A ten Day Itinerary Down Sweden’s Coast

There’s not anything like Sweden in the summertime. Gentle hangs within the air for hours, boats nostril thru island-studded bays, and cafés spill onto sidewalks as Swedes profit from the fleeting heat climate. 

With such a lot of the yr spent within the chilly and darkish, the endless gentle that summer season brings does now not move to waste. Whether or not it’s at the many islands that dot the rustic’s coast, at their rustic cabins within the woods, or lounging within the town parks, Swedes flock outdoor.

I’ve been to Sweden time and again (together with spending a complete summer season in Stockholm) however have all the time centered at the southern a part of the rustic. Alternatively, with a need to peer one thing other this talk over with, I made up our minds to discover the north, beginning on the best in Luleå and dealing my day down. 

If you wish to get off the overwhelmed trail in Sweden, this itinerary will get you out of the principle vacationer hubs and highlights the less-touristy aspect of the rustic. Right here’s my urged 10-day itinerary:

Day 1 & 2: Luleå

Luleå is house to only 50,000 other folks and is the ultimate “giant” town within the north earlier than you get into Lapland (the northernmost area of the rustic and residential to the indigenous Sami). Town doesn’t take lengthy to peer however the surrounding house is what maximum guests come for. It’s recognized for the Gammelstad Church The city in addition to its numerous and expansive panorama, starting from dense forests and tranquil lakes to an archipelago that has over 1,300 islands!

Right here’s my urged issues to peer and do in Luleå:

The Archipelago – Luleå’s archipelago is a hotspot right through the summer season. A lot of people come from the south to stick right here and you’ll front room on seashores, move sea kayaking, boating, and mountaineering and house locals spend many weekends right here to profit from the good climate. The preferred islands are Kluntarna, Brändöskär, Junkön, and Småskär.

Gammelstad Church The city – Gammelstad Church The city has over 400 pink wood cottages surrounding Fifteenth-century church. It used to be in the beginning constructed as in a single day accommodation for parishioners who traveled lengthy distances and provides a glimpse into Sweden’s rural previous. You’ll be able to wander thru slender lanes with well-preserved cottages, see the medieval stone church, and be informed concerning the traditions of church cities.

Gammelstadsviken – Gammelstadsviken is a nature reserve with a big freshwater lake and huge marshlands and one of the vital easiest birdwatching spots in Sweden as over 80 other species are living right here. There’s plenty of trails to choose between and it’s now not too some distance from Lulea.

Norrbotten Museum – This museum showcases the area’s tradition and historical past. It’s a small, unfastened museum with shows from Sami tradition to business heritage that provides you with a well-rounded image of northern Sweden.

Hike – Summer time is the easiest season for mountaineering in and round Luleå. The world has a lot of trails that are perfect for easy-going day hikes, and Seek advice from Luleå supplies a very good mountaineering information that will help you make a selection a direction. A couple of urged hikes are Hertsöleden (clean, 8km), Fäbodaleden (intermediate, 10km), and Vitån (difficult, 12km).

The Ice Monitor – In wintry weather, a six-kilometer ice monitor is made across the town heart. You’ll be able to skate or kicksled round it. The monitor is unfastened to make use of and is thoroughly maintained all over the wintry weather. Kicksleds are unfastened to borrow as properly.

The place to Keep in Luleå – Clarion Resort Sense is an reasonably priced lodge proper within the heart of the town. The rooms are at ease, there’s plenty of house, and the breakfast buffet has the entirety you’ll want to ever need. There’s even a health club too.

For those who’re searching for a just right position to devour, the harbor has a lot of great eating places. I specifically loved Bistron.

Day 3 & 4: Umeå

Head south 4 hours to Umeå. Based in 1622 through Swedish King Gustav II Adolf, Umeå is the cultural capital of northern Sweden. It’s now a town of 100,000 other folks recognized for its massive college (virtually a 3rd of the town’s inhabitants are scholars). With such a lot of scholars right here, the town has a tender, colourful really feel and there’s plenty of reasonably priced eating places and bars. (And, like far and wide at the coast, there’s clean get right of entry to to nature.)

