Sweden — Attractions
Gamla Uppsala
Three miles (5km) north of Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala was once an important town, the seat of Swedish royalty and where many important funerals were held. The Uppsala temple oversaw rites and sacrifices to the Norse gods in the pre-Christian era, and it was said that Odin himself resided there. As Christianity overtook Europe, the temple was burned and the stone church of Gamla Uppsala was built in the 12th century. The church still stands today, along with a vast grave field of 2-3,000 ancient burial mounds, and the remains of several houses. Gamla Uppsala also has a small museum detailing the rich history of the town. The town is accessible from Uppsala by bus.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 23 93 00
- Hours
- Museum: daily 11am-5pm May to August; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 12-3pm September to April. Church: daily 9am-6pm April to September; 9am-4pm October to March
- Admission
- Museum: 50kr
Royal Djurgården
Stockholm's main attractions are conveniently packaged close to the heart of the city on the island of Djurgården, crammed with entertainment options, museums, restaurants and wooded green space. Once upon a time the island was a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs at the Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft center); browse the art galleries; enjoy thrills and spills at Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park; explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum; meet Nordic wildlife at the zoo; and watch folk dancing. Also on the island, accessed with a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is the Junibacken fairy-tale fun center, the National Museum of Cultural History and the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged restored 17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbor. Top off the day with a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- A 10-minute walk from the city center across the Djurgarden bridge
- Transport
- Vintage tram; buses 44 or 47; or ferry
Royal Palace and Gamla Stan
The official Swedish Royal residence is one of the largest and most glorious palaces in Europe, dating from 1754 (although it was built on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroque edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many of its 608 staterooms are open to the public all year round. Visitors can admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Apartment of the Orders of Chivalry, Gustav III Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the changing of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday 12.15pm, Sunday 1.15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Gamla Stan itself is a treasure-trove of Swedish architecture from the 17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways, once notorious for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, and admire the 13th-century Cathedral, the Storkyrkan.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan
- Phone Number
- (0)8 402 6000
- Website
- www.royalcourt.se
- Transport
- Metro stop Gamla Stan, or bus 2, 43, 55, 71 or 76 to Slottsbacken station
- Hours
- Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday to Sunday 12-4pm (26 September to13 May). Royal Apartments may close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of His Majesty The King.
- Admission
- 140kr (adults); 70kr (children) Combined ticket for the whole palace.
City Hall
Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive red brick City Hall (Stadshuset) building, has stood on Kungsholmen (King's Island) since 1923 and become world-renowned as the venue for the annual Nobel Prize Banquet. The rather practical and austere façade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower, hides an extraordinary art nouveau interior. The plush council chamber itself has a vaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking longboat, echoing the Viking tradition of using overturned vessels as shelter in winter. Most impressive, though, is the magnificent Golden Hall, its walls covered with handmade mosaics. The view of Stockholm from the tower is unsurpassed.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Hantverkargatan 1
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5082 9058
- Website
- www2.stockholm.se/cityhall
- Transport
- Underground station T-Centralen/T-Rådhuset, or bus 48 and 62
- Hours
- Tours depart every 30 minutes in June, July and August between 9:30am and 4pm. The tower is open daily in summer from 10am to 4:15pm
- Admission
- 60kr adults, 20kr children 12-17 through March and in November and December 2011. 90kr adults, 40kr children April through October 2011.
Museum of National Antiquities
Sweden's history from prehistoric times to the present day is fascinatingly laid out in the Museum of National Antiquities, which contains a hoard of archaeological artifacts and treasures, including an impressive collection of gold objects recovered from the tombs and treasure caches of the Vikings. The museum's most prized possession dates from the Middle Ages. This is the splendid gold reliquary, set with precious stones, which contained the skull of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Narvavagen 1317
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5195 5600
- Email Address
- info@historiska.se
- Website
- www.historiska.se
- Transport
- Metro station Karlaplan; bus 44 and 56
- Hours
- Daily 10am-5pm (May to September), Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm with late closing at 8pm on Thursdays (October to April).
- Admission
- 70kr (adults), children are free
The Archipelago
The city of Stockholm stretches across 14 islands, but the archipelago, of which they form but a tiny part, consists of more than 24,000 islets, famed for their natural beauty, wildlife, fjords and spectacular channels and straits. A highlight of any visit to Stockholm is exploring this unique natural wonderland, and summer time is the time to do it, whether individually or on one of the many organized boat tours on offer. The standard tour is the 'Thousand Island Cruise', lasting 11 hours, which takes you to the outer islands and allows passengers to spend time ashore on some of the larger islands, like Nämdö, renowned for its handicrafts. Those with less time to spend can opt for a shorter cruise from between two to six hours, or travel on the high speed 'Cinderella' waterjet boats that service many of the islands. Do-it-yourself travelers can make use of the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that service the inhabited islands. Bed and breakfast accommodation is available for those seeking a longer getaway and perhaps wanting to stay a few days to experience island life.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Archipelago tour information is available from the Tourist Center, Sweden House, Hamnagatan 27
- Phone Number
- (0)8 789 2415
- Website
- www.stockholmtown.com
Göteborg Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Gothenburg is one of the largest in Europe and the most beautiful in Sweden boasting about 13,000 different species of plant. The area covers 175 hectares (432 acres), most of which is a nature reserve including an arboretum. Pride of the garden is the Rock Garden, but other worthwhile areas to visit include the Japanese Glade, the Rhododendron Valley and the greenhouses.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22A
- Phone Number
- (0)31 741 1100
- Website
- www.gotbot.se
- Transport
- Tram 1, 7, 8 or 13 to Botaniska Trädgården stop
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset
- Admission
- Voluntary admission to the garden is 20kr. A fee of 20kr is charged for entry to the greenhouse
Liseberg Amusement Park
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden, Liseberg Amusement Park has been welcoming millions of visitors a year for almost 80 years. Besides popular rides like the wooden roller coaster Balderand tamer rides for the children, there are over 30 different attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues where concerts and shows attract huge crowds. Besides the summer season, Liseberg is also open over the festive season for the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia, as well as food specialties of the season, an ice bar and Christmas entertainment.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)31 400 100
- Website
- www.liseberg.com
- Hours
- Open between April and October, as well as for the festive season in November and December; hours vary
