Photo: Göran Assner, Henrik Trygg, Jurgen Wickert, Urban Jören, Frank Heuer. Urban Jören, Wickert, Jurgen Trygg, Henrik Assner, Göran Photo: Your guide to Sweden Gothenburg and Sweden Friendly urbanity Stockholm, Gothenburg & Malmö — modern West Sweden cities close to nature A Swedish culinary voyage A flavourful journey from the apple groves of Skåne to the mountain creeks of Lapland Gothenburg Set off on a Thriving culture in Camilla Läckberg’s Swedish stories by the sea seafood safari Gothenburg Fjällbacka from fairy tales to “Swede-crime” www.gothenburg.com www. westsweden.com @WestSwedenTB facebook.com/GothenburgWestSweden Welcome to Fjällbacka — a jewel of the west coast! Contents 3 36 28 Contents 04 Stockholm — the city on fourteen islands 10 Gothenburg — city of the sea Sweden — the best 12 Malmö — gateway to the continent 14 Sweden goes gay 15 A vibrant, contemporary and creative of both worlds tradition 20 My Swedish food trip First-timers to Sweden are typically struck by two things. 26 See Sweden from the sun deck 28 Swedish stories — from fairy tales Firstly, the country’s progressiveness in every respect — from to ”Swede-crime” technology, design, fashion and lifestyle to consumption 34 Become a child again habits and societal systems. And secondly, an authenticity 36 Nature — Sweden’s national religion in the natural world, and in the Swedish people’s fondness 40 Nature’s Best — experiences on nature’s terms for their history, heritage, customs and traditions. Cruise control to Sweden 42 Swedish gems We often boast that Sweden offers the best of both worlds — all the benefits and attractions of contemporary Taking your car to Sweden? Let us share the driving. With a choice of short 44 Travel facts 45 Accommodation society, but few of its common disadvantages. If you’ve routes and frequent crossings or longer overnight journeys, you can decide how 46 Transportation visited Sweden you know what we mean. Welcome to much time you want to spend driving and how much time you’d like to spend 47 Tour operators Sweden — the country we love. 47 Regional tourist boards onboard. When you see our fabulous ferries, you’ll wonder why you never took 48 Scheduled air routes this route before! 49 Ferry routes 50 Map Remember, book early to get the best fares. VisitSweden Sweden 2013 was printed by an environmentally- Stortorget 2 − 4 Tel (Ireland): 01 247 5440 certified printer, on chlorine-free bleached paper, SE-831 30 Östersund, Sweden E-mail: [email protected] which is produced from FSC-certified pulp. This means www.stenaline.co.uk Tel (UK): 020 7108 6168 the pulp comes from environmentally appropriate, E-mail: [email protected] Opening hours: 8:00 − 17:00 socially beneficial and economically viable forestry or call 08447 70 70 70 Fax: +46 63-12 81 37 (Central European Time) operations. City break Stockholm 4 5 Top: The world’s most beautiful city? In Stockholm you can experience the history and View of the medieval island Riddar- culture of several of our country’s great eras, from the Stockholm — the city holmen and the Old Town, the water- ways flowing out to the Stockholm Middle Ages on. The Stockholm of today is a dynamic, Archipelago, and the tower of the fast-growing, multicultural city. It is recognised inter- on fourteen islands City Hall in the foreground. nationally as a leader in the development of progres- sive innovations, trends and behaviour patterns in Classic Svenskt Tenn, one of Stockholm’s The royal Swedish capital of Stockholm is frequently referred to as one of the world’s most foremost furniture, design and gift shops. lifestyle, environment and, in particular, technology attractive cities. Its beauty is a result of its magnificent location, spread across fourteen and communications. islands in the heart of the spectacular Stockholm Archipelago. The combination of dramatic Outdoor cafe at the picturesque Mose- We often boast that Stockholm has all the advan- backe Square in the chic, bohemian beauty, historic splendour and contemporary buzz gives Stockholm its unique attraction. tages and assets of a contemporary world centre with district of Södermalm. few of the downsides and nuisances. Stockholm offers an enormous diversity of experiences, sights, attrac- tions and night-life. In terms of fashion, art, design, gastronomy and other creative pursuits, the Stock- holm scene has — justifiably — received plenty of pub- licity on the global stage in recent years. Today the city has two distinct nodes of urban creativity, culture and entertainment: one is the chic, established district around the squares of Stureplan and Norrmalmtorg, the city centre and exclusive Östermalm, and the other is the younger, trendier, more experimental and bohemian Södermalm. Still, what sets Stockholm apart most of all is its incomparable juxtaposition of sophisticated urbanism and wild, majestic nature. Untouched wilderness and magnificent marine worlds surround and crisscross Stockholm in all directions, including Ekoparken, the