Kiruna Winter Travel Guide: Best things to do in Swedish Lapland in winter time

Last Updated on January 10, 2026

Do you know that there is a city in Sweden that is literally being moved to a new location? And that it lies far beyond the Arctic Circle, where winter brings endless darkness, summer endless daylight and where you have one of the best chances in the world to see the northern lights? Welcome to Kiruna, the gateway to Swedish Lapland. I visited Kiruna on my first trip beyond the Arctic Circle when I was a student during the darkest day of the year on 21st December and it was such a powerful experience that I keep happily coming back. The town itself may not look as spectacular as the Norwegian fjords, but its story, surrounding nature and the amount of winter activities which you can experience there, make it one of the most interesting places beyond the polar circle. If you are planning a winter trip to Swedish Lapland or looking for one of the best spots to see the aurora, this article will give you everything you need: when to go, how to get there, where to stay, what to do and what not to miss.

Where is Kiruna and why is it worth visiting?

Kiruna is the northernmost town in Sweden, located about 145 km north of the Arctic Circle. That already tells you a lot. Winter here isn’t just “a bit longer than back home”. It is a completely different season. In December and a short part of January, the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon at all but it brings magic. For 6 hours a day, it’s actually not completely dark there during this time of the year and you can witness beautiful colours in the sky.

In Kiruna, expect temperatures well below freezing, snow everywhere, frozen lakes and a silence that is hard to find anywhere else in Europe. It can be harsh, but at the same time incredibly beautiful. Kiruna is literally one of the last places in Europe where the temperature almost never goes above 0°C during winter. The snow almost never melts on the trees and buildings which is why winter in Kiruna looks magical all winter.

For me, Kiruna is also a gateway to the surrounding nature: the beautiful forests, frozen rivers and lakes, and especially the mountain scenery around Abisko National Park, one of the best places in the world to experience Arctic wilderness, are the main reasons for me to keep coming back.

Nearby Kiruna, you can also visit traditional Sámi settlements such as Jukkasjärvi and Nikkaluokta, learn about reindeer herding and get a glimpse of indigenous Arctic life. And if you love skiing, the nearby resorts Björkliden and Riksgränsen offer some of the most unique slopes with fantastic views in Scandinavia. In Riksgränsen you can even sometimes ski under the midnight sun!

Kiruna is also unique for another reason. Due to one of the world’s largest iron ore mines, the ground under the existing town is becoming unstable. The solution is dramatic but simple: move the town. Some of the most important historical buildings are literally being relocated piece by piece, including the famous wooden church. Just watching how this “moving city” project works is a reason to visit.

How to get to Kiruna

Getting to Kiruna is already part of the adventure. You can choose between speed and experience. Both of these options have their charm.

✈️ By plane

The fastest option is to fly to Stockholm and change to a domestic flight to Kiruna, most often with SAS or Norwegian. The flight from Stockholm to Kiruna takes about 1.5 hours. When you get off, you’ll immediatelly smell the crisp of Arctic air. From the airport it’s only a short transfer to the town itself or you can pick up a rental car here for your upcoming adventure. Flying is ideal if you:

• have limited time
• plan to base yourself in Kiruna and book local tours
• if you plan to rent a car in Kiruna and drive around
• are visiting mainly for northern lights or the Icehotel

🚆 By night train

This is my personal favorite option to travel to the north. When you board the night train in Stockholm, you always meet interesting people who are heading north for an adventure. Before you crawl into your bed and fall asleep somewhere in central Sweden, I guarantee that you will share some interesting stories and plans ahead, maybe with a new friend! In the morning, you look out of the window and realize you’re already beyond the Arctic Circle. Views of frosted trees, frozen lakes and wooden villages are a great start of the journey to Lapland.

A few useful notes:

• book sleeper cabins early, they sell out fast in winter
• there are also cheaper reclining seats, but they aren’t comfortable at all. It’s much better to sleep in the bed
• delays do sometimes happen in winter (due to snow, freight traffic), so don’t plan tight connections

Despite that, the night train has its magic: slow travel, zero airport stress, and the feeling that your trip starts the moment the train departs.

🚗 By car

This option is perfect for a long Scandinavian road trip and for those who have a lot of time. From Stockholm to Kiruna it’s over 1,200 km one way, so this isn’t a quick weekend drive. Driving to Kiruna feels less like simple transport and more like a journey through half of Sweden, gradually watching the landscape turn wilder and emptier the farther north you go. Be also careful because in winter, expect:

• icy roads
• snowstorms now and then
• reindeer and elks calmly walking across the road. They are cute but also be careful not to hit them. There are many accidents with wild animals every year in Sweden.