- Admission
- 195kr (free for children under 7) for annual pass. Ride coupons are 15kr each. A variety of discount passes are also available
Elfsborg Fortress
The well preserved, 17th century fortress is located on a small island at the entrance of the harbor, at the mouth of the Göta River. With a fascinating history of battles against the Danes, the fortress was once the mightiest citadel in Sweden for coastal defense and is highly popular with visitors. A dramatized tour is included in the admission fee.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Byggnad 29
- Phone Number
- (0)31 158 151
- Website
- www.elfsborgsfastning.se
- Transport
- Boat tours depart daily to the fortress island from Lilla Bommen jetty between May and August, and weekends only in September
- Admission
- Boat tours: 160kr (adults), 80kr (children 6-11)
Göta Canal
One of the most well known attractions in Sweden, the Göta Canal was an important transport route for passengers and goods between Gothenburg and Stockholm throughout the 19th century until the building of railways and roads. It was also one of the biggest civil engineering projects to ever take place in the country. The canal stretches 118 miles (190km) from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to the Baltic Sea at Mem and has 58 locks. Gothenburg is linked to the canal at Lake Vänern by the Göta River. The picturesque tree-lined channels are popular for cruises, which pass through the beautiful lakes of Vättern and Vänern, usually lasting about five to six days.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)11 15 50 00
- Email Address
- info@gotakanal.se
- Website
- www.gotakanal.se
Gothenburg archipelago
Boat trips to the southern and northern archipelago of Gothenburg are popular trips for both visitors and residents alike. The southern archipelago includes eight car-free, inhabited islands that boast sandy beaches, good swimming, beautiful nature, walking paths and a charm of their own. The northern archipelago is more populated and has numerous hotels, restaurants and sea-based activities.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Transport
- Southern archipelago: daily ferries depart from Saltholmen year round; northern archipelago: car ferries depart from Hjuvik and Hisingen
Skansen
Visitors can explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum, the oldest in the world, where historical buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries have been relocated from around the country. The exhibits include a full replica of a 19th-century town complete with craftsmen in period dress who demonstrate the art of tanning, shoemaking, baking and glass-blowing. Skansen is also home to an aquarium and the World of Monkeys within the Skansen Zoo, which focuses on Scandinavian animals such as reindeer, wolverines, elk, lynx and brown bears. Every December the central square hosts a Christmas market that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Djurgarden
- Phone Number
- (0)8 442 8000
- Email Address
- info@skansen.se
- Website
- www.skansen.se
- Transport
- Bus 47 from Central Station, vintage tram 7, or ferry from Gamla stan
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm (20 June to August), 10am to 8pm (May to 19 June and September), 10am to 4pm (March, April and October); the rest of the year 10am to 3pm (until 4pm on weekends). Market days 11am to 5pm on weekends
- Admission
- June to August: 120kr (adults), 50kr (children 6-15); admission is reduced the rest of the year, but varies according to season. Separate fees for aquarium and funicular railway.
Icehotel
Located 124 miles (200 km) inside the Arctic Circle and 7.5 miles (12 km) from Kiruna Airport, the amazing Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi was first opened in 1990. The hotel is built anew each year, usually around mid-November, when ice is collected from the Torne River and molded into magnificent bricks, sculptures, ice furniture and even a bar with ice glasses! It may be made of ice, but this hotel is a warm welcome to those visiting for a night. Guests can curl up in soft, warm reindeer hide blankets in one of the many themed rooms, sip on an ice-cold glass of schnapps in the bar, or dine on anything from whitefish roe and venison to cloudberries and arctic raspberries in the Icehotel restaurant. Guests also have the option of booking a warm room as well, should the novelty of sleeping on a bed of ice wear off and the Icehotel is also open to day visitors throughout the winter season.
- Region/City Name
- Kiruna
- Address
- Jukkasjärvi
- Phone Number
- +46 (0) 980 66 800 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm)
- Email Address
- info@icehotel.com
- Website
- www.icehotel.com
- Hours
- Open to day visitors daily from 10am to 6pm (December to April). Guided tours from 10am-2pm (Swedish) and 12pm-4pm (English).
- Admission
- Free for daytime visitors
Babybio
An innovative attraction in Stockholm for parents with young children is the Babybio. At this unique cinema, the latest movie releases are shown in their original language, and the lighting and sound are lowered so as not to get the kids too excited. There are changing tables, free nappies and a microwave available for mothers to use, and individual cinema seats for each child.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- 41 Birger Jarlsgatan, Östermalm
- Phone Number
- 08 5629 4880
- Email Address
- emelie@biosture.se
- Website
- www.biosture.se
- Hours
- Every second Friday from 11am; closed July and August
- Admission
- 100kr; babies free
Gröna Lund
Gröna Lund is Sweden's oldest amusement park and an amazing attraction for kids. Built in 1883, the park features a number of rides including bumper cars, carousels and Ferris wheels. The fun house and Kvasten (Broomstick) rollercoaster are also favorites, and there is an on-site baby care center for parents to use.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Allmänna Gränd, Djurgården
- Website
- www.gronalund.com
- Admission
- 90kr (adults), free under-4s. One-day bracelet (all rides) 319kr
Junibacken
The Junibacken theme park is inspired by Pippi Longstocking and other children's books by local authors. The storybook landscape can be traversed on a fun train ride, and kids can also explore and play in Pippi's house, Villa Villekulla. Storytelling and a lovely bookstore are other highlights at Junibacken.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Galärvarvsvägen, Djurgården
- Website
- www.junibacken.se
- Hours
- June and August 10am to 5pm, daily; July 9am to 6pm, daily; September to May 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
- Admission
- 125kr adults and 110kr children 3-15 through June 2011 and September 1 through December 23. 145kr adults and 125kr children August 2011.
Uppsala Cathedral
The biggest church in Scandinavia at 390 feet (119m), the Uppsala Cathedral, also called the Uppsala Domkyrka, dominates the city's skyline. The church was built in the 14th century for royal coronations, and is now the seat for the Archbishop for the Lutheran Church of Sweden. A number of Swedish kings and other prominent citizens are interred inside. The exterior of the cathedral is made of red brick, with a French Gothic interior featuring murals of St Erik, the patron saint of Sweden. There is also a small museum housing ecclesiastical relics, and a graveyard with elaborately-carved tombstones.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Domkyrkoplan 2, Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 18 72 01
- Website
- www.uppsaladomkyrka.se
- Hours
- Church: daily 8am-6pm. Museum: daily 10am-5pm April to August, 12-3pm September to March
- Admission
- Museum 30kr
Linnaeus Garden and Museum
The Linnaeus Garden was founded in 1655 as the first botanical garden in Sweden. It wasn't until the 18th century that Carl Linnaeus (also known as Carolus Linnaeus or Carl von Linne), a prominent Swedish botanist zoologist, physician, and father of modern taxonomy and ecology, redesigned the garden and began cultivating plants under his own system. It now contains roughly 1,300 species, and is maintained by Uppsala University. Within the garden is the Linnaeus museum, which was the scientist's home for 35 years.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Svartbäcksgatan 27
- Phone Number
- 18 471 25 76
- Email Address
- linnaeus.garden@linnaeus.uu.se
- Website
- www.linnaeus.uu.se
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm
- Admission
- 60kr (garden and museum); admission to the garden is free from 5-8pm.
