Are you keen to explore travel destinations in northern Sweden? Holidaying at home is becoming more and more popular, so we have created a small series of destinations in Sweden. We started with destinations in southern and central Sweden, and have now reached northern Sweden. We hope you want to help and add your tips!
Table of contents
Travel destinations in northern Sweden
We have already written about destinations in southern Sweden and central Swedenand now it's time for tips on travel destinations in northern Sweden. By northern Sweden we mean mainly Norrland (i.e. Gästrikland, Hälsingland, Härjedalen, Jämtland, Medelpad, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten and Lapland).
We have included Gävle here, even though it is comparatively far south. We have also included Idre fjäll, even though it is located in northern Dalarna.
Ten tips for travelling in northern Sweden
Here are ten tips for travelling in northern Sweden, based on our own experience.
1. Östersund
Östersund is a pleasant town with lovely old houses and charming courtyards. There are also plenty of cosy little shops selling art, delicacies or clothes. In winter it is very nice to visit Vinterparken, with skiing, skating and a cosy café.
2. Åre
Åre is above all a popular ski resort, with opportunities for both downhill and cross-country skiing, but you can also come here in the summer for hiking, cycling and water sports. There are plenty of restaurants and spas in Åre, such as the beautiful Copperhill Mountain Lodge.
3. Rullsand sea baths
In the southern parts of Norrland, just outside Gävle, you will find Rullsands havsbad and camping. It was a long time ago, but we've driven here many times with our motorhome. There is a nice sandy beach here, and a bit further away there is also a naturist bath for those who prefer it.
4. Furuvik Park
Furuviksparken is an animal and amusement park located in Furuvik, about one kilometre east of Gävle. We were here many years ago, together with both children and nieces and nephews. We thought it was a nice park with a high-altitude course and nice animals.
5. The High Coast
The High Coast in Ångermanland offers a magnificent landscape of steep cliffs. This destination in northern Sweden, along with the Kvarken archipelago, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can also see the Högakustenbron, a suspension bridge with the longest free span in Sweden.
6. Idre mountains
Idre fjäll is popular in winter for both downhill and cross-country skiing. For those who want, there are also summer activities. We have visited Idre Fjäll in the summer, and took the opportunity to go horseback riding. Nearby we also went out in a canoe on a beaver safari.
7. Pite Havsbad
Pite Havsbad is located on the Gulf of Bothnia, about one kilometre southeast of Piteå. There is camping, hotels, cabins, water park, spa and lots of different events and activities. If you are unlucky with the weather, there is also an artificial sun terrace.
8. River Vindelälven
Vindelälven is a river in southern Lapland and southern Västerbotten, which flows into the Umeälven river. There is beautiful nature here and you can also try some really adventurous rafting. For a quieter adventure, stay in a wilderness camp.
9. kiruna
Helena and I visited Kiruna before we started the blog. Here you can, among other things, make a really interesting visit to the Kiruna mine. Another interesting excursion you can do is to visit the space base. Esrange Space Centre.
10th Kebnekaise
Those who are adventurous and fit can attempt to climb Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain with a peak of 2097 metres above sea level. Otherwise, you can (like me, Helena), settle for hiking from Nikkaloukta to Kebnekaise mountain station.
More destinations in northern Sweden
We haven't visited many destinations in northern Sweden, so we have a lot to discover. On the wish list is the ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi and Jokkmokk market. We would also like to visit Abisko and maybe see the infamous Northern Lights at some point. Gammelstad church town, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, would of course also be nice to see. It would also be interesting to see more of Umeå and to visit Luleå.
Your top tips for travelling in northern Sweden
Now we're curious, what are your best tips for travelling in northern Sweden?
Moa Happy & alive says:
Wow, I have a lot to add here after our weeks in Norrland this summer that just gave me more flavour, Abisko, Stora sjöfallet, Sarek and Padjelanta are some - but also Funäsfjällen, Vildmarksvägen and Luleå! (Have of course written about all this on my own blog 😉)
12 March 2020 - 8:10
Helena says:
Thanks for the tips! We'll check in with you if it's time to roll north 🙂 .
12 March 2020 - 18:05
Daniel on FlyingDryden says:
Norrland. Large, desolate and fantastic! Aiming for more mountain adventures and hikes, which I want to get better at. Have far too few tent nights to live where I live (in Östersund) 🙂.
12 March 2020 - 9:59
Helena says:
We have a lot to see and discover in Norrland! 🙂
12 March 2020 - 18:06
bmlarstravellingblog says:
Norrland is just fantastic and we also have a lot to discover, some of which we intend to do this autumn (hopefully including the northern lights in Abisko).
One of our favourites, which we visited before the time of the blog, is Vildmarksvägen with detours to Hällingsåfallet, the Sami church site Fstmomakke, hiking in Blinda dalen, stopping at Stekenjokk, Trappstegsforsen and of course some hiking along a trail.
Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi, Abisko and a hike to Trollsjön are all wonderful experiences.
12 March 2020 - 10:05
Helena says:
Thank you for many great tips! 🙂 We have a lot to experience in the northern part of Sweden!
12 March 2020 - 18:08
Ama de casa says:
The ice hotel is on my bucket list too 🙂 .
There are many nice things in Sweden! But for us it does not feel relevant to holiday abroad right now... 😉.
12 March 2020 - 12:23
Helena says:
Hinklista .... haha. And no, it seems that many people want to stay at home right now, no matter where "home" is 😉.
12 March 2020 - 18:09
BP says:
Judging by the pictures, it's been a while since you visited northern Sweden. Great fun for you to make a memory tour northwards! You seem to have the world's best order in your image archives:-)
12 March 2020 - 18:54
Maria / MagnoliaMagis says:
I have not been to the north of Sweden ..yet.My husband went to Esrange in Kiruna many years ago. We still have Northern Sweden on our travel wish list. Sami handicrafts, the ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi, the northern lights, Jokkmokk market, Gammelstad church town, the High Coast and to hear Yana Mangi sing live in Kiruna! Heard her joik at a meeting with Indians, Sami and others a long time ago. She was really magical! We will see which year this will be! Maybe already next winter.
12 March 2020 - 21:27
Berit says:
Storforsen, which is part of the Pite River and is Europe's largest unbound rapids, is located 40 km west of Älvsbyn on road 374. The rapids have a 5 km drop and a height of 82 m. The last two kilometres the river drops 60 m. There is a forestry museum and rafting museum and the area is visited by about 150,000 people. Well worth a visit 🙂
12 March 2020 - 21:45