Want to experience something extraordinary this winter? Then this Arctic Northern Lights itinerary perfect for a long weekend in northern Sweden and Norway is for you!
If you’re looking for the perfect winter escape, few places offer the magic of Sweden’s Lappland and the Arctic north of Norway. With vast snowy landscapes, the chance to see the Northern Lights, and some of the most scenic train routes in Europe, a weekend spent exploring Kiruna, Abisko and Narvik is a slow travel dream.
2024-2025 are also supposed to be the best years to see the lights as they are at its 12 year cycle peak and they won't peak again until ca 2036. So what are you waiting for? Let's plan your arctic adventure this year!
Best of all, you can do it all sustainably—by train. Here’s how to make the most of a winter weekend in these breathtaking destinations and hotel recommendations. Plus a bonus of how to go there from Stockholm and how to book tickets.
This article contains
Itinerary day by day - best things to do & where to stay
Day 1 - 2 Kiruna - The Heart of Lappland
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Day 1 - 2: Kiruna – The Heart of Swedish Lappland
Your Arctic adventure begins in Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city. This town, known for its iron ore mining, has a fascinating story — it’s in the process of moving, building by building, to avoid damage from the expanding mine. But it’s not just the history that makes Kiruna worth a visit—this is a place of wild beauty and unique winter experiences. Here are a few things not to miss when visiting Kiruna.
Northern Lights Safari
Kiruna is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Book a night tour—whether by snowmobile, dog sled, or on foot—to increase your chances of seeing the aurora dance across the Arctic sky. Would recommend doing a tour (that's what we did) as the people are professionals and the chances of you catching the best northern lights will increase.
Spend an Evening at the Camp Ripan Spa
We stayed a night at Camp Ripan (read more about it below) and as they had a spa that was supposed to be stunning we had to try it. We spent some hours here, doing an impressive step-by-step ritual and were even lucky to actually see a glimpse of the northern lights when we were sitting in the jacuzzi outside. A dream come true!
Visit the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi
A must-see, even if you’re not staying overnight. The Icehotel, about 20 minutes from Kiruna, is rebuilt every year from ice and snow, featuring stunning ice sculptures and rooms that feel like living art galleries. Take a tour, visit the ice bar, or explore the year-round Icehotel 365, where you can see ice art no matter the season. Visit the website here.
You can buy tickets directly at the sight, no pre-booking. The price in 2024 is 305 SEK.
How to get to the Ice hotel from Kiruna:
The icehotel and the space centre (below) are the only places in this itinerary not directly connected to the rail network. You have two options to go here.
Rent a car for the day
Going from Kiruna train station to the Ice hotel by car takes ca 20 minutes. It's 20 km. This is the option we choose as it allowed us to also make a stop at Esrange, the space research base. Would recommend hiring a car with four-wheel drive if you go in winter.
Book a transfer directly from and to the Ice hotel Visit their website here and book a shuttle between Kiruna and the ice hotel. You can book both ways. The cost in 2024 is 275 SEK. Book it here
Explore the city centre and cafés
The city centre of Kiruna is pretty small, but worth a visit.
Experience Sami Culture
Winter is the perfect time to learn about the indigenous Sami people and their traditional way of life. Visit a reindeer farm, try your hand at reindeer sledding, and learn about Sami traditions, cuisine, and handicrafts.
A tour offering a day filled with reindeers, reindeer sled, ecologic food and learn about the indigenous people - book it here
Husky Dog Sledding
While in Lappland you should try to catch a husky dog sled tour. Unique and fun opportunity to explore more of the culture and nature in Lappland.
Find some top rated tours here
Dog sledding tour with fika - book it here
Northern Lights Safari & Husky dog sledding combined - book it here
Husky Dog Sled Morning Tour - book it here
Esrange Space Center
The only Swedish space base where scientists launch rockets into space. Located 45 km from Kiruna. You can visit the Visitor Centre which is open every day between 08-18.00. To go here you need to go by car, but it can easily be combined with a trip to the icehotel.
