Att göra i Kalix - våra 10 bästa tips

What to do in Kalix? Famous for its exclusive vendace roe, this small northern town also offers beautiful scenery and interesting Cold War sights. Here are all our top tips for things to see and do in Kalix.

Table of contents

Kalix

Kalix is a small town in Norrland, which we visited during our motorhome trip, on the road between Haparanda and Luleå. We had not planned to make a longer stop here, but it became a packed full day, as it turned out that there was a lot to see and experience.

Kalix is located on the Kalix River in Norrbotten, 78 kilometres northeast of Luleå.

What can you do in Kalix?

So what can you do in Kalix? As it turns out, there are several interesting places to discover. Here are our top tips for things to do in Kalix and the surrounding area.

1. visit Kalix church

Kalix Church is located near the E4 motorway in the centre of Kalix, where it glows a lovely red colour. This is Sweden's northernmost medieval church, built in the first half of the 15th century. The beautiful bell tower was timbered by craftsmen in 1731, and in the tower hang three church bells, the oldest of which was cast in 1682.

2. Discover Strandängarna

Strandängarna is a pleasant area in Kalix located on the banks of the Kalix River. The area is within walking distance of the city centre, connected by pedestrian tunnels under the E4 motorway.

This area offers a holiday feeling with a guest harbour and views of the water. Here you will find the miniature town "Kalix lilla trästad" with pedal cars for the little ones and Strandängsbadet, with temperate pools. The area is also home to Kalix Camping and the Kalix Fishing Museum, which is open at certain times in the summer. During the winter season you can skate, sledge or ski in the winter land at Strandängarna.

3. Walk out to Vassholmen

Vassholmen is an island in the Kalix River, which was used as a timber separation point during the rafting era. Today the island is a popular destination with many activities and cultural events in the summer.

In summer, the island can be accessed via a floating accessible bridge. There are a bunch of old buildings on the island, one of which serves as a rafting museum. When we were here, the cosy café was also open.

4. See funny sculptures at Military Surplus

When we were on our way to Kalix, we were advised to stop at Militärt Överskott, which is east of Kalix, as there are some fun sculptures here. And it really does! In addition, it can be really fun to look around the shop. A nice stop along the way!

5. Make a stop at the Bagarstugan farm shop.

Another stop you can make along the way, between Military Surplus and Kalix, is at the farm shop Bagarstugan. This small shop is located in a charming countryside setting, and will have both homeware and delicacies. Opening hours are limited though, so check them before you go. We went to see what was going on and were told that it was closed.

6. check out Nässkatan's fishing village

Nässkatans fiskeläge is one of the best preserved small fishing harbours from the 18th century to be found along the Swedish Gulf of Bothnia coast. Still used by fishermen, the place is incredibly charming with small red cottages, jetties and boats.

7. See the submarine museum in Töre harbour

In Töre harbour, just west of central Kalix, there is a submarine museum where you can check out Sweden's only Swedish-made mini-submarine HMS Spiggen II. The mini-submarine was built in 1990, during a period when submarine infringements in Swedish waters were a hot topic, to be used as a target boat in submarine hunting exercises.

The submarine, which is 11 metres long and has room for three or four people, was donated to Kalix municipality when it was no longer needed. Today it stands in a beautiful museum hall where it is on display during the summer, along with written information and staff who are happy to tell you more.

At the submarine museum there is also a so-called "summer cottage gun". This is one of the many guns that used to be fully combat capable, but camouflaged, in summer cottages that could be quickly demolished if necessary.

8. Take a guided tour of the Siknäs Fortress

One of the most interesting things to do in Kalix is to visit the Siknäs Fortress. This underground fort was built during the Cold War to defend Töre harbour, Sweden's northernmost deep harbour, and to delay a possible enemy advance towards Boden. Above ground you can only see a few military pieces sticking up, but underground there is a whole fortress with everything from dormitories to military technology, as well as some exhibition rooms.

