Are you keen to explore destinations in central Sweden? Holidaying at home is becoming more and more popular, so we've started a small series of destinations in Sweden. Now it's time for destinations in central Sweden, and then we'll continue with northern Sweden. We hope you want to help and add your tips!
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Travel destinations in central Sweden
We have already written about destinations in southern Sweden, and now it's time for tips on travelling in central Sweden. But what do we mean by "central Sweden"? It is a somewhat vague definition, which in a approximately corresponds to Svealand (i.e. Dalarna, Närke, Södermanland, Uppland, Värmland and Västmanland). Note also that central Sweden not is the same as the centre of Sweden.
Ten tips for travelling in central Sweden
Here are ten tips for travelling in central Sweden, based on our own experience.
1. Sigtuna
Sigtuna is Sweden's oldest surviving town. It was founded around 980 by Erik Segersäll, father of Olov Skötkonung. Today this is a cosy town by the water, with charming wooden houses, old church ruins and charming cafés, such as Tant Brun's coffee house.
2. Västerås
The old town in Västerås is fantastically charming, with all the fine old houses along the Svartån river. If you are travelling with a motorhome, there is a nice parking space in the guest harbour. If you want, you can also make an excursion to Engsö Castle, where no less than three ghosts live.
3. trosa
Trosa is a truly charming destination in central Sweden. Beautiful wooden houses line the canal and there are plenty of small shops and cosy cafés and restaurants. If you come by motorhome, you can find places in the guest harbour. You can also make an excursion to Tullgarn Castle.
4. Sala Silver Mine
The Sala silver mine, which operated between the 15th and early 20th centuries, is an interesting place to visit today. You can go down into the mine, where guides tell you about the history and the hard life of miners in the past.
5. Around Siljan
Around beautiful Siljan are many pleasant places that are nice to visit, all year round. In Nusnäs outside Mora you can see the production of Dala horses, and outside Rättvik you'll find the beautiful Dalhalla concert arena. It is also well worth visiting Zorngården and Hildasholm.
6. Stockholm
Sweden's capital city offers many pleasant areas, such as Djurgården, Old Town and Skeppsholmen. There is also a wide range of exciting restaurants, interesting museums and ever-changing cultural events. Or why not try Amphibious buses Ocean Bus?
7. Stockholm archipelago
In the Stockholm archipelago there are many islands such as Yxlan, Blidö, Rödlöga, Ljusterö, Fjäderholmarna and Nåttarö. There are regular boat services to many of the islands. Once there, you can enjoy nature and some islands have cafés, restaurants and museums.
8. Norrtälje
Norrtälje is a beautiful destination in central Sweden, with winding streets and charming old wooden houses. Through the centre of the city runs the Norrtäljeån river, which is full of fish. For example, you can visit "Pythagoras ignition engine factory" or make an excursion to Kapellskär and the Riddersholm Nature Reserve.
9. Gävle
Gävle offers everything from a beautiful historic city centre to exciting museums and excursions. For example, you can visit the Swedish Prison Museum, hang out in the Boulongerskogen park or take a trip to the coast.
10. Femöre Nature Reserve
The island of Femöre, connected to the mainland by a bridge, is located southeast of Oxelösund in Södermanland. It offers beautiful scenery, scenic hiking trails and the formerly top-secret Femöre Fort, which is now a summer open museum of the Cold War.
More destinations in central Sweden
There are, of course, many more beautiful and interesting destinations in central Sweden. We would love to see more of Värmland, for example in the form of hiking and experiences at Lake Vänern.
Since my (Helena's) brother lived in Nora for a while we know that it is a charming little town. Of course, there are also many nice towns along Lake Mälaren, such as Strängnäs and Mariefred. In addition, the Uppsala a nice city. As for Stockholm County, you'll find plenty of tips here:
Your top tips for travelling in central Sweden
Now we're curious, what are your best tips for travelling in central Sweden?
You might also like:
Öster Malma Castle - hunting, buffet and wild animals
What to do on Ven in Skåne - 10 tips for a scenic island
Excursions on the Bjäre Peninsula - 8 wonderful experiences
Things to do in Falkenberg - 12 sights and experiences
Ramlösa brunnspark - from health resort to mineral water
Visiting Kukkolaforsen - whitefish fishing and sauna culture
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Lena - good for the soul says:
I must of course mention Idrefjäll and Fulufjället National Park in northern Dalarna. So wonderful to hang out there! And the lovely village of Tällberg, also in Dalarna.
Hug Lena
11 March 2020 - 6:40
Helena says:
Yes, Idre fjäll is fantastic! I realise that I put it under "northern Sweden", but according to the division Götaland/Svealand/Norrland you are actually right! Idre belongs to Dalarna.
