A ten Day Itinerary Down Sweden’s Coast

There’s nothing like Sweden in the summertime. Gentle hangs within the air for hours, boats nostril via island-studded bays, and cafés spill onto sidewalks as Swedes make the most of the fleeting heat climate. 

With a lot of the 12 months spent within the chilly and darkish, the unending mild that summer season brings doesn’t go to waste. Whether or not it’s on the numerous islands that dot the nation’s coast, at their rustic cabins within the woods, or lounging within the metropolis parks, Swedes flock outside.

I’ve been to Sweden many instances (together with spending a whole summer season in Stockholm) however have at all times targeted on the southern a part of the nation. Nonetheless, with a want to see one thing completely different this go to, I made a decision to discover the north, beginning on the high in Luleå and dealing my day down. 

If you wish to get off the overwhelmed path in Sweden, this itinerary will get you out of the primary vacationer hubs and highlights the less-touristy facet of the nation. Right here’s my advised 10-day itinerary:

Day 1 & 2: Luleå

Luleå is residence to only 50,000 folks and is the final “large” metropolis within the north earlier than you get into Lapland (the northernmost area of the nation and residential to the indigenous Sami). The town doesn’t take lengthy to see however the surrounding space is what most guests come for. It’s recognized for the Gammelstad Church City in addition to its various and expansive panorama, starting from dense forests and tranquil lakes to an archipelago that has over 1,300 islands!

Right here’s my advised issues to see and do in Luleå:

The Archipelago – Luleå’s archipelago is a hotspot throughout the summer season. A lot of folks come from the south to remain right here and you may lounge on seashores, go sea kayaking, boating, and climbing and space locals spend many weekends right here to make the most of the good climate. The most well-liked islands are Kluntarna, Brändöskär, Junkön, and Småskär.

Gammelstad Church City – Gammelstad Church City has over 400 crimson picket cottages surrounding Fifteenth-century church. It was initially constructed as in a single day lodging for parishioners who traveled lengthy distances and presents a glimpse into Sweden’s rural previous. You may wander via slim lanes with well-preserved cottages, see the medieval stone church, and be taught concerning the traditions of church cities.

Gammelstadsviken – Gammelstadsviken is a nature reserve with a big freshwater lake and huge marshlands and the most effective birdwatching spots in Sweden as over 80 completely different species stay right here. There’s a lot of trails to select from and it’s not too removed from Lulea.

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

Hike – Summer time is the proper season for climbing in and round Luleå. The world has quite a few trails that are perfect for easy-going day hikes, and Go to Luleå gives a superb climbing information that will help you select a route. Just a few advised hikes are Hertsöleden (straightforward, 8km), Fäbodaleden (intermediate, 10km), and Vitån (difficult, 12km).

The Ice Observe – In winter, a six-kilometer ice observe is made across the metropolis middle. You may skate or kicksled round it. The observe is free to make use of and is fastidiously maintained all through the winter. Kicksleds are free to borrow as effectively.

The place to Keep in Luleå – Clarion Lodge Sense is an inexpensive lodge proper within the middle of city. The rooms are cozy, there’s a lot of house, and the breakfast buffet has all the things you would ever need. There’s even a health club too.

In case you’re searching for a superb place to eat, the harbor has quite a lot of good eating places. I notably loved Bistron.

Day 3 & 4: Umeå

Head south 4 hours to Umeå. Based in 1622 by Swedish King Gustav II Adolf, Umeå is the cultural capital of northern Sweden. It’s now a metropolis of 100,000 folks recognized for its large college (virtually a 3rd of town’s inhabitants are college students). With so many college students right here, town has a younger, vibrant really feel and there’s a lot of inexpensive eating places and bars. (And, like all over the place on the coast, there’s easy accessibility to nature.)

Listed below are my advised issues to see and do in Umeå:

Västerbottens Museum – Right here you may discover the cultural and pure historical past of the Västerbotten area, from native traditions to its maritime heritage. There are paperwork, textiles, and over 8 million images right here. The museum additionally options an open-air part with historic buildings from throughout the nation.

Guitars the Museum – Guitars homes one of many world’s largest non-public collections of guitars and rock memorabilia, with an emphasis on the Nineteen Fifties and 60s. Even when you don’t know loads about guitars (I actually don’t), it’s nonetheless a cool place to go to as you’ll be taught a ton concerning the rock and roll scene. Guided excursions can be found, which I extremely advocate as you’ll get way more out of the expertise.

Kulturväven –Kulturväven is Umeå’s cultural hub, internet hosting all the things from live shows and performances to artwork exhibitions and group occasions. Inside, you’ll discover a library, cinema, and occasion areas. Test the web site to see what’s on throughout your go to as there may be at all times tons taking place.

Umedalens Skulpturpark – This can be a huge outside artwork park that includes sculptures by famend Swedish and worldwide artists. The works are set towards a serene backdrop of meadows, forests, and open landscapes. It’s free to go to.

Hike – From brief woodland walks to longer routes alongside rivers and hills, there’s a lot of hikes across the space. Widespread hikes embody sections of Isälvsleden, a 60-kilometer path that follows an previous glacier path (you are able to do it in sections); Tavelsjöleden, which boasts a lot of caves and mountaintops; and Holmörundan, a 13-kilometer hike on the close to island Holmön. To get these trails although, you’ll have to lease a automobile.