Gamla Uppsala
Three miles (5km) north of Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala was once an important town, the seat of Swedish royalty and where many important funerals were held. The Uppsala temple oversaw rites and sacrifices to the Norse gods in the pre-Christian era, and it was said that Odin himself resided there. As Christianity overtook Europe, the temple was burned and the stone church of Gamla Uppsala was built in the 12th century. The church still stands today, along with a vast grave field of 2-3,000 ancient burial mounds, and the remains of several houses. Gamla Uppsala also has a small museum detailing the rich history of the town. The town is accessible from Uppsala by bus.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 23 93 00
- Hours
- Museum: daily 11am-5pm May to August; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 12-3pm September to April. Church: daily 9am-6pm April to September; 9am-4pm October to March
- Admission
- Museum: 50kr
Royal Djurgården
Stockholm's main attractions are conveniently packaged close to the heart of the city on the island of Djurgården, crammed with entertainment options, museums, restaurants and wooded green space. Once upon a time the island was a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs at the Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft center); browse the art galleries; enjoy thrills and spills at Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park; explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum; meet Nordic wildlife at the zoo; and watch folk dancing. Also on the island, accessed with a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is the Junibacken fairy-tale fun center, the National Museum of Cultural History and the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged restored 17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbor. Top off the day with a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- A 10-minute walk from the city center across the Djurgarden bridge
- Transport
- Vintage tram; buses 44 or 47; or ferry
Royal Palace and Gamla Stan
The official Swedish Royal residence is one of the largest and most glorious palaces in Europe, dating from 1754 (although it was built on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroque edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many of its 608 staterooms are open to the public all year round. Visitors can admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Apartment of the Orders of Chivalry, Gustav III Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the changing of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday 12.15pm, Sunday 1.15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Gamla Stan itself is a treasure-trove of Swedish architecture from the 17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways, once notorious for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, and admire the 13th-century Cathedral, the Storkyrkan.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan
- Phone Number
- (0)8 402 6000
- Website
- www.royalcourt.se
- Transport
- Metro stop Gamla Stan, or bus 2, 43, 55, 71 or 76 to Slottsbacken station
- Hours
- Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday to Sunday 12-4pm (26 September to13 May). Royal Apartments may close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of His Majesty The King.
- Admission
- 140kr (adults); 70kr (children) Combined ticket for the whole palace.
City Hall
Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive red brick City Hall (Stadshuset) building, has stood on Kungsholmen (King's Island) since 1923 and become world-renowned as the venue for the annual Nobel Prize Banquet. The rather practical and austere façade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower, hides an extraordinary art nouveau interior. The plush council chamber itself has a vaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking longboat, echoing the Viking tradition of using overturned vessels as shelter in winter. Most impressive, though, is the magnificent Golden Hall, its walls covered with handmade mosaics. The view of Stockholm from the tower is unsurpassed.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Hantverkargatan 1
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5082 9058
- Website
- www2.stockholm.se/cityhall
- Transport
- Underground station T-Centralen/T-Rådhuset, or bus 48 and 62
- Hours
- Tours depart every 30 minutes in June, July and August between 9:30am and 4pm. The tower is open daily in summer from 10am to 4:15pm
- Admission
- 60kr adults, 20kr children 12-17 through March and in November and December 2011. 90kr adults, 40kr children April through October 2011.
Museum of National Antiquities
Sweden's history from prehistoric times to the present day is fascinatingly laid out in the Museum of National Antiquities, which contains a hoard of archaeological artifacts and treasures, including an impressive collection of gold objects recovered from the tombs and treasure caches of the Vikings. The museum's most prized possession dates from the Middle Ages. This is the splendid gold reliquary, set with precious stones, which contained the skull of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Narvavagen 1317
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5195 5600
- Email Address
- info@historiska.se
- Website
- www.historiska.se
- Transport
- Metro station Karlaplan; bus 44 and 56
- Hours
- Daily 10am-5pm (May to September), Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm with late closing at 8pm on Thursdays (October to April).
- Admission
- 70kr (adults), children are free
The Archipelago
The city of Stockholm stretches across 14 islands, but the archipelago, of which they form but a tiny part, consists of more than 24,000 islets, famed for their natural beauty, wildlife, fjords and spectacular channels and straits. A highlight of any visit to Stockholm is exploring this unique natural wonderland, and summer time is the time to do it, whether individually or on one of the many organized boat tours on offer. The standard tour is the 'Thousand Island Cruise', lasting 11 hours, which takes you to the outer islands and allows passengers to spend time ashore on some of the larger islands, like Nämdö, renowned for its handicrafts. Those with less time to spend can opt for a shorter cruise from between two to six hours, or travel on the high speed 'Cinderella' waterjet boats that service many of the islands. Do-it-yourself travelers can make use of the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that service the inhabited islands. Bed and breakfast accommodation is available for those seeking a longer getaway and perhaps wanting to stay a few days to experience island life.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Archipelago tour information is available from the Tourist Center, Sweden House, Hamnagatan 27
- Phone Number
- (0)8 789 2415
- Website
- www.stockholmtown.com
Göteborg Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Gothenburg is one of the largest in Europe and the most beautiful in Sweden boasting about 13,000 different species of plant. The area covers 175 hectares (432 acres), most of which is a nature reserve including an arboretum. Pride of the garden is the Rock Garden, but other worthwhile areas to visit include the Japanese Glade, the Rhododendron Valley and the greenhouses.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22A
- Phone Number
- (0)31 741 1100
- Website
- www.gotbot.se
- Transport
- Tram 1, 7, 8 or 13 to Botaniska Trädgården stop
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset
- Admission
- Voluntary admission to the garden is 20kr. A fee of 20kr is charged for entry to the greenhouse
Liseberg Amusement Park
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden, Liseberg Amusement Park has been welcoming millions of visitors a year for almost 80 years. Besides popular rides like the wooden roller coaster Balderand tamer rides for the children, there are over 30 different attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues where concerts and shows attract huge crowds. Besides the summer season, Liseberg is also open over the festive season for the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia, as well as food specialties of the season, an ice bar and Christmas entertainment.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)31 400 100
- Website
- www.liseberg.com
- Hours
- Open between April and October, as well as for the festive season in November and December; hours vary
- Admission
- 195kr (free for children under 7) for annual pass. Ride coupons are 15kr each. A variety of discount passes are also available
Elfsborg Fortress
The well preserved, 17th century fortress is located on a small island at the entrance of the harbor, at the mouth of the Göta River. With a fascinating history of battles against the Danes, the fortress was once the mightiest citadel in Sweden for coastal defense and is highly popular with visitors. A dramatized tour is included in the admission fee.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Byggnad 29
- Phone Number
- (0)31 158 151
- Website
- www.elfsborgsfastning.se
- Transport
- Boat tours depart daily to the fortress island from Lilla Bommen jetty between May and August, and weekends only in September
- Admission
- Boat tours: 160kr (adults), 80kr (children 6-11)
Göta Canal
One of the most well known attractions in Sweden, the Göta Canal was an important transport route for passengers and goods between Gothenburg and Stockholm throughout the 19th century until the building of railways and roads. It was also one of the biggest civil engineering projects to ever take place in the country. The canal stretches 118 miles (190km) from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to the Baltic Sea at Mem and has 58 locks. Gothenburg is linked to the canal at Lake Vänern by the Göta River. The picturesque tree-lined channels are popular for cruises, which pass through the beautiful lakes of Vättern and Vänern, usually lasting about five to six days.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)11 15 50 00
- Email Address
- info@gotakanal.se
- Website
- www.gotakanal.se
Gothenburg archipelago
Boat trips to the southern and northern archipelago of Gothenburg are popular trips for both visitors and residents alike. The southern archipelago includes eight car-free, inhabited islands that boast sandy beaches, good swimming, beautiful nature, walking paths and a charm of their own. The northern archipelago is more populated and has numerous hotels, restaurants and sea-based activities.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Transport
- Southern archipelago: daily ferries depart from Saltholmen year round; northern archipelago: car ferries depart from Hjuvik and Hisingen
Skansen
Visitors can explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum, the oldest in the world, where historical buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries have been relocated from around the country. The exhibits include a full replica of a 19th-century town complete with craftsmen in period dress who demonstrate the art of tanning, shoemaking, baking and glass-blowing. Skansen is also home to an aquarium and the World of Monkeys within the Skansen Zoo, which focuses on Scandinavian animals such as reindeer, wolverines, elk, lynx and brown bears. Every December the central square hosts a Christmas market that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Djurgarden
- Phone Number
- (0)8 442 8000
- Email Address
- info@skansen.se
- Website
- www.skansen.se
- Transport
- Bus 47 from Central Station, vintage tram 7, or ferry from Gamla stan
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm (20 June to August), 10am to 8pm (May to 19 June and September), 10am to 4pm (March, April and October); the rest of the year 10am to 3pm (until 4pm on weekends). Market days 11am to 5pm on weekends
- Admission
- June to August: 120kr (adults), 50kr (children 6-15); admission is reduced the rest of the year, but varies according to season. Separate fees for aquarium and funicular railway.
