What to do in Örnsköldsvik? This city, located in the High Coast, offers everything from culture and museums to wonderful nature experiences. Here you'll find all our top tips for things to see and do in Örnsköldsvik, or Ö-vik as the city is often called.
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Örnsköldsvik
Örnsköldsvik is a great place to visit when discovering the High Coast. We were here twice with the camper van last summer, first at the beginning of the summer when we travelled around in the High coastand then at the end of the summer when we travelled home from our Gulf of Bothnia trip.
Örnsköldsvik is located in the High Coast, about 110 kilometres south of Umeå.
What can you do in Örnsköldsvik?
So what can you do in Örnsköldsvik? There is a lot to see and discover in this city, and not least in the surrounding area. Here are our top tips for things to do in Örnsköldsvik and the surrounding area.
1. discover the centre of Örnsköldsvik
When you arrive in a new city, it is always nice to discover the city on foot, or perhaps by bike. Örnsköldsvik is beautifully situated between the two city mountains Åsberget and Varvsberget, and from the centre you are also close to the harbour and the water. In the city centre you can of course go shopping and you will also find the adventure and spa pool Paradiset.
2. Check out the Ting1 building
One of the first buildings you notice in Örnsköldsvik is Ting1. The building has been voted 'Sweden's ugliest' several times. What you think is of course up to each individual, but it stands out anyway. The special building contains condominiums, built on top of the old courthouse, and the architect is Gert Wingårdh.
3. peek inside Örnsköldsvik's church
Örnsköldsvik Church, located on a hill in the centre of the city, was designed by architect Gustaf Améen and inaugurated in 1910. The interior of the church was renovated between 1953 and 1955. Here you can see, among other things, the light-coloured choir painting 'The Great Guest Offering', made in al secco technique by Sigurd Möller.
4. Stroll in the Eagle Park
In the centre of Örnsköldsvik you will find the beautiful park Örnparken. Here you will find the popular playground Cityleken and a few different works of art. For example, you can check out the "Gycklare" sculpture by Bror Marklund and the "Eagle" sculpture, modelled by Bruno Liljefors.
5. Visit the Örnsköldsvik Museum and Art Centre.
At one end of the elongated Örnparken is the Örnsköldsvik Museum and Art Centre. There are various exhibitions here, and when we were here the focus was on mopeds and bird-themed art. There is also a really nice section for children, which inspires play and curiosity. There is also a café, and when we were here they encouraged visitors to borrow blankets to sit on the lawn. Nice!
6. Check out the Hans Hedberg Museum
The artist, sculptor and ceramicist Hans Hedberg was born in 1917 in Köpmanholmen, just south of Örnsköldsvik. He studied with Otte Sköld and Isaac Grünewald, among others, and later settled in France, where he rubbed shoulders with artists such as Matisse, Picasso and Chagall.
Hedberg is known for his swelling and colourful fruits, often of supernatural size. If you want to check out these delicious fruits, head to the Hans Hadberg Museum in Arken, in the inner harbour.
7. watch a hockey match in the Hägglunds Arena
One thing you won't want to miss doing in Örnsköldsvik, if you're a hockey fan, is checking out a hockey match at Hägglunds Arena, which is MODO Hockey's home arena. The arena also hosts concerts and other events.
8. Walk in the Manor Park
Herrgårdsparken is located on the coast, just south of Örnsköldsvik. The park is named after the beautiful manor house built during the era of the sawmill industry in the 1860s, at Kärleksudden in Köpmanholmen. Today it is a nature and art park in a beautiful setting.
The park is part of the High Coast Art Valley, an art trail in the High Coast, and offers both beautiful scenery and delightful artwork. You'll also find the 'Children's World' here, where you can look for trolls and other mysterious creatures.
9. Take in the view from Varvsberget.
Varvsberget rises high above Örnsköldsvik, offering an unbeatable view of the city, the harbour area and the water. Up here you can also be fascinated by the jumping hills used by brave skydivers. You can get all the way up by car. In summer, you can also take the Paradis lift to the top and go downhill.
