Photo: Ted LogartSummer is festival season, and festival season is summer. They go hand in hand. Within the destination Swedish Lapland, festivals are organised everywhere throughout summer. Classics such as the Kiruna Festival and PDOL (Piteå Dansar och Ler) are combined with events like the Saltofolk, a folk music festival with a magical backdrop in roadless land in Saltoluokta. Have a chat with the local tourist office to get an update about events at the destination you’re at.
Photo: Ted LogartThere is something else to play golf in the middle of the night. In Haparanda, you can play in two countries at once since 11 of the course 18 holes are in Sweden and the remaining 7 in Finland. Thanks to the time difference of one hour between Sweden and Finland, you have the chance to hit the world’s longest hole-in-one. You can also play golf in Skellefteå, Piteå, Luleå, Boden/Sävast, Kalix, Övertorneå, Arvidsjaur, Porjus, Gällivare/Malmberget, Kiruna and Björkliden.
Photo: Ted LogartM/S Laponia och M/S Symfoni will take you out to the islands of the Bothnian Bay, from Skellefteå in the south to Haparanda in the north. Day cruises, evening cruises – with a shrimp buffet or without, lunch cruises, music cruises, midnight cruises or just a regular cruise on a beautiful summer day in the archipelago.
Photo: Maria ÅsenFrom the safety of a log-cabin hide, you nestle in as the night approaches. In the golden light of the midnight sun, the forest comes to life before your eyes. Foxes, golden eagles, racoon dogs, badgers and marten are regular visitors outside the hide. And this particular spot is also ideal for encounters with the majestic brown bear. To meet this giant in its natural habitat is truly a memory for life.
Photo: Lucas NilssonThe beach Skvalpen in the Luleå archipelago is a wonderful place to go for a swim, and if you bring your fat bike, that’s another adventure waiting for you. condorshipping.se and guide-natura.com provide boat taxis. Get in touch with the local tourist centre for information on where to rent a bike if you haven’t got your own. Check out 10 islands to visit!
Photo: Andy AndersonLive like a bird among the treetops at Treehotel in Harads. There’s even a room called the Bird’s Nest. And the Mirror Cube nearly makes you invisible as the cube reflects its surroundings. If you prefer to get even closer to the midnight sun, stay in the 7th Room – 10 meters from the ground. Treehotel in Harads is the perfect retreat for a couple of days in the warmth of the midnight sun.
Photo: Pär JohanssonAt Aurora Sky Station, you can enjoy a culinary experience out of the ordinary. After ascending Mount Noulja by chair lift, you’ll sit down and enjoy an excellent three-course dinner inspired by Nordic cuisine. After that, it’s time for a short guided walk up to the summit. The guide will tell you all about Abisko and the midnight sun. From the summit, you’ll have a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
Photo: Ted LogartThe Bothnian Bay, with its around 4000 islands, is every paddler’s dream. And thanks to the midnight light, you can paddle 24/7 for about 100 days during summer. If you want to get close to the wildlife, particularly birds, we can recommend the so-called “Småaälvarna”, part of the Skellefte River, where about 180 species have been seen. visitskelleftea.se
Photo: Carl-Johan UtsiIf you are looking for a hidden gem, Ofelas in the Kiruna area might just be what you are looking for. Soak in the golden light of the midnight sun from horseback as the majestic creatures safely take you through the wild. Sometime during the 3,5-hour tour, your guide will make a stop to serve you Swedish coffee under the sky.
Photo: Carl-Johan UtsiIn roadless land, where the water meets the mountain, lies Geunja the Sámi Eco Lodge aiming to share the indigenous lifestyle and intimate connection with nature. Owner Mikael Vinka will personally take you on a boat trip into the scenic Delta, guided by the glimmering light of the midnight sun. This is a great place to see beavers, otters, reindeer and moose. If you are lucky, the Golden Eagle might also make an appearance.
Photo: Conny Lundström1999 Conny Lundström was awarded first prize in Wildlife Photographer of the Year with a close-up shot of a golden eagle. Since then, he’s won a lot more prizes. But more importantly, he’s taken photo enthusiasts out in the forest or out on one of his floating hide-outs. To come across an eagle is a bonus in summer, but ospreys are common. The osprey hasn’t changed in 56 million years, according to studies at Yale University. It means it hasn’t shared its genetic tree with anyone for a long time. The oldest bird in that sense is the South American oilbird. It hasn’t shared genes with other birds since dinosaurs walked the earth 73 million years ago.
Photo: Nadja OdenhageLaponia Triathlon 67°N is a full-distance triathlon above the Arctic Circle. It takes place in Gällivare at the beginning of July. Participants from around the world gather in Gällivare to swim, bike and run under the midnight sun. In contrast to many other races of this kind, the participants in Laponia Triathlon take on the challenge in the middle of the night.
Photo: Ted LogartIn Swedish Lapland, we have four national rivers and countless tributaries and thousands of streams from mountains to coast, more than 30,000 lakes and a coastline of over 1,500 kilometres – Swedish Lapland has room for a few more anglers. And there’s no way around it – fly fishing is best at night.
