Things to do in Kalix - our top 10 tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | The small town in northern Sweden is best known for its exclusive salmon roe, but there are also beautiful settings along the Kalix River, charming fishing villages and exciting relics from the Cold War. We came here with our camper van and discovered several unexpected sights.

Discover Kalix – from skunk roe to Cold War secrets

We visited Kalix during our motorhome trip between Haparanda and Luleå and had only intended to make a short stop. We managed to see small town environments, historical sights and a fascinating visit to an underground fort. Here are our 10 best tips for experiences in and around Kalix.

1. visit Kalix church

Kalix Church is located near the E4 in central Kalix and is easily recognizable by its beautiful red color. This is actually Sweden's northernmost medieval church, built in the first half of the 15th century. The church is therefore one of the oldest and most significant historical buildings in this part of the country.

Next to the church stands a beautiful belfry from 1731. Three church bells hang from the belfry, the oldest of which was cast in 1682. Together, the church and the belfry form a fine historical setting that is worth a stop.

2. Discover the Strandängarna meadows by the Kalix River

Strandängarna is a pleasant area along the banks of the Kalix River, within walking distance of the city center. There is a guest harbor, green areas and nice views of the river, and during the summer there are plenty of opportunities for activities.

For families with children, there is Kalix's little wooden town, where historical buildings from the town have been recreated in miniature and children can play traffic with pedal cars. Here is also Strandängsbadet, an outdoor swimming pool with tempered pools and a sauna overlooking the river.

The area also has Kalix Camping and a fishing museum, which is usually open during parts of the summer. During the winter, the environment changes and Strandängarna becomes a place for ice skating, skiing and sledding, among other things.

3. Walk out to Vassholmen

Vassholmen is a small island in the Kalix River with an exciting history. During the rafting era, the island was used as a sorting point for timber, where the logs were sorted before being sent on to various sawmills. It was an important part of the industry that has long characterized the area.

In the summer you can get out to the island via a floating bridge. There are several older buildings here that remind you of the rafting era, including a rafting museum. When we visited Vassholmen, the cozy café was also open, so we could combine the walk with a break in the historical environment.

Today, the island is also used for cultural events and other activities during the summer. It is a great excursion destination for those who want to experience both nature and local history.

4. See the fun sculptures at Military Surplus

We made a slightly different stop at Militärt Överskott, east of Kalix. We had been tipped off that there were some fun sculptures outside the shop, and it turned out to be true!

Here we found several imaginative creations that attracted both laughter and photography. It may not be one of Kalix's most famous attractions, but such unexpected stops can be very fun during a car or camper trip. Those who like military gadgets and second-hand items can of course also take the opportunity to look around the shop, if it is open.

5. Make a stop at the Bagarstugan farm shop.

In Vånafjärden, about ten kilometers east of Kalix, Gårdsbutik Bagarstugan is located in a charming rural setting. It sells interior design, gifts and various delicacies, and also has a café. We had intended to visit when we passed by, but went for a profit and loss without checking the opening hours. We shouldn't have done that, because when we arrived it was closed!

The environment looked nice, and for those who like small farm shops, it could be a nice stop. Just check the opening hours before you go here, as the business has limited opening hours.

6. check out Nässkatan's fishing village

Nässkatan is one of the most charming stops we made in the Kalix area. The small fishing village dates back to the 18th century and is considered one of the best preserved small fishing ports on the Bothnian Bay coast.

Here, there are red fishing huts and boathouses that sit close to the water, along with piers and boats. The site is still used by professional fishermen and has retained much of its original character.

It's not a big attraction with lots of activities, but rather a place to stroll around and enjoy the genuine coastal environment. We found it incredibly charming!

7. See the submarine museum in Töre harbour

In Töre harbour, west of Kalix, there is an unusual museum where you can see the mini-submarine HMS Spiggen II. The submarine was built in 1990, during a time when suspected submarine violations in Swedish waters were a major security policy issue.

Spiggen II is approximately eleven meters long and was built to be used as a target submarine in Swedish submarine hunting exercises. Today it is preserved in a museum hall, where you can learn more about both the submarine and its history.

The museum also houses a so-called summer cottage cannon. During the Cold War, some coastal defense pieces were placed in facilities that were camouflaged as ordinary summer cottages. If necessary, the camouflage could be quickly removed and the cannon made ready for battle. It is a fascinating reminder of how extensive Sweden's defense planning was during the Cold War.

8. Take a guided tour of the Siknäs Fortress

One of our most interesting experiences in the Kalix area was a visit to Siknäsfortet. This underground fort was built during the Cold War as part of the Kalix Line, an extensive defense system that was intended to delay a possible enemy advance through Norrbotten.

The fort's mission was, among other things, to protect the strategically important area around Töre Harbour. Only parts of the military facilities are visible above ground, but beneath the rock lies an entire system of dormitories, technical spaces and defence facilities.

We went on a guided tour and got to walk through the different floors of the fort while the guide told us about the Cold War, the defense plans and how the soldiers lived and worked here. It was both exciting and educational, and gave a concrete picture of a time that is not very far back in history.

Guided tours are offered at fixed times during the summer, while groups can also book visits during other parts of the year. There is also the possibility of booking an unusual overnight stay in the fort's old lodge. For those interested in history, we highly recommend Siknäsfortet!

9. Taste the famous Kalixlö rum

Kalix is of course best known for its exclusive whitefish roe, sometimes called the red gold of the Gulf of Bothnia. Kalix Whitefish roe is made from roe from whitefish fished in a designated area in the Gulf of Bothnia. Since 2010, it has had an EU protected designation of origin, which means that both the raw material and the production must meet special requirements.

Each small female brill produces only a few grams of roe. The roe is hand-picked, cleaned and salted before being packaged. It is a time-consuming process that helps make the delicacy exclusive.

We didn't actually eat any salmon roe during our visit to Kalix, but we have enjoyed it on other occasions. Among other things, we have tried a slightly different creation in Stockholm: a salmon roe sandwich with Kalix salmon roe!

The classic serving is with, for example, sour cream or crème fraîche, finely chopped red onion and bread or blinis. During the autumn fishing season, there are also special experiences focusing on salmon roe fishing.

10. Experience the nature around Kalix

Kalix is surrounded by beautiful nature with rivers, forests, coast and archipelago. There are plenty of opportunities here for those who enjoy being outdoors, whether you prefer hiking, cycling, canoeing or fishing.

For those interested in hiking, there are the Nationalälvleden, which follows the landscape of the Kalix River, and the Skridfinnarleden. It is also possible to take shorter walks along the river or explore the nature in the areas around the coast.

Of course, we didn't have time to experience everything during our day in Kalix, but nature is another reason to stay longer if you have the opportunity.

What to do in Kalix in winter

We visited Kalix in the summer, but the town has a lot to offer during the winter and spring-winter months as well. Snow-covered landscapes, frozen waters, and activities such as skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and ice fishing are alluring.

There are also organizers who offer winter experiences, such as dog sledding tours. For families with children, Strandängarna is an alternative, with opportunities for play and winter activities when weather and snow conditions permit.

Where can you stay in Kalix or park your campervan?

In Kalix there are several hotels and other accommodation options for those who want to stay overnight. If you are traveling by motorhome or caravan, Kalix camping is an option, with a nice location by Strandängarna and the Kalix River.

From here it is walking distance to the city center, while being close to the water and several of the town's activities. For those who want to explore Töre, Siknäsfortet and the smaller fishing villages, it is practical to have a car or camper.

More to see and do near Kalix

• Things to do in Haparanda and Tornio
• Kukkola Rapids
• Things to do in Luleå
• Gammelstad church town