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The Bothnian Coast

The lovely Bothnian Coastline runs 850km from Gävle in the south to Haparanda, on the border with Finland, in the north. It's truly the long and winding road, with the E4 highway doing the distance, marked with attractive cities and towns at manageable driving distances, at places where rivers from the mountains to the west come down to meet the Gulf of Bothnia. There are lively student cities at Gävle, Umeå and Luleå, plus timber towns such as Sundsvall and Skellefteå and gorgeous islands and coastlines at Höga Kusten and Kustvägen. Your visit will be all the more enjoyable with time up your sleeve and your own wheels.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout The Bothnian Coast.

  • See

    Gammelstad

    The Unesco World Heritage–listed Gammelstad, Sweden's largest church town, was the medieval centre of northern Sweden. The 1492-built stone Nederluleå church has a reredos worthy of a cathedral and a wonderfully opulent pulpit. It has 420 wooden houses (where the pioneers stayed during weekend pilgrimages) and six church stables remaining. Guided tours (80kr) leave from the Gammelstad tourist office at 11am, 1pm and 3pm (mid-June to mid-August). Bus 9 runs hourly from Luleå; disembark at the Kyrkbyn stop.

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    Bonnstan

    During the Protestant reformation in Sweden in the 16th century, church attendance was demanded of all parishioners, and later in 1861, a regulation ordering it was introduced. Church towns built up to house those who lived too far away to attend church on a day trip. Skellefteå's Bonnstan, a kyrkstad (church town), was one of 47 in the Norrbotten and Västerbotten counties and has been well preserved. There are 114 dark buildings containing 376 rooms. It's fascinating stroll through these legally protected streets.

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    Västerbottens Museum

    The star of the Gammlia museum complex, the engrossing Västerbottens Museum traces the history of the province from prehistoric times to today. Exhibitions include an impressive ski-through-the ages collection starring the world’s oldest ski (around 5400 years old), and an exploration of Sami rock art. The museum hosts excellent temporary exhibitions as well as regular workshops and activities for children. You'll also find a quality cafe specialising in organic fare. Catch bus 2 or 7 or walk 1km from the train station.

  • See

    Stenstan Visitor Centre

    This incredibly high-tech multimedia museum shares space with the tourist office at the Stadhus on the central square of Storatorget. Besides showing films of the 1888 fire and its aftermath, it features touch-screen tables and picture frames that allow you to follow the reconstruction of central Sundsvall through old photos, and information on each rebuilt building such as the background of the architect and original drawings. The centre's technology is now being exported to museums around the world.

  • See

    Museum of Tornio Valley

    This museum, only a 200m walk from Haparanda's Tourist Office and into Finland, showcases Tornio Valley culture and history on both sides of the Swedish–Finnish border. There's lots of pictorial and film material, plus exhibits on cross-border marriages, trade and smuggling. Keep in mind that the entrance fee is in euros and there's a one-hour time difference as you wander over to this interesting Haparanda–Tornio collaboration of a museum.

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    Hälsinglands Museum

    The Hälsinglands Museum covers local history, culture and art, including a recreated cottage interior with traditional painted furniture and costumes from the region. Highlights are the eerily illuminated medieval church art, including a particularly striking Madonna carved by local artist Haaken Gulleson, the Malsta rune stone from around AD 1000, engraved with the Helsinge runic script, and changing contemporary art exhibitions.

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    Kulturmagasinet

    Down near the harbour, Kulturmagasinet is a magnificent restoration of some old warehouses and now contains the town library and Sundsvall Museum, which has engaging exhibits on the history of Sundsvall, natural history and geology. There’s a permanent art exhibition upstairs featuring 20th-century Swedish artists and superb temporary exhibitions.

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    Guitars – The Museum

    If you're into the six-string, then this result of two brothers' lifelong hobby, a huge collection of vintage guitars, is for you. Want to see a 1959 Les Paul Standard, identical to the one on which Keith Richards played the 'It's All Over Now' riff? They've got it. Or perhaps a 1958 Gibson Flying V, made famous by ZZ Top?

  • See

    Mackmyra Whisky

    Mackmyra Svensk Whisky, established in 1999 as the first Scandinavian malt-whisky distillery, offers tasting sessions that must be booked in advance via the website. You'll find the distillery, warehouse, and visitor center with restaurant just outside Gävle.