---
title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Kiruna, Sweden | Wimup"
description: "Kiruna is moving its whole town centre off a working iron ore mine. The 10 best things to do, from the Icehotel and the mine tour to the aurora above Abisko."
url: https://wimup.com/city/kiruna
type: City guide
updated: 2026-10-09
publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com)
---

# Top 10 Things To Do in Kiruna

Kiruna, Sweden · Europe · By Wimup Editorial, 12 min read

Kiruna sits on top of the iron ore that built it, and the mine is now swallowing the old town. So the town is moving: a new centre opened in 2022 and the red church rode five kilometres east in 2025. Come for the Icehotel and the aurora, and watch a city relocate.

## Quick answer

Spend a day in Jukkasjärvi for the Icehotel, the old church and the Sámi reindeer yard, all within a short walk. Give the next to the mine tour and the new centre, which together explain why Kiruna is moving. Then go west: Abisko and its Aurora Sky Station are 95 km away and worth a night, because aurora needs clear skies and more than one try.

## Quick facts

- **Best months:** Feb · Mar · Sep
- **Ideal length:** 3 days, 4 with Abisko
- **Budget per day:** €130–230
- **Language:** Swedish, with Sámi, Finnish and Meänkieli
- **Getting around:** Bus 501 to Jukkasjärvi, a car for the mountains
- **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://kirunalapland.se/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## The 10 best things to do in Kiruna

### 1. Icehotel

Landmark · Marknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi

Rebuilt every winter from Torne River ice and opened in December, while ICEHOTEL 365 keeps art suites frozen all year. Day visitors buy tickets on site, and the ice bar and the art halls are the reason to come even if you sleep in town.

- **Time:** 2 to 3 hrs
- **Cost:** Day ticket, bought on site
- **Best at:** December to April, both halves open
- **Tip:** Bus 501 from Kiruna takes about 30 minutes; check the last bus back

Links: [Icehotel](https://icehotel.com/day-visit-icehotel?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 2. LKAB mine tour

Industry · Malmvägen 9B, 981 30 Kiruna

A bus drives into Kiirunavaara and down to LKAB’s show mine at the 540-metre level, inside the world’s largest underground iron ore mine. It is the one visit that explains why the town is moving. Places are limited, so book ahead.

- **Time:** About 3 hrs
- **Cost:** Adult SEK 590
- **Best at:** Any season
- **Tip:** Tours leave from the Kiruna Lappland tourist centre at Malmvägen 9B

Links: [Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/mine-tour/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 3. Kiruna Church

Church · By the cemetery, east of the new centre, Kiruna

The red timber church of 1912 rode five kilometres east on trailers on 19 and 20 August 2025, all 672 tonnes of it. It reopens on its new site at the end of 2026; until then the exterior and the story are the visit.

- **Time:** 30 mins
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** From the end of 2026, inside
- **Tip:** It was turned on the move, so the altar now faces west toward the town

Links: [LKAB](https://lkab.com/en/events/the-moving-of-kiruna-church/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 4. Aurora Sky Station

Nature · STF Abisko Turiststation, 981 07 Abisko

A chairlift up Nuolja to a viewing station above the Abisko valley, run on winter nights by the Swedish Tourist Association. It is 95 km from Kiruna, so plan a night in Abisko rather than a round trip.

- **Time:** 4.5 hrs, 8.30pm to 1am
- **Cost:** From SEK 1,070
- **Best at:** Mid-November to mid-March
- **Tip:** Bring a balaclava: the open chairlift ride takes about 20 minutes

Links: [STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/activities/abisko-stf-aurora-sky-station-night-visit/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 5. Kristallen town hall

Architecture · Stadshustorget, Kiruna

Henning Larsen’s faceted town hall, opened by King Carl XVI Gustaf in November 2018, was the first building of the new centre. The core holds public exhibition halls, and the old town hall’s 1958 bell tower stands with it.

- **Time:** 45 mins
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** A weekday, when it is open
- **Tip:** The square outside is the heart of the centre that opened in 2022

Links: [Henning Larsen](https://henninglarsen.com/projects/kiruna-city-hall?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 6. Jukkasjärvi Church

Church · Jukkasjärvi kyrka, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi

The village’s oldest building, first raised around 1607 and rebuilt since, and the only block-pillar church left in Sweden. Go in for Bror Hjorth’s carved teak altarpiece, built around the preacher Lars Levi Laestadius.

- **Time:** 30 mins
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Daylight
- **Tip:** It is a short walk from the Icehotel, so do the two together

Links: [Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/jukkasjarvi/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 7. Nutti Sámi Siida

Culture · Marknadsvägen 2, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi

A reindeer yard run by Sámi herders beside Jukkasjärvi church, opened to visitors in 1996 when thick ice locked the grazing. Walk in to see the herd and buy feed, or book a guided tour for herding stories and sled rides.

