Full Guide to Visiting ICEHOTEL Sweden (+ Tips from a Frequent Visitor)

Post Overview: This is a complete post on visiting the ICEHOTEL in Sweden. I am a frequent visitor and usually go every season, including outside the winter months. I will tell you its story, how to visit (with and without a tour), things to do there, and some tips to help you make the most of your Sweden ice hotel adventure! At the end, you can also see additional things to do in Jukkasjärvi, where ICEHOTEL Sweden is located.

Those who have read my blog for years know that I love an ice hotel. I have visited every one across the Nordics over the years and have helped thousands of people prepare for their own trips to different ones.

And one of the best ice hotels in Scandinavia is the original one, ICEHOTEL Sweden. I have visited several times over the years and in every season. ICEHOTEL in Sweden is unique in that it has year-round ice accommodation (but also builds a seasonal ice hotel alongside it).

In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about visiting the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. From how to book a room to how to visit with a tour from Kiruna or Abisko… and more. I also discuss what else there is to do at ICEHOTEL Sweden, and some tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Before diving into things, I do want people to know that you can visit the ice hotel without staying overnight there. There is often a misconception that you must stay overnight inside a cold room, and that is not the case at all. I will also break down your ICEHOTEL accommodation options within the guide, but do know that you can visit as a guest even without booking accommodation there.

Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments or feel free to send me a message!

About the ICEHOTEL in Sweden

The ICEHOTEL goes way back to 1989 when Yngve Bergqvist built an ice and snow gallery called ‘Arctic Hall’. He eventually realized that visitors needed a place to stay overnight, so he allowed them to stay overnight. This is how the world’s first ice hotel was born!

During the winter months, the ICEHOTEL sources its ice from the frozen Torne River. It rebuilds every winter (usually opening from December to the end of March or early April, give or take) with a new theme created by artists from around the world.

But the coolest thing about ICEHOTEL Sweden is that they have ICEHOTEL 365, an experience that is available year-round! So, no matter the season you’re visiting Jukkasjärvi, you can always stop by and see the ice rooms, icebar, and ice gallery.

ICEHOTEL 365

This is the year-round ice gallery, ice bar, and art suites available to guests. Please note that this is also open in the winter months alongside the seasonal ice hotel.

There is only one other ice hotel in Scandinavia that is open year-round, and that is the one in Kirkenes, Norway… and ICEHOTEL Sweden is so much better.

Anyway, ICEHOTEL 365 has art suites, deluxe suites, an icebar, sauna, and bathroom facilities. Guests can stay overnight in one of the rooms, or affordably visit with a day pass. Prices and visitor information are further down in this guide.

ICEHOTEL 365 stays temperature-controlled at -5C (23F) so you always know exactly how to dress. They also have parkas and gear you can put on there to keep warm!

Seasonal ICEHOTEL

Every year in December, a new ICEHOTEL opens on the property. This will consist of several rooms, a ceremony hall (many people will have a wedding here), and more. They also often have a large slide outside the seasonal ICEHOTEL for kids (and me!) to play on.

The theme changes year-to-year, which is the reason I keep visiting the place!

The 2026-2027 ICEHOTEL is ICEHOTEL 37 (marking 37 years), and the theme has not yet been released, but I will mention it here once it is.

How to Get to the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi

So, the ICEHOTEL is located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, a Sámi village around 15km from Kiruna (and 110km from Abisko). It requires a rental car, transfer service, organized tour, or public transportation to get to. I can firmly say that the rental car or organized tour are the easiest, as I met a few travelers there last season who had issues doing this with a mixture of buses and taxis from Kiruna.

Below is a quick breakdown of the easiest ways to get there (if you do not have a rental car).

Getting from Kiruna to the ICEHOTEL

If you are staying in Kiruna, you have more options for visiting ICEHOTEL than those staying in Abisko. You can take an organized tour, a taxi, or the public bus from Kiruna to Jukkasjärvi.

For those looking to get to the resort from the Kiruna Airport or Train Station, ICEHOTEL has transfer options on their website.

