Snow-covered forest road winding through Swedish Lapland near Kiruna
🇸🇪Sweden

Kiruna

✦8/10

Couples wanting the Icehotel experience combined with excellent aurora viewing and dog-sledding

Aurora Score
8/10 ✦
Daily Budget
$160/day
Access
✈️ Easy access
Dark Hours (Winter)
20h

About Kiruna

Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost city and the perfect base for exploring Swedish Lapland's winter wonders. The city itself is undergoing a remarkable transformation — the entire town is being relocated due to iron ore mining subsidence, making Kiruna an architectural curiosity in its own right. The world-famous Icehotel at nearby Jukkasjärvi (15 minutes away) was born here, rebuilt every winter from thousands of tonnes of ice harvested from the Torne River. Kiruna Airport offers direct flights from Stockholm and seasonal European routes, making it the most accessible gateway to Arctic Sweden. Dog-sled tours, reindeer safaris, and snowmobile expeditions operate from numerous bases. The aurora quality is excellent — Kiruna sits in the auroral zone and the dry continental climate gives good clear-sky frequency.

Best Time to Visit

NovDecJanFebMar

Monthly Weather & Aurora

MonthAvg TempDark HoursAurora Chance
Jan★ Best-16°C20hHigh
Feb★ Best-14°C15hHigh
Mar★ Best-9°C9hMed
Apr-3°C3hLow
May+4°CMidnight sun—
Jun+11°CMidnight sun—
Jul+14°CMidnight sun—
Aug+12°CMidnight sun—
Sep+5°C5hMed
Oct-1°C12hHigh
Nov★ Best-8°C18hHigh
Dec★ Best-13°C20hHigh

Activities

Northern Lights ToursIce Hotel StayDog SleddingSnowmobile SafariReindeer SleddingIcehotel ArtMoose SafariNorthern Lights PhotographySnowshoeingCross Country SkiingAurora CampPhotography ToursIce FishingSauna ExperiencesSami Cultural ExperiencesAurora Viewing Domes

Getting There

Direct flights from Stockholm (1.5h) and seasonal European routes. Kiruna Airport has modern facilities. Gateway to Abisko (90min) and Jukkasjärvi (15min).

Accommodation Highlights

  • ✓Icehotel Jukkasjarvi
  • ✓Northern Lights Lodges
  • ✓City Hotels

Location

Budget Estimator

3 nights21 nights
Budget
$840
Typical
$1,120
Comfort
$1,568

Based on avg $160/day in Kiruna. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.

Quick Info

LanguageSwedish (English widely spoken)
Regionarctic
Coordinates67.86°N, 20.23°E

Compare Destinations

See how Kiruna stacks up against other top aurora destinations.

Compare Now →

Plan by Month

NovDecJanFebMar

🏨Where to Stay(10)

View all on Google Maps →
Arctic Gourmet Cabin

Arctic Gourmet Cabin

⭐ 5.0

kaalasjärvi 1100, 981 99 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel
Aurora River Camp

Aurora River Camp

⭐ 4.9

Poikkijärvivägen 55, 981 92 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel
SkyVillage Sweden

SkyVillage Sweden

⭐ 4.9

Kurravaaravägen 50, 981 46 Kurravaara, Sweden

hotel
Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge

Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge

⭐ 4.8

Nordkalottvägen, 981 00 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel
Elite Hotel Frost, Kiruna

Elite Hotel Frost, Kiruna

⭐ 4.6

Torggatan 5, 981 30 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel

Scandic Kiruna

⭐ 4.2

Stadshustorget 11, 981 30 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel

Camp Ripan

⭐ 4.2

Campingvägen 5, 981 35 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel

STF Malmfältens Folkhögskola

⭐ 4.2

Campingvägen 3, 981 35 Kiruna, Sweden

educational institution

Best Western Hotel Arctic Eden

⭐ 4.0

Föraregatan 18, 981 39 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel

Hotell E10 i Kiruna AB

⭐ 3.8

Lastvägen 9, 981 38 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel

🍽️Where to Eat(10)

View all on Google Maps →
Alex

Alex

⭐ 5.0

Torggatan 7B, 981 30 Kiruna, Sweden

restaurant
Stejk Street Food

Stejk Street Food

⭐ 4.9$

Konduktörsgatan 22, 981 34 Kiruna, Sweden

fast food restaurant
Restaurang Ovttas

Restaurang Ovttas

⭐ 4.8

Marknadsvägen 2, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

restaurant
OTs Bodega

OTs Bodega

⭐ 4.8

Adolf Hedinsvägen 39B, 981 33 Kiruna, Sweden

restaurant
Spill saluhall & eatery

Spill saluhall & eatery

⭐ 4.3$$

Lastvägen 54, 981 38 Kiruna, Sweden

restaurant

Empes Gatukök

⭐ 4.3$$

Svarta björns gata 15, 981 30 Kiruna, Sweden

restaurant

Camp Ripan

⭐ 4.2

Campingvägen 5, 981 35 Kiruna, Sweden

hotel

ICEHOTEL Restaurant

⭐ 4.2

981 91 Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

restaurant

Pub Eden

⭐ 4.1$$

Föraregatan, 981 39 Kiruna, Sweden

restaurant

Arctic Thai & Grill

⭐ 4.1$$

Föraregatan 18, 981 34 Kiruna, Sweden

thai restaurant

🎯Things to Do(10)

