Icehotel Jukkasjärvi Visit: Practical Guide for Your Lapland Trip
- Jan Noordermeer
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Wow! The time is almost here: your adventure in beautiful Lapland is about to begin. And as the highlight of the five-day Pippin Lapland trip, a visit to the world-famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is on the itinerary!
Can you picture it? A complete hotel, rebuilt every year from crystal-clear ice and snow, filled with incredible works of art. It truly is one of the most magical places in the world.
We know you want to see everything, but after such an exciting morning, you naturally need to eat. That is why we have arranged a delicious lunch for you!
This practical guide is your personal guide to the Icehotel. Read on quickly, because here we tell you exactly what to expect, what you absolutely must check, and how best to prepare for this cool (literally!) part of your Pippin trip. Let's go!
The Cold Side
This is the moment it’s all about: entering the world of ice. Keep your hat on and enjoy, because this is truly unique!
The Icehotel has been a Swedish landmark since 1989, born from the pristine waters of the Torne River that flows past Jukkasjärvi here. Every year, around February, huge blocks of ice are harvested from this river and stored so that the new Icehotel can be built next year.
What you might not have known: the Icehotel is now open 365 days a year!
One section, including the Icebar and a number of stunning rooms, remains standing all year round (thanks to solar energy in the summer!).
The other section is redesigned and rebuilt every year and opens around mid-December.
This means you can always admire a brand-new section as well as a classic one. And the temperature? In the permanent section, it is always a constant around -5°C. Start warming up in your mind!
The Art Suites: Walking Through a Dream
When you walk through the corridors, you are literally walking through a gallery. Every year, around 40 artists from all over the world gather here to turn their sketches into reality. Each room is a self-contained work of art featuring unique ice sculptures and a beautiful lighting design that perfectly highlights the transparency of the ice. The corridors and ceilings are constructed in a clever, self-supporting arch shape, making them incredibly strong.
The Icehotel Museum
The small museum about the Icehotel is a great place to visit. If you enter the 365 section and turn left down the corridor, the first room on the left is the small museum, which displays old art and allows you to read about the Icehotel. There is also a film playing about the origins of the Icehotel that you can watch.
The World-Famous Icebar
The Icebar is an absolute must-see. The Icebar is not just any bar; it is a concept that is taking the world by storm. You can find ice bars, built with ice from the Torne River, in cities like Tokyo and Istanbul! Here in Jukkasjärvi, you can see the source of it all. There is also an ice slide at the bar, and it is highly recommended to try it out. Age really doesn't matter.
Photo tip: Order a drink at the Icebar (at your own expense). That drink is served in a glass of ice! You won't get a better Lapland memory!
The Warm Side: Lunch in the Heart of Lapland
Although the Icehotel is built of ice, lunch is served in a wonderfully warm room. This is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the local atmosphere.
You can sit down for a delicious buffet and warm up with a cup of hot coffee or tea. There is plenty of tasty food (including vegetarian options), and you can help yourself as often as you like. Don't forget your dessert at the end.
Jukkasjärvi and the river: More than just ice
While you enjoy your lunch, realize where you are: Jukkasjärvi. This place, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, is just as exotic as the name sounds. The name Jukkasjärvi literally means 'meeting place by the water' – and that is exactly what the Icehotel aims to be. The village has a rich history as a marketplace and is embraced by the majestic Torne River.
Did you know?
The Thorne River is one of the last pristine rivers in Europe – it is therefore a great honor to be allowed to use the ice for this annual work of art.
The water of the Thorne River is so clear that it is perfect for creating ice cultures, and the blocks are therefore shipped all over the world.
In the summer, the Midnight Sun shines here and the sun does not set. With solar panels, the area is kept below zero 365 days a year.
You share the village with approximately 900 residents and no fewer than 1,100 dogs! The latter bodes well for the husky safaris... 😉
Enjoy this lunch, because you are truly in the heart of Sami culture and Lappish nature.
Ready for Your Own Lapland Adventure?
The Icehotel is a dream come true, and it is just a taste of what Lapland has to offer: from Northern Lights hunts to dog sledding adventures!
Are you inspired by the magic of the ice and do you want to experience it yourself?
Then book your spot on the next Pippin Lapland Trip now! View the complete five-day trip and book Pippin in Lapland directly.
We can't wait to welcome you to Lapland!
Greetings, Kim & Jan
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