From driving over the ocean, warming up in a seafaring sauna and ice swimming in Lapland to sleeping at the bottom of a lake, up a tree or in a converted prison, Sweden’s unique blend of intriguing traditions, off beat charm and contemporary innovation make it one of Europe’s most diverse destinations.
Sweden is the third largest country in western Europe. Because of its long, narrow shape and northerly location, the landscape is highly diversified. Sweden has majestic mountains and glaciers, as well as wide-open countryside, interspersed by small idyllic villages and vibrant cities such as the capital, Stockholm.
Stockholm
More than anything else, it is Stockholm’s unique breathtaking location that has made the city known far and wide as one of the world’s most beautiful. Built on 14 islands around one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved medieval city centres, the Swedish capital is superbly positioned with stunning and extremely varied scenery in every direction. To the west, lake Mälaren branches out among lush idyllic landscapes. To the east the magnificent Stockholm archipelago stretches seaward, an enchanting maritime world of more than 24,000 islands, islets and skerries.
The city itself charms the visitor with its very own fusion of old and new, traditional and contemporary, urban and pastoral, sophisticated and earthy – all within convenient walking distance of the centre. It is precisely this characteristic blend that many foreign guests refer to as the city’s magical quality. Over the last decade Stockholm has developed into one of the world’s most dynamic, creative and attractive scenes within a number of areas: design, music, fashion, shopping and food, to mention just a few. It has even been said that in ten years Stockholm has transformed from a large small town into a small big city.
Göteborg
Sweden’s second biggest city is situated on the west coast with the sea and archipelago within easy reach. In Göteborg, entertainment, nature and places of interest everything from shopping and museums to cafés and nightclubs are never far away. The parade street Avenyn is an attraction in itself, with its constantly vibrant pulse, outdoor restaurants, nightclubs and lots of people. In recent years, Göteborg has acquired a profile as a design city with a number of shops where you can find anything from unusual decorative items to paper and handicraft.
In the middle of Göteborg lies Liseberg amusement park, Scandinavia’s most visited attraction, with lots of entertainment, performances and beautiful garden areas. The area also contains two of Europe’s foremost concert and sports arenas, Ullevi and Scandinavium, as well as Universeum science discovery centre and the new Museum of World Culture. Göteborg also has a rich cultural life with big and small theatres, an opera of its own and many concerts. In recent years, the local music life has grown strong and there is plenty of smaller live music clubs, studios and events where new artists can reach out. The creative climate makes the city a nursery for new artists within many different genres. Despite its cosmopolitan stamp though, Göteborg still has a typical small-town charm.
Malmö
Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city and a commercial centre in southern Sweden. Malmö is also a multi-cultural city, with a population that speaks more than 100 different languages. Its cultural life is active. Contemporary art, with both national and international orientation, is shown at the Malmö Art Gallery, Rooseum, and Malmö Art Museum. Malmö Music Theatre has one of Sweden’s foremost stages for opera and musicals, and the Malmö Symphony Orchestra is internationally recognised.
In a city located within easy reach of Copenhagen international aiport, proximity is also a distinctive feature of life in Malmö; it is possible to walk to most places and a large part of the centre comprises pedestrian areas. Only a few minutes walk from the main train station, you will find the main square Stortorget and the square’s smaller neighbour Lilla Torg (the Little Square). Lilla Torg is famous among other things for its outdoor cafés and bars in the summertime, and is a perfect starting point from which to discover the old town encircled by the city’s canals, as well as the exciting town centre for shopping, entertainment and over 300 cafés and restaurants.
Regions of Sweden
The northern half of Sweden treats the visitor to powerful experiences. Enormous forests, unregulated rivers, clean air and water, not to mention silence, are nature’s gift to visitors and residents. To the east, by the Gulf of Bothnia, is a coastline with miles and miles of beaches, pictoresque fishing villages, vibrant towns and fascinating archipelagoes with hundreds of islands. To the west an impressive mountain chain rises up, attracting seekers of adventure and relaxation. Northern Sweden is a rich cultural landscape, with rock carvings and relics from earlier settlers. Here the Lapp culture is always present, through the intricate handicrafts, the characteristic ’yoik’ style of singing, and the reindeer husbandry. There are also three UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit, experience and enjoy – Laponia, Gammelstad Church Village and the High Coast.
Central Sweden enjoys the perfect balance between nature and culture. Fertile plains and mystical forests provide a magnificent backdrop to rock carvings, historical ironworks and manor houses. The central region of Sweden is characterised by rolling hills, forests, lakes and folklore. The province of Dalarna is Sweden’s foremost folklore region, where folk traditions remain strong - their Midsummer celebrations are widely known, the folk music rallies and folk music festivals attract visitors from around the world. In the eastern province of Uppland, the university town of Uppsala, the city of knowledge, has long been a source of inspiration for artists, scientists and spiritual leaders.
The southern part of the country is noted for its variation and contrasts. In southern Sweden, no day is the same as the next. Gotland and Öland are the eastern outposts of the region and the country. Mile-long sandy beaches, fascinating �raukar� – natural statues of stone – and the medieval town of Visby make the islands a holiday paradise. In the inland province of Småland, storybook characters like Pippi Longstocking came to life through the writing of Astrid Lindgren. There’s always something to do in southern Sweden - roam through history, visit one of the region’s five world heritage sites, challenge yourself physically, browse in small shops or play a round of golf at one of the many courses.
