Built around the ruins of a former castle, Slottsskogen Park has 137 acres (55 hectares) and is one of Gothenburg’s largest and most popular green spaces, with leafy woodlands and winding nature trails. In addition to outdoor activities and recreation areas, the park is home to an open-air zoo, cafés, and the Gothenburg National History Museum.
Offering some of the best panoramic views of Stockholm, SkyView is a unique attraction at the city’s Avicii Arena. Consisting of two glass gondolas that slowly scale the sides of the dome-shaped structure, and which offer 360-degree views of the cityscape, it’s an accessible way for families and visitors of all stripes to get to know the Swedish capital.
Universeum is a public science center and museum in Gothenburg, Sweden. Opened in 2001, it offers hands-on workshops in each of its six sections, including a technology lab and an rainforest exhibit, and houses one of Europe’s largest aquariums.
Inspired by Swedish children’s books—most notably Astrid Lindgren’s iconic Pippi Longstocking series—the Junibacken Children’s Museum is a vibrant discovery zone designed to capture the imagination and encourage creative play.
Large mining equipment and vehicles used in the operation of Kiruna Mine—the world’s largest underground iron ore mine—are prominently displayed at LKAB’s Visitor Centre in Kiruna. This underground “show mine” demonstrates what the active mine is like and how it operates completely remotely through a museum, guided presentations, and an informational video.
Sprawled across the Stockholm archipelago, the Swedish capital of Stockholm and the Stockholm Cruise Ports are a popular port of call for north European cruises. They're also the starting point for many Baltic cruises, with easy links to Helsinki in Finland, St. Petersburg in Russia, and Baltic countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
Nynäshamn Cruise Port is a gateway to the Swedish capital of Stockholm, as well as a jumping-off point for ferries servicing the region and as far as Gdansk. Visitors can explore the wider Swedish archipelago from Nynäshamn, or reach Stockholm—which is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south—by train, bus, or taxi in around an hour.
Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan) is known for being the oldest church in Stockholm, dating back to the 13th century. This magnificent building has been the site of royal weddings, while it hosts the opening of parliament each autumn. Visitors come here to see its beautiful interiors, including a wooden statue of St. George and the Dragon dating back to the 15th century, and for its weekly music concerts.
The Gothenburg Museum was founded in the 1860s, but its art collection didn’t become a separate museum until 1923. The Gothenburg Museum of Art is now Sweden's third largest art museum in terms of physical size and collection size; part of this is attributed to the 1996 expansion to include the Hasselblad Center, museum store, and restaurant.
Perched on an island at the mouth of the Gota River, Nya Älvsborg fortress was built in the 17th century to protect the city against Danish invaders. Diminutive in size, but rich in history; the sea fortress remains one of the best-preserved in Sweden and boasts a storied past filled with battles, sieges, and bombardments.
Sweden’s most famous automobile brand is the subject of the eponymous Volvo Museum, located on the Gothenburg island of Hisingen. Chronicling the company’s humble beginnings in Gothenburg in 1927 to its status today as a globally renowned vehicle manufacturer, the museum provides a fun and fascinating insight into the world of Volvo.
If you've ever wondered how Stockholmers lived in medieval times, the Museum of Medieval Stockholm (Medeltidsmuseet) is the place to find out. Built around the remnants of Stockholm’s 16th-century city walls, the small museum is crammed with artifacts that speak to the city’s medieval past and offer a unique glimpse into Sweden’s history.
Permanently moored in Gothenburg Harbor, the four-masted Barken Viking was built in 1906 and is allegedly one of the largest ships ever built in Scandinavia. Despite its name, the boat bears no relation to the Norse warriors—it served as a merchant ship until retiring from service and being transformed into a floating hotel.
