Kiruna – an arctic city bathed in the Northern Lights

Nestling around 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Kiruna is Sweden’s northernmost city and often referred to as the Arctic capital of Sweden. Here, striking contrasts shape life throughout the year, from the dark winter months illuminated by the Northern Lights to the endless daylight of the Midnight Sun.

Kiruna is part of Arctic Sweden, a vast region covering almost a quarter of the country. It also lies within Sápmi, the traditional home of the indigenous Sámi people, whose culture remains an important part of the area. The municipality of Kiruna is larger than over 50 countries by area, encompassing forests, marshes, lakes, rivers and mountain landscapes.

Kiruna is also a city in transformation. Founded as a mining community in 1900, it is now developing a new city centre some three kilometres east of its original location to allow mining to continue. This includes the relocation of several historic buildings, which are being moved in their entirety. The new centre was inaugurated in 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2035.

Across the municipality, you’ll find some of northern Sweden’s most iconic destinations, including the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Abisko National Park – widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights – and Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise.

Kiruna and its natural light phenomena

Few places showcase natural light phenomena as clearly as Kiruna, from the Northern Lights to the Midnight Sun and the Polar Night.

In winter, the Polar Night brings a period of near-constant darkness from early December to early January. The sun never rises above the horizon, yet the landscape is far from completely dark. Snow-covered ground, moonlight and the brief daily ‘blue hour’ create a soft, atmospheric light.

This is also the best time to witness the Northern Lights. Visible from September to March, this natural light display draws visitors from around the world. Abisko, just over an hour away by car or train, is widely regarded as one of the best places on Earth to experience the phenomenon, with the Aurora Sky Station as a popular vantage point.

In summer, the Midnight Sun transforms the region with daylight around the clock. From late May to mid-July, the sun never sets, allowing you to explore the outdoors at any time of day or night. For a true bucket list experience, head to Riksgränsen, where skiing under the Midnight Sun is possible during Midsummer.

Outdoor adventures in Kiruna

Kiruna offers year-round outdoor experiences across a varied landscape of forests, rivers, lakes and mountains. Whether you visit in summer or winter, the surrounding nature invites you to explore.

Sweden’s most famous long-distance trail, the King’s Trail (Kungsleden), runs through the area. The stretch between Abisko and Nikkaluokta passes through Abisko National Park and offers views of Kebnekaise. For something more remote, the hiking trail to the Three-Country Cairn (Treriksröset) leads to the point where Sweden, Norway and Finland meet.

With thousands of lakes and several major rivers, Kiruna is also a dream destination for fishing, with species such as Arctic char, pike, grayling and salmon. In winter, the focus shifts to snow-based activities, with ski resorts like family-friendly Björkliden and nearby Riksgränsen, known for its off-piste terrain. The ski season typically runs from February until early or late May, depending on conditions.

Three ways to experience Kiruna’s nature with a guide

• Guided fishing tours: Join a local guide for anything from a short trip to a multi-day adventure, with opportunities for both fly fishing in summer and ice fishing in winter.
• Dog sledding tours: Travel through snowy landscapes with a team of huskies, either driving your own sled or sitting back and enjoying the ride.
• Northern Lights tours: Head out with experienced guides to maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, often combined with activities such as snowmobiling, photography or dinner experiences.

Kiruna's cultural identity

Kiruna lies within Sápmi, the traditional homeland of the Sámi people, which stretches across northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia. The Sámi have lived here for thousands of years, and reindeer herding remains a central part of their culture. If you encounter reindeer in the wild, remember to keep a respectful distance and not to disturb them.

There are several ways to experience authentic Sámi culture through local hosts. Companies such as Nutti Sámi Siida, Giron Reindeer and Scandinavian Sami Photoadventures offer guided experiences that provide insight into reindeer herding and Sámi traditions, with activities varying by season.

