Frösön

Jämtland

　　Large and peaceful Frösön island sits just across the bridge from central Östersund, reachable by road and by footbridge from Badhusparken. The island takes its name from Frö, the pagan god of fertility, worshipped by the Vikings originally resident here. 　　Just across the footbridge, outside Landstingshuset and near the Konsum...

Mus-Olles Museum

Jämtland

　　If you're into collections of stuff, this is the place to come, about 34km northwest of Östersund and1 km north of the E14. Per-Olov Nilson was a charismatic collector extraordinaire who first opened his museum in 1906. He hoarded more than 150,000 objects, including 25,000 related to packaging, then formed...

Rådhuset

Skåne

　　The mighty Rådhuset was completed in 1897 in neo-Gothic style and contains stained-glass scenes illustrating Helsingborg’s history. It still houses city offices and isn't open for visitors as such, but you can certainly snoop around. ...

Tropikariet

Skåne

　　Tropikariet is a semi-zoo, with a reptile house, an aquarium and exotic furry critters housed in faux-natural habitats. Many people think having an indoor zoo for tropical critters in an artificially tropical place constitutes cruelty to animals, though the owners cite conservation efforts. You be the judge. ...

Mariakyrkan

Skåne

　　In the old town, the 15th-century Gothic brick Mariakyrkan has a magnificent interior, including a triptych dating from 1450 and an ornate Renaissance pulpit. ...

Toy World

Skåne

　　We think you'll be hard pressed to find an adult who won't also enjoy this dinky collection of toys and games from around the world – there's something to whisk almost everyone back to the carefree days of youth. The admission price includes a small toy – kids love it!...

Kärnan

Skåne

　　Dramatic steps and archways lead up from Stortorget to the square tower Kärnan (34m), all that remains of the medieval castle. The castle became Swedish property during the 17th-century Danish–Swedish War, and was mostly demolished once the fighting stopped. The tower was restored from its derelict state in 1894, and...

Dunkers Kulturhus

Skåne

　　Just north of the transport terminal, the crisp white Dunkers Kulturhus encompasses an interesting town museum (free) and temporary exhibitions (admission varies), plus a concert hall, an urbane cafe and a design-savvy gift shop and school of the arts. The building’s creator, Danish architect Kim Utzon, is the son of...

Fredriksdal museer och trädgårdar

Skåne

　　One of Sweden’s best open-air museums, based around an 18th-century manor house (not open to the public), the houses and shops you see here once graced the streets of central Helsingborg; they were moved here, brick by brick, in the 1960s. Thankfully, this is no contrived theme park; the whole...

Botanical Gardens

Lund

　　The 8-hectare Botanical Gardens, east of the town centre, feature around 7000 species and nine climate zones. The tropical greenhouses are open from 11am to 3pm. ...

Universitetshuset

Lund

　　The main university building, topped by four sphinxes representing the original faculties, looks a little bit like the White House. It's often spectacularly and colourfully illuminated at night. ...

Drottens kyrkoruin

Lund

　　Subterranean Drottens kyrkoruin contains the foundations of an 11th-century church, as well as a grisly collection of skeletons that build a picture of the Middle Ages through their diseases and amputations! ...

Lund University

Lund

　　Lund University is ranked as one of the world's top 100 universities and is one of Europe's oldest institutions for education. It's buildings are scattered about the city making it largely 'barrier-free' with the lines between campus and Lund's old town delightfully blurred. ...

Historiska Museet

Lund

　　Behind the cathedral, the Historiska Museet has a large collection of pre–Viking Age finds, including a 7000-year-old skeleton. It’s joined with Domkyrkomuseet, which explores the history of the Church in the area; the rooms filled with countless statues of the crucified Christ are supremely creepy. ...

Skissernas Museum

Lund

　　The exhibition rooms here, with their visual feast of paintings and sculpture, are designed for maximum impact and art immersion. Several sculptures and installations are huge, including the 6m-high Women by the Sea by Ivar Johnsson. Formerly a private collection, it includes works by some of the world’s greats, including...

Kulturen

Lund

　　Dating from 1892, this huge open-air museum spans two whole blocks. Its 30-odd buildings include everything from the meanest birch-bark hovel to grand 17th-century houses. Permanent displays encompass Lund in the Middle Ages, vintage toys, ceramics, silver and glass (among many others); ask about guided tours in English. The popular...

