Sweden
Swedish Lapland (Lapland)
Region
Swedish Lapland is the Arctic part of Sweden: vast forests, fells and lakes, plus the Sámi culture. In winter, Northern Lights chances are good from September to March; in summer, the sun doesn't set from late May to mid-July.
by Felix Gillen
Swedish Lapland is the Arctic part of Sweden: vast forests, fells and lakes, plus the Sámi culture. In winter, Northern Lights chances are good from September to March; in summer, the sun doesn't set from late May to mid-July. Highlights include the ICEHOTEL, the Treehotel, the Kungsleden and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Laponia.
Sweden's northernmost region, Swedish Lapland, combines Arctic nature with a deeply rooted culture. Here you will meet the Sámi, whose traditional way of life is closely linked to reindeer herding. In the UNESCO World Heritage site Laponia, inscribed in 1996, Sámi communities still move with their herds to the Fjäll every summer. In winter, the Northern Lights glow over snowy forests, while in summer, the Midnight Sun shines, for 47 days in Kiruna. Visit the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi or the Abisko National Park, considered one of the best places for Northern Lights observations. Dog sledding and hiking are among the typical outdoor experiences. For cultural insights, the Ájtte in Jokkmokk is recommended. You can see the Northern Lights between September and March, and the Midnight Sun from late May to mid-July.
More places in Swedish Lapland (Lapland)
The Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland was founded in 1909 and covers approximately 77 square kilometers between the shore of Lake Torneträsk and the fells to the southwest. It lies about 195 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is considered one of the best places for observing the Northern Lights thanks to its often cloudless skies, especially from the Aurora Sky Station on Mount Nuolja. During the day, the Kungsleden invites you to hike, or you can follow the canyon of the Abiskojåkka. The Naturum Abisko provides information about the region's flora, fauna, and history. You can see the Northern Lights during the dark season from approximately September to March, and the Midnight Sun from late May to mid-July.
Jokkmokk, just north of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland, is a centre of Sámi culture. At Ájtte, the Swedish Fjäll and Sámi Museum, you can learn about the Sámi way of life and the nature of the mountain region. The town is known for the Jokkmokk Winter Market, which has been held for over 400 years, always starting on the first Thursday in February and lasting three days; in 2027, the 422nd market will take place from February 4th to 6th. In winter, dog sledding tours and the Northern Lights are a draw; in summer, the Midnight Sun and hiking. For the market period, you should book your accommodation early.
The Treehotel in Harads, Boden municipality, is a hotel of treehouses nestled in the forest. The individual rooms are designed by Scandinavian architectural firms, including the mirrored Mirrorcube, the Bird’s Nest, the UFO, and the 7th Room designed by Snøhetta. Besides the tree rooms, there is also a guesthouse with a restaurant and activities available all year round.
Kiruna is located far north of the Arctic Circle and is inextricably linked to iron ore: The mine of the state-owned LKAB corporation in Mount Kiirunavaara is considered the world's largest and most modern underground iron ore mine. As mining operations advance beneath the city, a new center is emerging approximately three kilometers east of the old downtown, to which historical buildings will also be relocated. In summer, you can experience the Midnight Sun here; in winter, chances of seeing the Northern Lights are good, and the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi is just a short drive away.
Essen & Trinken
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