Unesco World Heritage Sites in Sweden - 15 from north to south

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Did you know that we have 15 Unesco world heritage sites in Sweden? We often check for world heritage sites when we're travelling, but we tend to forget that there are world heritage sites in Sweden too. We list them all - from north to south.

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Unesco World Heritage Sites in Sweden

When we are abroad, we often try to visit Unesco World Heritage sites. Not because we collect world heritage sites, but rather because world heritage sites are usually interesting to visit. Many times, World Heritage Sites are historic cities or magical national parks. But as usual, it is easy to focus on countries abroad and forget about Sweden. What are the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Sweden?

15 Unesco World Heritage Sites in Sweden - from north to south

We actually have 15 places in Sweden that are on the World Heritage List, did you know that? Not all of them feel important to see (although all of them feel important to protect and preserve!) but some are super interesting. Here is the full list, from north to south.

1. the Struve meridian arc

• What? In the early 19th century, the German-Russian astronomer Wilhelm von Struve used triangulation to calculate the size of the Earth. The arc consists of 265 measuring points, seven of which are in Sweden. Four are part of the World Heritage and are located on the mountains Tynnyrilaki (Kiruna), Jupukka (Pajala), Pullinki (Övertorneå) and Perävaara (Haparanda).
• Why World Heritage? "An extraordinary example of the exchange of human values through international scientific co-operation."
• Reflection? Interesting, but perhaps not so much to look at. Or?

2) Laponia

• What? One of Europe's largest wildernesses (including four national parks and two nature reserves) with beautiful scenery: plains, forests, mountains and glaciers. Laponia also contains a Sami cultural landscape and thousands of years of human history.
• Why World Heritage? "An outstanding example of how the Earth has evolved, especially geologically, and how ecological and biological changes are occurring today."
• Reflection? Looks amazingly beautiful in pictures!

3. Gammelstad church town

• What? Gammelstad church town is a traditional church town with wooden houses, which has been the marketplace and centre of a large geographical area since the 14th century.
• Why World Heritage? "An outstanding example of the traditional church town found in northern Scandinavia."
• Reflection? What a charming little town!

4. The High Coast and the Kvarken Archipelago

• What? High coast is located in Ångermanland and has a magnificent landscape, created by land uplift after the melting of the inland ice.
• Why World Heritage? "The area is one of the places in the world with isostatic land uplift due to the disappearance of the ice sheet."
• Reflection? We have travelled in this area with our motorhome. Beautiful!

5. Hälsingegårdarna

• What? In total seven health farms from the 19th century, all located in Hälsingland. Of the 100 or so Hälsingland farms that exist, these are the best examples.
• Why World Heritage? "An extraordinary combination of timber construction and folk art traditions, the wealth and social status of the independent farmers who built them."
• Reflection? Interesting, would love to see these!

6. Falun and Kopparbergslagen

• What? The historic industrial landscape in Dalarna around Stora Kopparberget and Falun, and among others Falu copper mine.
• Why World Heritage? "Mining ceased at the end of the 20th century, but over many centuries it has had a strong influence on technical, economic, social and political development in Sweden and Europe."
• Reflection? I (Helena) have visited this area for a conference, but I would really like to see more of the Falu copper mine.

7. Engelsberg Mill

• What? Engelsberg Mill, located in Västmanland, is one of the world's foremost industrial monuments with its 17th and 19th century industrial facilities.
• Why World Heritage? "An outstanding example of a significant European industry from the 17th and 18th centuries with important technical remains and both offices and housing preserved."
• Reflection? This is a Unesco world heritage site in Sweden that we hadn't even heard of... Might be interesting to learn more about the history!

8. Birka and Hovgården

• What? Birka on Björkö was an important trading centre and international port from the 7th century. Hovgården on Adelsö was the site of the king's residence.
• Why World Heritage? "One of the most complete and unspoilt Viking trade sites from the years 700 to 900."
• Reflection? We have both been here during our studies. I (Helena) was at Birka once when I studied Norse religion at the University. Very interesting!

9. Drottningholm Palace area

• What? Located on Lovön in Lake Mälaren, the Drottningholm Palace area is home to Drottningholm Palace, a palace park and a palace theatre.
• Why World Heritage? "The best example in Sweden of an 18th century royal residence, representative of all European architecture from this period."
• Reflection? We were here last autumn! Read more about our visit at Drottningholm Castle.

10. Forest cemetery

• What? A cemetery from 1920, where nature was used to create the cemetery environment. The cemetery has served as a model for the design of cemeteries around the world.
• Why World Heritage? "An outstanding example of how architecture and a designed cultural landscape from our century are merged into a cemetery."
• Reflection? We just discovered our nearest World Heritage Site. Read about our visit at Forest cemetery.

11. Tanum rock carving area

• What? Over 350 groups of carvings from the Bronze Age. The carvings are well-preserved, giving an insight into life here thousands of years ago.
• Why World Heritage? "Outstanding examples of Bronze Age art of the highest quality. The range of motifs provides rare evidence for many aspects of life in the European Bronze Age."
• Reflection? Very exciting indeed! This is a Unesco World Heritage Site in Sweden that we would love to check out.

12. The Hanseatic city of Visby

• What? Visby on Gotland is an old Hanseatic city with medieval buildings and an impressive ring wall.
• Why World Heritage? "An outstanding example of a northern European walled Hanseatic city that has uniquely preserved its townscape."
• Reflection? Visby is a wonderfully charming and interesting city. I (Helena) have only visited on business, and we would love to see more.

13th Grimeton radio station

• What? The radio station Grimeton is located in Halland and was built in the 1920s as part of a worldwide network of radio transmitters. The radio station is not regularly used today, but it still works and is therefore unique.
• Why World Heritage? "A unique and outstanding monument representing the development process of communication technology in the post-World War I period."
• Reflection? What a different Unesco World Heritage Site in Sweden! But who knows, it might be interesting?

14. Southern Öland's agricultural landscape

• What? The agricultural landscape on southern Öland consists of fields and pastures. The area has a history that spans several thousand years.
• Why World Heritage? "A unique example of human settlement where the different landscape types on a single island have been optimised."
• Reflection? Important to preserve of course! Agricultural landscapes don't sound very exciting in themselves, but we would love to see more of Öland.

15. the naval town of Karlskrona

• What? Karlskrona is a town founded in 1680 because there was a need for a fortress in southern Sweden. The city was then one of the most modern naval bases in the world, and served as an inspiration for others.
• Why World Heritage? "An extraordinarily well-preserved example of a European planned naval town" and "the best preserved and most complete of those remaining."
• Reflection? Karlskrona is an interesting and beautiful city in the Blekinge archipelago. Feel free to read our best tips for Karlskrona.

Which Unesco World Heritage Sites in Sweden have you seen?

So far we have seen 7 of the 15 World Heritage Sites, but some were long ago and others we could have seen more of. The ones we (or one of us) have visited are: Höga kusten, Kopparbergslagen, Birka, Drottningholm, Skogskyrkogården, Visby and Karlskrona. How many have you seen and which ones? Which ones would you like to see?

You might also like:

Wämöparken in Karlskrona - Blekinge's "Skansen" Visiting Hälsingland Farms - 7 Unesco World Heritage Farms Aspö outside Karlskrona - in the lovely Blekinge archipelago What to do on Ven in Skåne - 10 tips for a scenic island

Things to do in Glasriket - 25 tips for sights and experiences