Sweden’s past is proudly on show across the country, with 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and countless museums – there’s something for every history or culture-loving traveller.
Explore Sweden’s cultural treasures
With 15 UNESCO-listed sites, Sweden ranks among the world’s top cultural heritage destinations. These landmarks are spread from north to south, offering your clients plenty of options to add a historic highlight to their itinerary.
In Swedish Lapland, the Gammelstad Church Town in Luleå is a must-see. This charming village of 424 red wooden cottages once gave overnight shelter to rural churchgoers. In Hälsingland, east-central Sweden, visitors can explore richly decorated wooden farmhouses, famous for their intricate folk art and a deep connection to rural traditions.
The rock carvings of Tanum, on the West Coast near Bohuslän, provide a fascinating glimpse into Bronze Age life, while the Royal Domain of Drottningholm – just outside Stockholm – offers grandeur, history and UNESCO-listed gardens. Visitors can explore the royal palace, the Chinese Pavilion and an 18th-century theatre that’s still in use today.
In southern Sweden, Karlskrona’s naval port showcases Sweden’s maritime legacy. Built in 1680, this UNESCO site was designed for constructing warships and remains a captivating destination for fans of naval and military history.
Off the southeast coast lies Öland, an island of sweeping landscapes and historic villages, linked to the mainland by a six-kilometre bridge from Kalmar. Nearby, the island of Gotland is equally rich in heritage. The medieval town of Visby is encircled by a 3.5-kilometre stone wall dating back to the 12th century. Each August, the town comes alive with jousting, crafts and costumes during Medieval Week (‘Medeltidsveckan’) – a brilliant time to visit for clients keen on immersive history.
Photo: Tina Stafrén/imagebank.sweden.se
Photo: Håkan Vargas S/imagebank.sweden.se
Photo: Emelie Asplund/imagebank.sweden.se
Photo: Per Pixel Petersson/imagebank.sweden.se
Swedish museums – dynamic, authentic, and full of surprises (including great food)
Museum must-visits in Stockholm
Stockholm is home to some of Sweden’s most iconic museums. On the island of Djurgården, the Vasa Museum – Sweden and Scandinavia’s most visited – tells the dramatic story of the 17th-century warship that sank on her maiden voyage and was later salvaged almost entirely intact.
Nearby, visitors can dive into Swedish pop history at the ABBA Museum, or explore the life and legacy of global music icon Avicii at The Avicii Experience, part of the immersive SPACE digital culture centre. At Tekniska museet (the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology), the new 360-degree Wisdome dome experience brings science to life in a big, bold way.
For younger visitors, Junibacken is a wonderland dedicated to Astrid Lindgren’s beloved stories – including the ever-popular Pippi Longstocking (‘Pippi Långstrump’). But no matter which museum your clients choose, children are well catered for. Most museums in Sweden offer family-friendly exhibitions and activities as standard.
Museums with a view (and a walk or cycle)
On the west coast, the island of Tjörn is home to Pilane, an open-air sculpture park set among ancient grazing lands – a unique combination of nature, art and history. Just a scenic cycle away is the Nordic Watercolour Museum, right by the water’s edge.
Further north, in the heart of Swedish Lapland, Arjeplog’s Silver Museum traces 10,000 years of history, culture and craftsmanship through stunning examples of Sámi silverwork.
Cultural experiences that won’t cost a thing
Many museums in Sweden are free to enter, especially for younger visitors. Some highlights include:
- Malmö Konsthall – one of Sweden’s largest contemporary art spaces
- Gothenburg Museum of Art – free for visitors under 20
- Nationalmuseum in Stockholm – free for visitors under 20
- Moderna Museet, Stockholm – a modern and contemporary art gem on the island of Skeppsholmen
Explore the world’s longest art gallery – with just a metro ticket
With a day pass for the Stockholm metro, your clients can explore 110 km of underground art. Each station features unique artworks – murals, mosaics, installations and sculptures – turning the daily commute into a cultural adventure. Highlights include Kungsträdgården station, where the design references local plant life and the former 17th-century palace, Makalös, that once stood nearby.
And best of all – it’s one of the most sustainable ways to explore the city.
Photo : Agence Les Conteurs