Tourist Attractions & Monuments Sweden

The most beautiful place on the island to watch the sun set behind the island of Stora Karlsö. Nearby is a charming little fishing village called Djupvik. The Eksta Coast Nature Reserve stretches from Djupvik to Hammarudden. It is a beautiful stretch of Gotland's coastline, with a view of the two small Karlsöarna islands. In the central part of the reserve is Kronvall, a fishing village that was once much larger than it is today and which, according to legend, is where the Danish army landed in 1361.

This church was built from the end of the ^12th century by the Germanic community of Visby. It became a cathedral in 1572 and underwent several structural changes during the Middle Ages. The characteristic black spires of its three steeples were added in the ^18th century. The interior is worth a visit. The medieval style is still predominant, embellished by baroque ornaments and remarkable stained glass windows. A beauty not to be missed!

Opened in 1900, this amusement park has been modernized over the decades, while retaining its old-fashioned charm. Today, it has sixteen attractions, a water park, a water trail to discover the fauna of South America, and a zoo with forty species from around the world, including many primates. All summer long, Swedish and international artists perform on the park's big stage, so be sure to check out the program!

This is the mountain where the Aurora Sky observation station is located, which can be reached by cable car. From the chairlift, a superb view unfolds over the entire valley. A refuge awaits you at the top. Unfortunately, it is not possible to sleep there, but it is a magical place to enjoy a hot coffee or tea with Swedish cakes while sitting by the stove. Then, following the gentle slope of the mountain with its few snowdrifts, you can reach a deserted platform, a very mysterious place covered with small mounds of flat stones.

The F15 Flight Museum is an aviation museum located in Söderhamn. It is housed in a former Swedish Air Force base, known as F15, which was active during the Cold War. The museum houses a collection of historic aircraft, some of which were used by the Swedish Air Force. The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions and activities for visitors, such as guided tours and flight simulators.

Climbing the hill where the Oscarsborg tower is erected is a must to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Söderhamn area. The tower was originally an observation point and is now closed. However, the panorama and the hiking path winding through the trees make the place an ideal excursion for hiking enthusiasts. The place is accessible by car or motorcycle, as there is a parking lot near the summit. Not far from there is a small café to recover from the climb! Wheelchair access is possible.

A huge park that is located southwest of the island of Södermalm. Very lively on sunny days and dominated by large rocks. From the top the view is very beautiful. The Tanto park offers some curiosities like this red wooden house built around a big tree, or the dozens of cottages and their lovely gardens that have been blooming along the slopes of the hill since 1915. A small beach allows you to take a dip... It is the meeting place of Stockholmers who meet in groups to have a good time.

Dedicated to the history of the place of women in our society, the Kvinnohistoriskt museum is the first establishment of its kind in the world! The project, launched in 2014 at the initiative of researchers, was to create "a living museum," a place for meetings and debate. The museum presents only temporary exhibitions but has a specific goal: "To describe and deconstruct the ideas, norms and structures that limit the choices and possibilities of women and men today."

The seven decorated farmhouses of Hälsingland (Hälsingegårdar) have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. The walls of these large wooden buildings are decorated with paintings that combine motifs from folk traditions with styles popular in the ^19th century, such as baroque and rococo.

The Stenegård Cultural Center is located in one of these farms. Contact them to find out which farm is closest to your location! A very pleasant activity where many festivities are organized (concerts, bread or cheese making).

Wij Trädgårdar, one of the country's most beautiful parks, is a 25-minute train ride from Gävle. A very nice place to learn about nature, food, culture and how to combine them. Guided tour, workshops, playground and restaurant. Perfect place for a family afternoon or a romantic walk! In summer, the place organizes seasonal thematic activities and contains 8 different gardens such as the herb garden, the forest garden, the children's garden, and a rose garden!

Bird watching center (especially eagles, especially in winter) in their natural environment. Small interactive exhibition and long views on the water. Also, the site is equipped with small observation huts and free barbecues (but bring your own charcoal!). Souvenir store, café, restrooms. Even if you don't have a particular interest in birds, the place is worth a visit for a relaxing break with family or friends. You always learn something!