Kiruna to ICEHOTEL by Tour

The easiest way to get from Kiruna to the ICEHOTEL is by organized tour. This tour starts in Kiruna (pick-up at Camp Ripan and the tourism office in the new center) and will drive you out to Jukkasjärvi, where you’ll get to explore the ice hotel, see the history of Jukkasjärvi, and meet the reindeer at Nutti Sámi Siida.

The guided tour is 3 hours long and will include a 70-minute guided tour of ICEHOTEL. Admission to ICEHOTEL and Nutti Sámi Siida is included in the tour, but drinks and meals are not. Click here to check rates and availability for a tour from Kiruna to the ICEHOTEL.

Kiruna to ICEHOTEL by Public Bus

Getting from Kiruna to the ICEHOTEL (and back) is a real treat. The timetables crash on the computer, and the information is hard to access. However, you can try downloading the app Länstrafiken Norrbotten or see if their website is working that day to gather real-time info.

Bus 501 goes from Kiruna city to Jukkasjärvi, but not all that frequently, and I have seen some people manage to get out to the ICEHOTEL but are unable to return by the same bus. The ticket is currently 52 SEK (about $5.50).

I am back out in Kiruna in a month and will see if they can give me additional tips or information for this journey in person. I will update here once I have that information.

Kiruna to ICEHOTEL by Taxi

Getting from Kiruna to the ICEHOTEL by taxi is easier than navigating the public buses for right now. But it is much more expensive. The price is around 450-500 SEK (about $45-50) with Uber.

Getting from Abisko to the ICEHOTEL

I would absolutely book a tour to get from Abisko to the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi. Because of the distance, a bus or taxi will be an absolute hassle and likely cost more than just taking an organized tour.

This trip to the ICEHOTEL is organized by Lights Over Lapland, a renowned company in Abisko. It will be a 7-hour trip and you will have 2.5 hours at the actual hotel (the pickup and transportation there takes 2 hours each way). Your entrance ticket to the hotel is included in the tour’s price, but lunch and drinks at the icebar are not.

This excursion from Abisko is only offered on select days from October until the end of March. As mentioned earlier in the guide, the seasonal ICEHOTEL is not open until December, so if you book this for autumn, you will be going solely to ICEHOTEL 365 (which is worth it). Click here to check rates and availability for an ice hotel trip from Abisko. Click here to check rates and availability for a tour from Abisko to the ICEHOTEL.

ICEHOTEL Sweden Visitor Information

Opening Hours & Season

The ICEHOTEL in Sweden is open year-round. But as mentioned throughout this guide, the seasonal winter gallery is not open year-round.

Exact dates for the seasonal ice hotel have not yet been released for the 2026-2027 season, but I will update here as soon as they are.

ICEHOTEL 365 is open daily from April 13 to November 30 from 11am to 6pm. The Icebar is also open from 11am to 6pm but last call is at 5:30pm.

Ticket Prices

The ticket prices are usually different depending on the season. If the ICEHOTEL (seasonal one) is open, the admission is usually slightly higher.

For now, the ICEHOTEL 365 experience ticket prices are as follows:

• Adult: 325 SEK (about $32.50)
• Senior: 225 SEK (about $22.50)
• Children 4-12: 39 SEK (about $3.90)
• Children 0-3: free
• Groups of 10+: 275 SEK per person (about $27.50)

You can purchase your ticket on the spot (there might be lines in winter), or you can secure it on GetYourGuide for the same price. The GetYourGuide voucher has been listed by ICEHOTEL themselves, so it will make no difference, but booking through GYG may be more convenient if you’re booking additional activities so you can do it all at one time.

On-Site Restaurant

If you are hungry before or after your visit to the ICEHOTEL, you can secure a reservation at their on-site restaurant. I have only eaten there once, and I am going to be completely frank here but… I didn’t like it. I went with a vegetarian dish and it was not great. I believe their local dishes are probably a lot better (I made a mistake ordering), so I will give it another shot. My friend also didn’t love it, and we ate different dishes.

They also have lunch options at the restaurant. One positive thing I have to say is that the servers at the restaurant were sensational.

During the winter, you also have an opportunity to dine at their restaurant at the Homestead next door. You can find out more on their website about this experience.

