Located 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and 20 kilometers east of Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi, which means“Lake Jukka” in Finnish, is a traditional village in the far north. Called Čohkkiras or “rendezvous point” by the Sami, it has just a few hundred inhabitants, with the particularity of being home to more dogs than humans! With its few notable points of interest, you’ll definitely want to stop by if you’re traveling to Kiruna. But what to do in Jukkasjärvi? How do you get there and how much time do you need?
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know before visiting Jukkasjärvi. From activities to restaurants and how much time to spend there, you’ll come away with all the information you need.
How much time should you spend on it?
People come to Jukkasjärvi to enjoy outdoor activities and cultural visits. You can stay for a few days or visit for a day.
Where to stay?
Due to its size, Jukkasjärvi is not necessarily a village where you’d want to spend the night. However, it might be worth a visit if you want to take advantage of the famous Ice Hotel (availability on this page) or stay in a quiet spot near Kiruna.
Where to eat?
All of Jukkasjärvi’s restaurants are centrally located. From gourmet cuisine to traditional meals, the possibilities are endless.
How do I get there?
Located some 20 minutes from Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi is accessible by car and public transport. In this section, we’ll show you how to prepare your trip.
What to do in Jukkasjärvi
A true winter meeting point, Jukkasjärvi welcomes tourists from all over the world, eager to discover the region’s activities. Here are just a few of the cultural activities that are sure to punctuate your visit:
The Ice Hotel
This ice hotel is unique in the world. Created in 1989 by Yngve Bergqvist to revitalize tourism in Jukkasjärvi, it has fascinated thousands of visitors every year for over 30 years.
Come and discover his frozen sculptures, the theme of which changes every year, and his famous cold rooms: rooms made entirely of snow and ice where, for a night or two, you can have the chance to stay warmly wrapped in reindeer skins. Each room is created in collaboration with an artist. Their design and theme is therefore unique and changes from year to year.
While visiting, you can also enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar. It's a bar made entirely of ice (you'll have guessed it, that's the principle of this hotel) where every year a million glasses are sculpted for guests.
Since 2016, thanks to the Ice Hotel 365 annex, it's now possible to enjoy the experience all year round! Concerned about the environment, the instigators of this project have naturally ensured that the building is powered solely by 100% sustainable energy.
From the chapel to the activities and restaurants, you'll find everything you need for a unique and memorable stay, whatever the season!
Jukkasjärvi Church
Built in 1608, Jukkasjärvi or Jukkasjärvi kyrka is the oldest wooden church in Lapland. Remarkable for its red color and architecture, typical of early Swedish religious buildings, it is now protected. The church is best known for its altarpiece, carved and painted by Swedish artist Brother Hjorth in 1958.
The town of Jukkasjärvi has long been influenced by religion. Indeed, in the early days, only the parish priest, the bell ringer and their families lived here. Its church is therefore a powerful symbol, and a must-see.
When you enter the church, you can't help but notice the decoration inspired by the Sami culture, the indigenous population. You can admire the famous wooden triptych just behind the altar, depicting scenes from the life of a local religious movement: Laestadianism. Created by Lars Levi Læstadius in the mid-19th century, the Laestadian movement, based on the Lutheran religion, had a great impact on the local population.
A must-see cultural attraction in the town of Jukkasjärvi, come and discover this unique church.
Visit the Sami Museum
In this open-air museum, the Márkanbáiki, you'll discover the way of life of the local population. The last indigenous people in Europe, they have been present in Lapland for over 4,000 years. They live by reindeer herding, fishing and gathering.
Here you can discover the traditions and customs of this nomadic people, who live in 8 distinct seasons in the heart of the extreme cold. Learn about the evolution of their way of life. You'll learn more about their culture and nomadic way of life, while enjoying the scenery.
At the end, you can even pet and feed the reindeer in the park. You'll also find a store, where you can buy typical and traditional objects from their culture.
Next door, you'll find a typical restaurant: Café Sápmi. Here you can enjoy traditional dishes in a cosy atmosphere.
Visit the Esrange Space Center Museum
Located a few kilometers northeast of Jukkasjarvi, Esrange is home to a launch base for sounding balloons and rockets. As an ESA (European Space Agency) apartment, it is obviously not possible to go inside.
However, at the entrance there is a small museum, free of charge, retracing the history of the site. There are a few panels on various subjects, and a number of objects on display. But there's only one room, and an hour is more than enough time to explore it all.
With poor bus links and almost half an hour's drive from the center of Jukkasjarvi, it's best to bring your own vehicle.
Because of its remoteness and size, it's not very popular, despite the interest it arouses. So it's best reserved for amateurs!
Practical guide to Jukkasjärvi
We’d like to share with you some useful information to help you prepare for your visit to Jukkasjärvi.
How many days can you devote to it?
