Abisko, or Ábeskovvu in Sami, is a village in thefar north of Swedish Lapland. It’s the starting point for the King’s Trail, a 450-kilometer hiking trail to Hemavan in southern Sweden. Situated on the shores of Lake Torneträsk and at the entrance to Abisko National Park, you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities in protected natural areas.
If you’re traveling in the Kiruna region, you might want to go all the way to Abisko. But what to do in Abisko? How do you get there , and how much time do you need?
How much time should you spend on it?
Home to around 100 inhabitants, this village is known as the starting point for the Kungsleden.
You can spend as much time discovering it for 1 or 2 days as staying longer.
Where to stay?
With its national park, Abisko is a popular destination in summer and winter alike.
Many foreigners stay here every day. Discover our recommendations for where to stay in Abisko.
Where to eat?
Abisko is a small mountain village and there aren’t many places to eat.
Discover the different ways to eat there.
How do I get there?
Abisko is located in the far north of Sweden.
Located 100 kilometers north of Kiruna, it can be reached by car, train or even bus.
WHAT to do in abisko
Lost in the middle of the Swedish mountains, Abisko welcomes many visitors who come to enjoy the splendid scenery and the surrounding calm. Here’s what you can do :
Snowmobiling
Enjoy Abisko National Park in a special way! In a small group, you can contemplate the snow-covered landscape from the comfort of your snowmobile. Whether in the forest or on the frozen Abiskojaure lake, you'll enjoy the adrenalin rush.
Accessible to beginners, you'll enjoy discovering this activity and you're sure to come away with unforgettable memories. You'll enjoy the speed and sensations. Don't worry, the driving is very intuitive and you'll soon be enjoying the ride!
At the halfway point, you'll enjoy a traditional fika break where you can enjoy hot drinks and Swedish snacks on the banks of the frozen lake, with a breathtaking view of the mountainous landscape.
This is the best way to discover the beauty of Abisko National Park. If you're looking for an original and sensational activity, don't hesitate.
Dog sledding
Dog sledding is a very popular activity in the Norrbotten region, and more generally in the far north. Take advantage of the ride to discover the different panoramas of Abisko National Park.
During this activity, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of the Lapland tundra as you admire the scenery as it unfolds before you. You'll then enjoy a traditional fika break, during which you can warm up with a hot drink.
Mushers have a close bond with their dogs, who are more than just working tools for them. In fact, they are highly intelligent, well-trained animals accustomed to human contact. You'll have no trouble seeing them and petting them.
If you're looking for a unique and memorable experience in Abisko, dog sledding is an activity not to be missed!
Hiking in Abisko National Park
Since 1909, Abisko National Park has been renowned for its unique landscapes. Here you can admire fjords and waterways that are still very much intact.
There are many signposted hiking trails to choose from. Depending on which one you choose, you'll be able to enjoy the region's many points of interest.
You can visit Lake Torneträsk, one of Sweden's largest lakes. It's famous for its mackerel fishing, and the locals often go there for ice fishing. Lake Trollsjön is another of the park's must-sees, boasting the clearest water in Sweden.
You can also visit the Abisko canyon, and enjoy a hike in the heart of untamed nature. You can also begin the famous Kungsleden, a 440-kilometer hiking trail that crosses Swedish Lapland from Abisko to Hemavan.
As you can see, the Abisko Nature Park abounds in varied landscapes, each more beautiful than the last. Depending on your level of ability, you'll be able to take a variety of trails and try your hand at adventure in the Lapland wilderness!
Watch the Northern Lights from Aurora Sky Station
Renowned as the ideal vantage point for watching the Northern Lights,Aurora Sky Station is a unique place in which to enjoy sky-watching.
It's located in Abisko National Park, which means it's completely isolated from urban lights. What's more, because of its geographical location, Abisko is considered the driest and least cloudy place in Sweden. As a result, all the conditions are in place to observe the Northern Lights in the best possible conditions.
Just 10 minutes from Abisko station, you'll arrive at a chairlift. There, you'll be lent warm wetsuits so you can enjoy the ride from the comfort of your seats. It's a twenty-minute ride up to the resort, at an altitude of over 900 metres.
Once there, you can visit theAurora Exhibition. Here you'll find an exhibition created in collaboration with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, where you can learn more about this particular meteorological phenomenon. Thanks to sound amplifiers, you can even hear the aurora live! You can then head out onto a terrace to enjoy the starry sky and try tocatch a glimpse of the aurora borealis.
Finally, warm up in the Panorama Café, where you can admire the scenery from large windows before heading back down to the village.
Introduction to ice climbing
Do you like to push yourself to the limit? In this ice climbing activity in Abisko, try your hand at adventure by scaling a 10-meter-high natural glacier!
