9 Most Charming Small Towns in Sweden
Sweden is a country of fierce origins and fiercer landscapes. In a land where Vikings thronged to launch raids across Europe and where IKEA and Volvo achieved global conquest in their industries, Sweden has calmed down considerably in this modern milieu. These days, Sweden is known for its sauna-like culture of cool and friendly tourism. The most charming small towns of Sweden are perfect epitomes of Scandinavia鈥檚 hospitality and wonder. From UNESCO 海角社区 Heritage Sites like Visby to former Viking settlements like Sigtuna and Marstrand, these idyllic villages continue to be splendid places that tourists keep coming back to. So venture into a dramatic land brimming with bears and berserkers and experience all the runic and rustic enchantments that Sweden鈥檚 small towns have to offer.
Visby
On the whimsical Swedish island of Gotland, the fairytale village of Visby delights travelers with its hometown atmosphere. As one of Sweden's UNESCO 海角社区 Heritage Sites, Visby has 鈥渙utstanding universal value鈥� for everyone who wants to find contentment and excitement in the Baltic Sea. Visby is chiefly famed for its well-preserved medieval Hanseatic architecture. Among these ancient stone edifices are church ruins such as St. Clemens, St. Nicolai, Drotten, and St. Karin. Contrary to the other churches, the Visby Cathedral (formerly Visby Saint Mary's Cathedral), built at the end of the 12th century, still welcomes the faithful to God鈥檚 house.
In addition, the formidable 2.17-mile-long medieval ring wall鈥攖he Visby City Wall鈥攁nd the original 1200s watchtowers still stand protectively around the village. The Gotland Museum鈥檚 Fornsalen (Hall of Antiquities) exhibits numerous Viking artifacts. Furthermore, Visby was the filming site of the famous Pippi Longstocking movies, and the original Villa Villerkulla can be found at Kneippbyn Resort. So, fulfill your fairytale adventure by staying a while at fine domiciles like Scandic Visby, Visby F盲ngelse, or Kalk Hotel.
Ystad
If you have ever watched the famous detective show Wallander, then the town of Ystad will be a nostalgic location. Journey to this mysterious coastal town at the southern tip of Sweden, where the titular detective gallivanted through the pastel-colored houses and cobblestone streets to solve his latest cases. Ystad is so renowned for its film-suitable atmosphere that Scandinavia's largest film studio, Ystad Studio, can be found in the town.
Aside from the urban centers, the 25 miles of sandy beaches and beautiful Sk氓ne countryside lull travelers to blissful relaxation. If you want to relax in this vibrant, colorful town, then spend the day and evening at the Villa Strandv盲gen or Ystad Saltsj枚bad.
Sigtuna
Sigtuna is a tranquil little village halfway between Uppsala and Stockholm. This community may look simple and laidback, but Sigtuna may be the most historically vital town in all of Sweden because it happens to be Sweden鈥檚 oldest town. For over 1000 years, Sigtuna鈥檚 runestones tell an epic saga of the many people who lived and thrived in this ancient dwelling. Stora Gatan said to be Sweden鈥檚 oldest main street, dates back to the reign of 10th-century King Erik the Victorious. The first Swedish coin was minted in Sigtuna, and Princess Ingegerd鈥擲weden鈥檚 first female saint鈥攚as born there. Beautiful buildings from different periods of time dominate the town, from the Baroque Skokloster Castle and Rosersberg Palace to the 12th-century ruins of St. Olaf, St. Peter, and St. Lawrence churches. Consider strolling through the serene Lake M盲laren and consider booking rooms at the STF Sigtuna Vandrarhem or Sigtunah枚jden.
Mariefred
About 70 miles away from Stockholm, Mariefred is an idyllic town rife with ideal attractions. The town derived its name from Mariefred Charterhouse, a Carthusian monastery translating to "Peace of Mary." The town will certainly give travelers peace of mind as they roam the medieval halls of Gripsholm Castle, the former abode of King Gustav Vasa, who played a vital role in Sweden's formation.
Consider riding a historic steam locomotive along the Narrow Gauge Railway that winds through Mariefred and its neighbors, L盲ggesta and Taxinge N盲sby. Similar to Sigtuna, you can take boat trips through Lake M盲laren, or you can sample at least 60 different kinds of cakes at Taxinge Castle. The Callanderska g氓rden functions as a museum and a 1780s manor house for coffee-brewing meditation. Most of all, one might chance upon deer at the Gripsholms hjorthage (deer park). Remember to schedule a stay at the Gripsholm Inn, the R枚da Magasinet, or Vandrarhem Djurg氓rdsporten.
Kiruna
Far north of Swedish Lapland, where the Northern Lights burn the cold skies, the town of Kiruna welcomes travelers with a bracing atmosphere. Kiruna is renowned for the massive iron ore mine owned by Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB), a state-owned Swedish mining company. Furthermore, the LKAB ore mine contains an underground visitor center with an educational exhibit on mining. Hjalmar Lundbohmsg氓rden, the 19th-century residence of LKAB鈥檚 first managing director, serves as a museum featuring the history of LKAB and its many mining enterprises.