What are the advantages of driving to Kiruna by car?

• total freedom to stop wherever you like
• You can stop on the way from Stockholm in wonderful places such as Uppsala, Höga Kusten, Luleå archipelago, Jokkmokk or Gällivare
• flexibility if you’re chasing northern lights and want to escape clouds

How to prepare your car before your drive to Kiruna in winter?

• use winter tires (mandatory)
• keep the tank topped up because distances are long
• carry a warning triangle, reflex vest, first aid kit, headlight, charged powerbank, blanket, warm clothes, shovel and snacks in case of road closures
• bring starting cables in case your car battery dies
• check weather and road conditions regularly

Where to stay in Kiruna in winter

Choosing the right place to stay can shape your whole Lapland experience. In Kiruna and its surroundings you’ll find everything from classic hotels in town to one of the most unique places to sleep in the world which is literally carved from ice. Here are my favorite options, depending on what kind of trip you want.

Camp Ripan

Camp Ripan is a great choice if you want to stay within Kiruna, but still feel close to nature. It offers modern cabins instead of classic hotel rooms, very good food with local ingredients and, most importantly, a lovely spa and sauna area. After a full day in −20 °C, sitting in hot outdoor pools while snow is falling around you feels like pure magic. It’s also a good base for northern lights watching without leaving town.

Scandic Ferrum

If you prefer a classic city hotel with everything within walking distance, go for Scandic Ferrum. It’s right in the center of Kiruna, close to shops, cafés and bus connections, so it’s perfect if you rely on public transport or organized tours. Rooms are simple and comfortable, breakfasts are typically generous Scandinavian style, and higher floors offer nice views over the town and surrounding mountains.

Icehotel (Jukkasjärvi)

If you want a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic experience, this is it. The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is the famous hotel built every winter from snow and ice. You can either just visit it during the day, or actually spend the night in one of the ice rooms. Sleeping on an ice bed wrapped in reindeer skins sounds extreme, but Arctic sleeping bags are warm and the silence inside the ice rooms is unforgettable.

Tip: you don’t have to stay the whole trip in the ice part. It’s a cool experience but rather expensive. Many travelers do one night in a “cold room” and the rest in the warm section of the hotel – a very comfortable combination.

STF Abisko Turiststation (for Abisko base)

If your main goal is northern lights and nature, consider basing yourself not in Kiruna, but in nearby Abisko. STF Abisko Turiststation lies right next to Abisko National Park and the start of the Kungsleden trail. Thanks to very low light pollution and often clear skies, it’s one of the best places in the world to see the aurora. From here you can easily combine aurora watching with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or even joining my Abisko – Nikkaluokta Kungsleden expedition.

Northern lights in Kiruna or Abisko? When and where to see them?

Let’s be honest – the northern lights are the number one reason why most visitors come to Kiruna in winter including me. And they really are so worth it. Seeing green, red and purple lights dancing across the Arctic sky is something you will never forget. Kiruna and Swedish Lapland offer excellent northern lights viewing conditions because:

• this area lies far beyond the Arctic Circle
• light pollution is low
• long winter nights give many chances

What are the best months to see aurora in Kiruna?

The aurora season runs roughly from September to March. My favorite periods are September during autumn (still a kind of warm month) and February and March with the most beautiful winter colours. These times of the year, days are longer but nights are long and dark enough for great aurora watching. September, February and March are also more favorable when it comes to the weather. Choose these months for the smaller chances of cloudy weather and if you want to combine very well both day activities and northern lights watching.

What is the best place to see northern lights in Kiruna?

The big advantage of Kiruna is that you don’t need to travel far to see the northern lights. The city is small so it doesn’t make too much light polution. It’s often enough to leave the town lights behind, walk a bit next to a frozen lake or forest and just wait. Sometimes you need patience, sometimes you are rewarded in five minutes. That’s the magic of the aurora. If you look for a specific spot, I recommend Midnattsolstigen trail which goes from Camp Ripan out to the nature where you have no light pollution.

If you have more time, I highly recommend to make a trip to Abisko (80 minutes drive from Kiruna). There, you have no light pollution at all and you’ll find there wonderful viewpoints for northern lights as Abisko lies by large and beautiful lake Torneträsk surrounded by mountains. Do you want to experience something even more special? You can also take a lift to the mountain Nuolja to Aurora Sky Station from where you will have the best view of northern lights in the whole Sweden.

