Abisko is a village in Norrbotten County and the Lappland province in northern Sweden.

Abisko nationalpark is a national park around Abisko, 77 km² (30 sq mi).

Björkliden is a resort village 7 km north-west of Abisko.

Understand

View from Björkliden over the national park until Lapporten (the Gate to Lappland)

Abisko is a popular outdoor destination due to its proximity to nature and relatively easy accessibility. Abisko is near many great national parks and hosts a trailhead on the spectacular Kungsleden hiking trail; at the same time, it is on the Malmbanan railway between Narvik in Norway and Luleå, which means it can be reached by an overnight train from Stockholm quite easily. Abisko village is around the train station Abisko Östra. The large and well equipped hostel/hotel Abisko turiststation lies at the train station of the same name, 2 km further west.

Torneträsk, on the shore of which Abisko is located, is the sixth largest and second deepest lake of Sweden, and the largest fell lake in Scandinavia.

Get in

MTAB IORE with an empty ore train near Torneträsk (the lake in the background)

By car

Abisko is 80 km east of Narvik and 100 km north-west of Kiruna. It is easily accessible by car by the European route E10 between the two. Cars can be rented at the Tourist Office in Kiruna (closed from Friday 18:00 to Monday morning).

By plane

There are two main airports serving Abisko:

1. Narvik/Harstad Airport (EVE ^IATA) in Norway, 120 km west of Abisko and 45–55 km from its namesakes, has direct flights from Oslo, Trondheim and Bodø.
2. Kiruna Airport KRN ^IATA, 100 km south-east of Abisko, has daily direct flights from Stockholm.

By train

The two nightly trains from Stockholm to Narvik stop in Abisko, both in the village itself (Abisko Östra) and outside the mountain station (Abisko Turiststation). One is direct, whereas the other has a change in Boden. They return from Narvik and Luleå respectively. Timetables can be found through Samtrafiken (look for Nr. 30, Narvik-Kiruna-Boden-Luleå).

• 1 Abisko Östra station.  (updated Mar 2020)
• 2 Abisko turiststation.  (updated Mar 2020)
• 3 Björkliden railway station.  (updated Mar 2020)

By bus

Regional bus 91 operated by Länstrafiken Norrbotten connects Kiruna with Abisko and Riksgränsen. The service operates seasonally, generally from February to May and June to September. There are also direct buses between Kiruna and Narvik, stopping at Abisko, Björkliden and Riksgränsen. Check timetables and tickets with Länstrafiken Norrbotten.

Get around

There is a chair lift up Nuolja mountain operating in the summer from the tourist station. It also runs from 08:00 to 00:00 during the aurora season and is operated by the nearby STF hostel.

For moving around outside the villages, foot and ski (in season) are the main options. Roads are limited to the area along E10.

The Abiskojåkka delta is off limits in summer, to protect the nesting of birds.

There is a snowmobile route to Abiskojaure and onwards, turning back towards Riksgränsen along the border to Norway.

By taxi

Taxis are available in Abisko, but should generally be booked in advance.

• Abisko Taxi, ☏ +46 70 559 22 20, abisko-taxi-bus@hotmail.com. Local taxi services and transfers. Advance booking is recommended. 
• Abisko Transfers, ☏ +46 70 592 31 04, info@abiskotransfers.se. Private and shared transfers, including journeys to Kiruna and nearby destinations. Advance booking is recommended. (updated Oct 2026)

See

Aurora near Abisko

Abisko is a great place to observe Northern lights thanks to the location within the Auroral belt and its relatively dry climate and low cloudiness. Aurora Sky Station (a part of STF Abisko Mountain Station) is located on the top of the mountain Nuolja and can be reached by a 10 min walk from STF Mountain Station and from there by a chair-lift.

• 1 Aurora Sky Station, STF Abisko Mountain Station, ☏ +46 980 402 00, lapplandsbokning@stfturist.se. In 2013/2014 winter season: Sep 5–Sep 28 and Nov 1–Nov 30: Thu–Sat 21:00–01:00; Guided tour: 22:00, 22:30, 23:00 and 23:30. Dec 1–Mar 30 daily (except Dec 24 and Dec 31): 21:00–01:00; Guided tour 22:00, 22:30, 23:00 and 23:30. The night visit to the station includes return ticket by chair-lift, guided tour and an aurora watchers overall. Alternatively, an aurora photo tour with professional photographers can be arranged. Aautumn 625 kr, STF member: 525 kr; winter 695 kr, STF member: 595 kr. 
• 2 Tornehamns cemetery (Rallarkyrkogården). A cemetery and monument for those that died during construction of the railway line. (updated Mar 2020)

Do

The river Abiskojåkka and the lake Torneträsk in June

The tourist station organises various activities throughout the year, but the real attraction is hiking on the many trails, out in the spectacular wilderness of the national parks of the area. Winter offers cross country skiing and even some alpine skiing. There is a chair lift on Nuolja and two more alpine areas nearby at Björkliden and Riksgränsen.

