Kiruna is the northern city near the Arctic Circle. While it is a remote landscape often covered with snow, you can experience the delights of the Swedish Lapland. Despite the long winters, there are plenty of things to do in Kiruna in winter, from snowmobiling and dog sledging to arctic wildlife tours and enjoying the Sami culture. The traditions and history of Sami are well preserved in the city. You can join a Sami cultural tour and go down memory lane of the Nordic Sami people. Be sure to participate in reindeer herding, which is the primary occupation in the region. You can also learn Sami duodji, an elegant handicraft representing the collaboration between the people and nature.
If you are a history enthusiast, start your tour by visiting Kiruna Kyrka. It is a prominent landmark resembling a huge Sami Goahti built by the LKAB Mining Company in 1913. The building was designed with the Gothic Revival style popular in the 1900s, and it is the largest wooden structure in Sweden with a stunning exterior. The Art Nouveau style used to design the altar attracts many tourists and photographers looking for a muse. Don't forget to visit Kiruna's largest underground mine at LKAB. You can learn the peculiarities of mining iron below the earth's surface by visiting the LKAB visitor centre. Apart from exploring the underground mines, the visitor centre has a museum displaying ancient mining tools.
Kiruna northern lights are fascinating events, and the Esrange Space Centre was established to research the phenomenon alongside other astronomical events. The facility is a few metres from Kiruna and is home to rocket launches and a research centre for aurora borealis. While you cannot visit the research facility, they have a visitor centre with remarkable information on the happenings in the research centre and insights on rocket science.
The Samegarden Museum is a miniature museum situated in the basement of the namesake hotel. Despite the size, it provides fantastic insights into the Sami culture. You can explore the collection of artefacts, dusty weapons, tools and apparel reflecting the history of the Sami people. All the displays are decked in the two and a half room museum, but the exhibit's stories are worth the visit. Ensure you get a souvenir from the gift shop in the museum.
