23 new reasons to visit Sweden in 2023

Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city and the most sustainable city in the world, celebrates 400 years. The anniversary was actually in 2021, but just as in 1921 when the Spanish flu hit the world, a pandemic got in the way and the celebrations were postponed for two years. Gothenburg’s birthday is on 4 June and the festivities will kick off with a big anniversary festival on 2-4 June. The celebrations will continue throughout the summer and culminate on 3 September with the annual Gothenburg Culture Festival and Göteborgsvarvet Marathon.

Another birthday child in Gothenburg is the landmark and amusement park Liseberg. Recognised to be among the best amusement parks in Europe, Liseberg celebrates 100 years by launching Luna – a 33,5 metres high boomerang rollercoaster that will be the tallest and fastest of its kind in the world. Liseberg will also open a new hotel in April, the Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel. Read more about that and other new and trendy hotels in Sweden 2023 here.

Over in Stockholm, several popular attractions have anniversaries. The Royal Opera turns 250 years and celebrates all year long with jubilee events such as a costume sale, the world premiere for a new opera based on Lars von Trier’s hit movie Melancholia and a New Year’s Masquerade. Nordiska Museet, Sweden’s largest museum of cultural history, celebrates 150 years with a number of events, theme nights, workshops and concerts that look both backwards and forwards in time. And the beloved landmark of Stockholm City Hall celebrates 100 years by conducting 200 civil wedding ceremonies on 23 June.

The oldest jubilee, however, is the spectacular Lund Cathedral in Skåne County. On 30 June year 1123, the altar of the crypt was consecrated and the 900th anniversary will be celebrated through historical tours, lectures, concerts and much more all year long.

Saunas, spa and swimming pools

This year, sauna and swim lovers will be spoilt with new alternatives in Sweden.

The Solar Egg – a shiny golden sauna created by artist duo Bigert & Bergström for Riksbyggen – made its first appearance in Kiruna in April 2017. Since then, it has travelled the world, collecting design awards and accolades along its way. From 11 February to 30 April 2023, the Solar Egg will be placed on the rooftop of Sara Kulturhus in Skellefteå. Bookings are now open and a visit to the sauna is free of charge.

Another unique sauna experience can be found 80 metres underground in the Adventure Mine in southern Dalarna. Iron ore was mined for hundreds of years here and legend has it that the mythological creature The Miner’s Wife still watches over the place. The 3.5 hours long sauna ritual includes a guided tour down the mine, locally produced delicacies and the possibility to swim in the mine’s crystal-clear water.

In February, Hestraviken Hotel in Isaberg, Småland, opened a nature-inspired spa spanning three floors. Hestraviken Riverside Spa has three heated outdoor swimming pools, a sauna leaning over the Nissan River and a brand-new hotel section to accommodate 40 overnight guests. The spa focuses on relaxation, but guests are encouraged to combine the visit with outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, biking and skiing offered in the nearby area.

In Gothenburg’s Frihamnen area, the public park Jubileumsparken and the already celebrated The Sauna will be even more attractive in June when three bottomless swimming pools open in the Göta Älv River. The pools will have purified fresh- and salt water to swim, slide and dive in all year round. The swimming facility will also include wooden sundecks, showers and piers. There will be free entry to the facilities, which will have room for 500 people at the same time.

Nature experiences

Three major nature experiences will be inaugurated in 2023. Which one will you choose first?

Göta Canal, the famous waterway that connects Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern, inaugurates Sweden’s seventh national cycle route this year. The cycle route is divided into seven sections and stretches over 200 kilometres along the old towpaths, passing by the canal’s locks, bridges and picturesque villages. Bring your own bike or rent one – several cycle packages are on offer.

In 1796, Lake Ragunda in Jämtland was emptied and a devastating flood swept through the landscape. Four hours later, nature was transformed forever and the former magnificent waterfall was silent. Today, The Dead Falls (Döda fallet) is an esteemed destination and offer a unique opportunity to watch a waterfall without water. On 10 June, the area will be inaugurated as Sweden’s second national geopark, named Geopark Indalsälven.

Mountain climbers will have another adrenaline-filled adventure to look forward to in 2023 when Sweden’s newest Via Ferrata opens at Orbaden Zip and Climb in Hälsingland. The slightly challenging climbing trail will be available together with a guide. You’ll conquer the 300 metres while taking in breath-taking views of the Ljusnan valley and the surrounding primaeval forest.

Design & Architecture

Sweden is known for accessible design, made to be used, and the design and architecture news in 2023 is no exception.

ArkNat is an evolving design concept comprised of different wind shelters in nature. Several appreciated shelters can be found in the High Coast and Skåne. Come August, two new wooden shelters and a resting place will be created in Omberg and Tåkern, Östergötland. The project is a collaboration between architecture and engineering -students and aims to reconcile form and function while merging nature and architecture.

Wisdome is the latest landmark in Gothenburg, set to open in June. The enigmatic sphere construction is made of wood and is already in place on the roof of Universeum. Inside, you’ll find a 360° screen with advanced visualisation technology. Wisodme will unravel the mysteries of everything from the human body to future space travels. With 26.5 metres in diameter, it will be the largest visualisation dome in Sweden.

Exhibitions

From an iconic Impressionist painter to provocative street art – the following are just a small selection of the Swedish exhibitions during 2023.

For admirers of Claude Monet’s works, there are two exhibitions to choose from in Sweden this year.

Monet & Friends Alive is an experience for all the senses – visitors will be surrounded by images, music and scent. Walk into the Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies and become a part of the artwork or sit down for a while and let the impressions of the Impressionist’s paintings wash over you. Monet & Friends Alive can be experienced at Kalmar Castle from 1 April to 5 November.

Monet’s Garden is an immersive experience where the painter’s timeless masterpieces are brought to life through elaborate installations and music in a never-before-seen way. You’ll start in the studio where Monet’s masterpieces were created and then walk into his sparkling and colourful garden in Normandie. Monet’s Garden can be experienced in Stockholm from 6 October to 21 January 2024 and in Malmö from 1 March 2024.

Banksy is another artist whose works will tour Sweden in 2023. The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind covers the anonymous graffiti artist through prints, sculptures, videos and more. And just in line with Banksy’s motto, “Copyright is for losers”, the selection of works on display has not been authorised by him. The exhibition will start in Malmö 14 January-21 May and then travel to both Gothenburg and Stockholm (dates TBA).

It's been 80 years since the Swedish furniture company Ikea revolutionised the retail world. In June, a new exhibition focusing on the different decades will open at the Ikea Museum, which is located in the very first store in Älmhult, Småland. Visitors can expect a fun and colourful presentation, with the possibility to feel, try and experience Ikea products from the 1950s until today. Name and dates for the exhibition TBA.

Down North / Contemporary Art in the Arctic gathers the work of 30 artists from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the USA and other countries. The exhibition highlights climate and environmental challenges, and the difficult history of the colonisation of Indigenous peoples but also confronts the illusion of the North as a remote wilderness. Down North will be on show at Bildmuseet in Umeå from 26 May to 14 January 2024, and also marks the premiere opening of the museum after a few months of renovations.