If it's your first time visiting Swedish Lapland during the summer, you'll notice that it never gets dark. You have entered the world of the midnight sun, and if you're not used to it, it's an extraordinary experience. But beware, it might affect your sleep quality.
David Björkén
The midnight sun. The feeling of never having to face tomorrow, just keep having fun and enjoy the never-ending day, is absolutely wonderful. But. Those who depend on their beauty sleep will face certain challenges.
Imagine what it would be like for a few days to leave all the stress and all the noise behind you, breathing in the forest scent and meeting its four-legged or winged residents face to face and assuming the role of a real nature photographer.
Ted Logart
The season with midnight light in Swedish Lapland is around 100 days long. You play golf in the middle of the night, you take a swim when you feel like it and those who have never experienced the midnight light before wonder how they’ll ever manage to sleep. But then you make your mind up not to worry about sleep and decide it’s time for further adventures — even more summer. Read more.
Perhaps summer and swimming aren't what first springs to mind when you think of Swedish Lapland. But, in fact, there are plenty of cool beaches and places to go for a swim – thanks to the inland ice.
Håkan Stenlund
As the renowned crew of fly-fishing filmmakers Hooké from Canada touched down at Luleå Airport, they didn’t really know what to expect of Swedish Lapland – but soon they got overwhelmed by the warm welcome of big Baltic salmons.
Stuart Davies
Competitors from all around the world gather under the midnight sun to participate in the world's most northernmost triathlon with ironman distances; Laponia Triathlon 67N°.
Emma Forsberg
Konsta Punkka, Tobias Hägg and Magnus Winbjörk all holds the creative ability to put the northern landscapes and wild encounters into pure art and while spending time together they get inspiration from each other’s work. Above the polar circle, on their travels in Swedish Lapland, it always looks like the scenarios and time is endless for these photographers.
Jess McGlothlin is a writer and an outdoor photographer from Montana, USA. With clients such as Patagonia, Orvis, and The Flyfish Journal, her work has taken her to several remote destinations in the world. Swedish Lapland and the secluded eco-camps Geunja and Tjuonajokk, being some of them. This is her take on the stunning Arctic light as a photographer.
If biking in Swedish Lapland were a song, which song would it be? "Take Me Home, Country Roads", John Denver's 1971 hit, would definitely be in the running. Dusty gravel roads, blue mountains and that constant feeling of being right at home.
Håkan Stenlund
From the four national rivers to tiny water mirrors in the forest. From rafting boats to kayaks and canoes. It is impossible to miss all the water in Swedish Lapland. Big and small, flowing or still. Perfect for paddlers and the curious.
Håkan Stenlund
The mountain bike is said to have been invented in California in the 1970s. But the truth is that as long as there have been bikes, we have biked the paths, even in the mountains. But with today's modern mountain bikes, mountain biking has become a bit easier.
Håkan Stenlund
For the locals, it’s the most natural thing in the world — those bright summer nights when the sun barely sets, keeping the Arctic illuminated 24/7. And in the same way, that same light is what makes life so close to the Arctic Circle quite extraordinary.
Imagine how much you’d be able to experience each day when night never falls. Because why do things during the day when you might as well do them at night? There aren’t many places in the world when such a question is legit. But in the Arctic, it is. You play golf in the middle of the night. You take a swim whenever you feel like it, and those who have never experienced the midnight light before wonder how they’ll ever manage to sleep. But then you make your mind up not to worry about sleep and decide it’s time for further adventures — even more summer.
To say that the Arctic nights are magical is, of course, nothing less than stating the obvious. Nevertheless, it sure brings something extra to the table. Ask any local fisherman, musician or mountain biker. Cheesemaker, golfer or night swimmer. Hiker, trail runner or sauna fanatic. Or a writer, for that matter.
Some say we don’t need as much sleep in the summer. Some say that the never-ending ray of lights transforms our berries, our fruit, and vegetables into superfood due to the constant daylight. Like they force nature to blossom while it can. And some say, in the same sentence, it’s because of our long, dark winter nights that we, like nature, live summer life to the fullest. While we can. We don’t know if it’s true. But you know, nature has a funny way of creating balance.
Arctic summers are short and intense, lasting approximately 90 days. The midnight sun is a phenomenon that can only be experienced above the Arctic Circle, but does that mean that the nights in the rest of Swedish Lapland are dark? Not at all. Below the Arctic Circle, we call it the midnight light.
So, what does the midnight sun mean, what can you do with it? People living in the north sometimes get that question. The answer? It’s a simple one. You can do everything – whenever you feel like it.
Abisko National Park, in Swedish Lapland, offers some of the best conditions in the world for northern lights watching. The unique climate of the area keep the skies almost clear, and the light pollution is next to nothing. And here, you also find the Aurora Sky Station.
Håkan Stenlund
If it’s the first time, you have ever met a pack of enthusiastic huskies, no wonder you would be a bit reserved. However, there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Join the British couple, Sabina and Pete, for their first encounter with some of Skellefteå’s furry residents.
Ted Logart
Eating well is part of every journey. Well, it could be the whole reason for the trip. This is the food story.
Håkan Stenlund
