The ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi is one of the most unique places to sleep if you’re visiting Sweden in the winter. In the summer, rent a cottage by a lake for a very Swedish holiday experience, or book a luxurious weekend break in one of Sweden’s historical castles.
The Swedish Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi
The Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Kiruna, is entirely made of ice. The lobby, the rooms and the ice bar are all built with blocks of ice –but sleeping in the ice hotel can be a surprisingly comfortable experience. The temperature outside may drop to -20 degrees Celsius or below, and the beds are made of ice, but you’ll be sleeping on a thick mattress, wrapped in reindeer skins and safely inside a warm sleeping bag. In the morning guests can warm up with a hot drink before heading out for a dogsled ride or a snowmobile safari through the winter landscapes in the Swedish Lapland. If you’re lucky, you might see the Northern Lights at night.
Stay in a Swedish Castle
Dotted around the Swedish countryside are several stately homes and old castles that now also function as hotels. Many historic castles have been converted into luxury hotels and come with all modern comforts, and most are located in picturesque places by a lake or a river, surrounded by forests or countryside.
Grytthyttan's Gästgivaregård in Västmanland is a beautiful country house in the middle of well-kept gardens and courtyards. One of the most famous country houses in Sweden, it now operates as a popular hotel. Activities here include golf, tennis, fishing and countryside walks.
The Häckeberga Castle dates back to the 14th century, although the present castle building was constructed between 1872 and 1875. This castle stands on a small island in Häckeberga Lake in Skåne, just a 30 km ride east from the Southern Swedish city of Malmö. The castle has been converted into a luxurious yet comfortable hotel and the surrounding countryside is perfect for relaxing walks and daytrips.
Holiday Cottages in Sweden
The summer cottage is an essential part of Swedish life and most city dwellers escape to their cabins and cottages several times every year. By renting a log cabin in the Swedish Lapland, a pretty cottage by a lake or a summer cabin in one of the Swedish archipelagos, you can enjoy a truly Swedish summer holiday. Cabins are available to rent in the West Coast archipelago around Gothenburg, around the Skåne countryside or in Gotland, one of Sweden’s most popular holiday islands. Or try the Stockholm archipelago for a summer cottage just an easy ferry trip away from the capital city.
Visit Stockholm has details of cottage rental companies with rental properties in the Stockholm archipelago. Visit Sweden has details for more cottage rentals around Sweden.