Kiruna’s identity is also closely linked to mining. At the LKAB mine, the world’s largest underground iron ore mine, visitors can join guided tours descending 540 metres below ground. Set in an authentic mining environment, the experience brings you closer to both the history and modern operations of the mine, including how mining has shaped Kiruna over time. You’ll also gain insight into modern mining and how it can lead to an entire town being moved.

Explore Kiruna on foot

• City round tour: Walk in the footsteps of Kiruna’s founder, Hjalmar Lundbohm, and learn about the ongoing urban transformation, including visits to the old church and the new town hall.
• Art in a model town: Discover architecture, public art and viewpoints as part of the evolving city centre and the vision of a modern Arctic town.
• Guided city tour: Travel through time, from the geological origins 400 million years ago to today’s Kiruna, including both the old centre and the new city.

Kiruna on a plate – local flavours and where to find them

In Kiruna, nature is never far from the plate. Forests rich in berries, rivers and lakes full of fish, and mountains where herbs grow wild all shape the local food culture. Sámi traditions also play an important role, with ingredients such as reindeer, Arctic char and game forming the basis of many dishes.

Reindeer is served in many forms, from sausages to steaks, but ‘souvas’ – lightly smoked reindeer meat – is a local speciality well worth trying. For drinks, look out for beers from Kiruna Bryggeri, Sweden’s northernmost brewery, whose craft brews are inspired by the city’s mining heritage and ongoing transformation.

Four restaurants to try in Kiruna

• Café Giron: Kiruna’s first Sámi café (Giron is the Sámi name for Kiruna), serving lunch dishes rooted in tradition along with homemade fika.
• Spill Saluhall & Eatery: A relaxed all-day restaurant known for its local flavours, from breakfast through to dinner.
• Alex: A small fine dining restaurant offering an intimate experience with seasonal tasting menus inspired by local ingredients and modern Nordic cuisine.
• Stejk Street Food: Street food with a northern twist, featuring ingredients like reindeer and Arctic cheese, served in a cosy lavvu tent. Also offers Northern Lights tours combined with dinner.
• Arctic Gourmet Cabin: Kiruna’s smallest restaurant, where the chef creates a daily menu based on the best available local ingredients, from reindeer to berries picked nearby.

Accommodation in Kiruna

Kiruna offers a mix of modern hotels in the new city centre and unique stays close to nature, from Sámi-inspired lodging to ice-crafted rooms.

• Elite Hotel Frost: A contemporary hotel in the new city centre, featuring a sky bar, spa and rooftop infinity pools with views over the surrounding landscape.
• Scandic Kiruna: A modern hotel with a striking design inspired by Kebnekaise and Lapporten, complete with a sky bar overlooking the Arctic surroundings.
• Reindeer Lodge: Stay close to nature and Sámi culture in a lavvu (traditional Sámi tent), stohpu (forest cabin) or goahti (modern Sámi tent), next to a reindeer enclosure.
• Camp Ripan: A family-run retreat just outside the city centre, offering cosy cabins, a renowned restaurant and an award-winning spa inspired by the Arctic seasons.
• Icehotel: The world’s first ice hotel, where you can spend the night in rooms made entirely of ice and snow, even in summer.

Travelling with children

Kiruna’s natural surroundings are a big part of the experience, but there are also several activities especially suited to families that combine adventure with hands-on learning.

• Husky Home: A private family dog sledding experience where children can meet, feed and cuddle the huskies after the ride.
• Kåppasjokka caves (Abisko): One of Sweden’s longest cave systems, explored on a guided summer tour with a certified mountain leader, suitable for children aged 12 and above.
• Esrange Visitor Centre: Discover the world of space through interactive exhibits at one of Europe’s most advanced space centres, with free entry.

Kiruna is a place of contrasts, where deep underground mining meets vast mountain landscapes, and where the changing seasons shape entirely different experiences. As Sweden’s northernmost city, Kiruna is also a natural starting point for exploring the surrounding nature and the wider region of Arctic Sweden. Here, experiences are shaped by both the landscape and the Arctic way of life, from everyday moments to once-in-a-lifetime adventures.