Things to see and do on a trip to Lulea

Wrapped in a halo of mystery, cold and snowy, northern Sweden is a remote region that welcomes visitors with spectacular natural scenery and extraordinary phenomena of the stunning northern lights. There are certainly many things to see in Lulea and its surroundings, as it is a place where the magic of nature reaches its maximum potential.

This very special city is located on the Gulf of Bothnia, standing as one of the most important ports in the country. Lulea is part of an extensive archipelago of more than 600 islands, making it a particularly unique place in Sweden. And if this is not enough, Lulea is home to an impressive monument belonging to the World Heritage of Humanity: the Gammelstad Church. Read on and we’ll tell you everything you can’t miss in Lulea.

What are the best places to visit in Lulea?

1. The Church of Gammelstad

One of the most emblematic sights in Lulea (considered a World Heritage Site) is the Gammelstad Church. This monumental Scandinavian-style religious building is located outside the main centre of Lulea.

About 10 km from the center of Lulea and marching upstream, we find the spectacular Gammelstad Church, a monument surrounded by a homonymous village, which came to life around the church long ago. People, during their spiritual journeys, had to travel long distances and the best way to withstand the cold and few hours of sunshine was to rest next to the church to leave the next day.

These church-cities came to life especially around weekends and holidays, because it was when these religious sessions took place. But also, these places served as a meeting point for people, to do business and all kinds of social events. Gammelstad was once the center of the city and therefore, it is one of the places that we recommend you to see in Lulea, not only for its history, but also for the beauty of the reddish facades of the houses.

2. Traveling the Lulea Archipelago

Vast islands, icy breezes and enchanting natural scenery are the archipelago’s winning formula. These are just some of the reasons to enjoy the enchantment of this land of Lulea and its many islands.

The Lulea archipelago has gained a great reputation over the decades. In addition to the commercial importance of the main port of Lulea, this area is perfect for all kinds of activities, both in summer and winter. In summer, the area is full of hikers and water sports enthusiasts, such as the popular kayaking.

During the winter (the favorite season in this area) you can even walk between islands, as the water freezes and leaves icy paths that serve as bridges. There are many islands that have spaces for visitors to stay, including Junkön, Småskär and Brändöskär, islands that you should visit in Lulea.

3. Lulea Cathedral and the historic center

Walking into the old town of charming Lulea, you can feel the passage of time and the various artistic influences that have taken over some of the city’s iconic buildings. As one of the most iconic monuments in Lulea: the Lulea Cathedral, a unique building of its kind.

This neo-Gothic church is the star of the historical heritage of downtown Lulea and its beautiful, solemn, reddish façade makes this clear. It was built in 1894 in honor of King Oscar II, although years later it was renamed for political reasons. It is one of the essential points to see in Lulea. After visiting it, we recommend that you continue strolling through the city center, where there are other points of interest such as the very important port of Lulea, a perfect place to rest after carrying out the daily route. Another point of interest is the Norrbottens Museum, a space with multiple exhibitions, perfect to spend a few hours and enjoy the artistic heritage.

4. The Balingeberget Route

A great part of the beauty of these lands resides, undoubtedly, in the dreamlike landscapes that the climate and the unique conditions of this region of Sweden offer us. That is why among the things to do in Lulea, you can not miss some of the most frequented nature trails, such as the Balingeberget route.

If you want to enjoy the surrounding nature reserves, we recommend that you start with the Balingebert route. This is a fantastic route where you can witness the remains of the ancient glaciers that were found throughout the Lulea area. It is an immense place, where the passage of time has been marked by the lines of the sea level, which once covered everything in sight.

This is a route suitable for lower levels of hiking, so don’t be afraid to go there even if you’re not very fit. In fact, the entire trail is very adapted, with picnic areas and restrooms. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis, a light phenomenon that attracts people from all over the world for its captivating beauty.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see in Lulea and its surroundings

1. Abisko, the amazing natural space in Sweden

If you have enjoyed the natural spectacle that Lulea offers, we are sure that you will be even more eager to continue traveling through the breathtaking wilderness of Swedish Lapland. One of the most special areas in this region is undoubtedly the Abisko National Park.

Scapes of glacial origin, nature trails through the park and northern lights are the absolute stars of Abisko National Park. Mount Nuolja is another most impressive points that offers the panoramic view of the entire natural landscape. And if you’re lucky, you may even see the elusive moose, a group of animals that reside in these lands.

2. Kiruna, the iron city in Sweden

Kiruna is one of the most important mining centers in the world, with an impressive mine known as Kiirunavaara, the deepest iron ore mine in the world. This city is home to the breathtaking mountains that adorn the skyline of the remote and icy Kiruna. It is so stunning and vitally important that it is affecting the structure of the town of Kiruna, and a relocation of the entire town is underway.

There is a lot to see in Kiruna, a city that once served as home to the Sami and that today still reside in these lands through their descendants. We recommend to walk around the center and discover the Sami Museum, as well as the church that you will find in the old town. They are the two points that perfectly capture the essence of what you can see in Kiruna.

What to see in Lulea in 1 day

Lulea is home to many charming spots, making it a place many travelers want to experience for days at a time. But if you only have 1 day to visit this area and don’t know what to do, we have prepared a series of tips to help you decide.

We recommend that if you have little time, you should dedicate it to visit the entire center of Lulea, the Lulea Cathedral and the vicinity of the port. Or spend the day hiking along the Balingebert route, which will allow you to grasp the essence of the glacial landscapes that you can witness in the region. And, if you’re lucky, you may even see some of the wonderful aurora borealis.

Where to stay in Lulea

Sometimes planning everything on a trip is a bit tiring, so to make your stay that much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a list of some accommodation options for your days in Lulea:

• Elite Stadshotellet Lulea: A fantastic hotel, with all kinds of luxuries and comforts, located right in the center of the village of Lulea. The price for a weekend is about €216.
• Park Hotell: A rustic hotel, with minimalist decor and perfect location in the center of Lulea. Its price for a weekend is 168€.
• Clarion Hotel Sense: Intimate decor and spacious rooms take center stage at this four-star hotel, ideal for couples travelers. The price for the weekend is €168.

Where and what to eat in Lulea?

The gastronomy of Sweden is, without a doubt, one of the main attractions of traveling to the country. For this reason, we have prepared a recommendation of some places where you can enjoy it on your visit to Lulea:

• Restaurang CG: Scandinavian and Swedish haute cuisine meet at CG, an upscale restaurant that leaves no one indifferent. The prices are not for everyone, but it is a unique gastronomic experience that you have to live.
• Bistron: Another excellent option to enjoy the refined gastronomy of Sweden, in a minimalist space that combines colors to perfection with its excellent menu. Prices are around €30 per person.
• Bastard burgers: If you want a more mundane option, with hearty American-style food, we recommend the Bastard Burgers where you’ll find some of the best burgers in the region. Prices range from €16 per person.

What should I keep in mind before traveling to Lulea

• The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish krona (SEK)
• The best time to travel to Lulea is from May to September, although it will depend on the type of activities you want to do.
• There are many establishments where cash is not accepted.
• The tap water is safe to drink.
• It is not necessary to have a visa if you travel from Spain. Your ID card is enough.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings.
• To take public transportation, it is best to download the Skånetrafiken app.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Lulea

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• There are restaurants that only accept credit cards.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Lulea.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Lulea