6 Off-The-Beaten-Path Experiences in Sweden

Revised each winter and operating 365 days of the year, you can discover the coolness of the Icehotel in northern Sweden.

The structure envelops most of the village it is connected to and creates a fascinating architectural delight that offers more than just a place to sleep. There is a delightfully crafted dining area and bar, in addition to guided activities, including ice sculpting.

The remarkable design makes stepping inside the unique formation an immersion into a work of art.

For something a little bizarre, but totally artistic, take a ride to Kronoberg county to visit the Kyrko Car Cemetery.

Discover a graveyard with a difference, where dilapidated car shells are creatively placed in dense forest. Trails wind between once top-of-the-line models that are carefully displayed in a showroom strewn with flora and fauna.

Whether a unique art display or an outdoor museum, this off-the-beaten-path experience captures the artistic combination of nature and manufacturing.

Swedish artists and sculptors have and continue to display their eccentric and out-of-the-ordinary works of art along the roads, in museums, and at exhibits around the country.

From Millesgården to Skulptur i Pilane, the Picasso sculpture, and more, there are an array of unique and unusual pieces of design that invite you to embrace the curious nature of Sweden’s fascinating creators.

A magnificent display of nature’s feisty hand, twisted and bent into mystical shapes, the Troll Forest on the Island of Oland mesmerizes visitors. One of the country’s oldest trees lies in this forest, its branches knotted and gnarled, a beautiful twist on the standard oak trees you are used to seeing.

Ancient burial cairns, the ruins of a shipwreck, and the remains of fortifications are settled in this enchanting landscape. The area is within a nature reserve, with walking trails a popular feature that can further connect you to the magic of the destination.

Bordering the Baltic Sea is the region of Blekinge, often referred to as “Sweden’s Garden”.

Folklore shrouds the landscape as deep boulders cover the ground, murky waters appear green in pools of swirling rock, and the air carries a touch of mystery and intrigue.

While they look as if they were man-made, the scenery is the result of glaciers melting over 11,000 years ago to create a spectacular geological wonder.

The Grisvard stone ships can be found on the island of Gotland, where the scenery teems with remnants and ruins from centuries ago. Most fascinating are the giant stones that were placed in the shape of ships and meant to steer the departed towards a safe and bountiful afterlife.

The vessel-like gravestones are placed throughout the Grisvard site, with several positioned close together to create a quiet and ghostly procession. Spend time admiring and reflecting on the importance of this site at your pace as your surroundings establish the ambiance.

As far as the eye can see, Sweden is alive with fascinating and unique sites and experiences, whether it be an artist's impression brought to giant life, nature at its quirkiest, or a historic phenomenon that simply must be seen to be believed.

Discover the magic of Sweden by taking a look at our Sweden tours or explore inspiration for your custom trip in our Sweden travel guide.