Kiruna - Sweden's Northernmost City & Gateway to Arctic Adventures
Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost city and the main gateway to Swedish Lapland. With about 18,000 inhabitants, it's a small but vibrant Arctic community famous for its iron ore mine, proximity to the Icehotel, and access to some of the world's best Northern Lights viewing.
The Moving City
Kiruna is undergoing one of the most ambitious urban transformation projects in history. The massive LKAB iron ore mine beneath the city has made the ground unstable, requiring the entire city center to be relocated 3 km eastward. Historic buildings are being moved or rebuilt, creating a fascinating blend of preservation and innovation.
Things to Do in Kiruna
- LKAB Mine Tour: Descend 540m underground in the world's largest iron ore mine
- Kiruna Church: Iconic wooden church (being relocated) - voted Sweden's most beautiful building
- Northern Lights: Excellent aurora viewing right from town
- Esrange Space Center: Visit Sweden's rocket launch facility (limited tours)
- Sami Culture: Learn about indigenous culture at local museums
Day Trips from Kiruna
- Icehotel Jukkasjärvi - 17 km (free shuttle)
- Abisko National Park - 100 km (1h by car/bus)
- Riksgränsen Ski Resort - 130 km
- Narvik, Norway - 170 km (fjord access)
Getting to Kiruna
- By plane: Kiruna Airport (KRN) has multiple daily flights from Stockholm
- By train: Overnight train from Stockholm (~17 hours) - scenic Arctic Railway
- By car: ~1,200 km from Stockholm (13-15 hours)
When to Visit
- Winter (Nov-Mar): Northern Lights, snow activities, Icehotel season
- Summer (Jun-Jul): Midnight Sun, hiking, 24-hour daylight