Hostels in Norrbotten 
Looking for the best hostels in Norrbotten? You are in the right place!
On this page, we have listed every city in Norrbotten with backpacker hostels and budget-friendly stays. Hostelz.com makes it easy to find your ideal Norrbotten hostel by comparing prices across major booking platforms. Save money while backpacking Norrbotten and sleep comfortably on a budget.
All Backpacker Hostels in Norrbotten
We have got you covered with a complete list of every hostel in Norrbotten, across 5 cities! Not all cities have hostels, but many offer alternative budget options like guesthouses and affordable hotels. Use our filters to quickly find cities with hostels or other budget accommodations to simplify your trip planning.
All Norrbotten hostels on a map
Alright, you are more the visual type? Planning your trip with a map is always handy.
Therefore, this map shows you all cities with hostels in Norrbotten. It will help you to plan your trip. Just zoom in the map and click your destination for more details. Just so you know: If we do not have a hostel in a city, it is likely that there is no hostel in that city.
Our handwritten guide on Backpacking Norrbotten
Norrbotten is a province in the northernmost part of Sweden. It borders Vasterbotten, Swedish Lapland, and Finland. Provinces in Sweden are historical, geographical, and cultural regions. They serve no administrative purposes anymore, so it is entirely a legacy marking. In Norrbotten’s case, the county is older than the province - however it is not a historical province. There are very few people in Norrbotten; it is mostly within the Arctic Circle and home to both Sami and Finn Laplanders.
To get to Norrbotten, fly to Lulea or Kiruna with SAS or Norwegian Air. There are connecting flights to many international destinations, and there are also charter flights with tour companies. You can also take the overnight train from Stockholm, if you prefer. There are buses within the region, but you may find it easier to have your own transportation.
Budget hostel accommodation in Norrbotten can be found in the towns of Lulea and Kiruna. Look for the word “vandrarhem,” as that translates directly to “hostel.” Outside of the main city, hostels are rare. Consider a guesthouse (“gasthus”) or bed and breakfast instead.
Once you have your accommodation sorted, you can explore this vast, sparse region. In the Middle Ages, Norrbotten was home to Sami and Finns who relied on fishing, hunting, and reindeer herding. Toward the end of the Middle Ages, Swedish kings tried to colonise the area but failed; for a long time it was under Finnish control until the 16th century, when Sweden took back taxation and trade within the province. The church at Gammelstad, near Lulea, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it was once a sign of Swedish control and power.
Outdoor enthusiasts should consider a dogsledding adventure, snowshoeing, or skiing, in the winter, and hiking in the summer. There are trails ranging from day trips to overnight hikes. Choose one that suits you! One of the biggest reasons to travel to Norrbotten is for the Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights. There are tours and overnight trips that focus on the ethereal lights. Keep in mind that in the winter, Norrbotten is essentially dark 24 hours a day. On the flip side, in the summer Norrbotten is light for 24 hours and you will find much to enjoy even at the late hours.
Whatever you choose to do in Norrbotten, you will enjoy the great outdoors and the impeccable Swedish hospitality.
Handwritten by local expert for Norrbotten hostels Jakob Lombardi
Travel Tips for Norrbotten - from the Community
Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Norrbotten. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Norrbotten. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!
FAQ on Hostels in Norrbotten
There is a lot of travel planning to do. So let us help you once again by putting together the frequently asked questions:
Finding Hostels and Prices
What hostel booking sites are best to use?
There is several hostel booking sites, such as Hostelworld.com, Hostelsclub.com and Booking.com. While every platform has its pros and cons, there is a universal truth you as a traveler should be aware of: Not a single booking site can always offer the best prices.
This is where Hostelz.com comes in. You can compare all major booking portals with one click.
For you as a traveler, Hostelz.com is the best booking site to actually save money.
How much are hostels in Norrbotten?
Prices always vary, depending on various factors. Weekends tend to be more expensive, same goes for special holidays. Please also take into account local vaction time.
You can search for exacty hostel prices in Norrbotten here on Hostelz.com. Pick your destination and pick a date. The system will track down the prices to give an idea of what budget and prices you can expect.
When to book hostels?
If you want to stay at the best hostels, it is a good idea to have your hostel booked around 1 month before you travel. For the regular hostels, booking one week before should be okay. Yet again, this always depends.
We dedicated a full article to the topic of when to book hostels.
Safety and Packing
Are hostels in Norrbotten safe?
Generally speaking, hostels are as safe as you make them. We highly recommend always to bring your own padlock, using the lockers and taking care of your belongings. Make sure you pick a safe hostel, offering lockers and a safe location. Please always pay attention to the reviews; they can give you a great insight on what to expect and safety tips.
What to pack when staying in hostels?
There is a few basics you should always pack when staying in hostels.
There is more actually. We wrote a complete guide with more details. Read our full hostel packing list.