Åre Travel Guide - Free Web & App

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Åre
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Åre, Sweden, combines mountain scenery, skiing, hiking, Åreskutan and lake culture for year-round outdoor adventures and historic village life.

Mountain Landscape and Outdoor Life

Åre is one of Sweden’s best-known mountain destinations, centred on the lively village of Åre beside Lake Åresjön in Jämtland. Its defining landmark is Åreskutan, a rounded summit rising above the village and the extensive ski area. In winter, the slopes attract downhill skiers, snowboarders and families, while the surrounding mountains and forests provide opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking. During the warmer months, Åre changes character: hiking paths, mountain-bike trails and scenic roads lead into a landscape of birch woodland, open fell and broad views over the lake and distant ranges.
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Village Heritage and Regional Character

Åre is more than a ski resort. The village developed around the old route across the Scandinavian mountains and retains an important historic building in Åre gamla kyrka, a medieval stone church near the lake. The centre combines traditional timber architecture with hotels, restaurants, cafés, outdoor retailers and après-ski venues, giving the settlement a busier atmosphere than many mountain communities. Nearby Duved, Tegefjäll and Björnen provide additional accommodation and access points to the wider recreation area, while Fröå Gruva offers insight into the region’s former mining landscape.

Exploring Åre and Its Surroundings

The destination’s appeal lies in the easy contrast between an active village base and expansive natural surroundings. Visitors can follow marked routes around the Åreskutan area, explore the shore of Åresjön, seek out waterfalls and historic settlements farther along the Åre Valley, or travel west towards Tännforsen, one of Sweden’s major waterfalls. Seasonal conditions strongly influence the experience: snow governs winter access and activities, while summer and early autumn bring long days, greener trails and changing mountain light. Local food often reflects Jämtland’s farming, dairy, game and foraging traditions.

When is the best time to visit Åre?

Best: June–August · 19–20°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-324
February-220
March018
April515
May1213
June (best)1911
July (best)2011
August (best)1912
September1414
October717
November321
December-223

Getting to and around Åre

How to get there

Åre is unusually accessible for a mountain destination. The railway station in Åre village is served by long-distance and regional trains linking the area with Östersund, Sundsvall and Stockholm, with onward connections available elsewhere in Sweden. The E14 provides the principal road approach through Jämtland and continues west towards Duved and the Norwegian border. Åre Östersund Airport, outside the destination near Östersund, is the nearest commercial airport used by many visitors; onward travel is by train, bus, taxi or hire car. Seasonal services and transport arrangements can change, so check current timetables before travelling, particularly in winter.

Transportation

Åre village, the main ski areas and nearby settlements are connected by roads and local public transport, but the wider destination is spread along the Åre Valley. A car is useful for reaching places such as Fröå Gruva, remote trailheads and attractions farther from the village, although winter driving requires appropriate preparation. Walking and cycling work well around the village and on established recreational routes, while lifts may provide access to higher mountain terrain when operating. Duved, Tegefjäll and Björnen should be treated as separate bases rather than assuming every site is within easy walking distance of central Åre.

Best attractions in Åre

Åre’s principal attraction is Åreskutan, whose slopes and upper mountain terrain support skiing in winter and hiking, cycling and sightseeing in warmer months. The village itself provides access to Lake Åresjön, the historic Åre gamla kyrka and a dense concentration of cafés, restaurants and outdoor services. East of the centre, Björnen is a major recreation area with forest and mountain routes, while Tegefjäll and Duved extend the ski and outdoor landscape westwards along the valley. Fröå Gruva combines historic mining remains with a distinctive mountain-settlement environment, and the old copper-mining landscape is particularly rewarding for visitors interested in local history. Beyond the immediate resort, the Åre Valley leads towards waterfalls, forests and smaller communities, including Tännforsen farther west in the wider Åre area. The destination’s attractions are seasonal: snow shapes winter access, while summer reveals hiking paths, mountain-bike terrain, lakeshore scenery and long northern evenings.

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Best landmarks in Åre

Åreskutan is Åre’s defining natural landmark, rising above the village as a broad mountain mass whose summit and slopes shape the region’s identity. Lake Åresjön forms the valley’s central water landscape, reflecting the mountains and linking the settlements along its shore. Åre gamla kyrka is the most important historic building in the village, a medieval stone church that recalls the settlement’s role on the old route across the Scandinavian Mountains. Fröå Gruva is a significant cultural landscape rather than a single monument, preserving evidence of copper mining, working settlement and historic use of the surrounding forest and mountain environment. Farther west, Tännforsen is a major waterfall in the wider Åre area, while the villages, timber buildings and transport corridor of the Åre Valley express the destination’s continuing relationship with mountain travel, farming and tourism.

