NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KIRUNA SWEDEN: WHEN, WHERE & HOW TO SEE THEM THIS WINTER!
WONDERING HOW TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KIRUNA SWEDEN THIS WINTER?
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Best time to see Northern Lights in Kiruna
⭐ End of September to early April. Ideally between 6pm – 2am.
Best guided Kiruna Northern Lights tours
⭐ Northern Lights Tour from Kiruna to Abisko with Dinner
⭐ Kiruna Northern Lights Tour with Photographer
⭐ Northern Light Snowmobile Tour In Kurina (7.30pm)
⭐ Snowshoe In The Northern Lights Night tour
Best places to stay in Kiruna to see Northern Lights
⭐ Aurora River Camp Glass Igloos & Cabins
⭐ Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge
⭐ Camp Ripan
NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KIRUNA:
AN INTRODUCTION
NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KIRUNA: BEST TIME OF YEAR
The best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Kiruna is during its darker Winter months, anytime from early September into late March. Of course the later in Winter you visit, the length of darkness available increases – as do your chances!
Deep in the Winter months, especially around December and January, is when Kiruna experiences the Northern Lights most evenings, so long as solar conditions are right.
This is because during these months, Kiruna is plunged into a blanket of darkness through its phenomenal Polar Nights – where the sun never rises over the horizon again from end of November until mid-January!
Nonetheless, a success rate each night depends on the unique conditions of each evening. The ideal conditions are a cold, clear and cloudless night with strong forecasted solar activity.
NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KIRUNA: BEST TIME OF DAY
KIRUNA NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS
1. Northern Lights Tour from Kiruna to Abisko with Dinner (Extended Time)
Tour operator: Lights of Vikings.
Top highlights: Rated with “Badge of Excellence” on Viator with a staggering 228/233 5* reviews! Head to Abisko National Park, the best place in the world with notorious clear skies. Enjoy a delightful dinner before fully chasing the Northern Lights. The tour is not limited by distance or time, the team go all out to find the best Aurora for you. Once found, watch the Aurora dance above you as you warm up next to a roaring campfire and indulge in chocolates, Swedish cookies and soothing hot drinks. All professional photography taken on the tour is included.
Departure point: Inner Kiruna city hotel pick up and drop off included. This includes one of our recommended hotels, Camp Ripan, located just outside of the city. See Viator post or contact them directly for full options.
Duration: Extended Time: 6-7 hours.
Price: From £190 GBP / $240 USD per adult.
Tour type: Very small intimate group, up to 6 people maximum!
2. Kiruna Northern Lights Tour with Photographer
Tour operator: Lights of Vikings.
Top highlights: Rated with “Badge of Excellence” on Viator with a staggering 91/93 5* reviews! The tour is not limited by distance or time, the team go all out to find the best Aurora for you – including Abisko, Kiruna’s boreal forest or wherever a clear sky is forecasted! Once found, watch the Aurora dance above you as you warm up next to a roaring campfire and indulge in chocolates, Swedish cookies and soothing hot drinks. All professional photography taken on the tour is included.
Departure point: Inner Kiruna city hotel pick up and drop off included. This includes one of our recommended hotels, Camp Ripan, located just outside of the city. See Viator post or contact them directly for full options.
Duration: Approx. 4 hours.
Price: From £145 GBP / $182 USD per adult.
Tour type: Very small intimate group, up to 7 people maximum!
3. Aurora Borealis Tour Kiruna – Abisko with local Street Food
Tour operator: Kiruna Private Guides.
Top highlights: With a mind-blowing 40/40 5* reviews and rated with “Badge of Excellence” on Viator, this Northern Lights tour is one of the best in Kiruna!
Start this intimate, personalised group tour with a delicious street food dinner (included) in a tipi before heading out towards Abisko National Park, a hotspot for the Aurora, to search for the best Northern Lights!
Departure point: Stejk Street Food in Kiruna or hotel pick-up and drop off is offered.
Duration: Approx. 6 to 7 hours.
Price: From £215 gbp / $270 per adult.
Tour type: Very small intimate group, up to 8 people maximum!
4. Northern Light Snowmobile Tour In Kurina (7.30pm)
Tour operator: Paradise Lapland.
Top highlights: Rated with “Badge of Excellence” on Viator with a staggering 53/56 5* reviews! Head out on brand new, state of the art snowmobiles and soar across the magical Swedish wilderness in search of the dancing Aurora. All arm thermal clothes included, included shoes, gloves, helmet, balaclavas and thermal socks. This tour is also top of our top Kiruna snowmobiling tours list!
Departure point: Inner Kiruna city hotel pick up and drop off included. This includes one of our recommended hotels, Camp Ripan, located just outside of the city. See Viator post or contact them directly for full options.
Duration: Approx. 4-5 hours.
Price: From £198 GBP / $244 USD per adult.
Tour type: Medium group, up to 22 people maximum.
