Menu
If you’re looking for a place to see the Northern Lights, Abisko is definitely one of the first places that will come up. But did you know that Abisko is a place 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle where only 100 people live? This beautiful region is perfectly situated to host some of the most amazing Northern Lights viewing, as well as being home to fascinating natural wonders and vibrant Swedish Lapland culture.
Abisko is located in the northwest of Sweden, between Norway’s Narvik city and Kiruna city in Swedish Lapland. The village, which is a part of the Kiruna Municipality, is on average 30 kilometers to the Norwegian border.
The capital of the Northern Lights of Swedish Lapland, actually consists of two areas next to each other, Abisko National Park and Abisko Village.
Abisko National Park, which lies on the banks of Lake Tornetrask, also is part of the 440-kilometer Kungsleden hiking route. For this reason, the park is visited by professional hikers all year round.
Abisko experiences very intense tourism in both seasons. From September to April, tourists from all over the world flock to the region for the Northern Lights. Between November and May, it is possible to do winter tourism activities such as dog sledding and snowmobiling in the fascinating geography of this region. We offer the best experience to see the Northern Lights on our tours.
Abisko, which has the driest air in all of Scandinavia, is a perfect destination to experience the Northern Lights with a high number of cloudless nights. In the summer months, hikers and nature enthusiasts (mostly from Scandinavian countries) can experience the midnight sun in the beautiful Abisko scenery.
The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that can be observed in both Abisko and Kiruna. The northern lights look similar in Abisko and Kiruna due to their close proximity and similar latitudes.
Abisko is known for its clear skies and low light pollution, making it an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights. It also has a unique microclimate that tends to have less cloud cover than other areas in the region, which can increase your chances of seeing the aurora.
Kiruna is another popular location for aurora viewing, and it has a range of accommodation options and activities for visitors. While it can be more crowded than Abisko, it also has a wider range of services and amenities available.
Ultimately, both Abisko and Kiruna offer excellent opportunities for viewing the Northern Lights, and which one is “better” depends on your personal preferences and priorities.
Our Kiruna Northern Lights Tour will take you to Abisko. After we pick you up from your hotel in Kiruna, we will drive to Abisko village, where we will have dinner and get ready for an adventure!
The number of days you should spend in Abisko depends on your interests and what you want to do while you’re there. If you are primarily interested in seeing the Northern Lights, it’s a good idea to plan for at least three to four nights to increase your chances of catching a clear night with aurora activity. However, keep in mind that the aurora is a natural phenomenon and can’t be guaranteed, so it’s important to be flexible and patient.
We highly recommend that you stay in Abisko a minimum of 4 nights to make sure that you will see the Aurora Borealis and your trip was worth it. Besides the Aurora, there are many activities you can do in Abisko, especially in winter: What to do in Abisko.
Another reason why Abisko is so popular is because its transportation is very easy. Nearby Stockholm is home to a major international airport, with arrivals from most countries on a regular basis. From Stockholm, take a short, regional flight to the Kiruna region. SAS and Air Norwegian operate flights from Stockholm to Kiruna year-round.
From Kiruna Airport, take a bus or taxi to the Kiruna train station. The journey takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Take a train from Kiruna to Abisko. The train ride takes about an hour and passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Sweden.
If you are looking for more adventures, you can reach Abisko directly from Stockholm after an average 15-hour journey by the Arctic Train. If you are coming via Norway, it takes only 1.5 hours by train between Narvik (Norway) and Abisko. Abisko National Park’s train station stop is Abiskoturiststation, Abisko village’s train stop is Abisko Östra.
Although the village has a small population, there are plenty of options for accommodations at any budget and comfort level.
If you want, you can stay in one of the hotel, hostel or chalet options of STF Turiststation in Abisko National Park, or you can choose Abisko Mountain Lodge, Abisko Guesthouse or Abisko Net in the village. We highly recommend you to book your accommodation in advance.
Abisko is a small town, and while it may not have a large number of restaurants, there are still few great dining options available.
Abisko Mountain Lodge Restaurant: This restaurant is located in the Abisko Mountain Lodge and serves a range of traditional Swedish cuisine. The menu features dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients, including reindeer, fish, and berries. The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options.
STF Abisko Turiststation Restaurant: This restaurant is located in the STF Abisko Turiststation.
If you are on a budget trip, there is a small supermarket in Abisko called Godisfabriken. It is located at the entrance of village and offers a variety of groceries, including fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and dry goods.
Abisko is beautiful in any season, so the time you should visit depends on what you want to experience when you get there.
If you want to experience the Northern Lights, you should visit Abisko in the season from September to April. If you want to experience the snow activities that start in late October and see the Northern Lights, the period from the beginning of November to mid-April is perfect.
However, it is really impressive to experience the wonderful colors of nature with the northern lights in September and October (with less or no snow!).
The polar night period from the beginning of December to the middle of January offers you a completely different experience. During this period, the sun never rises above Abisko, and the area becomes dark.
During the summer months, Abisko experiences a natural phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun, where the sun doesn’t set for several weeks, creating a unique and surreal landscape.
Abisko National Park is one of Sweden’s most popular national parks. The park is known for its diverse range of wildlife, including reindeer, moose, and foxes, as well as its stunning natural scenery, including mountains, lakes, and forests.
Abisko National Park is home to a section of the famous Kungsleden trail, which is a 440-kilometer hiking trail that runs through some of Sweden’s most beautiful landscapes. The Abisko section of the trail is particularly popular!
Visitors to Abisko National Park can explore the park’s stunning natural scenery by hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing, and can also learn about the park’s history and ecology at the Abisko Naturum Visitor Center.
Torneträsk is a large, glacial lake located in the northern part of Sweden. It is situated within Abisko National Park and is surrounded by some of the most stunning natural scenery in Scandinavia.
It is one of the largest lakes in Sweden, with a surface area of approximately 330 square kilometers. It is also one of the deepest lakes in the country, with a maximum depth of 168 meters.
Torneträsk is a popular destination for fishing, with numerous species of fish, including trout and Arctic char.
Torneträsk is an important location for scientific research, with several research stations located on its shores. Scientists study the lake’s ecology, hydrology, and climate in order to better understand the effects of climate change on the region.
Overall, Abisko is a unique and special destination that offers visitors the chance to experience some of the world’s most stunning natural phenomena and learn about the rich culture and history of northern Sweden.
Thank you for reading our guide! We hope you enjoy your trip. We look forward to seeing you on a Lights of Vikings Tour soon!
Get updates about upcoming tours and expeditions
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team
You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our privacy policy.
For Travelers
Get in touch
join@lightsofvikings.com
Lights of Vikings 2022 © – All Rights Reserved – Website designed by Cristina Masferrer
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team
You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our privacy policy.