Strömbäck Kont – This nature reserve simply south of Umeå is definitely accessible by (rare) buses when you don’t have a automobile. The reserve blends easy rock outcrops, sandy coves, and quiet pine forests, providing a mixture of trails that vary from rugged to stroller-friendly. There’s a lot of bays round, you may go swimming, and, relying on the time of 12 months, gorge on wild blueberries.

Strandpromenaden – Strandpromenaden is a calming riverside walkway excellent for a stroll, full with benches and cafés alongside the best way. The trail connects a number of components of Umeå, making it a pleasing technique to get across the metropolis on foot. I got here right here at sundown and it was particularly fairly, with golden mild reflecting off the river.

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

For locations to eat, try Bodegan and Eljest. Facit Bar is a superb spot for creative drinks.

Day 5: Örnsköldsvik

Head south to Örnsköldsvik, the gateway to the Excessive Coast. Known as “Ö-vik” by locals, Örnsköldsvik is a coastal city recognized for its combine of outside journey and fashionable trade, with climbing, kayaking, and snowboarding all inside straightforward attain. There’s not loads to do right here so I like to recommend simply spending one evening within the city.

Right here’s some advised issues to see and do throughout your go to:

Excessive Coast Path – This 130-kilometer path takes 5–7 days to finish however covers the complete Excessive Coast, making it an epic and extremely scenic journey over mountains, rugged coastlines, and forests. In order for you a shorter hike, it’s attainable to only hike sections of it. There’s a lot of choices.

Kayaking & Swimming – The waters listed here are calm and there’s tons to see across the archipelago. A two-hour rental is 300 SEK, whereas tandem kayaks price 400 SEK. In case you favor to swim, Gullviks havsbad is the most effective seashore within the space. It’s a sandy seashore with volleyball nets, meals close by, and a BBQ space.

The place to Keep – In case you’re staying on the town, you may keep at Elite Plaza Lodge, which is an exquisite lodge on the harbor with an enormous and scrumptious breakfast. If you wish to keep out of city, FriluftsByn is an expansive campsite with a fantastic restaurant and bar and a sizzling spot for campers and roadtrippers.

Day 6: Skuleskogen Nationwide Park

Skuleskogen Nationwide Park, set alongside Sweden’s Excessive Coast, is a sprawling wilderness the place historic forests meet the rugged Baltic shoreline. Visiting right here was simply the spotlight of my current journey. Situated simply thirty minutes south of Örnsköldsvik, this park spans over 7,400 acres and has birch and pine forests, marshes, coastal seashores, granite mountains, and superior views of the Baltic.

The spotlight of the park is Slåttdalsskrevan, an enormous rock crevice that cuts via the bedrock. It’s round 200 meters lengthy and 30 meters deep. For security causes, you may’t stroll via it anymore however, when you come through the north facet, you get a greater view and might stroll in just a little bit. (The south entrance is totally closed off.)

You would simply spend a number of days right here when you wish to hike and camp, however at a minimal you’ll need one full day. That will help you benefit from your go to, listed here are a number of suggestions and concerns:

1. There are three entrances: South, North, and West, with the South gate being the busiest. Get there early when you’re driving because the car parking zone could be very small. To get to the park, you’ll undoubtedly want a automobile. There aren’t any different choices.
2. The South gate path to Slåttdalsskrevan is the shortest, nevertheless, the West gate path gives the most effective variety of landscapes (and fewest crowds).
3. In order for you a calming hike, the coastal path shouldn’t be strenuous and has serene pebble seashores, rocky headlands, and quiet pine forests. It sees the fewest hikers too.
4. Mountain climbing north to south (or vice versa) takes about 5 hours. Doing the South Gate to the crevice and again takes round three hours. There and again on the West path is about 4 hours. I’m fairly match and hike a bit quick so take that into consideration however I discovered the paths loads simpler than the advised instances (I finished loads for images and video content material).
5. Carry your individual meals and water as there aren’t any services when you’re inside. Double verify the climate too so you may costume appropriately.
6. In case you’re visiting in summer season, convey bug spray as I discovered there to be a great deal of mosquitoes.

Day 7 & 8: Sundsvall

Dwelling to only beneath 60,000 folks, Sundsvall is only a 90-minute drive south of Skuleskogen Nationwide Park. After being devastated by fireplace in 1888, town was rebuilt virtually solely in stone, incomes its elegant nickname Stenstaden (“the Stone Metropolis”). Perched between forested hills and the Gulf of Bothnia (the northern a part of the Baltic Sea), town was traditionally a hub of the timber and paper industries. As we speak, it’s greatest recognized for its easy accessibility to outside actions like climbing, snowboarding, and exploring the close by Excessive Coast.

Some issues to see and do throughout your go to embody:

Kulturmagasinet (The Tradition Warehouse) – This cultural middle is housed in previous harbor warehouses which were transformed right into a museum, library, and artwork house. Inside, guests can discover exhibitions on Sundsvall’s historical past and native artwork, in addition to soak up short-term exhibitions and occasions. Be sure you verify the web site for the newest occasions. 

