Highlights From Other Cities In Sweden

Of all cities in Sweden only Stockholm has over a million inhabitants – if you include the suburbs. But many of the smaller cities are attractive tourist destinations as well. This page highlights Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala.

Göteborg - The Main Port

Göteborg (or Gothenburg) is the main port and the country’s industrial and commercial centre. With over 600,000 inhabitants it’s the second of cities in Sweden.

Gothenburg is still quite young - official history started here in 1621 – so don’t expect a lot of historical sights. Instead you will find a friendly, modern city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Dutch and German city planners laid out the centre. With its canals it even reminds a bit of Amsterdam.

Most famous is Kungsportavenyn (‘Avenyn’), a long boulevard with restaurant, galleries, theatres and shops. It leads up to the main square Götaplatsen, from where the bronze Poseidon of Carl Milles stares at thousands of locals and tourists every day.

Avenyn is often called Göteborg’s Champs Élysées – and rightly so.

The city has a lot of museums, some of them dedicated to Gothenburg’s maritime history. Liseberg amusement park is a great place for kids.

Like in all cities in Sweden, public transportation is excellent, and there are plenty of hotels and hostels.

Outside Gothenburg you will find an attractive archipelago. Smaller than Stockholm’s, but nevertheless an excellent area to spend your holidays.

Malmö - Danish Or Swedish?

Malmö at the southwestern tip of Sweden is the country’s third city (about 250,000 inhabitants).

Malmö is the main city of Skåne that for a long time belonged to Denmark. Skåne became Swedish only in the 17th Century, and this part of the country looks more ‘Danish’ than ‘Swedish’.

If you travel by train or car from Denmark and take the new Öresund bridge, you will arrive here.

Malmö was once a centre for heavy industry, but suffered from economic crisis. Still it’s a pleasant city to spend a day or two.

There is an attractive medieval centre with cobbled streets and monumental buildings, reflecting the prosperity of the past.

Several houses around the main square Stortorget date back from the 16th Century. Even more popular is the smaller and very attractive Lilla Torg.

One of the main sights is Malmöhus, a 15th Century castle with an impressive interior. You will also some very nice parks and a long beach in Malmö.

Of all cities in Sweden, Malmö is said to have the best nightlife.

Uppsala - The Student Town

Less than one hour by train from Stockholm, a city trip to Uppsala makes a nice day out.

Scandinavia’s oldest university is here, founded in 1477. Carl von Linné and Anders Celsius studied here.

Now not only young Swedes, but also many foreigners get their university education in Uppsala.

This city has all the characteristics of a vibrant student town: cafés, restaurants and a lively cultural scene.

Worth a visit is the library of the university, Carolina Rediviva, with no less than four million books. In the manuscript room you can see the original of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Local history began in the 6th Century with Gamla Uppsala, the old town that is now about 4 kilometers north from the modern centre. Another witness from the past is the Gothic Domkyrkan (cathedral).

Uppsala, where 180,000 people live, is the fourth of all cities in Sweden.

Back to top of Highlights From Other Cities In Sweden

Home Page Of Stockholm Sweden Travel Guide