Gällivare Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Gällivare, Sweden with our comprehensive travel guide. Discover cultural attractions, natural wonders, hiking and biking routes, local food and drink, accommodations, and more.


Introduction to Gällivare

Gällivare is a town in Norrbotten County, located in the northern part of Sweden’s Lapland region. The town is surrounded by peaceful forests, stunningly beautiful mountains, and crystal-clear lakes. With its unique blend of modernity and history, Gällivare has something to offer every traveler.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the top attractions, the best hiking/biking routes, the food and drink scene, and other essential information that will help you make the most of your trip to Gällivare.

List of Places to Visit in Gällivare

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

If you’re interested in history, culture, and art, Gällivare has several attractions to captivate you:

  • Lappstaden Open-Air Museum showcases the traditional lifestyle of the indigenous Sami people and their history in the Lapland region.

  • Gällivare museum holds a collection of artifacts and exhibits focused mainly on the town’s past mining operations and the Sami culture.

  • Church of St. Mikael is a beautiful wooden structure from the 17th century and is an example of the typical church architecture of the northern parts of Sweden.

Natural Attractions of Gällivare: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Gällivare is surrounded by natural beauty and breathtaking views, and there are several outdoor activities to experience:

  • Muddus National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located east of Gällivare. It’s a magnificent nature reserve with untouched forests, meadows, and flowing rivers known for its stunning landscapes and unique flora and fauna.

  • Stora Sjöfallet National Park is another magnificent reserve located west of the town with towering mountain peaks, tranquil lakes, and thundering waterfalls.

  • Kvikkjokk is a small village located south of Gällivare that offers an excellent starting point for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor adventures.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Gällivare

Gällivare offers an abundance of outdoor opportunities for hikers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the best hiking/biking routes in the area:

  • Kungsleden Trail is one of the most famous hiking trails in Sweden that winds through northern Lapland and passes by Gällivare. It’s a 440 km long-distance trail that offers a spectacular experience for seasoned hikers.

  • The lake Tjautjasjärvi Trail is a popular hiking trail that features a 6.5 km walk around a picturesque lake that’s great for bird watching and fishing.

  • The Moor of Svarttjärn Trail is a moderate hiking route that leads to a scenic wetland area with plenty of bird-watching opportunities and a quaint shelter.

Best Things to Do in Gällivare: Activities and Tours

Gällivare offers several exciting activities and tours for visitors of all ages:

  • Sami cultural experiences offer insight into the indigenous Sami culture through traditional food and music, lasso throwing, and visiting a reindeer farm to learn about the Sami’s traditional nomadic way of life.

  • Snowmobiling and dog sledding tours are available in the winter, featuring stunning snowscapes and thrilling speeds.

  • Gällivare Alpine skiing center is a paradise for skiing enthusiasts, featuring ten ski slopes with different levels of difficulty and a lift capacity of up to 9,000 skiers per hour.

Week-Long Itinerary for Gällivare

To help you make the most of your week in Gällivare, here’s a suggested itinerary:

Day Activity
1 Explore the Gällivare Museum and the Church of St. Mikael.
2 Visit the Lappstaden Open-Air Museum, then go hiking in Muddus National Park.
3 Experience Sami culture with a guided tour or a meal.
4 Kayak or canoe around Tjautjasjärvi Lake.
5 Take a snowmobiling or dog sledding tour through the snow-covered terrain.
6 Ski at Gällivare Alpine skiing center.
7 Visit Stora Sjöfallet National Park for a day trip.

Food and Drink Scene of Gällivare

Must-Try Dishes

Gällivare boasts an excellent local cuisine, featuring traditional Sami staples like:

  • Reindeer meat: This traditional dish is usually served with a side of lingonberry jam.

  • Rotmos: A mashed turnip dish served alongside cured meat.

  • Cloudberry jam: Made from a unique and locally sourced berry, this jam is served with a range of desserts.

