Historic runestones in plain sight in Uppsala, Sweden.<\/p>\n
David Nikel<\/p>\n
Beyond the capital, Sweden\u2019s cities vary considerably in character and geography. From the islands of the Gothenburg archipelago to the remarkable relocation of the Arctic city of Kiruna, they offer very different ways to experience the country.<\/p>\n
For visitors with more than a few days in Sweden, several are well worth a closer look.<\/p>\n
Gothenburg Brings The West Coast Into The City<\/p>\n
Sweden\u2019s second-largest city is the obvious place to start. Located on the country\u2019s west coast, Gothenburg has long been shaped by shipping, fishing and international trade.<\/p>\n
Today, its canals, extensive tram network and neighborhoods such as Haga give the city an identity quite distinct from Stockholm.<\/p>\n
Food is another reason to visit. Gothenburg is particularly associated with seafood, thanks to its location on the North Sea-facing west coast, while its restaurant scene ranges from traditional fish restaurants to contemporary Nordic dining.<\/p>\n
Yet perhaps Gothenburg\u2019s biggest advantage as a destination lies just beyond the center.<\/p>\n
The Gothenburg archipelago<\/a> contains more than 20 islands that can be explored by boat, with several accessible using the local public transportation network.<\/p>\n Gothenburg is Sweden’s second biggest city.<\/p>\n getty<\/p>\n That makes it possible to combine museums, restaurants and city sightseeing with an afternoon of island hopping without organizing a separate trip.<\/p>\n Malm\u00f6 Has One Foot In Continental Europe<\/p>\n At the opposite end of southern Sweden, Malm\u00f6 offers another perspective entirely.<\/p>\n Sweden\u2019s third-largest city sits in the southern region of Sk\u00e5ne, linked to Copenhagen by the \u00d8resund Bridge. Copenhagen Airport is about 30 minutes away by train<\/a>, making Malm\u00f6 an unusually convenient entry point to Sweden for international visitors.<\/p>\n That location has helped give Malm\u00f6 a notably international character. More than 365,000 people live in the city, with residents originating from more than 170 countries. The result is particularly noticeable in its food scene, where Middle Eastern influences sit comfortably alongside contemporary Scandinavian restaurants.<\/p>\n Malm\u00f6 itself mixes an older center with striking modern development closer to the waterfront. Parks, beaches and extensive cycling infrastructure add to the appeal, particularly during the warmer months.<\/p>\n It also works well as part of a two-country trip. Copenhagen and Malm\u00f6 are close enough to combine easily, yet different enough that crossing the bridge still feels like arriving somewhere new.<\/p>\n Uppsala Is An Easy Addition To Stockholm<\/p>\n Travelers reluctant to give up time in Stockholm do not necessarily have to.<\/p>\n Uppsala is close enough to the capital to work as a historic day trip<\/a>. Depending on the service, trains from Stockholm take roughly 30 to 50 minutes. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is even closer.<\/p>\n The city is best known for Uppsala University, founded in 1477 and the oldest university in the Nordic region. Its long academic history remains central to the character of the city.<\/p>\n Nearby, Uppsala Cathedral dominates the skyline, while the legacy of botanist Carl Linnaeus can be explored through sites including the Linnaeus Garden.<\/p>\n For visitors already planning several days in Stockholm, Uppsala is an easy way to add another layer of Swedish history without undertaking a lengthy journey.<\/p>\n Kiruna Shows A Very Different Sweden<\/p>\n Then there is Kiruna. Located about 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sweden\u2019s northernmost city operates on an entirely different scale from the urban centers of the south.<\/p>\n The iconic wooden Kiruna Church undergoing its relocation as part of a city transformation project in 2025.<\/p>\n AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n Winter brings opportunities to see the northern lights, while summer replaces dark nights with the midnight sun.<\/p>\n Kiruna is also a gateway to some of Sweden\u2019s most dramatic Arctic landscapes, including Abisko and the mountains surrounding Kebnekaise, Sweden\u2019s highest peak.<\/p>\n Yet the city itself has become an attraction for an unusual reason<\/a>. Mining activity beneath the old center has required large parts of Kiruna to be relocated.<\/p>\n A new city center opened in 2022, while the wider transformation continues, creating the extraordinary situation of a functioning Arctic community being rebuilt while visitors watch.<\/p>\n Looking At Sweden Beyond Stockholm<\/p>\n None of these cities needs to replace Stockholm on a first trip to Sweden. That misses the point.<\/p>\n What Gothenburg, Malm\u00f6, Uppsala and Kiruna demonstrate is how quickly Sweden changes once travelers move beyond its capital. Within the same country, a city break can mean seafood and island hopping, a cross-border weekend, centuries of university history or an introduction to life in the Arctic.<\/p>\n Stockholm may be the obvious starting point, but it does not have to be the end of the story.<\/p>\n MORE FROM FORBESForbesHow To Avoid Crowds In Scandinavia This SummerBy David Nikel<\/a>Forbes5 Travel Trends Fueling Scandinavia\u2019s Tourism BoomBy David Nikel<\/a>ForbesWhy Scandinavia Does Slow Travel So WellBy David Nikel<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Historic runestones in plain sight in Uppsala, Sweden. 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