Best things to do in Skellefteå

What is it? The sparkling centrepiece of Wasteland, the new art and culture park just outside Skellefteå. 

Why visit? Just a 15-minute drive from Skellefteå, this newly opened sculpture park lets you sauna inside a work of art before wandering through towering walkways of greenery that lead to installations scattered across the grounds. The sauna was designed by the acclaimed duo Bigert & Bergström, the creators of the famous Solar Egg, the iconic sauna that now has a permanent home in Kiruna.

Other highlights include a lookout tower built from locally sourced timber by architecture students from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design.

Time Out-tips: For now, Wasteland doesn't appear on Google Maps. Set your GPS for Ursviken and keep an eye out for a pink sign and you'll find it. If you're after a meal afterwards, the nearby Sjökrogen is a great option.

What is it? A 75-meter-high architectural statement in the middle of the city. As one of the tallest wooden hotels on the planet, this place is a great showpiece of Scandinavian minimalism.

Why visit? Since opening in 2021, the Wood hotel by Elite has become the place to stay in Skellefteå. It rises 20 storeys above the city and is home to three restaurants serving everything from hyper-local Nordic dishes to Asian fusion cuisine.

Even if you're not staying overnight, a visit to the Vana Spa is well worth it. Perched high above the city, the heated rooftop pool lets you soak in the warmth while taking in panoramic views of the town and the slow-flowing Skellefte River, an experience that's even more memorable if you're lucky enough to catch the northern lights

Time Out tip: The hotel shares its massive timber home with the Sara Cultural Centre (Sara kulturhus). Check their live agenda before you check in: the space is a cultural hub featuring art exhibitions, live concerts, and a modern library that often hosts fun events for kids.

Torggatan 3, 931 32 Skellefteå. Entry to the spa from SEK 350.

What is it? The main restaurant nestled inside The Wood Hotel. While it is also a fantastic dinner spot, Mandel’s morning spread deserves its own dedicated spot on your itinerary. Named after the regional mandelpotatis (almond potato), this eatery is entirely dedicated to honoring the rich culinary heritage of northern Sweden.

Why go? To experience the absolute best of Arctic morning dining. Forget your standard hotel continental breakfast – Mandel treats you to a sprawling buffet packed with authentic Nordic flavors and you don't have to stay at the hotel to enjoy it. Top freshly made waffles with dehydrated lingonberries and spoon up rich yoghurts sourced directly from surrounding Västerbotten farms. 

Time Out tip: If you visit during the warmer months, bypass the stylish indoor seating and head straight for their big outdoor terrace. There is nothing quite like sipping your morning coffee in the crisp northern air while basking under the early morning sun.

Torggatan 3, 931 32 Skellefteå. Breakfast is SEK 225, if you do not stay at the hotel. 

What is it? A five-star camping and beach resort just north of the town, it's the perfect stop on your Skellefteå trip if you're visiting in summer. Anchored by a spectacular 500-metre stretch of golden sand, this family-friendly paradise is built for fun in the sun, with an endless line-up of activities to keep kids entertained from dawn until dusk.

Why go? For the ultimate stress-free family beach day. The water at Byske Havsbad is incredibly shallow, meaning you can safely wade out for probably 30 metres or so before it even reaches your knees, making it a huge hit with parents of toddlers. When the kids aren't building sandcastles, they can jump on a giant bounce pillow, race pedal cars, leap off the floating jetties or splash around in the heated outdoor pool complex.

Time Out tips: Challenge your friends or family to a round of mini adventure golf at the campsite. Grab an ice cream from the café and let the trash talk begin. For many locals this is a annual tradition. 

Bäckgatan 40, 934 51 Byske. The pool and other activities require an admission fee, but access to the beach as well as the playground and big bounce pillow is free.

What is it? Perched right on the scenic riverbank, Bryggargatan is the top gastronomic destination in Skellefteå. Run by a passionate Icelandic chef, this restaurant made major waves when TIME named Skellefteå one of the 50 most extraordinary places to visit in the world and praised the restaurant for plating "Michelin-caliber Nordic cuisine (...) without pretension." 

Why go? To experience great food while the sun sets over the water. Or never goes down, depending on wich season you are visiting. Two menu recommendations are the Arctic char and the Bryggargatan Toast: smoked prawns, lobster and chilli served on buttery toast with a generous dollop of Kalix löjrom, a delicacy sourced exclusively from the Bothnian Bay. 

