Kiruna Sweden magic lays in the beauty of snow. Kiruna is a famous part of Lapland, where the average number of days with snow cover is around 195 days per year. That creates the ideal conditions for outdoor Arctic activities like snowmobile, reindeer sleigh rides, snowshoeing and many others.

We are grateful to our dear friend and photographer Monika Kritikou for sharing with us her Travel Photography Adventure in Kiruna. This magical town in the far north of Swedish Lapland looks like it popped out of a fairytale book. It’s the perfect getaway location!

You see everyday life there has a different pace. People are following nature’s pace. And they are enjoying homemade meals with their friends and family. It is true that winter warms people’s hearts and makes kindness and art blossom.

All photography credits for this post: Monika Kritikou www.fiorellophotography.com

Kiruna Sweden

Areti: Tell us, Monika, how was this trip to Sweden? How was this unique travel experience?

Monika: “Kiruna is popular for its winter tourism as the main hotel there is famous all over the world. ICEHOTEL in Sweden is the original ice hotel made entirely out of ice and snow. Built from clear ice cut out from Torne River. Ice so pristine that looks like a pure diamond.

Every November and December for the last 30 years, the hotel’s cold parts are rebuilt at the empty riverbanks of Torne and filled with art made by ice and snow. If you think you are brave enough, you are welcome to spend the night in one of its art suits in temperatures that reach -8 degrees Celsius. All art suites have unique sculptures made of ice and snow that are destined to melt in spring, like the rest of ICEHOTEL’s cold parts.“

Egg Sauna at ICEHOTEL

Monika: “I was really excited to learn that the world-famous, mobile sauna Solar Egg created by Bigert & Bergström for Riksbyggen is currently visiting Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi! The first thing to do was book a slot. The Solar Egg is made from gold plated stainless steel plate, powered by solar panels.

The artists created it to bring thoughts of rebirth, as Kiruna will soon go through an extreme change as the entire city will be relocated due to the iron mine that exists exactly below the center of the existing city.

It was an amazing experience being able to see and touch such a work of art that only 5000 people have enjoyed it in the whole world. It has traveled to Paris, Copenhagen, and Minnesota and currently was in Kiruna and waited to welcome us at the temperature of 85 degrees Celsius! What a treat!“

Areti: Would you consider visiting again Kiruna?

Monika: Definitely yes! I would love to live more under the Arctic Stars. You can see more photos from this trip here and you will agree with me… there is nothing like winter traveling!

Dare to travel. Even now, under the current difficult conditions, dare to dream and plan your next travels. But until then, stay healthy and safe!