Destination: Sweden

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Reindeer Games

FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS / START AND END IN LULEÅ

Dodge herds of reindeer on this journey, where the domesticated critters outnumber cars on the highway.



From Luleå, cruise up to the historic military outpost of Boden. Continue heading north to cross the Arctic Circle around Jokkmokk, which is a Sami cultural centre and home to the excellent Ájtte museum. If the weather’s in your favour, branch off to Kvikkjokk, next-door neighbour to the rugged Sarek National Park.

Then push on towards Gällivare and up to Kiruna. Sweden’s northernmost city is worth some exploring on its own, but it also has a charming neighbour in Jukkasjärvi, home to the famous Ice Hotel. From here, you could dash over to Abisko for some hiking, or go straight north to the remote village of Karesuando on the Finnish border.

Creep along the Sweden–Finland border toward Pajala, keeping an eye out for stray Rudolphs – for entertainment, keep a log of the number of reindeer you have to follow at casual trotting speed along major highways. Stop in Haparanda for a picnic or drink with a view over the Gulf of Bothnia, then follow the curve of the coastline back to Luleå.

Travelling to Sweden?
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