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Istanbul to Swedish Lapland: Kiruna and Abisko

Istanbul → Kiruna → Abisko

Abisko
"Abisko_overview.JPG" by Ojan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Kiruna montage (Kiruna)
Photo: Jonipoon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Northern lights & Arctic winter Best season (general guide): Dec–Mar

Swedish Lapland lies above the Arctic Circle, and in winter it is one of the best places in Europe to see the northern lights. This route spends two nights in Kiruna and four in Abisko. From Istanbul you'll connect through Stockholm.

How to pace it: Spend days one and two in Kiruna: day one, Kiruna; day two, Icehotel at Jukkasjärvi. Then spend days three to six in Abisko: day three, train to Abisko; day four, Aurora Sky Station; day five, snowshoe or dog sled; day six, Sámi experience.

Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town, built around a large iron mine. Parts of the town are being moved because of the mine. Jukkasjärvi, nearby, is home to the Icehotel, rebuilt from ice every winter.

A train runs west to Abisko, a national park by a large lake. Abisko is known for its clear skies, which make it good for aurora viewing. The Aurora Sky Station on a mountain above the park is reached by chairlift.

The Laponian Area, south of Kiruna, is listed by UNESCO for its landscapes and the Sámi, whose reindeer herding is still part of life. Many tours offer dog sledding, snowshoeing and visits with Sámi hosts.

December to March is the best time for the northern lights and snow. The darkest months have only a few hours of light.

Long winter nights give plenty of time for aurora watching, but clouds can hide the sky, so a few nights increase your chances. In Abisko, the village has a station, a few lodges and access to trails across the frozen landscape. Dinners often feature local ingredients such as reindeer, Arctic char and lingonberries. During the day, the low sun casts soft light across the snow.

Good to know: Dress in layers and protect your hands and face from the cold. Book aurora tours and the Icehotel ahead.

Use the train for the scenery, as it follows the lake and the mountains.

Book lodges early for the peak winter months.

Suggested outline

  1. Istanbul

    Start

  2. Kiruna

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    Sweden's northernmost town, with the Icehotel nearby and Sámi culture.

    Kiruna
    "Kiruna kyrka September 2017 04.jpg" by Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  3. Abisko

    By train · 4 nights suggested

    National park with clear skies for the northern lights.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Kiruna — Arrive; Kiruna· Istanbul → Kiruna (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Kiruna — Icehotel at Jukkasjärvi
  3. Day 3 · Abisko — Train to Abisko· Kiruna → Abisko (by train)
  4. Day 4 · Abisko — Aurora Sky Station
  5. Day 5 · Abisko — Snowshoe or dog sled
  6. Day 6 · Abisko — Sámi experience
  7. Day 7 · Abisko — Travel home from Abisko· Abisko → Kiruna (by train), then Kiruna → Istanbul (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Kiruna

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Plan the trip: Kiruna

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Abisko

Nearest airport: Kiruna Search fares · Kiruna ↗

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