There are several (partly coinciding) long distance hiking trails from or passing Abisko. They can be used also for shorter hikes; especially Kungsleden has good infrastructure.

• Kungsleden (440 km), probably the best-known hiking trail is Sweden, to the south.
• Nordkalottleden (800 km), the southern part of which partly coincides with Kungsleden and Padjelantaleden but also meanders among the Norwegian fells. To the north the trail continues via Norway, northernmost Sweden, the tripoint Sweden/Norway/Finland and Kilpisjärvi (190 km) to Kautokeino in Norwegian Finnmark (190 km more).
• European long distance path E1 from Italy, which north of Abisko mostly coincides with Nordkalottleden.

Kebnekaise, the highest mountain in Sweden, can be reached from Abisko by Kungsleden, although Nikkaluokta is closer (see Kebnekaise and Nikkaluokta). Kebnekaise fjällstation at the root of the mountain is the most common base for expeditions (also guided tours in season). The Singi mountain cabins (Singistugorna) at Kungsleden are another option for independent expeditions.

There are also other mountains in the 2,000 m (6,000 feet) range in the area.

• 1 Björkliden. A downhill snowsport system. 

Buy

There is a shop at the tourist station which caters for hikers' daily needs and also carries a selection of outdoor equipment, and some other shops:

• MakoMat, Kalle Jons Väg 1, 98107 Abisko (near Abisko Östra station, connected with the petrol station), ☏ +46 980-669 30. Mon-Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 11:00-17:00. A shop with a petrol station and a restaurant/bar (see below). 

Eat

• 1 Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Turiststation 2 (near the namesake railway station), ☏ +46 10 190 24 03, abisko.restaurang@stfturist.se.  
  • Restaurant Kungsleden (Restaurang Kungsleden). Breakfast 07:00–10:00, lunch 11:30–14:00, dinner 17:00–22:00. The main restaurant at STF Abisko Turiststation, open year-round. Serves breakfast and lunch buffets, as well as à la carte dinners based on local and seasonal ingredients. Swedish home-style cooking, international dishes and vegan options are available. The restaurant has excellent views of Lake Torneträsk and the Abisko Alps. Dinner reservations are recommended during peak season. 
  • Bistro Storstugan (Storstugan), abisko.restaurang@stfturist.se. Seasonal; café 14:30–16:00, dinner 16:00–22:00. A relaxed seasonal bistro serving homemade burgers, pizzas, toasted sandwiches and pastries. A convenient place for a casual meal after hiking or other outdoor activities. Drop-in dining; opening periods and location may vary by season. 
• 2 MakoMat, Kalle Jons Väg 1 (by Abisko Östra railway station, next to the petrol station), ☏ +46 980 402 55. Mon-Thu 10:00-17:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-19:00. A small restaurant and café combined with a grocery shop and petrol station. Offers à la carte meals and a lunch menu. A useful place to buy provisions before a hile. 
• 3 Brasserie Fjällköket, Lapportsvägen 30 (Inside Abisko Mountain Lodge, near Abisko Östra station), ☏ +46 980 401 00, brasseriet@abiskomountainlodge.se. Daily 17:00-22:00; seasonal variations possible. A cosy hotel restaurant specialising in locally sourced and seasonal ingredients from Swedish Lapland. The menu features Arctic char, moose, reindeer and cloudberries, alongside vegetarian options. A good choice for a more refined dinner. Guests not staying at the lodge are welcome, but table reservations are recommended. 
• 4 Aurora Sky Station Café, Mount Nuolja, Abisko (At STF Aurora Sky Station, reached by chairlift from Abisko Turiststation), ☏ +46 10 190 23 60. When the chairlift is operating. A mountain café serving homemade pastries, snacks, sweets and light lunches. During the winter season, a special four-course Northern Lights dinner is offered as part of a guided activity. Opening is dependent on chairlift operations and the season. 

Drink

The Storstugan pub inside the tourist station is the friendliest place in town to go for a drink. Rather fortunate, since it's also the only place.

Sleep

Abisko has a range of accommodation, from hostels and guesthouses in Abisko Östra to a hotel, hostel and cabins at STF Abisko Turiststation. There are also self-catering cottages and a campsite for tents.

