Winter activities in Luleå

Just outside central Luleå lies the UNESCO-listed Gammelstad Church Town (Gammelstads kyrkstad), one of Norrbotten’s most well-known attractions and well worth a visit during the winter months. The site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of more than 400 church cottages, kyrkstugor, surrounding a medieval stone church dating back to the 15th century.
Here, you can walk among the historic buildings, visit the open-air museum Hägnan or join a guided tour to learn more about the area’s history. Gammelstad is just a short drive from central Luleå and makes an easy excursion during your stay.

Each winter, the municipality of Luleå prepares the popular ice track around the city centre, one of the city’s most popular winter activities. The route is around 10 kilometres long and follows the shoreline around the city, attracting both locals and visitors.
Along the track, there are several barbecue spots as well as the small island of Gråsjälören, just a short distance from Södra hamn. When the flag is raised, the café on the island is open, serving coffee, waffles and light bites.

Photo: Jacob Nilsson

Luleå offers a varied selection of ski trails and slopes to suit different levels. One option is Ormberget, a smaller downhill slope if you are looking for a manageable challenge, and a popular choice for families and beginners. There are also cross-country trails here, including both competition-standard tracks and routes for recreational skiing.
If you are after more speed and a greater challenge, Måttsundsbacken just outside Luleå is another option. Here, you will find gentler runs for beginners as well as steeper slopes for more experienced skiers.

If you like speed, adrenaline and getting closer to nature, a guided tour on a snowmobile or by dog sled is not a bad start! Norrbotten is full of beautiful snowmobile trails that lead you into the forest or across the archipelago’s islands. Whether you want to feel the scooter’s powerful engine vibrate beneath you or watch happy huskies’ frenetic running and play in front of the sled, you’ll be guaranteed a fantastic nature-experience! Luleå Adventure offers different types of dog sledding tours, both during the day and in the evening.

Sauna is part of winter, and in Luleå there are plenty of ways to combine the heat with the crisp Arctic air. For those willing to take it a step further, the experience continues with a dip in the icy sea.
Across Luleå, you will find saunas close to the archipelago, and for something more, you can book a floating sauna and take in views of the frozen horizon. Here, you can explore places that offer both sauna and access to the water.

In winter, you may have the chance to see one of nature’s most remarkable phenomena: the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. On clear, cold evenings, the sky can suddenly come alive with ribbons of green, purple and blue moving across the sky.
Thanks to its northern location, Luleå is an excellent place to see the Northern Lights. They can sometimes be visible even from the city centre, but for the best chance, it is worth getting away from the city lights. If conditions are right, a winter evening in Luleå can become an experience you will remember for a long time.