National Parks and Nature Experiences

Sweden has 31 national parks, which are open every day throughout the year. In Tyresta National Park, rift valleys, old-growth forest, rocky outcrops and lakes shape the landscape. Tyresta is also the largest remaining area of old-growth forest south of the Dalälven River. Kosterhavet National Park has a different focus: Sweden’s first marine national park consists predominantly of aquatic and underwater habitats. In Åsnen National Park, islands, forests and wetlands form a lake archipelago; traces there point to early human settlement.

In Kosterhavet, you can dive or snorkel among kelp forests and seagrass meadows. In summer, there are also opportunities to swim and snorkel there. The Kosterbåtarna connect Strömstad to the national park year-round; the journey takes about 45 minutes. As schedules may vary, check the times for your visit. In many protected areas, visitor centres called naturum offer the chance to learn more about local nature and applicable guidelines.

The right of public access also shapes what you can do along the way: it applies on land and on water and allows activities including kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Local restrictions may apply in protected areas. It is therefore worth taking the specific surroundings into account when planning a water-based activity.

Hiking Trails, Cycling Routes and the Göta Canal

More than 400 marked hiking trails in Sweden range from short walks to long-distance routes. Many are well marked and equipped with boardwalks and clear signage; many trailheads are also accessible by public transport. The Höga Kusten Trail runs for 13.5 miles through the World Heritage property of the same name, from Hornöberget in the south to Örnsköldsvik in the north. Kattegattleden is Sweden’s first national cycle route and runs 390 kilometres along the west coast from Helsingborg to Gothenburg. The 120-kilometre Värendsleden offers another way to travel by water: this canoe route has campsites for overnight stays.

The Göta Canal brings together different travel options and a history of engineering. The Göta Canal Trail is 220 kilometres long and divided into seven sections: half the route follows a car-free towpath along the canal, while the other half runs on smaller paved country roads. The towpaths also provide a walking route along the canal. Camping is permitted at rest areas, which also have dry toilets. An exhibition in the Berg lock area displays five old lock gates and explains the canal’s technological development.

World Heritage, Urban History and Living Traditions

Visby is a well-preserved medieval fortified trading town in northern Europe and a vibrant city. The World Heritage property Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland comprises seven large wooden farmhouses with richly decorated interiors. In Falun, the World Heritage property Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain includes the vast mining excavation known as the Great Pit. The landscape illustrates copper production in the region since at least the 13th century. Gammelstads kyrkstad is considered Sweden’s largest and best-preserved church town. You can learn about the history of the place through exhibitions, information panels, an audio guide and booked tours.

Every February, Jokkmokk hosts the Winter Market, whose history stretches back more than 400 years. Jokkmokk is also home to the Ájtte Mountain and Sámi Museum, Sweden’s leading museum and archive for Sámi culture. Sámi duodji includes natural and surplus materials such as wood, bark, and reindeer hide, antlers and bones. In Swedish Sápmi, around 40 small businesses offer visitor experiences of Sámi culture, combining reindeer husbandry with culture, food and outdoor activities. Suovas is smoked reindeer meat and became Sweden’s first Slow Food Presidia product in 2003. Pickled and fermented foods remain part of the Swedish diet today.

There is a special experience between the performances, too: at Astrid Lindgren’s World, visitors can meet Pippi, Emil and other characters in their own settings. The themes offer different focuses for planning your trip, from nature and water to hiking and cycling routes, World Heritage and culture. Swimming and snorkelling in Kosterhavet are listed as summer activities, while the Jokkmokk Winter Market takes place every February. If one of these experiences determines your travel dates, check the event dates and the Kosterbåtarna timetable in advance.

Discover more destinations: Kalmar, Örebro, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Västmanland, Dalarnas Län, Gävleborg, Västernorrland, Gotland, Stockholm, Blekinge, Halland, Skåne, Värmland, Uppsala, Södermanland, Kronoberg, Jämtland, Västra Götaland, Öland, Östergötland, Jönköping.

For the main travel overview: Europe.