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The Midnight Sun over a lake and forest in the Swedish Lapland. The mountains in the background.

Die Mitternachtssonne über einem See und Wald in Schwedisch Lappland. Die Berge im Hintergrund.

Mitternachtssonne

Midnight Sun

Norrbotten

The area of Norrbotten is an ideal place for winter and summer activities within nature, outdoor and adventure.

Green northern lights shine above the entrance to the Icehotel.

Grüne Nordlichter leuchten über dem Eingang zum Icehotel.

Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi

Une aurore boréale verte brille au-dessus de l'entrée de l'Icehotel.

Groen noorderlicht schijnt boven de ingang van het IJshotel.

Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

Kiruna – Sweden’s northernmost city – has a lot to offer. This is where to see the Northern Lights and experience the Midnight Sun. It also boasts Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain.

Red cottages and the white church tower in Gammelstad church town during winter.

Rote Häuschen und der weiße Kirchturm in der Kirchenstadt Gammelstad im Winter.

Gammelstad, Luleå

Église de Gammelstad, Luleå

Rode huisjes en de witte kerktoren in de kerkstad Gammelstad tijdens de winter.

Kerkstad Gammelstad, Luleå

Gammelstad Church Town, Luleå

Luleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish Lapland

Luleå, the heart of Swedish Lapland, is a captivating city where history and modernity blend seamlessly against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty. Renowned as Sweden&#x27;s northern gem, Luleå promises an array of unforgettable experiences, from exploring the historic Gammelstad Church Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures.

A woman is standing by a wood fired oven, holding bread, in a garden during summer.

Krakas Krog, Gotland

The regional flavours of Sweden

Swedish cuisine is geared towards sustainability and high-quality local produce. The country&#x27;s varied geography and climate has therefore given rise to a wonderfully diverse food culture. Travelling from south to north, you’ll discover many different types of food, all worth trying for their unique character alone. Here’s an introduction to the Swedish food cultures of Malmö, Gotland, Sundsvall and the High Coast.

A person standing with its camera on a snowy hill under an epic aurora where the sky is changing colour from blue, yellow, purple, pink and a bright green.

Northern lights

When and where to see the magical Northern Lights in Sweden

To see the beauty of the Northern Lights, head to northern Sweden between early September and late March. This winter, the Aurora Borealis will be mighty as we enter the solar cycle&#x27;s peak.Below are five tips for increasing your chances to see the Northern Lights and some of the best places in Sweden to watch them.

When and where to see the magical Northern Lights

Sami handcraft leather and pewter bracelets on a reindeer pelt.

Sami handcraft

Sámi handicraft

The Sámi people are Sweden’s indigenous population. With a rich history spanning over 10,000 years, they have preserved unique traditions – including their exquisite handicraft – that reflect deep ties to nature and their ancestral heritage.

Two people kayaking on a lake by a large white castle in the summer time.

Canoeing on Lake Vänern

Top 8 lake vacations in Sweden

With over 100,000 lakes in Sweden, you're never too far from a beautiful lakeside. And thanks to Sweden’s right of public access, these serenity-inducing waters are free for all to enjoy.

Top 8 lake vacations in Sweden – from wild swimming to kayak adventures

Two women are sitting on a hill in the mountains and enjoying the midnight sun.

Midnight Sun in Rikgränsen, Swedish Lapland

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun in Sweden

Midnight Sun is when the sun never sets in the summer. The Midnight Sun is a 24-hour period of sunlight that can be experienced above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland.

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun

Sarek national park

True adventure in Laponia

If you’re looking to get away from it all, there’s no better place than Laponia in Swedish Lapland, where you can experience vast expanses of nature, the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun. Head north to experience Sweden’s Arctic region and a well-preserved way of life in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Suite at the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi featuring a bed made of ice covered with reindeer hides. Ice art carved into the walls.

Icehotel suite

Icehotel – the coolest hotel in the world

Two hundred kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find the world-famous Icehotel. Each icy room is an art installation showcasing the designs of some of the world’s most talented artists. For more than 30 years, the hotel – located in the village of Jukkasjärvi – has expanded to become a year-round hub for outdoor activities and inspired dining experiences.

Gammelstad Church Town in northern Sweden

The Gammelstad Church Village in Luleå

Gammelstad Church Village charms with its 15th-century stone church, medieval streets, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. You&#x27;ll find it in the town of Luleå, in Swedish Lapland.

Kayaking

Kayaking and canoe adventures in Sweden

Experience Sweden from the waterside in a kayak or canoe, gliding along mighty lakes, clean rivers and through Swedish archipelagos that spread across the idyllic coastlines and into the sea.

Hiking the King's Trail, Swedish Lapland

The King's Trail has something for everyone

Hiking the King’s Trail, Kungsleden, takes you to the far north of Sweden through scenic mountains and the beauty of the four national parks of World Heritage Site Laponia. Multiple entry and exit points mean you can easily tailor your hike.

Mountain biking in Swedish Lapland

Sweden – a paradise for cycling

Whether you’re a thrill seeker or prefer a gentle sightseeing, the varied landscape as well as the cycle-friendly cities in Sweden make it ideal for exploring on two wheels. Explore this beautiful country in a wholesome manner while getting out into the nature like a local.

Landscape view of mountainous terrain with autumn colours.

Vindelfjällen

The Blue Highway – a riverside road trip through northern Sweden

The Swedish stretch of the Blue Highway makes for an epic road trip. Set off any time of year, and you&#x27;ll be immersed in the majestic nature and cultural heritage of Västerbotten and the southern part of Lapland.