I have to admit that northern lights hunting is one of my favourite passions. I have been chasing auroras since I moved to Sweden in 2012 and I have thousands of images from all parts of Scandinavia. But Kiruna and nearby Abisko are my favourite places to watch them, simply because these are the top places in the world to spot the northern lights. Do you wonder why? I wrote an extensive article with Guide how to see northern lights in another blog post. If you would like to photograph aurora with your camera or smartphone, I also wrote another article on How to photograph Northern Lights.

Driving in Kiruna and Swedish Lapland in winter

I’ll continue soon with tips for other activities which you should experience in Kiruna and in nearby locations but first you will have to reach these destinations. You have two options: by car or by an organized tour. It’s important to note that driving in Swedish Lapland in winter can be beautiful. You can meet for instance herds of reindeer crossing lazily in front of you but the driving is likely not the same as winter driving in your home country. Roads in the far north are often covered with compact snow or ice for months, visibility can drop quickly in snowstorms and temperatures below −25 °C are common.

I strongly recommend renting a car only if you already have experience with winter driving on snow and ice. Cars usually come with proper winter tyres and sometimes studs (I recommend to ask for them), but the most important part is the driver’s confidence and judgement. Always check the forecast before you set off and do not drive if a weather warning has been issued. Storms or ice on roads in Lapland can be intense and road closures happen too.

My tips are to keep your tank at least half full, carry warm clothes and snacks, and take it slow. In Sweden in general, getting there safely is much more important than getting there fast. If you don’t feel confident driving in the north in winter, it’s completely fine. You can experience activities with organized trips from Kiruna and I will provide you with concrete tips further in the article.

The best day trips from Kiruna

Kiruna is a perfect base for day trips around Swedish Lapland. Within an hour or two you can reach some of the most beautiful places north of the Arctic Circle: national parks, Sámi villages, winter resorts and one of the world’s most unique hotels made entirely of ice. Even if you stay several days, you definitely won’t get bored.

Among the most popular day trips are:

• Northern lights in Abisko: one of the best places on Earth to see the aurora
• Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi: an ice experience you will remember forever
• Sámi culture in Jukkasjärvi: meeting the indigenous people of the North as well as reindeer and local traditions
• Nikkaluokta: another traditional Sámi settlement and gateway to Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain
• Skiing north of the Arctic Circle: alpine and cross-country options around Björkliden and Riksgränsen
• Abisko National Park in winter: frozen rivers, canyon, easy scenic trails
• Narvik, Norway: a spectacular train ride or drive across the mountains to the Norwegian fjords
• Snowmobile or dog-sled expeditions: full-day journeys deep into the tundra

You can also combine the activities. Other options are to hunt northern lights with a husky tour, hunt northern lights with Sámi people with their BBQ dinner or hunt northern lights with snowscooters.

In the next chapters, we’ll go through these activities one by one so you can choose what fits your trip best. Is your priority to chase the northern light, go skiing, culture, photography, or simply enjoying Arctic winter at a slower pace?

Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi: a night in ice you will remember forever

Only about 20 minutes from Kiruna lies one of the most iconic places in Lapland: Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi. This is not just a marketing attraction – it is a real hotel built every winter from snow and ice. I was first a bit sceptical about the visit but it blew my mind. Discovering uniquely designed rooms and taking a drink in ice bar are experiences you’ll never forget.

Do you wonder how the Ice Hotel is built? Huge blocks of ice are cut from the nearby Torne River and artists from all over the world then create rooms, sculptures, bars and even a wedding chapel. Each room is different, every year the design completely changes and the result is more like an art gallery than a hotel.

You can visit the hotel by own or rented car, by taxi or ideally with a local Sámi guide who will pick you up in Kiruna. If you want to learn more about the Ice Hotel and Sámi, book a guided tour of Icehotel and Jukkasjärvi.

What you can do during your visit of the Ice Hotel?

• visit the hotel on a day tour
• have a drink served in a glass made of ice
• see the ice chapel
• or actually sleep in one of the ice rooms
• have a unique wedding and get married in the ice chapel and book an elopement photographer for the most unique wedding pictures

Sleeping inside the ice part is a unique experience. You sleep on an ice bed covered with reindeer skins in a warm Arctic sleeping bag. When you wake up, you realize how quiet ice can be. Today there is also a permanent Icehotel 365, cooled by renewable energy, so you can experience the ice rooms even in summer. Yes, in Lapland it is completely normal that ice is cooled by the sun.