Jamtli

Örebro

　　Jamtli, 1km north of the centre, consists of two parts: the open-air museum, comprising painstakingly reconstructed wooden buildings, complete with enthusiastic guides wearing 19th-century period costume; and the indoor museum, home to the Överhogdal Tapestries, the oldest of their kind in Europe – Christian Viking relics from AD 1100 that...

Vaxholm Fortress Museum

Örebro

　　While the current structure dates from 1833, the origins of Vaxholm Fortress lie in 1544, when King Gustav Vasa ordered its construction to protect the Swedish capital and mainland. It repelled an attack by the Danes in 1612 and the Russians in 1719, among others. Inside, exhibition rooms explore the...

Bohus Fästning

Örebro

　　Survivor of no fewer than 14 sieges, Bohus Fästning is a hulking ruin on an island in the Nordre älv, near Kungälv. Founded in 1308 by the Norwegian king to protect Norway’s southern border, the fortress was inherited by Sweden at the Peace of Roskilde in 1658. Its substantial remains...

Läckö Slott

Örebro

　　An extraordinary example of 17th-century Swedish baroque architecture, Läckö Slott lies 23km north of Lidköping. There's been a castle here since 1298; Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie acquired it in 1615 and made substantial improvements. Admission includes 40-minute guided tours, with access to the most interesting rooms, including the...

Vadstena Slott

Örebro

　　Overlooking the lake, and considered one of the finest early Renaissance buildings in the Nordic region, construction commenced on Vadstena Slott, the family project of the early Vasa kings, in 1545. View their gloomy portraits inside, along with a modest historical display. The furnished upper floors are the most interesting,...

Borgholms Slott

Örebro

　　Northern Europe’s largest ruined castle, Borgholms Slott looms just south of town. This epic limestone structure was burnt and abandoned early in the 18th century, after life as a dyeworks. There’s a great museum inside and a nature reserve nearby, as well as summer concerts, children’s activities and a cafe....

Drottningholm Slott

Örebro

　　Home to the royal family for part of the year, Drottningholm's Renaissance-inspired main palace was designed by architectural great Nicodemus Tessin the Elder and begun in 1662, about the same time as Versailles. You can roam on your own, but it's worth taking a one-hour guided tour (30kr; in English...

Sofiero

Örebro

　　About 5km north of Helsingborg, Sofiero is an impressive former royal summer residence and park with wonderful rhododendrons (best seen in full bloom in May and June) and occasional big-name summer gigs, the likes of Bob Dylan. ...

Ájtte Museum

Örebro

　　This illuminating museum is Sweden’s most thorough introduction to Sami culture. Follow the ‘spokes’ radiating from the central chamber, each dealing with a different theme – from traditional costume, silverware, creatures from Sami folk tales and 400-year-old painted shamans’ drums, to replicas of sacrificial sites and a diagram explaining the...

Gripsholm Slott

Örebro

　　About 70km from Stockholm, Gripsholm Slott – with its round towers, spires, drawbridge and creaky wooden halls – was built in the 1370s and had passed into royal hands by the early 15th century. In 1526 Gustav Vasa took over and ordered the demolition of the adjacent monastery. A new...

Ekoparken

Örebro

　　The vast Ekoparken, or Royal National City Park, is the world’s first national urban park. Established in 1995, it incorporates 26 sq km, stretching all over Stockholm and into the suburbs of Solna and Lidingö. The park is home to rare plant and insect species, some of which live nowhere...

Carlstens Fästning

Örebro

　　Looming over town, Carlstens Fästning is a fortress built in the 1660s after the Swedish takeover of Marstrand and Bohuslän. Marstrand's ice-free port was key to trade, so King Karl X Gustav built the fortress to defend it. The port continued to be fought over for decades. Carlstens has also...

Lunds domkyrka

Örebro

　　Lund’s twin-towered Romanesque cathedral is magnificent. Try to pop in at noon or 3pm (1pm and 3pm on Sunday) when the marvellous astronomical clock strikes up In Dulci Jubilo (a traditional Christmas carol) and the wooden figures at the top whirr into action. Within the crypt, you’ll find Finn, the...

Kalmar Slott

Örebro

　　Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This dominant Renaissance stronghold was once the most important building in the land and is appropriately fortified outside and sumptuously furnished inside. You're free to wander around the castle as you please,...