A guided tour of the Siknäs Fortress is very interesting. While discovering the different levels of the fort, the guide tells you about the defence plans during the Cold War, the so-called "Kalix Line" and the life of the soldiers in the fort.

In summer, tours are given several times a day, and it is possible to turn up at the right time without booking in advance. At other times of the year it is possible to book tours for groups. In addition, if you are at least four people, you can book a different experience in the form of accommodation in the dormitories, including breakfast.

9. Taste Kalix vendace roe

Kalix vendace roe is roe from vendace fished in the Bay of Bothnia, and Kalix vendace roe has been a protected designation of origin since 2010. Each female fish yields about 3-5 grams of roe, and the only thing added before freezing is four per cent salt.

Onion roe from Kalix is an exclusive delicacy that can be enjoyed in different ways. We didn't try it just now, but we have eaten the fantastic vendace roe on other occasions. The photo below is from when we ate löjromssemla, with Kalixlöjrom, at Hotel Clarion Sign in Stockholm a few years ago.

For those who want to delve a little deeper into the lionfish world, the company Cold Adventures offers activities such as lionfish safaris.

10. Experience nature

Kalix is surrounded by fantastic nature, which can be experienced in many different ways. For example, you can cycle, hike, kayak or fish. If you want to hike, there is the National River Trail and the Skridfinnarleden trail.

What to do in Kalix in winter

We visited Kalix in the summer, but of course there is also a lot to do in Kalix in the winter and spring. During the snowy season, you can go skiing or skating and go on various adventurous excursions. For example, there are companies that offer snowshoeing, husky safaris and ice fishing. Children can skate, ski and toboggan in the winter wonderland at Strandängarna.

More to see and do in Kalix

There is of course even more to see and do in Kalix than our tips. Here are some more suggestions.

Fattenborg archaeological site contains graves and settlement mounds that are 3,500 - 4,000 years old.
Filipsborg Mansion is a hotel that offers activities such as river safaris, husky safaris, ice fishing and more. (Nyborgsvägen 195)
The Jock case is a mighty waterfall with a 9 metre drop in Överkalix.
Morjärv church was built in 1928-1929 by master builder S. A. Englund.
Överkalix with Brännaberget, with a view, and the Brännvalls café, with its 1950s interior.

Where can you stay in Kalix, or park your campervan?

In Kalix there are several different hotels and hostels to choose from. If you're travelling with a motorhome or caravan, you can stay at Kalix camping, which is nicely located by Strandängarna.

More to see and do near Kalix

From Kalix it is not far to Haparanda and Torniowhich is an interesting border area. Don't miss the delicious Kukkola Rapids. If you head south instead, you can make your way to Luleå, where you can, among other things visit Gammelstad church town, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

More tips for things to do in Kalix?

Have you visited Kalix? Do you have even more suggestions on what to see and do in Kalix? Let us know!

Facts about Kalix

Landscape: Norrbotten
Population: More than 15 000 (2023)
The name: Kalix in Swedish, Kainuu in Finnish, Kainus in Meänkieli and Gájnaj in Lule Sami. The place name comes from the Kalix River. The river name is a transliteration of the North Sami name "Gáláseatnu", where the first part means wading or swallowing and the second part means river.
Language: Swedish. Finnish, Tornedalian Finnish, Lule and Northern Sami and Meänkieli are also spoken in the area, as minority languages.

History of Kalix

1660s: They started mining ore and established the Kalix copper mill at Moån south of Bodträsk.
18th century: Shipbuilding was an important industry.
The end of the 18th century: Börkfors mill was established.
1801: The ironworks in Törefors was started.
1808-1809: Kalix was hit hard by the Finnish war. The church town of Nederkalix burned in 1809.
2001: Kalix was named Sweden's first IT municipality.

11 Comments

Add yours →

Annar Aas says:

Nice reading. In 1966 when I needed to start some kind of education in Sweden (grew up in Norway) I was admitted to Kalix Folk High School, which has always been popular. A high status school in northern Sweden. The winter scared me so I went to Södra vätterbygdens folk high school in Jönköping instead. Both of these folk high schools were run by the Swedish Missionary Association. Kalix has a special place in my memory bank, so thank you for the report.

