You might not know it yet but a place called Skelleftea in Sweden is about to make your travel list a bit longer. Want to know something else? You’ll love Skelleftea before you can even say it! (Hint: The “sk” in Swedish is like the “sh” in English.)
Sweden and its Scandinavian neighbors stand out for their iconic winter experiences. Seach “Lapland” in Google and the results will return photos of snowy landscapes and northern lights and links with information about winter safaris and reindeer. Magical seems inadequate to describe these white wonderland scenes.
Doesn’t it make you wonder about all the other seasons, though? What’s underneath all that snow and ice? Visit Skelleftea in Swedish Lapland in summer and discover why “magical” is an appropriate word all year long. I promise you’ll be planning your return winter visit before summer’s end!
Where is Skelleftea?
Skelleftea is in Sweden, 480 miles north of Stockholm and just 120 miles south of the Arctic Circle. It’s in Sweden’s Vasterbotten County and also the Southern gateway city into pristine Swedish Lapland. Sitting along the coast of the Baltic Sea, Skelleftea benefits from dry summers with comfortable temperatures.
How do you get to Skelleftea?
The quickest way to get to Skelleftea is to fly from Stockholm via Scandinavian Airlines. There are frequent flights between the 2 cities lasting roughly an hour. Scandinavian Airlines is a low-cost carrier with round-trip flights as cheap as $140 depending on the time of year you travel. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance so be sure to add your frequent flyer number to your itinerary. You can also redeem miles from their Star Alliance partners for an award flight if prices are too high.
While there are shuttles from the airport, you’ll need a car to properly explore the area around Skelleftea. Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt all have rental locations at the airport.
The drive between Stockholm and Skelleftea is about 8 1/2 hours. There are no trains to Skelleftea but trains run to nearby cities like Umea. From there, a local bus can get you to Skelleftea.
Visit Skelleftea in Swedish Lapland: 10 Incredible Experiences
1. Glide along the Skelleftea River in a canoe. Swenature offers guided canoe trips, canoe rentals, and a range of outdoor activities to learn about and explore the area’s natural beauty. The river is calm, perfect for spotting birds, fish, and even beavers.
2. Immerse yourself in the incredible outdoors at Svansele Wilderness Centre. Hike, fish, look for moose, ride quads through pristine forests and past sparkling lakes. I guarantee a stay for the day will leave you wishing for more! Luckily Svansele has all types of accommodations from rustic cabins to the renovated Knutes Hotel.
3. Spend time at Lappland Emotions connecting with the Huskies. The dogs are always ready to head out into the forest. Their excited howls and the power and grace they exhibit as you walk or bike together is unforgettable. A must-do while in Skelleftea!
4. Boat out into archipelago and laze the day away on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Find a grassy spot to picnic. Hop along the rocky shore. Soak up the mild temperatures and let the cool sea breezes carry your worries away. On the island of Pite-Rönnskär, the little red houses cluster together while the lighthouse overlooks the sea. Life is slow and the summer days long.
Traveling to Skelleftea in Swedish Lapland soon?
I had a fantastic stay at the Stiftsgarden Restaurant & Hotel. Search and book more great hotels on TripAdvisor and Booking.com
5. Keep your eyes to the sky in search of rainbows. Skelleftea is in the land of the midnight sun, with nearly 24 hours of daylight. You’ll wonder if behind those signature Swedish Lapland red houses and among its idyllic landscapes a pot of gold just might appear.
6. Challenge yourself in the treetops at Skelleftea Adventure Park. A combination of rope obstacles and zip lining not only tests your balance but also your physical and mental stamina as you work your way through each treetop challenge.
7. Hike in one of Skelleftea’s nature reserves. Imagine soft moss underfoot, evergreen and white birch trees all around, paths leading out to open waters, and rocky remnants outlining the shape of long gone houses. Listen as you walk. Silence. The peace of the outdoors rings in your ears. When you’re ready, rest in a fire-heated sauna.
8. Skip stargazing and watch the midnight sun instead. With almost 24 hours of light in the sky, Skelleftea’s sky turns pink and orange as the sun hovers just at the horizon.
9. Feast on local specialties. Common menu items include fresh salmon and trout, moose and reindeer. Taste the local Vasterbotten cheese and enjoy the greens of summer.
10. Enjoy Swedish Fika. Once, twice, maybe even three times a day do as the Swedish do. Stop to make coffee over an open fire. Pour it into hand carved wooden ladles.
Savor the moment, your surroundings, and your good fortune at landing in Skelleftea and Swedish Lapland.
Where to stay in Skelleftea?
If you’d like to stay in town, Skelleftea combines natural beauty with a pedestrian-friendly downtown area with shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. Stiftsgarden Restaurant and Hotel is on the edge of town, situated alongside the Skelleftea River and next to the Country Church.
The rooms are clean with simple white country-chic bedding. The bright and airy restaurant serves a delicious selection of breakfast cheeses, fruits, bread, meats, and eggs. The location is convenient for access to the Skelleftea River where you can walk, bike, and canoe.
For a Bed and Breakfast in the Skelleftea countryside, look no further than the Lantliv Lodge. The design respects the history of the 19th-century Swedish farmhouse while infusing modern, creative elements and personal style.
Lantliv Lodge offers activities like cooking classes, yoga, photography workshops, horseback riding, and winter sports taking advantage of the peace and rejuvenation that comes with unspoiled nature.
Are you ready to plan your summer and winter trips to visit Skelleftea in Swedish Lapland? Which experiences would you like?
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Disclosure: I was hosted by Visit Skelleftea, but as always, my opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you use them at no extra cost to you. Anything earned goes towards running this site and is greatly appreciated.
