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Why I love the Heart of Lapland, the Arctic destination with nature rooted in everyday life

Why I love the Heart of Lapland, the Arctic destination with nature rooted in everyday life

Lars Munk

Published: October 22, 2026 at 4:28 PM

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Discover this unique region of Swedish Lapland and its rich cultural history with guide Lars Munk

Have you tried the wild food of the Heart of Lapland? Learn all about what makes the eastern region of Swedish Lapland so unique from experienced guide and instructor Lars Munk. From exclusive caviar and traditional Swedish buffets to modern arctic desserts, there is plenty for food lovers to enjoy.

Next, find out Swedish itineraries for food lovers to explore, then check out our favourite local places to eat and drink in Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Sauna culture

Some say that when you build a house in Torne Valley, you build the sauna first. The sauna is more than a hot room or building – it is a cultural ritual and tradition. This is where women gave birth back in the day, where the dead were prepared for burial before we had funeral homes, and where many important decisions are still made. It is good for your heart, your skin and your mind – there is something about the sauna that grounds you. Roll in the snow between the sauna sessions for an extra boost. Steamy, smoky, wood-fired, electric: there are plenty of different saunas to try.

The julbord

Discover the magic of a traditional Swedish julbord – a festive buffet with ham and locally sourced delicacies such as smoked fish, reindeer, artisan cheeses, homemade bread, pickled specialities and sweet Christmas desserts. Rooted in generations of culinary traditions, the julbord brings people together to enjoy local ingredients, warm hospitality and the simple joy of sharing a meal. It is a delicious way to experience Swedish Christmas culture through its most treasured flavours.

The gold of the Bothnian Bay

Kalix caviar is an exclusive delicacy that can only be extracted from vendace fish caught in the brackish waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. The archipelago in the Heart of Lapland has a special environment with clean water and low salinity, which the vendace needs to reproduce. The area makes up the world’s largest brackish water archipelago, where mineral-rich water from the large national rivers flows into the sea. Kalix caviar has received the Protected Designation of Origin.

Kalix caviar on a small wooden board

Image credit: allaboutlapland

Reindeer

For generations both the Sámi and Tornedalian people have lived in close relationship with the reindeer, guided by the rhythms of nature and a deep respect for its resources. During the annual autumn round-up, only selected animals are taken, while the rest continue their migration. Almost every part of the reindeer is used – from nourishing food and warm hides to antlers crafted into tools and handicrafts – reflecting a sustainable way of life where nothing goes to waste.

Moose

The moose represents tradition, community and a centuries-old way of life. Known as the kings of the Swedish forest, they are deeply woven into life in Arctic Sweden. The annual moose hunt is one of the year’s most important cultural events – some families even joke that childbirth is planned to happen outside the hunting season. Hunting here is never about trophies but about respect for nature and harvesting wild, sustainable food to share with family and friends. It is a living tradition that continues to shape the rhythm of life in the north.

Humans of Heart of Lapland

In the Heart of Lapland, culture is shaped by the meeting of people, languages and traditions. Here the Tornedalian, Sámi, Swedish and Finnish cultures have lived side by side for generations. The Tornedalian people are deeply connected to the river valleys, where the Meänkieli language and traditions in harmony with nature remain rooted in everyday life. The Sámi are indigenous people of northern Europe, with a rich cultural heritage shaped by reindeer herding, craftsmanship and a close relationship with nature. Together these living cultures create an Arctic destination unlike anywhere else.

A man and woman in a forest dressed in traditional Swedish clothes

Image credit: Hugo Perrin

Coffee cheese

Coffee cheese is a modern Arctic dessert made from cow’s beestings (the rich, protein-heavy first milk given after calving). The milk is curdled and set to form a disc and then baked, which gives it its distinctive charred marks. Traditionally served in cubes that you put into the warm coffee so it slightly melts, or in slices as a dessert with cloudberry jam on the side.

Swedish fika

In Sweden, taking time to pause over coffee and something sweet is a cherished daily ritual that brings people together. Whether enjoyed around a crackling fire or in a cosy café, fika is about slowing down and appreciating the moment. In Arctic Sweden it often involves homemade pastries using local flavours.

Dip net fishing

This method of fishing has been a living tradition along the wild Torne River and Kalix River systems for 500 years. Passed down through generations this unique method uses nets on poles to scoop fish from the water. Each summer locals gather on wooden platforms above the rushing rapids, using handcrafted nets to catch migrating whitefish. The whitefish can be enjoyed as a meal year-round, best served grilled over an open fire.

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Lars Munk

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