From Stockholm to the Arctic Circle, our winter journey through Sweden 🇸🇪❄️
This winter trip through Sweden was one of those rare journeys that somehow exceeded every expectation. In just a few days we travelled from the cosy, cobbled streets of Stockholm all the way to the Arctic Circle, chasing the Northern Lights by snowmobile and husky sled along the way.
If you’re dreaming of a winter escape that mixes culture, adventure and jaw-dropping scenery, this one is hard to beat.
Stockholm: A Perfect Winter City Break
We flew from Stansted to Stockholm early in the morning, departing at 06:15 and landing at Arlanda at 09:45. Thanks to an early arrival, we were able to jump straight on the Arlanda Express and be in the city centre within 20 minutes.
Our base was the Radisson Blu Waterfront, right next to Stockholm Central Station. The location couldn’t have been better — especially for such a short stay — and we were lucky enough to check in early before heading out to explore.
We spent our first afternoon wandering through Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s beautiful old town. Lunch was in the main square, Stortorget, where we tried Swedish meatballs for the very first time, before browsing the Christmas market and exploring the area on a self-guided walking tour. The cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and colourful historic buildings made it feel wonderfully festive and full of character.
That evening, after a short rest back at the hotel, we returned to Gamla Stan for evensong at Stockholm Cathedral. From there, the night unfolded into a historic pub crawl through candlelit cellars and a hidden Viking-themed bar underground. We sampled several local dishes along the way — including reindeer — before finishing the evening with a quiet walk through the old town. It was the perfect introduction to Stockholm: relaxed, atmospheric and full of charm.
The following morning, we dedicated our time to Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum. We spent hours wandering through historic houses that tell the story of Swedish life across the centuries, with fantastic food stalls and even some live music adding to the experience (it hosts a lovely Xmas market)
Skansen is somewhere you could easily spend a full day, but by around 2pm we took the ferry back to Gamla Stan for one last twilight wander and another excellent meal before heading to the train station.
Stockholm really won us over. It’s small, walkable and incredibly pretty, making it ideal for a short break. While you could see a lot in a day, staying overnight meant we could enjoy the nightlife and properly explore Skansen. We’d return in a heartbeat.
The Overnight Train to the Arctic Circle
That evening, we boarded the overnight train from Stockholm Central at 18:10, bound for Abisko — over 1,000 kilometres north and well inside the Arctic Circle. Originally we’d hoped for a private cabin with beds, but at nearly £800 (and rising to £1,100 just days before departure), we opted instead for standard seating at £75 per person.
To our surprise, it was absolutely fine. The seats were spacious, we brought travel pillows and blankets from home, and both managed around seven hours of sleep. There’s a buffet car on board selling hot food, drinks and alcohol, and while you can bring your own food, BYOB isn’t permitted. Watching the landscape slowly transform into a snow-covered wilderness was an experience in itself and made the long journey feel like part of the adventure.
We arrived in Abisko at 12:40 the following day, a little later than planned due to staff shortages, stepping off the train into an eerie blue twilight that felt completely otherworldly.
Abisko: 24 Hours in Swedish Lapland
We stayed at STF Abisko Turiststation, which couldn’t be more conveniently located right next to the station and serves as a hub for many of the local tours. After settling in, we headed out on a mile-long walk in the dark to a nearby Sámi village and canyon before warming up back at the tourist station with reindeer pizza and a couple of beers.
That evening, we joined a 4.5-hour snowmobile Northern Lights chase, booked through GetYourGuide (£75pp):
https://www.getyourguide.com/abisko-l89540/abisko-aurora-chasing-with-snowmobiles-t748399/
The aurora forecast was low and cloud cover made conditions challenging, but we still caught a few magical glimpses. Even without a strong display, racing through the Arctic landscape on the sled was exhilarating. The highlight came when our guide took us off-piste onto a frozen lake, where we took turns riding behind him as he hit speeds of up to 110 km/h. Terrifying, ridiculous and unbelievably fun.
The next morning we were back out again with the same guide for a three-hour snowmobile sightseeing tour (£75pp):
https://www.getyourguide.com/abisko-l89540/abisko-snowmobile-sightseeing-tour-t755196/
We travelled through wildlife territory and even spotted wild reindeer roaming freely. Another incredible experience — though watching someone in our group accidentally drive into a tree definitely reinforced how glad we were not to be driving ourselves.
Abisko was extraordinary. In just 24 hours, it completely stole our hearts.
Kiruna: Huskies Under the Northern Lights
At 12:30 we boarded the short train journey south to Kiruna, arriving at 13:47. The ticket cost just £6 per person and must be booked in advance.
We stayed at the Elite Frost Hotel, a brand-new and very comfortable hotel with an excellent breakfast included. Its location made everything easy, from transfers to tour pick-ups.
Kiruna felt refreshingly non-touristy and quietly local. After checking in, we explored a little, found somewhere open for a beer, and grabbed a quick dinner — reindeer, deer and moose kebabs with chips — before heading out for our final tour.
That evening we experienced what was, without question, one of the best moments of the entire trip: a two-hour husky sled ride under the Northern Lights (£150pp):
Being pulled through the snow by a beautiful, energetic pack of huskies while the aurora danced overhead — clearly visible to the naked eye — was beyond anything we could have hoped for. Even days later, we were still buzzing.
Heading Home
After one final night in Kiruna, we flew back to Stockholm with SAS, departing at 14:15 and landing at 16:00, before catching our Ryanair flight home to Stansted at 18:35.
Final Thoughts
Every single tour we did surpassed our expectations, and the journey itself was just as memorable as the destinations. From Stockholm’s cosy charm to Lapland’s raw, frozen beauty, this trip was unforgettable from start to finish.
If you’re even slightly considering a winter adventure in Sweden — do it.
We cannot recommend it highly enough. 💙❄️✨
🚆 Transport & Prices – Quick Summary
✈️ Flights
Stansted → Stockholm (Arlanda); Day 1
Departure: 06:15 • Arrival: 09:45
Kiruna → Stockholm (SAS); Day 5
Departure: 14:15 • Arrival: 16:00 Approx £105 pp
Stockholm → Stansted (Ryanair); Day 5
Departure: 18:35 • Arrival: 20:05
🚆 Trains
Stockholm → Abisko (Overnight); Day 2 into Day 3
Departure: 18:10 • Arrival: 11:00 next day
Standard chair seating: ~£75pp (total £150) Cabin option: ~£800+ (higher when booked closer to departure) Tips: Bring travel blanket & pillow; buffet car on board.
Abisko → Kiruna; Day 4
Departure: 12:30 • Arrival: 13:47 £6 per person (must pre-book)
🏨 Accommodation – Quick Summary
Night 1 – Stockholm
Radisson Blu Waterfront, Stockholm Excellent central location next to the train station ~10 minutes’ walk to Gamla Stan
Night 2 – Overnight Train
Standard seating (no cabin) Seats surprisingly comfortable for overnight Space to sleep with travel pillow/blanket
Night 3 – Abisko
STF Abisko Turiststation Right next to the train station Close to departure points for tours
Night 4 – Kiruna
Elite Frost Hotel Modern, comfortable, great breakfast included Short walk to bus stop and tour pick-ups
🛷 Tours & Activities (Prices)
Abisko Snowmobile Northern Lights Chase – £75pp (4.5 hours); Day 3
Abisko Snowmobile Sightseeing Tour – £75pp (2 hours); Day 4
Kiruna Northern Lights Husky Sled Ride – £150pp (2 hours); Day 4