View all on Google Maps →
Aurora Dreams

Aurora Dreams

⭐ 5.0

Stenvägen 20, 981 42 Kiruna, Sweden

point of interest
White Trail Adventures

White Trail Adventures

⭐ 5.0

Kauppinen 163, 981 92 Kiruna, Sweden

tour agency
Kiruna Husky

Kiruna Husky

⭐ 4.9

Kalixfors 4, 981 99 Kiruna, Sweden

tourist attraction
Arctic Dogsled Adventure AB

Arctic Dogsled Adventure AB

⭐ 4.8

Timmerstigen 7, 981 92 Kiruna, Sweden

tour agency
Kiruna Sleddog Tours

Kiruna Sleddog Tours

⭐ 4.8

Karhuniemi Djurgården 446, 981 34 Kiruna, Sweden

tour agency

Scandinavian Photoadventures

⭐ 4.8

only office, Tvärgatan 4A, 981 37 Kiruna, Sweden

tourist attraction

Husky Dreams Kiruna

⭐ 4.8

Krokvik 2, 981 02 Kiruna, Sweden

tourist attraction

Kiruna Guidetour

⭐ 4.7

Torggatan 4, 981 30 Kiruna, Sweden

travel agency

Explore Kiruna

⭐ 4.4

Campingvägen, 981 35 Kiruna, Sweden

point of interest

Kiruna Adventure

⭐ 4.2

Färjevägen 5, 981 92 Kiruna, Sweden

point of interest

Nearby Destinations

Arctic winter landscape near Jukkasjärvi, home of the world-famous ICEHOTEL
✦8/10
🇸🇪Sweden

Jukkasjärvi

Luxury travellers wanting the iconic Icehotel art suite experience with outstanding aurora viewing

DecJanFebMar
Ice Hotel StayNorthern Lights Tours+12 more
$350/day✈️ EasyExplore →
🇸🇪Sweden
✦7/10

Jokkmokk

Cultural travellers who want authentic Sami experiences combined with excellent aurora viewing

OctNovDecJanFeb+1
Northern Lights ToursSami Cultural Experiences+12 more
$110/day🛤️ ModerateExplore →
Brilliant aurora display over Abisko National Park, Sweden's aurora capital
✦9/10
💎 Hidden Gem
🇸🇪Sweden

Abisko

Aurora purists who want scientifically the clearest skies on Earth for northern lights viewing

NovDecJanFebMar
Northern Lights ToursAurora Sky Station+15 more
$155/day✈️ EasyExplore →
Northern lights panorama over the Lyngen Alps, Norway
✦8/10
💎 Hidden Gem
🇳🇴Norway

Lyngen

Ski mountaineers, photographers, and aurora chasers seeking dramatic scenery without the crowds

SepOctNovDecJan+2
Northern Lights ToursSkiing+12 more
$160/day🛤️ ModerateExplore →

Related Destinations

Brilliant aurora display over Abisko National Park, Sweden's aurora capital
✦9/10
💎 Hidden Gem
🇸🇪Sweden

Abisko

Aurora purists who want scientifically the clearest skies on Earth for northern lights viewing

NovDecJanFebMar
Northern Lights ToursAurora Sky Station+15 more
$155/day✈️ EasyExplore →
Arctic winter landscape near Jukkasjärvi, home of the world-famous ICEHOTEL
✦8/10
🇸🇪Sweden

Jukkasjärvi

Luxury travellers wanting the iconic Icehotel art suite experience with outstanding aurora viewing

DecJanFebMar
Ice Hotel StayNorthern Lights Tours+12 more
$350/day✈️ EasyExplore →
🇸🇪Sweden
✦7/10

Jokkmokk

Cultural travellers who want authentic Sami experiences combined with excellent aurora viewing

OctNovDecJanFeb+1
Northern Lights ToursSami Cultural Experiences+12 more
$110/day🛤️ ModerateExplore →

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Kiruna?+
The best months for aurora viewing in Kiruna are 11, 12, 1, 2, 3. Kiruna has an aurora score of 8/10.
How much does a trip to Kiruna cost?+
The average daily budget in Kiruna is around $160 USD, covering accommodation, meals, and activities.
How do I get to Kiruna?+
Direct flights from Stockholm (1.5h) and seasonal European routes. Kiruna Airport has modern facilities. Gateway to Abisko (90min) and Jukkasjärvi (15min).
What activities are available in Kiruna?+
Popular activities in Kiruna include Northern Lights Tours, Ice Hotel Stay, Dog Sledding, Snowmobile Safari, Reindeer Sledding, Icehotel Art, Moose Safari, Northern Lights Photography, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Aurora Camp, Photography Tours, Ice Fishing, Sauna Experiences, Sami Cultural Experiences, Aurora Viewing Domes.