The land of reindeer, Sami culture and the northern lights

Reindeer stand proud beneath snow-heavy trees, the night skies dance with iridescent shades of green and purple, and locals and visitors alike share stories over fika, the traditional Swedish coffee and pastry.

Swedish Lapland, or Sápmi as it is known by the people who live there, is a magical place filled with natural wonder, folklore and a rich cultural heritage. As Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian settlers arrived, communities like the Sami held onto their cultural identity. Many who followed the ways of shamanism as a religious way of life, converted to Lutheranism during the 18th and 19th centuries.

One of Sweden’s largest nature reserves, Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, can be found in Swedish Lapland. The reserve is largely made up of mountains, valleys and waterways. It is believed that the area was populated by the ancestors of today’s Sami from about 9000 years ago. The reserve is popular with hikers in both summer and winter, with one of the most well-known routes being the Kungsleden trail. Visitors to the area can learn about Sami reindeer herding, hunting and fishing.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our destination specialists

Sit with the Sami people

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Meet local people and about the Sami culture, listen to joik (the traditional Sami way of singing) and enjoy a traditional meal.

Snowmobile the Lule River Valley

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Enjoy the thrill of snowmobiling through the Lule River Valley.

Chase the northern lights by glass sledge

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Head out in search of the northern lights in a panorama glass sledge, led by an expert guide who will drive you through beautiful forests and over shimmering lakes.

Bake cinnamon buns for fika

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Join a local chef and learn the secrets behind delicious Swedish-inspired treats, such as the Swedish cinnamon bun that is often enjoyed with a hot drink for the Swedish version of tea time, known as ‘fika’.

A word from one of our experts

Sweden’s Sápmi region offers something far more profound than the typical Arctic wonderland. Here, a world awaits where reindeer herders, the Sami people, share their rich, enduring way of life. They say, 'Not all classrooms have four walls,' and there’s no better lesson than immersing ourselves in such a rare and transformative setting.

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Murray Mitchell

Senior Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Swedish Lapland

There are many incredible places to stay in Swedish Lapland. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Swedish Lapland

Icehotel
When it comes to finding rooms with that little something extra, the Icehotel is hard to beat. This hotel and art exhibition was first built in 1989 and has been redesigned and built from scratch every year since. Water from the River Torne provides ice for the hotel and a team of skilled and hardy workers chip, carve and chisel until the building is complete. There is a mix of warm and cold rooms in which to sleep, the latter lingering between -5 and -8°C on the thermometer. The highlight for most guests is the chance to bed down in one of the cold rooms, where a thick mattress covered in reindeer skins sits on top of a huge bed of ice. Snuggle up in your thermal sleeping bag then wake up in the morning to a steaming cup of lingonberry juice before jumping in the sauna before breakfast. New for 2016 is the Icehotel 365, a permanent structure that is kept cool in summer by solar panels. Inside are luxury suites, each with their own bathroom as well as art suites designed and hand carved by artists from around the world. Despite its frosty nature, there are plenty of cosy corners in which to warm your fingers and toes. Set up camp in front of the crackling fire in the Jukkasjärvi Homestead, a timbered building that dates back to 1768. Here you can enjoy beef and salmon steaks hot out the charcoal-fired oven, or head to the hotel restaurant to sample traditional Scandinavian fare with locally sourced fish, game and berries. Then there is the ice bar, where everything from the glasses to the tables, chairs and bar itself is made from ice. Enjoy the totally unique surroundings and sip on what is likely to be the crispest glass of champagne or cocktail you’ll ever drink.
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Why book with Jacada?

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our Swedish Lapland example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

A Family Summertime Adventure in Swedish Lapland and Norway

9-Day Trip

A Family Summertime Adventure in Swedish Lapland and Norway

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9-Day Trip

A Family Summertime Adventure in Swedish Lapland and Norway

Discover Sweden and Norway's gloriously green landscapes and blue fjords with the whole family
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Family Fun in a Winter Wonderland

8-Day Trip

Family Fun in a Winter Wonderland

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8-Day Trip

Family Fun in a Winter Wonderland

Learn about Sami culture, search for the Northern Lights and meet the reindeers of Lapland
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Magical Swedish Honeymoon

8-Day Trip

Magical Swedish Honeymoon

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8-Day Trip

Magical Swedish Honeymoon

Explore vibrant Stockholm then hunt for the northern lights from a remote lodge in Lapland
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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Swedish Lapland tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Where to go

Gothenburg thumbnail

Gothenburg

As the sun goes down, bright lights from stately buildings reflects off the sedate Göta älv River, and the city’s nightlife begins to awaken. Gothenburg, Sweden‘s second largest city, is one of its most handsome and known for hosting some of Scandinavia’s largest film and music festivals.

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Stockholm thumbnail

Stockholm

In true Scandinavian fashion, Stockholm is a city that is effortlessly cool. It blends culture and tradition with forward thinking design, and its inhabitants seem to have the work-life balance just right.

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When to visit

Blanketed in snow from November onwards, Lapland is a magical winter wonderland for adults and children alike. Wrap up in your warmest clothing to take part in activities such as sledding, snow shoeing, snow mobiling or even ice fishing. This is also a perfect time to visit for the northern lights and to meet the local Sami people whose reindeer herding goes back thousands of years.

Northern lights

November - February

Hiking

June - August

When Is the Best Time to Visit Sweden?

When Is the Best Time to Visit Sweden?

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Plan your trip to Swedish Lapland

Whatever you want from your adventure in Swedish lapland, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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Don't take our word for it

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.