Boden

Boden is a town of around 28 000 inhabitants located along the Lule River in Norrbotten County, 35 kilometres north-west of Luleå.

From the introduction of military service in 1901 until its abolishment in 2010, thousands of young Swedish men were forced to endure cold, dark winter months in the forests and mountains surrounding Boden as part of their mandatory military training. This earned the town a reputation as a harsh place, where no one of their right mind would travel by free will. Now those days are gone, and Boden has become a popular tourist destination, especially among Norwegians who like to spend their summer holiday at the town camping.

• SAS^{[dead link]} has several flights daily from Stockholm to Luleå Airport (40 km from Boden).
• Norwegian also flies from Stockholm to Luleå.

Vy has overnight trains from Stockholm to Boden.

• 65.82888921.7077781 Boden railway station (Bodens centralstation), Stationsgatan 8.  (updated Apr 2021)

From the E4 follow road 97 towards Boden.

In Boden, there is a local transport system consisting of four local bus routes. The service is operated by Citybuss Boden.

Remnants of Boden's long history as a military stronghold. The birthplace of Nobel prize winning writer Eyvind Johnson in Björkelund.

• 65.80421.7081 Rödbergsfortet (Rödberget Fortress), Rödberget, south of Boden. Seasonal; guided tours. A mountain artillery fort built in the early 20th century as part of Boden Fortress. Explore the underground fortifications, learn about the lives of the soldiers who served here, and enjoy panoramic views from the hilltop. Guided tours are available during the visitor season.  

• 65.817621.70782 Försvarsmuseum Boden (Boden Defence Museum), Granatvägen 2, ☏ +46 921 628 00. A museum devoted to Swedish military history from the late 19th century to the present day, with particular emphasis on Boden Fortress and the town's role as a garrison. Exhibitions cover the world wars, the Cold War and the development of Sweden's armed forces.  

• 65.824821.69383 Havremagasinet (Havremagasinet County Art Hall), Norrbottensvägen 18. A contemporary art gallery housed in a historic military grain warehouse built to store feed for the army's horses. The large building hosts exhibitions of Swedish, Nordic and international contemporary art, as well as cultural events.  

• 65.825421.68984 Överluleå Church (Överluleå kyrka), Kyrkgatan 34. A prominent white church in the town centre, built between 1826 and 1831. The church and its surrounding historic church village provide a glimpse into the area's religious and cultural history. Free.  (updated Oct 2026)

• 65.81921.6835 Bodens Hembygdsområde (Boden local heritage area), Idrottsgatan 2C. A local heritage area preserving historic buildings and traditional rural life in the Boden region. The site is particularly interesting for visitors wishing to learn about local history and traditional architecture.  

Skiing, swimming, hiking, fishing

• Storklinten, Storklinten 2, 961 98 Boden (About 30 minutes north of Boden by car.), ☏ +46 928 400 00, bokning@storklinten.se. Seasonal; check website. A ski resort with several downhill runs, a children's area, ski rental and a restaurant. Cross-country skiing, fishing and other outdoor activities are also available in the surrounding area. 
• 65.8239621.699791 Nordpoolen (NordPoolen Adventure Pool), Garnisonsgatan 1, 961 75 Boden (Within walking distance of the railway station.), ☏ +46 921 624 00, nordpoolen@boden.se. Check website. An indoor adventure pool with water slides, a swimming pool, a children's pool and relaxation facilities. Suitable for families and visitors looking to swim year-round.  

Most shops are concentrated in the town centre, particularly around Drottninggatan and the pedestrian shopping streets. Enter Galleria is a shopping centre in the town centre. Supermarkets and second-hand shops are also available.

• 65.8245521.686331 Enter Galleria, Drottninggatan 4 (In the town centre.). A shopping centre with a range of shops and services. The surrounding town centre has clothing shops, cafés, restaurants and other everyday shopping.  

• DG11 (Hotell Drottninggatan 11), Drottninggatan 11 (In the town centre.), ☏ +46 921 757 77. A gastropub serving rustic dishes with influences from other cuisines. Breakfast and other meals are available at different times. Mid-range. 

• Restaurang Färgaregatan (Färgaregatan sött & salt), Drottninggatan 6 (In the town centre.), ☏ +46 921 544 84. A restaurant serving meat, vegetarian dishes and seafood, with influences from northern Swedish cuisine. Mid-range. 

• 66.0729220.98231 Treehotel, Edeforsvägen 2A, 961 78 Harads (About 35 minutes by car from Boden. Transfers can be arranged with the hotel.), ☏ +46 928 103 00, booking@treehotel.se. A unique hotel offering architect-designed cabins among the treetops, including the Mirrorcube and the UFO. The property has a restaurant serving local ingredients, saunas and activities in the surrounding forest. Advance booking is recommended.  

• Quality Hotel Bodensia (Hotell Bodensia), Kungsgatan 47, 961 35 Boden (In the town centre, about 15 minutes on foot from the railway station.), ☏ +46 921 177 10, q.bodensia@strawberry.se. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. A centrally located hotel within walking distance of shops, restaurants and other town-centre attractions. Facilities include a restaurant, a pub, a gym and a sauna and relaxation area on the upper floors. 

• 65.8292921.67522 First Camp Björknäs – Boden (Bodens Camping & Bad), Idrottsgatan 8, 961 64 Boden (In the Björknäs area, within walking distance of the town centre.), ☏ +46 921 138 50. A campsite offering pitches for caravans and motorhomes, tent sites and cabins. Facilities include service buildings, showers, laundry facilities and barbecue areas. The adjacent outdoor swimming complex and nearby illuminated cross-country ski trails provide additional activities, depending on the season.  

• Bodens Vandrarhem (Boden Hostel), Fabriksgatan 6, 961 31 Boden (Opposite the railway station, close to the town centre.), ☏ +46 706 813 335, info@bodensvandrarhem.se. A budget-friendly hostel offering beds in shared rooms and private rooms for one to six people. Rooms have a shower, toilet and refrigerator. Guests can use a self-catering kitchen, a common room and laundry facilities. Breakfast is available on request.