Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
all the more aware afterwards how, without the mine, Kiruna would be a one-reindeer
town instead of the thriving place it is today - quite a feat when you consider its location
on the map (don't be surprised to see snow on the slag heaps in the middle of June).
Kiruna Samegård
Brytaregatan 14 • Mon-Fri 7am-noon & 1-4pm • 20kr
For the most rewarding exhibition of
Sámi
culture in town, head for the handicraft
centre,
Kiruna Samegård
. The handicrafts you'll see here may well be familiar by now;
what probably won't be is its small but impressive display of
Sámi
art featuring scenes
from everyday life in the north. It also has a souvenir shop, where you can pick up a
piece of antler bone or reindeer skin.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
KIRUNA
By plane
Kiruna is served by flights from London
Heathrow (winter only), Stockholm and Luleå. The airport,
10km away to the east, is linked to town by a bus (late June
to mid-Sept only; 40kr;
W
ltnbd.se) that then continues
to Narvik via Abisko; taxis (250kr) run all year round.
By train
The train station is at Bangårdsvägen. From
here it's a 10min walk uphill to the tourist office in the
main square.
Destinations
Luleå (5 daily; 3hr 20min); Narvik (5 daily;
3hr); Stockholm (1 daily; 16hr 30min).
By bus
The bus station is at the corner of Biblioteksgatan
and Hjalmar Lundbohmsvägen.
INFORMATION
Tourist o
ce
In Folkets Hus, on the central square at Lars
Janssongatan 17 (late June to mid-Aug Mon-Fri
8.30am-8pm, Sat & Sun 8.30am-5pm; mid-Aug to late
June Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat 8.30am-2pm;
T
0980
188 80,
W
kirunalappland.se). From the train station, it's a
brisk 10min walk up the steep road, Konduktörsgatan, to
the tourist office, where there's also internet access.
ACCOMMODATION
Arctic Eden
Föraregatan 18
T
0980 611 86,
W
hotelarcticeden.se.
A nice combination of wooden
floors and brick walls with
Sámi
art and design, this new
hotel is one of the best places to stay in Kiruna. There's a
small pool and
sauna suite available for guest use.
1195kr/2000kr
Gullriset Lägenhetshotell
Bromsgatan 12
T
0980
109 37,
W
www.fabmf.se.
A good choice of bright and
breezy modern apartments for one to four people, perfect
for self-catering. All have private bathrooms and fully fitted
kitchens. There's a
lso a s
auna on site for guest use. Two-
person apartment
595kr
Kiruna hostel
Bergmästaregatan 7
T
0980 171 95,
W
kirunahostel.com.
Dorm beds (in rooms sleeping up to
ten people) are the best option at this centrally located
youth hostel though there are also double rooms. Boasting
its own sauna, it fills quickl
y and r
eservatio
ns are
necessary
at any time of year. Dorms
200kr
, doubles
500kr
Scandic Ferrum
Lars Janssongatan 15
T
0980 39 86
00,
W
scandichotels.se/ferrum.
By far the most
anonymous place in town, with characterless chain-hotel
rooms and indifferent staff, but the palatial sauna suite on
the top floor. i
is a wonderful pl
ace to relax and watch the
midnight sun.
1200kr/1570kr
Vinterpalatset
Järnvägsgatan 18
T
0980 677 70,
W
vinterpalatset.se.
A listed building with wooden floors,
large double beds and rooms decorated with antique
furniture. There's also a superb sauna and jacuzzi suite on
the top loo
r. You'll find fou
r cheaper, more basic rooms in
the annexe.
990kr/1530kr
Yellow House
Hantverkaregatan 25
T
0980 137 50,
W
yellowhouse.nu.
Budget hotel-cum-youth hostel with
dorm beds and double rooms sharing facilities. Linen is not
included in the room rate but is available for 60kr extra per
stay.
Guests a
lso have
acces
s to the kitchen and sauna.
Dorms
170kr
, doubles
440kr
CAMPING
Camp Ripan
Campingvägen 5
T
0980 630 00,
W
ripan
.se.
A 20min walk from the centre, this is much more than
a campsite. There are ninety well-appointed cabins,
imaginatively decorated in Nordic colours and designs,
plus, in winter (
Dec-Ap
ril), ice
igloos f
or just 300kr more
per person. Tents
140kr
, cabins
1195kr
EATING AND DRINKING
Kafé Rost
Lars Janssonsgatan 17
T
0980 166 05.
This
open-plan first-floor café serves up decent sandwiches,
including various reindeer concoctions, as well as
quiches, salads and ciabattas. It's also a good place from