20 August 2023 - 8:59

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad to hear that you appreciate the article! Norrland in winter can probably be fantastic if you like it, but a very long winter if you find it tough with the cold and snow ...
  
  21 August 2023 - 7:31
  
Uffe says:

Another great article!

20 August 2023 - 9:16

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad to hear you like it!
  
  21 August 2023 - 7:32
  
- Eva Lundbäck says:
  
  You are forgetting the fantastic Nordic Lapland at Frevisören. There you can eat very good food, walk out on the sea front in the old forest, swim in the lagoon below the restaurant. In winter, you can also go dog sledding on the sea, swim in an ice bath, go on snowmobile tours, visit Gölihatten, a pebble ridge with the possibility of grilling over an open fire. etc.
  
  24 August 2023 - 7:53
  
bmlarstravellingblog says:

We skipped Kalix on our journey north last autumn. We felt that the journey north took a little too long when we wanted to stop at all the interesting places. Now we realise that there are some things worth seeing there too. Siknäsfortet reminds us of the interesting guided tour we did at Femörefortet this summer.

20 August 2023 - 13:25

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It is difficult to stop everywhere! We have stopped at many places during this trip, but then we have instead had to skip other places, which we have not had time for, it is not possible to get to everything ... Siknäsfortet was very interesting, as well as Hemsö fort that we visited earlier this summer. I can imagine that Femörefortet is also interesting to visit. We have only been outside when it was closed ...
  
  21 August 2023 - 7:34
  
Mr Mattias Johansson says:

Nordic Life Experience offers rental of kayaks, SUP boards and bikes as well as guided paddling, hiking and snowshoeing excursions in the Kalix area. Read more on nordiclifrxp.se

21 August 2023 - 18:30

- Mr Mattias Johansson says:
  
  http://www.nordiclifexp.se is the correct address =)
  
  23 August 2023 - 7:44
  
Annelie says:

It's great that you recognise our beautiful municipality. Here are some more tips

In Marieberg there is a museum on the history of the Kalix Line, military vehicles and a café,
Visit Kvarngården in Björkfors where there is also a village museum.
Storön's and Frevisören's sea baths are nice beaches by the sea for those who want to swim. Frevisören also offers minigolf, cabins and a nice restaurant.
Upplev Baskeri Skärgård offers tours by boat around the archipelago that can be highly recommended. Olof is also an excellent guide regarding the history of Båtskärsnäs and Axelsvik. Icebreaker safaris are offered in winter from Axelsvik.

22 August 2023 - 23:47

Anonymous says:

You missed the Kalixlinjens Museum in Marieberg. Badly. Check their website anyway.

25 August 2023 - 12:43

Things to do in Kalix - our top 10 tips

Kalix

What can you do in Kalix?

1. visit Kalix church

2. Discover Strandängarna

3. Walk out to Vassholmen

4. See funny sculptures at Military Surplus

5. Make a stop at the Bagarstugan farm shop.

6. check out Nässkatan's fishing village

7. See the submarine museum in Töre harbour

8. Take a guided tour of the Siknäs Fortress

9. Taste Kalix vendace roe

10. Experience nature

What to do in Kalix in winter

More to see and do in Kalix

Where can you stay in Kalix, or park your campervan?

More to see and do near Kalix

More tips for things to do in Kalix?

Facts about Kalix

History of Kalix

You might also like:

Subscribe to our newsletter

11 Comments

Annar Aas says:

Helena says:

Uffe says:

Helena says:

Eva Lundbäck says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

Mr Mattias Johansson says:

Mr Mattias Johansson says:

Annelie says:

Anonymous says:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

ABOUT FREEDOMtravel

CONTACT US

Social media and newsletters

SEARCH AND FIND ON FREEDOMTRAVEL

Categories

Archive