You might want to visit Kiruna Church for its bell tower and its fitting resemblance to the traditional huts of the indigenous S谩mi people. Moreover, you might want to spend your time at the lovely Camp Ripan, Husky Lodge, or the unique Ice Hotel of Jukkasj盲rvi, about nine miles away from Kiruna. Either you can stay in the summer to experience the Midnight Sun鈥攁 24/7 phenomenon when there is perpetual daylight鈥攐r in winter when the Aurora Borealis blazes brightly.
Jokkmokk
Jokkmokk, about three hours away from Kiruna, is another heartwarming town in the frigid Swedish Lapland. The quaint town is known for the centuries-old Jokkmokk Winter Market, an annual event where one can eat exotic food and watch live shows. Furthermore, thousands flock to the Winter Market for handicrafts fashioned by the S谩mi people. However, if you want to see more S谩mi artifacts, especially silverwork, and traditional outfits, visitors can find them on display at the 脕jtte Museum. Within the museum is the unique Jokkmokk Mountain Garden, a botanical chamber featuring alpine flora. You will also be treated to enticing water adventures at the Arctic Camp Jokkmokk. Do consider checking in at the Hotell Akerlund, Hotel Jokkmokk, or the STF 脜sg氓rd.
搁盲迟迟惫颈办
The dynamic town of 搁盲迟迟惫颈办 is widely regarded as the birthplace of Swedish tourism. Beside the pristine Lake Siljan, Sweden鈥檚 first tourist hotel, Turisthotellet (literally 鈥渢ourist hotel鈥�), was inaugurated in 1894. Although the hotel was demolished, the town campaigns many more unique structures, such as the 搁盲迟迟惫颈办 Church and the impressive Vasa Monument.
Nowadays, 搁盲迟迟惫颈办 is visited by vehicle enthusiasts who wish to attend the annual Classic Car Week, an Oldsmobile festival celebrating the veneration of veteran cars from July 26 to August 1. 搁盲迟迟惫颈办 also commemorates a cheerful Midsummer at 搁盲迟迟惫颈办s Gammelg氓rd (Historical Farm) on June 21. Undoubtedly, the most exciting event for each year is Dalhalla, a spectacular concert held in 搁盲迟迟惫颈办鈥檚 closed limestone quarry from June to September. International and national artists flock to the acoustic-perfect, natural amphitheater to enchant and enthrall. So please enjoy your stay at the Stiftsg氓rden, the J枚ns Andersg氓rden Bed & Breakfast, or Hotell 搁盲迟迟惫颈办.
Kalmar
Overlooking the Baltic Sea, the town of Kalmar is a site of strategic value. The Renaissance-style Kalmar Castle, home of King Gustav Vasa, testifies to Kalmar鈥檚 vital period as a military and political stronghold on the Swedish-Danish border during the Middle Ages. No need for museums to exhibit the past because you need only saunter down the cobblestone streets and ogle at the 18th- and 19th-century聽buildings lining your travels.
On your journey, you might stumble into Kvarnholmen, a walled neighborhood with unique ties to the past. Among the stunning structures, there are Castenska G氓rden and Kalmar Cathedral, designed in classical Baroque by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. Perhaps you might fancy traversing the 脰land Bridge to the sun-gleaming island of 脰land, one of the largest islands in the Baltic Sea. Or you might enjoy seeing the Regalskeppet Kronan, a 17th-century shipwreck in the Kalmar County Museum. Lastly, you should spend the night at the Slottshotellet Kalmar or Hotell Hilda.
Marstrand
The town of Marstrand, on the captivating island of Marstrand, remains a testament to the nation鈥檚 maritime beauty. The formidable Carlsten Fortress, a 17th-century stronghold, looms majestically atop a rocky hill overlooking the North Sea. Now functioning as a living museum, visitors can stroll through the dungeons, ramparts, and courtyards to learn how this fortress contributed to Sweden鈥檚 maritime defense. July is a special month for Carlsten Fortress since war reenactment games are hosted annually.
These days, Marstrand鈥檚 jetties and marinas still service the many sea vessels braving the awesome North Sea tides, labeling Marstrand as Sweden鈥檚 sailing capital. The Strandverket Konsthall (Strandverket Art Museum), housed in an old fort, showcases many modern or medieval sculptures and artworks. There are many more wonders to find in this town built by Norwegian king H氓kon H氓konsson. Do stay a while at the Marstrands Havshotell, Villa Maritime Marstrand, or Hotell Nautic.
As wonderful as it might be to lounge in a sauna in the middle of Sweden鈥檚 freezing temperatures, the most charming small towns of this warm-sharing nation are not to be missed. Whether you are watching the rainbow bridge of the Aurora Borealis in Kiruna or bracing the icy sea winds in Kalmar, Sweden鈥檚 small towns celebrate the beauty of nature and the ingenuity of humankind. Experience all the fairytale majesty, the epic medieval and Viking-age landmarks, and the natural Scandinavian wonders of the Swedish towns. You will feel like a raven traveling over vast seas and finding a land of new promises and endless opportunities.