Time Out tips: Don't skip the bar menu. Bryggargatan serves up excellent signature cocktails featuring Ógin, its own house-distilled gin. Second tip: Visit the area and have a stroll by the river regardless if you are not eating the restaurant or not. 

What is it? Housed in a charming converted hay barn in Kåge, a 40-minute drive north of Skellefteå, Svedjan Bageri is a summer-only bakery. Run by baker Alfred Hellström, who also has a popular year-round café in Stockholm, this countryside spot sits next door to Svedjan Ost, the multi-award-winning artisan dairy run by his parents, which produces some of Sweden's most celebrated cheeses.

Why go? To pair freshly baked buns with a slice of rural paradise. Settle into one of the outdoor seats and tuck into a pillowy cardamom bun or a perfectly chewy sourdough cheese sandwich while taking in the views across the tranquil waters of Lake Storkågeträsket and the grazing dairy cows that made your fika possible.

Time Out tips: Don't leave empty-handed. Head to the farm’s self-service cheese shed next door. Stock up on a block of their  blue-ribbon Svedjan Gårdsost to take home.

Svedjan Ost, Södra Svedjan 33, 934 94 Kåge. The bakery is usually open from around mid-June until sometime in August.

What is it? Skellefteå’s first proper wine bar. It's a cozy and stylish hangout with high ambition where wine geeks and casual sippers gather under one roof to explore bottles from every corner of the globe.

Why visit? To try high-end vintages or experimental orange wines by the glass without having to commit to the whole bottle.
Every week or so, they spotlight a specific wine region, opening up an expanded selection of bottles by the glass so you can journey through a new terroir with every visit. Coupled with a warm, lively candle-lit atmosphere and incredibly knowledgeable staff, Kork is the ultimate spot to settle in for a long afternoon drop-in session or a relaxed pre-dinner drink. The bistro-style menu of small and medium plates also gives Bryggargatan a real run for its money in the race for the title of Skellefteå's best restaurant.

Time Out tips: Keep an eye on their calendar or drop them an email to sync your trip with one of their themed weekend tastings. 

What is it? Located in the scenic Nordanå cultural district, Skellefteå Museum is the region's go-to destination for local history, archaeology and northern heritage. Better still, admission is free, making it a no-brainer for a budget-friendly afternoon. 

Why go? It is a pleasant all-ages spot that seamlessly blends indoor exhibits with an outdoor village. Inside, the historical galleries are paired with Barnsia – a beautifully designed interactive playroom where children can explore local history through dress-up and play. Outside, you can wander through a peaceful collection of historic timber buildings saved from around the region.

Time Out tips: Pack a picnic blanket, grab some pastries from the neighboring café, and enjoy the museum’s scenic outdoor grounds. playground and duck ponds.

Opening hours: Tuesday: 10.00-19.00, Wednesday-Sunday: 10.00-16.00. Nordanå, Ernst Westerlunds allé 931 32 Skellefteå

What is it? Tucked away in a lush garden on the edge of town, Alhems Trädgård is a cosy café where artisan gelato takes centre stage. Alongside its scratch-made Italian gelato, the kitchen also serves pinsas and pasta dishes, which you can enjoy in the garden beside a charming greenhouse.

Why go? To try the wood-fired cinnamon bun, served with your choice of ice cream or whipped feta cream topped with addictive chilli honey. Or simply to soak up the summer evening atmosphere when the garden comes alive. The owners regularly put on a fun line-up of summer events, turning the lawn into a stage for everything from bachata nights and live acoustic music to hugely popular themed quiz nights.

Time Out tips: If you can't make it out to the garden, you can still get a scoop right in the city center during the sunny summer peak. Just look for their ice cream cart stationed close to the shopping mall downtown.

Kantgatan 2, Skellefteå. Open Wednesday through Sunday.

What is it? A vast recreational area on a hillside just outside the city centre, where you can get your heart pumping while enjoying the great outdoors.

Why go? There's something to do here in every season, at Vitberget, from a large outdoor pool with a wave machine and a pump track for cycling enthusiasts to hiking trails in summer and ski slopes in winter. You can fish for rainbow trout and brown trout in the nearby lake or lace up your running shoes and tackle one of the obstacle courses – there's even one designed especially for kids. Safe to say, this place is built to get you moving. As an added bonus, the hill offers great views across the city.

Time Out tip: Head to Boda Borg, tucked inside the mountain, for a fun rainy-day activity. This indoor adventure centre is packed with themed challenge rooms where teams work together to solve puzzles, tackle physical obstacles and complete missions before moving on to the next quest.