4Icehotel – Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Icehotel, located in the small village of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland, is the world’s first ice hotel and remains one of the most iconic. Founded in 1989, it was a pioneering creation by local entrepreneur Yngve Bergqvist, who began with the idea of building an ice bar. Over time, it evolved into a fully-fledged hotel, and now, each year, it is rebuilt from scratch using ice harvested from the nearby Torne River.
The hotel is renowned for its spectacular ice art, which changes every year. The rooms, suites, and common areas are carved by international artists who create intricate ice sculptures and stunning frozen furniture. Guests can sleep in rooms with ice-carved beds, lined with reindeer hides for warmth, and enjoy the stunning beauty of the hotel’s glowing ice chandeliers. For those not keen on sleeping on ice, there are warm rooms available in the hotel’s adjacent warm building.
Why It’s Special: Icehotel’s rotating art exhibition—where artists from around the world contribute ice sculptures and themes—ensures that no two visits are ever the same. Visitors can also engage in activities such as dog sledding, ice fishing, and chasing the northern lights, making it an exceptional winter destination.
