Far in the northern forests of Sweden, deep in the Arctic Circle, Pajala stands very close to the border with Finnish Lapland. It's a small town standing on the River Torneälven surrounded by typical sparsely-populated Lapland scenery, woods and fells, with huge differences between the seasons. Winter of course is severe and there will be snow and little daylight in mid-winter. Visitors hiring a car in Pajala can explore the scenery whatever the season. Luckily, the road follows the scenic river valley in both directions. Pajala airport is about six miles north east of the town. The main northern city of Kiruna is around two and a half hours drive away, a distance of just over 1 miles.
Hire a car in Pajala to fully explore the little town and its vicinity. After driving around the leafy streets around the town's Lutheran church and the vicar's old wooden house, try visiting the restored Kengis Foundry, a 17th-century iron works, for a glimpse of Norrbotten's industrial heritage. Swedes also like to tour the 19th-century house of one of their renowned historical figures Lars Levi Laestadius, a botanist who founded his own religious movement. A lively annual market in the town celebrates its traditional role as a border trading post. A more modern landmark is the local TV mast, one of the tallest structures in the whole of Sweden.
