Things to do in Kalix - our top 10 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.

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!