Vast forests, frozen rivers, mountains and wide Arctic skies make Swedish Lapland a place that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life.
Things to do in Swedish Lapland
@ Off The Map
@ Off The Map
@ Sami Experience
Culture and Tradition
In Sweden’s far north, nature shapes almost every experience, from winter nights beneath the Northern Lights to long summer days illuminated by the Midnight Sun.
This is also part of Sápmi, the traditional homeland of the Indigenous Sámi people, whose culture and connection with the landscape stretch back thousands of years. Add dog sledding, distinctive Arctic food and some extraordinary places to stay, and there are plenty of unforgettable things to do in Swedish Lapland throughout the year.
This is the place many of our team call home – giving us the unique ability to know this area better than anyone else.
@ Sam Wells
Search for the Northern Lights
For many travellers, seeing the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland is the experience that draws them north.
During the darker months, auroras can illuminate the Arctic sky in shades of green and other colours. Heading away from artificial light can improve viewing conditions, while guided Northern Lights experiences combine aurora hunting with journeys into Sweden’s winter landscapes. The main Northern Lights season generally runs from September to March.
Autumn in Swedish Lapland brings the colours of ruska, when the forests and fells turn shades of gold, orange and red before winter arrives. The days are still relatively mild, making it a great time to get outdoors without the deep cold of the winter months, while darker evenings begin to return to the north. Sitting between the main summer and winter seasons, it is also a quieter time to travel, with fewer visitors, peaceful trails and a more relaxed feel across the region, with an opportunity to still see the Northern Lights.
@ Yellow Snow
Experience Swedish Lapland by Dog Sled
Few experiences capture the feeling of an Arctic winter quite like dog sledding through Swedish Lapland.
Travelling behind a team of huskies takes you across snow-covered landscapes at a completely different pace, with the sound of the sled and dogs replacing the noise of everyday life. Dog sledding experiences are available across the region and are one of Swedish Lapland’s classic winter adventures.
@ All About Lapland
Discover Sámi Culture
An important part of visiting Swedish Lapland is learning about the culture of the Sámi, the Indigenous people of Sápmi.
Experiences such as Nutti Sámi Siida near Jukkasjärvi offer opportunities to learn about Sámi traditions and reindeer husbandry, meet reindeer and, during winter, experience reindeer sledding. In Jokkmokk, the Ájtte Museum provides another introduction to Sámi history and culture.
Swedish Lapland is a place to experience the north in a way that feels genuine and deeply connected to its people and landscapes. Spend time with local hosts, discover Sámi culture and traditions, taste food shaped by the seasons and learn about a way of life that has developed around the Arctic environment. These personal encounters offer a chance to go beyond simply seeing the destination and instead gain a real sense of the culture, stories and communities that make Swedish Lapland unique.
ICEHOTEL 365
Stay at the ICEHOTEL
In the village of Jukkasjärvi, near Kiruna, you’ll find one of Swedish Lapland’s most distinctive landmarks: the original ICEHOTEL.
First created in 1989, the hotel has become an internationally recognised Arctic experience. Its seasonal ice hotel is recreated with new art each winter, while ICEHOTEL 365 provides a permanent year-round ice experience with individually designed Art Suites, an Icebar and ice gallery.
@ Arctic Retreat
Explore the Wilderness of Laponia
For a deeper journey into the landscapes of northern Sweden, head into Laponia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering around 9,400 square kilometres.
The area includes four national parks – Sarek, Muddus/Muttos, Stora Sjöfallet/Stuor Muorkke and Padjelanta/Badjelánnda – and encompasses mountains, glaciers, forests and wetlands within a living Sámi cultural landscape.
Walking and hiking reveal a very different side of Swedish Lapland during the warmer months, while winter transforms the landscape for skiing and other snow-based adventures.
© Arctic Bath
Experience the Midnight Sun
Swedish Lapland changes dramatically with the seasons. As winter darkness gives way to summer, the Midnight Sun brings exceptionally long days to the far north.
Around the height of summer, daylight continues through the night, creating more time for hiking, cycling, kayaking and simply enjoying the Arctic landscape beneath a sun that barely seems to set. Swedish Lapland is a key destination for those who enjoy wild swimming, with over 30,000 lakes and 4 major rivers, there are so many beautiful places to swim in Summer.
@ Graeme Richardson
Taste the Flavours of Swedish Lapland
Food offers another way to connect with the landscape. Arctic cuisine is strongly influenced by seasonality and Sámi culinary traditions, with ingredients including reindeer, Arctic char, wild game and local berries.
Look out for souvas – lightly smoked reindeer – alongside cloudberries and Kalix löjrom, the distinctive vendace roe produced in northern Sweden.
@ Santa Park
Meet Santa in Lapland
For families travelling in winter, meeting Santa in Swedish Lapland can be one of the most memorable parts of an Arctic holiday.
Christmas in Swedish Lapland can feel wonderfully personal. Snow covered forests, reindeer, traditional wooden buildings and long winter evenings create a natural setting for festive experiences, with opportunities to meet Father Christmas and enjoy Swedish Christmas traditions.
Depending on where you stay, a Christmas adventure can include meeting Santa, spending time with reindeer, travelling through the snowy landscape by sleigh and warming up beside a fire with traditional festive treats.
December also brings Christmas markets and celebrations across Swedish Lapland. At Gammelstad Church Town near Luleå, for example, traditional Christmas events have included the chance to meet the Santa family and their reindeer among the historic wooden buildings.
It is a quieter and more traditional way to experience the magic of Christmas in Lapland, combining Santa, snow, reindeer and Arctic adventures with the character of northern Sweden.
@ Arctic Retreat
Plan Your Swedish Lapland Holiday with Off the Map Travel
From Northern Lights adventures and dog sledding to Sámi culture, wilderness landscapes and nights surrounded by ice, Swedish Lapland is made for memorable journeys. Explore Swedish Lapland with Off the Map Travel and start planning an Arctic holiday shaped around the experiences you want to enjoy.
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook