Best Attractions in Östersund
Planning a trip to Östersund? Discover the best attractions in Östersund with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best attractions in Östersund
Östersund offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty for visitors to explore. From the charming streets of the city center lined with traditional buildings and quaint cafes, to the stunning views of Lake Storsjön and the surrounding mountains, there is something for everyone to enjoy. History buffs will appreciate the chance to visit the Jamtli open-air museum and learn about the region's rich past, while outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the numerous hiking and skiing opportunities in the area. Don't miss the chance to try local delicacies like reindeer meat or visit the vibrant market square for a taste of authentic Swedish culture.
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
38 attractions
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Local history museum4.4★2,280 reviews
Jamtli
Jamtli in Östersund is a captivating cultural hub blending three museums into one: the regional history museum with Viking artifacts like the ancient Överhogdal tapestries, Nationalmuseum Jamtli showcasing art and design masterpieces, and the expansive open-air Historieland where costumed interpreters bring 18th- to 20th-century life alive during summer. Explore interactive exhibits, stroll historic buildings, enjoy café fare, and browse unique gifts in this family-friendly destination that immerses visitors in Jämtland's rich heritage.
Price level $Time to spend 1.5–4 hrs
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Park4.3★1,840 reviews
Badhusparken
Badhusparken is Östersund's vibrant waterfront park along Lake Storsjön, offering lush green spaces, playgrounds, and scenic paths ideal for relaxation, picnics, and family outings. In summer, it buzzes with sunbathers and swimmers; in winter, it transforms into Sweden's largest ice-skating rink with a dedicated ice swimming hole and nearby mobile saunas.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.3★690 reviews
Multi Challenge
Multi Challenge is a large indoor leisure complex in Östersund that groups dozens of activities under one roof — Boda Borg quest rooms, indoor go‑karting, bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, pool and shuffleboard, a soft play area and on‑site dining and basic accommodation. It’s aimed at families, groups and corporate teams looking for varied, weatherproof fun in a single venue.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Shopping mall3.9★734 reviews
Kärnan Östersund
Kärnan (Kärnan Galleria) is a compact, three‑floor shopping mall tucked into Östersund’s city centre at Kyrkgatan 64, blending familiar Nordic brands and local boutiques with cafés and daily services. Built in the 1960s and refurbished over time, the mall offers roughly 18 shops across connected indoor streets, easy vertical circulation with escalators and a lift, and a sheltered place to shop and meet year‑round in Jämtland’s changeable weather.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Domestic airport4.1★253 reviews
Åre Östersund Airport
Åre Östersund Airport (OSD), on the island of Frösön, is Jämtland’s regional air gateway serving Östersund, Åre and surrounding mountain resorts. Opened for civil traffic in 1958, the compact terminal handles domestic scheduled services, seasonal international charters and a steady flow of winter-sports traffic; facilities emphasise practical travel needs—check-in, car hire, taxis and shuttle services—rather than leisure amenities.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.3★176 reviews
Boda Borg
Boda Borg Östersund is a hands-on ‘questing’ centre inside the Multi Challenge entertainment complex in Östersund, Sweden, where teams of 3–5 tackle themed rooms called Quests—physical puzzles, coordination tests and brainteasers presented as immersive, time-pressured challenges. The site has about 20 Quest rooms, flexible session lengths, and is popular for groups, families and corporate team-building in a lively indoor setting.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–5 hrs
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Park4.0★161 reviews
Österängsparken
Österängsparken is a leafy urban park in the Söder district of Östersund that forms part of the city’s historic green belt; it offers winding paths, sculptural elements, lawns for picnics and panoramic windows toward the lake and distant mountains. Close to the cathedral and the railway hub, the park is a quiet urban oasis used for informal recreation, seasonal displays of flowers and local outdoor gatherings.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–2 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.3★135 reviews
Frösö Runestone