In general, visiting Jukkasjärvi itself is a fairly quick affair. You can count on one or two days if you want to take your time or enjoy an outdoor activity such as snowmobiling or dog sledding.
These are the same as those from Kiruna. They take place in the forests and on the frozen lakes and rivers of the Jukkasjarvi region. You can read our article on what to do in Kiruna to find out more about them!
If you have a car, you can always get to your accommodation wherever it is. On the other hand, if you’re dependent on public transport, you may have to spend at least one night here, as the only bus to Kiruna ends its service in the late afternoon.
Jukkasjarvi visit program
To make things more concrete, we’ve put together a program of all the city’s top activities that you might enjoy doing.
In the morning, you can visit the Jukkasjärvi church. After a visit to the Márkanbáiki museum of local culture and people, it’s time for lunch.
You can then continue your immersion at Hembygdskafeet. It’s a restaurant run by locals, adjacent to the museum, where you can sample typical dishes in an authentic setting.
In the afternoon, you can visit theIce Hotel, a unique hotel complex which, from December to April, houses the world’s largest ice hotel. Here, you can enjoy getting lost in the maze of ice suites, each more original than the last.
After viewing the frozen sculptures and exploring the various ice chambers, take a break at the Ice Bar. Here you can enjoy a drink in a glass of ice!
To round off your day, you can then dine in one of Jukkasjarvi’s restaurants. We recommend some further on in this article.
Finally, if you have a reservation, you can spend a unique night on reindeer skins in the Ice Hotel ‘s famous cold rooms . Despite the price, demand is high, and you’ll need to book well in advance to get a room! You can check availability and book on this page.
Where to stay in Jukkasjärvi?
Jukkasjärvi offers a wide range of accommodation options . Here’s a selection:
The Northern Light ApartmentThe Northern Light Apartment is a first-rate rental located in the heart of Jukkasjärvi. Inside, you'll find all the comforts of home: terrace, games console in the living room, fully-equipped kitchen... Everything is in place to ensure you have a memorable stay close to Kiruna.
Ice HotelEnjoy a unique experience at the Ice Hotel and stay in a room built entirely of ice, sculpted by an international artist. Otherwise, enjoy top-of-the-range heated rooms with everything you need for a quality stay. Restaurants, sauna, jacuzzi, ice bath... You're sure to love the wide range of activities on offer!
Reindeer LodgeOn the banks of the Thorne River, enjoy typical Sami accommodation. If you choose to stay in a tent, you can try your hand at adventure and sleep on the ground in sleeping bags, watching over the fire that will keep you warm all night long! Alternatively, you can enjoy the comfort of wooden cabins inspired by reindeer herding houses.
How do I get there?
Twenty kilometers east of Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi is an isolated town, accessible only by a road connected to the E10 from the south.
By car, allow 20 minutes. The roads are clear, and all rental cars are equipped for extreme cold. You’ll have no trouble getting through the bad weather.
If you haven’t rented a car, you can get there by bus. In this case, take line 501 and you’ll reach Jukkasjärvi in around 40 minutes from the center of Kiruna. If you don’t want to spend the night there, the last bus leaves in the late afternoon : take precautions to avoid getting stuck in the village.
A few places to eat
The center of Jukkasjärvi is relatively small. However, you’ll find a variety of eclectic addresses that are sure to delight your stomach:
Ice Hotel Restaurant
Located directly in the hotel complex, the Ice Hotel Restaurant is a rather upscale restaurant. In its subdued ambience, you can discover typical Swedish dishes, revisited by top chefs from all over the world.
The use of local produce means that dishes change throughout the year. The experience is different every season. In winter, some dishes are even served on plates made of ice cream !
Old Homestead Restaurant
In a cottage dating from 1768, on the banks of the Thorne River, you’ll find the Old Homestead Restaurant. Enjoy pizzas generously topped with ingredients from the Lapland region.
Reindeer, fish and vegetarian grills, everything is set up for you to enjoy in a warm atmosphere.
The Veranda
In this “home-like” restaurant, where you’ll need to remove your shoes before entering, come and enjoy an intimate setting. You’ll have the chance to chat with the chefs, but also with customers, thanks to the special layout of the room.
Indeed, everyone is invited to sit around a very large wooden table, to enjoy a unique and prestigious menu, cooked by hand-picked chefs.
Nutti Sámi Siida
In a more traditional style, come and enjoy a simple but hearty meal. Around a roaring log fire, sheltered in a large teepee, you’ll be able to enjoy a resolutely traditional home-style cuisine, modernized to appeal to the widest possible audience.
It’s even said that the best coffee in the village is served there!
Despite its size, Jukkasjärvi is a must-see if you’re visiting the region. With its rich cultural heritage, both past, with local history and customs, and present, with the Ice Hotel complex, you won’t be disappointed to have been there, at least for a day.