5. Snowshoe In The Northern Light Night tour
Tour operator: Outdoor North 67.
Top highlights: Very small, personalised group tour (maximum 8 people). A short but exhilarating snowshoeing adventure into the Lappish forest in search for clear skies. There are a couple of designed routes in mind specifically to search for the best Northern Lights. Your experienced guide will then share intriguing legends and facts about the Aurora whilst warming up over a hot drink and cookies.
Departure point: 3 hotel pick-up points included. This includes one of our recommended hotels, Camp Ripan, Arctic Eden and Hotel Scandic. See Viator post or contact them directly for full options.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours.
Price: From £78 GBP / $97 USD per adult.
Tour type: Very small group, up to 8 people maximum.
WHERE TO STAY IN KIRUNA FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Our top pick:
Aurora River Camp Glass Igloos & Cabins
✅ Highly rated 8.6/10 ‘Exceptional’.
✅ Remote location outside of Kiruna city, perfect for viewing the northern lights.
✅ Two Glass Igloos available, only one is ‘Riverfront’.
Bookings to both Glass Igloos include transfers from Kiruna, breakfast basket and one-time sauna use.
The glass igloo was outstanding for viewing the northern lights while indoors-amazing really! The location on the lake is beautiful.
KIM, UNITED STATES, BOOKING.COM REVIEWS
Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge
Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge is one of the best hotels to stay at to see the Northern lights in Kiruna without a guided tour!
✅ Highly rated 9/10 ‘Exceptional’.
✅ Remote rural location outside of Kiruna city, perfect for viewing the northern lights.
✅ Idyllic mountain views.
Though only a convenient 8 minute drive (5km) away from Kiruna’s town centre, Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge makes you feel world’s away, set in idyllic Swedish countryside with a serene mountainous backdrop.
This location makes it the perfect place to spot the Northern Lights by yourself. In fact, they have an outside rooftop “Northern Lights hot tub” so you have the chance to see them in the most unique way possible!
Previous guests constantly comment on how the staff are very friendly, attentive and quite frankly – couldn’t do enough for you from the moment you arrive.
The lodge is cosy and intimate, with just 7 double bedrooms on offer, all inclusive of a delightful en-suite, loft, open plan area and décor that is tastefully inspired by Sami art.
A stay here includes a delicious breakfast, free hot drinks and biscuits throughout the day and free use of country-country skis and snow shoes!
Pictured: The rooftop “Northern Lights hot tub” at Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge.
Getting to Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge: Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge is conveniently located just 8 minutes drive (5km) away from Kiruna town centre. From Kiruna Airport, the distance is a 12 minute drive (12km).
You can either jump in a taxi outside of Kiruna Airport or drive yourself straight to the hotel and use their free parking if you have a rental car.
A very homely feel, comfy beds and rooms, we had a wonderful dinner and received amazing service from staff, in particular Barbara who made our stay so much more enjoyable. Lovely buffet breakfast included in our package and location isn’t too far via car ride from town centre. We booked some spa time on the roof top and saw the northern lights! Really enjoyed our stay
ROSA, NEW ZEALAND, BOOKING.COM REVIEWS
The lodge has a beautiful vibe to it. Its secluded from the city so you can easily see the northern lights when the sky is clear, and thats such a plus.
SAUMYA, INDIA, BOOKING.COM REVIEWS
Camp Ripan
Pictured: The external facade of Camp Ripan.
✅ Highly rated 8.4/10.
✅ Wonderful on-site Aurora Spa facilities, including a modern outdoor rooftop hot tub to watch the Aurora in.
✅ Located slightly outside of Kiruna town, creating a good chance to see the northern lights while still close enough to be within catchment for pick-up / drop off for most Kiruna guided tours.
Camp Ripan is a cosy, cabin haven conveniently located just out of Kiruna town. While still located close to the centre, is located just remote enough outside to step away from the bright city lights and enjoy dazzling dark skies and – if you’re lucky – Aurora Borealis displays!
Have the chance to spot the Northern lights straight from your bungalow, or head out to their modern outdoor rooftop hot tub (as part of their top tier Aurora Spa facilities – additional cost) to see them in the most special and unique way!
It’s location is great if you wanted to embark on guided tours, as Camp Ripan is within the pick-up / drop off catchment for more Kiruna tour companies!
While Camp Ripan is not as remotely located as our first two hotel suggestions, it is still a renowned spot to see the Northern Lights as well as being in a convenient location for tour pick ups / to get into town – giving you the the best of both worlds!
Pictured: The rooftop outdoor hot tub as part of Camp Ripan’s Aurora Spa.
Pictured: Typical “Chalet” cabins at Camp Ripan.
Each of the cabins at Camp Ripan are incredibly cosy and warm, with the majority of these chalet-style rooms boasting an en-suite, private entrance and a kitchenette style area.