Listed here are my urged issues to peer and do in Umeå:

Västerbottens Museum – Right here you’ll discover the cultural and herbal historical past of the Västerbotten area, from native traditions to its maritime heritage. There are paperwork, textiles, and over 8 million pictures right here. The museum additionally options an open-air phase with historical constructions from around the nation.

Guitars the Museum – Guitars homes one of the vital global’s greatest personal collections of guitars and rock memorabilia, with an emphasis at the Fifties and 60s. Despite the fact that you don’t know so much about guitars (I indisputably don’t), it’s nonetheless a groovy position to talk over with as you’ll be informed a ton concerning the rock and roll scene. Guided excursions are to be had, which I extremely suggest as you’ll get a lot more out of the enjoy.

Kulturväven –Kulturväven is Umeå’s cultural hub, webhosting the entirety from live shows and performances to artwork exhibitions and neighborhood occasions. Within, you’ll discover a library, cinema, and tournament areas. Take a look at the web site to peer what’s on right through your talk over with as there may be all the time heaps going down.

Umedalens Skulpturpark – This can be a huge outside artwork park that includes sculptures through famend Swedish and world artists. The works are set towards a serene backdrop of meadows, forests, and open landscapes. It’s unfastened to talk over with.

Hike – From brief wooded area walks to longer routes alongside rivers and hills, there’s plenty of hikes across the house. Fashionable hikes come with sections of Isälvsleden, a 60-kilometer path that follows an outdated glacier trail (you’ll do it in sections); Tavelsjöleden, which boasts plenty of caves and mountaintops; and Holmörundan, a 13-kilometer hike at the close to island Holmön. To get those trails even though, you’ll wish to hire a automobile.

Strömbäck Kont – This nature reserve simply south of Umeå is well out there through (rare) buses in the event you don’t have a automobile. The reserve blends clean rock outcrops, sandy coves, and quiet pine forests, providing a mixture of trails that vary from rugged to stroller-friendly. There’s plenty of bays round, you’ll move swimming, and, relying at the time of yr, gorge on wild blueberries.

Strandpromenaden – Strandpromenaden is a calming riverside walkway best for a walk, whole with benches and cafés alongside the best way. The trail connects a number of portions of Umeå, making it a pleasing solution to get across the town on foot. I got here right here at sundown and it used to be particularly lovely, with golden gentle reflecting off the river.

The place to Keep – Hotell Björken is true subsequent to the college and is only a five-minute power to the central station. The rooms are fashionable, trendy, and well-lit and the lodge gained’t cost a fortune both.

For puts to devour, take a look at Bodegan and Eljest. Facit Bar is an excellent spot for ingenious beverages.

Day 5: Örnsköldsvik

Head south to Örnsköldsvik, the gateway to the Prime Coast. Referred to as “Ö-vik” through locals, Örnsköldsvik is a coastal the town recognized for its combine of outside journey and trendy business, with mountaineering, kayaking, and snowboarding all inside of clean succeed in. There’s now not so much to do right here so I like to recommend simply spending one night time within the the town.

Right here’s some urged issues to peer and do right through your talk over with:

Prime Coast Path – This 130-kilometer path takes 5–7 days to finish however covers all the Prime Coast, making it an epic and extremely scenic journey over mountains, rugged coastlines, and forests. If you need a shorter hike, it’s conceivable to only hike sections of it. There’s plenty of choices.

Kayaking & Swimming – The waters listed below are calm and there’s loads to peer across the archipelago. A two-hour apartment is 300 SEK, whilst tandem kayaks value 400 SEK. If you would like swim, Gullviks havsbad is the most efficient seaside within the house. It’s a sandy seaside with volleyball nets, meals close by, and a BBQ house.

The place to Keep – For those who’re staying on the town, you’ll keep at Elite Plaza Resort, which is a gorgeous lodge at the harbor with an enormous and scrumptious breakfast. If you wish to keep out of the town, FriluftsByn is an expansive campsite with an ideal eating place and bar and a sizzling spot for campers and roadtrippers.