10. Admire Själevad church
Själevad Church, located in Själevad just outside Örnsköldsvik city centre, has been named Sweden's most beautiful church several times. The white octagonal church was inaugurated in 1880 and is built in a partly neoclassical style, with columned gables. The church is almost reminiscent of a Greek temple and has a beautiful location overlooking the Moälven valley.
11. Experience Skuleskogen National Park
Skuleskogen National Park, located just south of Örnsköldsvik, offers many opportunities for hiking in beautiful and dramatic scenery, where you can also learn about how land uplift has shaped the landscape. The national park can be accessed via three entrances (West, South and North) and through these you will find a variety of popular hiking trails.
12. Get to the top of Mount Skule
Half an hour south of Örnsköldsvik by car, Skuleberget is a popular destination. You can hike to the top, and during the high season you can also take a lift to the top. Once at the top, you can enjoy a fantastic view, and sometimes even the top cabin's waffle café is open.
13. Fascinated by the Slåttdal crevasse
Slåttdalsskrevan is an approximately 200 metre long, 30 metre deep and seven metre wide crevice that splits Slåttdalsberget into two parts. A hiking trail used to go straight through the crevice, but now, for safety reasons, you can hike up to the crevice and then around it. The views from the top are magical!
14. Hike the High Coast Trail
The High Coast Trail is probably the most famous hiking trail in the High Coast, and it is also one of Sweden's twelve selected Signature Trails. The trail runs through the entire World Heritage Site, from Hornöberget in the south to Örnsköldsvik in the north. The total length is 128 kilometres, divided into 13 stages.
15. Take an excursion to Ulvön or Trysunda.
There are a number of beautiful islands along the coast, and in the summer you can take various boat trips here. For example, you can go to Ulvön / Ulvöarna and Trysunda with M/F Ulvön or M/S Kusttrafik.
More to do in Örnsköldsvik for those who like culture and history?
There is of course even more to see and do in Örnsköldsvik than our tips. Here are some more suggestions for those who like culture and history.
- Brynge cultural centre offers Swedish industrial history, with a sawmill and power station environment (Brynge 139, Sidensjö).
- High Coast Art Valley is a cultural trail with works of art, from Ulvöarna up the Nätraälven valley.
- Gerdal ostrich farms runs an ostrich farm and a restaurant with ostrich on the menu. (Kasta 241, Överhörnäs)
More to do in Örnsköldsvik for nature lovers
Do you like nature best? Then you will find even more suggestions here for things to do in Örnsköldsvik and the surrounding area.
- Golf you can play at Veckefjärdens GC or Örnsköldsviks Golfklubb Puttom.
- Yellow members is a 6 kilometre long urban walking trail.
- Kayak or SUP board can be rented at Övik Marina or in the kayakomat at Strandkajen/Hägglunds arena.
- The Nature Company is a 2000 square metre outdoor shop with outlet and branded products with discounts (Brogatan 141, Själevad).
- Skyttis is a sports and recreational area in the centre of Örnsköldsvik, with hiking trails, MTB trails and ski trails.
- Åsbacken offers urban alpine skiing with four slopes, a drag lift, a ski school and ski hire.
More to do in Örnsköldsvik with children
Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you can find even more tips on things to do in Örnsköldsvik here.
- Akviator Park is an adventure park with a high-altitude course. (Genesmon, Domsjö)
- BaaZinga playground is a playground in Arnäs Köpcenter (Tegelbruksvägen 22, Arnäsvall).
- Citylekparken is a popular playground between Stora Torget and Örnsköldsvik Museum & Art Centre.
- The Saga of Källarbacken is a fairytale trail with a constructed fairytale environment (Sidensjö).
- Paradise Baths is an adventure pool in the city centre (Lasarettsgatan 15).
Where can you stay in Örnsköldsvik, or park your campervan?
In Örnsköldsvik there are many different hotels and other accommodation options, such as Elite Plaza Hotel, First Hotel Statt and Scandic Örnsköldsvik. If you, like us, are travelling with a camping vehicle, there are also a bunch of different options in and around Örnsköldsvik. We have stayed at Ställplats Örnsköldsvik, which has a good location near the city, and at Skuleberget havscamping. Below you can see these and a few other options.
