Dalarna represents all that is Swedish par excellence, from the brightly coloured costumes to the spirited dancing and music, always with the backdrop of a magnificent rural landscape. Nowadays, Dalarna's folk traditions draw in many visitors. The vi..

The Kukkolaforsen, dominated by dilapidated wooden jetties, watermills and the inevitable fishermen's huts form a most familiar scene. Since the Middle Ages, people have traditionally fished from the jetties, catching all sorts of species of whitefis..

The third largest lake in Sweden (1 140km 2 ), Mälaren stretches from west to east over 150km as far as Stockholm, where it flows into the Baltic. It is made up of a multitude of meandering arms separated by islands and peninsulas. Some 20 historical..

The headland, whose sheer cliffs plunge dramatically into the sea, separates Skälderviken Bay in the north from the Öresund Strait. Paths run along the edge of the cliffs and lead to the Kullen Lighthouse , which looms 88m above sea level. It was bu..

Starting at the city itself and strewn over a distance of almost 70km off the Baltic coast, the incredibly beautiful Stockholm Archipelago reaches from north to south over almost 140km. It encompasses 24 000 islands and reefs, and, while only 150 are..

This important museum has 19C-20C Scandinavian art, 17C Flemish and Dutch art, 16C-18C Spanish and Dutch art, 19C-20C French art and international contemporary art. The most interesting sections focus on Scandinavian art from the 1880s and 1890s, a..

10th Aug. 1628: Gustav II Adolph, the "Lion of the North", launches his fleet ship the Wasa , to conquer the Baltic right up to the Polish coast. Twenty minutes later, the ship sinks, and all is lost. Did it sink because it was overloaded ..

The old town comprises Stadsholmenl , the original site of Stockholm, Riddarholmen with its palaces and public buildings, Helgeandsholmen where the parliament is situated, and Strömsborg (uninhabitated as late as the 18C). A pedestrian paradis..

This huge zoo specialises in the animals of the Nordic countries. It has some 100 animals of 36 different species - generally they can only be spotted at feeding time due to the size of their enclosures. The moose, bison and musk oxen are fed at noon..

This is the oldest and best-preserved of the 17C "parish villages", where the Sami gathered for religious festivals in sheds and huts next to the houses and stables of Swedish farmers and tradesmen. These huts, the only ones remaining, are ..

This sandstone church flanked by two towers was founded in the 11C by King Canut II and consecrated in 1145. The original layout is of Anglo-Norman inspiration, while the decor shows a Lombard influence. The apse is a Romanesque treasure. Inside, y..

From the belvedere that towers 190m over Lake Siljan, climb to the top of the red wooden tower (28m high) to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view over the lake and the lush countryside. This tower was built in the late 19C.

The 3km length of the ramparts is punctuated with numerous towers and gates. The consist of a wall near the sea and another on the inland side. The sea wall , 5.30m high, runs along the coast and dates from the 13C. It has gates and a 12C powder to..

This superb carvings - more than 350 scenes spread over several sites (Vitlycke, Aspeberget, Litlseby, Fossum) - were perhaps made in ochre rouge; furthermore some have been repainted so that they can be seen more easily. Their meaning remains unknow..

Opened in 1989, this unique museum is dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Sami (Lapp) people and their environment (mountains, forests, rivers). The presentation of the collections is as important as the exhibits themselves. There is an open-ai..

At the time when southern Sweden was in the hands of the Danes this castle was nicknamed "the key to Sweden" due to its strategic position. The initial keep (12C) belonged to a defensive line reaching from Öland island to the coast. King Gu..

The traditions of "parish villages" live on here, and the houses are still inhabited by parishioners during religious festivals. The large medieval church is of late Scandinavian Gothic style (15C) with a richly decorated interior. The pret..

The building dates back to the 13C but it has since been altered. The tower topped with an arrow, for example, is the work of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Among the funeral pieces, the monument dedicated to King Erik XIV (south side of the ambulat..

The blue-tinted limestone abbey-church has a narrow chancel, which, strangely, faces west. The sobriety of the decor is reminiscent of the Cistercian spirit. The star-shaped vault rests on two limestone pillars. The church has a group of medieval ..

Baroque decoration is predominant througout these apartments, in spite of the changes made since. The rich stucco decoration of the majestic staircase is the work of Italian master Giovanni Carove. Other renowned artists have also left their mark: ..