Best Attractions in Västernorrland
Planning a trip to Västernorrland? Discover the best attractions in Västernorrland with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best attractions in Västernorrland
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
43 attractions
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Shopping mall4.2★6,934 reviews
Birsta City
Birsta City is northern Sweden’s largest retail complex just outside Sundsvall, a spacious, modern shopping hub anchored by IKEA and roughly 100 shops, cafés and service outlets spread across multiple interconnected buildings and outdoor retail areas. It blends major chains with local stores, family-friendly dining and seasonal events, making it a practical all-weather destination for shopping, errands or a casual day out.
Mon–Fri 10:00–20:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Hotel4.2★3,529 reviews
Hotell Södra Berget
Perched on the wooded ridge south of Sundsvall, Hotell Södra Berget is a family-oriented spa resort and conference hotel with expansive views over the town and Bothnian Sea, a large spa complex, multiple restaurants and activities (bowling, play arcades) on-site. Rooms range from renovated doubles to family suites; the property is noted for generous breakfasts, roomy public areas and year-round wellness and winter-sports access.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–48 hrs
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Open air museum4.5★1,818 reviews
Norra Berget friluftsmuseum
Norra Berget is Sundsvall’s leafy open-air museum and hilltop nature reserve, where relocated historic buildings, grazing heritage animals, cafés and winding trails sit beneath broad views over the town and sea. The site blends cultural heritage, family-friendly activities and year‑round outdoor recreation across wooded slopes and picnic clearings, offering everything from craft shops and seasonal exhibitions to quiet viewpoints and marked paths.
Open 24 hoursPrice level $Time to spend 1–4 hrs
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Museum4.7★1,384 reviews
Car Museum Härnösand + AWL
Sveriges största bilmuseum med cirka 300 fordon från 1899 till 1990, uppdelade i temahallar som visar allt från vardagsbilar och folkvagnar till lyxiga utställningsfavoriter med krom och elegans. Upplev en tidsresa genom bilhistorien i en imponerande samling som inkluderar svenska klassiker som Volvo och Saab, amerikanska bilar från 1950-60-talet samt en rekonstruerad Mobil-mack. Perfekt för entusiaster, familjer och regniga dagar, med kafé och närliggande ställplatser.
Daily 11:00–17:00Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Swimming facility4.3★1,618 reviews
Himlabadet Sundsvall
Himlabadet is Sundsvall's premier aquatic center, blending thrilling adventure pools with serene relaxation zones. Featuring high-speed waterslides, a surf stream simulator, 25-meter lap pools, and a luxurious spa area with saunas and Aufguss experiences, it caters to families, fitness enthusiasts, and those seeking unwind time. On-site café serves lunches and light fare amid a riverside setting.
Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Sat–Sun 9:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 1.5–3.5 hrs
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Nature preserve4.7★1,289 reviews
Rotsidan
Rotsidan is a four-kilometre stretch of low-lying, gently rounded diabase bedrock on the Nordingrå coast in Sweden’s High Coast world‑heritage area. The reserve features broad, sun-warmed rock slabs, wind‑sculpted coastal pines, sparse flora in rock crevices, a handful of maintained campfire sites and basic visitor facilities — an austere, tactile shoreline that reads equally well in calm summer light and in storm-driven winter weather.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–4 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.1★1,267 reviews
Mannaminne
Nestled in the serene High Coast of Nordingrå, Mannaminne is a captivating open-air museum and art gallery blending history, culture, and whimsy. Wander through quirky buildings filled with folk art, sculptures, and artifacts that tell tales of rural Swedish life, created by visionary artist Boris Persson. This unique site offers a peaceful escape amid stunning natural surroundings, open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Daily 10:00–17:00Price level $Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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Store4.4★774 reviews
The farm shop in Nordingrå
A family-run farm shop, café and seasonal restaurant set in the Höga Kusten (High Coast) landscape at Själand, Gårdsbutiken blends a well-stocked deli, garden greenhouse and simple rustic dining. You’ll find house-made preserves, local delicacies, plants and ceramics amid a relaxed courtyard atmosphere with outdoor seating and views toward the surrounding open farmlands.
Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Museum4.2★801 reviews
Murberget County Museum
Västernorrlands Museum at Murberget in Härnösand offers a captivating journey through 10,000 years of regional history. The modern main building houses permanent and temporary exhibitions on culture, art, and archaeology, while the expansive open-air museum features historic houses from the 19th and 20th centuries, including schools, workshops, shops, and a town hall. Free entry, on-site café serving lunch and fika, museum shop, and pleasant walking paths make it ideal for families and history enthusiasts. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.
Daily 10:00–16:00Time to spend 1.5–3 hrs
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Tourist attraction4.7★315 reviews
Hemsö Fortress
Perched on the rugged island of Hemsö in Sweden's High Coast, Hemsö Fortress stands as a haunting Cold War relic turned captivating tourist site. This once-secretive coastal defense complex features underground tunnels, massive gun batteries, and a war museum that immerses visitors in Sweden's military past. Explore dimly lit passages, admire panoramic Baltic Sea views, and dine at the on-site restaurant amid whispers of espionage and strategy. Open daily, it's a unique blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty just outside Älandsbro.
Daily 11:00–16:00Price level $Time to spend 1.5–3 hrs
Old Oak
Old Oak is a warm, moderate‑priced pub and restaurant housed on Storgatan in central Sollefteå, known for a wide beer selection, hearty seasonal dishes and a relaxed wooden‑interior atmosphere. It opens late on weekends, hosts events and draws locals and visitors seeking a welcoming bar with comfortable seating and a classic pub menu in the town centre.
Tue–Thu 16:00–23:00 · Fri–Sat 16:00–2:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
1923 Tunnbröd & Deli
A family-run bakery, deli and restaurant set in the High Coast village of Ullånger, 1923 Tunnbröd & Deli is the shop and eating-room for Mjälloms — Sweden’s long-running flatbread bakery. Expect freshly baked tunnbröd, a wide deli counter of local cheeses and charcuterie, flatbread sandwiches and a small restaurant menu served in an airy, accessible space open daily from early morning into the evening.
Daily 6:00–21:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Sundsvall Chocolate House
Sundsvall Chocolate House is a cozy specialty café and chocolatier on Nybrogatan, known for handmade bonbons, rich hot chocolate and a compact lunch menu set in warm timber-and-glass surroundings. It’s a relaxed fika stop popular with locals for morning pastries, plated desserts and a selection of packaged chocolates to take away. Opening hours are mid-morning to late afternoon and the atmosphere blends café comfort with artisanal detail.
Mon–Fri 11:00–17:00 · Sat 11:00–15:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.2–1.5 hrs
Sundsvalls museum
Housed in the striking Kulturmagasinet building, Sundsvalls Museum offers free entry to engaging exhibits on local history, natural world exhibits featuring animals, and rotating art displays. This compact cultural hub in central Sundsvall blends heritage preservation with family-friendly exploration, set within a multifunctional space that includes a library, café, and theater. Permanent collections trace the city's industrial past and prehistoric roots, while temporary shows highlight contemporary creativity. Ideal for a relaxed indoor visit lasting 1-2 hours, it provides an accessible introduction to Västernorrland's cultural legacy amid a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 11:00–16:00Time to spend 1–2.5 hrs
Sundsvalls Slalombacke AB ,Södra berget
Sundsvalls Slalombacke sits on the slopes of Södra berget just above the city, a compact, year-round activity hub built around a ski slope and lift operations. In winter it offers groomed runs, floodlit evening sessions and lift-served descents; in summer the terrain becomes a green training and event area with trails and family-friendly facilities. The site combines approachable slopes for learners with steeper pitches for more confident skiers and snowboarders.
