A country of beautiful lakes and dramatic coastlines, majestic mountains and wild forests, Sweden is without a doubt one of the most picturesque destinations in Europe. It is also a country with world-class museums and universities, ancient castles, extensive public gardens and parks.
Whether you’re looking for a bucolic wilderness retreat, an arctic adventure, or an interest in medieval history and culture, Sweden has over a hundred small towns, each with something unique and unforgettable to offer.
Travelers looking for a throwback to the past will enjoy Kalmar or Uppsala, with its quaint cobblestone streets and well-preserved historic buildings. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the majesty of nature in Mölle, or wintry Jokkmok and Kiruna, where they can also see the Northern Lights.
Here are ten of them. most beautiful towns to visit in Sweden. Many are accessible from the major cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg, or Malmö, making it easy to plan day trips to these destinations.
Contents
- 1. Kiruna, Lapland
- 2. Visby, Gotland
- 3. Mölle, Skåne
- 4. Kalmar, Smaland
- 5. Rattvik, Dalarna
- 6. Sigtuna, Uppland
- 7. Lund, Skåne
- 8. Ystad, Skåne
- 9. Uppsala, Uppland
- 10. Jokkmokk, Lapland
1. Kiruna, Lapland
Located in the heart of the Oval of Aurora – the huge ring above the Earth’s geomagnetic North Pole where the Northern Lights can be seen – Kiruna is a small mining town in Swedish Lapland that is a good base for viewing the Northern Lights between September and April of each year.
Home to Abisko, one of Sweden’s most impressive national parks, Kiruna’s proximity to the Arctic Circle makes it the perfect location for winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or deep sea fishing. the ice.
If you plan a trip here, be sure to join a dog sledding tour, stop by Kiruna Kyrka, a renovated Gothic-style church that is one of the largest wooden buildings in Sweden, or spend a night at the Jukkasjärvi Icehotel. , a village in the Kiruna municipality that is only a 20-minute drive from the city center.
2. Visby, Gotland
One of the best-preserved medieval cities in Scandinavia and one of the most photographed places in Sweden, Visby – the main city on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland – is an unforgettable destination with a tangle of cobbled streets, beautiful medieval architecture , pretty pastel colored houses and bright cheerful spring wildflowers.
Visby’s best-known attractions are its medieval wall with its ancient ramparts, and the ruins of the medieval churches of San Nicolai and Santa Karin. After exploring the city, enjoy a cocktail and some rustic Swedish cuisine at Tuppens Krog, a restaurant housed in an 18th-century building that uses locally grown vegetables, fruits and herbs in its dishes.
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3. Mölle, Skåne
The small port town of Mölle in Skåne County has fewer than 800 residents and plenty of forest trails for travelers who want to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
Plan a day of hiking in the Kullaberg Nature Reserve, or hike the 70-meter-long Kullaleden Trail, which takes you past idyllic beaches, cliffs and seaside towns. Along the way, stop at the Krapperups estate, one of the oldest and most beautiful in Sweden, and the Kullen lighthouse, one of the most powerful in Scandinavia.
If you want to buy handmade pottery, visit Mölle Krukmakeri, a pottery shop that also serves delicious salads, sandwiches and local specialities.
4. Kalmar, Smaland
Kalmar, in southeastern Sweden, is a city on the shores of the Baltic Sea, best known for its beautiful old town, which features many immaculately preserved buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries.
These include the classical Baroque Kalmar Cathedral, the Renaissance-style Kalmar Castle with its handsome drawbridge and ornate turrets, and the Kalmar County Museum, a former steam factory now a museum. of Swedish history with an exhibition of the Kronan warship.
Not far from Kalmar Castle is the charming Krussentiernska Garden, a lovely oasis in the city with a cafe, museum and dozens of quiet picnic spots. In the center of the city there is a beach called Kattrumpan which is popular with the young people of the city.
5. Rattvik, Dalarna
Situated along the eastern shore of peaceful Lake Siljan, Rättvik was where Sweden’s first tourist hotel was established in 1894. Although this hotel has since been demolished, the town remains a popular tourist destination among Swedes, especially in summer, when car and music lovers flock to events and festivals.
When you’re here, try to catch a music concert at Dalhalla, a stunning open-air stage set in a limestone quarry. At the end of June, Rättvik hosts Classic Car Week, Sweden’s largest vintage car exhibition, and in July you can attend Sweden’s largest folk music festival, the Bingsjöstämman Folk Music Festival, also held here. .
6. Sigtuna, Uppland
Founded around 970 by Sweden’s first monarch, King Erik the Victorious, Sigtuna is Sweden’s first city and former capital. Step back in time as you stroll through the adorable wooden houses, shops, restaurants and cafes of Stora Gatan, the oldest pedestrian street in the country.
Located on the shores of Lake Mälaren, and just an hour by train from Stockholm, Sigtuna is a delightful destination for a day trip where you can spend half a day exploring ancient Viking ruins, touring the magnificent interiors of the Roserberg royal palace, or admiring the architecture of St. Mary’s, one of the first brick churches built in the Lake Mälaren area.
7. Lund, Skåne
Known for its world famous Lund University, more than half of its inhabitants are students. Located in the southernmost tip of Sweden, in the province of Skåne, Lund is a picturesque medieval city with cobbled streets and many charming and well-kept green oases, such as the Botanical Garden, the Stadsparken and the Lund University gardens.
Culture lovers can revel in the spectacular architecture of buildings like the Romanesque-style Lund Cathedral and learn more about the city’s history at an open-air museum called Kulturen, or at the Sketch Museum, a museum of art that shows the drawings of famous Swedish and Nordic painters and sculptors.
8. Ystad, Skåne
This market town in Skåne County is the setting for the Kurt Wallander crime series by Swedish author Henning Mankell. On the eastern side of the city is Ales Stenar, a mysterious Iron Age site with 59 huge boulders arranged in a 67 meter long boundary pattern.
Garden enthusiasts will love Aberg Tradgard, a garden and nursery that sells summer flowers, horticultural plants, more than 1,000 varieties of perennials, and nearly 2,000 varieties of herbs. For a day of total relaxation and well-being, head to Ystad Saltsjöbad Spa, a luxurious beachfront spa with hot spring baths and a wide variety of massages and body treatments.
9. Uppsala, Uppland
Just an hour by train from Stockholm is Uppsala, a city that will excite travelers in search of history and culture. Visit the Carolina Rediviva Library, where you can see the Silver Bible, a manuscript containing a 4th-century Gothic translation of the Bible, and Uppsala Cathedral, which contains the tombs of Swedish royalty.
Not to be missed is the Gustavianum Museum at Uppsala University. Inside the Gustavianum is the world’s second-oldest anatomical theater, and the Augsburg Art Cabinet, an elaborate 17th-century cabinet of decorative curiosities containing nearly 1,000 different artifacts.
10. Jokkmokk, Lapland
One of the coldest places to experience winter in Sweden, this small town attracts travelers looking to practice winter sports amidst picturesque landscapes. The national parks in the area will inspire photography lovers, who will be able to capture some unforgettable images of arctic nature here.
Jokkmokk is also the heart of the indigenous Sami culture, and you can learn more about the history of the Sami people and their way of life at the Ájtte Museum. In February, the stalls of the centuries-old Jokkmokk Winter Market open their doors, so if you visit Jokkmokk around this time, be sure to stop by and try some local snacks or buy souvenir Sami handicrafts.
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What did you think of them? most beautiful villages in sweden? They have a lot of charm! Don’t you think? By the way, don’t leave without trying Swedish food. It is really exquisite and delicious!
