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The average population of Sweden is around 23 people per km². This compares to the European average of around 100 and makes it Northern Europe's most sparsely populated country. The wilds of Swedish Lapland influence this figure hugely. This is a region which is low in people and high on natural wonders and is perfect Aurora viewing territory. From the pack ice fields of the Luleå Archipelago to the sweeping Torne River and the mountains of Abisko, Sweden can offer some simply staggering sights.

As well as its natural wonders, Sweden is home to some pretty incredible man-made ones too for this is the home of the renowned Treehotel and the globally acclaimed ICEHOTEL®. Our holidays offer the chance for you to stay in both hotels so you can tick many items off your bucket list all at once.

We have spent many years building a comprehensive range of unforgettable Northern Lights holidays in the region so that our guests can enjoy not just the headline experiences but also some of the lesser-known highlights. As well as Northern Lights activities, our itineraries take in a range of incredible experiences such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, hovercraft tours, ice climbing and much more.

Of course, all of the holidays have one thing in common, their exceptional Aurora viewing opportunities. It is this Aurora potential which has drawn us to the parts of Sweden we feature today. We focus on places such as Abisko (well- known as prime territory in Aurora hunting circles) and Luleå, a place where the frozen sea provides your Northern Lights viewing platform.

contact us
Speak to our Aurora Experts
01670 785012

Winter in Sweden

Our Aurora hunting holidays in Sweden take place between December and the end of March and are designed to coincide with the arrival of the snow and prime Northern Lights potential.

Temperatures here generally sit between a pretty brisk -6°C to -20°C but they can drop lower at night. However, we provide you with appropriate winter clothing so staying warm is not an issue.

The Arctic night also means that during the depths of winter, in December and January, there are periods in which the sun does not rise above the horizon. During this time the days are obviously short but the period around midday does offer a unique Polar light, casting a blue-coloured dusk across the landscape.

As winter turns to early spring, the daylight hours extend quickly and you can combine longer daylight hours in the Great Outdoors with Northern Lights hunting at night (you just need to stay up a little later for Northern Lights hunts).

A Smörgåsbord of Aurora hunting options

Our travels and research have led us to focus our attention on two specific parts of Sweden, both of which offer something totally different.

Abisko is a small village set in the mountains and on the edge of one of the largest national parks in Sweden. The unique topography here is such that cloud cover is not as common, creating great Aurora viewing conditions. Based at Abisko Mountain Lodge, your hosts Mina and Dick ensure that guests get to experience the region at its wild and wonderful best. Our recommendation is that you take advantage of the tailor-made option we feature here. Our Travel Experts will help you craft your own Aurora hunting trip.

To top off your stay at Abisko we can arrange for you to extend your stay at the world-renowned ICEHOTEL® in Jukkasjärvi which is an unforgettable experience.

To the southern end of Swedish Lapland, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, sits Luleå. Now, we try and avoid overusing the word unique in our office, but when it comes to Luleå it is correctly deployed.

The Luleå archipelago is a collection of fascinating islands and, in the winter months, the Gulf freezes to form pack ice which surrounds the islands.

Our accommodation options at either Brändön Lodge or Pine Bay Lodge are situated on the shores of this sea ice and offer views across what is a pretty remarkable landscape. The ice forms a wonderful platform for activities such as snowmobiling and a thrilling hovercraft tour, but it comes into its own as an Aurora viewpoint. Imagine standing on the frozen sea and watching the Northern Lights dancing above your head!

With very little light pollution, the views of the night sky can be exceptional from out on the ice. One of our colleagues here at The Aurora Zone rarely tires of reminding us of the time she watched the most incredible Northern Lights whilst lying on the sea ice, just outside Pine Bay Lodge!

From Luleå, we can also arrange for you to extend your stay and enjoy an unforgettable night at the Treehotel, which will surely tick off another item from your bucket list.


Photography by Andreas Wälitalo, Lola Akinmade Akerström, Graeme Richardson, Staffan Widstrang, Anna Öhlund, Mikko Nikkinen, Tomas Jönsson, ICEHOTEL, imagebanksweden.se & Treehotel

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Our Locations

Sweden is a country consisting of both natural wonders and some very impressive man-made ones too. The renowned Treehotel and ICEHOTEL® are both options that can be added to our tours.

Sitting between Norway and Finland its Northern Lights record is impressive and our holidays make good use of this fact. Our trips are based in Abisko to the north where the dark skies make Aurora viewing possible and on the Luleå Archipelago where the frozen sea provides a natural base from which to view the Northern Lights.

The small village of Abisko sits on the edge of one of the largest national parks in Sweden and you will be based at the Abisko Mountain Lodge during your stay. The local topography means minimal cloud cover and should the Northern Lights be in the night sky you will have excellent views of them.

From Abisko, you can opt to extend your stay at the world-renowned ICEHOTEL® in Jukkasjärvi.

The Luleå archipelago sits on the northern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia and is a collection of islands which become landlocked during the winter months when the Gulf freezes. Brändön Lodge and Pine Bay Lodge are situated on the shores of this sea ice and with minimal light pollution, the views of the night sky can be exceptional from out on the ice.

contact us
Speak to our Aurora Experts
01670 785012

Your words...

Highly recommend anyone to use The Aurora Zone when booking a holiday. Very helpful, knowledgeable staff who give it the personal touch. Dog sledding was the most fun. The dogs were lovely and the staff made us feel very welcome. Would love to go back again maybe in the summer for a different type of holiday.

Helen and Clifton Lloyd
Travelled 31st January 2018

Get an expert opinion

The Aurora Zone was born from a desire to share Mother Nature’s greatest wonder with our clients. We’ve explored the destinations, researched the science, and fallen in love with the Scandinavian way of life. It’s our mission to pass this knowledge on to you, providing you with the very best chance of experiencing the magic for yourself on your Northern Lights holiday.

  • Specialist

    Aurora knowledge and experience

    Unique holidays, in the very best destinations

    Expert guides – exceptional local knowledge

    Advice and guidance every step of the way

  • Comprehensive

    We include more in our holidays than any other Aurora operator

    Price Comparison guarantee

    No ‘from’ prices, everything you see is included in the price

    No hidden extras

  • Independent

    Proudly Independent

    The original and still the only dedicated UK Northern Lights tour operator

    Personal, hands-on service

    Fair and sustainable work ethos

  • Trusted

    ATOL and ABTA Financial protection available

    Over 20 years’ experience

    Our customers rate us 4.9/5 stars

    Award-Winning: Best Travel Company to Northern Europe 2023