Best Honeymoon Destinations in Northern Europe
If you’re looking for unusual honeymoon destination, look no further than Northern Europe and Scandinavia! Imagine a stay at the ICEHOTEL Sweden, the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon Iceland and more..
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5 days - Independent tour - Stay overnight in the ICEHOTEL and Abisko
The original ICEHOTEL is located as far as 200km inside the Arctic Circle, in the little village of Jukkasjärvi, and on the banks of Torne River. This place has been a crossroads and marketplace for the reindeer herders, the Sami, and fur traders from the south for more than 400 years. Historically, few tourists have visited Jukkasjärvi throughout its long, dark, cold and snowy winters. However, in 1989, the ICEHOTEL was created for the first time and it turned the seasons on their head, making the northern winter the peak tourist season.
The Abisko area, in the middle of the Aurora zone, is considered to be one of best places on earth to see the Aurora Borealis. A visit to the Abisko Aurora Sky Station, accessible only by a chairlift which is high up above the lights of the village, allows you a great chance to experience the Northern Lights.
Read about the highlights of ICEHOTEL here. For several other Northern Lights holidays read here.
- Day 1
- Arrive Kiruna, transfer to ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi
- Day 2
- Dogsledding and Aurora Hunt
- Day 3
- In the Middle of the Aurora Zone
- Day 4
- Free day in Abisko
- Day 5
- Depart Kiruna
- Start/End Place
- Kiruna, Sweden
- Country Visited
- Sweden
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
- Code
- 50DN0410
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Details
Transportation
Transfer from Kiruna to ICEHOTEL, from ICEHOTEL to Abisko and from Abisko to Kiruna.
Included
- 1 night in an ice room at ICEHOTEL.Read more about staying overnight at the ICEHOTEL here.
- 1 night in warm hotel room at ICEHOTEL
- 2 nights in Abisko
- Daily breakfast
- Dogsled ride to wilderness camp with lunch (supplement to drive your own)
- Evening Snowmobile ride with dinner (2 people per snowmobile)
- Exclusive Dinner at Abisko Aurora Sky Station
- Warm winter clothes at ICEHOTEL
- Airport transfer from Kiruna Airport to ICEHOTEL
- Transfer from Abisko to Kiruna Airport
- 24-hour emergency service
- Taxes and service fees
Not Included
Flights, meals other than described, travel insurance, visas, gratitudes and any items of personal nature.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Kiruna, transfer to ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi
On arrival in Kiruna you will be brought to Jukkasjärvi, and your accommodation at the ICEHOTEL. The hotel is located in the heart of the tiny village Jukkasjärvi, with about 900 residents. Besides the actual cold rooms, ice bar and church, Icehotel has a restaurant, cabins, hotel rooms and lounge – all housed in warm buildings within walking distance of each other. There are around fifty cold rooms and around seventy warm rooms. There is also the local homestead restaurant just ten minutes’ walk away. There is a local convenience store in the village, but no cash point.
In the evening you can enjoy a drink in the uber-cool icebar before settling into your snow room at the ICEHOTEL.
Inside ICEHOTEL, the temperature is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C, regardless of how cold it may be outside. Dress in warm thermal underwear, put on a hat and slip into the cozy sleeping bag. You are awakened in the morning with a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. Breakfast buffet, guided tour of the hotel, storage locker, WiFi, morning sauna and towels are included in your stay.
Accommodation
Attractions
Day 2 - Dogsledding and Aurora Hunt
What better way to start the day than a dog sled journey across the snowy landscape to a wilderness camp, followed by lunch? You will be a passenger but supplement is avaialble if you want to drive your own. Afterwards ride back to the kennel to learn more about the Arctic dogs and their daily life. You can go for a wander in the afternoon - visiting the local village to see the Museum and pretty church.
In the evening, rug up for a snowmobile excursion in search of the Northern Lights. Dinner included at a wilderness camp.
This evening you will stay in a warm room, i.e. a normal hotel room and enjoy a good long sleep.
