Kiruna Church is a landmark wooden building in the town of Kiruna in northern Sweden.
In Northern Sweden, an entire city is being relocated in a decade-long project to keep the city alive. The startling urban planning project provides a quirky backdrop to an exploration of this fascinating Arctic region of Sweden.
Kiruna's relocation is a result of ground subsidence caused by iron ore mining. The town was built close to the mine back in 1890 because of the protection offered by the mountains from the Arctic winds.
However, in order to continue mining operations at the world’s biggest underground iron ore mine, operator LKAB must mine under the city, something which couldn't have been foreseen more than 130 years ago.
There was only option to ensure the safety of residents and preserve the city’s future: relocate thousands of residents and the entire downtown district approximately two miles away.
Some major milestones in the relocation have passed. A new railway station was one of the first parts of the project to open. In September 2022, the city’s completely new commercial center opened, three kilometers east of the old downtown.
The downtown district of 'new' Kiruna is now complete.
By 2035, approximately 6,000 people will have been relocated to new housing, and more than 20 buildings of historical value will have been moved to the new downtown. Some will be lifted and relocated while others must be dismantled and reconstructed.
Visitors to Kiruna can witness this massive engineering feat in progress, a rare opportunity to see a city being essentially rebuilt.
The best place to start your exploration of Kiruna is with the mine that gives the city its reason for existing. Guided tours of the show mine are available at the LKAB visitor center, giving visitors a feel for modern mining and automation technology. Booking in advance for the three-hour tour is essential.
Outdoor Experiences In Kiruna
A visit to Kiruna is about so much more than the mine and relocation project. Kiruna and the wider region of Arctic Sweden offer visitors a deep-dive into diverse outdoor experiences, Arctic lifestyle, Sami culture, and the natural phenomena of the midnight sun and northern lights.
Winter is an exciting travel season in Kiruna.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or prefer a more relaxed pace, the winter season is a wonderful—albeit cold—time to visit Kiruna. The average temperature in the coldest month of January is 10°F, but it can get much colder on any particular day.
Despite these temperatures, it’s outdoor activities that dominate the winter season, including dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and aurora hunting. The latter activity is helped as Kiruna—and particularly the nearby Abisko National Park—is known as the best place to see the northern lights in Sweden.
Many of the best winter experiences are available at the Icehotel just a few miles to the east. Built using ice blocks from the adjacent river, Sweden’s original ice hotel offers unique accommodation from December to April in breathtaking rooms sculpted from ice.
Not keen on spending the night on a bed of ice? Daytime visits are available, allowing visitors to appreciate the hotel’s wonderful artwork, which changes every winter. The Icehotel remains open with an ice sculpture hall and outdoor experiences focused on the river, including fishing, rafting, and wilderness stays.
Reindeer skins keep guests warm at the Icehotel.
Abisko feels like a completely different place in the summer. Although it can still be cool, the long days open up opportunities for long-distance hiking in Abisko National Park and visiting the beautiful Torne River.
Other Things To Do In Kiruna
The flamboyant wooden structure of Kiruna Church contrasts dramatically with the functional miners' accommodation. Shaped with a broad base and pyramid-like sloping rooflines, it stands out beautifully. Although it will eventually be relocated a few miles to the east, it currently remains in its original, tree-surrounded location.
Kiruna’s newly built town hall houses the county art museum, packed with contemporary art intended to provoke discussion.
How To Get To Kiruna
Despite its remote Arctic location, getting to Kiruna is relatively straightforward.
International travelers will likely arrive into Stockholm's Arlanda Airport, Sweden's main international gateway. From Stockholm, direct 90-minute flights are available to Kiruna Airport, operated by both Scandinavian Airlines SAS and Norwegian Air.
For a scenic journey, consider taking the train from Stockholm to Kiruna. The overnight train ride is around 15 hours and provides breathtaking views of the Swedish countryside and the Arctic region. It's a comfortable option, with sleeper cabins available, but they do sell out in advance.
Driving to Kiruna is also an option, especially if you enjoy road trips. The drive from Stockholm to Kiruna is about 1,240 kilometers and can take around 14-16 hours, depending on weather conditions.
Ensure your vehicle is well-prepared for winter driving if you're traveling during the colder months. Consider breaking up the journey with an overnight stop in the university city of Umeå.
