Icehotel is the reason many people fly to Swedish Lapland, and a guided tour is the easiest way to see it without a car. The hotel stands in Jukkasjärvi, a small village on the Torne river roughly fifteen kilometres east of Kiruna, and every winter it is rebuilt from ice harvested from the river and from tons of packed snow. Artists from many countries carve the entrance hall, the corridors and the individual art suites, so no two seasons look alike. Inside, the temperature is kept below freezing, the walls glow with coloured light, and the sculptures range from delicate lace-like patterns to whole scenes carved into the walls. This tour combines the transfer from Kiruna with a guided walk through the ice building, so you spend your time looking at the art rather than checking bus timetables. Most visitors come in the cold months, from about December to April, when the main building is open, and the winter light, the blue dusk and the chance of a green sky overhead on the way home make the trip feel like a proper Arctic outing. Outside the winter build, a year-round ice space with cold rooms keeps the idea alive, so the trip is still worth making in other seasons.
How it works
The tour collects guests in Kiruna, drives the short road to Jukkasjärvi and gives you a guided introduction to the ice building before you explore at your own pace. Expect to walk on slightly slippery floors, so wear boots with grip, and expect the interior to feel noticeably colder than the outside on a mild day. The guide explains how the ice is cut from the river in spring, stored through the summer and turned into the building each autumn, which is the part of the story that makes the sculptures feel even more impressive.
Many itineraries also leave a little time for the Ice Bar, where drinks arrive in glasses made of ice, and for the small wooden church by the village green that is also built of local materials.
What to know
Warm clothing is the main practical point. The ice rooms are kept below freezing, hands go numb quickly if you take off gloves for photographs, and phone batteries drain fast in the cold, so keep a spare power bank inside your coat. Entry to the art areas is part of the tour product, but staying in an ice suite overnight is a separate booking with the hotel.
Children are welcome in the public areas, though small ones may tire of the cold before the adults do. Departure times vary through the season, and the tour may be paired with a darker evening slot, so read the details on the voucher before you choose a date.
Pairing
The trip fits neatly into a day that also includes a snowmobile ride, a husky outing or the Sámi museum. If you are staying nearby, combine it with a dinner in Jukkasjärvi, then catch an aurora chase later the same night. In the summer months the schedule is different, so check the season when you book.
Good to know
The building is cold but dry, and the ice absorbs sound, which gives the corridors a hushed, church-like quiet that surprises many first-time visitors. Photography is allowed, though flash can flatten the glow, so turn it off and let the coloured lighting do the work. Hot lingonberry juice or coffee at the nearby cafe is a good way to warm up before the ride back.
What to expect
The experience
A guided transfer and walk-through of the Icehotel building at Jukkasjärvi, with time to explore the ice sculptures.
Best time
December to April, when the main ice building stands, with the Icehotel year-round ice space open at other times.
How long
Allow three to four hours including the drive from Kiruna.
Tips
Wear insulated boots with grip, keep gloves on and carry a spare power bank for your phone.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want to see the Icehotel without arranging their own transport.
- Families
- Public areas are open to children, but the cold can be tiring for small ones, so bring warm layers and plan a hot drink afterwards.
- Couples
- The blue light of the ice suites and a drink at the Ice Bar make a memorable evening.
- Pair with
- A husky ride, a snowmobile tour or the Sámi museum in the same day.
- Time needed
- Half a day is enough for the tour, or a full day if you add lunch and a second activity.
Good questions
Is the Icehotel open all year?+
The main ice building is rebuilt every winter and is open for visitors in the cold months, roughly December to April. A year-round ice space with cold rooms is open in other seasons, so there is always something to see.
How far is Icehotel from Kiruna?+
It is in the village of Jukkasjärvi, about fifteen kilometres east of Kiruna town. The drive takes roughly twenty minutes.
What should I wear inside the ice building?+
Warm winter boots with a good grip, a hat, gloves and a thick coat. The rooms stay below freezing, so layers matter more than style.
Can I stay a night in an ice suite as part of this tour?+
No, this tour is a visit rather than an overnight stay. Ice suites and cold rooms are booked separately through the hotel, and many guests combine a tour with a night in a warm room.
Is the tour suitable for children?+
Children can walk through the public areas, but the temperature inside is low. Dress them in several warm layers and be ready to leave early if they get cold.