Icehotel
Located 124 miles (200 km) inside the Arctic Circle and 7.5 miles (12 km) from Kiruna Airport, the amazing Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi was first opened in 1990. The hotel is built anew each year, usually around mid-November, when ice is collected from the Torne River and molded into magnificent bricks, sculptures, ice furniture and even a bar with ice glasses! It may be made of ice, but this hotel is a warm welcome to those visiting for a night. Guests can curl up in soft, warm reindeer hide blankets in one of the many themed rooms, sip on an ice-cold glass of schnapps in the bar, or dine on anything from whitefish roe and venison to cloudberries and arctic raspberries in the Icehotel restaurant. Guests also have the option of booking a warm room as well, should the novelty of sleeping on a bed of ice wear off and the Icehotel is also open to day visitors throughout the winter season.
- Region/City Name
- Kiruna
- Address
- Jukkasjärvi
- Phone Number
- +46 (0) 980 66 800 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm)
- Email Address
- info@icehotel.com
- Website
- www.icehotel.com
- Hours
- Open to day visitors daily from 10am to 6pm (December to April). Guided tours from 10am-2pm (Swedish) and 12pm-4pm (English).
- Admission
- Free for daytime visitors
Babybio
An innovative attraction in Stockholm for parents with young children is the Babybio. At this unique cinema, the latest movie releases are shown in their original language, and the lighting and sound are lowered so as not to get the kids too excited. There are changing tables, free nappies and a microwave available for mothers to use, and individual cinema seats for each child.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- 41 Birger Jarlsgatan, Östermalm
- Phone Number
- 08 5629 4880
- Email Address
- emelie@biosture.se
- Website
- www.biosture.se
- Hours
- Every second Friday from 11am; closed July and August
- Admission
- 100kr; babies free
Gröna Lund
Gröna Lund is Sweden's oldest amusement park and an amazing attraction for kids. Built in 1883, the park features a number of rides including bumper cars, carousels and Ferris wheels. The fun house and Kvasten (Broomstick) rollercoaster are also favorites, and there is an on-site baby care center for parents to use.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Allmänna Gränd, Djurgården
- Website
- www.gronalund.com
- Admission
- 90kr (adults), free under-4s. One-day bracelet (all rides) 319kr
Junibacken
The Junibacken theme park is inspired by Pippi Longstocking and other children's books by local authors. The storybook landscape can be traversed on a fun train ride, and kids can also explore and play in Pippi's house, Villa Villekulla. Storytelling and a lovely bookstore are other highlights at Junibacken.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Galärvarvsvägen, Djurgården
- Website
- www.junibacken.se
- Hours
- June and August 10am to 5pm, daily; July 9am to 6pm, daily; September to May 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
- Admission
- 125kr adults and 110kr children 3-15 through June 2011 and September 1 through December 23. 145kr adults and 125kr children August 2011.
Uppsala Cathedral
The biggest church in Scandinavia at 390 feet (119m), the Uppsala Cathedral, also called the Uppsala Domkyrka, dominates the city's skyline. The church was built in the 14th century for royal coronations, and is now the seat for the Archbishop for the Lutheran Church of Sweden. A number of Swedish kings and other prominent citizens are interred inside. The exterior of the cathedral is made of red brick, with a French Gothic interior featuring murals of St Erik, the patron saint of Sweden. There is also a small museum housing ecclesiastical relics, and a graveyard with elaborately-carved tombstones.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Domkyrkoplan 2, Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 18 72 01
- Website
- www.uppsaladomkyrka.se
- Hours
- Church: daily 8am-6pm. Museum: daily 10am-5pm April to August, 12-3pm September to March
- Admission
- Museum 30kr
Linnaeus Garden and Museum
The Linnaeus Garden was founded in 1655 as the first botanical garden in Sweden. It wasn't until the 18th century that Carl Linnaeus (also known as Carolus Linnaeus or Carl von Linne), a prominent Swedish botanist zoologist, physician, and father of modern taxonomy and ecology, redesigned the garden and began cultivating plants under his own system. It now contains roughly 1,300 species, and is maintained by Uppsala University. Within the garden is the Linnaeus museum, which was the scientist's home for 35 years.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Svartbäcksgatan 27
- Phone Number
- 18 471 25 76
- Email Address
- linnaeus.garden@linnaeus.uu.se
- Website
- www.linnaeus.uu.se
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm
- Admission
- 60kr (garden and museum); admission to the garden is free from 5-8pm.