Daily 10:00–16:00Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–4 hrs
Högbonden Fyr & Vandrarhem
Perched on a wind-battered promontory in the High Coast archipelago, Högbonden Fyr & Vandrarhem is a historic lighthouse complex turned hostel and café offering dramatic sea views, simple coastal lodging, a small museum and walking paths around a rocky island. The site blends maritime history, raw Atlantic scenery and local food — a compact, characterful stop for hikers, photographers and anyone seeking a restful, elemental coastal experience.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–24 hrs
Stornäset
Stornäset is a coastal nature reserve on the northeastern tip of Alnön near Sundsvall, known for its broad strandängar (coastal meadows), shallow sandy beaches and reed-fringed inlets that attract large numbers of migrating and breeding birds. The reserve combines accessible boardwalks and viewpoints with open grazing meadows, sandspits and alder swamp, creating varied habitats for plants, waders and ducks and offering calm nature experiences year-round.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–4 hrs
Glassbaronen
A cosy, family-run ice-cream parlour and sandwich counter in Ullånger, Glassbaronen specialises in rich, scoopable creams and simple lunchtime sandwiches, set on Sundbrogatan near the village centre. Open in summer and weekday afternoons, it’s a local favourite for seasonal flavours, casual seating and a friendly, small‑town atmosphere that suits families, day-trippers and anyone chasing a classic Swedish glasspaus.
Tue–Thu 10:00–17:00 · Fri 10:00–16:00Price level $Time to spend 0.2–1 hr
Källarbackens Saga
Källarbackens Saga is a family-focused fairytale attraction and small playpark in Sidensjö, northern Sweden, where woodland story scenes, a cosy café and a compact playground bring classic children’s tales to life. The site blends hand-crafted sets, animals and seasonal events to create an outdoorsy, story-led experience suitable for young families and day-trippers seeking a gentle, nature-centred diversion in the High Coast region.
Price level $Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Varvsbergets Hoppbackar Utsikt
A windswept hilltop viewpoint above Örnsköldsvik offering sweeping panoramas over the town, harbour and High Coast coastline; the site sits beside historic ski jumping ramps and a cluster of recreational trails, with picnic spots, a restaurant pavilion and mountain-biking runs nearby. It’s prized for sunrise and evening light, local downhill cycling and the dramatic contrast between forested slopes and the archipelago beyond.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Kulturmagasinet
Kulturmagasinet in central Sundsvall is a vibrant cultural hub housed in historic warehouses rebuilt after the 1888 great fire. This multi-purpose center combines Sundsvall Museum, a public library, theater spaces, and a cozy café, offering exhibitions on local history, live performances, workshops, and family-friendly events throughout the year. Explore rotating displays, browse extensive book collections, or catch a concert in an atmosphere blending heritage with contemporary creativity. Fully accessible with elevators and wheelchair-friendly areas, it's a welcoming spot for all ages to immerse in Sundsvall's cultural scene.
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 11:00–16:00Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Vängåvan
Vängåvan is a serene urban park in Sundsvall's Stone City, centered around a magnificent fountain completed in 1886. Surrounded by lush lawns, vibrant flowerbeds, and tree-lined paths, it offers a peaceful retreat for picnics, strolls, and relaxation amid historic brick architecture. Open 24 hours, it's ideal for summer sunbathing and fountain gazing.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Västanåfallets naturreservat
Västanåfallet, one of Sweden's highest waterfalls at over 90 meters, cascades dramatically through Mjällådalen valley in a protected nature reserve blending thundering waters, rich biodiversity, and remnants of 18th-19th century ironworks. Explore steep trails to viewpoints, a nature-culture center in a historic lodge with exhibits on forest Finns and geology, birdlife like dippers and wagtails, plus picnic spots amid lush forests and geological wonders. Free entry, ideal for hikes and nature immersion near Härnösand.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–3 hrs
Sidsjön
Sidsjön is a tranquil freshwater lake and surrounding nature reserve on the southern edge of Sundsvall, Sweden, where forested trails, picnic clearings and year‑round outdoor activity meet quiet waters. The loop trail around the lake, patches of sandy shore, and small sheltered bays make it a local hub for walking, running, biking, fishing and winter skiing – a compact, accessible slice of northern Sweden close to the city.
Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Bureplatsen
Bureplatsen is a sculpted urban park on Norra Stadsberget in Sundsvall, where landscape architecture and public art meet sweeping valley views. Created in 2004 as a collaboration between landscape architects and artists, the site uses earthworks, a curving concrete wall and an elevated circular platform to frame vistas, quiet gathering spots and occasional cultural events. The park feels deliberate yet natural — a contemplative green room above the city’s rooftops.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1.5 hrs
Öbacka Jazz&Blues
A compact, community-rooted jazz and blues venue in Härnösand, Öbacka Jazz & Blues champions a wide range of live music from classic swing to contemporary soul, funk and experimental jazz. Housed in an intimate room on Solumsvägen, the club offers close-up concerts, a warm wooden interior and a local crowd that comes for musicianship and atmosphere rather than spectacle.
Time to spend 1–3 hrs
Nolby Högar
Nolby Högar is an ancient open-air museum in Kvissleby, featuring Iron Age burial mounds that offer a window into Sweden's prehistoric past. Wander grassy hills dotted with over a dozen högar, each marking graves from 200-500 AD, amid serene rural landscapes perfect for history enthusiasts and nature lovers. Free entry and self-guided exploration make it an accessible highlight near Sundsvall.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Farm Backsjön
Farm Backsjön is a nature-focused retreat and activity farm near Sollefteå offering off-grid cabins, seasonal outdoor programmes and hands-on experiences with dogs, donkeys and local landscapes. Guests can stay in a renovated Nordic house or simple forest cabins, join dogsledding, snowmobile and ice-fishing excursions in winter, and take part in seasonal horticulture and tulip events in spring, all set on lakeside grounds framed by boreal forest.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–72 hrs
Trysunda Naturreservat
Trysunda Naturreservat, a pristine island nature reserve in Sweden's High Coast UNESCO World Heritage site, features a well-preserved fishing village, dramatic volcanic geology, rich birdlife, and scenic trails along colorful pebble beaches and rocky shores. Established in 1987, this 1052-hectare archipelago offers tranquil hikes, swimming coves, and glimpses into traditional coastal life amid ancient forests and diverse flora.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1.5–4 hrs
Gudmundstjärn
Gudmundstjärn is a remarkably preserved 18th-century pioneer homestead in rural Västernorrland, Sweden, showcasing a unique open-field nybygge amid meadows and forests. This 10-hectare site features over 20 historic timber buildings surrounding a serene pond, set within a nature reserve that highlights self-sufficient rural life from the late 1700s. Wander ancient paths, explore listed structures like barns and dwellings, and absorb the tranquil ambiance of hayfields and wildlife habitats. Open select days with limited hours, it's an evocative portal to Sweden's pioneering past, ideal for history enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking quiet reflection.
Wed–Sun 11:00–15:30Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Skadom Clockhouse
A converted barn museum in Skadom near Sollefteå housing an extraordinary private horological collection of around 700–800 clocks spanning several centuries, plus related books and objects; the site also includes a small café and offers guided visits and a close, domestic atmosphere that emphasises local craftsmanship and timekeeping heritage.
Price level $Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Gruvan i Edsele
Gruvan i Edsele, Västernorrlands largest abandoned quartz and feldspar mine, operated from 1965 to 1983. Now filled with striking turquoise water, it offers a haunting industrial relic amid northern Sweden's forests, perfect for quiet exploration and photography. Accessed via a narrow gravel road northwest of Edsele village.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Norrfällsviken Nature Reserve
A coastal nature reserve on Sweden’s High Coast near Mjällom, Norrfällsviken showcases sculpted red granite cliffs, sheltered bays and mixed coastal habitats shaped by ice and sea over millennia. Trails and rocky shorelines invite short walks, birdwatching and quiet contemplation amid windswept pines and lichen-covered rock; the reserve sits beside a small fishing harbour and camping area, making it an accessible pocket of wild coastline.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Sundsvall Stadshus
Sundsvall Stadshus is a 19th-century stone city hall anchoring the southern edge of Stora torget in Stenstan, Sundsvall. Designed originally by Birger Oppman and rebuilt after the great 1888 fire with later contributions by Andreas Bugge, the building houses a historic halls, a grand festvåning, restaurant and conference rooms alongside some municipal offices. Its ornate façade, rooftop statues and interior decorative ceilings reflect the town’s late-19th-century civic pride and the era when Sundsvall rebuilt itself in stone.
