Where to see the northern lights in Sweden
When the sun’s activity builds towards expected solar energy maximumNorthern Lights tourism is expected to grow in the coming years.
Some winter travelers arriving in Stockholm are disappointed to learn that the chances of seeing an Aurora display in the Swedish capital are extremely slim. To have the best chance of seeing the northern lights in Sweden, you need to head as far north as you can.
Aurora hunting in northern Sweden
The biggest advantage of visiting northern Sweden over others aurora destinations in Scandinavia is the frequency of clear skies at many destinations. Thanks to the lack of physical and light pollution, the region is known among keen astronomers and photographers as an excellent place to chase the northern lights and also study the Milky Way.
While northern Sweden is further south than Norway’s popular Northern Lights destinations like Tromsø and Alta, the clear skies and distance from the often overcast mountainous coast make up for it.
But temperatures in the region are often much colder than travelers expect, especially those more accustomed to the more temperate climate of the northern Norwegian coast.
Getting there and getting around can also be a challenge, with a rental car all but necessary once you’re in the region. So while a visit to the region is well worth it, it often requires a lot of planning.
With that in mind, here are four places to consider for your own personal hunt for the northern lights in Sweden.
Kiruna
As the country’s largest city in the north, Kiruna is a good option for chasing the northern lights in Sweden. There are plenty of other things to do during the day, from ice fishing to guided tours of the world’s largest iron ore mine.
Independent tour operators in Kiruna offer a varied range of guided northern lights tours including the option to join ski, dog sled or snowmobile tours. But despite all these fun winter activities, many curious travelers put Kiruna on their travel plans because of the ice hotel.
Every year a brand new one ice hotel is built on the banks of the local river a few miles east of Kiruna. Built entirely of snow and ice, the hotel can accommodate up to 100 overnight guests with many more visiting for a peek into the hotel’s remarkable ice sculpture gallery during the day.
Kiruna is also a great choice for independent travelers due to the city’s airport and train station, making traveling here relatively easy. For those who prefer slow travel long distance train from Stockholm is an experience in itself.
Aurora Sky Station, Abisko
90 km west of Kiruna deep in Abisko National Park, the Aurora Sky Station is far away from artificial light and far from the cloudy coastline, providing ideal conditions for spotting the Northern Lights. The company claims a 70% success rate on nights when the station is open.
The station has a large outdoor terrace and observation tower along with a restaurant serving Nordic cuisine to keep you busy while you wait for the light. It’s a challenging place to get to for independent travelers, so the station offers transfers from Kiruna and also from Narvik in Norway.
On the downside, Sky Station isn’t cheap. If it’s a clear sky and a good screen, you’ll be able to see it from anywhere in Abisko. Whether you judge a trip to the Sky Station to be worth the $100 fee (plus $30 for transfers from Kiruna) is a personal decision.
Jokkmokk
A Sami meeting place for many generations, Jokkmokk is an excellent choice if you want to dive into traditional Sami culture.
In early February, thousands of visitors including many international tourists descend on the small town for historical annual winter market. Although this is a truly wonderful time to visit, it is often defined by extreme cold and you need to book well in advance to secure accommodation in the area.
Luleå
If you prefer the comforts of a city during a Northern Lights hunt, Luleå may be for you. Luleå is much larger than Kiruna or anywhere else in Sweden’s northern region and is relatively easy to reach by plane or train.
Luleå is known for its peaceful archipelago with over 1,000 islands in the Gulf of Bothnia. Although the bay freezes in winter, the archipelago is still a destination for aurora hunting trips by snowmobile or dog sled.
National border
If you are a skiing enthusiast, you can consider a northern lights hunt at the Riksgränsen. Located midway between Abisko and Narvik on the border between Sweden and Norway, Riksgränsen is known as Sweden’s northernmost ski resort.
With affordable accommodation nearby, a trip to Riksgränsen will be satisfying whether you enjoy downhills or prefer a more challenging off-piste experience. After a day of skiing, the northern lights will come out to play a bonus.