Note: The ICEHOTEL loans you, free of charge, snow boots and for those who feel cold, onesie snow suits.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Lunch
1 Dinner
Accommodation
Warm room in ICEHOTELAttractions
Day 3 - In the Middle of the Aurora Zone
After breakfast transfer to Kiruna train station for just over an hour's train ride to Abisko.
In the evening, visit the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko where you will also enjoy dinner.
Abisko, in the middle of the Aurora zone, is considered to be the best place on earth to see the Aurora Borealis. With its fresh, clean air and its practically permanent cloud-free sky the prerequisites in Abisko are optimal. More or less active northern lights can be seen almost every night, however, can never be guaranteed.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 4 - Free day in Abisko
The morning is free in Abisko to enjoy the winter landscape, or just to laze around in the hotel and enjoy the warmth of the Scandinavian indoors in winter.
In Abisko you can enjoy optional activities such as snowshoeing, ice climbing, dogsledding or snowmobiling (advance bookings recommended).
Meals
1 BreakfastDay 5 - Depart Kiruna
After breakfast depart by train or shuttle bus back to Kiruna for your departure.
Meals
1 BreakfastDates & Prices
What you get with Superior:
- We make sure you get great spacey rooms, often Superior or Deluxe and with harbour or fjord views where available.
- At ICEHOTEL you will have a Deluxe Suite.
All prices listed are per person. Please note that a special supplement may apply over Christmas, New Years & Valentine's Day.
Early indicative price for 2025.
Dates
Valid From
Valid To
From Price
Status
Accommodation
20 Dec 2024
31 Mar 2025
31 Mar 2025
20 Dec 2024
31 Mar 2025
NZD 4,954
On request
Standard
20 Dec 2024
31 Mar 2025
31 Mar 2025
20 Dec 2024
31 Mar 2025
NZD 1,616
On request
Extra for Single
20 Dec 2025
31 Mar 2026
31 Mar 2026
20 Dec 2025
31 Mar 2026
NZD 5,350
On request
Standard
20 Dec 2025
31 Mar 2026
31 Mar 2026
20 Dec 2025
31 Mar 2026
NZD 1,746
On request
Extra for Single
Important Information
Please note if you have early flight departure a private transfer is optional at extra cost.
Enjoy sculptures in your room with an upgrade to an Art Suite or have your own heated relaxation area in a Deluxe Suite at ICEHOTEL.
Winter activities that could be substituted into your program at the ICEHOTEL are horseback riding, wildlife and nature photography, moose safari on horseback, arctic wildlife safari on snowmobile, cross country skiing and reindeer sleigh excursion.
What is it like staying at the ICEHOTEL:
Generally, the entire exterior and interior is made of snow and ice including the beds, tables and internal features. They typically have a bar and/or restaurant attached – some made of ice, others are traditional wooden structures providing a cosy atmosphere with open fires. Ice chapels are also built within the structure.
The temperature inside the rooms remains constant at minus 4-7 degrees Celsius. Depending on your location, reindeer hides, balaclavas, thermal mattresses and sleeping bags will keep you warm, and ensure you will have a comfortable night. You still might feel the chill of the night, however, adjacent to the cold rooms are lounge areas with facilities, showers, and in some locations, a sauna to warm up in. Warm drinks are provided in the morning. Read further details about the ICEHOTEL here.
Functional clothing is key for enjoying and being safe in the outdoors. Loan of warm outer clothing (snowsuit, boots, gloves and balaclava) is included when staying at the ICEHOTEL. In addition, you should pack thermal underwear (preferably wool), breathable layer clothing, plenty of socks (again, preferably wool, rather than cotton or synthetic), and a warm hat. For your night in Icehotel, we recommend you wear thermal underwear, warm socks and a hat, and perhaps bring an extra fleece jacket or similar. The key is to think layers that allow good ventilation of body heat, materials that breathe and avoiding perspiration. Opt for oil-based creams and skip the morning shower when you have a day planned outdoors.