Best Places to Stay in Kiruna:
Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi (€€)
A once-in-a-lifetime-bucketlist Arctic experience is for sure to stay at the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, .
Here you can sleep in rooms made entirely out of sculptured ice from the river next to the hotel. You will get thermal sleeping bags on beds vcovered in reindeer hides.
You can also book a sauna experience, wood-burning hot tub - and if the adventurous type, even try an ice bath. You can also choose to stay in warm rooms, but where's the fun in that?
Book it here.
Super cosy hotel, located just outside of Kiruna city centre. You sleep in small modern wood cabins.
Don't skip visiting their spa and restaurant. The food was delicious and they served local dishes.
Book it here.
Scandic, Kiruna (€€)
The perks with this hotel is that it is located in the middle of the centre, has a pretty good breakfast which is served with a view over the mines. Book it here.
Day 3: Abisko – Northern Lights and Arctic Wilderness
The next part of your journey takes you an hour west by train to Abisko, home to Abisko National Park and the renowned Aurora Sky Station. Abisko is known for its clear skies and is considered one of the best places in the world to spot the Northern Lights, especially during the long winter nights. Here are my best tips of things to do here.
Note that there are two different stations in Abisko - Abisko Östra and Abisko. Make sure to get off close to your accomodation.
Aurora Sky Station
Take the chairlift up to the Sky Station, located high in the mountains for an unobstructed view of the Northern Lights. You can enjoy a guided tour on the aurora or relax in the warmth of the lodge as you wait for the lights to appear. On clear nights, the show can be truly spectacular.
Northern Lights Hunting
You can also book a northern lights tour which will take you to other places to watch the northern lights and usually includes photographs and even dinner. We booked a tour where we started the evening in a small traditional cabin and had dinner, then hunted northern lights for hours, sat by the fire in the forest enjoying the silence and colours on the sky and enjoying a cup of hot Swedish saft (sweet drink). In the end we also got some professional photographs to take with us home. Magical experience!
Best tours you can do
Affordable Northern lights tour - book it here
Northern lights tour with photographer - book it here
Ultimate tour; Northern lights tour, tipi tent dinner & visit reindeers - book it here
Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking
Abisko National Park is a winter wonderland, with well-marked trails that allow you to explore the snow-covered landscape. Rent snowshoes and head out on a peaceful hike through the park’s frozen forests and along the shores of Lake Torneträsk.
Tip: Go for a scenic morning hike of Abisko national park - book it here
Ice Climbing or Cross-Country Skiing
For the adventurous, Abisko offers ice climbing experiences on frozen waterfalls. If you prefer a more traditional winter sport, rent cross-country skis and glide through the pristine wilderness. You can either book a tour, or go skiing by yourself, but be mindful about the weather and talk to local people to know about the best and safe spots.
Tip: cool experience is to go for this 3 hour ice climbing with professional guide - book it here
Best Places to Stay in Abisko
Abisko Guesthouse (€)
The budget option. Offers self-catering guest rooms and apartments. Access to a communal sauna. Book it here
Abisko Mountain Lodge (€€)
Authentic place and one of the top rated places to stay in Abisko. Here you can stay in cottages or double rooms. The Mountain Lodge also has a restaurant with a seasonal menu based on local ingredients. Book it early as it can get full quite quickly! Book it here
STF Abisko Turiststation (€€)
Stay at the Abisko Mountain Lodge or the STF Abisko Turiststation, which offer comfortable accommodations and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Many lodges also provide guided Northern Lights tours and winter activities. Pro tip is to book it early - we wanted to stay here but it was full. Book it here
Day 4: Narvik – Majestic Fjords and WWII History
After soaking in the wilderness of Abisko, take one of Europe’s most scenic train journeys to Narvik. The train from Abisko to Narvik winds through the mountains before descending to the fjords, offering breathtaking views along the way. Narvik, situated on the shores of the Ofotfjord, is your gateway to both history and Arctic beauty. Here are some of the highlights in Narvik.
