Kiruna – Northernmost town of Sweden

This northernmost town of Kiruna, Sweden might not be a part of your bucket list but you might find your true calling in this cold, cold town if you are one for me-time, we-time or adventure.

Kiruna is at the north of Swedish Lapland. The town is known for its huge coal mine which was the reason why this town came into existence in the first place. But today the town faces an unprecedented danger of being swallowed up by the very same mine. Cracks started appearing on the ground some time ago which caused much fear among the residents. The plan now is to shift a large part of the town by three kilometres.

All the more reason to visit Kiruna! Let’s look at some of our reasons to visit Kiruna. 

Vacationing in a different world

Life here moves at a different pace altogether. You will find no rush or chaos, with everyone enjoying life even in the harsh weather conditions. It’s all about the simple things here. Cosy lodgings, sumptuous meals, friendly locals and the serene nature will make you feel that you are in a different world to help you slow down and soak in life and nature – an apt recipe for a peaceful getaway.

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the midnight sun

The Northern lights experiences can’t be missed in any Arctic town. The further north you go, higher are the chances of sighting the lights. The Northern Lights are best experienced on a cold and dark night (not cloudy).  Just an hour drive from Kiruna is Abisko, that has a phenomenon called the Blue Hole that keeps the sky clear due to the clouds staying on the other side of the mountains that surround the town. Abisko is a great option for Northern lights. The bright colourful northern lights look glorious above the white snow covered land. Another interesting phenomenon is the midnight’s sun – in summer. An experience of a different kind. It might disturb your sleep cycle a little but then who comes to Kiruna to sleep.

Ice Hotel Kiruna

This is the first ice hotel in the world. Each room is a piece of art sculpted on ice with a  temperature ranging between-5ºC and -8ºC, which is still warm compared to the outside Get ready to have a drink served in an Ice glass at the Ice Bar.  The other unique feature about the Ice Hotel is that it is a handiwork of various artistes, who are free to create whatever they like to make each room unique within a two-week period. Every year, the entire hotel is presented in a new Avatar.  The design is sometimes based on an overall theme, and at times it differs from room to room. The ice hotel experience starts from mid-December and lasts till mid-February. Get ready to sleep at -5 degrees and drink from -5 again!

Jukkasjärvi Church

Earlier, the Sami inhabited Kiruna and the region around. Then the Swedes invaded Kiruna and settled here. This 400-year old Church marks this invasion. The altar-artwork portrays the history of Laestadianism, when many indigenous people fled the area because they didn’t want to be forced to become Lutheran. The church also offers cultural insights to the area around Jukkasjärvi.

A ride with the Huskies

Try the traditional way of exploring the area with the friendly huskies. In the middle of nowhere, driving a sled pulled by good looking huskies through the forest and a frozen river, is an experience to cherish.

Are you an adventure Junkie

Kiruna has snow for more than 200 days in a year. This makes it an ideal place for snow-mobiling, snow-shoeing, ice-fishing, ice-sculpting and cross-country skiing.

The small 5 and more in the wild

Kiruna doesn’t have the Big 5 – but the animals here are unique and cool. Do fix a date with the Moose, the reindeer, the wolf, the beaver, the lynx and the bear!

Coal mine

Kiruna has some fairly interesting stories about its underground coal mines. And the mines are open to visit along with a guide to bring alive the history and various stories of life as it was and is in this coal mining town. 

Beach life in spring and summer 

If you are thinking, Kiruna is only about the harsh winter, you are perhaps ignoring the Kiruna spring and summer. There are a plenty of beaches to swim and chill thanks to the inland ice. Nature is at its best in spring and summer.

Outdoor Fika 

Swedes love their fika (coffee and a snack) and they drink lots of coffee. Sometimes, they have this ritual outdoors with coffee boiled over an open fire. Or indoors in front of a cosy fire. All in all, it isn’t the coffee that is the best part of this ritual – that’s just the excuse. The killer here is the conversation and the company.

These were some of our reasons to visit Kiruna. Does it feel like an Arctic journey within oneself? Let us know your reasons too. Keep watching this space to know more about Lapland 

(Compiled by Mehakk Negi in discussion with Anand Parameswaran)

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How to Reach Kiruna

You can fly daily to Kiruna from Stockholm. There are train options too from various towns in Sweden. The trains are a tad less comfortable. From the airport there are enough buses and taxis to reach the city centre.

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Best time to experience Kiruna

Depending on whether you are keen on Northern lights and adventure activities, midnight sun or bright spring/ summer, Kiruna can be year-round destination.

Another intersting place you may want to check out is Svalbard, the last town before the North Pole. To read about my experience there,https://beyonder.travel/europe/norway/an-encounter-with-silence/

If you, like me, are a fan of experiential travel, click here www.beyonder.travel, pick your choice of place/experiences and get ready to start witnessing places.