When staying in an ice room or in one of the art suites you store your belongings in a locker or booth in the warm Riverside Lobby which is staffed 24 hours, located just meters from the hotel. The Deluxe suite 365 has a private sauna, shower and toilet directly connected to the bedroom. The heated relaxation area also provides storage for your belongings.
Since 2017 ICEHOTEL offers cold sleeping 365 days of the year, so timing is down to which season that appeals to you the most. Visiting during December through February is an Arctic winter adventure at its most intense, with extreme temperatures and short daylight hours. March, April and early May is Arctic spring with long and often sunny days, and mild temperatures ranging between -10 C (14 F) and 10 C (50 F). ICEHOTEL summer is short and mild, but with near constant daylight hours thanks to the midnight sun. The northern lights season and golden autumn starts in September, as days begin to get shorter.
A good tip is to go in January, March, or April, when the hotel tends to be less busy.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:
The original and famous ICEHOTEL was one of the first accommodations in Kiruna to become ‘Sustainable Arctic Destination’ certified and the hotel’s connection with the environmental cycle is core to everything it does. The hotel is located on the Torne River and ice is harvested every winter to make the hotel, and in the summer, when the hotel is melting, the water returns to its origin. As such waste and emissions are kept to an absolute minimum.
Gallery
Interactive Tour Map
Inspiration
ICEHOTEL 365 Art Suites
Travel this winter and experience ICEHOTEL 365!
What is the best month to see the Northern Lights 2025
Planning your Northern Lights trip and want to get the best advice? As we approach another Solar maximum period, solar activity will start ramping up, and auroras should increase in frequency, peaking in 2025.
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Customise an itinerary
Travel Safe
Travel Insurance and Safety
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
Practical Information for travelling and packing for Scandinavian Winter
Recommended Scandinavian Winter Tour Packing List:
- Warm wind and water proof jacket and trousers large enough to fit thick woollen jumper/clothing underneath
- Rain trousers – waterproof and breathable material
- Warm windproof cap/hat
- Warm gloves or mittens. Mittens where all fingers except the thumb are together are often warmer than gloves.
- Windproof gloves or mittens, which you can pull over the warm gloves
- Warm scarf
- 2 pairs of long woollen underwear (Merino wool in a few different thicknesses is perfect)
- 1-2 warm woollen jumper(s), or one jumper and a warm fleece
- Woollen or fleece trousers
- 2-3 pairs of warm woollen socks
- Warm & sturdy footwear with good grip
- Clothes for indoors, i.e. a shirt, T-shirts and jeans or cotton trousers
- Back pack for day trips (approx. 30 litre)
- Light footwear/trainers (mainly for indoors)
- Sun screen & Lip salve (the sun reflects off the snow and the air is dry)
- Sunglasses
- Hand warmers
- Nordic Grip anti-slip soles for walking on ice
- Personal medication
- Water bottle - thermo, or include a cover to keep warm (or you can stick it into a warm sock)
- Travel documents (including insurance)
- Photo ID
- Note book and pencil
- Camera, memory cards and charger
- Chargers for other gadgets
- Extra batteries for your cameras as they are used fast in cold conditions.
- Adapters
Optional Excursions at the ICEHOTEL
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS AT THE ICEHOTEL
At 50 Degrees North, we generally include at least one of our favourite activities into your tailor-made itinerary but there will also be extra time when you could add something extra. There are lots of different optional excursions to enjoy during your stay at the ICEHOTEL. Now that it is open 365 days a year, the range is even wider.
During the summer months, enjoy the 24-hour daylight with kayaking, hiking or bike riding. You can rent your own equipment for half or whole day adventures.
An indication of what can be rented during your ICEHOTEL 365 stay:
- Canoe: Whole day SEK 395 Half day SEK 295
- XC BIKES (Cross Country bikes): Whole day SEK 395 Half day SEK 295
- SUP (Stand Up Paddle): Whole day SEK 395 Half day SEK 295
- Fishing equipment: Whole day SEK 295 incl. fishing permit
During summer, autumn & spring, optional activities include:
- Meet the Reindeer
- Challenge Park
- Wilderness Skills
- Wilderness Dinner
- Jukkasjärvi Sauna ritual
- Fishing adventures
- Expedition Flow of the Iron ore
- River rafting
During winter, optional activities include:
- Ice sculpturing
- Reindeer sledding
- Snow mobile adventures
- Dog sledding
- Saunas
- Northern Lights photography
- Horseback moose safari
- Cross country skiing
- Wilderness Skills
- Northern Lights by horseback
- Jukkasjärvi Sauna ritual including ICE PLUNGE - do you dare?