Day 6: Skuleskogen Nationwide Park

Skuleskogen Nationwide Park, set alongside Sweden’s Prime Coast, is a sprawling desolate tract the place historical forests meet the rugged Baltic coastline. Visiting right here used to be simply the spotlight of my fresh commute. Situated simply thirty mins south of Örnsköldsvik, this park spans over 7,400 acres and has birch and pine forests, marshes, coastal seashores, granite mountains, and superior perspectives of the Baltic.

The spotlight of the park is Slåttdalsskrevan, a large rock crevice that cuts throughout the bedrock. It’s round 200 meters lengthy and 30 meters deep. For protection causes, you’ll’t stroll thru it anymore however, in the event you come by way of the north aspect, you get a greater view and will stroll in slightly bit. (The south front is totally closed off.)

You must simply spend a couple of days right here in the event you love to hike and camp, however at a minimal you’ll need one complete day. That will help you benefit from your talk over with, listed below are a couple of guidelines and issues:

1. There are 3 entrances: South, North, and West, with the South gate being the busiest. Get there early in the event you’re using because the car parking zone could be very small. To get to the park, you’ll unquestionably want a automobile. There aren’t any different choices.
2. The South gate path to Slåttdalsskrevan is the shortest, alternatively, the West gate path supplies the most efficient variety of landscapes (and fewest crowds).
3. If you need a calming hike, the coastal path isn’t strenuous and has serene pebble seashores, rocky headlands, and quiet pine forests. It sees the fewest hikers too.
4. Mountaineering north to south (or vice versa) takes about 5 hours. Doing the South Gate to the crevice and again takes round 3 hours. There and again at the West path is set 4 hours. I’m lovely have compatibility and hike a bit of rapid so take that under consideration however I discovered the paths so much more uncomplicated than the urged occasions (I finished so much for footage and video content material).
5. Convey your personal meals and water as there aren’t any amenities whenever you’re inside of. Double take a look at the elements too so you’ll get dressed accurately.
6. For those who’re visiting in summer season, deliver worm spray as I discovered there to be lots of mosquitoes.

Day 7 & 8: Sundsvall

House to only beneath 60,000 other folks, Sundsvall is only a 90-minute power south of Skuleskogen Nationwide Park. After being devastated through hearth in 1888, the town used to be rebuilt virtually solely in stone, incomes its chic nickname Stenstaden (“the Stone Town”). Perched between forested hills and the Gulf of Bothnia (the northern a part of the Baltic Sea), the town used to be traditionally a hub of the trees and paper industries. Nowadays, it’s easiest recognized for its clean get right of entry to to outside actions like mountaineering, snowboarding, and exploring the close by Prime Coast.

Some issues to peer and do right through your talk over with come with:

Kulturmagasinet (The Tradition Warehouse) – This cultural heart is housed in outdated harbor warehouses which have been transformed right into a museum, library, and artwork house. Within, guests can discover exhibitions on Sundsvall’s historical past and native artwork, in addition to soak up transient exhibitions and occasions. You’ll want to take a look at the web site for the most recent occasions. 

Norra Berget (The Northern Mountain) – That is an open-air museum and park situated on a hill overlooking the town. It options 40 historical constructions from across the area, together with wood homes and farmsteads. There are many reveals that show off historical existence and tradition in northern Sweden. It’s a in reality just right spot to deliver children.

Himlabadet Water Park – This family-friendly water park has indoor swimming pools, saunas, and more than one water slides. There’s a small infant house, a hiking wall that curves out over the pool, or even a browsing simulator that permits you to check out your hand at browsing actual waves.

Sidsjön Lake – Only a 10-minute power from the town heart, Sidsjön is a calm lake surrounded through strolling and biking trails. In summer season, you’ll swim, fish, and paddle right here, making it the easiest position to front room away a day (in the event you’re visiting in wintry weather, you’ll skate or cross-country ski right here).

Alnön Island – Attached to Sundsvall through a bridge, Alnön is understood for its sandy seashores and volcanic geology. The island is best for an afternoon commute, providing swimming, small villages to discover, and scenic drives.

