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The Most Scenic Towns & Villages
Sigtuna: Sweden's oldest town, founded at the beginning of the 11th century, stands on the shores of Lake Malaren, northwest of Stockholm. High Street, with its low-timbered buildings, is believed to be the oldest street in Sweden. Traces of Sigtuna's Viking and early Christian heritage can be seen throughout the town.
Uppsala: Located northwest of Stockholm, Uppsala is Sweden's major university city and boasts a celebrated 15th-century cathedral. Nearby Gamla Uppsala also is intriguing, built on the site of Viking burial grounds where both humans and animals were sacrificed.
Lund: This town, situated 18km (11 miles) northeast of Malmo, rivals Uppsala as a university town. It, too, is ancient, having been founded by Canute the Great in 1020. The town is filled with centuries-old buildings, winding passages, and cobblestone streets; a major attraction is its ancient cathedral, one of the finest expressions of Romanesque architecture in northern Europe.
Visby: On the island of Gotland, this once was a great medieval European city and former Viking stronghold. For 8 days in August, this sleepy Hanseatic town awakens for the annual Medieval Week, which features fire-eaters, belly dancers, and tournaments. Visby's ruins of 13th- and 14th-century churches and memories of a more prosperous period are intriguing in any season.
Rattvik: This is a great resort bordering Lake Siljan in the heart of Dalarna, a province known for its regional painting, handicrafts, and folk dancing. Timbered houses reflect Dalarna's old-style architecture, and on summer nights, fiddle music evokes the long-ago past.
Jokkmokk: Located just north of the Arctic Circle, this is the best center for absorbing Lapp (or Sami) culture. The Lapps hold their famous "Great Winter Market" here in early February, a tradition that is centuries old. You can visit a museum devoted to Sami culture in the center of town and then go salmon fishing in the town's central lake.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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