Charlotta Holmgren, nicknamed Lotta, is a certified guide with many years' experience in the Swedish cultural and art world. Today, she offers a variety of Stockholm city tours, all of which focus on feminist issues. Five themes are proposed, from suffragettes to women in art, to great women scholars and heritage. Tours, in English, must be booked in advance with her. A personalized tour, based on the (feminist) themes of your choice, is also available!

Björnhovda Kvarnar. 2 km east of Färjestaden you can see the king of mills, the largest in Öland.

Beijershamn. 5 km west of Vickleby, this 2 km long stone pier was built in 1850.

Bårbyborg. On the edge of road 136, this semi-circular fortress overlooks a precipice called Landborgsstupet. The panorama is magnificent.

Ottenby Kungsgård. By going up towards the north, one joins the road 136, in a landscape of hedged farmland where one sees many fallow deers. This is the territory of a royal farm, Ottenby Kungsgård, which has one of the largest flocks of sheep in Sweden.

Charles X Gustavus' wall. 6 km from the southern end of the island, a high stone wall cuts the island from east to west for 5 km. It was built in 1650, to prevent deer from leaving the Ottenby area.

Långe Jan Lighthouse and Ottenby Bird Station (Ottenby Fågelstation) - Ottenby

Eketorps Borg. 3 km further south, a small road to the west leads to the site of this^5th century stronghold, which was still inhabited in the early Middle Ages. Inside the wall, only the foundations of the houses are still visible.

Jags Museum. In Seby there is a very original museum: it celebrates the life of a man who was considered mad by his contemporaries, but who left behind a remarkable collection of sculptures and wooden furniture. A farmer who hated farm work, but was forced to do it, he presents his life's work here.

Tom and Lotta Svensson are reindeer herders. They will show you how to herd the herd, help you get acquainted with the bear huts and talk about shamanism over a good fire and coffee. An interesting, enriching and authentic way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Several tours are available, ask the establishment directly. In the summer, it is possible to spend one or more nights in a kåta, a traditional shelter. All this in a relaxing natural setting.

This cute little town has a water mill (powered by a hammerhead), a blast furnace, a mansion and over 60 workers' houses. The manor house was built in 1883 for the mill manager and is now used as a restaurant. It can also be rented! The 18th century factory comes back to life each summer when craftsmen and painters occupy the workshops. The forests and waterways have enabled the production of high quality pig iron and bar iron. A true cultural heritage!

Approaching the pink church of Arjeplog, it almost looks like it is made of sugar. Once inside, the red and green pews put us in the Christmas atmosphere. In 1634, the discovery of silver in the region led to the establishment of four parishes, including Arjeplog. This church is peculiar in that the altar is turned abnormally to the west. The inhabitants explain this eccentricity by aesthetic issues; the view from the church was much nicer for the ships arriving at Arjeplog.

To discover this magnificent archipelago, you can take boats that shuttle to the islands of Idö and Hasselö. The first is famous for its excellent restaurants and is a refuge for many city dwellers who own holiday cottages there (if you wander around a bit, you will discover some incredible houses, notice to the architecture lovers!) On Hasselö, you can go on beautiful hikes and rent quads to ride the roads of the island at full speed; a great experience for those who want to have a thrill!

Twenty kilometers south-east of Västervik (round trip), this village of red and yellow houses built on the waterfront is one of the prettiest in Sweden, so you should not miss it! When the sun goes down, the light is superb... The amateurs of photography will leave fulfilled! Small more: this small village forms a triangle with the fishing villages of Nävelsö and Marsö, which are thus also to be visited if one is in search of picturesque!

On the eastern side of the Härnön peninsula, 5 km from the city centre, there is a long white sandy beach bordered by steep rocks. Protected by the Smitingen nature reserve, this beach is isolated from urban noise pollution, yet remains very accessible. Signposted paths lead to caves and coarse pebble beaches, as well as to the beautiful Klubbsjön lake. There is a café on the beach for your midday hunger. If you don't have a car, you can also get there by bike in only 25 minutes from the city centre!

