The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland, is the world’s original and largest hotel made of ice and snow, an ephemeral masterpiece of frozen architecture and art, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, where visitors sleep in thermal sleeping bags on beds of ice at -5°C in individually sculpted Art Suites designed by artists from around the world, every room unique, every winter rebuilt from scratch using 2,500 tonnes of ice harvested from the Torne River. Founded in 1989, the Icehotel has spawned imitators across the Arctic but remains the original and the most spectacular, with a permanent Icehotel 365 section (open year-round, cooled by solar power) and the seasonal winter hotel that is constructed each November–December and melts back into the river each spring.
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Quick Facts: Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi
- Best time to visit: December–March for the classic Icehotel experience (the winter hotel) and the best Northern Lights viewing; mid-December to mid-April for the Icehotel 365 permanent section
- How to get there: Kiruna Airport (KRN) is 15 minutes from Jukkasjärvi; ~1.5 hours from Stockholm by air; train from Stockholm to Kiruna + 20-minute taxi or bus
- Cost: Cold room accommodation ranges from ~SEK 2,500–5,000+ per night (€220–450+) depending on room type; Art Suites are the most expensive and book out months in advance; warm accommodation is also available on-site. Day visitors can tour the hotel and the ice bar (~SEK 375/€33)
- What to expect: The temperature inside the ice rooms is a constant -5 to -8°C regardless of the outdoor temperature; guests are provided with expedition-grade sleeping bags and given instructions on how to sleep comfortably on ice. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not a luxury hotel
Have you ever thought about sleeping in 5***** hotel in -5°C? If so, you should go to the north of Sweden, just 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. In the town of Jukkasjärvi you will find the largest Ice hotel in the world. Ice hotel is built every single year as the original piece by world’s leading designers, so although you go there every year, you will find the hotel in absolutely different shape.
Jukkasjarvi Ice Hotel, Sweden by bjaglin
During the winter season from December to April the aurora borealis light up the sky regularly. Ice hotel is located in the zone of most frequent northern lights occurrence.
Sleeping in a fantastic design rooms between artworks and sculptures made of ice is a great experience. Here you really can enjoy ice and snow. Try some of the non-traditional activities that are available here like a transfer from the airport on the dog sled, snowmobile safaris, ride on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, a night trip on horseback in aurora, hunting expeditions, ice sculpture, reception in the typical Lapland tents or a wild party in a unique Absolut Icebar.
If you love cold and winter, then The Biggest Ice hotel in the world is the best choice for you.
You can find more information about this unique Ice hotel on its official site icehotel.com. If you have ever been accommodated here or in any other ice hotel, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Activities and Adventures in Swedish Lapland
Staying at the Icehotel is only the beginning of what Jukkasjarvi and the surrounding Kiruna area have to offer. Dog sledding is the most popular winter activity: a team of six to eight huskies pulls you across the frozen Torne River and through snow-covered pine forests, with tours ranging from one-hour introductory rides to multi-day expeditions. Snowmobile safaris take you deeper into the Arctic wilderness, reaching frozen lakes and remote viewpoints where the silence is absolute. Reindeer sleigh rides, led by Sami herders, offer a slower and more cultural experience, including stories about the indigenous Sami way of life and their centuries-old relationship with the reindeer herds that migrate across this landscape.
How to Prepare for Your Night at the Icehotel
Sleeping in a room made entirely of ice at minus five degrees Celsius requires preparation, but the hotel provides everything you need. Guests receive a thermal sleeping bag rated for extreme cold, a wool liner, and a balaclava, and staff give a brief orientation on layering clothing for maximum warmth. The key to a good night on ice is staying dry: guests change into provided thermal underwear just before sleeping, because any moisture from daytime activity will freeze inside the sleeping bag. Most guests report sleeping surprisingly well, aided by the complete darkness and silence of the Arctic night. Many opt for one night in the ice followed by additional nights in warm cabins, combining the unique experience with better sleep for longer stays.
Have you slept on ice at the original Icehotel or discovered Swedish Lapland’s frozen north? Share your Arctic adventures in the comments! ❄️
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