Gamla Uppsala
Three miles (5km) north of Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala was once an important town, the seat of Swedish royalty and where many important funerals were held. The Uppsala temple oversaw rites and sacrifices to the Norse gods in the pre-Christian era, and it was said that Odin himself resided there. As Christianity overtook Europe, the temple was burned and the stone church of Gamla Uppsala was built in the 12th century. The church still stands today, along with a vast grave field of 2-3,000 ancient burial mounds, and the remains of several houses. Gamla Uppsala also has a small museum detailing the rich history of the town. The town is accessible from Uppsala by bus.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 23 93 00
- Hours
- Museum: daily 11am-5pm May to August; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 12-3pm September to April. Church: daily 9am-6pm April to September; 9am-4pm October to March
- Admission
- Museum: 50kr
Royal Djurgården
Stockholm's main attractions are conveniently packaged close to the heart of the city on the island of Djurgården, crammed with entertainment options, museums, restaurants and wooded green space. Once upon a time the island was a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs at the Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft center); browse the art galleries; enjoy thrills and spills at Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park; explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum; meet Nordic wildlife at the zoo; and watch folk dancing. Also on the island, accessed with a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is the Junibacken fairy-tale fun center, the National Museum of Cultural History and the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged restored 17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbor. Top off the day with a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- A 10-minute walk from the city center across the Djurgarden bridge
- Transport
- Vintage tram; buses 44 or 47; or ferry
Royal Palace and Gamla Stan
The official Swedish Royal residence is one of the largest and most glorious palaces in Europe, dating from 1754 (although it was built on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroque edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many of its 608 staterooms are open to the public all year round. Visitors can admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Apartment of the Orders of Chivalry, Gustav III Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the changing of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday 12.15pm, Sunday 1.15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Gamla Stan itself is a treasure-trove of Swedish architecture from the 17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways, once notorious for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, and admire the 13th-century Cathedral, the Storkyrkan.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan
- Phone Number
- (0)8 402 6000
- Website
- www.royalcourt.se
- Transport
- Metro stop Gamla Stan, or bus 2, 43, 55, 71 or 76 to Slottsbacken station
- Hours
- Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday to Sunday 12-4pm (26 September to13 May). Royal Apartments may close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of His Majesty The King.
- Admission
- 140kr (adults); 70kr (children) Combined ticket for the whole palace.
City Hall
Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive red brick City Hall (Stadshuset) building, has stood on Kungsholmen (King's Island) since 1923 and become world-renowned as the venue for the annual Nobel Prize Banquet. The rather practical and austere façade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower, hides an extraordinary art nouveau interior. The plush council chamber itself has a vaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking longboat, echoing the Viking tradition of using overturned vessels as shelter in winter. Most impressive, though, is the magnificent Golden Hall, its walls covered with handmade mosaics. The view of Stockholm from the tower is unsurpassed.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Hantverkargatan 1
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5082 9058
- Website
- www2.stockholm.se/cityhall
- Transport
- Underground station T-Centralen/T-Rådhuset, or bus 48 and 62
- Hours
- Tours depart every 30 minutes in June, July and August between 9:30am and 4pm. The tower is open daily in summer from 10am to 4:15pm
- Admission
- 60kr adults, 20kr children 12-17 through March and in November and December 2011. 90kr adults, 40kr children April through October 2011.
Museum of National Antiquities
Sweden's history from prehistoric times to the present day is fascinatingly laid out in the Museum of National Antiquities, which contains a hoard of archaeological artifacts and treasures, including an impressive collection of gold objects recovered from the tombs and treasure caches of the Vikings. The museum's most prized possession dates from the Middle Ages. This is the splendid gold reliquary, set with precious stones, which contained the skull of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Narvavagen 1317
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5195 5600
- Email Address
- info@historiska.se
- Website
- www.historiska.se
- Transport
- Metro station Karlaplan; bus 44 and 56
- Hours
- Daily 10am-5pm (May to September), Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm with late closing at 8pm on Thursdays (October to April).
- Admission
- 70kr (adults), children are free
The Archipelago
The city of Stockholm stretches across 14 islands, but the archipelago, of which they form but a tiny part, consists of more than 24,000 islets, famed for their natural beauty, wildlife, fjords and spectacular channels and straits. A highlight of any visit to Stockholm is exploring this unique natural wonderland, and summer time is the time to do it, whether individually or on one of the many organized boat tours on offer. The standard tour is the 'Thousand Island Cruise', lasting 11 hours, which takes you to the outer islands and allows passengers to spend time ashore on some of the larger islands, like Nämdö, renowned for its handicrafts. Those with less time to spend can opt for a shorter cruise from between two to six hours, or travel on the high speed 'Cinderella' waterjet boats that service many of the islands. Do-it-yourself travelers can make use of the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that service the inhabited islands. Bed and breakfast accommodation is available for those seeking a longer getaway and perhaps wanting to stay a few days to experience island life.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Archipelago tour information is available from the Tourist Center, Sweden House, Hamnagatan 27
- Phone Number
- (0)8 789 2415
- Website
- www.stockholmtown.com
Göteborg Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Gothenburg is one of the largest in Europe and the most beautiful in Sweden boasting about 13,000 different species of plant. The area covers 175 hectares (432 acres), most of which is a nature reserve including an arboretum. Pride of the garden is the Rock Garden, but other worthwhile areas to visit include the Japanese Glade, the Rhododendron Valley and the greenhouses.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22A
- Phone Number
- (0)31 741 1100
- Website
- www.gotbot.se
- Transport
- Tram 1, 7, 8 or 13 to Botaniska Trädgården stop
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset
- Admission
- Voluntary admission to the garden is 20kr. A fee of 20kr is charged for entry to the greenhouse
Liseberg Amusement Park
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden, Liseberg Amusement Park has been welcoming millions of visitors a year for almost 80 years. Besides popular rides like the wooden roller coaster Balderand tamer rides for the children, there are over 30 different attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues where concerts and shows attract huge crowds. Besides the summer season, Liseberg is also open over the festive season for the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia, as well as food specialties of the season, an ice bar and Christmas entertainment.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)31 400 100
- Website
- www.liseberg.com
- Hours
- Open between April and October, as well as for the festive season in November and December; hours vary
- Admission
- 195kr (free for children under 7) for annual pass. Ride coupons are 15kr each. A variety of discount passes are also available
Elfsborg Fortress
The well preserved, 17th century fortress is located on a small island at the entrance of the harbor, at the mouth of the Göta River. With a fascinating history of battles against the Danes, the fortress was once the mightiest citadel in Sweden for coastal defense and is highly popular with visitors. A dramatized tour is included in the admission fee.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Byggnad 29
- Phone Number
- (0)31 158 151
- Website
- www.elfsborgsfastning.se
- Transport
- Boat tours depart daily to the fortress island from Lilla Bommen jetty between May and August, and weekends only in September
- Admission
- Boat tours: 160kr (adults), 80kr (children 6-11)
Göta Canal
One of the most well known attractions in Sweden, the Göta Canal was an important transport route for passengers and goods between Gothenburg and Stockholm throughout the 19th century until the building of railways and roads. It was also one of the biggest civil engineering projects to ever take place in the country. The canal stretches 118 miles (190km) from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to the Baltic Sea at Mem and has 58 locks. Gothenburg is linked to the canal at Lake Vänern by the Göta River. The picturesque tree-lined channels are popular for cruises, which pass through the beautiful lakes of Vättern and Vänern, usually lasting about five to six days.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)11 15 50 00
- Email Address
- info@gotakanal.se
- Website
- www.gotakanal.se
Gothenburg archipelago
Boat trips to the southern and northern archipelago of Gothenburg are popular trips for both visitors and residents alike. The southern archipelago includes eight car-free, inhabited islands that boast sandy beaches, good swimming, beautiful nature, walking paths and a charm of their own. The northern archipelago is more populated and has numerous hotels, restaurants and sea-based activities.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Transport
- Southern archipelago: daily ferries depart from Saltholmen year round; northern archipelago: car ferries depart from Hjuvik and Hisingen
Skansen
Visitors can explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum, the oldest in the world, where historical buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries have been relocated from around the country. The exhibits include a full replica of a 19th-century town complete with craftsmen in period dress who demonstrate the art of tanning, shoemaking, baking and glass-blowing. Skansen is also home to an aquarium and the World of Monkeys within the Skansen Zoo, which focuses on Scandinavian animals such as reindeer, wolverines, elk, lynx and brown bears. Every December the central square hosts a Christmas market that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Djurgarden
- Phone Number
- (0)8 442 8000
- Email Address
- info@skansen.se
- Website
- www.skansen.se
- Transport
- Bus 47 from Central Station, vintage tram 7, or ferry from Gamla stan
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm (20 June to August), 10am to 8pm (May to 19 June and September), 10am to 4pm (March, April and October); the rest of the year 10am to 3pm (until 4pm on weekends). Market days 11am to 5pm on weekends
- Admission
- June to August: 120kr (adults), 50kr (children 6-15); admission is reduced the rest of the year, but varies according to season. Separate fees for aquarium and funicular railway.