The place to Keep – Lilla Hotellet is an reasonably priced locally-owned three-star lodge. It’s quiet, small, and has a comfy breakfast corner the place you’ll replenish earlier than you head out to discover.

Day 8 & 9: Uppsala

Uppsala, Sweden’s fourth-largest town, is just below 4 hours south of Sundsvall through automobile. It’s a full of life, full of life town house to nearly 250,000 other folks and is understood for its giant scholar inhabitants (Uppsala College is right here, a prestigious college based within the 15^th century). Owing to its giant scholar inhabitants (and bigger inhabitants typically), there’s a lot more to peer and do right here past simply taking part in nature and there’s a large number of reasonably priced eating places and bars.

Listed here are a few of my favourite issues to do:

Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrkan) – Scandinavia’s greatest church, this spectacular Gothic construction dates again to the thirteenth century. It’s the general resting position of Swedish kings, scientists, and archbishops, with hovering spires that dominate the town’s skyline. Within, guests can discover ornate chapels, respect medieval frescoes, and notice the tombs of King Gustav Vasa and Carl Linnaeus (a well-known scientist referred to as “the daddy of contemporary taxonomy”).

Uppsala College & Gustavianum – Based in 1477, that is Sweden’s oldest college. With over 50,000 scholars, it’s a large establishment with loads to peer and do in its personal proper. The Gustavianum Museum, for instance, showcases artifacts and Viking treasures. For those who’re on the cheap, this house of the town is the place you’re going to wish to devour as all of the least expensive bars and eating places are right here.

Uppsala Citadel (Uppsala Slott) – A Renaissance-era fort overlooking the town, Uppsala Citadel used to be as soon as the website online of royal coronations and political intrigue. The fort used to be in fact constructed after a peasant rebellion, as King Vasa I made up our minds extra fortifications had been had to save you long run uprisings. Nowadays, it’s house to museums and exhibitions the place you’ll discover the unique stays of the primary fort constructed right here, be informed concerning the fort’s historical past, or even respect historical artwork.

Botanical Lawn & Linnaeus Lawn – Courting again to the 18th century, that is the biggest botanical lawn of its type in Sweden. The Linnaeus Lawn, a reconstruction of famed botanist Carl Linnaeus’s personal 18th-century instructing lawn, gives perception into how he categorized species right through his time as a botanist. In spring and summer season, those gardens are specifically full of life and colourful, making for a relaxing position to chill out with a e-book or take a walk when the solar is shining.

Gamla Uppsala (Previous Uppsala) – Simply north of the town, this historical website online options huge Viking burial mounds, a museum, and a church that used to be as soon as a pagan non secular heart. This used to be a key political and religious website online right through the Viking Age, with ties to Norse mythology and early Swedish kings. Guests can climb the burial mounds for sweeping perspectives of the panorama. If you wish to dive deeper into Viking-era historical past, the small Gamla Uppsala Museum is a brief however profitable forestall.

Carolina Rediviva Library – The college’s primary library, housing treasures just like the Codex Argenteus (“Silver Bible”). Constructed within the nineteenth century, it is likely one of the greatest analysis libraries in Scandinavia, with over 5 million volumes. Its exhibitions show uncommon manuscripts, maps, and early published books. For any person interested by historical past, literature, or uncommon artifacts, this library is a must-see (in the event you’re now not a historical past buff, even though, you’ll most definitely skip it).

The place to Keep – For those who’re backpacking, Uppsala Town Hostel is the most efficient hostel within the town. Whilst the bunks are fundamental, it’s in an ideal location so you’ll simply get round. For those who favor a lodge, Botanika Uppsala is situated proper subsequent to the botanical lawn, which is the oldest within the nation.

This commute is easiest accomplished through automobile, nevertheless it may be accomplished through teach and bus in the event you don’t wish to hire a automobile. And, relying how a lot you need to hike, you’ll simply upload in additional days (there are a ton of multi-day hikes right here, finally). Plus, there’s a lot of islands within the archipelago to prevent at, so you’ll want to in reality flip this itinerary right into a multi-week commute in the event you sought after. It’s in reality as much as you!

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