The Frösö Runestone is a solitary Viking-Age monument on Frösön island near Östersund, dating to c.1030–1050 AD; its rune text records the building of a bridge and the Christianisation of Jämtland, and it is regarded as the northernmost raised runestone in Scandinavia, set today on a lawn by the county seat where its carved serpent and runic band remain visible to visitors.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
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Park4.3★108 reviews
Lövbergaparken
Lövbergaparken is a neighbourhood green space and family-friendly park in northeastern Östersund centred on Konditorivägen. A mix of playground equipment, grassy slopes, picnic and a small grill area gives the park a relaxed local character; seasonal birches and maples provide shade in summer and a pale skeleton of branches in winter. The site is municipal, largely accessible and used for quiet relaxation, play and short outdoor gatherings.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–2 hrs
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National park3.9★114 reviews
Blue gates
Nestled on the outskirts of Östersund in central Sweden, Blue Gates National Park offers a serene escape into pristine wilderness. Known for its hiking trails, lush forests, and tranquil landscapes, this haven invites nature enthusiasts to explore diverse ecosystems, spot wildlife, and immerse in the raw beauty of Jamtland's outdoors. Ideal for day hikes or peaceful retreats amid Sweden's natural splendor.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–4 hrs
Furuparken
Furuparken is a historic dance palace and versatile venue in Östersund, Sweden, set amid scenic countryside overlooking Lake Storsjön. This anrika danspalats offers spacious halls for events, dancing, and gatherings, complemented by a nearby campsite with pitches enjoying panoramic views. Just 6 km from the city, it blends cultural heritage with outdoor recreation, ideal for locals and visitors seeking authentic Jämtland experiences in a relaxed, natural setting.
Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Spikbodarna Parkering
Spikbodarna Parkering serves as the primary gateway to Östersund's premier outdoor recreation area, offering a spacious gravel lot at Spikbodarna 113. This free parking hub provides easy access to an extensive network of groomed cross-country ski trails, running paths, and walking routes through scenic forests and open landscapes, ideal for active visitors exploring Jämtland's natural beauty.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Tysjöarna norra
Tysjöarna Norra is the northern section of the Tysjöarna nature reserve just west of Östersund, a tranquil wetlands complex of shallow lakes, reedbeds and spring-fed marshes known for rich birdlife, boardwalks, viewpoints and low, open bleke landscape that changes dramatically with the seasons. The reserve offers accessible hides, marked trails and a quiet, restorative nature escape for birdwatchers, photographers and anyone seeking wide skies and wetland panoramas.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–4 hrs
Frösö Skidlek
Frösö Skidlek is a family-friendly beginner ski area on Frösön, set beside the Lövsta cross-country tracks and designed for children and novice skiers to practise turns, balance and basic technique in a sheltered, gently sloping terrain. The site combines short runs, a learning hill, lighting for evening practice and nearby picnic and grilling spots, making it a relaxed introduction to winter sport close to Östersund.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Mjälleborgen
Mjälleborgen is an ancient hillfort on Öneberget on Frösön, one of Sweden’s northernmost fornborgar; built in the Roman Iron Age (c. 300–400s AD), it survives as a long terraced earth-and-stone rampart and traces of timber structures and longhouses, a testimony to organised regional power tied to iron production and trade in the Storsjöbygden.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1.5 hrs
Torvalla Forest Reserve
Torvalla Virgin Forest Nature Reserve safeguards a pristine 4-hectare old-growth forest near Östersund, dominated by spruce and Scots pine amid rich fens teeming with rare fungi, orchids, and woodpeckers. Established in 1971, this compact haven offers serene trails through ancient trees laden with woody debris, glades of birch and aspen, and wetland blooms, perfect for quiet hikes immersing visitors in untouched Swedish wilderness.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Tysjöarna
Tysjöarna is a low, calcareous wetland and lake complex just outside Östersund, Sweden, known for expansive marl fields, tufa-forming springs and rich birdlife. Two lime lakes linked by a signposted 7 km trail weave through calcareous fens, wet woodland and open marsh; boardwalks and three bird towers give good views without disturbing habitat. The reserve hosts orchids and waders in spring and is protected under strict nature-reserve regulations.
Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Frösö cave
Nestled on Frösön Island in Sweden's Jämtland region, Frösö Cave is a captivating natural formation accessible year-round. This geological marvel invites explorers to venture into its cool, shadowy depths amid the serene landscapes of Lake Storsjön. Surrounded by forests and trails, it offers a quiet retreat into ancient rock, evoking the wild spirit of northern Scandinavia. Free entry makes it an effortless highlight for hikers and nature enthusiasts passing through Östersund.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Jamtli Brygga
Jamtli Brygga is the waterside gateway to Jamtli’s cultural complex in Östersund, a tranquil park setting beside Lake Storsjön that links the museum’s open-air historical environments with the indoor galleries and café. Framed by birch and pine and offering sweeping lake views, the brygga (pier) is a relaxed spot for photography, seasonal events and watching local life unfold on the water.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
Rann Ridge Nature Reserve
Nestled on the outskirts of Östersund in Sweden's Jämtland region, Rann Ridge Nature Reserve spans rolling ridges, diverse forests, and open moorlands, offering hikers panoramic views, rich wildlife, and serene trails through a protected landscape of exceptional natural beauty. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking tranquility amid Sweden's subarctic wilderness.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–3.5 hrs
LUX Art & Culture
Nestled in the inner courtyard of Norra Station in central Östersund, LUX Art & Culture serves as a dynamic gallery and meeting place run by Jämtlands Läns Konstförening. This raw, industrial space showcases contemporary art, photography, film, crafts, and design from both established and emerging talents, offering free admission and unexpected cultural encounters in a vibrant urban setting.
Tue–Sat 11:00–17:00Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Fillstabäckens Naturreservat
Nestled on Frösön island near Östersund, Fillstabäckens Naturreservat protects Sweden's largest and most impressive kalktuff formation, a unique limestone dome built over millennia by mineral-rich spring water. This 15-hectare Natura 2000 site features lush rich fens teeming with rare orchids, ancient forest, and a serene stream with pale, chalky bed. A short 3km trail reveals the dome's 30m-long, 25m-wide structure amid diverse flora like majviva and flugblomster. Established in 1982, it preserves geological wonders and biodiversity with strict no-fire, no-camping rules. Ideal for quiet nature walks showcasing Jämtland's hidden gems.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Karring backen
Perched on Frösön island overlooking Östersund and Storsjön lake, Gustavsbergsbacken is a cherished ski slope established in 1937. Featuring a T-bar lift, thrilling downhill runs, and panoramic city views, it serves skiers, snowboarders, and families during snowy winters. Summer brings downhill mountain biking on six trails from blue to black difficulty. Affordable lift passes and nearby facilities like a café and restrooms enhance the accessible alpine experience just minutes from town.
Price level $Time to spend 1.5–4 hrs
Odenparken
Odenparken is a green, layered public park in Östersund that sits along Stuguvägen and borders the campus area and Odenslund neighbourhood. Laid out in phases from the late 1920s, it combines wide lawns, birch-lined promenades and planted beds with a pergola, benches and a peaceful meadow-like atmosphere that makes it a local green link between residential areas and the university campus.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Önekullens Utsiktsplats
A compact, windswept viewpoint on Frösön offering wide panoramas across Storsjön, Östersund and the Jämtland fells; a low-key nature stop with simple paths, benches and open sky that rewards a short visit with memorable vistas and quiet moments in northern Sweden.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Kyrkparken
Kyrkparken is the compact city park that wraps the Old Church in central Östersund, a quiet green pocket of mature trees, lawn and paths tucked between historic buildings along Kyrkgatan. Noted for its tree signage and proximity to Gamla kyrkan, the park offers a calm place for reflection, informal picnics and short urban nature walks year-round in a distinctly northern Swedish setting.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Talldungen
Talldungen is a small gastro‑hotel and restaurant set amid the grassy slopes of Brösarp on Sweden’s Österlen, known for rustic, ingredient‑led cooking, an on‑site microbakery and intimate rooms. Housed in a converted country property, it combines simple, vintage‑tinged interiors with views over the surrounding backar (hills), making it a relaxed base for food lovers and walkers exploring the nearby meadows and coastal paths.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–24 hrs
Tullparken