Icehotel
Located 124 miles (200 km) inside the Arctic Circle and 7.5 miles (12 km) from Kiruna Airport, the amazing Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi was first opened in 1990. The hotel is built anew each year, usually around mid-November, when ice is collected from the Torne River and molded into magnificent bricks, sculptures, ice furniture and even a bar with ice glasses! It may be made of ice, but this hotel is a warm welcome to those visiting for a night. Guests can curl up in soft, warm reindeer hide blankets in one of the many themed rooms, sip on an ice-cold glass of schnapps in the bar, or dine on anything from whitefish roe and venison to cloudberries and arctic raspberries in the Icehotel restaurant. Guests also have the option of booking a warm room as well, should the novelty of sleeping on a bed of ice wear off and the Icehotel is also open to day visitors throughout the winter season.
- Region/City Name
- Kiruna
- Address
- Jukkasjärvi
- Phone Number
- +46 (0) 980 66 800 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm)
- Email Address
- info@icehotel.com
- Website
- www.icehotel.com
- Hours
- Open to day visitors daily from 10am to 6pm (December to April). Guided tours from 10am-2pm (Swedish) and 12pm-4pm (English).
- Admission
- Free for daytime visitors
Babybio
An innovative attraction in Stockholm for parents with young children is the Babybio. At this unique cinema, the latest movie releases are shown in their original language, and the lighting and sound are lowered so as not to get the kids too excited. There are changing tables, free nappies and a microwave available for mothers to use, and individual cinema seats for each child.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- 41 Birger Jarlsgatan, Östermalm
- Phone Number
- 08 5629 4880
- Email Address
- emelie@biosture.se
- Website
- www.biosture.se
- Hours
- Every second Friday from 11am; closed July and August
- Admission
- 100kr; babies free
Gröna Lund
Gröna Lund is Sweden's oldest amusement park and an amazing attraction for kids. Built in 1883, the park features a number of rides including bumper cars, carousels and Ferris wheels. The fun house and Kvasten (Broomstick) rollercoaster are also favorites, and there is an on-site baby care center for parents to use.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Allmänna Gränd, Djurgården
- Website
- www.gronalund.com
- Admission
- 90kr (adults), free under-4s. One-day bracelet (all rides) 319kr
Junibacken
The Junibacken theme park is inspired by Pippi Longstocking and other children's books by local authors. The storybook landscape can be traversed on a fun train ride, and kids can also explore and play in Pippi's house, Villa Villekulla. Storytelling and a lovely bookstore are other highlights at Junibacken.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Galärvarvsvägen, Djurgården
- Website
- www.junibacken.se
- Hours
- June and August 10am to 5pm, daily; July 9am to 6pm, daily; September to May 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
- Admission
- 125kr adults and 110kr children 3-15 through June 2011 and September 1 through December 23. 145kr adults and 125kr children August 2011.
Uppsala Cathedral
The biggest church in Scandinavia at 390 feet (119m), the Uppsala Cathedral, also called the Uppsala Domkyrka, dominates the city's skyline. The church was built in the 14th century for royal coronations, and is now the seat for the Archbishop for the Lutheran Church of Sweden. A number of Swedish kings and other prominent citizens are interred inside. The exterior of the cathedral is made of red brick, with a French Gothic interior featuring murals of St Erik, the patron saint of Sweden. There is also a small museum housing ecclesiastical relics, and a graveyard with elaborately-carved tombstones.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Domkyrkoplan 2, Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 18 72 01
- Website
- www.uppsaladomkyrka.se
- Hours
- Church: daily 8am-6pm. Museum: daily 10am-5pm April to August, 12-3pm September to March
- Admission
- Museum 30kr
Linnaeus Garden and Museum
The Linnaeus Garden was founded in 1655 as the first botanical garden in Sweden. It wasn't until the 18th century that Carl Linnaeus (also known as Carolus Linnaeus or Carl von Linne), a prominent Swedish botanist zoologist, physician, and father of modern taxonomy and ecology, redesigned the garden and began cultivating plants under his own system. It now contains roughly 1,300 species, and is maintained by Uppsala University. Within the garden is the Linnaeus museum, which was the scientist's home for 35 years.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Svartbäcksgatan 27
- Phone Number
- 18 471 25 76
- Email Address
- linnaeus.garden@linnaeus.uu.se
- Website
- www.linnaeus.uu.se
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm
- Admission
- 60kr (garden and museum); admission to the garden is free from 5-8pm.
