The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland, is the world’s original and largest hotel made of ice and snow — a 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.

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.

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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