Things to do in Kiruna
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Samegården
Samegården has displays about Sami culture and a handicrafts shop attached to a hotel-restaurant.
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Jukkasjärvi
As well as the famous Ice Hotel, tiny Jukkasjärvi, 18km E of Kiruna, is home to a church, which has a modern Sami painting behind the altar. Near the church is Gárdi, a reindeer yard that you can tour with a Sami guide to learn about reindeer farming and Sami culture. Also in this area is the Hembygdsgård, a typical open-air homestead museum. Regular bus 501 runs between Kiruna and Jukkasjärvi (Skr26, 30 minutes, several daily).
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Esrange Tours
Some 23km further out from Kiruna is the space base Esrange, a facility where scientists research outer space as well as atmospheric phenomena like the northern lights. Detailed four-hour tours of the facility are offered to enthusiasts in summer, but must be arranged in advance; inquire at the Kiruna tourist office. There’s no public transport; taxi fare should be around Skr500.
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LKAB iron-ore mine
A visit to the depths of the LKAB iron-ore mine, 540m underground, is recommended - many of the facts about this place are mind-boggling. Tours depart from the tourist office regularly from mid-June to mid-August, though tours in English happen only a few times a week; make bookings through the tourist office on Lars Janssonsgatan.
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Ice Hotel Restaurant
Opposite the accommodation complex in Jukkasjärvi is this high-quality restaurant specialising in local produce. Try the Arctic char or reindeer and, for dessert, cloudberry mousse or moose cheese parfait. Some meals even come on plates made of ice. The lunch buffet (available in summer) costs Skr95.
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Kebnekaise
There's not much to Kiruna, but it's the major town this far north - in fact it's the northernmost town in Sweden. The surrounding district includes Sweden's highest peak, Kebnekaise, and some of the country's best national parks and hiking routes; see for suggestions on tackling them.
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Kiruna Snow Festival
Held in the last week of January, the Kiruna Snow Festival is based around a snow-sculpting competition. The tradition started in 1985 as a space-themed snow-sculpture contest to celebrate the launching of a rocket (Viking) from the space base Esrange.
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Camp Ripan Restaurang
This restaurant at the camping ground (of all places) has an interesting and creative menu, which includes vegetarian pierogi, reindeer, salmon, elaborate salads and burgers, and an unusually expansive lunch buffet that’s heavy on the veggies.
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Gárdi
Near the church is Gárdi, a reindeer yard that you can tour with a Sami guide to learn about reindeer farming and Sami culture. Regular bus 501 runs between Kiruna and Jukkasjärvi (Skr29, 30 minutes, several daily).
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Stadshus
A landmark, at the opposite end of the aesthetics spectrum to Kiruna kyrka, is the Stadshus, which, despite its grim facade, is actually very nice inside and has a free slide show on the hour, and free guided tours.
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Brända Tomten
In the city centre, this casual cafe and fast-food joint serves surprisingly good coffee and filling lunch items – layered sandwiches, salads, pies and so on. Big windows make for fun people-watching.
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3nd Baren
This is a popular, moderately priced restaurant and lively drinking spot of an evening. Try local specialities, such as reindeer or arctic char (fish); there are also vegetarian selections.
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Caffreys Corner
This is an unremarkable restaurant with a comprehensive menu, but the cosy bar is an inviting place, and there's an outdoor terrace where you can take advantage of good weather.
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M&Ms Restaurang
This restaurant at the camping ground (of all places) has an interesting and creative menu, which includes tortillas, beef fillets, reindeer, salmon, veggie dishes and burgers.
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Café Safari
This is the nicest cafe in town – a long skinny room with good coffee and cakes, plus light meals such as sandwiches, quiche and baked potatoes.
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Restaurang Winter City
This eatery, at the STF hostel on Bergmästaregatan, offers a lunch special, plus a range of pizzas, as well as classic Chinese and other Asian dishes.
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Kiruna Kyrka
Kiruna kyrka looks like a huge Sami kåta (hut); it’s particularly pretty against a snowy backdrop.
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Jukkasjärvi Church
The tiny Jukkasjärvi, 18km east of Kiruna, is home to a church, which has a modern Sami painting behind the altar.
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Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården
Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården is the former home of the first LKAB director and is now a museum.
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Rimi supermarket
There's a Rimi supermarket near the popular restaurant 3nd Baren on Föreningsgatan.
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