only urban national park of its kind in the world. The city’s extensive stretches of coastline, whether quay- side or forested, are accessible for a stroll — or why not paddle a kayak alongside them, or navigate between them on ice skates in the winter. The water that Al fresco relaxation at Lydmar surrounds the city is clean enough to swim in and fish Hotel, just across the water from. Stockholm is a metropolis where you can enjoy from the Royal Palace. the outdoors literally steps from a vibrant urbanity — and vice versa. It’s a happy combination that gives Stockholm a quality of life you won’t find elsewhere. Waiting staff at the popular Boqueria restaurant in the new www.visitsweden.com Mood shopping centre, which serves quick, tasty modern and www.visitstockholm.com traditional tapas. www.boqueria.se Other dining suggestions: Frantzén/Lindeberg — a small restaurant in the Old Town, with a big reputation for innovative cooking and two Michelin stars, aiming for a third. Ranked as Sweden’s best restaurant. www.frantzen-lindeberg.com Gubbhyllan at Skansen. Classic Swedish fare with an elegant modern twist. Local, organic ingredients are prepared with love, in a fascinating historical environment. www.gubbhyllan.se City break 6 PHOTO: JEPPE WIKSTRÖM City of green and blue Stockholm’s Gems 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. Moderna Museet destination that can also be reached by boat from photographic art in the old customs house at Stadsgård One of the world’s foremost museums of modern art. central Stockholm. www.kungahuset.se Quay in Stockholm, with beautiful views of the water, The collection of international pop art is world re- city and parks. Today, everyone is convinced of the nowned. Marcel Duchamp and Picasso are well repre- 4. Stockholm Archipelago idea! Fotografiska has proved a monumental success, sented. Of course this is also the place for everyone Yes, Stockholm is fantastic. But many people would and has positioned itself as one of the world’s foremost with an interest in contemporary Swedish art. Located argue that the city's most magnificent attraction is the arenas for photography, with exhibitions by the biggest in central Stockholm, on the museum island of Skepps- unique expanse of islands surrounding it: the Stockholm international names and an ambitious programme. It’s holmen, which previously belonged to the Navy. The Archipelago, with more than 30,000 islands and islets. an attractive destination that also features a popular island is an idyllic destination for a walk, with several It offers an extraordinary wealth of natural experiences, restaurant with outdoor seating and a museum shop. interesting museums, restaurants and cafés. The adventures, destinations and sights, accessible more www.fotografiska.eu Moderna has a sister museum in Malmö. or less throughout the year. From central Stockholm www.modernamuseet.se you can access the entire archipelago on the classic 7. The Vasa Museum white steamboats. Much of the archipelago can also A museum without equal. The 69-metre long warship, 2. Skansen be reached by other means of public transport. Vasa, sank on her maiden voyage in Stockholm’s harbour, The world’s oldest and possibly most beautiful open-air www.visitstockholm.com in 1628. It was salvaged in 1961 and has, slowly and museum, with a collection of historical buildings from meticulously, been restored to near-original glory over various periods and many parts of the country. Located 5. Old Town and Royal Palace almost half a century. It is the world’s only preserved on Royal Djurgården island in the National City Park, Stockholm’s historical Old Town is Europe’s largest and 17th-century ship. As Sweden’s most visited museum, with fantastic views of the city. There’s also a zoo best preserved medieval city centre. It offers an enor- it is being extended to deal with the constantly growing with Swedish animals, a children’s zoo, traditional mous selection of sights, shopping, restaurants, cafés patronage. The Vasa Museum will open new sections crafts, restaurants, cafés, a market, traditional Christ- and pubs in the picturesque narrow streets and alleys. in 2013. www.vasamuseet.se mas celebrations, entertainment venues and many other The gateway to the Old Town is the Royal Palace, attractions. A must-see! northern Europe’s largest and most stately of its kind. 8. Artipelag www.skansen.se The palace alone has no less than five museums, a large Spectacular new art venue and destination on the island number of guided tours, and the changing of the guards. of Värmdö in the Stockholm Archipelago. Opened in 3. Drottningholm Not to be missed either is the adjacent island of Riddar- the spring of 2012. Located in beautiful scenery, with She isis built built on on 14 14 greenery-covered greenery-covered islands islands with with sparkling sparkling blue blue A common misconception is that Drottningholm Palace, holmen, a hidden treasure with a history going back to stunning sea views.