The main accommodation options are STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Mountain Lodge, Abisko Guesthouse and Abisko.net. Accommodation is in high demand during the summer hiking season and the Northern Lights season, so advance booking is recommended.

STF members receive discounts on accommodation at STF properties. Membership can be purchased online or at the reception.

Camping in Abisko National Park is only permitted at designated sites: STF Abisko Turiststation, Nissonjohka and Abiskojaure. Camping elsewhere in the national park is prohibited. Outside the park, the Swedish right of roam generally allows short stays in tents, provided that visitors respect private property and nature. Motorhomes and caravans must use designated sites.

• 1 STF Abisko Turiststation, Abisko Turiststation 2, 981 07 Abisko (by Abisko Turiststation railway station, inside Abisko National Park), ☏ +46 10 190 24 00, abisko@stfturist.se. Open year-round. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. The main accommodation in Abisko National Park, run by the Swedish Tourist Association (STF). Offers hotel rooms with private bathrooms and breakfast included, the Keron hostel with shared dormitory rooms, and self-catering cabins with six beds, kitchen and bathroom. Facilities include a restaurant, sauna, shop, guest kitchen, laundry and equipment rental. Tent camping is available at a designated campsite nearby. STF members receive discounted rates. 
• 2 Abisko.net (Abisko Fjällturer), Lapportsvägen 34 A (in Abisko Östra, about 250 m from Abisko Östra railway station), ☏ +46 72 184 0969, info@abisko.net. Local hostel accommodation operated by Abisko Fjällturer, a company founded by two local brothers. Offers Winterday Hostel with six-bed dormitories and private twin rooms, and Hostel Haverskog with larger two- and four-bed rooms, some with private toilets. Guests share kitchens and bathrooms, and sauna facilities are available. A good-value option for hikers and backpackers. 
• 3 Abisko Mountain Lodge, Lapportsvägen 30, 981 07 Abisko (In Abisko Östra), ☏ +46 980 401 00, info@abiskomountainlodge.se. A hotel with en-suite rooms and self-catering cottages. The cottages have kitchenettes and access to shared shower facilities in the sauna and relaxation area. The lodge has a bar and the Brasserie Fjällköket restaurant, serving seasonal dishes made with local ingredients. 
• 4 Abisko Guesthouse, Kalle Jons väg 5 (in Abisko Östra, close to the railway station), ☏ +46 706 52 12 64, mail@abiskoguesthouse.com. Guesthouse offering rooms and apartments, with shared or private facilities depending on the accommodation. Some apartments have kitchen facilities and are suitable for families or longer stays. The property also arranges outdoor activities and Northern Lights excursions. 
• Abisko Hostel, Kalle Jons Väg 13 (in the village centre), ☏ +46 980-330-505. A small, recently renovated hostel offering twin rooms, a shared kitchen and lounge. A convenient budget option for travellers arriving by train and exploring the surrounding area. 
• 5 Abisko camping (STF Abisko Turiststation campsite) (near the main entrance to Abisko National Park and the tourist station), ☏ +46 10 190 24 00. Seasonal facilities. Designated tent camping area. Facilities include toilets, showers and a dishwashing area during the operating season. Camping fees are payable at the STF reception. The campsite cannot be booked in advance. There are no pitches for motorhomes or caravans in the national park. 

Farther away

There is a network of mountain cabins, day huts and shelters along Kungsleden and other hiking routes. STF mountain cabins provide simple dormitory accommodation, usually with a shared kitchen and often a sauna and small shop. Prices vary by season and membership status. Advance booking is recommended during the hiking season.

• 6 Abiskojaure fjällstuga (STF Abiskojaure Mountain Cabin), Abiskojaure, Abisko National Park (About 14 km south of Abisko Turiststation along Kungsleden). Open seasonally. STF mountain cabin at the southern end of Abisko National Park. Offers dormitory accommodation, a guest kitchen, a small shop and sauna. A popular overnight stop for hikers on Kungsleden. Camping is permitted at the designated cabin site for a fee if using the facilities. 

Connect

STF Abisko (Abisko Tourist station) +46 980-402 00, info@abisko.nu.

Go next

• Laponia, several national parks and nature reserves forming a UNESCO World Heritage site, some 100 km southward (by trails, significantly longer by road)
• Kiruna, the nearest city
• Narvik, Norway, a port town at the end of the railway; the Narvik mountains are an important hiking destination

Routes through Abisko and Björkliden

Narvik ← Riksgränsen ←

NW  SE

→ Kiruna → Luleå