A wonderful rich breakfast buffet is included in the room price, and on-site Restaurant Ripan offers gourmet food. There are also plenty of activities on offer at Camp Ripan in Winter, including snowmobiling, ice fishing and dog sledding.
Pictured: The wonderful indoor facilities of Camp Ripan’s Aurora Spa offer.
Getting to Camp Ripan: Camp Ripan is conveniently located just 4 minutes drive (1.6km) away from Kiruna town centre. From Kiruna Airport, the distance is a 12 minute drive (9km).
You can jump in a taxi outside of Kiruna Airport or drive yourself straight to the hotel and use their free parking if you have a rental car. Unless you wanted to take a taxi again, once you’re at Camp Ripan it is only a 15 minute walk into the main town during your stay.
We were lucky enough to see northern lights right outside the cabin as seen in marketing photos of the property. breakfast, spa and restaurant were excellent, even used the gym and attended a free yoga class.
WING, UNITED KINGDOM, BOOKING.COM REVIEWS
Top Tip: The ICE HOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Kiruna is also one of the best places to stay to see the Northern Lights in Kiruna without a tour!
ADDITIONAL KIRUNA WINTER TOURS & ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL WINTER ACTIVITIES IN KIRUNA:
• Visit the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, just outside of Kiruna. Usually open from mid-December to mid April. No pre-booking required, just turn up to purchase an admission ticket (375 SEK, approx. £30 per adult). Admission includes ice and snow art exhibition plus entrance to the Icehotel.
Alternatively, you can book a special overnight stay in the Icehotel itself, or on the complex itself! The admission to Icehotel and exhibition is free to all overnight guests.
• Small-group Snowshoeing tour in the forest (Daytime)
• Snowmobile Arctic Adventure on 2-Person Snowmobile (Daytime)
- Visit Márkanbáiki, the Sámi open air museum. Perfect for a day visit, explore the venue at your own pace. Enjoy delicious and authentic Sámi food on-site in a Lavvu at Café Sápmi.
- Visit the LKAB Visitor’s Centre to learn more about Kiruna’s incredulous mining history.
- Explore Kiruna’s town centre, including the iconic Gothic style Kiruna Church.
ADDITIONAL WINTER ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF KIRUNA:
- Venture to and stay at Abisko Village for one-night (at least) to experience guided Abisko Northern Lights tours or the Aurora Sky Station “Night Visit”. Known for its clear skies and no light pollution, the Sky Station is one of the best places in the World to see the Northern Lights in Sweden! This would be a great thing to add at the beginning / end of your stay in Kiruna.
KIRUNA SWEDEN WINTER CLIMATE
KIRUNA SWEDEN WINTER PACKING LIST
GREAT THINGS TO BRING & WEAR FOR SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OUTSIDE IN KIRUNA:
- A GoPro / high quality camera to capture amazing Northern Lights footage of your own!
- Powered battery pack (and cable) for your smart phone and GoPro.
- Layers of socks, including a pair of thick thermal socks.
- Layers and layers!!! There is a strong recommendation of at least 3 layers when you are outside at all times. This involves a base layer (polyester or silk to not absorb sweat), a middle insulating layer like a thick fleece and an outer layer, ideally waterproof to block out wind, rain and snow. Ideally the outer coat will also have a hood.
- Accessories to keep you warm, especially things like thermal gloves, bobble hats and ear muffs! Pack a few pairs of gloves in case they get wet. Ideally your glove ‘top layer’ will be waterproof.
- Snood (neck warmer). If its windy, the cold chill on your face can take your breath away!
HOW TO GET TO KIRUNA IN SWEDEN
GETTING TO KIRUNA BY AIR
GETTING TO KIRUNA BY OVERNIGHT TRAIN
Just so you are aware of all options available, you can also board an overnight or day train with a local train company called Vy, which takes 15-17 hours to get from Stockholm Central to Kiruna train station.
Unless you are fully against flying, we would not personally recommend this option. Not only is much more long-winded, but is prone to multiple service cancellations caused by North Sweden’s intensely cold weather.
Here is an example of Vy’s online bulletins shown on their website which happened this Winter:
AURORA BOREALIS IN KIRUNA:
“KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I SPEND IN KIRUNA?
CONCLUSION: NORTHERN LIGHTS IN KIRUNA
In conclusion, a visit to the authentic and understated town of Kiruna in northern Sweden is absolutely one of your best chances to witness the Northern Lights this Winter!
Head out on our recommended 5* guided Northern lights tours to reach the best Aurora hotspots, whether on a comfortably classic Northern lights safari or Northern Lights adventure by snowmobile!
Maximise your chances to see the magical Aurora every night even further without the need for a guided tour by staying in Kiruna accommodations perfectly located and designed for viewing the Northern lights.
Our absolute favourite choices are Aurora River Camp Glass Igloos & Cabins and Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge!
We hope this has been super helpful for you, and most importantly that you have the most incredible time spotting the dazzling Northern Lights in Kiruna, Sweden this Winter!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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