Top 5 Kiruna Tours: See Swedish Lapland!

Kiruna, up in Swedish Lapland, is such a special spot that’s more or less begging to be explored. It’s not just that it’s Sweden’s northernmost town; it’s the place where the Northern Lights dance and it also provides easy access to fantastic adventures. Now, with all the things that you can experience in this region, settling on what to do first may be a little tough. So, let’s check out five of the best Kiruna sightseeing tours. These options are what you want to be looking at if you’re after some great memories.

1. Northern Lights Tour: Chasing Aurora Magic

Alright, if you’re in Kiruna during winter, going on a Northern Lights tour is something you have to do, too. Basically, picture this: you’re out in the Arctic wilderness, snow crunching under your boots, hot drink warming up your hands, gazing up at a sky that’s just doing this crazy light show, right? That’s exactly what a Northern Lights tour could bring to the table, in a way.

Often, these tours start in the late afternoon or early evening and usually last around four to five hours, as a matter of fact. Your guide, someone who really knows their stuff, keeps an eye on the aurora forecasts and weather patterns to get you to the very best viewing spot, at the end of the day. These locations are sometimes a bit of a drive from Kiruna, which gets you away from all that city light pollution and is much better for clear viewing, sort of.

Lots of tour companies offer comfy transport – warm buses or sometimes even snowmobiles if you’re feeling like getting very adventurous. When you get to the viewing site, there’s usually a warm fire, some stories about the Sami culture and local legends, and maybe even some toasted marshmallows, really. The hot drinks are basically a must, let me tell you.

But here’s what you’re really there for, you know: waiting to catch a sight of those lights. And when the aurora borealis starts dancing across the sky – greens, pinks, purples flickering and swirling – it is something that just sticks with you, and often it feels kind of unreal. Don’t forget your camera; catching this otherworldly sight is really worth it.

Things to think about are: dressing properly (layers are a must), checking tour reviews, and booking in advance ’cause these tours fill up real fast, right? Some tours also offer photography tips, which you may find super useful if you’re keen to snap great pics, in other words. But at the end of the day, it’s the experience of standing under that amazing sky, that’s what people keep talking about.

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2. Ice Hotel Tour: A Chilly Overnight Wonder

Okay, here is a chance to sleep somewhere amazing, which is checking out the Ice Hotel. Right outside Kiruna, that landmark isn’t just like some regular hotel, even. It’s made out of ice, too; they actually rebuild it every year, is that not amazing?

Going on an Ice Hotel tour doesn’t just give you a walk-through of some interesting tourist trap; you get a chance to see something seriously impressive. It’s more or less crafted from scratch by some fantastic ice sculptors. Now, if you go for the overnight package, you get to sleep there too, right?

These tours go more or less daily and they tend to include transport from Kiruna. When you arrive, you’re greeted with a tour that takes you to different art suites. And each is totally unique. I mean, honestly, you would find all types of ice art and furniture, and everything else is carved out from huge blocks of ice harvested from the Torne River, very beautiful indeed.

When it’s overnight, you will be given a cozy thermal sleeping bag. In there you get to stay toasty at around -5 to -8 degrees Celsius (that’s 23 to 17 degrees Fahrenheit), which actually doesn’t seem so terrible. Basically, a hot sauna in the hotel comes included. Plus, there is also the thrill of actually saying you did that that brings the experience to another level altogether.

One cool thing is getting to see is the Icebar. You will find all kinds of drinks that are served in ice glasses. How else could they serve them, really? So, anyway, do pack warm clothes because, in case you were wondering, that place can get nippy. Also, book early, alright? This destination is definitely sought after, alright.

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Read our full review: Kiruna Ice Hotel Tour Full Review and Details

3. Sami Culture Tour: Step Into Indigenous Tradition

Okay so, going a bit beyond the popular tourist trails, take a tour focusing on Sami culture, and it’s truly like walking back in time, you know. The Sami are Sweden’s indigenous people. Also, getting to know about their way of living provides a totally different point of view on that land, sort of.

Several tours get you to a Sami village, as a matter of fact. Often, these tours feature interactions with Sami families and stories around their everyday routine, which you rarely hear, let me tell you. Also, the experience covers reindeer herding. Often, there are sled rides if the weather actually agrees. Usually the most immersive tours offer an authentic taste from Sami food like reindeer stew, which makes it real.

Most likely, you might learn the basic joik singing. The traditions are passed through word-of-mouth, basically, right? So many tales there go way, way back. Learning the tradition that makes a region actually more than just another winter place can provide quite the change.

Something you might want to think about is the season you’re in because, basically, Sami routines vary with all of them, alright? It’s smart to check when those villages respect cultural sensitivities so things actually feel OK, anyway.

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4. Dog Sledding Adventure: Mush Through the Arctic Wilderness

Now, for all of you adventure junkies out there, going dog sledding probably feels like an “I got to do this” thing while up in Kiruna, right? So basically, you control a team of huskies, going across white, pristine lands — really it’s like living your coolest winter dreams, actually. But basically, the cool thing is getting that one-on-one with those gorgeous dogs; you start appreciating exactly what’s around.

Several local companies run daily trips. Those usually have lessons for beginners, in case it’s something completely brand new. Basically, these tours generally have routes that move along remote parts that are perfect for beautiful views as far as the eyes actually stretch, let me tell you.

The process starts with getting to know these awesome dogs, usually anyway. In many instances, you’d find those dogs all stoked just pulling sleds across the snow and basically that’s when they let their personalities all out, clearly, very exciting! From there, directions are usually given; basic stuff which helps when you drive the sled. After that it’s all adventure stuff: cruising past forests covered with heavy snow.

One cool thing to check out would be half-day expeditions and that might involve camping somewhere remotely in the wilds under stars. Think warm attire; don’t skip layering either since wind chill hits considerably hard cruising in that fashion, just a little.

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5. Kiruna City Tour: Spotting Landmarks Around Town

Before jetting off far away towards other locations, do check the local area where Kiruna’s concerned — its story is really intriguing, you know! Basically, it all started to be a mining hub yet this city currently tackles unique complications since sections might move due subterranean processes. That just goes on to add plenty uniqueness onto any kind of visit throughout it.

Touring city locations features locations just as Kiruna Church. That has some distinct architecture designed that looks as Sami tents – plus the Kiruna Folk Museum displaying that history from all areas inside and surrounding this location. Keep eyes peeled, many directed towards how this settlement slowly displaces.

Tours sometimes head toward LKAB’s iron ore facility; probably among the world’s hugest subterranean mines available right now. I mean just hearing descriptions concerning shifts the population has endured could totally blow those travelers minds around, kind of!

Consider planning well in advance and be prepared as necessary for anything from short hikes out walking plus bring decent gear appropriate against every weather change probably impacting trips across this region up in the North of everywhere.

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