- **Time:** 1 to 2 hrs
- **Cost:** Entry fee, tours extra
- **Best at:** Winter, with the herd in the corrals
- **Tip:** The café serves reindeer, which is the point rather than a joke

Links: [Nutti](https://www.nutti.se/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 8. Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården

Museum · Lottens Erikssons gata 34, Kiruna

The manor of LKAB’s first manager, the man behind the company town, moved in three pieces from the subsidence zone to the foot of Luossavaara. It is now a museum, café and shop, and the clearest picture of early Kiruna.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** Check on site
- **Best at:** Afternoon coffee
- **Tip:** Walk on up Luossavaara afterwards for the view over both towns

Links: [LKAB](https://lkab.com/en/press/it-is-time-for-hjalmar-lundbohmsgarden-to-be-moved/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 9. Kebnekaise

Mountain · Nikkaluokta trailhead, 66 km west of Kiruna

Sweden’s highest mountain, its ice-free north peak at 2,096.8 metres since the glacier on the south summit melted below it. The trail runs 19 km from Nikkaluokta to the STF mountain station, five to eight hours on foot.

- **Time:** 2 days or more
- **Cost:** Free to hike
- **Best at:** High summer
- **Tip:** Summer boats and winter snowmobiles cut the walk in from Nikkaluokta

Links: [STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 10. Esrange Space Center

Science · Esrange, about 40 km east of Kiruna

The Swedish Space Corporation’s launch base sends sounding rockets and research balloons into the Arctic sky. Guided tours cover the visitor centre and the launch areas; book ahead, as visits run around the launch schedule.

- **Time:** Half a day
- **Cost:** Guided tours, book ahead
- **Best at:** Year-round
- **Tip:** An unstaffed space exhibition sits outside the gates if no tour fits

Links: [SSC](https://sscspace.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## The moving town of Kiruna

Four stops that show a town relocating three kilometres east.

1. **Kristallen town hall** (Architecture · New centre): The first building of the new centre, opened in November 2018. [Henning Larsen](https://henninglarsen.com/projects/kiruna-city-hall?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Kiruna Church** (1912 · By the cemetery): Moved whole in August 2025 and reopening at the end of 2026. [LKAB](https://lkab.com/en/events/the-moving-of-kiruna-church/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården** (Museum · Luossavaara): The first manager’s manor, moved in three pieces, now a museum and café.
4. **Luossavaara** (Old mine · North of the centre): Opened as an open-pit mine in 1919 and worked until 1967. Now the town’s ski hill. [Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/luossavaarabacken?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best of Jukkasjärvi

The village 15 km from town, and four reasons to take the bus out.

1. **Icehotel** (Ice art · Marknadsvägen 63): Rebuilt every winter from river ice, with a year-round half that never melts. [Icehotel](https://icehotel.com/day-visit-icehotel?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Icebar** (Drinks · Icehotel): Walls, bar and glasses all cut from Torne River ice.
3. **Jukkasjärvi Church** (c. 1607 · Village centre): Sweden’s last block-pillar church, with Bror Hjorth’s teak altarpiece.
4. **Nutti Sámi Siida** (Sámi · Marknadsvägen 2): A Sámi reindeer yard beside the church, with a café and craft shop. [Nutti](https://www.nutti.se/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best northern lights near Kiruna

Three places to stand when the sky turns green.

1. **Aurora Sky Station** (95 km west · Abisko): A night chairlift above Abisko, with a guide and warm clothes included. [STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/activities/abisko-stf-aurora-sky-station-night-visit/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Luossavaara** (In town · Luossavaara): The town’s own hill, with views over the city, the mine and the Kebnekaise range.
3. **Torne River at Jukkasjärvi** (15 km out · Jukkasjärvi): Open sky over the river, well clear of the town’s lights.

## Best restaurants in Kiruna

Four kitchens built around reindeer, char and cloudberry.

1. **Restaurant Ripan** (Nordic · Campingvägen 5): Nordic cooking from regional reindeer and fish, at the Camp Ripan hotel.
2. **Icehotel Restaurant** (Arctic · Jukkasjärvi): À la carte, or a pre-booked ice menu served on Torne River ice. [Icehotel](https://www.icehotel.com/eat-drink?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **The Veranda** (Tasting menu · Jukkasjärvi): The Icehotel’s 16-seat chef’s table, cooking to the eight Sámi seasons. Winter only.
4. **The Old Homestead** (Bistro · Jukkasjärvi): Pizza and charcoal grill in a 400-year-old wooden house by the river.