Tullparken, nestled in central Östersund, offers a serene green oasis amid the city's bustle. Originally developed as Tullhusparken near the train station, this historic park provides tranquil paths for strolls, picnic spots under shady trees, and a peaceful retreat to enjoy Sweden's crisp northern air and seasonal beauty. Ideal for unwinding with nature's calm in Jämtland's heart.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Snötippen
Snötippen is Östersund’s municipal snow dump — a large, practical mound of compacted winter that accumulates through the season when city ploughs and residents’ snow are hauled away. Raw and utilitarian rather than scenic, it’s a surprising part of northern winter infrastructure: high ridges of packed snow, occasional meltwater channels, and a working landscape that tells the story of a snowbound town’s logistics and seasonal rhythms.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Tallbacksparken
Tallbacksparken is a neighborhood green space in Östersund offering playgrounds, grassy slopes and a sheltered feel amid residential streets. Favoured by families for its climbing structures and a sunken trampoline area, the park blends informal play zones with shady trees and benches—an easy, no-fuss spot for short visits, picnics and letting children burn off energy close to home.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
Badbrygga Södra Minnesgärde
A sheltered lakeside bathing spot on the southern edge of Minnesgärde in Östersund, Badbrygga Södra Minnesgärde features a long bathing pier, shallow gravel and stone shoreline, grassy picnic areas and accessibility features for people with reduced mobility. Popular for calm swims, summer sunbathing and informal beach volleyball nearby, it’s a low-key local spot on the shores of Storsjön.
Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Outdoor hubben
Outdoor hubben at Sjötorget in Östersund is a waterfront outdoor-activity hub and meeting point that brings together gear displays, seasonal activity programming and community events beside the Storsjön shoreline. It acts as a compact urban gateway to local summer and winter pursuits, with striking views across the water and easy access to nearby green spaces and trails.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Kärleksstigen Norra delen
Kärleksstigen Norra Delen is a scenic hiking trail in Östersund, Sweden, offering peaceful walks through natural beauty near Lake Storsjön. Ideal for nature lovers seeking fresh air, birdwatching, and serene forest paths amid Jämtland's crisp landscapes. This northern section provides gentle terrain for relaxed exploration in a city rich with outdoor trails.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Smithensgård
Smithens gård is a small, historic inner courtyard garden tucked behind Biblioteksgatan 9 in central Östersund. Framed by timber buildings and narrow alleys, the courtyard feels like a sheltered pocket of greenery and local history—used for seasonal events, intimate outdoor seating and as a meeting point during town festivities. Its compact scale and traditional details make it a quietly atmospheric spot in the city centre.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Little Square
Tucked away on Prästgatan in Östersund's historic core, Little Square enchants with its intimate charm. Surrounded by colorful 19th-century wooden facades, cozy cafés, and boutique shops, this hidden plaza pulses with local life. Stroll cobblestone paths, savor fresh-baked pastries from nearby konditoris, and soak in the lively yet relaxed vibe of Jämtland's cultural heart. Seasonal markets and street performances add whimsy, making it a perfect spot for authentic Swedish urban discovery.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Sveriges Julgran
Sveriges Julgran is the monumental Christmas tree that each December takes centre stage on Stortorget in Östersund, a seasonal civic installation dressed in lights and often local design elements that symbolise the start of the town’s holiday season and public festivities.
Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Mjällestigen
Mjällestigen is a short, gently undulating walking trail on Frösön near Östersund that loops across roads and easy forest paths, including a steeper stretch over Öneberget where a small ancient hillfort (fornborg) sits. At roughly 2.5 km the route suits casual walkers, photographers and families seeking close-in nature, seasonal birdsong and open views toward the surrounding lake and woodlands.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Stortorget
Stortorget is Östersund’s historic central town square — a compact, enclosed plaza framed by 19th-century facades, civic buildings and cafés that has served as the city’s market heart since the late 18th century. The square hosts seasonal markets and festivals, offers easy people-watching from bench and terrace, and gives clear views toward surrounding streets and the nearby waterfront that shaped the town’s growth.
Time to spend 0.2–2 hrs
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Östersund blends Jämtland history, Storsjön scenery, Sami culture, museums and winter adventure with welcoming cafés, trails and northern Swedish character.
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