Things to do in Gävle - 30 sights and experiences

What can you do in Gävle? This city offers everything from a beautiful historic city centre to exciting museums and excursions. Here you'll find all our top tips on things to see and do in Gävle.

Gävle

Gävle is the largest city in Norrland and the 14th largest city in Sweden. We were pleasantly surprised when we recently arrived here with our motorhome: a lovely river, a nice city centre and many nice museums and excursions!

Gävle is located in the south-eastern part of Gävleborg County, where the Gavle River flows into Gävle Bay and the Bothnian Sea.

What can you do in Gävle?

So what can you do in Gävle? There's a lot to see and discover in this lovely city. Here are our top tips for things to do in Gävle and the surrounding area.

1. Strolling in Old Gefle

When you visit Gävle, you won't want to miss Old Gefle, which consists of a bunch of old and incredibly picturesque neighbourhoods. This is the part of the old city that survived the devastating city fire of 1869.

2. Take a look at the Joe Hill farm

Joe Hill (Joel Emmanuel Hägglund) was born in 1879 in Gävle, Sweden, and died in 1915 in Salt Lake City, USA, by execution. Hill grew up in poverty and emigrated to the United States, where he became a trade union activist and acclaimed poet and singer.

When Hill was arrested and executed for a murder that no one knows if he carried out, he became a bigger icon than ever, and musicians like Bob Dylan and John Lennon have described him as an inspiration. Today, you can visit his parents' home, which serves as a museum.

3. Discover art and history at the County Museum

Länsmuseet Gävleborg is a large and beautiful museum, which is completely free to visit. It has collections of both historical artefacts and art, and is also constantly showing various temporary exhibitions. Well worth a visit!

4. See Gävle Castle

Gävle Castle is the northernmost castle in Sweden. The first castle in Gävle was a mighty version with spires that began to be built as early as 1583. When this castle burned down in 1727, a new, simpler castle was built in the French classicism style.

Today Gävle Castle is the residence of the county governor, and the interior of the building cannot be visited. However, you can stroll around the castle, and read about its history on various signs.

5. Learn about history at the Prison Museum

The Swedish Prison Museum is an exciting (not to say captivating!) museum housed in two different buildings in the centre of Gävle: the castle prison and the cell prison.

You start your visit in the cellular prison, where you can look into a number of different cells, which today tell you about the history of the prison and the lives of the prisoners. You can then continue to the Castle Prison, where people used to be locked up while awaiting trial.

The harsh conditions of people in the past in the world become very clear, and you really get the opportunity to reflect on opportunities and the view of humanity, past and present. Very interesting!

6. Walk the Path of Health

Hälsans stig is a 6-kilometre walk that passes by places such as Stadsträdgården, Boulognerskogen, Regementsparken and Gävle city centre. If you want to see a bit of the city, and get a good walk in at the same time, this is a great thing to do in Gävle!

7. Hang out in the Boulonger Forest

The Boulogne Forest, which is more of a park than a forest, is named after the "Bois de Boulogne" park in Paris. This very large and beautiful park, together with the City Garden, offers greenery, flower beds, small bridges and things like a café, outdoor gym and playground. When we were here, on Sweden's national day, it was full of activity with lots of jippos.

8. Impressed by Gävle Concert Hall

Gävle Concert Hall was opened in 1998 and has a special architecture, with a facade of blue tiles. Various concerts are held here and there is also a restaurant called Gourmet Blue.

9. Admire Music-making Angels

Opposite Gävle Concert Hall you can see the sculpture Music-making angels, which was created by Carl Milles between 1949 and 1950. The work can also be found in the Millesgården sculpture park on Lidingö in Stockholm.

10. Discover Gävle Art Centre

Gävle Konstcentrum is an art centre with various art projects and art education. A number of different art exhibitions are shown here every year.

11. Check out Gunder Hägg at Strömvallen

Nils Gunder Hägg was a Swedish athlete, middle-distance runner and long-distance runner who broke 16 world records between 1941 and 1945. Today he can be seen as a statue at Strömvallen.