- Gullvik sea baths and camping, Gullvik 140, Domsjö
- Köpmanholmen car park, Köpmanholmen boat club
- Salusands sea baths & camping, Salusand 105, Husum
- Skuleberget sea camping, Veåsand 212, Docksta
- RV park Örnsköldsvik, Varvskajen 1
More to see and do near Örnsköldsvik
Starting in Örnsköldsvik, you can continue south and discover even more of the High Coast, such as Mannaminne in Nordingrå, the charming city Härnösand and the interesting Hemsö Fortress. If you head inland, you can see the fascinating rock carvings at Nämforsen and if you head north, you can get to the exciting university town of Nämforsen. Umeå. Below you will find even more tips for Ångermanland.
Visiting Hemsö Fortress - an exciting destination in the High Coast area
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Visiting Mannaminne in Nordingrå - a different kind of open-air museum
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Hiking to Slåttdalsskrevan in the High Coast area
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Visiting Skuleberget and Skuleberget Havscamping.
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The pulpit on Getsvedjeberget - the best photo spot on the High Coast?
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More tips for things to do in Örnsköldsvik?
Have you visited Örnsköldsvik? Do you have even more suggestions on what to see and do in Örnsköldsvik? Please tell us!
Facts about Örnsköldsvik
- Landscape: Ångermanland
- County: Västernorrland County
- Population: More than 55 000 (2023)
- The name: The city is named after the governor Per Abraham Örnsköld (1762-1769) and is thus one of the few Swedish cities named after a private individual. The name is often shortened to Ö-vik.
- Read more: You can find more information on the High Coast website.
History of Örnsköldsvik
- The Bronze Age: Between 7000 and 8000 burial cairns have been found from this period.
- 0s: A farm was established in Gene, which is the northernmost known from this period.
- 18th century: The coastal region began to flourish thanks to the importance of harbours during the sawmill era.
- 1842: Örnsköldsvik Municipality came into being following a decision by His Majesty the King.
- 1894: Köpingen became a town.
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Ingrid Åsander says:
Thank you for a fantastic report from Örnsköldsvik and the World Heritage High Coast, so nicely described and you have basically got everything...
24 September 2023 - 12:10
Ditte says:
Certainly Ö-vik is a lovely town. Have been here and in the surrounding areas on many "travel work trips" and think you got most of it.
We always stay at the Elite PLaza hotel which is perfectly located and offers good rooms and service.
A trip out to the lighthouse Högbonden is recommended and to stay over at the hostel.From Barsta and Bönhamn the boats depart. And both are also nice old fishing villages.
The Skags udde lighthouse and the fishing village of Skeppsmalen, with its surströmming museum, are also worth a visit.
If you like whisky, High Coast Distillery is nice. There is also the possibility to park motorhomes there (was??).
Yttrelännäs old church from the 13th century https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/kramfors/ytterlannas-gamla-kyrka is also a nice stop
I can also suggest that on the way up or down you take a break for lunch in the old industrial area of Svartvik just south of Sundsvall.
The High Coast is a favourite for me and there will be a trip there now, a cruise with Viking Cinderella.
24 September 2023 - 12:16
Åke says:
Ulvön for me is my paradise. I have been there many times with my own boat and have updates almost every day from the museum director. A nice report about ö-vik but yesterday we beat the team town on the hockey competition called the battle of Västernorrland 🙂 My sister lives centrally up there and she can't help it I usually add 😉 The nephew lives in Idbyn. I myself am Alnöbo.
24 September 2023 - 14:30
Hanna says:
As I said, there is much more to see around Örnsköldsvik. We have a lighthouse to visit at Skeppsmaln with the opportunity to eat well in Skagshamn. There you can hike in beautiful nature. By bike or car you can get to the coast and see Longroudden, Ultrå or visit beautiful stubbsand with its long sandy beach. We have a beautiful archipelago if you like boating and have the opportunity to do so. We also have golf at veckefjärden and good food to eat there too. If you want to play golf but on a smaller scale, we have a nice and fresh mini golf to play near the museum. In addition, there are many flea markets around during the summer that you can visit on rainy days.
16 July 2024 - 19:21