This is the office of the West Sweden Tourist Board. Their website provides a lot of important information for great getaways and activities, as well as good tips. You can also visit the office to get personalized information, ask questions, pick up maps and brochures or buy cool souvenirs in the office store. The information is mainly in English, unless you are lucky enough to meet a French speaker, which sometimes happens!

This evening cruise around the island of Hisingen offers you the opportunity to discover its green landscapes, its steep coastline, its farmlands where cows graze, but also its port activity. During the tour, you will also discover the historical and legendary sites along the shores, and learn a lot about the region from the organizers. It is possible to opt for a dinner cruise, which allows you to embark with a light mind!

An extraordinary museum, installed at the water's edge, this watercolour museum, with a very design architecture, presents above all watercolours by contemporary artists. The museum regularly honours one or more artists in a large temporary exhibition. The exhibition changes every 6 months or so. The museum's café-restaurant is very pleasant, especially if you manage to sit at a table near the large windows that offer a nice view.

On a historic site dating from the Iron Age, located on a green hill, are scattered a dozen sculptures by contemporary artists from around the world. Alongside the old stones which, according to historians, symbolize the courts of the time, ultra-modern sculptures add a real plus to the landscape, without ever disturbing the view. It is as if these contemporary sculptures had always been there. This museum is the brainchild of Peter Lennby, who will be happy to show you his park if he is in the area.

This small information centre does not belong to Abisko Turiststation although it is located right next door. It is an information centre of the national park, which focuses its services on discovering nature. It organises free guided tours all summer long and gives information about nature trails. It also has books to help you recognize the fauna and flora of the surrounding area. Playful and very interesting, you will spend a good hour and a half there.

While scouting for his film Through the Looking Glass in 1960, Ingmar Berman immediately fell in love with Fårö. Five years later, he decided to settle there. Through a permanent exhibition and permanent displays, the Bergman Center traces the work of the famous director, focusing on his relationship with the island and the films he made there. At the end of June, the Bergman Week festival welcomes film lovers and filmmakers from all over the world!

The small museum of Birka is built on a protrusion which, in Viking times, was covered by the sea. The rest of the island is protected. In this small museum, whose visit is quite quick, a film allows to understand how archaeologists retrace, year after year, the outlines of what was the life in Birka, its organization, its history... Several models, including those of the port, a district of the city and the royal domain, are presented here.

Stockholm's subway stations have all been decorated by artists, in an effort to make underground transportation a theater of expression. It is, as the local term goes, "the world's longest art gallery". Konstvandring's certified guides, who are specialists in urban art, make it possible to understand the messages that the decorators wanted to convey and to better grasp their works. For a free visit, there is the app Stockholm Walk Art.

"If you think you've made a mistake, you're in the right place It is with these words written on the wall that we are welcomed and, indeed, we were close to turning back... After having crossed a very sad artisanal zone and climbed four floors, we realize however how wrong we would have been! Because this gallery created by two collectors is a paradise for lovers of photography and pop art, where big names and young talents meet. The staff is particularly welcoming and, a little bonus: coffee is included in the price of the ticket!

Medieval brick building, built around 1580 by order of the Danish king Frederik II as a residence for the bishop of Lund. A century later it was donated to the University of Lund. The tower was once used as an astronomical observatory. The building now houses the university's philosophy department. A very beautiful building that one contemplates with pleasure, that leaves one wondering and that makes one want to return to the university!

Preceded by a sculpture garden, this is an exciting and original museum! It presents the work of creating a work of art (and in particular a public monument) through sketches, models and other preparatory work.