Price level $$Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Slattdalsberget
A dramatic granite ridge in Skuleskogen National Park above Docksta, Slåttdalsberget is best known for the long, sheer crevice Slåttdalsskrevan and sweeping High Coast panoramas. Trails climb through dense boreal forest, across rocky slabs and boardwalks to an open summit terrace where wind-polished red granite meets expansive sea-and-archipelago views. Expect steep, uneven terrain and memorable geological features rather than facilities.
Time to spend 1–6 hrs
Ulvön Island
Ulvön, often called the pearl of Sweden’s High Coast, is an archipelago village of painted boathouses, drying racks and a small year-round community centred on Ulvöhamn on Norra Ulvön. The island blends seafaring heritage — once northern Sweden’s largest fishing base — with short coastal walks, sheltered beaches, a tiny chapel and seasonal cafes and boat services that bring a steady stream of day-trippers and photographers in summer.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–6 hrs
Vändåtberget
Vändåtberget is a 345-hectare nature reserve in Örnsköldsvik municipality, northern Sweden, preserving one of the country's finest examples of taiga—ancient pine- and spruce-dominated forest shaped by recurring fires. The landscape is a mix of rocky ridges, bogs and small tarns, with trees up to 300–375 years old, a network of trails including the Urskogsleden and a rustic overnight hut by Inner-Abborrtjärnen for low-impact stays.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–8 hrs
Högklintens naturreservat
Högklintens naturreservat crowns a steep coastal ridge in the High Coast region of Västernorrland, rising to about 281 metres and offering wide sea-and-archipelago panoramas, dramatic cliff faces and a rare cobble-field landscape. The reserve combines exposed rocky outcrops, patches of mixed forest and small coastal coves; it's a place for short cliff-top walks, geology interest and quiet contemplation of the archipelago vistas.
Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
Trysunda
Trysunda is a small, quiet island off the High Coast of Sweden celebrated for its red granite cliffs, sheltered sandy coves and a tiny preserved fishing village with a guest harbour and simple hostel café. Compact and easy to explore on foot, Trysunda offers sheltered swimming, coastal walking, seabird calls and wide sea vistas that change with light and tide, making it a classic low-key skärgård escape.
Price level $Time to spend 0.5–6 hrs
Smitingen-Härnöklubb
Smitingen-Härnöklubb is a 263-hectare nature reserve near Härnösand, established in 1988 as a Natura 2000 site. Featuring dramatic coastal landscapes, five large sea caves, raukar formations, boulder fields, shingle beaches, and a sandy beach with cliffs, it offers serene hiking trails, swimming at the havsbad, and rich biodiversity amid post-glacial terrain.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1.5–4 hrs
Botnialeden START/MÅL
The starting and ending point of Botnialeden at Södra Berget in Sundsvall marks the gateway to a renowned 48 km hiking trail through Västernorrland's diverse landscapes. Nestled on the wooded southern mountain, this trailhead offers access to paths blending forest trails, gravel roads, and scenic vistas, with options for shorter loops ideal for day hikes amid Sweden's northern wilderness.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 1–4 hrs
Jazzklubben Sundsvall
A long-established live-music club based at Esplanaden 14 in Sundsvall, Jazzklubben Sundsvall presents regular jazz and blues nights, weekly Monday jazz and Thursday blues sessions, plus special concerts, comedy and quiz nights held in the atmospheric E Street venue. It operates with a membership option, age-friendly pricing and a lively small-club feel that puts live performance at the centre of the evening.
Price level $$Time to spend 1–3 hrs
The association Galtström trains
Nestled in the idyllic coastal setting of Galtströmsbruk near Sundsvall, The Association Galtström Trains preserves the legacy of Medelpad's pioneering ironworks through heritage railway experiences and historical exhibits. Explore well-maintained 17th-century buildings, ride vintage steam locomotives along scenic tracks, and immerse yourself in the industrial past amid lush parks and nearby sea shores. Free guided tours on Saturdays reveal the site's rich history as SCA's birthplace, complemented by seasonal café offerings and hiking trails to sandy beaches.
Time to spend 1–3 hrs
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