow.
Kiruna is a place of many contrasts, modern urban planning against a backdrop of extraordinary nature, high technology and traditional reindeer herding, modern mining and environmental research. This exciting combination has made it to northern Sweden’s most-visited municipality. Take an opportunity to experience something out-of-the ordinary!
What to see and do
A day with the Sami People
Experience the culture of the native people, the Sami (the indigenous Laplanders); go reindeer herding or sleigh riding, or enjoy a meal in an authentic Sami tent with an open fire. Highly recommended! kirunalapland.se
LKAB InfoMine
One of Sweden’s most fascinating attractions is half a kilometer underground! In Kiruna you can visit the world’s largest underground iron ore mine, currently operating and one of Kiruna’s most important industries. A bus will take you straight into the mountain and down to the exhibition mine LKAB InfoMine. Book a tour through Kiruna Tourist Information kirunalapland.se
The Abisko National Park
Abisko is a charming little village in the fantastic mountain world of Lapland, surrounded by Abisko National Park, an unsurpassed location for viewing the Northern Lights. You can also visit the Aurora Sky Station, situated on Mt Nuolja in Abisko National Park.
Esrange Space Center
For all budding astronauts we recommend a visit to the Esrange Space Centre and the Institute of Speca Physics, on organized tours with knowledgeable guides and scientists. Book a tour (make sure it’s the English speaking tour) through Kiruna Tourist Information kirunalapland.se
Other tours
There is a great choice of Snowmobile tours taking you out into the arctic wilderness, dog sled tours with Huskies or go on a on a horseback tour on Icelandic horses to see the Northern Lights or on a Moose Safari!
How to get here
We prefer to plan and book our own holiday to achieve the most memorable holiday and to have total freedom to choose exactly what we want and feel like doing when on holiday. It’s often more affordable too, and the quality is better. We recommend renting a car, as it can be cheaper than taking a taxi throughout your stay. The cars are fitted with winter tires -so no worries! Remember to book a child seat if you need one.
Fly direct from Heathrow to Kiruna in 3 1/2 hours. SAS and British Airways
Rent a car at Europcar: +46(0)980-666 00, europcar.se or Hertz: +46(0)980-190 00, hertz.se
Where to stay
Icehotel, is one of northern Europe’s best-known landmarks. Situated in Jukkasjärvi just outside Kiruna town centre, the ICEHOTEL has become famous for its innovative art in ice and snow. Staying in the Icehotel is an once in a lifetime experience and a true arctic adventure. It started as a 650 sq igloo and have over 20 years become the worlds largest hotel made of snow and ice with its 59 200 sq! Open from 3rd December 2011 – 15th April 2012, visit daily between 10am – 6pm. After 6 pm, the hotel is only open to overnight guests. See how the hotel is built up every year here, icehotelsuite.blogspot.com For prices and more info icehotel.com
Hotell Vinterpalatset, or the Winter Palace is a wooden large hut offering cozy accommodation, excellent Nordic breakfast and a in-house restaurant serving local food. Don’t leave without trying the top floor sauna. From £80 per person per night.
We recommend booking through tripadvisor.co.uk for the best deal.
How to dress you and your child in the arctic climate? Here’s our easy step by step, or layer by layer guide –take me there
Those photo’s look absolutely breathtaking. Just to be able to camp out in the middle of the snow like that, wonderful.
This looks amazing. Somewhere I have always really wanted to go but not really known where to start. May look into it properly now. Thanks