Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi: a hotel carved from the Torne River
Published on 09/17/2026 at 18:35 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi in northern Sweden is a hotel and art exhibition created from the frozen waters of the Torne River, where guests sleep among sculpted ice and snow.
Ice and snow as building material
Icehotel stands in Jukkasjarvi in Swedish Lapland, close to the Torne River in the far north of Sweden.Jukkasjarvi, Sweden The original ice hotel opened in 1990 as a seasonal structure made from blocks of river ice and compacted snow.Opening in 1990 Each winter, builders and artists create walls, ceilings, furniture and sculptures using ice taken from the Torne River and a mixture of snow and river water often called snice.clear ice and snice
The winter hotel has been rebuilt many times, with successive editions creating new layouts and artworks within a footprint measured in the thousands of square metres.ICEHOTEL in winter Inside, ice rooms and individually designed art suites are carved and sculpted by artists from different countries, turning the interior into a temporary gallery of frozen design.art suites by artists Beds, chairs and even bar counters are formed from ice, with textiles and other warm materials added where needed.
A permanent ice hotel beside a seasonal one
Alongside the seasonal snow-and-ice structure stands Icehotel 365, a permanent building that preserves suites of ice throughout the year.ICEHOTEL 365 Icehotel 365 is cooled by solar energy and houses suites held at a temperature below freezing, combining conventional construction with extensive ice interiors.solar-cooled building Inside this permanent section, art and deluxe suites, an ice gallery and an ice bar share the same controlled cold environment.
The relationship between the seasonal snow structure and the permanent 365 building defines the site, with one hotel melting back towards the river each spring while the other continues in operation.changing and renewing each year Together they create a cluster of warm and cold accommodation, where wooden buildings, conventional hotel rooms and facilities stand close to halls lined with ice. Guests choosing to sleep in ice suites are given specialised clothing and sleeping equipment suitable for spending the night in sub-zero temperatures.
Icehotel as an art exhibition
Icehotel functions as an art exhibition as much as a place to stay, with each art suite and many public areas designed by invited artists, lighting designers and other creatives.builders and artists Over generations, the hotel has commissioned works that range from abstract sculptural forms to figurative scenes cut from ice, all made within the constraints of frozen water and snow. The result is that corridors, bedrooms and bar spaces feel closer to gallery installations than to traditional hotel interiors.
Lighting plays a central role in presenting this temporary art, with coloured and white light used to reveal textures in the ice and to emphasise carved patterns and reliefs.ice and light The art exhibition aspect extends beyond the rooms, with communal areas and galleries showcasing additional sculptures and installations that visitors can explore without staying overnight in a cold room.
Visiting Icehotel: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Icehotel stands in Jukkasjarvi in northern Sweden, roughly north-east of the town of Kiruna, with road access from the E10 highway.Jukkasjarvi east of Kiruna
- Parts of the site are built from snow and ice, so walking surfaces can be uneven and cold underfoot, and interiors in the ice sections are maintained below freezing.
- The official language is Swedish and the currency is the Swedish krona.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Icehotel
Where is Icehotel located?
Icehotel is in the village of Jukkasjarvi in northern Sweden, east of Kiruna in Swedish Lapland and close to the Torne River.
What can visitors expect on a visit to Icehotel?
Visitors encounter hotel buildings made from snow and ice, seasonal and year-round ice suites, an ice bar, art exhibitions and conventional warm accommodation on the same site.
What makes Icehotel distinctive among hotels?
Icehotel is rebuilt seasonally from river ice, combines a permanent solar-cooled ice building with melting winter structures, and operates as a large-scale art exhibition carved in frozen water.
