Sweden: Visiting the Arctic Cities — Kiruna, Abisko, and the Train of the North
Arctic Sweden: The Less Explored North
While Norway attracts most Nordic visitors with its famous fjords, Arctic Sweden remains surprisingly authentic and less crowded. The province of Swedish Lapland offers pristine national parks, the town of Kiruna which is literally moving from one place to another (an unprecedented engineering feat), and Abisko — the place with the highest concentration of clear skies in the entire Nordic Arctic.
The Train Journey: Stockholm–Kiruna (the Nattåget)
One of the most beautiful railway experiences in Europe is the Stockholm–Kiruna–Narvik night train, operated by SJ (Swedish Railways). The journey takes 17-20 hours and crosses the whole of Sweden from south to north — you fall asleep in a European city and wake up in the Arctic tundra. The sleeping cars are comfortable (booking is essential, especially in winter). Cost: 80-150€ in a sleeping compartment.
Kiruna: The Town That is Moving
Kiruna is the northernmost town in Sweden (67°N) and is famous for two things: the LKAB iron mine (the largest in the world) and the fact that it is literally moving 3km to avoid sinking into the mining tunnels below. Between 2014 and 2035, over 3,000 buildings are being demolished and rebuilt on the new site. An unprecedented urban experiment in the world, which can be visited through guided tours of the mine and the "old" Kiruna in progressive demolition.
The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, 17km from Kiruna, is one of the most famous structures in the world: every year it is rebuilt entirely with ice and snow from the Torne River. The art suites (designed by international artists) cost 500-1,500€ per night, but some parts of the complex (the ice bar, the gallery) are accessible with a day ticket for 25€.
Abisko: The Northern Lights Paradise
95km northwest of Kiruna, Abisko National Park is considered by many experts to be the best place in the world to observe the Northern Lights. The reason: the microclimate created by Lake Torneträsk produces a "window" of clear skies statistically 30-40% higher than the surrounding areas. The Aurora Sky Station, reachable by cable car at an altitude of 900m, offers ideal observation conditions with a 360-degree view above the clouds.
Activities in Abisko Park
- Kungsleden (The King's Trail): 440km of trekking through Swedish Lapland. In winter, the first sections can be covered with snowshoes or cross-country skis
- Nordic cross-country skiing: the illuminated track in Abisko allows skiing even during the polar night
- Snowshoeing: guided snowshoe hikes in the dwarf birch forest, stopping to cook kåffe (traditional Sami coffee) over the fire
- Sami culture: visits to traditional villages of the Sami people, the indigenous communities of Lapland. The Sami have been herding reindeer for millennia — encountering the herds during winter migration is a spectacle
Where to Sleep in Abisko
The STF Abisko Turiststation is the main accommodation in the park: run by the Swedish Tourist Association, it offers simple rooms, dormitories, and excellent meals. The advantage: it is a 5-minute walk from the Aurora Sky Station cable car. Book 3-4 months in advance in the high season (December–March).