Scenic train Abisko - Narvik
A true hidden gem, which costs basically nothing but offer stunning views and in my opinion is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Europe - passing mountains, frozen lakes, and fjords. Taking the train from Abisko, Sweden to Narvik, Norway is a breathtaking experience in itself. The most beautiful part is from Riksgränsen to Narvik.
The train goes through and alongside the mountains and the fjord. Ending up in Narvik, a coastal city in the North of Norway.
Narvikfjellet Ski Resort
Narvik is home to one of the most scenic ski resorts in Scandinavia. Whether you’re an experienced skier or a beginner, the slopes offer stunning views over the fjord, and you can even try night skiing under the Arctic stars.
Narvik War Museum
Discover the town’s important role in WWII at the Narvik War Museum, which tells the story of the Battle of Narvik, one of the key events during the Norwegian campaign in 1940. It’s a fascinating insight into how this remote town was a pivotal point in the war.
Scandic Sky bar
If you have time, I would recommend visiting the sky bar at the Scandic hotel. Here you will get a view of Narvik from above. We went here at sunset, it was magical.
Fjord Cruise or Snowmobile Tour
If you’re craving adventure, head out on a fjord cruise to explore the Arctic waters, or book a snowmobile tour into the surrounding mountains. Both activities offer incredible views and the chance to connect with the raw beauty of the region.
Where to Stay
Scandic Narvik (€€)
Stay at Scandic Narvik, which offers panoramic views over the town and fjord from its rooftop sky bar. It’s a great place to relax and unwind after a day of exploring the Arctic wilderness.
Breidablikk Guesthouse (€€)
Breidablikk Guesthouse is located in central Narvik and very cosy. Book it here
Basecamp Narvik (€€)
Located ca 2 km outside of Narvik and a great option if you plan on go skiing and doing other activities.
Book it here
Narvikfjellet Camp 291 (€€€)
Top modern glass cabins. This place is one of the most unique in Narvik and top rated. Book it here
How to Travel to Lappland
In my opinion, the easiest and cosiest way to go to Lappland and Narvik is to take the train from Stockholm. Board a train in the evening at ca 18.00 and arrive in Kiruna in the morning at 09.00. Bring some snacks, games and download some movies and audiobooks before you board and you are all set for a cosy evening!
A tip is to pre-book breakfast which you can do in the app or at the SJ website. If you travel in First class it is included and sometimes you even get a hotel breakfast instead of a box on the train.
Where to Book
Book your tickets at Sj.se - the major rail company in Sweden.
How & What to Book
From Stockholm - board a night train at 18.00 and arrive in Kiruna at 09.00. You can also board the train north of Stockholm, for instance in Uppsala, Gävle or Sundsvall.
Here you can choose the following options
Couchette - which is a bed in a room shared with 6 people. Affordable and great for families as you can book your own room pretty affordable
Sleeper cabin 2nd class - usually 3 people in the same room, better matresses than in the couchettes
Sleeper cabin 1st class - usually 2 people and includes breakfast, sometimes also your own toilet and shower.
If you are travelling with an interrail pass, you add your pass number at "discount cards" when you are booking your trip and you will see cheaper prices.
When To Go
This article is mainly focused on experiencing northern Sweden and Norway in winter time. But this trip can be just as magical at summer when you can hike and experience midnight sun. However, if your goal is to see the northern lights, september to april are chances to see northern lights highest. And according to meteorologists the best time is autumn or late winter, ca October-November and end February to early April. This is when the weather is the best and northern lights usually the strongest.
June - August are great months to go if you want to experience midnight sun and lush landscapes.
note that its full darkness from ca 10th of December to 1st of January in Kiruna
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A weekend in Kiruna, Abisko, and Narvik is a journey into the heart of the Arctic. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, exploring Sami culture, or skiing with fjord views, this winter adventure is a perfect blend of nature, history, and sustainability. Best of all, traveling by train allows you to experience the beauty of the region in a way that’s both eco-friendly and unforgettable.
If you do this trip - would love to hear about it. Send me an email at hello@railoyage.com or DM me at instagram. Enjoy your arctic adventure!
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