Esrange Space Center

Situated 40 kilometres from Kiruna, the Esrange Space Center is Europe's premier civilian space base. It's a hub for high-altitude balloons, aurora borealis studies, rocket launches, and soon, satellite launches. Esrange offers guided tours year-round, where visitors can delve into both its rich heritage and exciting future. Learn about the significance of space exploration and the impending advancements in the industry at the unmanned exhibition outside its gates.

• Web:

  sscspace.com/esrange/visitor-center

• E-mail:

  visit@sscspace.com

• Phone:

  +46 980 720 14

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8am–6pm

Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi

The world-famous Ice Hotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, 17 km from Kiruna. The world’s largest hotel of its kind, made out of thousands of tonnes of snow and ice, is rebuilt every winter. You’ll be nice and cool as you sleep after a drink in the Icebar, beautifully chiselled out of pure blue ice from the River Torne. Open from mid-December to the end of April. In the summer, you can experience ice art in the hotel’s Art Centre.

• Web:

  www.icehotel.com

• E-mail:

  info@icehotel.com

• Address:

  Marknadsvägen 63, Jukkasjärvi

• Phone:

  +46 980 668 00

Kebnekaise Peak & Mountain Station

From Nikkaluokta, 66 km west of Kiruna, there are first-rate skiing and trekking trails to, among other places, the top of Sweden’s highest mountain — Kebnekaise (2,096 m). Walk the first 19 km to Kebnekaise mountain station, where you register for the next day’s guide-led route to the top. The trip takes about 8–10 hours and requires a good level of fitness. Minimum age is 16.

• Web:

  www.stfkebnekaise.com

• Address:

  STF Kebnekaise Fjällstation

• Phone:

  +46 980 550 00

Kiruna Church

Kiruna Church, a remarkable example of Sweden's largest wooden structures, blends Gothic Revival architecture with an Art Nouveau altar. Designed by Gustaf Wickman and completed in 1912, its unique shape mirrors a Sami hut (lavvú), with coloured glass lower windows and clear upper ones. Dubbed the "sanctuary of the wandering people", it was envisioned as an inclusive space with minimal Christian symbols. Amidst Kiruna's transformation, this architectural gem is set for relocation in 2025, preserving its historic and cultural significance.

• Web:

  kirunalapland.se/en/kiruna-church

• Address:

  Kiruna kyrka, Finngatan 1, Kiruna

• Phone:

  +46 980 678 00

Kiruna Mine

Experience the world’s largest underground iron ore mine from the inside. Visit the mine: the café, the machinery, the theatre and museum, all located 540 meters underground. You can join the daily tour that starts at the LKAB's Visitor Centre in central Kiruna. Book well in advance! The mine is operated by Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB), a state-owned Swedish mining company.

• Web:

  kirunalapland.se/en/activities/lkabs-visitor-centre

• Address:

  LKAB's Visitor Centre, Malmvägen 9B, Kiruna

• Phone:

  +46 980 188 80

• More info:

  A minimum of ten persons during the winter season is required

Kungsleden — The Royal Trail

The famous long-distance hiking trail offers spectacular vistas of the natural world. It's 467 km long and starts in Abisko, 93 km northwest of Kiruna. STF Singi mountain cabin lies directly west of Kiruna. For information on suggested routes and accommodation, visit Svenska Turistföreningen’s (the Swedish Tourist Organisation) website.

• Web:

  www.svenskaturistforeningen.se