Gamla Uppsala
Three miles (5km) north of Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala was once an important town, the seat of Swedish royalty and where many important funerals were held. The Uppsala temple oversaw rites and sacrifices to the Norse gods in the pre-Christian era, and it was said that Odin himself resided there. As Christianity overtook Europe, the temple was burned and the stone church of Gamla Uppsala was built in the 12th century. The church still stands today, along with a vast grave field of 2-3,000 ancient burial mounds, and the remains of several houses. Gamla Uppsala also has a small museum detailing the rich history of the town. The town is accessible from Uppsala by bus.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 23 93 00
- Hours
- Museum: daily 11am-5pm May to August; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 12-3pm September to April. Church: daily 9am-6pm April to September; 9am-4pm October to March
- Admission
- Museum: 50kr
Royal Djurgården
Stockholm's main attractions are conveniently packaged close to the heart of the city on the island of Djurgården, crammed with entertainment options, museums, restaurants and wooded green space. Once upon a time the island was a royal hunting ground. Now visitors can hunt for souvenirs at the Handarbetets Vanner (handicraft center); browse the art galleries; enjoy thrills and spills at Gröna Lund, Sweden's oldest amusement park; explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum; meet Nordic wildlife at the zoo; and watch folk dancing. Also on the island, accessed with a pleasant stroll along the waterfront, is the Junibacken fairy-tale fun center, the National Museum of Cultural History and the fascinating Vasa Museum featuring a fully rigged restored 17th-century galleon raised from Stockholm harbor. Top off the day with a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- A 10-minute walk from the city center across the Djurgarden bridge
- Transport
- Vintage tram; buses 44 or 47; or ferry
Royal Palace and Gamla Stan
The official Swedish Royal residence is one of the largest and most glorious palaces in Europe, dating from 1754 (although it was built on the remains of an earlier medieval castle). The Baroque edifice is in the heart of Gamla Stan, the old city, and many of its 608 staterooms are open to the public all year round. Visitors can admire the Hall of State, the Royal Treasury, Apartment of the Orders of Chivalry, Gustav III Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Chapel. In front of the palace the changing of the guard ceremony takes place (Wednesday and Saturday 12.15pm, Sunday 1.15pm) with splendid pomp and ceremony that rivals the similar tradition played out at Britain's Buckingham Palace. Gamla Stan itself is a treasure-trove of Swedish architecture from the 17th century. Today tourists throng the alleyways, once notorious for brothels, but now lined with shops and restaurants, and admire the 13th-century Cathedral, the Storkyrkan.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Slottsbacken 1, Gamla Stan
- Phone Number
- (0)8 402 6000
- Website
- www.royalcourt.se
- Transport
- Metro stop Gamla Stan, or bus 2, 43, 55, 71 or 76 to Slottsbacken station
- Hours
- Open daily 10am-5pm (14 May to 25 September), Tuesday to Sunday 12-4pm (26 September to13 May). Royal Apartments may close fully or partly in conjunction with official receptions of His Majesty The King.
- Admission
- 140kr (adults); 70kr (children) Combined ticket for the whole palace.
City Hall
Stockholm's main landmark, the distinctive red brick City Hall (Stadshuset) building, has stood on Kungsholmen (King's Island) since 1923 and become world-renowned as the venue for the annual Nobel Prize Banquet. The rather practical and austere façade, dominated by three golden crowns atop a tower, hides an extraordinary art nouveau interior. The plush council chamber itself has a vaulted ceiling resembling an inverted Viking longboat, echoing the Viking tradition of using overturned vessels as shelter in winter. Most impressive, though, is the magnificent Golden Hall, its walls covered with handmade mosaics. The view of Stockholm from the tower is unsurpassed.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Hantverkargatan 1
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5082 9058
- Website
- www2.stockholm.se/cityhall
- Transport
- Underground station T-Centralen/T-Rådhuset, or bus 48 and 62
- Hours
- Tours depart every 30 minutes in June, July and August between 9:30am and 4pm. The tower is open daily in summer from 10am to 4:15pm
- Admission
- 60kr adults, 20kr children 12-17 through March and in November and December 2011. 90kr adults, 40kr children April through October 2011.
Museum of National Antiquities
Sweden's history from prehistoric times to the present day is fascinatingly laid out in the Museum of National Antiquities, which contains a hoard of archaeological artifacts and treasures, including an impressive collection of gold objects recovered from the tombs and treasure caches of the Vikings. The museum's most prized possession dates from the Middle Ages. This is the splendid gold reliquary, set with precious stones, which contained the skull of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Narvavagen 1317
- Phone Number
- (0)8 5195 5600
- Email Address
- info@historiska.se
- Website
- www.historiska.se
- Transport
- Metro station Karlaplan; bus 44 and 56
- Hours
- Daily 10am-5pm (May to September), Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm with late closing at 8pm on Thursdays (October to April).
- Admission
- 70kr (adults), children are free
The Archipelago
The city of Stockholm stretches across 14 islands, but the archipelago, of which they form but a tiny part, consists of more than 24,000 islets, famed for their natural beauty, wildlife, fjords and spectacular channels and straits. A highlight of any visit to Stockholm is exploring this unique natural wonderland, and summer time is the time to do it, whether individually or on one of the many organized boat tours on offer. The standard tour is the 'Thousand Island Cruise', lasting 11 hours, which takes you to the outer islands and allows passengers to spend time ashore on some of the larger islands, like Nämdö, renowned for its handicrafts. Those with less time to spend can opt for a shorter cruise from between two to six hours, or travel on the high speed 'Cinderella' waterjet boats that service many of the islands. Do-it-yourself travelers can make use of the regular Waxholmsbolaget ferries that service the inhabited islands. Bed and breakfast accommodation is available for those seeking a longer getaway and perhaps wanting to stay a few days to experience island life.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Archipelago tour information is available from the Tourist Center, Sweden House, Hamnagatan 27
- Phone Number
- (0)8 789 2415
- Website
- www.stockholmtown.com
Göteborg Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Gothenburg is one of the largest in Europe and the most beautiful in Sweden boasting about 13,000 different species of plant. The area covers 175 hectares (432 acres), most of which is a nature reserve including an arboretum. Pride of the garden is the Rock Garden, but other worthwhile areas to visit include the Japanese Glade, the Rhododendron Valley and the greenhouses.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22A
- Phone Number
- (0)31 741 1100
- Website
- www.gotbot.se
- Transport
- Tram 1, 7, 8 or 13 to Botaniska Trädgården stop
- Hours
- Daily 9am to sunset
- Admission
- Voluntary admission to the garden is 20kr. A fee of 20kr is charged for entry to the greenhouse
Liseberg Amusement Park
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Sweden, Liseberg Amusement Park has been welcoming millions of visitors a year for almost 80 years. Besides popular rides like the wooden roller coaster Balderand tamer rides for the children, there are over 30 different attractions, restaurants, and entertainment venues where concerts and shows attract huge crowds. Besides the summer season, Liseberg is also open over the festive season for the biggest Christmas market in Scandinavia, as well as food specialties of the season, an ice bar and Christmas entertainment.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)31 400 100
- Website
- www.liseberg.com
- Hours
- Open between April and October, as well as for the festive season in November and December; hours vary
- Admission
- 195kr (free for children under 7) for annual pass. Ride coupons are 15kr each. A variety of discount passes are also available
Elfsborg Fortress
The well preserved, 17th century fortress is located on a small island at the entrance of the harbor, at the mouth of the Göta River. With a fascinating history of battles against the Danes, the fortress was once the mightiest citadel in Sweden for coastal defense and is highly popular with visitors. A dramatized tour is included in the admission fee.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Address
- Byggnad 29
- Phone Number
- (0)31 158 151
- Website
- www.elfsborgsfastning.se
- Transport
- Boat tours depart daily to the fortress island from Lilla Bommen jetty between May and August, and weekends only in September
- Admission
- Boat tours: 160kr (adults), 80kr (children 6-11)
Göta Canal
One of the most well known attractions in Sweden, the Göta Canal was an important transport route for passengers and goods between Gothenburg and Stockholm throughout the 19th century until the building of railways and roads. It was also one of the biggest civil engineering projects to ever take place in the country. The canal stretches 118 miles (190km) from Sjötorp on Lake Vänern to the Baltic Sea at Mem and has 58 locks. Gothenburg is linked to the canal at Lake Vänern by the Göta River. The picturesque tree-lined channels are popular for cruises, which pass through the beautiful lakes of Vättern and Vänern, usually lasting about five to six days.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Phone Number
- (0)11 15 50 00
- Email Address
- info@gotakanal.se
- Website
- www.gotakanal.se
Gothenburg archipelago
Boat trips to the southern and northern archipelago of Gothenburg are popular trips for both visitors and residents alike. The southern archipelago includes eight car-free, inhabited islands that boast sandy beaches, good swimming, beautiful nature, walking paths and a charm of their own. The northern archipelago is more populated and has numerous hotels, restaurants and sea-based activities.