After joining your group and the guide, you'll don your crampons and put on your equipment. With helmet and harness, you're all set for adventure.
You'll then be led down a steep path to a completely frozen river. Careful not to slip!
Once you've reached the bottom, you'll walk on the ice for about ten meters before reaching the bottom of the icefall. There, you'll be shown how to use your ice axes to climb to the very top of the glacier.
Body position, balance between strength and dexterity... Many parameters must be taken into account for a successful ascent.
Over the course of 3 hours, you'll have the opportunity to climb the waterfall several times to perfect and challenge your skills!
While you're enjoying this invigorating activity, it's possible to come and watch you. An observation post is within walking distance of the national park entrance. You can enjoy the frozen scenery and watch how the climbers get on.
practical guide to visiting abisko
As you can see, there’s plenty to do in Abisko. Here’s what you need to know if you want to come and stay.
How much time can you devote to Abisko?
Abisko is, as mentioned above, a small village of around 100 inhabitants. You won’t find any cultural visits or trendy bars to go and have a drink in.
Located at the entrance to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park, Abisko is the place to come to enjoy unspoilt nature and outdoor activities.
In summer, it’s mainly the Swedes who come here to recharge their batteries and go hiking. But in winter, Abisko has become an internationally renowned resort.
Generally speaking, you’ll stay in Abisko for between a day and a week, depending on what you want to do. A day is obviously the bare minimum.
The amount of time you need to devote to this depends entirely on your program and the budget you can allocate to it. If you plan to do a different activity every day (snowmobiling, dog sledding, hiking), you’ll need a few days to enjoy it properly.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to discover Abisko with a bit of hiking and a single activity, as a stopover during your stay in Kiruna, 2 full days are sufficient. Or even just one day if you’re just here for a quick visit, which would be a shame.
You can then arrive on your own or by public transport, spend the day in Abisko and leave in the evening or early the next morning.
In any case, pay attention to the amount of sunshine if you’re going there in winter! This is a very important point, as it will condition your program.
In fact, December days in Abisko last just one or two hours. Or even none at all, as it’s far enough north to be affected by polar nights!
How do I get there?
Despite its remoteness, Abisko is generally well served. There are several ways to get there.
If you’re travelling by car, all you need to do is follow the E10 for around 100 km from Kiruna. The two-way road is clear and easy to get to Abisko.
But be careful! Don’t listen to Google Maps or any other online map, which sometimes indicates that the return journey takes 8 hours: this is a mistake. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll easily find a free parking space near your accommodation.
If you don ‘t have a car , however, you’ll need to use public transport.
There are two options:
- by bus, on the 91 Riksgränsen Vändplan line, to the Abisko Östra E10 stop. You can take it from Kiruna busstation. The journey takes around an hour and includes 9 stops. You’ll also arrive directly in the heart of the village.
- By train, Abisko is well served by a direct line to Kiruna. This solution is more popular than the bus: many tourists use it.
Where to stay in Abisko?
Due to its size and growing popularity, Abisko has very few places to stay. The options are guesthouses, youth hostels and a few small hotels.
In any case, they all fill up quickly, so book as early as possible if you plan to go there, even if you have to cancel later.
Here is some accommodation we recommend if you wish to stay in Abisko:
STF Abisko TuriststationLocated at the entrance to Abisko National Park, STF Abisko Turiststation offers a range of accommodation options. From youth hostels to hotel rooms and self-catering cottages, you're sure to find the right accommodation for you. You'll have access to a sauna, a restaurant and a range of activities.
Abisko Guesthouse & ActivitiesLocated in the heart of Abisko, facing Lake Torneträsk, these charming guest rooms offer quality common areas and a shared sauna. There are also self-contained apartments. The establishment offers a variety of activities.
Abisko Mountain LodgeJust 2 minutes from the train station, Abisko Mountain Lodge offers cosy rooms and cottages with sauna access. Here you'll find the Fjällköketbrasserie , a restaurant much appreciated for its intimate setting and seasonal menu. You can also take a stroll along the hiking trails around the Lodge.
Where to eat?
Abisko has no town center to speak of. Apart from one restaurant, the Fjällköket Brewery, located at Abisko Mountain Lodge, you won’t find any other place to eat outside.
So be sure to book in advance if you want to eat there, as the restaurant is very often fully booked.
What’s more, bear in mind that in the Nordic countries, it’s customary to dine quite early compared to France. So don’t be surprised if you’re offered a reservation as early as 5pm!
Alternatively, you can go to the Godisfabriken, located in the center of the village. Here you can buy the essentials you’ll need to cook for yourself in your accommodation.
The store is well-stocked and you’ll find everything you need.
As you can see, Abisko is a must for lovers of wide open spaces, where you’ll be able to recharge your batteries.
Activities, practical information, accommodation… You should now have all the information you need to visit Abisko!
