Camping in Norrland

Travellers who leave the Swedish capital Stockholm and head north gradually enter the romantic solitude of Scandinavian nature. In Nordland or Norrland, the long polar days await travellers in summer, during which you can tell stories around the campfire and dance to the Midsummer Festival. As soon as it gets dark again, the Northern Lights can be spotted around the Arctic Circle.

Special features of camping in Norrland

Being close to nature, fishing, hiking and camping are an important part of life in Norrland. Locals and holidaymakers alike like to head out into the forests and relax by one of the many crystal-clear lakes. Although these are comparatively cool, they are perfect for a refreshing dip after a traditional sauna in a log cabin. Far to the north, on the border with Finland and Norway, live the indigenous people of Scandinavia, the reindeer-herding Sami. You can learn more about their culture by visiting the ancient settlements and villages. You can also take a look at the local museums. Baltic Sea towns such as Luleå and Umeå are also suitable starting points for a round trip by sailing boat.

Journey

Several routes lead across the Baltic Sea to Sweden. The first option is to travel by motorhome to northern Germany, where several harbours offer ferry connections to the Scandinavian country. For all holidaymakers from eastern Germany and Berlin, Rostock is the best option. The crossing to the southern Swedish city takes just under six hours in total and is offered five times a day by two providers. Alternatively, Trelleborg can also be reached from Sassnitz on the island of Rügen and from Travemünde in Schleswig-Holstein, where it is still around 800 kilometres to the start of Norrland. The route continues northwards, first to the enchanting small town of Malmö, then to Jönköping on Lake Vättern, finally past the archipelago off Stockholm and up into the remote Nordland. The region is the largest in Sweden and measures more than 1,100 kilometres from south to north. In addition to Trelleborg, Sweden can also be reached by ferry via Malmö and Gothenburg. The ferries usually depart from Travemünde or Kiel.

Destinations in Norrland

On a camping trip to Norrland, holidaymakers can visit the tranquil fishing towns on the coast, explore the forests and mountains of the national parks and get to know the Sámi culture in Lapland.

Västerbotten

Located on the Baltic coast, the Västerbotten region with the harbour town of Umeå is one of the cultural centres of Norrland. Campsites can be found mainly along the coast, but also in the forests and on the lakes in the hinterland. The Bygdeträsket lake in particular is well worth a visit. Anglers, among others, get their money's worth here.

Norrbotten

Norrbotten is the northernmost coastal region of Sweden. From here you can set off on a sailing and fishing trip on the Baltic Sea, for example. The municipality of Luleå is a good starting point. The church village of Gammelstad, just a few minutes outside Luleå, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical significance.

Lapland

Lapland is the northernmost province of Sweden and is the traditional settlement area of the Sami people. If you want to find out more about this ancient nomadic people and visit their herdsmen's tents, you should visit the municipality of Jokkmokk or Kiruna, where the Swedish Sámi Parliament is located. In addition to the cultural aspects, Lapland's nature between taiga and tundra is also interesting. National parks such as Sarek, Abisko and Björnlandet are irresistible hiking terrains.

Activities and excursions

Norrland is a destination for true nature lovers. Activities range from hiking, sailing and fishing to cosy saunas in a log cabin by the lake.

Hiking

The never-ending forest landscapes of Norrland are the perfect destination for hiking enthusiasts. Inland, the earth gradually rises to form imposing mountain peaks from which visitors can enjoy a marvellous view of Scandinavian nature. Lapland is much more barren. Here you can hike through the tundra and meet reindeer herders.

Sailing

From coastal towns such as Luleå and Umeå, you can go sailing on the Baltic Sea. From June to August in particular, the weather is ideal for getting to know the sea and the coasts of northern Sweden from unusual perspectives.

Fishing

You can fish in Norrland either from the Baltic Sea or from the many secluded lakes inland. If you go on a deep-sea tour, you should definitely book a professional guide to show you the best spots off the coast. For independent fishing on the lakes, you may need a licence, which can be purchased from the respective landowner.

Gastronomy

Classics of Swedish cuisine such as the famous meatballs Köttbullar are also eaten in Norrland. Here, however, the delicacy is usually made from elk meat and is flavoured with cream and lingonberries. Many campsites in Norrland offer so-called Swedish buffets. These include aromatic mixed or crispbread, herring bites with dill, smoked salmon and eel and fruit salad. Potato dishes with fried egg and beetroot are also popular. When visiting the Sami, it is a must to try the dried and smoked reindeer meat. At roadside stalls, the former nomads sell their products in different variations, but mostly cut into strips.

Best time to travel

Destinations in Norrland

On a camping trip to Norrland, holidaymakers can visit the tranquil fishing towns on the coast, explore the forests and mountains of the national parks and get to know the Sámi culture in Lapland.

Västerbotten

Located on the Baltic coast, the Västerbotten region with the harbour town of Umeå is one of the cultural centres of Norrland. Campsites can be found mainly along the coast, but also in the forests and on the lakes in the hinterland. The Bygdeträsket lake in particular is well worth a visit. Anglers, among others, get their money's worth here.

Norrbotten

Norrbotten is the northernmost coastal region of Sweden. From here you can set off on a sailing and fishing trip on the Baltic Sea, for example. The municipality of Luleå is a good starting point. The church village of Gammelstad, just a few minutes outside Luleå, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical significance.

Lapland

Lapland is the northernmost province of Sweden and is the traditional settlement area of the Sami people. If you want to find out more about this ancient nomadic people and visit their herdsmen's tents, you should visit the municipality of Jokkmokk or Kiruna, where the Swedish Sámi Parliament is located. In addition to the cultural aspects, Lapland's nature between taiga and tundra is also interesting. National parks such as Sarek, Abisko and Björnlandet are irresistible hiking terrains.