Norra Berget (The Northern Mountain) – That is an open-air museum and park situated on a hill overlooking town. It options 40 historic buildings from across the area, together with picket homes and farmsteads. There are many displays that showcase historic life and tradition in northern Sweden. It’s a extremely great spot to convey youngsters.

Himlabadet Water Park – This family-friendly water park has indoor swimming pools, saunas, and a number of water slides. There’s a small toddler space, a climbing wall that curves out over the pool, and even a browsing simulator that allows you to strive your hand at browsing actual waves.

Sidsjön Lake – Only a 10-minute drive from town middle, Sidsjön is a peaceable lake surrounded by strolling and biking trails. In summer season, you may swim, fish, and paddle right here, making it the proper place to lounge away a day (when you’re visiting in winter, you may skate or cross-country ski right here).

Alnön Island – Linked to Sundsvall by a bridge, Alnön is understood for its sandy seashores and volcanic geology. The island is ideal for a day journey, providing swimming, small villages to discover, and scenic drives.

The place to Keep – Lilla Hotellet is an inexpensive locally-owned three-star lodge. It’s quiet, small, and has a comfortable breakfast nook the place you may replenish earlier than you head out to discover.

Day 8 & 9: Uppsala

Uppsala, Sweden’s fourth-largest metropolis, is just below 4 hours south of Sundsvall by automobile. It’s a energetic, energetic metropolis residence to virtually 250,000 folks and is understood for its large pupil inhabitants (Uppsala College is right here, a prestigious college based within the 15^th century). Owing to its large pupil inhabitants (and bigger inhabitants usually), there’s way more to see and do right here past simply having fun with nature and there’s a whole lot of inexpensive eating places and bars.

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

Uppsala Cathedral (Domkyrkan) – Scandinavia’s largest church, this spectacular Gothic construction dates again to the thirteenth century. It’s the ultimate resting place of Swedish kings, scientists, and archbishops, with hovering spires that dominate town’s skyline. Inside, guests can discover ornate chapels, admire medieval frescoes, and see the tombs of King Gustav Vasa and Carl Linnaeus (a well-known scientist often called “the daddy of contemporary taxonomy”).

Uppsala College & Gustavianum – Based in 1477, that is Sweden’s oldest college. With over 50,000 college students, it’s an enormous establishment with tons to see and do in its personal proper. The Gustavianum Museum, for instance, showcases artifacts and Viking treasures. In case you’re on a finances, this space of city is the place you’re going to wish to eat as all the most affordable bars and eating places are right here.

Uppsala Fortress (Uppsala Slott) – A Renaissance-era fort overlooking town, Uppsala Fortress was as soon as the location of royal coronations and political intrigue. The fort was really constructed after a peasant rebellion, as King Vasa I made a decision extra fortifications had been wanted to forestall future uprisings. As we speak, it’s residence to museums and exhibitions the place you may discover the unique stays of the primary fort constructed right here, be taught concerning the fort’s historical past, and even admire historic artwork.

Botanical Backyard & Linnaeus Backyard – Relationship again to the 18th century, that is the most important botanical backyard of its variety in Sweden. The Linnaeus Backyard, a reconstruction of famed botanist Carl Linnaeus’s personal 18th-century instructing backyard, presents perception into how he categorized species throughout his time as a botanist. In spring and summer season, these gardens are notably energetic and colourful, making for a relaxing place to calm down with a ebook or take a stroll when the solar is shining.

Gamla Uppsala (Previous Uppsala) – Simply north of town, this historic web site options large Viking burial mounds, a museum, and a church that was as soon as a pagan non secular middle. This was a key political and non secular web site throughout the Viking Age, with ties to Norse mythology and early Swedish kings. Guests can climb the burial mounds for sweeping views of the panorama. If you wish to dive deeper into Viking-era historical past, the small Gamla Uppsala Museum is a brief however worthwhile cease.

Carolina Rediviva Library – The college’s major library, housing treasures just like the Codex Argenteus (“Silver Bible”). Constructed within the nineteenth century, it is likely one of the largest analysis libraries in Scandinavia, with over 5 million volumes. Its exhibitions show uncommon manuscripts, maps, and early printed books. For anybody desirous about historical past, literature, or uncommon artifacts, this library is a must-see (when you’re not a historical past buff, although, you may most likely skip it).

The place to Keep – In case you’re backpacking, Uppsala Metropolis Hostel is the most effective hostel within the metropolis. Whereas the bunks are fundamental, it’s in a fantastic location so you may simply get round. In case you favor a lodge, Botanika Uppsala is situated proper subsequent to the botanical backyard, which is the oldest within the nation.

***

This journey is greatest finished by automobile, nevertheless it is also finished by prepare and bus when you don’t wish to lease a automobile. And, relying how a lot you wish to hike, you may simply add in additional days (there are a ton of multi-day hikes right here, in spite of everything). Plus, there’s loads of islands within the archipelago to cease at, so you would actually flip this itinerary right into a multi-week journey when you needed. It’s actually as much as you!