A weekend in Kiruna - spectacular nature awaits north of the Arctic Circle
Kiruna is a town in the northernmost part of Sweden in the county of Lappland. It is situated north of the Arctic Circle, which means that at some times in winter the sun never rises, but in summer it makes up for this by sometimes never setting.
In this pretty town you find landmarks like Kiruna Church whose exterior is inspired by Norwegian timber churches and resembles the shape of a Sami tent. Visit the yearly Kiruna Winter Market to buy local handicraft, sweets and bread. Why not bring home some Sami Ghákku flatbread? In winter there are many space related activities taking place in Kiruna, and this time of year gives you the best chance of seeing the famous Northern Light dance across the sky. Certain times and days you will also find the rocket range Esrange Space Center open to visitors.
Kiruna and its surroundings further abound with wildlife experiences. Only around an hour's drive from central Kiruna you find Abisko National Park, which thanks to its beautiful mountain scenery is worth a visit any time of the year. Another beautiful place to discover is the Sarek National Park with its impressive Scandinavian fjelds. This national park is part of the World Heritage Site Laponia, and also makes up part of Sami reindeer herding areas. Be careful not to disturb the reindeer or the indigenous people tending the animals.
Kiruna usually has snow between October and May, so if you love skiing in natural snow, this is the place to go. Find well-kept slopes like Luossabacken and excellent off piste areas for instance around Riksgransen, on the border to Norway. Cross country fans can opt for the 27 kilometre Lakta Trail or a section of the 400 kilometre Kungsleden Trail.
Why not book a weekend trip to Kiruna, and see the magical things the north of Sweden has to offer? Fly to Kiruna Airport from Stockholm in around 1,5 hours. Rent a car at the airport and follow the motorway E10 which runs around the town. There are also trains to Kiruna, and in the town and surrounding area you can get around using local busses.
Are you ready for a fantastic holiday in Kiruna full of exciting activities? See northern Sweden from its most beautiful side.
