Swedish Lapland is home to the world's most scientifically reliable aurora viewing — Abisko's famous 'blue hole' creates clear skies when everywhere else is cloudy. Combine it with Kiruna's ICEHOTEL for the ultimate 5-day Arctic itinerary.

5 Days in Swedish Lapland: Abisko & Kiruna Aurora Itinerary

Swedish Lapland is the aurora purist's dream. Abisko earns an aurora score of 9/10 thanks to its legendary "blue hole" — a microclimate phenomenon created by Lake Torneträsk that keeps the skies over Abisko clear even when surrounding areas are clouded over. Combined with Kiruna's famous ICEHOTEL (aurora score 8/10), this 5-day itinerary delivers the highest-probability aurora viewing on Earth alongside unforgettable Arctic experiences.

Best months: November through March. Peak aurora viewing is December through February, but March offers longer daylight for activities.

Average daily budget: Abisko £155/day, Kiruna £160/day (mid-range).

The plan: 3 nights in Abisko (aurora focus) + 2 nights in Kiruna/Jukkasjärvi (ICEHOTEL + activities).

Day 1: Arrival in Kiruna & Transfer to Abisko

Morning/Afternoon: Fly into Kiruna

Fly into Kiruna Airport (KRN) — direct flights from Stockholm (1.5h) with SAS and Norwegian. From London, connect via Stockholm Arlanda.

The airport is small and efficient. From here, you have two options to reach Abisko:

Bus: Arctic Bus/Länstrafiken (1.5 hours, SEK 200/£15). Runs daily.
Train: The iconic Arctic Train (Norrbottenstrafiken) from Kiruna to Abisko Turiststation (1.5 hours, SEK 150/£12). One of Europe's most scenic rail journeys, passing through snow-covered Lapland wilderness.

Check into your Abisko accommodation and settle in.

Late Afternoon: Explore Abisko Village

Abisko is tiny — a handful of lodges, a research station, and the STF Abisko Turiststation mountain lodge. Walk along the frozen shore of Lake Torneträsk and take in the scale of the landscape: the Scandinavian Mountains rise to the west, the vast lake stretches before you, and the silence is almost physical.

Visit the Naturum Abisko visitor centre at STF Abisko Turiststation for an introduction to the national park's ecology and the science behind the northern lights.

Evening: Aurora Sky Station — Your First Night

Take the chairlift to Aurora Sky Station at 900m elevation on Mount Nuolja. This is the world's premier aurora-viewing facility, perched above the cloud layer with 360° views.

The station has heated indoor viewing areas, a small café, knowledgeable guides, and photography assistance. The chairlift ride up through the dark, snow-covered mountains is an experience in itself.

Cost: SEK 895/£68 per person (chairlift + guided aurora tour, 3–4 hours). Book in advance — it sells out.

Pro tip: The Aurora Sky Station has a roughly 75% success rate for aurora sightings. Your best odds anywhere on Earth.

Day 2: Abisko National Park & Dog Sledding

Morning: Snowshoeing in Abisko National Park

Join a guided snowshoe hike into Abisko National Park. The park encompasses 77 km² of birch forest, frozen waterfalls, and mountain terrain. In winter, the trails are blanketed in deep snow and the landscape is hauntingly beautiful.

Popular routes include the trail to Abiskojåkka Canyon — a narrow gorge with frozen waterfalls and ice formations. Guided tours last 3–4 hours and include hot drinks and snacks.

Cost: SEK 750–1,100/£57–84 per person including equipment.

Afternoon: Dog Sledding Adventure

Experience the Arctic the traditional way with a dog sledding safari. Several operators near Abisko offer half-day excursions where you drive your own team through the wilderness.

The silence of the forest broken only by the soft padding of husky paws and the whisper of runners on snow is unforgettable. Most tours include a wilderness lunch cooked over an open fire.

Cost: SEK 1,800–2,500/£137–190 per person for a half-day experience.