## Best mountains near Kiruna

Four places where the Scandinavian mountains begin.

1. **Kebnekaise** (2,097 m · Nikkaluokta): Sweden’s highest peak, a 19 km walk in from Nikkaluokta.
2. **Nuolja** (Chairlift · Abisko): The Abisko chairlift runs here in summer too, with midnight-sun rides. [STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/activities/abisko-chairlift-ticket-summer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Lapporten** (Landmark · Abisko): The U-shaped valley at the gateway to Lapland, seen across Torneträsk.
4. **Abisko canyon** (Short walk · Abisko): The Abiskojåkka cuts a short canyon beside the Naturum visitor centre.

## Best skiing near Kiruna

One hill in town and two resorts on the Norwegian border.

1. **Luossabacken** (In town · Luossavaara): Three lifts and four runs on the old mine hill; closes below −20 °C. [Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/luossavaarabacken?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Björkliden** (Arctic Ski Pass · Björkliden): Five lifts and 23 pistes over Torneträsk and Lapporten. [Björkliden](https://bjorkliden.com/en/skidakning?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Riksgränsen** (Arctic Ski Pass · Norwegian border): Skiing from February to June, under the midnight sun from late May. [Riksgränsen](https://riksgransen.se/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best day trips from Kiruna

Four that work in a day, though Abisko deserves a night.

1. **Abisko National Park** (95 km · Abisko): Birch valleys and the Kungsleden trailhead, 95 km and about 1 hr 15 by road. [Swedish national parks](https://sverigesnationalparker.se/en/choose-park---list/abisko-national-park/visitor-information/getting-here/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Nikkaluokta** (66 km · Nikkaluokta): The Sámi village at the end of the road, where the Kebnekaise trail starts.
3. **Esrange Space Center** (40 km · Esrange): Guided tours of the rocket and balloon base, booked ahead. [SSC](https://sscspace.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Narvik** (By rail · Norway): The ore railway runs on through Abisko and over the border to the Norwegian fjord.

## Festivals & annual events in Kiruna (2026)

- **Kiruna Snow Festival** (January): Snow sculpture contest and sled races in town. The 2027 edition runs 27 to 31 January.
- **Sámi National Day** (February): Marked across Sápmi on 6 February, the date of the first Sámi congress in 1917.
- **Ice harvest** (March): Blocks for next winter’s Icehotel are cut from the Torne River and put in cold storage.
- **Midnight sun** (May to July): The sun stays up round the clock from about 27 May to 14 July.
- **Midsummer at Riksgränsen** (June): The resort reopens for midnight-sun skiing around midsummer, when the snow allows.
- **Kirunafestivalen** (June): Two days of music in the new centre, free to enter in 2026 (26 and 27 June).
- **Kultura Kiruna** (November): A two-week festival of culture, music, sport and food as the dark sets in.
- **Icehotel opening** (December): The new seasonal hotel opens after six weeks of building. The 2025 edition opened 12 December.

## Must-try dishes in Kiruna, Sweden

- **Renskav**: Thin-shaved reindeer fried with onion, served with mash and lingonberry.
- **Suovas**: Salted, smoked reindeer from the Sámi kitchen, often in flatbread.
- **Gáhkku**: Sámi flatbread baked on the fire, the wrap for suovas.
- **Röding**: Arctic char from the mountain lakes, smoked, grilled or cured.
- **Hjortron**: Cloudberries, tart and amber, over ice cream or warm cheese.
- **Kaffeost**: Squeaky Tornedalen cheese, cubed and dropped into hot coffee.
- **Kalix löjrom**: Vendace roe from the Bothnian coast, on toast with red onion.
- **Palt**: Norrbotten’s potato dumpling stuffed with salt pork, with lingonberry.

## Kiruna transport & airports

- **Kiruna Airport** (KRN): About 6 km from the centre, with direct flights to Stockholm Arlanda in about 1 hr 35. SAS and Norwegian both fly the route. [Swedavia](https://www.swedavia.com/kiruna/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Night train from Stockholm** (Rail): SJ’s sleeper leaves Stockholm in the evening and reaches Kiruna the next morning, about 15 hours. The line continues to Abisko and Narvik. [SJ](https://www.sj.se/en?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Länstrafiken buses** (Bus): Line 501 reaches the Icehotel in about 30 minutes, and buses run to Abisko and Nikkaluokta. Weekend services end early, so check the last bus back. [Länstrafiken Norrbotten](https://www.ltnbd.se/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Car hire and taxis** (Road): A car makes Nikkaluokta, Esrange and Abisko easy day trips. Rentals come on winter tyres, and parking in the centre is paid.