11 March 2020 - 7:31
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Sigtuna is really beautiful! And along the main street my husband and I walked almost eleven years ago, newly married in Sigtuna Town Hall and on our way down to the harbour where we took a boat to Stockholm with the family.
I have camped on Gålö with the scouts, nice!
Yes, Sweden is beautiful!
11 March 2020 - 8:45
Helena says:
What a nice memory from Sigtuna! ?
11 March 2020 - 17:39
Ditte says:
Wow, there is a lot. I would like to mention the beautiful Färnebofjärden where Dalarna, Gästrikland, Västmanland and Uppland meet. You have the Stockholm archipelago, but to go even further out than the inner and central archipelago is recommended. In the southern archipelago, I also recommend the outer parts with Dalarö and from there take the Vaxholm boat. Also and Öja/Landsort are recommended.
Then the Hjälmare canal. Maybe a train ride on the Kinekulle railway in Västergötland.
11 March 2020 - 9:14
Helena says:
Thanks for all the tips Ditte! We still have a lot to explore! ??
11 March 2020 - 17:40
Lena in Wales says:
Nice to have some tips on travelling in Sweden.
I was surprised, but it was only Västerås, Trosa and Gålö that I had not visited. Most of the visits relatively recently.
Sweden has so many beautiful and interesting things to see.
Take care!
11 March 2020 - 11:25
Helena says:
Glad you visited here, and recently too! ??
11 March 2020 - 17:41
Maria / MagnoliaMagis says:
Okay, on to the country! I grew up in Värmland and my mum and dad lived in Dalarna for many years, so let's think here...
The first thing I think of is the previous tip Tällberg. Very Dalalike! If you also go below the mountain along Siljan, you come to Laknäs where the parents lived. So cosy and nice places along the very narrow road. Next door to the parents lives a basket maker who is world-famous (especially in Japan), very well worth a visit to Björn Majors.!!! If it is winter, it is fun for those who like to go long-distance skating on Siljan. For those who like crafts, there is the Sätergläntan folk high school and shop. For Midsummer, nothing beats Dalarna. Every village has its own celebration. Folk music is also wonderful.
Speaking of folk music, I have to highlight an event that happens every year in early June: the Ransätersstämman in Värmland. I don't know if the courses for young people the week before are still available but it was magical to go to them when I was younger!
Värmland has its beautiful Klarälven river where you can build and raft, among other things.
In Kristinehamn there is a work by Picasso for those who like art. Gustaf Fröding was born at Alster Manor in Karlstad. Nils Ferlin, Tage Erlander, Selma Lagerlöf, Mia Skäringer, Ernst Kirchsteiger, Lars Lerin, and many others are from Värmland, so the forests here give birth to artists on a regular basis. (From Sundstagymnasiet's music line there are many memories with Rigmor Gustafsson, Karl-Martin Almqvist, Jonas Reingold and Adam Alsing in the corridor who went to another line etc.)
Yes, now I will stop! We will take a trip to the cranes at Bjurum, we had thought.
Have a nice mid-week day!!!
11 March 2020 - 12:13
Helena says:
Wow, so many interesting and personalised tips! Thank you!!! Exciting that with the basket maker who is famous in Japan! Hope you have a nice trip to the cranes, it sounds nice!
11 March 2020 - 17:44
I Monica says:
Haha, I have been everywhere, in exactly all the places you describe and all the places in the comments, sometimes longer time, sometimes shorter, Dalarö every week in all seasons except winter for many years, and rented great accommodation in so many places for a week or two, feeling really well-off 🙂 and wondering how I have travelled all over Europe and the Nordic countries too. And there is so much in Sweden to experience, learn history and we have an unusual country with the oblong appearance. But sometimes you want a little more light and sun than here. That's how it is, but now we are all soon in Coronaland, perhaps going in more and more with everyone and I am a calm soul but have wonders about the fact that it is so easily infected, it is very serious. Been in a space suit against many viruses in my profession but never like this and it scares what will become of the situation.
11 March 2020 - 12:44
Helena says:
Wow what you have done!!! Yes, there are many nice and interesting things to experience in Sweden! ??
11 March 2020 - 17:45
BP says:
You have timed your tips for holidays at home very well given the coronavirus. There are many nice places in central Sweden and can also warmly recommend Vaxholm - during the summer.
11 March 2020 - 18:50
Ruth in Virginia says:
World Heritage Site
Don't forget the Falu Copper Mine, where mining started so
early its 800 BC - was closed in 1992.
11 March 2020 - 23:40
Maria's memoirs says:
Sigtuna I am really keen on, hopefully some summer soon (maybe this one if we are really lucky with the corona development? ??
And Stockholm is the city I always return to ❤️ Although it has been a few years since the last time actually.
15 March 2020 - 15:08