25 Famous Landmarks in Sweden You Must Visit

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Sweden is a beautiful Scandinavian country with many amazing attractions and landmarks to see. While you may think that most points of interest in Sweden are in the capital city of Stockholm, that's not the case! You can see world-renowned places across the country, from Stockholm and Malmö to Kiruna, and areas in the Arctic Circle, like Västerbotten.

A few famous landmarks in Sweden include Abisko National Park, Stockholm Cathedral, and Avicii Arena. You will also discover multiple landmarks related to the Swedish royal family, like The Royal Palace. If you are interested in knowing more about all there is to see in this Nordic destination, keep reading to learn more!

• 25 Sweden landmarks

25 Famous Sweden Landmarks

Famous Swedish Landmarks

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Ice Hotel

The Ice Hotel is a unique and memorable tourist attraction in Sweden. The hotel is situated in Jukkasjärvi, part of 'Swedish Lapland' and is open to overnight guests like any other hotel!

As the name suggests, this accommodation is notable as it is made entirely from ice and snow. You can visit the hotel, which has been operating for over 30 years, during the winter months.

At the hotel, you can get drinks at the ice bar before checking into your room. There's also a restaurant, and you can explore the surrounding outdoor areas during the day. You may even see the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) during your stay!

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Avicii Arena

Situated in Stockholm in the district of Johanneshov, Avicii Arena is one of the most renowned performance venues in the country. Opened in 1989, the arena was previously named Stockholm Globe Arena and Ericsson Globe. It was named Avicii Arena in 2021 after the Swedish DJ who passed away in 2018.

The attraction features a unique design as it is a spherical dome, making it an interesting piece of architecture to see, even if you don't go inside. Furthermore, the design represents the sun in the Swedish Solar System and is one of the world's largest scale models of the solar system.

If you do attend an event, you will have lots of choices regarding what to see. Visitors can see concerts, including those by world-renowned artists, ice hockey games, figure skating shows, and much more!

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Gröna Lund

One of the most fun Swedish attractions is Gröna Lund, an amusement park in Stockholm. The theme park was founded in 1883 and is the oldest amusement park in the country.

You can easily reach the park from central Stockholm and will be able to enjoy numerous attractions once you arrive. The park has approximately 31 attractions, including eight roller coasters, bumper cars, and spinning tea cups.

You can also see some shows at Gröna Lund, like concerts, get classic theme park snacks, such as doughnuts and burgers, or relax at one of multiple sit-down restaurants and bars.

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Skansen

Another of many interesting landmarks in Sweden is Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world. The attraction opened in 1891 with the intention of showcasing the Swedish way of life before the industrial era.

The museum became a model for other open-air living history museums, with them now found across the world, including in other European countries and the United States.

Visitors to Skansen today can still learn about Swedish life in the 19th century. You will get to see old shops and other businesses and interact with staff in period costumes. Animals, like reindeer and otters, also live on the grounds.

Gamla Uppsala Museum

The Gamla Uppsala Museum, or Riksantikvarieämbetet Gamla Uppsala museum, is a fascinating attraction in the city of Uppsala. It was opened in 2000 and is managed by the Swedish National Heritage Board.

At the museum, you can see exhibits on the Viking Age and the Vendel Period. You can also see some burial mounds here that were created between the 5th to 13th centuries.

Kiruna Pastorat

Kiruna Pastora, or Kiruna Church, is one of the most famous Swedish places because it is one of the largest wooden buildings in the country. Opened in 1912, the church is designed in a Gothic Revival style and features an Art Nouveau altar.

Visitors can admire the unique interior and exterior architecture featuring intricate wood carving details. The interior also has amazing chandeliers and some artwork. The church looks especially scenic in the winter when it is surrounded by fresh white snow.

Major Landmarks in Sweden

The Royal Palace

Arguably the most famous landmark in Sweden, The Royal Palace, has to be on your itinerary when exploring Stockholm. The palace is the official residence of the Swedish royal family and has been used since the 1760s.

The Baroque style building was designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, a renowned architect and city planner. Carl Hårleman also added to the design after the death of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger.

Those visiting Stockholm can tour parts of the palace and its grounds. Alternatively, hop on a riverboat to admire the exterior architecture from the Stockholms ström.

