ICEHOTEL - Kiruna, Sweden

ICEHOTEL - The world’s first ice hotel

 (Also known as one of the most unusual hotels)

FROM THE NORTHERN LIGHTS TO THE MIDNIGHT SUN

When winter arrives in Kiruna, the water in the Torne River freezes and turns to ice, which is harvested and transformed into art and architecture as creators from around the world gather to build Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi. This breathtaking and unique hotel takes on new shapes each year, and when the spring sun returns, the entire structure and its artworks melt back into the river, completing an eternal cycle. From the Northern Lights to the Midnight Sun, Icehotel offers an unforgettable experience all year round.

At ICEHOTEL in Kiruna, we mix adventures in nature with art and tranquility for the soul. We have activities for everyone, whether you want to hike, go dog sledding or experience rafting on the Torne River - and it all takes place in the exquisite, unspoiled nature.

 offers a unique Arctic holiday in both winter and summer. Here you stay in a hotel made of ice - but you will also experience the vastness and adventures of Northern Sweden. Our coffee is brewed over an open fire, and the food is carefully prepared using local ingredients.

WHERE IS THE ICEHOTEL LOCATED?

Despite popular misconceptions – the original Icehotel isn’t in Iceland, it is in Sweden! 

Nestled amidst tranquil wilderness in the heart of Swedish Lapland, the Icehotel is actually located in Jukkasjarvi, 200km north of the Arctic Circle and just a short drive from the airport in Kiruna.

Scheduled flights from the UK to Kiruna operate via Stockholm, so you can choose to extend your Icehotel experience with a few nights in Sweden’s capital.

ICEHOTEL is situated within the Aurora Oval making it a perfect location for catching a glimpse of the northern Lights.

SLEEP WELL IN A HOTEL MADE OF ICE - HOW DOES IT WORK 

Sleeping at ICEHOTEL is a truly unique experience. With indoor temperatures around -5°C, spending the night in a bed made of ice requires a bit of preparation.

Before heading to your room in the evening, you'll receive a warm sleeping that is suitable for temperatures down to -25°C. When you tuck in for the night, a good base layer, thick socks, and a hat are usually all you need. If you tend to feel cold, a thick sweater may be helpful, but rest assured, your sleeping bag will keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night.

Should you get cold, warm spaces are always available at ICEHOTEL. At Riverside, you'll find toilets, showers, and a warm sauna. This is also where you pick up your sleeping bag, borrow warm outerwear, and store your luggage.

HOW MANY NIGHTS SHOULD I STAY?

We recommend spending one night in an ice room and the rest of your stay in warm accommodation. Consider booking your first or last night in a cold room, so you only need to switch rooms once during your visit to ICEHOTEL.

CAN I KEEP MY LUGGAGE IN THE ROOM?

At Riverside, which is a warm building next to ICEHOTEL, you’ll find not only toilets, showers and saunas, but also secure luggage storage. When you sleep in ice rooms or art suites, this is where your luggage will be stored. If you're staying in one of ICEHOTEL's Deluxe Suites, your luggage can be kept with you in your private relaxation area.

If you are switching between cold and warm rooms you can keep your luggage in the luggage room while you wait to get access to your room. If you have any questions about where to keep your luggage, please ask the staff for guidance and they will help you out!

ICEHOTEL - A UNIQUE ARCTIC DESTINATION

A significant part of the experience at ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi is enjoying the magical art and ice sculptures created here. Every winter, handpicked artists construct a new hotel using ice from the Torne River. When spring arrives, the hotel and all its artworks melt back into the river, an eternal cycle.

In addition to the art, ICEHOTEL offers a unique arctic holiday regardless of the season. Here, you exchange the bustle of the city for vast landscapes and tranquillity for the soul – but you’ll find exciting activities in the untouched Lapland wilderness.

ICEHOTEL is a fantastic winter destination where you can try dog sledding, snowmobile safaris and cross-country skiing. Being so close to the arctic circle, you can witness the northern lights dancing across the winter sky – an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

During the summer, you can enjoy hiking, fishing, and white-water rafting. We also have a challenge park and well-planned cycling trails. The surrounding lakes offer cool and refreshing swims under the glowing midnight sun!