Evening: Self-Guided Aurora Hunt

Tonight, explore on your own. Abisko's small size means you can walk to excellent dark-sky viewing points within minutes. Head to the shore of Lake Torneträsk or the bridge near the STF station.

Tip: The Lights over Lapland photography tour (run by American photographer Chad Blakley) is widely considered the best aurora photography experience in the world. Small groups, expert instruction, all night long. From SEK 2,400/£183.

Day 3: Ice Climbing & Cross-Country Skiing

Morning: Ice Climbing at Abisko Canyon

For an adrenaline rush, try ice climbing at Abiskojåkka Canyon. The frozen waterfalls create natural ice walls perfect for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Guides provide all equipment and instruction.

Cost: SEK 1,500–2,000/£114–152 per person (half day). No experience needed.

Alternatively, spend the morning on cross-country skiing trails. Abisko has excellent groomed tracks through the national park, and equipment can be rented from STF Abisko Turiststation (from SEK 200/£15 per day).

Afternoon: Sámi Cultural Experience

Visit a local Sámi family for a cultural experience that includes reindeer encounters, traditional storytelling, and a meal in a traditional tent (kåta). Learn about the Sámi way of life, which has centred on reindeer herding in this region for thousands of years.

Cost: SEK 1,200–1,600/£91–122 per person.

Evening: Final Abisko Aurora Night

Your third and final evening in Abisko. Options:

Return to Aurora Sky Station for a second attempt (if the first night was cloudy)
Book a snowmobile aurora safari — ride through the wilderness to remote viewing spots (SEK 2,200/£167)
Self-guided viewing from the lakeshore with a thermos and camera

With three nights in Abisko, your cumulative aurora probability approaches 95%.

Day 4: Transfer to Kiruna & ICEHOTEL

Morning: Travel to Jukkasjärvi

Take the morning bus or train back to Kiruna (1.5 hours), then continue to Jukkasjärvi (20 minutes from Kiruna by taxi/bus). This tiny village of 500 people is home to the world-famous ICEHOTEL.

Afternoon: ICEHOTEL Experience

Check into the ICEHOTEL — the world's first and most famous hotel made entirely of ice and snow.

The property has two distinct experiences:

ICEHOTEL Winter (December–April): Rebuilt from scratch each winter using ice from the Torne River. Sleep in an art suite sculpted by international artists, on a bed of ice covered with reindeer skins and a thermal sleeping bag. Temperature inside: -5°C. You'll be warm — the sleeping bags are rated to -30°C.

ICEHOTEL 365: The permanent structure, open year-round, kept at -5°C by solar-powered cooling. Luxury suites with ice art, warm changing rooms, and all amenities.

Explore the ice art galleries, visit the ICEBAR (drinks served in glasses made of ice), and take a guided tour of the art suites.

Cost: Ice room from SEK 3,500/£267 per person. Art suite from SEK 5,500/£419. Warm room (for the less adventurous) from SEK 2,000/£152.

Evening: ICEHOTEL Activities & Aurora

The ICEHOTEL offers its own evening activities:

ICEBAR experience — Cocktails in ice glasses in a bar made entirely of ice (included with stay)
Northern lights tour from the hotel — Guides drive you to nearby viewing points
Ice sculpting workshop — Learn to carve your own ice creation (SEK 900/£68)

Step outside the hotel after dark — Jukkasjärvi sits by the Torne River with excellent dark-sky viewing. The aurora often dances directly overhead.

Day 5: Kiruna Exploration & Departure

Morning: Kiruna Town & Iron Mine

Explore Kiruna, the world's most famous "moving city." The town is being physically relocated 3km east because the underground LKAB iron ore mine is expanding beneath its foundations. You can see buildings that have already been moved and the massive pit that's consuming the old town centre.

Book a LKAB Mine Tour — descend 540m underground into the world's largest iron ore mine. It's an extraordinary experience, walking through tunnels that extend for over 400km.

Cost: SEK 450/£34 per person. Book via Visit Kiruna.