Prices and validity dates vary - we will assist you with up to date information at the time of booking.
ICEHOTEL OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES CONDITIONS:
The tours always include top quality equipment and our guides are trained in wilderness safety and touring in Arctic climate. Your tour begins with an introduction and safety demonstration by the guide. All outdoor activities are weather dependent and may be cancelled or replaced by more suitable alternatives should the conditions not permit to run the tour as planned. The snow depth at the beginning and end of the season determines start and finish dates for activities.
All tours start and finish at ICEHOTEL Meeting Point, Jukkasjärvi. Please note that there must be a minimum of two adults per tour, as it will otherwise be cancelled.
We also recommend you calculate for some “warm time” between activities, for you to go inside for a couple of hours, change clothing if necessary and re-heat.
Never shower, wash your face or put on water-based creams or make-up before going out on an excursion as this means you remove the skin’s natural protective layer of oil and you are more exposed to the cold.
ICEHOTEL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
The activities start and finish at ICEHOTEL meeting point so no transfers to/from the activity are necessary. Our snowmobiles are purchased from contractors who are leading in environmental sustainability. The machines have four stroke engines that are environmentally friendly and not very noisy so good for our guides and our neighbours too. All vehicles are run on unleaded petrol or environmentally friendly diesel. ICEHOTEL staff or our suppliers prepare and maintains the snowmobile and dog sledding tracks so that we can ensure that it is done in a way that is not harmful for our surroundings. ICEHOTEL management works closely with local land-owners and Sámi villages to continuously maintain sustainable levels of land-use in connection with our activities. ICEHOTEL seeks to work with local suppliers of food in order to minimise our carbon footprint and promote local entrepreneurs. ICEHOTEL strives to avoid using disposable items where possible.
We recycle and re-use as much as possible and our guides always bring back wastage from the tours to dispose or recycle at the main hotel facilities. ICEHOTEL has set out a goal to become CO2 negative, which means that we will contribute to producing more energy than we consume.
SAFETY & INSURANCE INFORMATION
All our guides are trained and hold the Swedish Transport Board’s permission to work as a snowmobile guide. All snowmobile tours begin with an induction to the vehicle that you will be driving. Should a damage occur during a tour, the snowmobile will be inspected and if necessary taken out of service to be repaired until it can run on tour again. In order to drive a snowmobile on a tour operated by ICEHOTEL, you must be at least 16 years of age and have a driver’s license. If your license has been issued before Jan 1, 2000, you are entitled to drive snowmobile on your own or in connection with a guided tour.
If your license was issued after this date, you are only eligible to drive a snowmobile under the supervision of a certified guide. To attend Ice driving as a driver, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a driver’s license that is valid in Sweden. If you are unsure, please check with our Destination Specialists. Alcohol must not be consumed prior to or in connection with a
snowmobile or ice driving activity. A breath alcohol test may be carried out prior to the tour and ICEHOTEL reserves the right to refuse your participation without refund if levels are found to be too high. All our guides are trained in wilderness safety and to prevent associated dangers such as frost bite. First aid and other health and safety equipment are always brought on the tour and our health and safety policies are developed in collaboration with the local emergency services. ICEHOTEL provides necessary safety equipment for our activities, e.g. helmets for the snowmobile and ráidu tours. Crossing frozen rivers is always done by ICEHOTEL snowmobile guides before customers in order to check the resilience of the ice. Despite this, accidents may still occur.
Booking an optional tour:
We recommend that you book your activities at least three weeks prior to your stay, to ensure that there is space for you on the excursions that you are interested in.