12. Stroll along Rådhusesplanaden

Rådhusesplanaden is a park that stretches from Rådhustorget to the north. This beautiful park was created after the city fire of 1869, and had the additional purpose of also serving as a firebreak. Today you will find flowers, fountains, sculptures and benches here.

13. see Gävlebocken

The Gävlebok can only be seen at a certain time of year, from the first day of Advent until New Year's Day. On the other hand, it is not certain that it can be seen even then, as it has almost become a "tradition" to burn it down. We mention it anyway, of course, because it is so famous!

14. Peek inside the Church of the Holy Trinity

The Church of the Holy Trinity is a central church on the Gavle River. The church that exists today was consecrated in 1654, after an earlier church building was destroyed by fire.

15. Visit the Railway Museum

We have heard that a visit to the Railway Museum is a nice thing to do in Gävle. Now it has been closed for some time after several years of renovation, expansion and development. The museum will reopen on 29 June 2024.

16. Studying trees at Valls hage

Valls hage is a forest botanical park, a so-called arboretum, which began construction in the 1950s. The aim was to collect all Swedish trees and shrubs for educational and other purposes, and there are around 200 different species of trees.

17. Watch a match with Brynäs

Monitor ERP Arena is the home of Brynäs. Here you can go to a game if you want to watch hockey!

18. Go to Gävletravet

Gävletravet is located right next to Monitor ERP Arena. Here you can see trotting according to the current programme!

19. Tasting whisky in Mackmyra Whisky Village

I Mackmyra Whisky Village, just outside central Gävle, single malt whisky is produced. There is a bar and bistro, and many different events are organised here, such as whisky tastings. There is also a caravan park, but please note that you can only stay if you have booked in for an event.

20. Discover Mackmyra Mill and golf

Mackmyra Mill is located about 10 kilometres west of Gävle. The mill is an ironworks dating back to the 16th century, and there are six listed buildings and an English park. Right next to the mill there is a golf course and a simple camping / caravan site. We stayed here for two nights and enjoyed it!

21. Shopping in Valbo

Valbo Shopping Centre, located just outside Gävle, is a large shopping complex with lots of shops. Here you can shop for things like fashion, interior design and technology.

22. Treat yourself to a weekend at Högbo Bruk

Högbo Bruk is located in Sandviken, less than half an hour outside Gävle by car. This turned out to be a real gem! At Högbo Bruk you can really find the holiday feeling, whether it's for a day trip or if you stay for a long weekend.

The area is surprising large and here you will find a restaurant, café, delicatessen, chocolate factory, vegetable farms, craftsmen and a shop selling skincare products. What all the businesses seem to have in common is a strong commitment to sustainability and locally produced goods. There are also animals on the farm, such as horses and pigs, as well as outdoor activities such as mountain biking, golf and football golf.

There is a fantastic hotel at the mill and a brand new spa, in incredibly lovely premises. You can also come by motorhome as there is a car park at the mill. Book well in advance, because this place is popular!

23. Meet wild animals in Furuvik Park

Furuviksparken is a very popular animal and amusement park in Furuvik, about 10 kilometres east of Gävle. We have not been here during this trip, but we have been here before, when we had teenagers with us.

The park is home to a wide variety of exotic animals, as well as a wide range of rides and an adventure pool. There is also a restaurant, hotel and campsite.

24. Sunbathing and swimming at the Sandbanks

Sandbankarna is a bathing area located in Skutskär south of Gävle. This bathing area offers a lovely sandy beach.

25. Holiday at Rullsand seaside resort

Another nice swimming spot can be found at Rullsands Havsbad and Camping. This place, sometimes called the "Riviera of Central Sweden", is a place to enjoy sun and swimming, camping, restaurants and music evenings. We didn't stay here this time (because the weather didn't invite it), but we've been here several times before and appreciate this place a lot!

26. Fascinated by Dragon Gate

Dragon Gate is a partially completed complex in Älvkarleby municipality, on the E4 motorway south of Gävle. It was a Chinese businessman who wanted to create a place where Chinese and Swedish culture could meet, but the project was met with various challenges, and the site has been mostly deserted.

