Sweden travel guide

Gamla Uppsala

Three miles (5km) north of Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala was once animportant town, the seat of Swedish royalty and the site of manyhistoric funerals. It was an important religious and culturalcentre as early as the 3rd century AD, and ancient sources identifythe site as the power centre of the legendary Yngling dynasty ofSwedish royalty. The Uppsala temple oversaw rites and sacrifices tothe Norse gods in the pre-Christian era, and it was said that Odinhimself resided there.

However, as Christianity overtook Europe, the ancient temple wasburned and the stone church of Gamla Uppsala was built in the 12thcentury. The church still stands today, along with a grave field ofabout 250 burial mounds. Once, between 2,000 and 3,000 ancientburial mounds could be found at Gamla Uppsala but farmlands haveencroached on the archaeological treasures. Gamla Uppsala also hasa small museum detailing the rich history of the town, and a fewhistoric old buildings.

Today, Gamla Uppsala has a population of under 20,000 and it isa picturesque little town, well worth a visit for its historicalatmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Visitors can spend the dayon a guided tour (available during the summer months). The mainattractions include Gamla Uppsala Museum, Gamla Uppsala Church andthe open-air museum behind it, and Odinsborg restauarant. The townis accessible from Uppsala by a quick bus trip.

Royal Djurgarden

Stockholm's main attractions are convenientlypackaged close to the heart of the city on the island ofDjurgarden, crammed with entertainment options, museums,restaurants, and wooded green space. Once upon a time the islandwas a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs atthe Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft centre), browse the artgalleries, enjoy the exciting Grona Lund amusement park, exploreSweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum, meet Nordic wildlifeat the zoo, and watch folk dancing. Also on the island, accessed bya pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is the Junibacken fairytalefun centre, the National Museum of Cultural History, and thefascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged, fully restored17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbour. Top off the daywith a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants, some of whichare situated on boats and provide excellent views over the water.Djurgarden is one of Sweden's most loved recreational areas forlocals and foreigners and the island attracts more than 10 milliontouristic visitors a year. Just a stroll around the island, on themany walking paths, nature trails, and waterfront promenades, is ajoy.

Royal Palace and Gamla Stan

The official Swedish royal residence is one of the largest andgrandest palaces in Europe, dating back to 1754 (although it wasbuilt on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroqueedifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many ofits 608 state rooms are open to the public all year round. Visitorscan admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, the Apartment ofthe Orders of Chivalry, the Gustav III Museum of Antiquities, theKronor Museum, and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace thechanging of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday12:15pm; Sunday 1:15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivalsthe similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace.Visitors should note that the palace is used for most of theSwedish monarchy's official ceremonies and receptions and closes tothe public during these events - check the calendar on the officialwebsite to avoid disappointment.

Gamla Stan itself is a treasure trove of Swedish architecture,much of which dates from the 17th century. Today tourists throngthe alleyways once notorious for brothels, but now lined with shopsand restaurants, peddling up cutting edge designs and traditionalswedish fika. Other attractions in Gamla Stan include: The NobelMuseum, which offers a moving account of one of the world's mostcoveted prize in literature, economics, chemistry, physics, andmedicine; the Royal Coin Cabinet, a museum dedicated to the historyof money which contains some fascinating ancient artefacts; andStortorget, the oldest square in Stockholm, from which the currentcity grew, where visitors can marvel at street performers and theiconic, multi-coloured building facades for which the square isfamous.

Stockholm City Hall

Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive red brickCity Hall (Stadshuset) building has stood on Kungsholmen (King'sIsland) since 1923 and has become world-renowned as the venue forthe annual Nobel Prize Banquet. A visit to Stockholm's City Hall isa must for architecture lovers: the rather practical and austerefaçade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower, hides anextraordinary interior. The plush council chamber itself has avaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking longboat, echoing theViking tradition of using overturned vessels as shelter in winter.Most impressive, though, is the magnificent Golden Hall, its wallscovered with handmade mosaics, while the view of Stockholm from thetower is unsurpassed. The Stockholm City Hall can only be visitedon a guided tour, which can be done by joining one of the publictours that depart every day, or by arranging a private tour.Accredited guides can also bring groups into the City Hall fortours. The public tours last about 45 minutes; private tours canexplore at their own pace.

Museum of National Antiquities

Sweden's history from prehistoric times to thepresent day is fascinatingly laid out in the Museum of NationalAntiquities in Stockholm, often just called the Swedish HistoryMuseum. It contains a hoard of archaeological artefacts andtreasures, including an impressive collection of gold objectsrecovered from the tombs and treasure caches of the Vikings (in thebasement Gold Room), going back all the way to the Stone Age. Themuseum's most prized possession dates from the Middle Ages: thesplendid gold reliquary, set with precious stones, which containedthe skull of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia. The museum has a giftshop and cafe with plenty of seating. Photography is allowed in thepermanent exhibitions but tripods are not permitted. Free audioguides in English, German, French, Spanish, and a number of otherlanguages can be downloaded on your phone or borrowed from thefront desk. Guided tours are also available. The displays are welllaid out and there is sufficient information for English speakers,but the audio guide greatly enriches the experience. Thisworld-class museum can occupy visitors for a few hours at least,and even kids enjoy the experience.

