The most beautiful places in Sweden show why the country is so much more than Ikea

Take more than a passing glance at a map of Sweden and you might realise that you already recognise some of the place names – but probably not from your travels. Thanks to Ikea’s strategy of naming products after the villages and landmarks of its birthplace, millions of homes around the world have a Kallax, a Toftan or a Bolmen. But despite the ubiquity of such products, their namesake destinations remain relatively unexplored. Venture past the aisles of flat-pack furniture and explore Sweden’s most beautiful spots.

Kallax

You might know it as: a shelving unit

You should know it as: the home of fermented herring

Fermented fish may be an acquired taste, but the people of Kallax have certainly had enough time to acquire it: surströmming (sour herring) has been a delicacy in this region of Swedish Lapland for centuries. This little fishing village hosts the hottest (and smelliest) event in the surströmming calendar every August, a festival of feasting that draws in visitors from throughout the country. But even the pickiest of eaters should make it a priority to stop by this tiny spot on their adventures through northern Sweden, where the indigenous Sami people divide the year into eight seasons – it’s worth a visit during every one of them. In warmer months, ramble along the jagged coastline and lose yourself along wild forest paths while tracking native wildlife; in winter, make the most of deep, crisp snow with skiing and dog-sledging throughout the frozen wilderness.

Höljes

You might know it as: a pendant lamp

You should know it as: part of Sweden’s very own Lake District

It’s easy to see why Värmland is known as the Lake District – with around 10,000 lakes, it puts its English counterpart to shame. And just as the pretty landscapes around Windermere have been memorialised by creatives, some great works of art have been born here too. Pay a visit to Mårbacka, the former home of author Selma Lagerlöf, who in 1909 became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for Literature; stop by the grand 18th-century manor house of poet Gustaf Fröding, or admire the works of Swedish painter Lars Lerin at the Sandgrund Lars Lerin Museum. Sports fans shouldn’t feel left out, as plenty of canoeing, kayaking and skiing can be enjoyed here at various points of the year, and in July, the tiny Värmland village of Höljes plays host to tens of thousands of visitors for the high-octane rallycross event World RX of Sweden.

Rimforsa

You might know it as: a workbench

You should know it as: a forager’s paradise

In Sweden, sustainable living feels less like an abstract concept and more like an obvious consequence of being surrounded by such staggering natural beauty. The close relationship many Swedish people enjoy with the natural world could be partially due to the ancient law of allemansrätten (all man’s right), a practice that allows anyone to roam freely across the land and forage for wild food. Rimforsa, in Östergötland in the east, is a particularly fruitful spot for foragers. Sign up for a workshop with an experienced forager and venture into the forests to hunt for frilly golden chanterelle mushrooms in the undergrowth, all the while gaining a new appreciation for Sweden’s incredible woodlands.

Bodviken

You might know it as: a sink

You should know it as: the world’s highest coastline

A head for heights is needed when exploring Bodviken Bay, a stop-off on Sweden’s aptly named High Coast. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unique geological formation sits at 938ft (and rising) above sea level, making it the highest coastline in the world. The dramatic 80-mile hiking trail isn’t for the faint of heart, but the spectacular views more than makeup for the moments of jelly-legged vertigo. But if you’re only looking up, you’re missing out on some of the High Coast’s most spectacular treasures. Stay closer to the ground with a trip to Nämforsen, a site where more than 2,600 Bronze Age rock carvings have been discovered – the largest collection found in Northern Europe. Whether you’ve spent the day clambering over cliffs or face to face with a 6,000-year-old carving of an elk, finish the evening with a nightcap of High Coast Whisky, made right here in this bleakly beautiful spot.

Toftan

You might know it as: a waste bin

You should know it as: a lake surrounded by incredible art

The region of Dalarna was influencing home decor long before Ikea first named a bin after one of its lakes. Travelling through Sweden’s countryside, you’ll no doubt have noticed the distinctive, rust-red exteriors of its traditional cottages, and the pigment that gives the falu rödfärg paint its characterful hue is made right here in Dalarna’s centuries-old mine. The area’s impact on home design doesn’t end there. Art lovers should make a pilgrimage to the family home of artists Carl and Karin Larsson, who were inspired by William Morris and the Arts and Craft movement to hone the thoughtful, rustic style we associate with Swedish design today. Now a museum, the Carl Larsson-gården is a homage to their work and Swedish culture. For a brighter pop of colour, head to Nusnäs to see folk artists at work painting simple wooden horses with vivid floral patterns known as kurbits. The Dala horses are famous worldwide, and you can see the largest one in existence at nearby Avesta; standing 42ft tall, the gloriously decorated figurine would look at home in any modern gallery in the world.

Bolmen

You might know it as: a toilet brush

You should know it as: a folkloric freshwater lake

One of Sweden’s most impressive lakes, the real Bolmen is anything but bog-standard. Kayakers, sailors and swimmers all flock here to enjoy the clear, freshwater, and with more than 20 varieties of fish, it’s immensely popular with anglers. Those who prefer to stay on dry land will also find plenty to explore, from hiking through the thickly forested paths around the shoreline to cycling along trails in search of prehistoric tombs and the ruins of a 14th-century castle. In southern Sweden, where oral folklore traditions have been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, it comes as no surprise that such an atmospheric spot would have a few tales attached; one of the 365 islands on the lake, Bolmsö, is said to have once been the home of giants and evidence of their boulder-throwing can still be seen today. Much more exciting than a toilet brush.

Misterhult

You might know it as: a bamboo lampshade

You should know it as: an archipelago haven for wildlife

One of the largest nature reserves in Sweden, Misterhult is the ideal getaway for anyone looking to truly get away. Though the Misterhult open-air museum gives visitors a taste of what 19th-century life would have been like in the region, you get the sense that fundamentally very little has changed – the 2,000 islands strewn throughout the quiet waters are as untouched as ever, and even the inhabited areas retain a sense of unspoilt wilderness. Anglers and twitchers can both enjoy a companionably silent holiday here; the seas are home to a booming population of Baltic herring, whitefish and pike, while white-tailed eagles, eagle owls and razorbills are just some of the rare birds that have found sanctuary in the remote breeding grounds. Keep your eyes to the skies, and bring your binoculars. 

Discover more at visitsweden.com/discover-the-originals/