Of course, you can also try ice sculpting, where you create magical art with ice from the Torne River – a creative and fun addition to your Arctic adventure.

HOW TO GET HERE

200 km above the Arctic Circle, in the magical light of the Northern lights, is where you'll find ICEHOTEL. And you get here easily.

The flight from Stockholm Arlanda to Kiruna Airport only takes 90 minutes, and you can also get here in 14 hours by train from Stockholm.

Kiruna Airport and Kiruna Train Station are only about 15-20 minutes away from ICEHOTEL. Remote but still close.

TRANSFER TO ICEHOTEL

Book a seat on our transfer bus or a taxi from Kiruna Airport or Kiruna Train Station and arrive to ICEHOTEL in around 15-20 minutes. Please note, we need your transfer reservation before 3pm, the day before your arrival. We only offer transfer during the winter season.

During the winter season (December - April) you can also choose to begin or end your visit to ICEHOTEL with a dog sled transfer to or from Kiruna Airport. The trip takes 75 minutes.

CULINARY DELIGHTS - EAT & DRINK

At ICEHOTEL, every meal is special and an essential part of the experience for our visitors. Here, loud restaurants and fast food are replaced with the opportunity to quietly savour truly delicious, well-prepared dishes.

In our kitchen, we always use ingredients sourced from the surrounding forests, rivers, and villages, which are then carefully prepared and served in one of our first-class restaurants. 

On the menu, you’ll find local delicacies such as reindeer, arctic char, local caviar and cloudberries, all created around the seasonal ingredients available. At ICEHOTEL, we promise a unique and flavuorful dining experience as part of your arctic adventure.

BREAKFAST

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! 

At ICEHOTEL the breakfast is served as a delicious and energy-packed buffet that prepares you for the exciting wilderness adventures waiting for you. Freshly baked bread with reindeer meat, oatmeal topped with cloudberries and a warm croissant to finish – we blend Nordic flavours with international influences, providing the perfect start for a day full of activities at ICEHOTEL.

LUNCH

After a morning spent outdoors in the cold, it’s nice to enjoy lunch in the warmth of the ICEHOTEL’s restaurant. Here, we offer local delicacies, and an exciting menu designed to give you both energy and relaxation.

On some of our tours, we also serve lunch outdoors – gathering around a campfire after a morning full of activities, with the fragrant aroma of boiled coffee, enjoying a warm meal under the open sky is a fantastic experience.

DINNER INDOORS

At ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, we dine both indoors and out in nature. If you prefer to eat in the warmth, we offer several fantastic dining experiences to choose from.

In our restaurant, you’ll find ICEHOTEL’s à la carte menu, where our chefs carefully prepare meals based on seasonal ingredients. We source our produce from the local surroundings – both for the environment and for the taste! Our restaurant also offers the exclusive ice menu – a unique culinary experience where the food is served on ice harvested from the Torne River.

At The Veranda, we invite you to our chef’s table, where you can enjoy a tasting menu inspired by the eight Sami seasons. Our chefs create masterpieces using top-quality local ingredients, crafting a fantastic food journey for all your senses.

In the beautiful old Homestead in the village of Jukkasjärvi, we serve a well-prepared, rustic menu.

DINNER OUTDOORS

In our opinion, all food tastes better outdoors! 

At ICEHOTEL, we offer an exciting holiday in Lapland where you can also enjoy a fantastic wilderness meal out in the open. Dining under a vast sky with the magical northern lights or the glowing beauty of the midnight sun – no matter the season you choose to visit, your culinary experience will be a memory for life.

In winter, we have our dinner around the campfire in a rustic cabin deep in the woods – after our northern lights’ safari and a day on the snowmobile, the food tastes even better!

When it's summer in Lapland, you can enjoy our Wilderness Dinner. Here, your guide will prepare a seasonal three-course meal outdoors in a breathtaking setting, without crowds or queues.

