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.
Beautiful pictures! ?
Thanks Jackie for your love for travelling and for your visit to our beloved Skellefteå. It was really great to meet you and we hope to see you soon around the word or in Skellefteå again ?
Thanks so much! I would absolutely love to bring my husband to see Skelleftea next time. It’s so pretty with lots to do! 🙂
I have lived in Sweden but never heard of Skelleftea. Thanks for making me aware! It really looks like a great country retreat and getaway. So cool. Also, Lantliv Lodge looked amazing. Even though I am not crazy about horses, I really liked the over-the-top wallpaper. Swedish quirky.^^
Perfect phrase, Annemarie! Swedish quirky! Hope you can make it to Skelleftea when you’re next in Sweden.
Lovely. We visited Stockholm for the first time and absolutely loved it. Kelleftea looks like another part of Sweden that l would enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Kemkem. I couldn’t agree more with you about Stockholm. Hope you can make it up to Skelleftea on your next trip to Sweden.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing this part of Sweden. I’m always very intrigued with Scandinavian areas that are lesser known.
Thanks for reading, Tracie. Skelleftea in Swedish Lapland is certainly not as well-known but absolutely worth the visit. Hope you can visit on your next trip to Sweden. 🙂
Skelleftea looks like a peaceful, rustic destination, but in the same time entertaining! I love the picture of the rainbow and I would love to cuddle those gorgeous Huskies, as well (%100 dog lover) 😀
100% Dog lover here too, Bella! You’d love a visit to Lappland Emotions for a husky experience. The dogs are so happy and well-cared for. After our walk in the woods with them, the owners reminded us to be affectionate with our dogs because it’s important for their social-emotional well-being. Don’t you just love, that! 🙂
Skelleftea sounds amazing – I’ve been to lapland in Finland, though haven’t had a chance to explore the other Scandinavian countries yet. Sweden is on the list! I would love to connect with the Huskies, something I missed out on while in Finland 🙂
Meg, you’d absolutely love a visit to Lappland Emotions. The dogs are spectacular and so well-looked after. It’s an absolute must in the Skelleftea area! 🙂
My family and I only had one night in Stockholm and have always wanted to go back. We’d love to spend more time in Stockholm and visit the Swedish Lapland as well. The Stiftsgarden Restaurant and Hotel sounds like the perfect place to stay in Skelleftea, with it being close to nature and to the downtown area. Also looks beautiful! The food also sounds very good and we can’t wait to visit one day soon.
You certainly won’t regret a return visit to Stockholm and Sweden, Brenda. Swedish Lapland is gorgeous and Skelleftea is the perfect base. Hope you make it back soon!
Such a sensory journey! I can smell, taste and touch every suggestion. Thank you for whetting my appetite for Sweden.
Thanks for reading, Elaine. Hope your travels bring you to Sweden soon!
This looks like an absolute fairy tale, and you’re right, it’s now very high on my list. I absolutely love Sweden and hope to return one day, and when I do, a visit to Skelleftea is definitely in order (I’ll practice saying it before then :-)) I would love the hiking, canoeing and of course, playing with the huskies 🙂
Fairytale is such an appropriate word! You’re sure to love Skelleftea and Swedish Lapland, Brianne! Hope you get a chance to visit soon!
You’ve definitely made me want to visit Skelleftea–it looks like such a beautiful area. I would really love to go canoeing and try the ropes course in the trees! And, can’t go wrong with Fika, as well! 🙂
The ropes course was such a fun challenge, Jenna! There were a few moments I thought I meet be permanently up in those trees! 😉 Hope you find yourself enjoying some Swedish Fika soon.
My sister would love to visit huskies at Lappland Emotions! Huskies are gorgeous creatures but we discourage having them in Singapore due to the hot weather. Sweden is lovely.
Oh yes, Singapore would be so hot for them! The comfortable, dry summers and cold winters in Sweden are perfect for them, Mar.
This looks amazing! I loved Sweden when I visited but never made it up to Lapland. Definitely have to go back 🙂
Oh yes, Emily, you must make it up to Skelleftea and Swedish Lapland! You’ll love it!
Interesting, I really didn’t know much about Shelleftea and it was great to learn more about it. I love that there are so many opportunities to get out on the water and eat good food. My two favorite things to do while traveling! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Megan. It’s sounds like Skelleftea in Swedish Lapland, with it’s beautiful coast, archipelago, and good food, would be a great fit for you! 🙂
I love Sweden and everything about its fika and outdoor culture. You were right, I’ve added Skellefrea to my list! While I used to live in Sweden, I only made it as far north as Are. Looking very forward to a return visit to one of my favorite countries.
How fantastic you’ve been to Sweden, Claudia! It’s easy to understand why it’s one of your favorite countries. What could be better than fika and pristine wilderness!
HI, Jackie.
Thanks for the great blog post & im excited to go to Sweden as part of our Scandinavia / Baltic Countries vacation this Summer. I’m definitely using your tips. Did you go to any other Scandinavian countries? If so, do you have any other money saving tips? We teachers need to make the most of our time off & stretch our dollars as much as possible.
Thanks for reading, Stefanie, and you’ve got that right! Stretching time and money is a must. During the summer, the only Scandinavian country I visited was Sweden. However, I am just back from Finnish Lapland. Even though it was winter, I highly recommend Finland, too. Both countries have unparalleled natural beauty. I would look at the Stockholm Pass to save money depending on what sights and attractions you want to see in Stockholm. Here are more Stockholm tips if you need them. I saved money by staying 10 minutes out of the city center and it was super easy to take the metro a few stops. Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Check out Vita Huset (large white house) in Österjörn overlooking a stunning lake 400 metres fom previously mentioned Lantliv Lodge
Thanks for reading and for sharing the tip, Philip. 🙂
We love Skelleftea and Vasterbotten so much we bought a little house there. It is a magical area. We have recently just finished renovating a beautiful house on Österjorn and are hoping to attract people to this wonderful part of Sweden. It truly is a wonderful location and area. We love Sweden❤️ [LINK EDITED OUT]
Thanks for reading, Marilyn. Skelleftea is so pretty! So lucky you were able to buy a house to enjoy. 🙂