There’s a hotel in Sweden made almost entirely out of ice and snow. It’s called the Icehotel, and you can sleep there — if you’re okay with spending a lot of money and sleeping in sub-zero temperatures.

This hotel is in a small village called Jukkasjärvi, about 600 kilometers from Umeå. That’s pretty far north, close to the Arctic Circle. In winter, the entire area is covered in snow. It’s also one of the best places in Sweden to see the Northern Lights. That makes it a popular stop for tourists, especially between November and March.

We didn’t stay overnight at the Icehotel. It was too expensive. Prices range from 80,000 to 100,000 Bangladeshi taka per night (roughly 730 to 900 USD). So we just toured it during the day. Entry tickets cost 315 Swedish kronor, which is about 4,000 taka (or 29 USD) per person.

What You’ll See Inside

The hotel isn’t a single building. It’s made up of long corridors and several rooms — all constructed out of thick ice blocks taken from the nearby Torne River. Every year, they rebuild the entire place from scratch in winter. In spring, it melts and disappears. The same happens every year.

When you walk in, you pass a large gate made of ice. There’s a long hallway with several side paths. These lead to different rooms. The first few rooms are small. They each have a bed made from ice, covered with a reindeer skin. There’s also a thermal mattress and special sleeping bags. Even though temperatures can drop to -15°C or lower outside, it’s comfortable inside because of these setups.

Next, you’ll come across larger rooms. These are made for displaying ice art. Each one has its own theme. Some rooms feature animals carved from ice. Others show people, fantasy figures, or abstract shapes. The lighting and background music make it feel more immersive, almost like walking through a movie set.

One room has a giant sculpture of a polar bear, completely made of ice. Another room, called the “hall room,” has benches made of ice where about 25–30 people can sit. The walls are also carved with patterns.

There’s also a bar and other themed sleeping rooms. A staff member told us that the Icehotel runs workshops where guests can learn ice sculpting. They also sell experience packages that include:

Northern Lights tours
Dog sledding
Snowmobile rides
Ice sculpting classes
Guided arctic walks

We checked the prices for those too. Way above our travel budget.

How They Build It

The Icehotel started in 1989. Every year, when the Torne River freezes in late November or early December, workers cut large ice blocks from the river. They use those blocks to build the hotel’s walls, beds, sculptures, and even chandeliers.

When spring comes, everything melts. The water goes back to the river. Nothing lasts from the previous year. They rebuild it again from scratch each winter.

That’s part of what makes it so unique. Every visit will be different, depending on the year and the artists involved.

Is It Worth Visiting?

If you’re in Sweden in the winter and can spare the cost of a day pass, yes — it’s worth seeing. The design, craftsmanship, and detail in each room is something you don’t see anywhere else. You don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy it.

But if you’re thinking of booking a night, be prepared. It’s expensive. And even though the sleeping bags and insulation work well, it’s still sleeping in a room made of ice.

You can book online. Just check their official website or social media pages. You’ll find updates on availability, events, and activities.

If you’re planning to go:

Bring proper winter clothing
Wear thermal socks and gloves
Book tickets in advance during peak season
Check for guided tours — they’re helpful for first-time visitors

The Icehotel isn’t just about cold weather. It’s about art, design, and seeing what people can build using only natural elements. If that sounds interesting to you, then it’s definitely worth the trip.