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Åre essentials

Currency and Payment
Sweden uses the Swedish krona, or krona (SEK). Cards and contactless payments are widely used in Åre’s hotels, restaurants, shops and transport services, and Sweden is highly accustomed to digital payment. Nevertheless, visitors should retain a practical alternative payment method and check arrangements before travelling into more remote areas, where services may be limited or connectivity may vary. Cash is less prominent than in many countries, but a small amount can still be useful for informal purchases or unexpected situations. Bank and cash-machine facilities are concentrated in the larger settlements, especially Åre village.
Safety
Mountain weather can change rapidly around Åreskutan, with wind, low visibility, ice and heavy snowfall affecting conditions even when the village is comfortable. Use marked routes appropriate to the season, check weather and operating information, and carry suitable clothing, navigation tools and charged communication equipment for longer outings. Winter visitors should follow current piste and avalanche guidance and avoid closed areas. Summer paths may be wet, rocky or exposed, while streams and waterfall areas require care. In forests and open mountain country, respect wildlife, grazing animals and local access guidance rather than approaching animals or leaving established routes unnecessarily.
Emergency Situations
In Sweden, dial 112 for police, fire and ambulance services. Give the operator a precise description of your location, including a named trail, lift, road, accommodation address, map reference or visible landmark, and explain whether the incident is in the village, forest or mountains. In remote terrain, weather and access may affect response times, so do not move an injured person unless remaining in place creates greater danger. For non-urgent medical advice, Sweden’s healthcare advice service can be reached on 1177, although visitors should use 112 for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
Do's and Don'ts
Stay on marked routes or pistes where conditions, conservation rules or land management require it, and leave no litter in the mountain landscape. Close gates, avoid disturbing grazing animals and respect private property, cabins and working farms. Keep dogs under control and never approach reindeer, moose or other wildlife. Follow local instructions around lifts, waterways, waterfalls and winter terrain, and do not enter closed ski runs or restricted areas. In the village, respect residents and other guests, particularly late at night. Sweden has no general obligation to tip, but rounding up or rewarding good service is accepted.
Local Tips
Åre village is the most convenient base for first-time visitors, while Duved offers a quieter settlement context and access to the western part of the valley. Björnen and Tegefjäll are closely associated with outdoor recreation but are not interchangeable with the village centre. Plan excursions geographically because attractions and trailheads are dispersed, and confirm whether seasonal lifts or public transport serve the intended starting point. The shoulder seasons can offer calmer conditions, but some facilities and routes operate seasonally. For cultural context, combine time on the mountain with Åre gamla kyrka, Fröå Gruva or a visit to a local food producer.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHej[hey]
GoodbyeAdjö[ad-yoo]
YesJa[yah]
NoNej[nay]
Please/You're welcomeTack[tahck]
Thank youTack[tahck]
Excuse me/SorryUrsäkta mig[oor-sak-ta me]
How are you?Hur mår du?[hur mor doo]
Fine. And you?Bra. Och du?[bra oh-sh doo]
Do you speak English?Talar du engelska?[tah-lar doo eng-els-ka]
I don't understandJag förstår inte[yag fur-stor in-te]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJag skulle vilja se menyn, tack[yag skool-le vil-ya se me-nun, tahck]
I don't eat meatJag äter inte kött[yag a-ter in-te shut]
Cheers!Skål![skol]
I would like to pay, pleaseJag skulle vilja betala, tack[yag skool-le vil-ya be-ta-la, tahck]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjälp![yelp]
Go away!Gå därifrån![go der-if-ron]
Call the Police!Ring polisen![ring po-lee-sen]
Call a doctor!Ring en läkare![ring en le-ka-re]
I'm lostJag är vilse[yag air vil-se]
I'm illJag är sjuk[yag air shoo-k]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Jag skulle vilja köpa...[yag skool-le vil-ya shoo-pa]
I'm just lookingJag tittar bara[yag tee-tar ba-ra]
How much is it?Hur mycket kostar det?[hur my-ke ko-star det]
That's too expensiveDet är för dyrt[det air fur deert]
Can you lower the price?Kan du sänka priset?[kan doo sain-ka pree-set]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Vad är klockan?[vad air klok-an]
It's one o'clockDen är ett[den air ett]
Half past (10)Halv tio[halv tee-oh]
MorningMorgon[mor-gon]
AfternoonEftermiddag[ef-ter-mid-dag]
EveningKväll[kvel]
YesterdayIgår[ee-gor]
TodayIdag[ee-dag]
TomorrowImorgon[ee-mor-gon]
1En[en]
2Två[tvo]
3Tre[tre]
4Fyra[fy-ra]
5Fem[fem]
6Sex[sex]
7Sju[shoo]
8Åtta[at-ta]
9Nio[nee-oh]
10Tio[tee-oh]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Var är en/the...?[var air en/the]
What's the address?Vad är adressen?[vad air ad-dres-sen]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kan du visa mig (på kartan)?[kan doo vee-sa me (po kar-tan)]
When's the next (bus)?När går nästa (buss)?[nair gor nes-ta (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)En biljett (till ....)[en bil-yet (til)]

