Kiruna Municipality brings together vast protected areas and a landscape with around 6,000 lakes and six rivers. More than 530,000 hectares are protected, including national parks and nature and wildlife reserves. Kiruna is therefore interesting not only as a town, but also as a large municipality offering a range of nature and cultural experiences. Distances between mountains, villages and border areas are long, and many regional bus services operate seasonally. Check timetables and plan your journeys in advance if you want to visit these places.
Hiking in Abisko National Park
One notable hiking route is the Kungsleden: it passes through Abisko National Park, follows the Abiskojåkka through Abisko Canyon and leads to its delta at Torneträsk. The river, canyon and delta create a distinct sequence of landscapes along this section. The national park is accessible via the E10 and by rail. The tourist station and Naturum are within walking distance of bus and train stops as well as several hiking trails. If travelling by public transport, check the timetables separately.
Naturum Abisko is next to the tourist station in the national park. It has nature guides, exhibitions, a film and lecture hall, and a shop. The exhibition covers topics ranging from the effects of climate change on sensitive mountain ecosystems to the park’s distinctive geology, flora and fauna. You can combine a hike with insights into the landscape and its natural connections.
Comparing trails and winter sports
The municipality has long hiking trails leading to scenic locations. At Kebnekaise, whose summit is about 2,100 metres above sea level, the options described vary by season: in winter, you can reach the summit on skis; in summer, in hiking boots. The elevation and seasonal ways of getting around offer a guide to choosing your focus.
For downhill skiing and snowboarding, Kiruna’s Luossavaara ski hill is the main slope. It has three lifts and four runs, as well as a park with jumps and rails; the pistes are 2,500 metres long, with a vertical drop of 156 metres. Kiruna also has 63 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, 28 kilometres of which are lit. The 7.6-kilometre roller-ski track starts at the Matojärvi sports ground, loops around the area and returns to the starting point. The municipality has around 1,500 kilometres of snowmobile trails. These options offer different ways to spend time outdoors, from hiking and cross-country skiing to downhill skiing and snowmobiling.
City history, mining and ice art
Kiruna Church was built in 1912 in the shape of a Sámi kåta. Visitor access is subject to the church relocation programme. If you want to learn more about the history, architecture and ongoing transformation of the town, you can take a guided tour or use a QR-guided city tour.
Mining is also one of the defining topics here. The LKAB Visitor Centre offers guided bus tours to a demonstration mine 540 metres underground. The tour includes a 20,000-square-metre visitor facility with exhibitions and mining machinery. The Mining Museum displays historic settings, tools and photographs from the early 20th century. The tour brings together a visit underground and insights into the history of mining work and exhibitions.
In Jukkasjärvi, ICEHOTEL combines a hotel with an art exhibition made of snow and ice. ICEHOTEL 365 lets visitors enjoy ice creations year-round in a solar-powered, refrigerated environment kept at a constant minus five degrees Celsius; check current visitor information in advance. ICEHOTEL also offers a guided ice-carving course. Participants work with clear ice from the Torne River and are introduced to the tools and the basics of ice carving.
Sámi culture and events
Márkanbáiki in Jukkasjärvi makes a good day trip, with a Sámi museum exhibition, encounters with reindeer and a short nature and culture trail. At the Ovttas restaurant, traditional Sámi flavours are part of the experience, presented in a modern interpretation. In Karesuando, Laestadius pörte and Laestadius Garden commemorate Lars Levi Laestadius’s stay in the village from 1826 to 1849.
Recurring cultural events in Kiruna complement visits to the landscape and attractions. Since its founding in 2000, Kirunafestivalen has been a fixture of the cultural summer. The main event at Snöfestivalen is the international snow sculpture competition, which attracts artists from around the world every year. Arctic Light Filmfestival takes place annually in November. Its venues include Kiruna Folkets Hus, outdoor locations, ICEHOTEL and the LKAB mine 540 metres underground. If you want to plan your trip around an event, check the latest festival dates.
Smaller visits offer their own highlights: Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården is a museum and café on weekdays. During opening hours, visitors can have coffee or a simple lunch there; as the café service may change, it is worth checking visitor information in advance.
Discover more destinations: Kiruna, Vittangi, Abisko, Karesuando, Riksgränsen, Björkliden, Lannavaara, Piteå
For the main travel overview: Norrbotten.
