Top 10 Things to Do in Sweden
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Sweden is a Scandinavian country with 1,000s of inland lakes and coastal islands. All of these places, as well as its rich history make Sweden a great place to visit. Check out below for the top 10 things to do in Sweden.
10. Vasa Museum
The Vasa Museum is the most popular museum in all of Sweden. In fact, it is one of the best things to do in Sweden. Located in Stockholm, the museum has are 1 million visitors each year.
One of the most iconic things to see in the museum, and what the museum is actually named after, is the Vasa battle ship. It was the best ship in the Swedish Imperial navy in 1628.[1]planetware – 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sweden However, on its maiden voyage, it sunk. For more than three hundred years, it stayed underneath the icy waters. However, in 1961, historians and archaeologists pulled it out of the water. Today, you can see the beautiful ship fully restored to its original majesty in the Vasa Museum. However, it is so big and grand and has so much history behind it, that it can take just a day just to see and experience the ship!
9. Drottningholm
One of the best things to do in Sweden is visit the Drottningholm Palace on the island of Lovö. In fact, the palace is so picturesque, that it looks like it was taken out of the pages of a fairy tale! In addition, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[2]Visit Stockholm – Drottningholm Palace
The palace was built in the 17th century. Today, it is the official home of the Swedish Royal Family.
There are a lot of things to see in the Palace as well as around it including:
- the parks around the palace with bronze sculptures from Denmark
- the Chinese Pavilion from the 1700s
- the Palace Theatre (Drottningholms Slottsteater)
- the Theatre Museum
8. Kiruna and the Ice Hotel
One of the most fascinating places and things to do in Sweden is visit Kiruna. This town is the northernmost town in Sweden. It is so far north, that between mid May and Mid July the sun is still up at midnight.
Originally, the town started as a local settlement. However, in the 1900s it started growing as iron was discovered in the local area.
Today, the Kiruna still has iron, but has also become a great destination for visitors as well. In fact, one of the best things to do in Sweden and in Kiruna is visit Jukkasjärvi.[3]ice hotel It is the first ice hotel in the whole world! Each year the hotel is rebuilt in a new design. Here you can see beautiful rooms and furnishings all built out of ice.
7. The Göta Canal
The Göta Canal is one of the best things to do in Sweden. In fact, it is often described as the greatest engineering achievement in the country. The canal was originally built in the early 19th century. Today it is around 118 miles in length!
It is actually one of the best ways to see the interior of Sweden. It connects lakes Vänern and Vättern and the Trollhätte Canal. In addition, it connects Stockholm, which is in the northeast of Sweden, to Gothenburg, which is in the southwest of Sweden.
In total, the Göta Canal has 58 locks and 47 bridges.[4]gotakanal You can either take a passenger cruise to visit and cruise along it or rent your own boat and take it at your own pace and leisure.
6. Visby, Gotland
The town of Visby, is filled with medieval history. The town is encircled with walls that date back more than 700 years![5]gotland In fact, this beautiful old town on the island of Gotland, is one of the best things to do in Sweden.
Here you can explore the beautiful cobblestone streets and look at magnificent ruined churches. In fact, some of the original medieval trading houses are still there! The town of Visby is so beautiful that it is actually known as “the pearl of the Baltic”. It even as a UNESCO World Heritage Site label to prove it!
You can take both guided and self guided tours of this beautiful medieval city.
5. Oresund Bridge
One of the coolest things to do in Sweden is visit the Oresund Bridge in Malmo. The Swedes originally built the bridge in 1999, but took many decades to of pre-planning to fully bring to reality. It links Sweden with Denmark and the rest of the European continent. However, on the Danish side, it turns into a tunnel and goes under the water so that it doesn’t affect the aircraft in the Copenhagen airport. You can take both cars and trains on the bridge.
Recently, the Oresund Bridge has become even more famous due to the hit Danish/Swedish TV drama The Bridge.[6]oresundsbron – WELCOME TO THE ØRESUND BRIDGE
4. Abisko National Park
One of the best places to visit and things to do in Sweden is visit Abisko National Park. The park is over 19,000 acres and has some of the most beautiful Nordic nature and wildlife.
In the winter the park is great for summer hikes. In addition, the park is located over 124 miles inside the Arctic circle. This means that you have a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights!
In the summer, the area become the “Land of the Midnight Sun”. In fact, for several weeks in the summer, the sun stays up 24/7.[7]Visit Abisko
3. Kalmar Slott
One of the best things to do in Sweden is visit Kalmar Slott. In fact, this castle has all the requirements of a proper fairy tale castle! There is a drawbridge, a dungeon, and even secret passage ways!
The castle was originally built during the Renaissance as a stronghold.[8]lonely planet – Kalmar Slott As such, it is heavily fortified on the outside as well as beautifully furnished on the inside.
One of the great things about Kalmar Slott is that you can wander around the castle freely. However, at the same time, there is also a guided tour for those who want to learn a little bit more about this amazing castle.
2. Cycling
One of the best things to do in Sweden is ride a bike. In fact, Sweden is one of the most bike friendly countries in the whole world. There are many great bike paths in all of the cities as well as around the whole country.
Cycling in the Swedish cities is one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the local life. While biking around you might see parents biking their small children, hipsters on their hip bikes, or even regular people just going to work. There is no other better way to feel like a local in Sweden.
If you want to visit other places, there are also a lot of choices. Consider taking the 130 mile long Klarälvsbanan and discover the beautiful green Värmland. Or if that is not long enough of a bike ride for you, try taking the nearly 230 mile long Skåne and the West Coast Kattegattleden to explore the beautiful coasts of Sweden.[9]Visit Sweden – Cycling holidays in Sweden
For those who like biking off road, don’t worry. There are also a lot of options for you too! Head over to Åre, which in the winter is the biggest winter sports resort in the country. However, in the summer, it becomes a great place to bike mountain trails.
1. Catch a ferry to the Stockholm’s greenest island
One of the best things to do in Sweden, especially when you are in Stockholm, is visit Djurgården. The island is extremely calm and filled with great woodland trails.[10]TimeOut – The 20 essential things to do in Stockholm It is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
In addition, the island houses many of the most famous attractions in Stockholm including the Skansen, Vasa Museum, and Abba The Museum.
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