The Northern Lights – an out-of-this-world sight

Visit Sweden:   You don’t need to travel to outer space to experience an out-of-this-world sight. The Northern Lights, often referred to as the greatest light show on earth, can be seen in Sweden from early September to late March.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, make the sky over Swedish Lapland come alive as streaks of pinks, greens and purples snake high above the snow-covered forest as if dancing to unheard music. Here are three places in Sweden where you can watch this spellbinding natural phenomenon:

Aurora Sky Station

A chairlift takes you up to the observation tower, located in Abisko National Park. Even if there’s no guarantees of seeing the Northern Lights on the night of your visit, the surrounding mountains and usually clear skies make this spot one of the best in Sweden.

Kiruna

Sweden’s northernmost city is a great base for Northern Lights hunting. Whether you dream of watching the illuminated sky by car, snowshoe, snowmobile, dogsled or skis, you will find a tour operator in Kiruna that has the perfect package for you.

Jukkasjärvi 

The charming village of Jukkasjärvi is home to some 550 inhabitants – and the world-famous Icehotel. Their Northern Lights Safari takes you into the wilderness where a guide explains how the colourful display appears, rounded off by a campfire and some Swedish ‘fika’. 

Read more about the Northern Lights and see some amazing pictures of the Aurora Borealis at Visit Sweden.

Visit Sweden

4 Swedish fika classics

Visit Sweden:  The Swedish custom of ‘fika’ requires three things: good company, a cup of coffee and a sweet treat of your choice. Here are four delicious fika classics you must try.

Immerse yourself in the Swedish forest

Visit Sweden:  Few activities are as therapeutic as forest bathing. Sweden – with its varied terrain available to all – is the perfect setting for this soul-cleansing practice, far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

A trip to Sweden – an experience that truly offers something else

Visit Sweden:  With its inventive food scene, thrift and designer stores and enlightened city planning, there are many reasons to travel to Sweden besides its vast forests, picturesque islands and thousands of lakes.