Sweden Things to Do Tips by sim1

Welcome to Sweden!

Welcome to Sweden and to my "things to do" tips!

Things to do: Tips about places I've visited over the last years
In these tips I would like to show you all the places I have visited so far over the last few years. I hope this will give you a little impression of beautiful Sweden and maybe give you some tips for future travel plans.

Alphabetical order
To make it a bit easier I have put the tips in alphabetical order. In most tips I've put a link to a more detailed page about the specific destination, where you can find lots more photos and info. On these specific pages I have added a map most of the time, where you can see where the destination is located.

The three parts
In each tip I will give a rough description where in Sweden the place is located. The main three parts of Sweden are:
- G�taland = South Sweden
- Svealand = Central Sweden
- Norrland = North Sweden

L�n
These three parts are further devided in several counties ("L�ns" in Swedish). See next tip for more about that.

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Things To Do: The counties of Sweden

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Updated by sim1

on May 7, 2005

G�taland, Svealand and Norrland

The 21 counties of Sweden (from south to north):

G�taland (South Sweden):
Sk�ne l�n
Blekinge l�n
Hallands l�n
Kronobergs l�n
Kalmar l�n
Gotlands l�n
V�stra G�talands l�n
J�nk�pings L�n
�sterg�tlands l�n

Svealand (Central Sweden):
V�rmlands l�n
�rebro l�n
S�dermanlands l�n
Stockholms l�n
V�stmanlands l�n
Uppsala l�n
Dalarnas l�n

Norrland (North Sweden):
G�vleborg l�n
J�mtlands l�n
V�sternorrlands l�n
V�sterbottens l�n
Norrbottens l�n

If you are looking for specific info about one of these counties (l�ns) you can click on these links. On each of these pages I will give you a description of the county and places worth while visiting.

On this page I will continue with the places I've visited in Sverige in alphabetical order. So lets start with the first one......

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Things To Do: Alvastra Kloster, a beautiful ruin

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Updated by sim1

on Apr 16, 2006

Alvastra Kloster

by sim1 , 4 more photos

Just a few steps away from Omberg (see tip further on on this page) you can visit the ruins of the Alvastra Kloster (Kloster means "monastery"). And it really is a few steps! So close really that you combine a walk at Omberg with a little detour-walk and visit the ruins at Alvastra at the same time, just like I did. The entrance is for free, so don't miss out on these beautiful ruins.

Alvastra was Sweden's largest monastery and it dates back to 1143. The monastery was founded by the the influential Cistercian order and it flourished for almost 400 years. After its decay the construction materials were used in the making of Vadstena Castle and Per Brahe's buildings along Lake Vättern. But luckily some of Alvastra Monastery survived and the ruins have been restored and preserved. I found it a fascinating place to explore and I can recommend a visit if you are in the area. You can walk around freely here, having a good look at the architecture of the ruins. There is some information about the ruins available at the site, like for instance a little model showing how the monastery used to look like.

you can read more about Alvastra Kloster on my Omberg page

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Directions: Alvastra Kloster is located in Götaland (South Sweden)
County of Östergötlands Län
East side of Lake Vättern
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1c048/2c4b4/

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Things To Do: Anundsh�g, a monument from the Viking age

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Updated by sim1

on May 7, 2005

Anundsh�g, near V�ster�s

by sim1 , 2 more photos

Just outside V�ster�s, on the eastside of the city, is one of Sweden�s most remarkable ancient monuments: Anundsh�g. Anundsh�g is a royal tomb from the 6th century, the largest of its kind in Sweden. It's a fantastic place to visit, hahaha if you are into these kinds of places that is. Some of you might describe it as dull, but I found this place so fascinating! You will get close to part of the life of the Vikings.

Nearby to the burial-mound of Anundsh�g there are a number of large grave mounds which indicates that this was an important meeting place for several centuries. There are also two very large stone-ships, graves in the shape of a Viking long ship. And last, but not least, there is also a runic stone from the middle of the 11th century.

You can real all about Anundsh�g in the 'off the beaten path tips' on my V�ster�s page

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Directions: Anundsh�g is located in Svealand (Central Sweden)
In the county of V�stmanlands L�n
Close to Lake M�laren, on the north side of the lake
Just outside of the city of V�ster�s
Website: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/1c048/29146/

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Things To Do: Berg: Locks of the Göta Kanal

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Updated by sim1

on Apr 8, 2006

The Göta Canal at Berg

by sim1 , 7 more photos

Not far away from the city of Linköping is the little village of Berg and the famous Göta Canal. At Berg you can find the Carl Johan flight of locks with no less than 7 levels. These locks raise or lower the boats 18.8 metres between Lake Roxen and the Berg guest-harbour. In total there are eleven locks in Berg.

The Göta Canal is a 190 km long canal and it is one of the largest civil engineering projects in Sweden. The canal stretches from Mem at the east coast to Sjötorp on Lake Vänern and has in total 58 locks. The canal was built between 1810 and 1832. Most of the canal was excavated by hand using iron-shod wooden spades. The canal used to be a very important transport route for both goods and passengers. Not anymore these days though, it has now become a well known tourist attraction.

You can read all about these locks on my Berg page

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Directions: Berg is located in Götaland (South Sweden)
In the county of Östergötlands Län
At The Göta Kanal
North of the city of Linköping, at the westside of Lake Roxen
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/1c048/31782/

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Things To Do: Brahehus, a quick stop along the way

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Updated by sim1

on Apr 23, 2006

Brahehus

Brahehus ruins are perfect for, a quick stop along the way. The ruins are located right beside highway E4. close to the village of Gr�nna. It even has got an own exit off the highway! The exit leads to a gasstation, restaurant and parkinglot, but from there is a little road and tunnel underneath the highway that leads to the ruins of Brahehus. I didn't think that the ruins are thats spectacular to see, but it does make a great stop on a long drive. What I did enjoy a lot was the view. From the ruins of Brahehus you have a wonderful view over Lake V�ttern, the little village of Gr�nna and the island of Visings�. Brahehus is located on a ridge towering high above lake V�ttern, making these beautiful views possible.

Brahehus was build in 1640 by Per Brahe junior. Unfortunately a fire destroyed the castle completely in 1708.

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Directions: Brahehus is located in G�taland (South Sweden)
In the county of J�nk�pings L�n
At Lake V�ttern, on the east side of the lake

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Things To Do: Engelsbergs Bruk: Industrial History

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Updated by sim1

on Jan 7, 2007

Engelbergs Bruk

by sim1 , 4 more photos

If you are interested in Industrial History, the Engelsbergs Bruk in Central Sweden is a place you shouldn't miss visiting. Visiting the location of the Engelsberg bruk is for free, and you'll be able to see the ironworks from the outside. Unfortunately part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not accessible without taking the guided tour, and you can only see the buildings from a longer distance. This how I saw Engelbergs bruk at first and my disappointment with the place was enormous. But now comes the good news........

Upon leaving this historical site we discovered that a guided tour was just about to start, and that was an opportunity we didn't want to miss!!! The guided tour opens up all those closed doors and let you take a look inside these buildings bringing you up close with the history of this area. You are able to walk around in and see the blacksmith�s forge and also the smelting house, which is one of just a few remaining "mulch-timber" smelting houses in the country. It is a wonderful tour of about an hour. The guided tours are generally in Swedish, but on special request, also in English. If you want an English tour make sure you contact the tourist office in advance at turism@fagersta.se or phone the tourist information Lilla Slaggarboden +46(0)223-30035 / visitors centre �ngelsberg Station +46 (0)223 444 64.

Guided tours:
May�June: on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3pm.
24 June-13 Aug: daily tours 10.30am, 1 and 3pm.
19 Aug-24 Sept tours Sat-Sun 1 and 3pm.
(timetable in 2006)

The guided tour costs 50 SEK (around �5,50 / $7,30), but for children under 15 years it is for free. A combination ticket for the ironworks and Olje�n costs 90 SEK (prices 2006).

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Directions: Engelbergs Bruk is located in Svealand (Central Sweden)
In the county of V�stmanlands L�n
In the north-western part of the county
East of Fagersta, south of Norberg
Website: http://www.ekomuseum.se/english/besoksmal/eng_engelsberg.html
Other Contact: turism@fagersta.se

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Things To Do: Eskilstuna

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Updated by sim1

on Jan 7, 2007

Eskilstuna

by sim1 , 4 more photos

Eskilstuna is the city I live closest to. It is the place where I go for my shopping, where I study, visit the library, where I like to go out for dinner, etc, etc.

Eskilstuna is a very old place. The area around Eskilstuna was already well known during the Vikings. But having said that, I have to admit that Eskilstuna is not a real tourist destination, but it has some nice places. My favourite of all is the Fors Kyrka (Fors Church). This church in Eskilstuna is really worth a visit. The Fors Church was built in the 11th century on same place as a wooden church used by bishop Eskil from England.

Besides the Fors Kyrka you can visit the Klosterkyrka, a much more modern church, but with a nice atmosphere. Don't forget to take a look at the sculpture 'Hand of God' by Miles, visit the historic area of "Rademachersmedjorna" or maybe drop by at the Faktorimuseet and the art museum.

you can read about all these places and more on my Eskilstuna page

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Directions: Eskillstuna is located in Svealand (Central Sweden)
In the county of S�dermanlands L�n
Close to Lake M�laren, on the south side of the lake
About 120 kilometres west of Stockholm
Website: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/1c048/3079c/

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Things To Do: Fulufj�llet National Park

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Updated by sim1

on Jun 17, 2006

Fulufj�llet National Park

Fulufj�llet National Park is a beautiful place! I had a great day hiking here and I would love to go back to make a longer trip through the park. It is actually a very 'new' National Park in Sweden; it got its status in the spring of 2002. But wow, it deserves it!

Fulufj�llet National Park is one of the few areas in Southern Sweden that has been unspoilt by exploitation. Fulufj�ll is not a typical mountain range, but actually a plateau, 35 km long and 15 km wide plateau at a height of 1,000 m. The plateau is surrounded by steep slopes and narrow ravines. The Njupesk�r waterfall is in the north east of the park and it is this part of the park that I hiked.

You'll be amazed how quiet it is though, once you get away from the waterfall. It is so quiet, so tranquil. To me it was just amazing. I had only one day to hike here, but I could easily have stayed much longer. And I know I will be back here to do a longer hiking trip, and discover this gorgeous area for several days.

You can see more pictures on my Fulufj�llet National Park page

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Directions: Fulufj�llet NP is located in the Svealand (Central Sweden)
In the county of Dalarnas L�n
In the North West part of this county
Website: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/1c048/301cb/

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Things To Do: F�rnebofj�rden National Park

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Updated by sim1

on Jan 7, 2007

F�rnebofj�rden National Park

by sim1 , 2 more photos