A winter visit to Swedish Lapland is a truly unique incentive or holiday experience. Vast expanses of snow-covered natural wilderness, authentic Sami culture, and unique adventure activities make a visit to this part of the Arctic Circle unforgettable. You can choose the towns of Kiruna or Luleå as your base, as both are approximately a 1h30min direct flight from Stockholm (which is another must-see destination).

The best time to visit is December-March but the best time for an Arctic Safari is in March, which we call “winter-spring.” This is a magical place where you can go snow shoe walking, kicksledding, Nordic ice skating, cross-country skiing, snow horse riding, see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), ice fishing, sauna, swim in a hole in the ice, snowmobile safaris, husky dog sledding, visit a reindeer farm and enjoy a reindeer ride, feast on reindeer and salmon, enjoy afternoon Fika (coffee and cake) and taste local alcoholic drinks Akavit (distilled from potatoes or grain with herbs) and glögg (mulled red wine).

With so much to choose from, be in contact with the local experts at Nordic Ways to plan your itinerary. They share some of their highlights in the two main destinations in Swedish Lapland.

Luleå

• Explore the frozen Luleå archipelago by car – travel on 30 kilometres of roads on the frozen sea and visit islands such as Hindersön, Junkön, Sandön and Storbrändön.
• Climb aboard the authentic Polar Explorer Icebreaker for 3 hours. You will see and feel the massive ice-breaking power of the vessel as you head out into the frozen sea and enjoy a guided tour all the way down to the engine rooms and then up to the Captain’s bridge. Relax in the cozy saloon, go for a walk on the frozen sea ice during the stop, and when the icebreaker makes a pool free of ice you can swim in the dark icy water in a flotation survival suit.
• Guided tour of Gammelstad, which is more than 400 years old and is the best preserved church town in Sweden. You will hear about the history and culture of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Take a Hovercraft trip out into Bothnian Bay across the pack ice fields of the outer archipelago. At the Island of Brändöskär, we step out to take a walk on the ice and have a look into the old Chapel on the Island. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot seals or sea eagles during the trip. Warm drinks at the end of the ride are enjoyed in the log cabin restaurant.
• Norrbottens Museum to learn about Luleå’s history and culture, and a visit to Technicians Hus, a Swedish science centre.
• Try restaurants Hemmagastronomi, CG’s and Bistro Norrland.
• Stay at the beautiful Lapland View Lodge, situated on Luppio Mountain next to Övertorneå. Built in harmony with nature,  the 40 hotel cabins have big windows for you to fully enjoy the breathtaking views over the snowy treetops and the Torne River Valley.

Kiruna

• Visit the famous Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. Each winter, passionate artists gather in the town to rebuild and sculpt a new rendition of this Arctic wonder with ice from the nearby Torne River. It has 15 ice rooms, 12 art suites, and a ceremony hall for events up to 40 pax. The new permanent structure, Icehotel 365, offers a year-round winter experience with a variety of ice rooms, ice suites and an ice bar and ice church.
• Visit the Sami Village, Nutti Sami Siida, where you can learn about the traditional cultures of the Lappish Sami people and enjoy a lunch of reindeer or fish.
• Take a sauna in the uniquely sculptured Solar Egg or at the Aurora Spa with its indoor and outdoor thermal baths.
• Visit during the Kiruna Snow Festival (late January) and see the unique ice sculptures, reindeer racing, craft fair, figure skating, musical performances, dancing, and World Championships in ice slinging and snow blowing!
• Tour LKAB Visitor Centre – the world’s largest underground iron-ore mine where the coach drives you into the mountain 540m below the surface.
• Try SPiS Mat & Dryck restaurant and if you are out and about in town stop at Stejk Street Foods Truck & Tipi for a reindeer and cheese sub with a warm lingonberry juice.
• Northern light dinner experience in Abisko at 900 meters elevation. Take a 2km long chairlift ride through the silence to STF Aurora Sky Station up on Mt. Nuolja. With a crackling fireplace, a magnificent view of Abisko and a good chance to experience the Northern lights, this is truly a night to remember.