Most of the collection is devoted to Swedish artists, while the large international room takes us into familiar territory: we discover Jean Lurçat (tapestry for Chichester College, 1952), Jean Dubuffet (Nanterre University, 1965), Sonia Delaunay (pavilion for the Paris World Fair, 1937), Raoul Dufy (with the sketch for the famous Electricity Fairy, now in the Museum of Modern Art in Paris), Henri Matisse (drawings for the chapel in Vence, 1959), Pierre Soulages (Maison de la Radio in Paris, 1963), Jean Bazaine (preparatory cartoons for the stained glass windows of the church of Saint-Séverin in Paris, 1970), Fernand Léger (Gaz de France building in Alfortville, 1955) and Marc Chagall (synagogue in Jerusalem).

Thereis also a rich Mexican collection with sketches by the main muralist painters, Diego Rivera, Juan O'Gorman and José Clemente Orozco.

Finally, the museum presents sculptures. Bourdelle and Jean Arp are present, but also Henry Moore with his Arches of the Hill, without forgetting Christo and Jeanne-Claude presenting diagrams of their famous packaging of the Pont Neuf.

Finally, on the first floor, there is a small Danish room with a model of the Andersen statue in Copenhagen and works by Robert Jacobsen and Per Kirkeby.

The lungs of the city. This huge park with a large lake was built to host the Nordic Exhibition in 1914, which was a phenomenal success. Today, it is a favourite with joggers, picnickers and dog walkers. Over the years, the park has seen a number of sculptures added. Traditional sculptures include Galathea by Nils Möllerberg and Kastanj by Bertil Nilsson. The latest sculpture, Iron by Hiroshi Koyama, pleases some and provokes others. You be the judge of what you think!

A must-see for architecture buffs! This wildly ambitious development project began in 2001 and will not be fully completed until 2035. The objective is to transform the former industrial port into a 100% energy self-sufficient eco-district, with a focus on renewable energy. The result is a modern splendor with a very Swedish minimalism: canals running along the streets, lush plazas, floating houses made of glass, wood or steel, vast lawns... and the possibility to dive directly into the Baltic Sea from Daniaparken.

The King's Park is located at the western edge of the old town, separated from the Castle Park by the Parkkanalen and from the city by Slottsgatan. An amusing detail: the castle is located in the King's Park and not in the Castle Park. It is true that there is not much difference between the two spaces, arranged in the English style from 1872 and connected by one or two footbridges. They are both a pleasant place to walk.

Literally, the people's park. It is the Tivoli of Malmö. Delightfully vintage! In the heart of the lively district of Möllevången, it is a very popular amusement park that has been around since 1893 and attracts young and old alike. Various rides, a Ferris wheel, a farm with animals, a puppet theater and other sandboxes are a delight for the little ones, while the older ones can enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, and everyone can find themselves shivering with fear at the spiders and other rattlesnakes in the Terrarium. Coffee shops, ice cream parlors..

This building, built in 1901 to house a museum at the time, was enlarged between 1997 and 2000 by Henning Larsen, the architect of the Copenhagen Opera House, who designed the huge glass façade that has earned the place its nickname of "glass calendar". Inside, the atmosphere is calm and studious, with large tables, comfortable armchairs, pretty lamps... Everything invites you to take a book and enjoy the place, if only for a few hours.

Built in the early ^14th century, this brick church in the Gothic style is said to have been modeled after a church in Lübeck. The interior is very bright and contains a spectacular carved wooden altarpiece by German artists, as well as a sandstone pulpit and baptismal font carved in the very early ^17th century by a local craftsman named Daniel Tommisen (active between 1582 and 1603). It has also preserved the remains of medieval frescoes visible in the chapel.

