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Västerbotten Travel Guide (Swedish Lapland): 29 X hotel tips, food tips and fun things to do
Last updated: August 25, 2017
This is the ultimate Västerbotten Travel Guide for Swedish Lapland
If the city sometimes feels overwhelming, with all its stimuli and impulses, and you're ready to unwind in nature, Swedish Lapland might just be THE destination for you. That's why we've compiled some useful information for you in this Västerbotten Travel Guide. Of course, Swedish Lapland is beautiful in winter (who wouldn't want the chance to see the Northern Lights or zip through the forest on a husky sled?), but I've also discovered it's truly beautiful in summer.
If you are in the region Västerbotten in Swedish Lapland If you can't relax, you'll never get anywhere! A destination for true nature lovers who love adventure and enjoy doing something active during their vacation. Or just relax with a good book and a view of one of the many lakes and enjoy a sauna or hot tub every day. Because Västerbotten in Swedish Lapland is perfect for that too. My favorite thing is to tour the region. Staying in a different town every night and sometimes feeling like you're the only one! Very special.
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To give you an idea of what you can do, we have created this ultimate Västerbotten Travel Guide We've compiled a list of all the blogs we've written for you after our adventure. Focusing on Västerbotten in Swedish Lapland as a summer destination! Have fun planning your trip.
5 reasons to go to Västerbotten
The beautiful, endless nature: The forests in the Netherlands are beautiful, but they pale in comparison to those in Västerbotten. They seem endless! Rent a car so you can explore the region on a road trip, traveling from village to village surrounded by nature.
Lots of local, fresh, and organic food: At most restaurants in this region, the food is freshly caught in nature, so it's incredibly local and organic. And I have to say, you can really taste it. Want to try something truly local? Then go for a piece of reindeer, elk, or fish. They also have a local cheese here, Vastenbottenost, and believe me, you'll want to take it home with you—it's so delicious.
The midnight sun: In winter, the sun only shows itself for a few hours a day, and in summer, it doesn't set. The latter is strange, but also super cool to experience. Just sitting outside by a fire at 2 a.m. and drinking a beer as if it were 16 p.m. Tip: bring a sleep mask!
7 of the best hotels to stay in Västerbotten // travel guide
From charming little wooden huts to resorts with a spa, pool, and gym. There's something for everyone, but one thing's for sure: you'll wake up surrounded by beautiful nature or with a stunning view of rivers and forests!
Stiftsgården: On the edge of the town of Skellefteå find your hotel Stiftsgården. Just outside the town center, it's wonderfully peaceful. In summer, you can rent bikes to explore the small town center and enjoy a meal or a drink. The hotel also has a good restaurant serving local and seasonal produce. After dinner, relax in the sauna or jacuzzi. This makes it a perfect hotel even in winter!
Granö Beckasin: If you want to stay surrounded by nature, you should book a room at Granö Beckasin. And I'm not just talking about any rooms, but hotel rooms that hang like huts in the trees. How cool is that? They call them "Bird's Nests" because you have a view just like the birds do. Even better: if you stay here in winter, you also have the chance to see the Northern Lights. Something for your bucket list! The hotel is located on the Ume River, and besides the tree houses, you can also stay in the eco hotel or one of the cottages. This hotel also has a cozy restaurant where they use local products and where you can dine outdoors with a river view in the summer.
Want to spend a few nights in the town of Umeå or are you looking for nice hotels in other parts of Västerbotten? We've gathered some more tips for you.
5 MORE GREAT HOTELS IN VÄSTERBOTTEN >>
Granö Beckasin
7 things to do in Västerbotten, Sweden
Nature plays a major role in a holiday to Västerbotten. What can you do during your holiday in Swedish Lapland? Find out here in the Västerbotten Travel Guide!
Canoeing on one of the many lakes: The lakes in Västerbotten are beautiful (and there are tons of them!). You can often arrange a canoeing trip through your accommodation, or they'll rent canoes. Do this late in the summer evening! Why? Then you can watch the midnight sun, which can be so beautiful! A three-hour sunset, beautiful orange, red, and pink skies, all while canoeing on a lake.
Mountain biking through the forests: If you're traveling with a larger group, it's fun to take a mountain bike tour through the forests. You can do this, for example, at the Svansele Wilderness Center. You'll ride fat bikes (with thick wheels to prevent falls) along green forest trails, enjoying lunch by an open fire. It's a wonderful experience in nature, and with a bit of luck, you might even spot some wildlife.
Visit the town of Umeå: Had enough of nature? Then Umeå is a lovely town to visit. I think it's beautifully situated on the water, and you'll find several great shops and restaurants. Did you know it was the European Capital of Culture in 2014? Don't forget your camera, because they have some amazingly colorful buildings here—a nice change from all that greenery around you! Fun fact: The Bildmuseet is the most frequently posted building in the city on Instagram, so check it out!
10 facts about Västerbotten in Sweden
Because it's always useful to have some prior knowledge of your destination, I've compiled ten facts for you that will help you get to know Västerbotten in Swedish Lapland a little better!
- The water here is very clean, so you can safely drink it from the tap. And did you know that sometimes the tap water comes straight from the lake? In some rivers, you can even fill your bottle with river water!
- Västerbotten is a vast region that's anything but densely populated. So you might have to drive a bit before you reach shops or a restaurant. So, make sure you pack some snacks for the road trip.
- If you're going on holiday to Västerbotten, you'll definitely need a car to get from A to B. So rent a car at the airport for your trip!
7 MORE TIPS FOR SWEDISH LAPLAND >>
There's nothing quite like looking at photos of your destination when preparing for a trip. Want to get even more in the mood for Swedish Lapland? Then take a look at our photo blog with 17 photos of Swedish Lapland in the summer.
I hope you find the tips in this article useful Västerbotten Travel GuideHave fun planning your trip!
TIP: discover more great addresses and travel tips in the Yourlbb books THE AMSTERDAM CITY GUIDE & WANDERLUST!
LOVE,
JANNE
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