Sweden is a country full of tourist spots, much like its neighboring countries in Northern Europe, as the country has a rich history and culture that is accompanied by their people’s efforts in preserving the natural and man-made structures in their land. Although Sweden is not on most people’s travel bucket lists, we are providing a few reasons you should visit this beautiful country. Here are ten things to do in Sweden.
Visit the Icehotel
The Icehotel is one of Sweden’s most popular attractions, as it is the world’s first hotel that is made of ice, and because of its popularity since it was opened in 1990, other countries also began building their own ice hotels.
Sweden’s Icehotel is located in the village of Jukkasjärvi, which is located in the northern region of Sweden. Because the Icehotel would melt away during the summer, builders of the Icehotel would have to build it every year from December to April using ice blocks and snow that is collected from the nearby Torne River. Because it is rebuilt annually, the Icehotel usually has a different architecture and interior design each year.
Go to the Stockholm City Hall
Located at the heart of Sweden’s capital city, the Stockholm City Hall is probably the first tourist attraction you will go to if you applied for a tour in the country. Inside the Stockholm City Hall are several conference rooms and offices used by the government, but there are also places that are open to the public, such as ceremonials halls where weddings are arranged and a luxury restaurant called” Stadshuskällaren.”
The Stockholm City Hall is also the venue for the banquet of the Nobel Prize, which is often held annually on December 10, specifically in the Blue Hall of the city hall. In the banquet, guests are wearing formal clothing and have a multi-course dinner served at their table.
Have Fun at the Liseberg Amusement Park
Liseberg is a theme park that is located in Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden. It opened on May 8, 1923, and is currently the most visited amusement park in Scandinavia, as it is able to attract more than three million locals and tourists per year.
The amusement park is particularly famous for having the best wooden tracked roller coaster in the world called “Balder,” although the park is also popular for its Christmas market that sells Swedish food and drinks.
Explore the Vasa Museum
For those tourists who want to learn more about the maritime history of Sweden, they should visit the Vasa Museum, a building located in Stockholm and houses some of the oldest maritime items in history. The Vasa Museum is named after the 64-gun warship Vasa, which sank on her first journey or maiden voyage in 1628, and this ship is currently being displayed at the museum.
Furthermore, the Vasa Museum is also accompanied by four floating museum ships just outside that building that houses the Vasa warship. The names of those museum ships are “Sankt Erik” (launched in 1915), “Finngrundet” (1903), “Spica” (1966), and “Bernhard Ingelsson” (1944).
Take Pictures at Gamla Stan
Gamla Stan, which translates in English to “The Old Town,” is a historic town that is located in Stockholm, specifically on the island of Stadsholmen. However, Gamla Stan officially occupies the three surrounding islets, namely Riddarholmen, Strömsborg, and Helgeandsholmen, although locals only consider Stadsholmen to be the only part of Gamla Stan.
Because it is an old town, Gamla Stan is surrounded by buildings with 13th-century up to 18th-century buildings, making tourists feel like they have traveled back in time. The magnificent buildings and landscapes of Gamla Stan are perfect for tourists who like to take pictures to preserve their memories of visiting the country.
Go Boating at the Stockholm Archipelago
The Stockholm Archipelago is a cluster of islands located to the east of Stockholm and the west of the Baltic Sea. Because water is everywhere in the Stockholm Archipelago, water-related activities like fishing and boating are very popular among tourists visiting the place.
There are several summerhouses and cottages in the Stockholm Archipelago that tourists can rent, and there are also several boat renting services in the islands that offer boats for tourists that want to go boating.
Visit Sigtuna
Regarded as one of Sweden’s oldest towns, Sigtuna features medieval and Victorian architecture similar to Gamla Stan, but Sigtuna has a more countryside feel that is suitable or tourists who want to feel more relaxed during a leg of their tour.
Near Sigtuna is Lake Mälaren, a place that is perfect for touring birdwatchers since the lake is home to many species of birds. Besides the said lake, Sigtuna also has boutique shops that sell souvenirs and fashion items that you can only see in Sweden. If you don’t have any money while visiting the shops, you can purchase the items by using other payment methods like Zimpler and many more.
Go to the Lund Cathedral
The Lund Cathedral is considered one of the oldest stone buildings in Sweden, as it has gone through several important events in Swedish history. Located at the center of Lund, Sweden, the Lund Cathedral boasts amazing architecture that still remains in pristine condition until today.
The oldest part of the Lund Cathedral is its crypt, which is open to the public. The altar of the cathedral is also a popular area in the building, as well as its roof, where mythical figures like Finn the Giant, who is said to be the one that constructed the church.
Admire the Drottningholm Palace
While it is the private residence of the Swedish royal family, there are some areas in the Drottningholm Palace that are open for locals and tourists to explore. Built in the 17th century, the Swedish palace features an elaborate terraced park at its front, as well as several bronze sculptures that have been preserved well by the caretakers.
Moreover, the palace also has a theatre that is still being used for live performances like dances and concerts to this day, and that theatre also has a museum filled with items that have been used by those who performed on stage over the years.
Cross the Öresund Bridge
The Öresund Bridge is a combined railway and motorway bridge that is constructed in 1995 to connect Sweden from Denmark through the Öresund strait, which is commonly referred to in English as “The Sound.”
It was once the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe, and because of its durability and structural integrity, it was awarded the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award in 2002. Today, the Öresund Bridge serves as a popular tourist attraction for both Denmark and Sweden because of its futuristic-yet-straightforward design and architecture.