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SWEDEN
KIRUNA
Kiruna is 200 km north of the Arctic Circle but it’s easy to reach. After a flight of only 90 minutes from Stockholm you land in Europe’s last wilderness, where the Midnight Sun shines right round the clock from May to July.
Relax in this tranquil setting in an untouched landscape, discover the Sami culture or stay in the famous Icehotel! The town of Kiruna has a lot to offer year-round, including an exciting tour of the iron-ore mine workings 540 metres below the surface. A drive around Kiruna and the surrounding area provides fantastic views.
The Nordkalott road and the Lapland mountain kingdom stretch all the way from the Norwegian border in the north-west. Along the route you’ll find the classic skiing and walking centres of Riksgränsen, Björkliden and Abisko, the starting point for Sweden’s best-known long-distance footpath, Kungsleden (the King’s Trail).
 Rein sledding at the annual fair in Kiruna
Copyright © Swedish Travel and Tourism Council
You’ll also see the Lapp Gateway, a U-shaped rock formation that has become a symbol for Lapland’s mountain world. A drive of about 70 km takes you west from the centre of Kiruna to the region’s other mountain gateway, Nikkaluokta, a classic starting point for mountain touring both in winter and summer. Crowning the region is the snow-covered Kebnekaise, at 2117 metres above sea level it is Sweden’s highest mountain.
Heading east you have almost two-thirds of Kiruna’s municipal area ahead of you. The area is rich in historic traditions, buildings, and magnificent scenery. It’s also a paradise for fishing and all types of canoeing. Along the way you’ll pass settlements like Piilijärvi, Lappeasuando, Vittangi and Lainio. In the northern part of the region you can see attractively-located villages such as Nedre and Övre Soppero, Lannavaara, and Karesuando as well as Sweden’s most northerly inhabited settlement, Kummavuopio, near the border between Norway and Finland.
* Information is courtesy of the Swedish Travel and Tourism Council
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Festivals & Events
Hultsfred Rock Festival, June
Sweden's largest rock festival for young and old.
Sideshows incl. acrobats, comedians, tightrope walkers, jugglers, mimics, musicians and dancers.
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Midsummer celebrations all over the country, June
Perhaps the most characteristically Swedish tradition of all is the Midsummer celebration. The Midsummer holiday is celebrated on the weekend closest to 24 June, with Midsummer Eve on Friday followed by Midsummer Day on Saturday. Midsummer marks the longest day of the year, and the skies never really grow dark.
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Music on Lake Siljan, June
The Peer Gynt Festival is a ten day long cultural festival with an open air performance of Henrik Ibsens Peer Gynt, with music by Edvard Grieg, open air consert "Ved Rondane", art exhibition, and much more.
Around Gotland Sailing race, June - July
The worlds largest offshore sailing race.
ksss@ksss.se
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
The Hälsinge Hambo, July
A huge festive and colorful, long line dance. Dance groups from Sweden and abroad dance and play while the World Champion of Hambo is selected from the thousands of dancing couples.
info@halsingehambon.x.se
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Victoria Day, July
The island of Öland's National Day, celebrating Crown Princess Victoria's birthday with the Royal family. The ”Victoria Mini Marathon” is held during the day, and an extended marathon in the evening. The prestigious ”Victoria scholarship” is presented to a sports achiever.
Information: Öland Tourist Office, tel: +46-485-390 20; Fax: 46-485-390 10
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Stockholm Jazz Festival, July
International jazz festival with international and Swedish world-acclaimed artists from the genres of jazz, blues, soul, funk and latin. In the center of Stockholm people gather to eat and enjoy the view as they listen to artists from all over the world. Sit and enjoy or dance to swing bands on the smaller stages.
info@stockholmjazz.com
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Medieval Festival Week, August
For one week the old town of Visby on the island of Gotland goes back in time to the Middle Ages. Locals dress up in historic costumes, knights demonstrate their strength in jousting tournaments and a maiden is locked in a tower. Carnival atmosphere and festivities; a mixture of sobriety and merriment, education and carnival extravagance in a genuine medieval town.
info@medeltidsveckan.se
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
The Gothenburg party, August
Swedens second largest and, some say, friendlest city throws a week long festival with an abundance of activities in the city center
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Lidingö Cross-Country Race, October
The worlds largest cross-country race for runners in beautiful Lindingö outside of Stockholm
info@lidingoloppet.se
Stockholm Open, October
The world famous tennis tournament.
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Stockholm International Film Festival,
November
International film festival premiering over 100 films from all over the world.
info@filmfestivalen.se
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
Nobel Prize Day, December
The Nobel Prize Awards are presented by H.M. the King at a formal ceremony in the Stockholm Concert Hall. By special invitation only. Banquet follows at the Stockholm City Hall.
info@nobel.se
Photo: Swedish Travel & Tourism Council
ST. Lucia Day, December
The coronation of Saint Lucia, the bearer of light. Celebrated all over Sweden on the darkest night of the year, December 13, when a young woman is chosen to lead the annual procession of light at Skansen open air museum.
Images from Sweden
Courtesy of the
Swedish Tourist Board
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