At the moment, you can stop to look around and be fascinated by a very special place. In the future, perhaps this will develop into something new!

27. Enjoy the idyll at Bönan

Bönan is located on the coast, a short distance north of Gävle, and is a fantastically cosy place. Here you'll find Bönan's Lighthouse, a small fish shop with a smokehouse, and Bönan's Café, where you can enjoy a prawn sandwich or an ice cream, for example. There's also a car park where motorhomers usually stay overnight.

28. Hike the Norrland coastal trail

Norrlandets is a coastal hiking trail of about 15 kilometres that stretches between Engeltofta and Marskärsudden.

29. Shop for fish at Gåsholma

Gåsholma is a fantastic place located on the coast, north of Gävle. Here you can experience the charming archipelago environment, and in summer there is both a café and a fish shop.

We took the opportunity to buy both perch and smoked salmon. Wow, so good!

30. Have dinner at Axmar Brygga

Axmar Brygga is an absolutely fantastic place that you will find along the Gävle coast. There is a seaside restaurant here that offers delicious fish and seafood dishes, and it also offers great pitches for motorhomes, with all the services you need.

More to do in Gävle for those who like culture and history

There is, of course, even more to see and do in Gävle than our tips. Here are some more suggestions for those who like culture and history.

• Alderholmen is a neighbourhood in Gävle, with the Gevalia coffee roastery.
• Food walk is organised a few times a summer, under the name "Matmilen Gävle".
• City walk are organised with different dates and different themes. Check out the municipality's website.
• Villa Holmsuddsallén calls itself "the modern country store in Gävle", with ice cream, pastries and a shop.

More to do in Gävle for nature lovers

Do you like nature best? Then you will find even more suggestions here, on things to do in Gävle and the surrounding area.

• Boat trips can be done in Gävle, with Royal Shipping among others.
• Golf you can play at Gävle Golf Club or Mackmyra Golf.
• Engeltofta is located on the coast, with a hotel and restaurant in a stunningly beautiful building.
• Fishing is popular, for example in the Gavleån river but also in Älvkarleby, with sport fishing downstream of the Älvkarleby Falls.
• Virgin Islands refers to the coastal area from Furuvik in the south to Ragvaldsnäs in the north, and includes 4502 islands.

More to do in Gävle with children

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find even more tips on things to do in Gävle here.

• Boat trip to Limön goes with the Limö boat, from Royal Shipping.
• Dome Adrenaline Zone offers activities such as climbing, trampolines and a skate park.
• Canoe you can paddle in different places, for example in Gavleån, Axmar, Mackmyra or Hagaström - Tolvfors.
• Playground in Boulongerskogen is available for all those who love to play.
• RIB Charter is organised by the company WindEvent.

Where can you stay in Gävle, or park your campervan?

There are many different hotels and other accommodation options in Gävle. If you want to experience the holiday feeling, you can, for example, stay at Högbo Bruk in Sandviken. If, like us, you are travelling with a camping vehicle, there are also a bunch of different options in and around Gävle:

• Axmar Jetty, Axmar
• The bean, north of Gävle (parking place without service)
• Hemlingbystugan caravan park, Hemlingby
• Högbo Mill, Sandviken
• Mackmyra Camping, Mackmyra Bruk
• Mackmyra Whisky village car park (only available to those who have booked an event at the distillery)
• Rullsands Havsbad & Camping, Skutskär
• Södra Skeppsbron car park, Centrally located in Gävle

Gävle also has a service point where motorhomes can empty grey and black water and fill up with fresh water. The address is Södra Skeppsbron 31.

More to see and do near Gävle

If you are travelling south from Gävle you can visit charming Öregrund, as well as fine uses such as Lövstabruk and Österbybruk. You can also check out Lingnåre Cultural Reserve and Sikhjälma harbour. Travelling north, you can discover, among other things Söderhamn and the beautiful coastline.

More tips on things to do in Gävle?

Have you visited Gävle? Do you have any other suggestions on what to see and do in Gävle? Please tell us!