Swedish Lapland in September: Discover the Arctic Before Winter
Thinking about visiting Swedish Lapland in September? From golden autumn forests and the first Northern Lights of the season to extraordinary stays, discover what Swedish Lapland is really like before winter arrives.
When you think of Swedish Lapland, what comes to mind? For many people, it is a picture of snow-covered forests, husky sledding, frozen lakes and the Northern Lights dancing above a winter landscape.
But Swedish Lapland doesn’t begin when the snow arrives.
I recently travelled to Luleå and Swedish Lapland this September, staying and visiting some of the regions most remarkable properties. From the peaceful coastline of Brändön Lodge to the treetop rooms of TreeHotel and the floating architecture of Arctic Bath, I discovered a very different side to the Arctic.
September brings the beginning of golden autumn and the return of darker nights, making it an intriguing time to visit for anyone who wants to experience the landscape, wilderness and atmosphere of Swedish Lapland without the temperatures of winter. We offer dedicated September itineraries for travellers looking for an Arctic experience before the snow arrives.
Why Visit Swedish Lapland in September?
September is a fantastic transition time in Swedish Lapland, Summer is beginning to give way to Autumn, the forests start to change colour, and the nights become progressively darker.
Rather than seeing Swedish Lapland exclusively as a winter destination, September allowed me to experience the landscape itself – the forests, rivers, coastline and wilderness!
It is also the beginning of the Northern Lights season. Of course, seeing the Aurora is never guaranteed and depends on cloud cover and solar activity, but I was lucky enough to see the lights on 3 out of 4 of the nights!
Brändön Lodge: Arctic wilderness by the Bothnian Sea 
Brändön Lodge was one of the first places I visited on my travels, located on the edge of the Bothnian Sea and surrounded by the beautiful Arctic wilderness. Visiting in September meant seeing Brändön in a completely different way to the snowy winter landscapes you often see. The forests were beginning to colour and there was a real calming feel to the place.
In the autumn, you can take kayaks into the sea from the resorts very own beach, which turns into the perfect spot for beginning the snowmobile sessions in the winter – straight onto the frozen sea!
Sleeping Among the Trees at TreeHotel
Next, came one of Arctic Sweden’s most iconic stays – TreeHotel!
Set amongst the pine forest in Harads, TreeHotel is home to a collection of individually designed tree rooms, each offering a completely different experience. There was something incredibly peaceful about waking up, being high amongst the trees, surrounded by nature and the beautiful autumnal colours.
Experiencing Arctic Bath
Another highlight of my trip was Arctic Bath, a truly unique floating hotel and spa situated on the Lule River.
The spectacular architecture alone makes Arctic Bath worth a visit, but the experience is about much more than the design. The spa was one of the best in the region, including a cold plunge straight into the river, 2 x hot tubs, 2 x saunas and a steam room! It was the perfect place to slow down and just enjoy the serenity of Swedish Lapland!
A Different Side of Arctic Sweden
During my trip, I also had the opportunity to visit and stay at several other properties across the region, including Clarion Hotel Sense in Luleå, Arctic Retrear, Aurora Safari Camp, Villa Äng and Loggers Lodge.
Each offered something completely different, from boutique accommodation to remote wilderness experiences.
It was a great reminder that there is no single way to experience Swedish Lapland! 
Northern Lights in September
September can be considered an excellent time to see the Northern Lights, being close to the start of the season the solar activity can be strong. I was lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis on 3 out of the 4 nights I was in Lapland. A benefit is the opportunity to see the lights before the coldest winter temperatures!
Is September a Good Time to Visit Swedish Lapland?
Winter will always offer the classic snowy Lapland experience, but September offers something different. The forests are changing colour, the nights are getting darker, the Northern Lights are beginning to appear, and the landscape is still easily accessible without deep snow. September is a fantastic time to visit!
