Discover Kiruna: Sweden’s Arctic City of Light, Ice, and Wilderness

A City Between Mountains and Stars

The snow crunches under your boots as the northern sky glows green with dancing auroras. In summer, the sun never sets, casting golden light over endless forests and fells. This is Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, perched 145 km above the Arctic Circle in Norrbotten County. Surrounded by wild landscapes and steeped in Sami culture, Kiruna is a gateway to some of the most spectacular outdoor adventures in Europe.

What Makes Kiruna Special

Kiruna is unique in many ways. Built on iron ore and now in the middle of a historic city relocation, it combines industry with raw nature. It sits between two great landmarks: Abisko National Park with its famous northern lights “blue hole”, and Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain. Just beyond, you’ll find vast tundra, lakes, and forests where reindeer roam and silence still reigns.

What makes Kiruna truly special is how the Arctic defines daily life. Long polar nights bring star-filled skies, glowing auroras, and cosy winter traditions. Endless summer days mean hiking at midnight, paddling in golden light, and exploring with no need to watch the clock.

Outdoor Activities in Kiruna

Northern Lights Adventures

One of the top things to do in Kiruna is chase the northern lights. From September to April, the city and its surroundings offer some of the world’s best aurora conditions. You can join guided tours by snowmobile, dogsled, or snowshoes, or simply step outside into the Arctic night and watch the sky erupt in colour.

Dogsledding and Snowmobiling

Glide through frozen forests behind a team of eager huskies, their paws silent on the snow. Dogsledding is a classic Arctic adventure, offering a mix of thrill and tranquillity. For faster-paced exploration, snowmobiling across frozen lakes and mountain plateaus is another unforgettable way to cover ground.

Ice Hotel Experience

In Jukkasjärvi, just outside Kiruna, stands the world-famous Icehotel. Rebuilt every winter from ice blocks cut from the Torne River, it is both an art exhibition and an overnight experience like no other. After exploring ice sculptures, you can sleep in sub-zero temperatures wrapped in reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags.

Hiking and Trekking

Summer transforms Kiruna into a hiker’s paradise. The Kungsleden (King’s Trail) starts nearby in Abisko, offering more than 400 km of trekking through Sweden’s Arctic wilderness. For shorter hikes, the mountains around Nikkaluokta and Kebnekaise are perfect. You can choose between gentle day hikes to alpine lakes or challenging ascents of Sweden’s highest peak.

Canoeing and Fishing

The Torne River and countless lakes around Kiruna invite summer paddling adventures. Canoeing or kayaking here brings you close to the stillness of the Arctic, with reflections of forests and fells on the water. Fishing is excellent, with grayling, trout, and Arctic char among the highlights.

Sami Culture Encounters

Kiruna is at the heart of Sami territory. You can visit reindeer camps, learn about traditional herding, or enjoy local delicacies like smoked reindeer or Arctic fish. These experiences offer insight into a culture that has thrived in harmony with the Arctic for centuries.

Local Tips

• Dress in layers: Arctic weather changes quickly, even in summer.
• In winter, daylight can be as short as two hours, so plan activities accordingly.
• If visiting the Icehotel, book early, as it is one of Sweden’s most sought-after winter experiences.
• Respect Sami reindeer herding areas by keeping distance and following local guidance.

Best Time to Visit Kiruna

• Winter (December to March): Best for northern lights, dogsledding, snowmobiling, and the Icehotel. The polar night adds a magical atmosphere.
• Spring (April to May): Longer days, excellent skiing and snowmobiling, and fewer crowds.
• Summer (June to August): Midnight sun, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and camping in mild weather.
• Autumn (September to November): Stunning colours, crisp air, and the return of the auroras.

How to Get There

Kiruna is easily reached by plane, train, or road. Kiruna Airport has regular flights from Stockholm, taking about 1 hour 30 minutes. Night trains from Stockholm also connect directly to Kiruna and Abisko, offering a comfortable and scenic overland journey. From Norway, Narvik is linked by train to Kiruna, making it a convenient cross-border gateway.

A Place Between Earth and Sky

Kiruna is more than Sweden’s northernmost city—it is a meeting point of culture, wilderness, and Arctic extremes. Whether you are watching the northern lights ripple above a frozen lake, climbing Kebnekaise under the midnight sun, or sharing stories around a Sami fire, Kiruna leaves you with memories as vast as its landscapes.