The national park. The first maritime sanctuary of the country dedicated to "National Park" (September 2009), Kosterhavet is a space of 450 km ² which, bordering Norwegian park Ytre Hvaler, provides protection for more than 6 000 species characteristic of this area. Its cold waters (5-7 ° C), their important salinity and the depth of the neighboring fjord (200 m) give it ocean characteristics, quite different from most of the Swedish coastlines. Nearly 200 species are actually absent elsewhere in national waters (brachiopods, corals, rare sponges…). Several projects are integrated in the creation of this marine park: protection of cultural and natural legacies, promotion of sustainable fishing, protection of corals, restoration of traditional farming and natural landscapes. For the thousands of tourists arriving every summer on this beautiful coast, this development of natural heritage translates into the possibility of discovering the places in a responsible and environmental way. Sea outings, underwater diving and park discoveries are possible. A Naturum recently opened on Nord Koster - Västra Bovägen 1 Tel (031) 60 50 00 - and this is where you will find all the possible activities on the islands surrounding and in this marine park.

Opened in 2014, Guitars - The Museum is located on the top floor of the old school on Vasagatan Street in central Umeå. Featured are hundreds of guitars from the 1950s and 1960s, including some very rare models that belonged to music stars, brought together here by two passionate brothers. If you like rock'n'roll or blues, or if you are a passionate musician, we recommend that you take a look at this museum like no other! The whole history of an era and a culture that deserves to be preserved!

Several of the royal properties are open to the public, including the stables. You will find horses, carriages, the history of the stables, and a café for a fika break in summer. The museum can be visited on a guided tour which lasts between 45 minutes and one hour. The first royal stables were built in 1535 by Gustav Vasa, serving the king's needs for daily and ceremonial transport. Today, there are fewer horses as the majority of transportation is by car, but this tradition remains important.

Discover this brand new museum, opening in June 2023, dedicated to the history of the Holocaust through the lives of seven survivors who came to live in Sweden during the Second World War. The exhibition features a wealth of personal objects, such as suitcases and identity cards. You'll be able to interact with a Holocaust survivor thanks to artificial intelligence, although answers are currently only available in Swedish. By visiting this museum, you will be contributing to the duty of remembrance, by passing on the story of the Holocaust.

In the northern part of Stockholm, hidden in a park, lies the studio of Carl Eldhs, a major sculptor of the first half of the ^20th century. In this singular wooden building, you'll find several hundred sculptures by Carl Eldhs in a bright, peaceful studio that has been kept virtually intact. The museum also houses personal objects. A visit to the museum is a pleasant escape from the city center. You can enjoy the tranquility and meditative contemplation of the art of sculpture.

If you like contemporary art, then this is a great address. Sweden has many world-renowned artists, among whom there are now many young contemporary artists. Björkholmen Gallery represents both international and Swedish artists, and is considered one of the leading art galleries in Stockholm. The gallery is located at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, just across from Gamla Stan and next to the Magnus Karlsson Gallery. A good address for a break on the way.

Present since 1990 and located on the first floor of the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Magnus Karlsson Gallery has gained a good reputation over the years as one of the most unique galleries of contemporary art. The gallery specializes in works by new and emerging artists, making it a good place to get acquainted with today's Swedish art world. Why not check it out during a stroll through the city center!

This house with typical Swedish woodwork, painted in turquoise blue, charms everyone! Both the interior and exterior of this small, friendly museum enchant visitors. The history of the artist Olle Olsson Hagalund is linked to the development and cultural heritage of the neighborhood. Indeed, this artist was so proud of his origins that he added Hagalund to the end of his name, and he lived in this traditional house built in 1891. The museum offers a café, ceramics, handicraft and bicycle repair classes.

Hagaparken is a large, popular park on Lake Brunnsviken, containing architecturally remarkable structures and pavilions, part of the city's Royal National Park. Here you'll find a Chinese temple built by Gustav III, or the eco-temple built in 1790 as a dining room for the royal family on fine summer days. The park is extensive and peaceful, and has become an ideal place for outdoor jogging or yoga. You'll also find the Gustav III pavilion.

Visit the fascinating home of Count and Countess Hallwyl, now one of Stockholm's most eccentric museums. Built in 1898 and occupied until 1930, prepare to take a trip back in time. Not just because of the décor, but because absolutely everything in the house has been preserved as it was. Among the objects are personal items such as a piece of the Earl's beard and even a slice of their wedding cake. A museum like no other, well worth a visit!