Goteborg Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden in Gothenburg is one of thelargest in Europe and generally considered the most beautiful inSweden, boasting about 13,000 different species of plant. The areacovers 175 hectares (432 acres), most of which is a nature reserveincluding an arboretum. Inaugurated in 1923, on the city's 300thanniversary, the garden is one of the most popular touristattractions in Gothenburg and indeed in Sweden. The pride of thegarden is the Rock Garden, but other worthwhile areas to visitinclude the Japanese Glade and the Rhododendron Valley. Thegreenhouses display an impressive collection of about 1,500orchids, among many other remarkable and rare plants, includingextensive collections of Australian and South African flora. Theyhost a series of exhibitions throughout the year so check theofficial website listed below to see what's showing during yourvisit. Well-maintained and extensive walking trails make thegardens a pleasure for hikers, and there are many beautiful nooksfor picnics and relaxation. There is also a lovely cafe forrefreshments. Travellers should note that although the botanicalgarden is open all year, in the cold months there is not much tosee outside of the greenhouses.

Liseberg Amusement Park

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden, LisebergAmusement Park has been welcoming millions of visitors a year foralmost 80 years. Besides popular rides like the wooden rollercoaster Balder and tamer rides for the children, there are morethan 30 different attractions, restaurants and entertainment venueswhere concerts and shows attract huge crowds. Apart from all thefun rides, Liseberg Amusement Park offers many diversions in theform of games, shops, and scenic or themed areas. Adults may enjoystrolling through the attractive garden area, with waterfalls andsculptures. There is a good range of restaurants and eateries inthe park, with some fine dining options and plentiful fast food.Besides the ever-popular summer season, Liseberg is also open overthe festive season for the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia,as well as food specialities of the season, an ice bar, and holidayentertainment. This is a must for travellers in Gothenburg overChristmas, when many locals feel that Liseberg is at its mostspecial. As opening times, dates, and prices all fluctuateaccording to season, visitors are advised to check the officialwebsite in advance to plan their trip.

Alvsborg Fortress

The well-preserved, 17th-century Alvsborg Fortress islocated on a small island at the entrance of the harbour, at themouth of the Gota River near Gothenburg. With a fascinating historyof battles against the Danes, the fortress was once the mightiestcitadel in Sweden for coastal defence and is said to be the bestpreserved of its kind in the country. A boat trip to the fortressis one of the most popular activities for tourists in Gothenburg.Boat tours of the archipelago offer passage to the fort, along withviews of the pretty waterways. There is also a good view of theharbour from the island and some walking trails around the fortressto explore independently. A dramatised tour in English or Swedishexplaining the history of the castle is included in the admissionfee. It tells the history of the region from the 1600s to thepresent, introducing visitors to the colourful characters of thepast. There is a cafe and a small craft shop on the island forrefreshments and souvenirs. It's also possible to bring your ownpicnic basket. The boat trip to the island takes about 30 minuteseach way, and travellers should note that the boats only runseasonally.

Gota Canal

One of the most famous attractions in Sweden, theGota Canal was an important transport route for passengers andgoods between Gothenburg and Stockholm throughout the 19th century.One of the biggest civil engineering projects to ever take place inthe country, the canal stretches 118 miles (190km) from Sjotorp onLake Vanern to the Baltic Sea at Mem and has 58 locks. Gothenburgis linked to the canal at Lake Vanern by the Gota River. Thepicturesque, tree-lined channels are popular for cruises, whichpass through the beautiful lakes of Vattern and Vanern, usuallylasting about five to six days. Many boat trips are available onthe canal, but they are almost always seasonal and often onlyoperate in the summer months. A good option for travellers visitingin spring or autumn is a cycling trip along the banks of the canal.Canal trips are wildly popular with visitors and locals, providinga glorious way to traverse the pretty countryside. The officialwebsite listed below gives details on the different cruises,activities, and accommodation options along the Gota Canal.

Gothenburg Archipelago

Boat trips to the southern and northern archipelagoof Gothenburg are popular with both visitors and residents. Thesouthern archipelago includes eight car-free, sparsely inhabitedislands that boast sandy beaches, good swimming, beautiful nature,walking paths, and a charm of their own. The southern islandsfrequently feature in Viking mythology, adding to their wildmystique. The island of Branno is thought to be the location forthe famous Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf. Vargo is a nature reserve anda great spot for bird watchers. Kopstadso is a small island withpicturesque, narrow walking trails. Styrso is more developed andboasts some accommodation for holidaymakers, having been a kind ofbathers' resort since the 1830s. The northern archipelago is moreheavily populated and offers numerous hotels, restaurants, andsea-based activities. Although the islands can be exploredindependently by those who hire boats, and some travellers chooseto spend some time staying in the archipelago, most tourists simplyjoin the general boat tours of the archipelago, which take roughlyfour hours and show passengers the beauty of the River Gota, RiverNordre, Bjorko Fjord and Goteborg's harbour as well as some of theislands.

