We recently returned from a private Sweden tour that featured the highlights of Swedish Lapland, including pristine landscapes, upscale lodges in the Arctic Circle, unique cultural experiences, spotting the Northern Lights and outdoor activities.  

A highlight was staying at Arctic Bath, one of our favorite hotels in Swedish Lapland. Open year-round, the riverfront spa hotel has a striking modern design that facilitates immersion in the beautiful natural surroundings.

Guest rooms with panoramic views are set on land or float on the water, offering travelers a unique experience of the Arctic wilderness.

The floating, nest-like wellness center has saunas, hot tubs, a cold plunge pool and spa treatment rooms.

Our outstanding 10-course meal at Arctic Bath featured local ingredients and homemade bread.

Arctic Bath is incredibly atmospheric at night and offers travelers a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights at certain times of the year.

We also spent time at the nearby Treehotel in Harads, a unique forest hotel that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and design lovers. Rooms are suspended from trees and have unusual designs, including a room that looks like a bird’s nest, one clad in mirrors and one that resembles a UFO.

Each room has views of the forest and the river valley below.

We continued to the village of Jukkasjarvi and the renowned Icehotel, an otherworldly Arctic landmark carved out of snow and ice every year. Open between December and April, Icehotel offers accommodations in rooms and suites with ice beds and decorated with beautifully sculpted ice art.

We stayed in Icehotel 365, a part of Icehotel that is open year-round and comprised of 18 ice rooms and suites. Each room has a unique design carved from ice.

Sleeping in a room made of ice is an experience like none other. The crisp air and the silence in the room make it incredibly peaceful. The room temperature stays at a brisk 20–30 degrees Fahrenheit, but the sleeping bags are warm and cozy.

A short walk from the ice rooms, the Icehotel also has traditional (heated) hotel rooms with minimalist Scandinavian decor.

The Northern Lights were visible during our stay, which was incredible.

The Icehotel’s restaurant serves a three-course menu based on local ingredients such as reindeer, moose, cloudberries and bramble berries.

Guests can also enjoy an ice bar that serves drinks in glasses made of ice, an ice movie theater, an exhibition of ice sculptures and an ice carving demonstration.

Next, we traveled to the Lule River Valley, where we met members of the Sami, the indigenous people of the region, who have a rich cultural heritage.

The Sami are known for reindeer herding, which has been passed down for generations and is a significant component of Sami cultural identity. They depend on reindeer for warmth, food and their livelihoods.

We cooked reindeer and halloumi on a hot stone for lunch while we learned about Sami culture and cuisine.

One afternoon, we went canoeing to a floating camp for activities like stand up paddleboarding and warming up with a sauna and a hot tub.

We also enjoyed delicious pasta cooked outdoors by a lake fringed with fall foliage.

For travelers on our private Swedish Lapland tours, we arrange activities year-round, according to the season, such as scenic excursions, moose safaris, hiking, forest meditation, dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, foraging, horseback riding, ice fishing, Northern Lights hunting and other unique experiences in the beautiful landscapes.

We love combining time in the beautiful wilderness of Swedish Lapland with cultural touring in sophisticated Stockholm.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private Sweden tour that features the scenic and cultural highlights of Swedish Lapland.