Activities at the ICEHOTEL in Sweden

You can plan an array of activities at ICEHOTEL, no matter whether you’re visiting in winter or in summer! You can find out more about what they offer on their website here.

One unique experience they offer year-round is ice sculpting, which I think is pretty cool! Price varies depending on the season (it’s cheaper in summer), and it is 1.5 hours long and limited to a small group. You will have an instructor teach you how to sculpt your own masterpiece from Torne River ice. I think I am going to try this out soon, as it looks right up my alley!

Staying Overnight at the ICEHOTEL

If you’re planning to stay overnight at the ICEHOTEL, there are plenty of lodging options for you! Here is what’s offered:

Cold Rooms (December to April)

• Art Suite
• Ice Room

Cold Rooms (available year-round)

• Art Suite 365
• Deluxe Suite (there are three of these)

Warm Rooms (available year-round)

• Arctic Cabin
• Kaamos Deluxe
• Kaamos Hotel Room
• Kaamos Superior

Package Deals

The ICEHOTEL offers plenty of packaged deals that will help you better plan your trip. You can see all the packages on their website.

Wheelchair Accessibility

ICEHOTEL Sweden doesn’t have anything on their site about this, but after visiting several times, I find the majority of the property to be pretty wheelchair-friendly, including ICEHOTEL 365. I can’t say for certain whether the seasonal ICEHOTEL will be accessible (I believe most parts would be).

The only thing to be aware of before visiting is that the hotel can get very crowded with day visitors, so it may be a bit more overwhelming to visit.

My Personal Tips for Visiting ICEHOTEL Sweden

✅ Wear mittens or gloves and do not take them off! If you remove them for photos or to hold something at the icebar, you have allowed the cold to get to your skin, and it is hard to warm yourself up after.

✅ Make sure you have on good footwear. The floor of ICEHOTEL is covered in snow, but it can get a little slippery as people are walking across it a lot.

✅ Be cognizant of other visitors. Depending on when you visit, it may be crowded. Don’t hang out in rooms for long periods of time so that others can get their photos and videos too.

✅ Don’t bring your drone. They are not permitted without permission from the ICEHOTEL before you arrive.

✅ Photography is challenging inside the ICEHOTEL because of the low light. If you want to get really good photos, be comfortable photographing in low light settings with higher ISO. Also make sure to have your white balance set correctly (or shoot in RAW so you can correct it with ease later).

What to See Near the ICEHOTEL

For being a village of only 500 or so residents, there is quite a lot to do in Jukkasjärvi. Of course, you have the ICEHOTEL, but here are a few other things to do when visiting:

• Jukkasjärvi Church
• Nutti Sámi Siida
• Reindeer Lodge (I have stayed overnight here twice and visited four times)
• The Homestead (Hembygdsgården)
• Abisko National Park (around 110km away but a must if you have a car)

ICEHOTEL Sweden FAQ

What is the temperature inside ICEHOTEL Sweden?

The temperature inside ICEHOTEL 365 is controlled at -5C (23F) year-round. The temperature inside the seasonal ice hotel may fluctuate a bit on the temperature outside, but it should be around the same.

If you get cold, you can go to the warm changing rooms and lounges. The bathrooms are heated.

Do you sleep on ice when you stay there?

Not really. The bed is made of ice, but you’re given a warm thermal sleeping bag atop a bed with reindeer hide.

Do you get free admission to the ICEHOTEL exhibitions if you’re staying overnight at the ICEHOTEL?

Yes! You have free entrance to all the ice exhibits inside ICEHOTEL 365 and ICEHOTEL (seasonal) throughout your stay.

Is the ICEHOTEL open year-round?

Yes, parts of ICEHOTEL are open year-round, and this is called ICEHOTEL 365. There is an ice bar, 18 ice rooms, and a sauna that you can visit year-round.

Can you see the northern lights at the ICEHOTEL in Sweden?

Yes! If the skies are clear, the ICEHOTEL is a perfect place to spot them, as Jukkasjärvi has little light pollution and is pretty far north in Swedish Lapland.

Do you have any questions about visiting ICEHOTEL Sweden? Let me know your questions or comments below. Thanks!

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