Cultural experiences

The evolving cultural landscape of Swedish Lapland

Culture is an incredibly important part of everyday life in Gällivare. With human civilization tracing back through thousands of years to the influence of modern industrial scale processes on traditional cultures, there is a fascinating world of Arctic cultural discovery awaiting you.  

Explore the region of Laponia that surrounds Gällivare, a truly unique UNESCO World Heritage Site that recognizes the significance of both the culture of the Sami people and the awe-inspiring nature of the region. Hike through four different national parks and two separate nature reserves spanning 9,400 km2 to marvel at the mountains, ravines, waterfalls, forests, and marshes that make this part of the Swedish Arctic unforgettable.

Or follow the migration of the reindeer throughout the seasons, as the Sami lead their herds through the largest area in the world with an ancestral way of life based on the seasonal movement of livestock. To learn more about Sami culture and the long history of the mining industry in the region, Gällivare Culture Museum will soon welcome all to a new core exhibition featuring Laponia later this year.