Top 10 for your ultimate Sweden bucket list

Northern Sweden is beautiful. Both in terms of nature and activities. Below I have listed my personal top 10. These are activities you can easily do yourself in Swedish Lapland. I have done or experienced them all once and so I speak from experience. All I can say is that this really should go on your bucket list and then tick it off.

1) Husky trek

What is a husky ride:

During a husky tour or a dog sled ride, you’ll be on the back of a sled pulled by huskies. This it the most beautiful thing there is. Standing on the sled yourself. Often in tourist areas there is also the possibility of a small tour of a few hours. Then you yourself are often in the sled and the dog mixer (Musher) is on the back of the sled and he then gives the commands to the dogs for direction. The best, however, are multi-day treks where you are responsible for your dogs. Together with the musher, you will then go out to explore the wilderness.

For the husky tour, different huskies can be used. Greenland huskies or Alaskan huskies. But the most commonly used dogs are the Siberian huskies. These are most accustomed to dealing with people.

Where to take husky rides:

You can ride sled dogs in most areas where there is snow and where it is relatively flat. In Sweden, many kennels can be found in the Kiruna area. In Finland near Kittilä and Rovaniemi.

When is the best time for a husky tour:

There should be snow. But the best trips are actually made in late winter or early spring. So February, March and April. Then there is a lot of snow and the days are already getting longer. So you then really have time to enjoy long trips.

What does a husky tour cost:

Then again, that’s the downside. A husky tour is pricey. A ride of about 3 hours costs around €200. A one-week trip will easily cost €3,000

Did you know:

Dutchman Roderick Glastra has been world champion in the sled dog sport? This was in 2009 and in 2010.

2) Seeing Northern Lights

What is the Northern Lights:

Northern lights, Aurora Borealis, consist of multicolored, hazy and slow-moving light that hovers above the land at an altitude of about 100 to 1,000 kilometers. Often it is light greenish-yellow, but violet to red also occur.

The shape of the light shine can also be different: arc, curtain and veil-shaped. At the bottom, the light often has a sharp edge. Above that, the light becomes more hazy. You can compare the shape to the smoke that rises when you blow out a match. Northern lights can also be more hazy than described above. Then the light is a lot less noticeable. Then the light is called diffuse.

Where to see the Northern Lights:

The best place to see the Northern Lights is above the Arctic Circle. This is because the solar particles that form the Northern Lights are deflected at the Earth’s magnetic field. This causes the special light phenomenon. So at the poles is how most activity is. Very occasionally, the Northern Lights are visible in the Netherlands.

When can you see the Northern Lights:

The winter months and early spring are the best time to see the Northern Lights. It is then well dark.

What it costs to see the Northern Lights:

The best things in life are for free. Go outside and look up. Seeing the Northern Lights is completely free

Did you know:

There is also a Southern Lights. This is actually the same as Northern Lights, but at the South Pole. The Southern Lights are also called Aurora Australis.

Photos by Sander Goldbach

3) Experiencing Midwinter Night

What is midwinter night:

Midwinter night is a period when the sun does not rise. This is due to the position of the earth in relation to the sun In winter, the northern hemisphere is turned away from the sun and there the sun is then very low or does not rise at all. 24 hours a day it is dark. The lies you have left in nature then, that comes from the moon. With all the snow there is still quite a lot to see. But if it is cloudy or there is a new moon it can be quite thunderous.

Where is midwinter night:

North of the Arctic Circle, midwinter night is visible.

When is midwinter night:

During the winter months. Depending on your location, midwinter night lasts longer or shorter. The further north you are the longer the midwinter night lasts.

What does midwinter night cost:

Nothing at all. Experiencing the midwinter night is free of charge

Did you know:

There is also a midwinter night counterpart. That’s the midsummer sun. During the summer, above the Arctic Circle, the sun then does not set. 24 hours a day there is then lying. Very special to experience.

Bottom photo by Sander Goldbach

4) Visit Church of Kiruna

What is the church in Kiruna:

The Church of Kiruna stands in the northern Swedish town of Kiruna and is among the most beautiful structures in Sweden. It connects American wood architecture with influences of the Norwegian stave church and Samian huts. When you walk in the church you can still smell the wood and the birches. Impressive.

The church is Kiruna’s central building, founded in 1900 for the mining of iron ore.

Where is the church in Kiruna:

A few hundred meters south of the bus station in Kiruna. So nice and central.

When can you visit the church in Kiruna:

The church is open year-round

What does admission to the church in Kiruna cost:

The church is free to attend

Did you know:

The church is going to be moved. Because the mine in Kiruna is expanding, there is a danger of collapse. (Not yet, but it is coming) So the whole church is going to be moved. Quite a job.

Photos by Sander Goldbach

5) Seeing reports

What is Lapports:

Lapports is a beautiful U valley in Abisko National Park just southeast of Abisko in northern Sweden. It was formed this way during the ice age by the glaciers that flowed here. The characteristic profile of the valley is visible from the wide surroundings and is one of Lapland’s best-known symbols. Lapports can be freely translated as “the gateway to Lapland.

Where is Lapports:

11 kilometers southeast of the village of Abisko in northern Sweden

When can you visit Lapports:

Lapports is there year-round. So it doesn’t matter when you visit this

What does access to Lapports cost:

Nothing at all. You can enter the national park for free and walk through the Lapports.

Did you know:

Lapports appears frequently in the Swedish television series Midnight Sun.

