Kiruna (Sami: Giron) in Norrbotten County is Sweden's northernmost city and home to 18,000 citizens. It is the centre of Kiruna Municipality, Kiruna kommun, which also includes several small villages, resorts and settlements scattered around a large wilderness area. Kiruna has been selected for the EU capital of culture 2029.
Kiruna houses the largest underground mine (iron ore) in the world, and is also known for the space research (the space centre is beyond Jukkasjärvi), the Sámi culture, the long winters, the modern town planning, the beautiful church and town hall, and the easy access to the wilderness and adventures of northern Lapland. At N67°49'48'' latitude, Kiruna is about 145 km north of the Arctic Circle, making it possible to experience the midnight sun and polar night there; the sun shines 24 hours a day from roughly the last week of May until the middle of July.
The city is small, and most attractions are within walking distance. Still, be sure to dress for the season, even for a short walk. As of 2019, roads are occasionally blocked for building relocation. Taxi Kiruna, ☏ +46 980-120 20, bokning.taxikiruna@telia.com. Kiruna buses (Lanstrafiken Norbotten), ☏ +46 20771-100 110.
The Northern Lights are regularly visible in Kiruna during winter. A small walk into the nearest forest, so as to get rid of the city lights, notably improves the visibility. 1 Hjalmar Lundbohmsgården, Ingenjörsgatan 2, ☏ +46 980-701 10. Hjalmar Lundbohm was the first manager for the mining company LKAB that is the reason why the city of Kiruna was built in the first place. This museum in his old office and home is dedicated to the early days of Kiruna and the startup of LKAB and the building of the rail road Kiruna-Narvik. 30 kr. 2 Kiruna kyrka (Kiruna Church). Daily 11:00–15:45. Kiruna Kyrka is one of Sweden's largest wooden buildings and is famous for its special tent like structure.
There are many things to do around the Kiruna area if you like outdoor activities and wilderness adventures. Many companies offer the same or very similar packages, here a list of popular and common activities can be found, sorted by season. Some other activities are also available. Pollution of the wilderness (and the city) is not appreciated; it's illegal in Sweden to litter. So be sure to not leave trash behind you in the fells, etc. It also keeps the environment in its best condition. 1 Folkets hus, Lars Janssonsgatan 17. A community centre with a cinema and a theatre.
Don't miss any of the local specialities consisting of various forms of reindeer meat that can be found in almost any diner; there is everything from simple reindeer kebab, and sandwiches with reindeer meat to luxurious reindeer dishes at the fanciest restaurants. Also salmon, moose, other fish and animals "from the wild" can be seen as specialities. 1 Arctic Thai & Grill, Föraregatan 18 (Under the Hotel Arctic Eden), ☏ +46 980-681 58. 10:00–21:00. A restaurant that serves burgers and Thai food. If you are in Kiruna on a Sunday, this is one of the few places that is likely to be open. 2 La Guna, Mangigatan 26, ☏ +46 980-130 00.
Let's face it, the nightlife in Kiruna is hardly award winning in any way. It is a rather small city that does not offer great variety. The crowds going out are most usually the same people from time to time, and the chances are quite high that most locals going out already know each other, if not as friends then at least by name or face. This is both a blessing and a curse, depending on circumstances. People tend to drink quite heavily and some are reluctant to talk to strangers – but some would love to, don't give up! However, this does not mean that going out in Kiruna is not fun.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Kiruna typically sees ~16°C daytime highs and 16 rainy days.
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