Nestled in the vast countryside, the snowy north and the remote coast, and tucked away from the cosmopolitan fever of the cities to the south, are a host of enchanting enclaves of tradition just waiting to be discovered. These towns have refused to give up their oftentimes ancient traditions, which centre around indigenous identities, midsummer madness and ancient archetypal architecture. From harvesting mussels with local fishermen to hopping across the rooftops of medieval buildings, we have some experiences up our sleeves that can make your adventure into the unknown that much more memorable. Keep reading to discover our roundup of the best traditional towns in Sweden…
Marstrand
The Sailing Capital of Sweden
Swede’s have a long history as maritime adventurers — be that on Viking expeditions to plunder the Baltic Coast or on royal missions to invade surrounding countries — so it’s only fitting that much of the coast of today is awash with excitable sailors (though with less malign motives than their seafaring forefathers). The charming island of Marstrand, on the west coast, is the undisputed crown jewel of the sailing scene, thanks to its ever-bustling marina and world-class sailing competitions. For a taste of the boating lifestyle, why not let us whisk you off to the tiny neighbouring island of Hamneskar to see the ruby-red Pater Noster Lighthouse and to enjoy the views of marvellous Marstrand? Back on dry land it’s all about sampling the sophisticated way of life — you can tuck into heavenly local seafood in the elegant restaurants, shop for high-end sailing attire in beautiful boutiques and enjoy leisurely strolls through cobbled streets.
Falun
The Centre of the Iconic Midsommar Celebrations
Since the Middle Ages, Swedes have gathered together in June to celebrate the summer solstice — or ‘midsommar’ - with traditional dances around a leafy maypole, flower hair wreaths and kitsch folk costumes. The central region of Dalarna — nicknamed the ‘Swedish Dales’ thanks to its beautiful countryside — has long been the place to be for the celebrations, as all the traditions are dialled up to full blast. The ancient medieval capital of the region, Falun, erupts into a flurry of festive fervour in the summer months, but is also a stronghold of local traditions that can be enjoyed at other times of the year. We can arrange for you to visit the lovely Dalarna Museum, which is known for its beautiful displays of the region’s culture and traditions, or take a tour of Carl Larsson’s former home, Lilla Hyttnäs, in Sundborn, which is a shrine to classic Scandinavian interior design.
Fjallbacka
The Island of Succulent Seafood
Life on the picturesque island of Fjallbacka, on Sweden’s remote west coast, mostly revolves around the age-old coastal tradition of fishing, and locals revel in the opportunity to take travellers out into the open ocean to learn the tricks of the trade. We can arrange for you to harvest mussels (and cook them on board) in a sheltered sea fjord or head out on a seafood safari in search of the finest seasonal catch — be that lobster, crayfish, oysters or prawns. Back on dry land, treat yourself to some upmarket al fresco dining in one of the many elegant restaurants in and around the dock; some of our favourites include Mamsell, Matilda and Sunnegabet. Couple its heavenly foodie scene with its quintessentially Swedish landscapes of rocky formations peppered with red clapboard houses and voilà: you have a pocket of perfection that easily makes our roundup of the best traditional towns in Sweden.
Jukkasjärvi
The Land of the Sámi Indigenous Peoples
Sweden as we know it today boasts a fairly long history dating back a century or so; nevertheless, there are pockets of historic cultures across the country that go way further back than this. One such culture is the indigenous Sámi peoples, who have populated northern Scandinavia for thousands of years. In Sweden, the small village of Jukkasjärvi is a stronghold of the nomadic peoples’ age-old traditions, which centres around reindeer herding, creating duodji (handicrafts) using natural materials and practicing ancient forms of folk music. Elsewhere in Swedish Lapland we can arrange for you to stay with a native Sámi family, who have lived in a remote village for seven generations. You can enjoy an authentic homemade lunch, meet the family’s reindeer and hear fascinating stories about the native lifestyle.
Gamla Stan
Archetypal Architecture of Ancient Times
Last up in our list of top traditional towns in Sweden is Gamla Stan — which, we know, is cheating a bit, as this little gem of a town is found in the heart of Stockholm; however, trust us when we say that wandering through the old cobbled streets of this living museum is much more like being in an ancient medieval town than in a vibrant capital city. Gamla Stan is where Stockholm was founded back in 1252 and you can still admire many of the traditions from this long-lost period. Much of the architecture, for example, dates back to the 13th century and has been beautifully preserved. There is the elegant Gothic style of the Royal Palace and the Stockholm Cathedral and the charmingly colourful facades of the North-German-style former merchants’ houses in the stortorget (public square). We can arrange for one of our knowledgeable local guides to weave you in and out of the beautiful buildings or even up onto their rooftops for a birds-eye view of the intricate old town beneath you.