## Kiruna at a glance

- **Country:** Sweden
- **Region:** Norrbotten, Swedish Lapland, about 145 km north of the Arctic Circle
- **Population:** 22,402 in the municipality (31 December 2025)
- **Founded:** Built from 1900 around the Kiirunavaara iron ore mine
- **Known for:** Moving its town centre three kilometres east, off the mine
- **Language:** Swedish, with Sámi, Finnish and Meänkieli
- **Currency:** Swedish krona (SEK)
- **Time zone:** CET · UTC+1
- **Calling code:** +46
- **Airports:** KRN (about 6 km from the centre)
- **Power:** 230V · Type C/F
- **Emergency:** 112

## Interesting facts

- LKAB told the town in 2004 that its centre had to move, as mining went down to 1,365 metres.
- Kiruna Church weighs 672 tonnes and crossed five kilometres of town in two days in August 2025.
- Kiruna is Sweden’s largest municipality, about 20,700 square kilometres, or 4.6 percent of the country.
- Kebnekaise’s glacier-capped south peak fell below the rock north peak in 2019.
- In 2023 LKAB reported more than a million tonnes of rare earth oxides in the Per Geijer deposit.

## Kiruna travel FAQ

### How many days do you need in Kiruna?

Three: one for Jukkasjärvi and the Icehotel, one for the mine tour and the new centre, one for Esrange or Nikkaluokta. Add a fourth to sleep in Abisko, because aurora needs clear skies and more than one night.

### When can you see the northern lights in Kiruna?

Once the nights are dark again in late August, through to early April. The midnight sun rules them out from late May to mid-July. Get away from the town’s lights: Luossavaara is close, and Abisko’s Aurora Sky Station runs mid-November to mid-March.

### How do you get from Kiruna to the Icehotel?

Länstrafiken bus 501 runs from Kiruna to Jukkasjärvi in about 30 minutes and stops outside the Icehotel. Services are thinner at weekends and the last bus back can leave mid-afternoon, so check it before you go. A taxi or hire car covers the 15 km otherwise.

### Can you visit Kiruna Church?

Not inside until the end of 2026. The church was moved five kilometres east on 19 and 20 August 2025 and is closed while it is settled on its new site, between the cemetery and the new centre. The exterior can be seen in the meantime.

### Can you go inside the Kiruna mine?

Yes, on the guided tour from the tourist centre at Malmvägen 9B. A bus takes you into Kiirunavaara and down to LKAB’s show mine at the 540-metre level. It runs about three hours, the adult ticket is SEK 590, and places are limited, so book ahead.

## Nearby guides

- [Bodø](https://wimup.com/city/bodo.md): Norway · 10 picks
- [Rovaniemi](https://wimup.com/city/rovaniemi.md): Finland · 10 picks
- [Turku](https://wimup.com/city/turku.md): Finland · 10 picks
- [All of Europe →](https://wimup.com/europe): 115 cities

Part of the [Sweden guide](https://wimup.com/country/sweden.md) · [Europe](https://wimup.com/europe.md)

## Sources

- [Kiruna tourism board](https://kirunalapland.se/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Icehotel: Icehotel](https://icehotel.com/day-visit-icehotel?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [LKAB mine tour: Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/mine-tour/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Kiruna Church: LKAB](https://lkab.com/en/events/the-moving-of-kiruna-church/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Aurora Sky Station: STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/activities/abisko-stf-aurora-sky-station-night-visit/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Kristallen town hall: Henning Larsen](https://henninglarsen.com/projects/kiruna-city-hall?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Jukkasjärvi Church: Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/jukkasjarvi/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Nutti Sámi Siida: Nutti](https://www.nutti.se/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården: LKAB](https://lkab.com/en/press/it-is-time-for-hjalmar-lundbohmsgarden-to-be-moved/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Kebnekaise: STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Esrange Space Center: SSC](https://sscspace.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Luossavaara: Kiruna Lappland](https://kirunalapland.se/en/luossavaarabacken?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Icehotel Restaurant: Icehotel](https://www.icehotel.com/eat-drink?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Nuolja: STF](https://www.swedishtouristassociation.com/activities/abisko-chairlift-ticket-summer?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Björkliden: Björkliden](https://bjorkliden.com/en/skidakning?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Riksgränsen: Riksgränsen](https://riksgransen.se/en/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Abisko National Park: Swedish national parks](https://sverigesnationalparker.se/en/choose-park---list/abisko-national-park/visitor-information/getting-here/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Kiruna Airport: Swedavia](https://www.swedavia.com/kiruna/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Night train from Stockholm: SJ](https://www.sj.se/en?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Länstrafiken buses: Länstrafiken Norrbotten](https://www.ltnbd.se/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.