Kiruna, Sweden

Kiruna is the northernmost and the largest town in Swedish Lapland. It is located about 145 km north of the Arctic Circle, making it possible to experience the midnight sun and polar night there. It is home of the famous Ice Hotel, which changes its looks every year as it is rebuilt by different artists each year. Kiruna Kyrka is a beautiful building and has won prizes for being Sweden's most beautiful building and its tower is artistically adorned. It is one of Sweden's largest wooden buildings and is famous for its special tent like structure. The city hall of Kiruna was inaugurated in 1963. It was once elected as the most beautiful building by Swedish Architects. It houses the local government and often hosts various exhibitions. It also has a small but quite well renowned art collection of famous Swedish artists. In the summertime you can visit the LKAB Iron Mine. You'll descend 540 metres into earth and you will learn about the life at the mine. Kiruna is a perfect base to explore the wilderness and scenery of northern Lapland, including Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise. There are several national parks all within easy reach from the city, including Abisko National Park, one of the most beautiful places in Sweden. Kiruna is a place of contrasts, where the summer sun shines for almost two full months without setting, while the polar night lowers its dark blue blanket over the area for the last three weeks of December. The contrasts are seen also in other ways, for here we find the ancient Saami Lappish crafts and ways, existing side by side with the high-tech that has made Kiruna a unique European research centre.