Sámi culture in Jukkasjärvi: meeting the indigenous people of the North

Let’s stay in Jukkasjärvi for a while. Here is another cool place to visit. As you for sure know, Lapland is the homeland of the Sámi – the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia. In Jukkasjärvi you can visit a Sámi settlement and you can learn there more about their traditions and everyday life. You will experience:

• reindeer herding
• traditional Sámi dwellings
• handicrafts such as knives or jewelry
• typical Sámi dishes

Jukkasjärvi is one of the most accessible places to get a taste of Sámi culture. If you want to bring home a meaningful souvenir instead of a cheap magnet, this is a good place to look.

Nikkaluokta – gateway to Kebnekaise and Sámi culture

Another cosy place where you can meet Sámi culture is Nikkaluokta. This settlement is at the very end of the road BD 870 from Kiruna and it’s surrounded by mountains and endless valleys. For many people it is the starting or ending point of trips towards Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain, and of winter or summer journeys along the Kungsleden trail.

Even if you’re not climbing any peaks or setting off to Kungsleden, Nikkaluokta is worth visiting for its beautiful scenery, reindeer herding traditions and the feeling that civilization is quietly fading away here. Don’t forget to visit the shop with local Sámi products. It’s my personal favourite in the area.

Skiing north of the Arctic Circle (yes, even under the midnight sun)

Skiing in northern Sweden may surprise you. It is not just cross-country skiing. There are also nice alpine slopes with beautiful Arctic scenery. The main areas near Kiruna are:

• Kiruna ski hill Luossavaara – small, local, relaxed
• Björkliden – great views over Torneträsk lake
• Riksgränsen – legendary late-season skiing

Riksgränsen is special. Thanks to the long winter and massive snowpack it often opens late and stays open into early summer. If conditions are right, you can even ski under the midnight sun. Skiing at midnight in full daylight is weird, magical and unforgettable at the same time.

But northern Sweden is also a paradise for cross-country and nordic ski touring. Around Kiruna, Abisko and Björkliden you’ll find a network of prepared tracks, as well as wide open plateaus for nordic ski touring. Both cross-country skiing and nordic ski touring are one of the best ways to experience the Arctic landscape quietly, at your own pace, far from lifts and crowds.

A few tips if you want to try it here:

• choose your style – cross-country skis are perfect for those who like speed and prepared tracks, while nordic skis with skins are better for touring in untouched snow
• dress in layers – you’ll warm up fast when skiing, even at −15 °C, so avoid one heavy jacket and go for breathable layers
• bring sunglasses and sunscreen – sunlight reflecting from snow can be intense, especially in March and April
• check weather and wind – strong Arctic winds can change conditions quickly, even on easy terrain
• rent gear locally – skis, poles and boots are easy to rent in Kiruna, Abisko, Riksgränsen and Björkliden, so you don’t have to bring your own gear

If you’d like to experience multi-day nordic ski touring on a real Arctic route, you can also join my guided Kungsleden expedition from Abisko to Nikkaluokta which I organize every year. We ski through Sweden’s most beautiful winter landscapes, sleep in mountain huts and watch northern lights along the way.

Abisko National Park during the day – frozen rivers, canyons and easy Arctic hikes

I already mentioned many times in this article that Abisko is famous for the northern lights, but during the day it is just as impressive. Abisko National Park offers some of the most accessible Arctic scenery in Sweden without needing technical mountaineering skills. You can walk along the frozen Abiskojåkka river, explore the narrow Abisko canyon, wander across open tundra or simply follow short marked trails starting right from Abisko STF Turiststation. On clear days, the view of the Lapporten (The Gate to Lapland) – a perfectly U-shaped valley is unforgettable. Winter days here feel surprisingly bright thanks to the reflecting snow, and even a short walk gives you a real “wilderness feeling” while still staying very close to civilization. It’s a perfect destination if you want an easy day hike, photography, or just to breathe in silence and Arctic air before aurora hunting in the evening.

Narvik, Norway – fjords, mountains and one of the most beautiful train rides in the world

If you feel like swapping snowy tundras for a dramatic coastline, Narvik is a fantastic day trip from Kiruna. The journey itself is already an experience: the train from Sweden to Norway winds through mountains, across frozen lakes and over high plateaus before suddenly dropping down towards the sea. In just a few hours you go from Arctic inland to Norwegian fjords and open ocean views. Narvik is a small coastal town with WWII history, a cable car leading to a spectacular viewpoint above the city, and cafés where you can sit with a warm drink watching ships move across the fjord. It’s a great contrast to Lapland’s interior and a reminder of how quickly landscapes change in the far north. You can also get here by car or by an organized trip from Kiruna.

