Kiruna & Icehotel
Sweden's northernmost mining town, with the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, the LKAB underground iron mine, Sámi reindeer camps and northern lights in winter.
Abisko–Kiruna lies in Norrbotten County in Sweden's far north, about 200 km above the Arctic Circle, and is the leading northern lights and snow destination in Swedish Lapland. Kiruna is the regional gateway, with an airport and railway station. Because the world's largest underground iron mine is expanding, the whole town is being moved east; the new town hall and the wooden church relocated in 2025 are both worth a look. Jukkasjärvi, 17 km to the east, has the ICEHOTEL and Sámi reindeer camps. About 95 km northwest, Abisko sits on Lake Torneträsk, where the mountains' rain shadow creates a cloud-free "blue hole", making it one of Europe's best places for clear-sky aurora viewing; it is also the northern trailhead of the Kungsleden. Best seasons: September to March is northern lights season, with polar night around December; December to April is the time for the ICEHOTEL, dog sledding and snowmobiling; June to mid-July brings the midnight sun and hiking season. Getting there: Stockholm to Kiruna is about 1.5 hours by air, or take the night train north; from Kiruna to Abisko, take the train or drive the E10 for about 1.5 hours. Allow 4–6 days: 2 days for Kiruna and the ICEHOTEL, and 2–3 nights in Abisko to improve your chances of seeing the aurora. Note: winter temperatures often drop below −20°C, so proper cold-weather gear is essential; driving on snow requires winter tyres, and watch out for reindeer crossing the road; book aurora tours and ICEHOTEL stays well ahead in peak season.
Top sights
- Icehotel – The world's first ice hotel, rebuilt every winter from ice harvested from the Torne River. Ice-sculpted suites and an ice bar are signature…
- LKAB Visitor Centre (Kiruna Mine) – The world's largest underground iron mine. Descend about 540 metres into a display tunnel and learn about this city that is moving because…
- Kiruna Church – One of Sweden's largest wooden buildings, its shape inspired by Sámi tents and Norwegian stave churches. It was moved whole in 2025 because…
- Kiruna New Town Centre & City Hall – A new city center built to make way for the mining area. The round glass city hall, nicknamed “The Crystal,” and a bell tower moved from th…
- Jukkasjärvi Church – A red wooden church beside the Ice Hotel. The current building dates from 1726, and it is one of the oldest churches in Lapland. Its altarp…
- Nutti Sámi Siida – A Sámi reindeer camp in Jukkasjärvi where visitors can feed reindeer, ride reindeer sleds, and hear herders describe their way of life insi…
- Kebnekaise – Sweden's highest peak, at about 2,097 meters. Hikers can trek in from Nikkaluokta and climb to the summit, making it a classic Nordic high-…
- Nikkaluokta – A Sámi village at the end of the road west of Kiruna, the gateway to Kebnekaise and the southern end of the King's Trail, with helicopters…
- Luossavaara – A small hill north of Kiruna. In summer it offers views over the whole city and the iron mine mountain under the midnight sun, and in winte…
Where to eat
- Stejk Street Food – Tripadvisor's top-ranked budget street-food spot in Kiruna, serving reindeer and moose Arctic cheese steak sandwiches…
- Icehotel Restaurant – The restaurant inside the Jukkasjärvi Icehotel, featuring reindeer, Arctic char and cloudberries, with a signature ice-…
Itineraries
- Swedish Lapland Treehotel, Icehotel & Abisko Aurora Tour – In from Luleå and out from Kiruna, connecting sea ice, Treehotel, Icehotel, and the Abisko Aurora Sky Station.
- Night Train North to Abisko & Kiruna – Take night trains for both ways to see the aurora and the Icehotel inside the Arctic Circle from Stockholm.
- Swedish Icehotel to Narvik: 4-Day Arctic Railway Itinerary – Ride the historic Iron Ore Line across the Sweden-Norway border, connecting the Icehotel, Abisko's auroras, and the Nar…