Fenomenalen

Visby

　　Appropriate for Gotland, Visby's quaint and informative science museum focuses more on the origins of science through hands-on historical artifacts and simple experiments rather than attempting to dazzle with all-out modern technology. Great for kids, especially on a rainy island day. ...

St Nicolai Kyrka

Visby

　　The once magnificant St Nicolai Kyrka, now in ruins, was built in 1230 by Dominican monks. ...

Södra Hällarna

Visby

　　Formerly a military station, the southern cliffs are a wonderful spot to gaze out over the Baltic towards the mainland, or look back at the walled city behind you. There are walking paths you can mill about on. ...

Konstmuseet

Visby

　　The Konstmuseet has a small permanent collection that primarily focuses on Gotland-inspired, 19th- and 20th-century art. More exciting are the temporary exhibitions, which often showcase contemporary local artists. ...

Norderport

Visby

　　The northern gate of Visby's city wall is a good entry point if you're short on time. Follow the wall in a southwesterly direction until you find the tallest rampart, (Langa Lisa – six storeys high), and then continue on past the Maiden tower and the Love gate (holding someone...

St Karins Kyrka

Visby

　　One of the most stunning of Visby's medieval churches, it's often used for performances. In winter, local children skate on an artificial ice rink within the stone walls. Can you imagine? ...

Gotlands Museum

Visby

　　Gotlands Museum is one of the mightiest regional museums in Sweden. While highlights include amazing 8th-century, pre-Viking picture stones, human skeletons from chambered tombs and medieval wooden sculptures, the star turn is the legendary Spillings treasure horde. At 70kg it’s the world’s largest booty of preserved silver treasure. 　　The museum...

Visby Sankta Maria Domkyrka

Visby

　　Visby's church ruins contrast with the stoic and utterly awe-inspiring Sankta Maria kyrka. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and heavily touched up over the years, its whimsical towers are topped by baroque cupolas. Soak up the beautiful stained-glass windows, carved floor slabs and ornate carved reredos....

Linnémuseet

Uppsala

　　No matter how many times the brochures refer to the ‘sexual system’ of classification, the excitement to be had at Linnémuseet is primarily intellectual; still, botanists and vegetarians will enjoy a visit to the pioneering scientist’s home and workshop, where he lived with his wife and five kids (1743–78). Visits...

Domkyrka Treasury

Uppsala

　　Located in the north tower of the Domkyrka, the cathedral treasury houses Gustav’s funerary sword and silver crown, along with a notable collection of historical textiles. These include an early-15th-century gold-brocade gown worn by Queen Margaret I of Denmark (known in Swedish as Queen Margareta), as well as the clothes...

Carolina Rediviva bibliotek

Uppsala

　　Rare-book and map fiends should go directly to Carolina Rediviva, the university library. In a small, dark gallery, glass cases hold precious maps and manuscripts, including illuminated Ethiopian texts and the first book ever printed in Sweden. The star is the surviving half of the Codex Argentus (AD 520), aka...

Uppsala Slott

Uppsala

　　Built by Gustav Vasa in the 1550s, Uppsala Slott contains the state hall where kings were enthroned and Queen Kristina abdicated. The castle burned down in 1702 but was rebuilt and took on its present form in 1757. Guided tours of the original castle's ruins and the current state hall...

Gamla Uppsala Museum

Uppsala

　　Gamla Uppsala Museum contains finds from the cremation mounds, a poignant mix of charred and melted beads, bones and buckles. More-intact pieces come from various boat graves in and around the site. The museum is arranged as a timeline – useful for recreating the history of the area. 　　Follow signs...

Domkyrka

Uppsala

　　The Gothic Domkyrka dominates the city and is Scandinavia's largest and tallest church, with towers soaring 119m. The interior is imposing, with the French Gothic ambulatory flanked by small chapels. Tombs here include those of St Erik, Gustav Vasa and the scientist Carl von Linné. Dating from 1710, the magnificent...

Museum Gustavianum

Uppsala

　　A wonder cabinet of wonder cabinets, the Museum Gustavianum rewards appreciation of the weird and well organised. The shelves in the pleasantly musty building hold case after case of obsolete tools and preserved oddities: stuffed birds, astrolabes, alligator mummies, exotic stones and dried sea creatures. A highlight is the fascinating...