Dog sledding, snowmobiles and other winter activities in and around Kiruna

Swedish Lapland is a paradise for winter adventures and I always try a new activity up there in the far north. Every time, I am getting fascinated how much you can experience in the Swedish Lapland. Around Kiruna you will find plenty of options to move through the snowy wilderness in very authentic ways. Will you choose to do it quietly with dogs, powered by your own skis, or on a roaring snowmobile across frozen lakes? The landscape is huge, wild and surprisingly empty, so even a half-day trip can feel like a proper expedition.

Dog sledding

This is often another highlight of a trip to Kiruna. The moment the dogs are put into harnesses, the calm ends. They howl, jump and can’t wait to run. The second the sled starts moving, silence returns. Only the sound of four-footed runners on snow remains. If you are a dog person, this is the trip for you. I prefer cats so I haven’t personally tried this, but I have heard a lot of good reviews from my friends.

Dog sledding around Kiruna offers different styles of trips:

• short intro dog-sled tours (3 hours) – perfect if you just want to try it
• half-day and full-day trips – more time in the wilderness, often with lunch by fire and the option to drive yourself
• multi-day expeditions – sleeping in wilderness cabins and travelling like real lords of the north

On many tours you can even drive the sled yourself, not just sit as a passenger. Don’t worry. You’ll get instructions and the dogs know their job better than you do.

What to expect on a dog sledding tour?

• temperatures well below zero
• special warm clothing is usually provided
• lots of cuddling with huskies after the ride
• a very strong “I want a sled dog now” feeling 🙂

Snowmobile tours

If you prefer speed and covering long distances in one day, try snowmobiling. Snowmobiles are a very common way of transport in Lapland and locals use them the same way we use cars. From Kiruna you can join:

• short scenic tours with classic Swedish fika on frozen lakes and through forests
• night snowmobile aurora safaris, stopping far from city lights

Just keep in mind:

• snowmobile tours usually include warm clothing, helmets and sometimes even a stop in a wilderness cabin for hot coffee or soup
• always follow local guides – reindeer herding areas are sensitive
• dress warmly even if you get extra overalls
• cameras and phones lose battery quickly in cold (a power bank helps a lot)

More winter activities around Kiruna

If you still have energy after dogs and snowmobiles, Kiruna and the surrounding area offer even more:

• snowshoeing through silent snowy forest
• ice fishing on frozen lakes
• winter photography tours focused on aurora and Arctic landscapes
• relaxing in a sauna after a freezing day outside. This is another of my favourite activities. It’s very Swedish and very necessary to try. You’ll find my favourite sauna by the lake Torneträsk i Abisko
• ice climing in Abisko is something for adrenaline seeking adventurers

The great thing about Kiruna is that you don’t have to be an extreme polar explorer to enjoy winter here. You can choose exactly how adventurous you want your days to be: anything from easy family-friendly activities to multi-day expeditions far into the mountains.

Kiruna Snow & Ice Festival – a celebration of winter

Did you think that there is no place for culture in the far north? Wrong! Every winter, Kiruna and its surrounding villages come alive with a snow and ice festival that’s well worth planning your trip around if you can. Locals and visitors gather to celebrate winter with art, music, culture and pure snowy fun. The festival typically features:

• snow and ice sculpture exhibitions – from delicate figurines to giant installations, often created by artists from across Scandinavia and beyond
• live music and performances in heated tents or outdoor stages
• family-friendly snow activities – from snowball target contests to kid-friendly sled runs
• food stalls and local treats showcasing Lapland specialties

The exact dates vary each year, in 2026 it’s held from 21st to 25th January when winter is at its peak and there’s already daylight to enjoy both active events and magical twilight evenings. It’s a great way to experience local culture, meet other travelers and feel the festive side of Arctic winter.

What to do in Kiruna during bad weather: Indoor activities for stormy days

In Lapland there are days when the wind is too strong, the temperature drops far below −30 °C, or you simply feel like warming up. Fortunately, Kiruna offers several great indoor activities too. You can visit the new location of the Kiruna Church (one of world’s most beautiful wooden churches), explore the LKAB Visitor Centre, where you learn about the world-famous iron ore mine and the dramatic relocation of the whole town, or relax in one of the local cafés and try the legendary Swedish fika with a cinnamon bun and coffee. There are also saunas and spa facilities, perfect for thawing out after a cold Arctic day. I recommend especially the best spa in Ripan. For the best food in Kiruna, visit Spill saluhall & eatery where you can both taste local dishes and buy some food souvenirs for family and friends back at home.

FAQ – Kiruna and Swedish Lapland in winter

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