Late Morning: Kiruna Church & Departing Landmarks

Visit Kiruna Church (Kiruna Kyrka), voted Sweden's most beautiful building. The red wooden church, now relocated to its new position, is a masterpiece of Swedish architecture.

Browse the small shops for Sámi handicrafts (duodji) — handmade knives, jewellery, and leather goods make excellent souvenirs.

Afternoon: Departure

Head to Kiruna Airport for your departure flight. If you have a later flight, consider one final activity:

Moose safari — A guided wildlife drive to spot moose in the birch forests (SEK 1,200/£91, 3 hours)
Snowmobile tour — A short 2-hour snowmobile safari through the Lapland wilderness (SEK 1,500/£114)

Budget Breakdown: 5 Days in Swedish Lapland

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation (5 nights)	SEK 4,000–6,500 (hostel/cabin)	SEK 8,000–14,000 (lodge + 1 ICEHOTEL night)	SEK 20,000–35,000 (luxury lodge + ICEHOTEL suite)
Food (5 days)	SEK 2,000–3,000	SEK 3,500–5,500	SEK 6,000–10,000
Activities	SEK 4,000–6,000	SEK 7,000–12,000	SEK 15,000–25,000
Transport	SEK 1,000–2,000	SEK 2,000–3,500	SEK 4,000–7,000
Total	SEK 11,000–17,500	SEK 20,500–35,000	SEK 45,000–77,000
Per day (GBP)	£168–267	£312–533	£686–1,174

Exchange rate: ~SEK 13.1 = £1. Sweden is mid-range compared to Norway (more expensive) and Finland (slightly cheaper).

Where to Stay

Abisko

Budget: STF Abisko Turiststation (dorms from SEK 400/£30/night, private rooms from SEK 900/£69)
Mid-range: Abisko Mountain Lodge (from SEK 1,200/£91/night)
Luxury: Lights over Lapland's Aurora Hideaway (from SEK 3,500/£267/night)

Kiruna/Jukkasjärvi

Budget: Kiruna city hotels (from SEK 800/£61/night)
Mid-range: ICEHOTEL warm room (from SEK 2,000/£152/night)
Luxury: ICEHOTEL Art Suite or Treehotel (from SEK 5,000/£381/night)

Getting There

By air: Kiruna Airport (KRN) — direct flights from Stockholm (1.5h) with SAS and Norwegian. Book early for best prices.
By train: The overnight Norrtåg train from Stockholm to Kiruna takes 17 hours through stunning landscape (from SEK 500/£38, sleeper cabins available).
Kiruna to Abisko: Bus (1.5h, SEK 200/£15) or Arctic Train (1.5h, SEK 150/£12).

FAQ

Why is Abisko so good for northern lights?

The "blue hole of Abisko" is a genuine meteorological phenomenon. Lake Torneträsk's elongated shape creates a wind pattern that pushes clouds away from Abisko, creating clear skies even when surrounding areas are overcast. Scientific studies confirm Abisko has the clearest skies in all of Swedish Lapland.

Is the ICEHOTEL cold to sleep in?

The temperature inside is -5°C, but the thermal sleeping bags (rated to -30°C) and reindeer skins keep you warm. Most guests sleep in thermals and report being comfortable. The hotel provides a warm changing room and morning sauna. It's a unique experience — embrace it!

Can I combine Abisko with Tromsø?

Yes! Tromsø is just 3.5 hours by bus from Abisko (via Narvik). Some travellers do an Abisko–Tromsø combination for the ultimate aurora trip. The bus crosses the Norwegian border at Bjerkvik.

When is the best time to visit?

February offers the ideal balance: long dark evenings for aurora, returning daylight for outdoor activities, and the ICEHOTEL in its prime. December and January are darkest (polar night) but coldest. March has more light but shorter aurora windows.

Is Abisko worth it without the Aurora Sky Station?

Absolutely. The Sky Station is excellent but not essential. You can see spectacular aurora from ground level throughout Abisko. The national park, dog sledding, and Sámi culture make it worthwhile even without aurora.

Explore the full Abisko destination guide and Kiruna destination guide for more details.