Skansen

Visitors can explore Sweden's past at Skansen, the oldestopen-air museum in the world. Historical buildings dating mainlyfrom the 18th and 19th centuries have been relocated here fromaround the country. Visitors move through five centuries of Swedishhistory, gaining a real sense of the nation's character and past.The exhibits include a full replica of a 19th-century town completewith craftsmen in period dress who demonstrate the arts of tanning,shoemaking, baking, and glass-blowing. Many shops are available tovisitors, selling everything from blown glass to cinnamon buns,making Skansen a good place to shop for souvenirs. On summerevenings there is often folk dancing and other cultural displays toenjoy. Skansen is also home to an aquarium and the World of Monkeyswithin the Skansen Zoo, which focuses on Scandinavian animals suchas reindeer, wolverines, elk, lynx, and brown bears. Every Decemberthe central square hosts a Christmas market that attracts thousandsof visitors every weekend. The various restaurants and shops havetheir own opening hours, which can be confirmed on the website; themany special events held at Skansen also make it worthwhile tocheck the website before planning your visit.

Grona Lund

Grona Lund is Sweden's oldest amusement park and an amazingattraction for families. Built in 1883, the park features a numberof rides including classics like bumper cars, carousels, and Ferriswheels of varying thrill levels. There are also several fast-pacedroller coasters and high-adrenaline rides to keep adultsentertained. Height charts for the rides are available on thepark's website so parents can see what is available to theirchildren before going. There is also a crèche available. A greatselection of restaurants and eateries, ranging from fine dining tobuffet and fast food options, ensures nobody will go hungry in thepark. Grona Lund hosts plenty of live music concerts during summerevenings, with some serious performers attracting big crowds. Theamusement park only opens seasonally, with a calendar detailingopening days and times can be found on the official website listedbelow. Those likely to be enjoying lots of the rides should buy theride pass which allows access to all rides all day, because buyingthe coupon booklets as required usually works out to be much moreexpensive.

Uppsala Cathedral

The Uppsala Cathedral dominates the city skyline asthe tallest church in Scandinavia at 390 feet (119m). Also calledthe Uppsala Domkyrka, it was built in the 14th century for royalcoronations and is now the seat of the Archbishop for the LutheranChurch of Sweden. A number of Swedish kings and other prominentcitizens are interred inside. The exterior of the cathedral is madeof red brick, with a French Gothic interior featuring murals of StErik, the patron saint of Sweden. In the summer months there areoften lunch-time concerts on the tower balcony. Those interested inthe cathedral's history should consider hiring a guide as there isa wealth of history on display in the church. There is also a smallmuseum housing ecclesiastical relics and a graveyard withelaborately-carved tombstones. The cathedral has a small gift shopand cafe. Considered by many to be the top attraction in Uppsala,and much-loved by the locals, the cathedral is a hub of activity inthe community, frequently hosting events and plenty of livemusic.

Linnaeus Garden and Museum

The Linnaeus Garden was founded in 1655 as the first botanicalgarden in Sweden. It wasn't until the 18th century that CarlLinnaeus, a prominent Swedish botanist zoologist, physician, andfather of modern taxonomy and ecology, redesigned the garden andbegan cultivating plants under his own system. It now containsroughly 1,300 plant species and is maintained by UppsalaUniversity. Within the garden is the Linnaeus museum, which was thescientist's home for 35 years. The garden is a living complement toLinnaeus' work; he designed the plot to demonstrate his theories tohis students, choosing each plant for a purpose. Although thegarden fell into a state of disrepair for more than a century, itwas faithfully restored in 1917 using the detailed plant lists andgarden maps of Linnaeus himself. Although in many ways the gardenis an academic exercise, fascinating for people interested insubjects like phenology, it is also a beautiful botanical space inits own right and can be enjoyed for its aesthetic quality alone.Guided tours of the garden are available but must be arranged inadvance by phone or email. There is a restaurant in the garden forrefreshments.

Vasa Museum

One of the most popular attractions in Sweden, the17th-century warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and wassalvaged in 1961, with thousands of artefacts, including coins,tools, clothing, and other historical items. The ship has beencarefully restored, including the upper gun deck, the admiral'scabin, and the steering compartment. Exhibitions detail thehardships of life at sea, and showcase the primitive supplies andmedical equipment sailors had to contend with. There is even amuseum garden where the vegetables, herbs, and flowers once used bythe crew for food and medicine are grown in season. Guided toursare included in the entrance fee. They are conducted in English andSwedish several times a day and take about 25 minutes, but theschedule varies according to season and day so travellers shouldcheck the website before visiting. Groups of more than nine peoplewill need to book guided tours in advance for a fee. There is arestaurant and a shop at the museum for refreshments and souvenirs.The Vasa Museum is consistently one of the top rated touristattractions in Stockholm and is an intriguing place to visit forpeople of all ages.