- Region/City Name
- Gothenburg
- Transport
- Southern archipelago: daily ferries depart from Saltholmen year round; northern archipelago: car ferries depart from Hjuvik and Hisingen
Skansen
Visitors can explore Sweden's past at the Skansen open-air museum, the oldest in the world, where historical buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries have been relocated from around the country. The exhibits include a full replica of a 19th-century town complete with craftsmen in period dress who demonstrate the art of tanning, shoemaking, baking and glass-blowing. Skansen is also home to an aquarium and the World of Monkeys within the Skansen Zoo, which focuses on Scandinavian animals such as reindeer, wolverines, elk, lynx and brown bears. Every December the central square hosts a Christmas market that attracts thousands of visitors every weekend.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Djurgarden
- Phone Number
- (0)8 442 8000
- Email Address
- info@skansen.se
- Website
- www.skansen.se
- Transport
- Bus 47 from Central Station, vintage tram 7, or ferry from Gamla stan
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 10pm (20 June to August), 10am to 8pm (May to 19 June and September), 10am to 4pm (March, April and October); the rest of the year 10am to 3pm (until 4pm on weekends). Market days 11am to 5pm on weekends
- Admission
- June to August: 120kr (adults), 50kr (children 6-15); admission is reduced the rest of the year, but varies according to season. Separate fees for aquarium and funicular railway.
Icehotel
Located 124 miles (200 km) inside the Arctic Circle and 7.5 miles (12 km) from Kiruna Airport, the amazing Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi was first opened in 1990. The hotel is built anew each year, usually around mid-November, when ice is collected from the Torne River and molded into magnificent bricks, sculptures, ice furniture and even a bar with ice glasses! It may be made of ice, but this hotel is a warm welcome to those visiting for a night. Guests can curl up in soft, warm reindeer hide blankets in one of the many themed rooms, sip on an ice-cold glass of schnapps in the bar, or dine on anything from whitefish roe and venison to cloudberries and arctic raspberries in the Icehotel restaurant. Guests also have the option of booking a warm room as well, should the novelty of sleeping on a bed of ice wear off and the Icehotel is also open to day visitors throughout the winter season.
- Region/City Name
- Kiruna
- Address
- Jukkasjärvi
- Phone Number
- +46 (0) 980 66 800 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm)
- Email Address
- info@icehotel.com
- Website
- www.icehotel.com
- Hours
- Open to day visitors daily from 10am to 6pm (December to April). Guided tours from 10am-2pm (Swedish) and 12pm-4pm (English).
- Admission
- Free for daytime visitors
Babybio
An innovative attraction in Stockholm for parents with young children is the Babybio. At this unique cinema, the latest movie releases are shown in their original language, and the lighting and sound are lowered so as not to get the kids too excited. There are changing tables, free nappies and a microwave available for mothers to use, and individual cinema seats for each child.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- 41 Birger Jarlsgatan, Östermalm
- Phone Number
- 08 5629 4880
- Email Address
- emelie@biosture.se
- Website
- www.biosture.se
- Hours
- Every second Friday from 11am; closed July and August
- Admission
- 100kr; babies free
Gröna Lund
Gröna Lund is Sweden's oldest amusement park and an amazing attraction for kids. Built in 1883, the park features a number of rides including bumper cars, carousels and Ferris wheels. The fun house and Kvasten (Broomstick) rollercoaster are also favorites, and there is an on-site baby care center for parents to use.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Allmänna Gränd, Djurgården
- Website
- www.gronalund.com
- Admission
- 90kr (adults), free under-4s. One-day bracelet (all rides) 319kr
Junibacken
The Junibacken theme park is inspired by Pippi Longstocking and other children's books by local authors. The storybook landscape can be traversed on a fun train ride, and kids can also explore and play in Pippi's house, Villa Villekulla. Storytelling and a lovely bookstore are other highlights at Junibacken.
- Region/City Name
- Stockholm
- Address
- Galärvarvsvägen, Djurgården
- Website
- www.junibacken.se
- Hours
- June and August 10am to 5pm, daily; July 9am to 6pm, daily; September to May 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
- Admission
- 125kr adults and 110kr children 3-15 through June 2011 and September 1 through December 23. 145kr adults and 125kr children August 2011.
Uppsala Cathedral
The biggest church in Scandinavia at 390 feet (119m), the Uppsala Cathedral, also called the Uppsala Domkyrka, dominates the city's skyline. The church was built in the 14th century for royal coronations, and is now the seat for the Archbishop for the Lutheran Church of Sweden. A number of Swedish kings and other prominent citizens are interred inside. The exterior of the cathedral is made of red brick, with a French Gothic interior featuring murals of St Erik, the patron saint of Sweden. There is also a small museum housing ecclesiastical relics, and a graveyard with elaborately-carved tombstones.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Domkyrkoplan 2, Uppsala
- Phone Number
- (0)18 18 72 01
- Website
- www.uppsaladomkyrka.se
- Hours
- Church: daily 8am-6pm. Museum: daily 10am-5pm April to August, 12-3pm September to March
- Admission
- Museum 30kr
Linnaeus Garden and Museum
The Linnaeus Garden was founded in 1655 as the first botanical garden in Sweden. It wasn't until the 18th century that Carl Linnaeus (also known as Carolus Linnaeus or Carl von Linne), a prominent Swedish botanist zoologist, physician, and father of modern taxonomy and ecology, redesigned the garden and began cultivating plants under his own system. It now contains roughly 1,300 species, and is maintained by Uppsala University. Within the garden is the Linnaeus museum, which was the scientist's home for 35 years.
- Region/City Name
- Uppsala
- Address
- Svartbäcksgatan 27
- Phone Number
- 18 471 25 76
- Email Address
- linnaeus.garden@linnaeus.uu.se
- Website
- www.linnaeus.uu.se
- Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday 11am-5pm
- Admission
- 60kr (garden and museum); admission to the garden is free from 5-8pm.
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PlanetWare.com Travel Guides
- Sweden: Sweden | Sweden Hotels | Sweden Attractions
- Stockholm: Stockholm | Stockholm Hotels | Stockholm Attractions
- Gothenburg: Gothenburg Hotels | Gothenburg Attractions