ICEBAR

A crisp glass of champagne or an exciting cocktail – at ICEHOTEL our drinks are, of course, served in glasses made of pure Torne River ice. Here, you can meet guests from all corners of the world and dance late into the night on a floor made of snow and ice. Our little bar by the Torne River is a magical experience and the perfect way to end a day filled with wilderness adventures.

For the ICEBAR, no reservation is needed, but you need an entrance ticket to ICEHOTEL to enter the ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL.

EXPERIENCE - ARCTIC ACTIVITIES

ICEHOTEL is so much more than a hotel. Here you can also find exciting activities year-round. Each season has its own charm, so depending on what you want to experience there is a large selection of things to do if you visit.

In summer, a lot of our activities are centred around the Torne River. We offer boat and fishing tours, as well as our exciting Torne River Rafting tour. Other than that there are several outdoor food experiences to choose from, like our Wilderness Dinner and Wilderness Lunch. Or why not challenge yourself and your friends or family with a visit to our Challenge Park - An exhilarating nature experience among the treetops!

The winter is the perfect time of year to see the Northern lights around ICEHOTEL, and why not experience it from a snowmobile on our Northern Lights Safari, or at an overnight excursion in one of our wilderness camps. In winter, the dog sledding, as well as our snowmobile tours are very popular, and we think they are a perfect activity for those of you looking for a fast-paced tour surrounded by the magical Arctic nature. For those of you who are looking for a more relaxed visit to ICEHOTEL, we always recommend the Sauna Ritual or our popular ice sculpting class.

A visit to ICEHOTEL is on many people's bucket-lists, and we are here to help you create great memories that will last a lifetime!

WINTER ACTIVITIES

ICEHOTEL is the obvious winter destination when you visit the Arctic. For those who dream of adventure we offer many exciting activities, like ice sculpting, snowmobile tours, cross country skiing, dog sledding and food tours where you get to enjoy delicious food made with local produce.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

At ICEHOTEL we offer exciting activities year-round, and in summer the Torne River invites you to go on fishing adventures, try river rafting, enjoy a delicious meal around the campfire in the wilderness, or simply enjoy the beautiful midnight sun.

Before you start getting cold feet let Above The Clouds – Luxury Escapes book this amazing ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ ICEHOTEL hotel for you.

📞 Call us today: 020 8191 1124 / 07718 996363 or click here to start an enquiry.

GOOD TO KNOW

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR VISIT TO ICEHOTEL:

• During the day, ICEHOTEL is open to visitors who want to enjoy the art, ice sculptures and our hotel made of ice. Our cold rooms and suites are then open and accessible to all visitors. If you’re staying overnight in ICEHOTEL, you’ll have access to your room from 6 PM when the hotel closes to the public. If you’re staying in warm accommodation, you can check in from 3 PM.
• The rooms in ICEHOTEL Winter have drapes instead of doors, while the suites in our permanent ice hotel, Icehotel 365, have traditional doors.
• The beds in our cold rooms have headboards made of ice and wooden bed frames. They are made up with mattresses, reindeer hides and pillows.
• There are no toilets or luggage storage facilities in our art suites and ice rooms. At Riverside, you’ll find toilets, showers, and saunas, as well as secure luggage storage. Our deluxe suites include a private warm bathroom with a sauna and luggage storage.
• If you’re switching between warm and cold accommodation during your visit, there will be a few hours when you don’t have a room to return to. Plan to take part in one of our activities during this time and experience the nature and culture of Kiruna – it’s a big part of your arctic adventure!
• Upon check-in, you’ll be provided with a locker or changing booth where you can change for the night and store your belongings.
• At Riverside Lobby, there are changing rooms with showers and warm saunas for both men and women.
• There are no electrical outlets inside ICEHOTEL, so be sure to charge your phone or camera before going to bed.
• Ice is a living material. Sometimes maintenance or repairs are necessary while ICEHOTEL is open to visitors.
• ICEHOTEL is completed in sections. This means that not all parts of the hotel may be finished when our first guests arrive.