Øresund Bridge

Øresund Bridge, or Öresund, is a motor and railway bridge stretching across the Øresund Strait that connects Sweden to Denmark. You can access the bridge in Malmö, Sweden, and it connects you to Copenhagen in Denmark.

Construction of the bridge began in 1995, and it opened in 2000. The bridge is 7,845 metres long and has a height of 204 metres. Interestingly, the bridge also includes a tunnel that goes under the water and has become an artificial reef, with an array of marine life building a habitat on and around it.

The bridge is not open to pedestrians, but taking the train or driving over it is highly recommended, as the views are stunning!

Stockholm City Hall

Constructed in 1911 and opened in 1923, Stockholm City Hall is an important political building. The city hall sits just across from Stockholm City Centre, on the island of Kungsholmen.

The building is still used by municipal council members, with around 250 government offices within its walls. It is also open for guided tours for those interested in learning more about the city hall's history and politics in Sweden. You can even get married at Stockholm City Hall!

Gamla stan

Also known as The Old Town, Gamla stan is an island within the bay next to Stockholm. This charming town features cobblestone streets and beautiful buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

On the island, you will also find some other landmarks and attractions. Places to visit include Riddarholmen Church, the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, and the Nobel Prize Museum, which is located in the Stock Exchange.

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Royal Swedish Opera

The Royal Swedish Opera is a notable cultural Swedish landmark. Opened in 1898, the opera house is home to the Royal Swedish Opera, a theatre and ballet company.

It is located in central Stockholm and is designed in an Art Nouveau style. Those visiting the opera house will be amazed by the internal and external architecture, which is well worth seeing even if you do not attend a show. If you want to go to a show, you can see ballets, operas, and classical music concerts.

Turning Torso

Sweden features many historical landmarks and structures built hundreds of years ago. However, it also has some modern landmarks, like the Turning Torso in Malmö.

Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2005, the structure acts as a residential building but also attracts many tourists who want to snap pictures of its futuristic design. Interestingly, the tower was the tallest building in the Nordic region for over 15 years but was overtaken by Karlatornet in Gothenburg in 2022.

Historical Places in Sweden

Kalmar Castle

Another fantastic castle in Sweden is Kalmar Castle. This castle is located in the city of Kalmar and dates back to the 12th century. It is designed in a Renaissance style and was initially constructed as a harbour defence.

This landmark is of notable historical significance as this is where the Kalmar Union was formed in 1397. Today, you can visit the castle to admire the architecture and look around an on-site museum. During a visit, you can take in the coastal views of the Kalmar Strait as well.

Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace is one of the most famous landmarks of Sweden, as it is home to the Swedish royal family. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been designated in 1991.

The private residence is located in Drottningholm, which is about 30 minutes outside of Stockholm. The palace was constructed in 1699 as a Summer Residence.

Today, it is one of multiple royal residences in Sweden and is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can take a guided tour of the palace and grounds, with the majority of the building open to the public.

Gripsholm Castle

Gripsholm Castle is a stunning European landmark that you must visit if in the small town of Mariefred. Construction of the Renaissance-style castle began in the 1500s, and the castle was finally completed in 1709.

The castle was initially built as a residence for the Swedish royal family. Today, it is a museum but is still owned by the royal family. Visitors can admire the castle's architecture and explore the museum, which features artworks. The Swedish National Portrait Gallery is also housed within the building.

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Stockholm Cathedral

Stockholm Cathedral is another of many famous landmarks found in Sweden's capital city. Other names for the cathedral include Storkyrkan, Sankt Nikolai kyrka, and Stockholms domkyrka.

This church is the oldest in Stockholm, having been constructed in 1279 and consecrated in 1306. It is designed in a Brick Gothic style and features a stunning interior with stained glass, high ceilings, and ornate design elements.

The cathedral remains an active church, with services and other religious events hosted throughout the year. It is also open to the public, who can explore the church and admire its design.

Visby Town Wall

The Visby Town Wall, or Visby City Wall, is one of the slightly lesser-known but interesting historical landmarks in Sweden. Located in Visby on the island of Gotland, the wall was constructed in the 12th century.

Notably, the wall includes a defensive tower, Kruttornet (the Gunpowder Tower), which is the oldest non-religious building in the Nordic countries. The medieval wall was reconstructed in the 1880s and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site over one hundred years later, in 1995.

