Top design places to visit in southern Sweden

Kivik Art Centre combines nature, architecture and design in a unique way, with artworks by world-renowned artists on display.

Kivik Art Centre is housed in the scenic environment of Österlen on the east coast of Skåne. The landscape is a sight in its own right, but this sculpture park, founded in 2006, also hosts unique architectural works by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, architect David Chipperfield and has one of the few existing copies of Venturo, the famous futuristic plastic cottage constructed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1971.

Ingvar Kamprad’s idea of making good design affordable for many people grew from being a small mail-order company in the forests of Småland to the global phenomenon that is IKEA. Few furniture companies are popular enough to have their own dedicated museum.

Located in what was the very first IKEA store, opened in 1958, this museum will be intriguing for interior design fans from around the world. The permanent exhibition – The Story of IKEA – traces the history of the company and the unique concept behind it all. In addition to the main exhibition, there are several temporary showcases. Don’t miss the gift shop where you can find books, candy and sometimes even vintage IKEA products that you won't find anywhere else.

With up to 15 exhibitions per year, this prominent art museum set in four barns in Småland will not disappoint.

Vandalorum is a contemporary art and design museum, featuring works by both international and Swedish designers. Opened in 2011 and built after an original concept by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, it was inspired by the monumental drying barn that once stood on the site. 

Vandalorum displays various types of art and design, however, one of the four barns is fully dedicated to Smålands Konstarkiv, which highlights Swedish designers associated with the province of Småland.

While you’re here, don’t miss the museum restaurant Syltan, awarded Swedish Culture Restaurant of the Year in 2018!

With the notion that design affects everyone, Rian Design Museum exhibits a vast collection of historic, contemporary and futuristic design.

Rian Design Museum showcases arts and crafts as well as popular design and industrial design in an inviting way. The museum is beautifully housed in a granary from 1865, overlooking the river Ätran. PS, when in Falkenberg, don’t miss out on what is widely recognized as Sweden’s best pizzeria, Lilla Napoli.

Many Swedish fashion brands are sought after worldwide. Learn more about the history and future of Swedish textile and fashion at The Textile Museum of Sweden in Borås.

As a result of the rapid decline of the textile industry during the 1960s, The Textile Museum was founded to preserve the history of the Swedish textile and ready-made clothing industries. Today, the focus is not only on preservation – contemporary and future matters regarding everything textile are equally important. The Textile Museum is a part of the Textile Fashion Center.

Cool down in the pool or heat up in The Sauna in Frihamnen, Gothenburg, as you witness how the former industrial port is transformed into one of the hippest areas on the west coast.

In the midst of the old containers and cranes of Frihamnen at Hisingen, across the city centre at the opposite bank of river Göta älv, a whole new area is emerging. It already features a public swimming pool and one of Sweden's most spectacular saunas. The sauna, created by German architect collective Raumlabor Berlin, is in large parts constructed from recycled material. The sauna’s rusty steel exterior is created completely from recycled material and the changing room walls were created using 12,000 recycled glass bottles. 

Please note: The sauna is temporarily closed due to renovations and will reopen in spring 2023.

Design surrounds us all and influences our daily lives. Gothenburg’s Röhsska Museum highlights people and perspectives focusing on the many varied concepts of design, craft and society in general.

Opened in 1916, the Röhsska Museum has been recognized as Sweden’s foremost museum for design and applied arts, where everyday objects are made more pleasing to the eye through decoration and design. From Asian ceramics dating back to 2500 B.C. to the present day, the permanent collection features over 50,000 objects. Visitors will experience the creative expressions, styles, fashion and artistic concepts of design in its many forms.

In addition, the museum regularly presents temporary exhibitions from distinguished Swedish and international artists and designers that showcase both experimental as well as established design.

The Cherry Garden ('Körsbärsgården') is a cultural hot spot in Storsudret on the island of Gotland and has attracted Swedish artists since the 1940s. The light, reminiscent of Provence, will instantly tell a visitor why.

The Café Körsbärsgården has been a meeting point since 1947. Today, Körsbärsgården not only serves excellent refreshments but also sports a growing sculpture garden, art exhibitions and a rich programme of poetry, music and public lectures. 

For a true island escape, head to the peninsula of Furilden on Gotland and check into Fabriken Furillen for a beautiful design experience in tune with nature.

Fabriken Furillen Hotel & Restaurant are housed in a former building workshop that was once part of the limestone factory which is still left on the dramatic site. Besides the hotel rooms here, Fabriken Furillen offers two ”hermit cabins” for guests seeking complete relaxation in nature. The restaurant is run by different renowned Swedish restaurants each summer.