Sámi culture

Discover Sweden's traditional Sámi culture and way of life

Sweden&#x27;s indigenous people – the Sámi – live sustainable, culturally rich lives in harmony with nature. Today, responsible tourism is an important part of their way of life, offering visitors a chance to explore their traditions through a variety of experiences – including unforgettable encounters with reindeer.

A tree house in the forest. Several bird boxes decorates the outside of the house.

Biosphere at Treehotel, Harads

Top design places to visit in northern Sweden

Looking for places to explore Swedish design, arts and crafts on your holiday in Sweden? Svensk Form (the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design) has put together this list of the top design places to visit in northern Sweden.

Top 6 design places to visit in northern Sweden

Fermented herring

Fermented herring ('surströmming')

Never has rotten fish smelled so bad but tasted so good.

'Surströmming' – the fermented herring that Swedes love

Wallander tour in Ystad, Skåne

Sweden’s smaller cities and towns – the hidden gems you need to know

While Sweden’s three major cities often get all the attention, there are plenty of lesser-known, smaller cities off the beaten track, all offering an equally attractive mix of culture and nature as their big-city counterparts. What’s more, they’re easy to reach from the larger cities – ideal if you want to extend your city break.

Explore Sweden’s smaller cities and towns

Walking on the Baltic Sea

The best hiking in middle and northern Sweden

With its vast stretches of untouched nature and idyllic countryside, Sweden is a dream destination for hiking. Here’s a guide to some of the best trails in the middle and northern parts of the country – including Kebnekaise.

Five different meals, three bottles,  a spool with jute twine and flowers on a wooden table.

Table at Farmers market, Varberg

Swedish food and drink festivals for every taste

Sweden’s culinary scene is thriving, with an increasing focus on sustainability. Discover the country’s rich food culture by visiting one of the food and drink festivals that will take place in 2025.

Team of huskies

Dog sledding in Sweden

Winter adventures don&#x27;t get much more real or exotic than mushing your own team of Alaskan Huskies in the Swedish mountains or Swedish Lapland in the Arctic Circle. Dog sledding in Sweden is truly a bucket list experience.

Dog sledding in Sweden – a true winter adventure

A herd of reindeer on a mountain plateau in northern Sweden.

Reindeer on the Wilderness Road, Stekenjokk

Vildmarksvägen – an epic drive on Sweden’s scenic Wilderness Road

For the ultimate road trip, drive along Sweden’s Wilderness Road, a ruggedly majestic route through some of the country’s most outstanding and remote nature. Take in breathtaking scenery, from dramatic mountains and expansive plains to pristine lakes and waterfalls, all peppered with wildlife large and small.

A person holding a light looks at the green northern lights in the sky. The northern lights are reflecting in the lake next to the person.

Northern lights, Swedish Lapland

How to capture the elusive Northern Lights

The Northern Lights have mesmerised people since ancient times and are on many travellers&#x27; bucket lists today. To increase your chances of seeing this surreal natural phenomenon, it’s a good idea to get help from experts. Here are five extraordinary Northern Lights tours, and some tips and tricks for capturing them on camera.

Norrbotten is situated far north east of Sweden, bordering to Finland and Lappland to the west

Want to plan your holiday based on your interests? Select activities of choice or explore Sweden geographically.

Norrbotten

General

Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

Luleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish Lapland

Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern LightsKiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

The regional flavours of Sweden

When and where to see the magical Northern Lights

Sámi handicraft

Top 8 lake vacations in Sweden – from wild swimming to kayak adventures

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun

True adventure in Laponia

Icehotel – the coolest hotel in the world

The Gammelstad Church Village in Luleå

Kayaking and canoe adventures in Sweden

The King's Trail has something for everyone

Sweden – a paradise for cycling

The Blue Highway – a riverside road trip through northern Sweden

Discover Sweden's traditional Sámi culture and way of life

Top 6 design places to visit in northern Sweden

Luleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish LaplandLuleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish Lapland

'Surströmming' – the fermented herring that Swedes love

Top 6 design places to visit in northern Sweden

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun

Explore Sweden’s smaller cities and towns

The best hiking in middle and northern Sweden

The Blue Highway – a riverside road trip through northern Sweden

Swedish food and drink festivals for every taste

Dog sledding in Sweden – a true winter adventure

Vildmarksvägen – an epic drive on Sweden’s scenic Wilderness Road

How to capture the elusive Northern Lights

Norrbotten

General

CityKiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

CityLuleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish Lapland

Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern LightsKiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern LightsView all

The regional flavours of Sweden

When and where to see the magical Northern Lights

Sámi handicraft

Top 8 lake vacations in Sweden – from wild swimming to kayak adventures

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun

True adventure in Laponia

Icehotel – the coolest hotel in the world

The Gammelstad Church Village in Luleå

Kayaking and canoe adventures in Sweden

The King's Trail has something for everyone

Sweden – a paradise for cycling

The Blue Highway – a riverside road trip through northern Sweden

Discover Sweden's traditional Sámi culture and way of life

Top 6 design places to visit in northern Sweden

Luleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish LaplandLuleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish LaplandView all

'Surströmming' – the fermented herring that Swedes love

Top 6 design places to visit in northern Sweden

When and where to see the spectacular Midnight Sun

Explore Sweden’s smaller cities and towns

The best hiking in middle and northern Sweden

The Blue Highway – a riverside road trip through northern Sweden

Swedish food and drink festivals for every taste

Dog sledding in Sweden – a true winter adventure

Vildmarksvägen – an epic drive on Sweden’s scenic Wilderness Road

How to capture the elusive Northern Lights

Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

Luleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish Lapland

Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern LightsKiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

Luleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish LaplandLuleå: Where history meets modernity in Swedish Lapland