6) Experiencing winter expedition

What is a winter expedition:

A winter expedition is a trek through the winter landscape. You set out in a small group to go on a beautiful, adventurous trek completely self-sufficiently. You move by ski and your luggage is behind you in a sled. You spend the night in special expedition tents and, of course, you sleep in a sleeping bag. This one will keep you warm with ease even though it’s 25.
During these winter expeditions, you become more and more one with nature and your surroundings. Often there is no coverage for your cell phone and so you are not distracted by email, WhatsApp or Facebook. In this way, you will relax while also being physically strenuous.

Where to experience a winter expedition:

Winter expeditions can actually take place anywhere that is nice and cold. It depends on what you want. If you are out and about with a sled, it is helpful to go to a terrain that is not too hilly. But if you go out with snowshoes and a backpack you can already handle some more steep terrain.

When can you experience a winter expedition:

The best time for this type of expedition depends on where you are going. But in the Northern Hemisphere, February through April is the best time to head out.

What does a winter expedition cost:

This depends entirely on what you want. If you arrange everything yourself then the cost may not be so bad.

But that means investing in your equipment. Consider a tent, sleeping bag, sled, cooking equipment, skis and shoes. All in all, an initial purchase of these items is easily €2000. Pretty pricey for something you don’t yet know if you will do this more often.

A full-service expedition is available for much less money. Then do look at what you get at such a trip. For example, is transportation included or not.

Did you know:

The cold in northern Scandinavia is not too bad. If you go outside in March, the humidity is often low. As a result, the cold does not have much of a hold on you. With sunshine, you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll be running around in just a T-shirt and a sweater.

7) Visiting Icehotel

What is the Icehotel:

The Icehotel is a hotel built entirely out of ice. Every year this is rebuilt and in the summer it melts again. Quite a job to keep building that up. But him beauty is that it is different every year. Every year, artists come from around the world to shape a room. For example, there are suites decorated according to their own theme. Wonderful to see. During the day, these suites can be visited without staying overnight at the hotel.

Where is the Icehotel:

The Icehotel is located in the village of Jukkasjärvi, 18 kilometers east of Kiruna in the Swedish part of Lapland and about 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.

When is the Icehotel open:

The Icehotel 365 can be visited year-round. This is an indoor freezing hall with ice sculptures.

But if you want to see the beautiful rooms and enter the real Icehotel then you must come in winter. The Icehotel is open to visitors from mid-December through mid-April.

What does the Icehotel cost:

A day pass that allows you to visit the Ice Hotel and see all the rooms costs about €35

Did you know:

The Icehotel also has a fire alarm and … a sprinkler system. This is required by Swedish law :-)

Photos by Sander Goldbach

8) Seeing reindeer

What are reindeer:

Reindeer are semi-domesticated animals. They are cervids and related to the caribou in Canada and have been roaming Swedish Lapland since time immemorial. The reindeer move in herds. Despite wanting to move around in it, they are kept by humans. They are kept for their meat, their skin, as draft animals, as riding animals and sometimes for their milk

Where are reindeer:

The reindeer migrate across the landscape. In the summer, reindeer are common in the Swedish highlands. There are fewer mosquitoes there. In winter, the reindeer move to lower ground because food can still be found here.

When can you see reindeer:

You may well encounter the reindeer throughout the year. Although in summer they are easier to spot in the barren environment of the highlands. Then they stand out well against the background

What does it cost to see reindeer:

Reindeer can be seen for free. Get out there. Preferably walking into nature. It will only cost you a few hours of your time.

Did you know:

Each reindeer is owned by a Same. People who are not Sami are not officially allowed to own reindeer.

9) Experience Jokkmokk winter market

What is the winter market in Jokkmokk:

Since 1605, Jokkmokk ‘s beautiful winter market has been held annually for more than 400 years, beginning on the first Thursday in February. The market attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world. This remains the main meeting place for Sámi peoples throughout the Sápmi region.

Traditional Sami items are sold during the market. Consider clothing, crafts, knives, tools. But of course there are also more modern market stallholders taking advantage of the market to sell their wares.

I think the mmoist thing about the market is the participants and visitors. Sami in traditional costumes come from all over the region. From Norway, Sweden, Finland. All decked out in traditional costumes. The pride spills out. Wonderful. Outright an experience you won’t forget.

Where is the winter market in Jokkmokk:

Jokkmokk, Sweden

When is the winter market in Jokkmokk:

The entire first week is full of activities. The market is then Thursday through Saturday.

What does the winter market in Jokkmokk cost:

The Jokkmokk market is free to enter.

Did you know:

The market takes place in the winter because this made it easier for participants and visitors to travel to Jokkmokk in the past. The frozen rivers thus served as highways to the village.

10) To visit LKAB mine in Kiruna.

What is the LKAB mine:

The Kiruna mine is the largest and most modern underground iron ore mine in the world. The mine is located next to the largest city in northern Sweden, Kiruna. The mine is owned by Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB (LKAB), a large Swedish mining company. Annual production capacity is more than 26 million tons of iron ore.

During a visit to this modern mine, you will get a great look into the history of the mine as well as the current production process.

Where is the LKAB mine located:

Sign up at the tourist office in Kiruna to book your ticket. You can only visit the mine with an organized tour.

When can you visit the LKAB mine:

This can be done year-round. There are guided tours a few times a week.

What does a visit to the LKAB mine cost:

A visit to the LKAB mine costs about €30

Did you know:

Kiruna’ s current center is being relocated due to mine operations. The city will be moved up a few kilometers.

Photos by Sander Goldbach

Finishing your own bucket list?

Want to finish your own bucktlist now? Then join the Arctic Grand Slam. In 8 days you will experience the most beautiful and best of what Arctic Sweden has to offer.

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