Local Beverages

In Gällivare, you can also find local microbreweries and specialty distilleries that offer unique flavors. Some of the must-try drinks include:

  • Jokkmokk’s whiskey: A high-quality whiskey made locally and aged in oak barrels.

  • Herrhagen’s Cider: Made from locally sourced apples and pears with a unique Swedish twist.

Where to Stay in Gällivare: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Gällivare has accommodation options to suit all budgets and styles. Here are some of the best places to stay:

  • Gällivare Bed & Breakfast offers simple but comfortable rooms with a homely feel and excellent breakfast menus.

  • Lapland Lodge Gällivare is a cozy and modern hotel located in the heart of Gällivare with comfortable rooms and friendly staff.

  • Scandic Gällivare is a luxury hotel located in the town center with stylish rooms, an excellent restaurant, and breath-taking scenery.

What to Buy in Gällivare: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

When in Gällivare, here are the top souvenirs and products that you can take home:

  • Sami crafts include traditional costumes, jewelry, and artifacts that showcase the Sami’s unique culture and history.

  • Reindeer meat and lingonberry preserves are also great gift options to bring home.

Local Culture and Customs of Gällivare

Gällivare is a mining town, with a rich history of reindeer herding and Sami culture. Visitors are encouraged to embrace local cultural practices, which include respecting the land and its people, dressing warmly in the winter, and trying the local cuisine.

Best Time to Visit Gällivare

The best time to visit Gällivare is from June to September when the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy longer days, hiking, and biking. However, if you’re a fan of winter sports or the northern lights, consider visiting between December to March.

Do’s and Don’ts of Gällivare

Do:

  • Respect the locals and their cultural practices.

  • Dress warmly in the winter and pack essentials like wooly hats, gloves, and thermals.

  • Take part in the various outdoor activities and experiences available.

Don’t:

  • Litter or leave a mess behind while exploring the natural surroundings.

  • Enter any private property without permission.

  • Insist on taking photos with the reindeers or forcefully petting them.

Safety and Health

Safety in Gällivare

Some of the essential safety tips to keep in mind when exploring Gällivare are:

  • Stick to the designated pedestrian paths and crosswalks when walking in town.

  • Follow hiking and biking routes and stay on maintained tracks as much as possible.

  • Avoid walking alone in unlit areas or poorly-lit roads when traveling at night.

Health in Gällivare

Regarding health, Gällivare has excellent healthcare facilities and services. Ensure you bring adequate health insurance, carry any necessary prescriptions, and consult your doctor before visiting if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Getting to Gällivare: Transportation Options and Logistics

Gällivare is a remote town; however, it’s accessible by several transportation options:

Airports Near Gällivare

Gällivare Airport is around 5 km outside of the town center, which offers flights by airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines and Lufthansa.

Bus Stations Near Gällivare

Gällivare Bus Station is situated in the town center and is easily accessible via buses from other cities in Sweden.

Other Options

There’s also an option of using trains, which connect Gällivare to other major cities in Sweden.

How to Get Around in Gällivare

The primary means of transportation in Gällivare are buses and taxis. Ensure to check bus schedules and rates before traveling, especially if you’re visiting remote areas outside the town center.

Where to Go Next from Gällivare: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

If you’re planning to explore nearby destinations after Gällivare, here are some suggestions:

  • Abisko National Park is an essential destination to experience northern lights and many other outdoor activities located 125 km northwest of Gällivare.

  • Kiruna, a town located south of Gällivare and is home to the IceHotel, which is a glass igloo hotel made of ice and snow.

  • Riksgränsen is Sweden’s northernmost ski resort and is located about 130 km northwest of Gällivare.

Conclusion

Gällivare, with its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and diverse culture, is a destination that deserves a place on your bucket list. Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors, immersing yourself in local culture, or indulging in traditional cuisine, you’ll undoubtedly have an unforgettable experience in this charming Lapland town. Plan your trip today and discover why Gällivare is one of Sweden’s hidden gems.