A Sámi church town gives Arvidsjaur a distinctive cultural focal point: Lappstaden represents a Sámi building tradition. The site comprises 85 buildings, including 31 wooden kåtas and 54 lodgings, called aittor in Sámi. Together, they showcase different building styles within the church town.

Building traditions and traces of history

A recurring event in the cultural calendar is the annual Storstämningen festival, held on the last Sunday in August. Gamla Prästgårdsområdet also offers a glimpse into the past: the first church on the site was inaugurated in 1607, while the present-day Gamla Prästgården building was constructed in 1891. The dates therefore refer to different building histories, not to the same building.

Guided tours of Gamla Prästgården with local cultural history guides are available by prior arrangement. Confirm availability before your trip. This lets you focus your visit on a specific historic site, while Lappstaden puts Sámi building traditions in the spotlight.

Cultural landscapes and natural areas

Gallejaur combines a well-preserved cultural landscape with nature experiences. The area reflects the settler period of the 19th century and its development into an agricultural cultural landscape in the 20th century. It has nine farmsteads with surrounding grazing land and hay meadows. Gallejaur Nature Reserve is also home to trees more than 300 years old. The area's cultural history and ancient trees offer different perspectives on Gallejaur.

A hiking trail in Gallejaur leads to a summit hut in the nature reserve; a path runs from Gallejaur into the protected area's forest. There is an information building with a café at the entrance to the village. Opening periods vary, so check whether the café will be open during your travel dates before visiting.

Reivo is known for its lakes, old-growth forests, wetlands and low mountains. Its natural forests provide habitats for a wide variety of predators, birds, insects, fungi, lichens and plants. Visitors can make use of numerous hiking trails, rest areas and overnight cabins. Other facilities include a campfire site, an information board, parking, and rest shelters and wind shelters. Reivo thus offers both diverse landscape features and practical options for taking a break or staying overnight in the area.

Vittjåkk-Akkanålke offers a different kind of landscape: low mountains close to the settlement are surrounded by extensive forest. The area has hiking trails, campfire sites and wind shelters for visitors. There is also a ski facility. As its opening conditions vary by season, check them before you travel. By comparison, Reivo is defined mainly by its lakes, wetlands and old-growth forests, while Vittjåkk-Akkanålke is characterized by low mountains and forest landscapes.

Travel information

During the summer season, Arvidsjaur can be reached on the Inlandsbanan railway, which runs between Kristinehamn and Gällivare. The train stops at five stations within the municipality. Check the seasonal timetable and stops before your trip. European route E45 also runs through the centre of Arvidsjaur. This travel information complements the region's distinct attractions: Lappstaden and Gamla Prästgården are places to explore history, while Gallejaur, Reivo and Vittjåkk-Akkanålke each offer their own cultural and natural landscapes.

Discover more destinations

Arvidsjaur, Abborrträsk, Glommersträsk, Moskosel, Akkavare, Luleå, Boden, Jokkmokk

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