Natural Landmarks in Sweden

Abisko National Park

Located in Sweden's northernmost city of Kiruna, Abisko National Park is a stunning outdoor space that was established as a National Park in 1909. As one of the most popular Sweden natural landmarks, it is a must-visit, especially for those that enjoy hiking and admiring breathtaking natural scenery.

Notably, the park includes part of the 440-kilometre-long Kungsleden hiking trail. Other things to do in the park include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

Wildlife watching is also a popular activity, as the park is home to an array of birds and mammals. Just a few of the animals you may see include moose, reindeer, and Arctic foxes.

The Northern Lights

While not a physical landmark, nor a landmark exclusive to Sweden, the Northern Lights cannot be left off a list of Swedish natural landmarks! Also known as the Aurora Borealis, this natural phenomenon can be seen from areas under the auroral oval. Countries in this area include Canada, Norway, Greenland, and, of course, Sweden.

Those who see the Northern Lights will witness neon green, and sometimes blue or red, lights dancing within the night sky. Places to potentially see the Northern Lights in Sweden include the cities of Porjus, Jukkasjärvi, and Kiruna, including from the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko National Park. The best time to spot the lights is between September and March.

Stockholm Archipelago

As the largest archipelago in Sweden, the Stockholm archipelago is another important natural landmark in the country. The island chain sits on the Baltic Sea and is the second largest archipelago on this body of water, after the Archipelago Sea. It was also named a Ramsar Site, or Ramsar Wetland, in 1989.

Approximately 30,000 islands make up the Stockholm Archipelago, which can be reached in around 40 minutes to an hour when driving from Stockholm. Visitors to the area can kayak, hike, explore small coastal villages, and much more!

The Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is another natural landmark that Sweden shares with other countries, but it is worth mentioning. The Arctic Circle is one of two polar circles, the other being the Antarctic Circle.

In Sweden, approximately 15 percent of the country sits within the Arctic Circle, and it covers 153,400 square kilometres. Around 520,000 people live in this area, including those of the Sámi indigenous tribe, with the main counties in the polar circle being Västerbotten and Norrbotten.

Lake Vänern

Lake Vänern is a notable landmark as it is not only the largest lake in Sweden but also the largest in the European Union. In addition, it is the third-largest lake in Europe after Russia's Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega.

This natural feature covers an area of 5,650 square kilometres and sits within the provinces of Västergötland, Dalsland, and Värmland. It is also an important ecological feature due to being home to numerous fish species, including salmon and brown trout.

Famous Monuments in Sweden

Ales Stenar

Ales Stenar, also known as Ale's Stones, is a unique megalithic monument, somewhat similar to Stonehenge in the United Kingdom. The monument is located in Scania (Skåne) in the south of Sweden.

This landmark features an oval made up of evenly spaced small rocks. Dating the monument's creation has been quite challenging; some estimates suggest it was built 1,400 years ago, and others suggest Ales Stenar was created as much as 5,500 years ago.

Additionally, it is not completely known what the monument was used for or how it was created. However, many experts believe it was used either as a solar calendar or as a grave monument. The mystery surrounding this fascinating landmark makes it a must-visit when in Sweden!

Rock Carvings in Tanum

The city of Tanum is one of the most interesting places to visit in Sweden as it is home to the Rock Carvings in Tanum. This landmark comprises thousands of petroglyphs, officially called Tanum petroglyphs.

It is thought that these carved images date back to the Scandinavian Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the Nordic Bronze Age. In addition, the Rock Carvings in Tanum was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Visitors can view the petroglyphs and learn more about their history. Unfortunately, many of the images are at risk of erosion due to acid rain and other weather events.

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The Obelisk at Castle Hill

Also known as ​​the Obelisk at Slottsbacken, the Obelisk at Castle Hill was initially unveiled in 1800. However, due to signs of deterioration, the monument was reconstructed and re-opened in 2020. You can see the obelisk in Slottsbacken in Stockholm.

King Gustav III commissioned the original structure; however, he was assassinated before it was completed. The late king used the obelisk to honour the burghers of Stockholm who guarded the city during the Russian War in the late 1780s.

In Conclusion

This list of the most famous sites in Sweden should have given you an idea of all the incredible places to visit in the Scandinavian country. From parks and lakes to castles, palaces, and even theme parks, you will not be disappointed when exploring this stunning destination!

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