History of Åre

Mountain Formation and the Åre Valley

Åre’s physical setting was shaped by long geological processes and later by the movement of ice during the last glacial period. Glacial erosion helped form the broad Åre Valley and Lake Åresjön, while the mountain mass of Åreskutan became the dominant feature above the settlement. The valley’s position between central Sweden and Norway made it a natural corridor across the Scandinavian Mountains. Its climate, snow conditions and upland pastures subsequently influenced settlement, transport and seasonal work, creating the landscape of forest, farming clearings, lakeshore and open mountain terrain that characterises the area today.

An Ancient Route Across the Mountains

Long before modern tourism, people travelled through Åre along the westward route between the Swedish interior and Norway. The settlement grew in importance partly because travellers needed food, shelter and assistance while crossing the mountains. Åre gamla kyrka, a medieval stone church close to Lake Åresjön, is the clearest surviving reminder of the area’s medieval religious and travelling past. The church and the route through the valley connected the local population to wider ecclesiastical, commercial and political networks, while farming and seasonal use of the surrounding land remained central to everyday life.

Farming, Mining and Mountain Communities

For centuries, communities around Åre depended on small-scale agriculture, livestock husbandry, forestry and the resources of the mountains. Mining added another layer to the local economy, particularly around Fröå, where the historic Fröå Gruva records an era of copper extraction and associated settlement. The mine’s surviving landscape illustrates how water, woodland and local transport routes were used to support industry in a remote upland setting. Nearby villages such as Duved also developed their own identities within the valley, retaining links to farming, forestry and movement through the mountain passes.

Railway Access and the Birth of Tourism

The arrival of the railway through Jämtland in the late nineteenth century transformed Åre’s relationship with the outside world. Easier access encouraged visitors from other parts of Sweden to seek mountain air, scenery and winter conditions, and hotels and other visitor services began to develop around the village. Åre gradually evolved from a route-side mountain settlement into a recognised tourist destination. Skiing later became the area’s defining commercial activity, while the railway continued to make the village unusually accessible for a mountain resort.

From Ski Resort to Four-Season Destination

During the twentieth century, investment in lifts, slopes, accommodation and visitor services established Åre as one of Sweden’s leading alpine centres. The destination’s profile broadened as hiking, mountain biking, events, food tourism and other warm-season activities gained importance alongside winter sports. Modern Åre therefore combines a developed resort economy with older village and valley landscapes. Conservation, responsible access and management of mountain and forest environments remain important as greater visitor numbers meet fragile vegetation, changing weather and the continuing needs of local communities.

Åre in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Åre, Sweden

Discover Åre with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Plan and book your perfect trip effortlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
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Explore Åre, Sweden like never before with Evendo. Get detailed information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more. Plan, book, and enjoy your trip with ease.

  • History of Åre and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips to experience Åre like a local
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • 'Near me' feature to find attractions and amenities nearby
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Welcome to Åre, Sweden, a paradise for adventurers and travelers alike. Make the most of your trip with Evendo, the ultimate free travel guide app. Whether you are seeking thrill on the slopes, exploring historical landmarks, or indulging in local cuisine, Evendo has got you covered.

Start your journey by discovering Åre's famous attractions such as the Åre Ski Resort, a haven for winter sports enthusiasts, and the Tännforsen Waterfall, one of Sweden's largest and most stunning waterfalls. Dive into the rich history of Åre Old Church, a 12th-century gem that offers a glimpse into the past.

When it comes to dining, Åre boasts a variety of restaurants that cater to all tastes. Enjoy a meal at the renowned Fäviken Magasinet, known for its unique Nordic cuisine, or savor local delicacies at Villa Tottebo, a charming restaurant housed in a historic building.

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With rich descriptions, images, local tips, and maps, Evendo ensures you won't miss a thing. Explore Åre like a local, find hidden gems, and get the most out of your visit with our curated local tips and 'Near me' feature, which shows you attractions and amenities around your current location.

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