Planning a trip to see the northern lights in winter or want to spend some time in the lands of the midnight sun in summer? Located in the Gulf of Bothnia on the Baltic Sea coast close to the village of Ostra Fallmark, Skellefteå Airport is the southernmost of three airports in Swedish Lapland offering a route to this magical destination. The airport has several flights a day to and from Stockholm’s Arlanda airport plus connections to international destinations.

In 2022 the town of Skellefteå itself was named as one of the top 50 World’s Greatest Places by Time Magazine and not surprisingly Skellefteå Airport is growing in popularity with more flights being added every year.

The airport’s runway has been extended and new commercial and charter routes added as part of investment to meet growing demand.

If you are planning a trip to northern Sweden our friendly Avis team at Skellefteå Airport is on hand to offer advice and provide the perfect rental car for your trip.

You’ll find our Avis counter in the arrivals area within the terminal building at Skellefteå Airport. The Avis rental car park is easy to find just a short walk from the terminal entrance.

From the Avis car park at Skellefteå Airport, Skellefteå town centre is a 25min, 19.5km drive. Turn right out of the airport and head north on Route 364, joining the E4 highway at the roundabout after 16.5km before crossing the Skellefteå Alven river into the centre of town. Traffic signs are in Swedish and you need to follow the signs for Centrum Skellefteå.

Although it lies 125miles south of the Arctic circle, Skellefteå’s Time Magazine listing as one of the World’s Best Places, referenced its warmth. That’s not just thanks to the town’s welcoming feel, in winter you can stroll around the centre on heated pavements.

Green energy and a focus on sustainability are key to life in Skellefteå. One of Europe’s largest electric battery factories is just outside town and bio-gas provides the fuel for local transport. Soon, snow mobiles provided for tourists will be electric in a bid to keep Lapland emissions-free.

With its commercial history based on the mining industry, Skellefteå once earned the nickname Gold Town. Today, many of its attractions are linked to the great outdoors as a centre for hiking, cycling and canoeing.

But the town also has a vibrant cultural scene. Skellefteå’s stunning Sara Culture Centre (Sara Kulturhus) is one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings and the place to go for art exhibitions, theatre and literary events as well as being home to a hotel.

Skellefteå Airport is close to the E4 highway just inland from the Baltic coast offering great access to Västerbotten county and Swedish Lapland beyond.

The best time to see the northern lights in Sweden’s Lapland is between September and March. In the summers with long daylight hours, channel a lakeside or beach holiday vibe exploring islands off the coast.

Skellefteå Adventurepark

Just a 12min drive north of town, Skellefteå Adventurepark is the place to go for the adrenaline rush of adventure sports.

Bonnstan

Dating back to the 17th century, Bonnstan is a fine example of a Swedish church town – the temporary towns built to accommodate people who lived too far from the centre to attend church. Not far from Skellefteå, Bonnstan is a popular place to head for the midsummer celebrations.

Burträsk

A 40min drive south from Skellefteå on the N364 takes you to Burträsk home of the famous Västerbotten cheese. This picturesque setting features a small suspension bridge leading to an island in the middle of Burträsket lake. Across from the lake is the longest lake beach in the county of Västerbotten – Långnäsbadet. Head here for the camping, boat hire and fishing.

Piteå archipelago

Drive 35min northeast of Skellefteå on the E4 and you’ll reach the Piteå Archipeligo. The islands are worth exploring for a day or two. Piteå Ronnskär Island with its lighthouse is the closest to Skellefteå and can be reached by taxi boat from Kinnback Harbour.

While there is public transport in Skellefteå itself and you can catch an airport shuttle bus from the airport to the centre of town, you will need a hire car to travel further afield and explore the wider area.

The Avis team at Skellefteå International Airport are experts on the region and ready to advise you on the best places to go and help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down. If you are feeling inspired check out our guide to great Sweden road trips.

Hiring a car is a straightforward way to explore northern Sweden. Be aware that as in the rest of mainland Europe, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road as you leave the airport.

If you have not driven in this part of the world before, we’d advise checking the road rules for driving in Sweden.