Sweden is well-known globally for various reasons. It is famous due to its acclaimed Saab and Volvo automobiles, the popular music band ABBA, the tasty pickled herring, and the enormous do-it-yourself store IKEA.
Additionally, it has gained equal fame for its breathtaking landscapes, charming fishing villages, its association with reindeer, and the seemingly never-ending sunlight during summer. The country is adorned with vibrant wooden houses, traditional huts, sturdy fortresses, and beautiful cathedrals.
Moreover, Sweden also showcases some remarkably modern architecture. Whether you seek adventurous hiking trails or enriching art museums, Sweden has it all. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the finest places to explore in Sweden.
10. Gotland
Gotland, the largest island in Sweden, is not primarily known for its fishing industry despite being completely surrounded by the Baltic Sea. Instead, the island’s top industries include agriculture, tourism, and information technology.
It is a highly popular tourist destination in Sweden, especially for those who enjoy sunny weather, as Gotland receives more sunlight throughout the year than any other place in the country. The island’s only city, Visby, is a stunning walled Hanseatic town that has managed to preserve its historic buildings and overall townscape.
Additionally, visitors can explore approximately 100 medieval churches and discover numerous prehistoric sites scattered across the island.
9. Ystad
If you’re a fan of murder mysteries, you should visit the coastal town of Ystad in southern Sweden. The famous author Henning Mankell based his detective novels about Kurt Wallender in Ystad and its surroundings.
You can even see some of the notable buildings mentioned in his books, such as the Greyfriars Abbey, which is one of Sweden’s well-preserved medieval monasteries. Another impressive building is the Church of the Virgin Mary, a large medieval church built in the Gothic Hansa style.
As you explore the town, you’ll come across charming pastel-colored half-timbered buildings along the cobblestone streets. Don’t forget to take a walk on the beautiful sandy beaches as well. If you venture east of Ystad, you can visit the remarkable megalithic monument called Ales Stenar. It consists of 59 large boulders, forming a stone ship-like structure.
8. Uppsala
Uppsala is a city in Sweden, situated about 70 km north of Stockholm. It has been a religious center for Sweden since the 12th century. Before Christianity, Uppsala was famous for statues of Norse gods. The Uppsala Cathedral, which is the largest cathedral in Scandinavia, is where the archbishop of Sweden is based.
Uppsala University, founded in 1477, is one of the oldest colleges in Scandinavia and education is highly valued in the city. The medieval part of Uppsala is located on the west side of the Fyris River. When you visit, you will see the cathedral and Uppsala Castle dominating the view.
The renowned 18th-century botanist Carl Linnaeus lived in Uppsala, so make sure to visit the botanical garden located near the castle.
7. Stockholm archipelago
If you enjoy visiting multiple islands, then exploring the Stockholm archipelago might be perfect for you. With 30,000 islands to choose from, it’s impossible to see them all. However, ferries are available to take you to the main destinations within the archipelago, starting with a short 10-minute boat ride from Stockholm.
You can explore interesting sites like Starofortet, a World War I fortress, or Vaxholm, which is considered the “capital” of the archipelago and has beautiful buildings and a rich history of herring fishing. Additionally, there’s an opportunity to relax at a spa in Nacka, which is the closest island to Stockholm and can be reached by car.
6. Stockholm
Stockholm is a beautiful city located on 14 islands and is the capital of Sweden as well as the largest city in Scandinavia. It was founded in the 13th century and is known for being the place where the annual Nobel Prizes are awarded.
The city offers lush green parks, top-notch attractions, and a unique blend of historical and modern architecture that makes it attractive to tourists. The medieval center of Stockholm is a must-see, with its well-preserved churches, the Royal palace, charming bridges, canals, and cobblestone streets lined with cafes and shops.
Djurgården, a green island, is home to popular tourist attractions like the Gröna Lund theme park, Stockholm Zoo, and the Skansen Open-Air Museum. A great way to appreciate the city is by taking in the view from the top of the Ericcson Globe, the world’s largest round building.
One of the most visited museums in Scandinavia is the Vasa Museum, which is dedicated to a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage. In Stockholm, you can enjoy your visit without breaking the bank, as it offers free admission to 15 museums including the Swedish History Museum, Medieval Museum, Royal Armoury, and Skokloster Castle.
5. Gothenburg
Gothenburg is a city on the west coast of Sweden with many beautiful parks. Some of these parks have been around since the 19th century, like Kungsparken which surrounds the city center’s canal. If you’re interested in amusement parks, you should visit Liseberg, which has the most rides out of any amusement park in Scandinavia.
Gothenburg is also the biggest port city in Scandinavia and hosts the largest film festival and many music festivals throughout the year. If you’re feeling hungry, you can try a haga bulle, which is a big cinnamon roll that you can find in Haga, a district famous for its charming wooden houses.
4. Marstrand
Marstrand is a historical city that has been around since the year 1200. It is famous for sailing and its ancient fortress. The city is located on an island in western Sweden and every year, it holds the Match Cup Sweden, an important sailing competition.
One of the main attractions in Marstrand is the Carlsten Fortress, a magnificent stone structure that protects the city. People who visit Marstrand often describe it as a perfect picture opportunity, so make sure to bring your camera and take lots of photos of the beautiful, colorful historic buildings that line the streets.
Other places that you shouldn’t miss during your visit include the Strandverket Art Museum, the restored Pater Noster Lighthouse, and the scenic hiking trails. Marstrand is a great place to spend a day trip away from Gothenburg.
3. Kosterhavet National Park
Sweden has a long coastline, but for the best marine life observation with protection, Kosterhavet National Park is the ideal place. It is the country’s first marine national park and borders Norway. The park is home to 6,000 species of marine life, some of which are unique to Sweden.
Located around the shores and sea of the Koster Islands, the park’s coral reefs attract snorkelers and divers, while those who prefer land can explore charming fishing villages that are perfect for picturesque postcards.
2. Malmo
Malmo is a city that combines both old and new elements. The city has a mix of medieval and modern buildings. It is Sweden’s third largest city with a charming Old Town called Gamla Stoden, which includes three main squares: Stortoget, Lilla Torg, and Gustav Adolfs Torg. In the Old Town, you can also find the Malmohus Slott castle.
Malmo is a multicultural city with 150 different ethnicities, and it is connected to Denmark via the Oresund Bridge. One of the must-see attractions in the city is the Turning Torso, an impressive architectural masterpiece that reaches a height of over 190 meters (600 feet), making it the most famous building in Sweden.
1. Swedish Lapland
If you’re looking for an exciting adventure in the wild, Swedish Lapland is the perfect destination in Sweden. It is situated in the far north, above the Arctic Circle, where the sun shines all day long during the summer. Lapland is a great place for people who enjoy activities like canoeing, hiking, and observing wildlife.
The region is home to the native Sami people, who are known for their resilience and live in vast forests and barren tundra.
To explore this area, a recommended option is to take a drive along the Wilderness Way, which covers a distance of 359 kilometers (223 miles) from Stromsund, a canoeing center, to Vilhelmina, a church town, passing through Fatmomakke where you can see traditional wooden huts.
During winter, visitors can also purchase reindeer hides in Jokkmokk, which is considered the heart of Sami culture.
