Discover Umeå between nature and culture

If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Umeå, you can plan your trip around nature, outdoor activities or culture. The destinations and activities offer different focuses: from birdwatching and paths through forest landscapes to museums and public art.

Nature and birdwatching

The Umeälven delta in the municipality of Umeå is a nature reserve, a Natura 2000 site and a Ramsar site. It is known for its birdlife: in spring, thousands of migratory birds stop there during their annual migration; guided birdwatching is also offered in spring. Birdwatching towers and other facilities are available for observing birds. Seasonal access restrictions apply in the protected area, and you should observe them during your visit.

On Stora Tuvan, a suspension bridge suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as well as an accessible ramp, lead from the car park to a birdwatching and resting hide. The ramp is also accessible to people with visual impairments. Check local accessibility information before you travel.

The Grössjön nature reserve combines ancient forest and wetlands with a sense of wilderness close to Umeå. A blue-marked, four-kilometre circular trail leads through the area; there are several rest areas along the way. As trail conditions can change seasonally, take this into account when planning. With a little luck, you may spot capercaillie, short-eared owls and three-toed woodpeckers in the old forest.

On the islands of the Holmöarna nature reserve, you can hike, paddle, cycle and swim. There are hiking trails on Ängesön, Kammen and Trappudden; here too, trail conditions can vary seasonally. The islands also preserve traces of early hunter and fishing communities. The Holmö ferry from Norrfjärden, north of Umeå, is a factor to consider when planning your journey: the crossing takes about 45 minutes and is free of charge. Check the timetable before you travel.

Trails and activities in Nydala

An approximately nine-kilometre illuminated walking and cycling path runs around Nydalasjön. Nydala cykelpark has two pump tracks for MTB and BMX bikes, open to everyone. The two tracks are about 200 metres and 70 metres long; the facility is open and accessible around the clock every day. This means that the longer loop around the lake and the shorter tracks differ considerably in length and use.

Äventyrsstigen in Nydala is an 800-metre forest trail with eleven challenges of different types and levels of difficulty. A wheelchair-accessible ramp runs around the trail and extends about 75 metres into the forest. Another route for an outing, Ume Älvdal, passes through a cultural landscape along the Umeälven. You can explore the area by bike or on foot; sights related to history, art and culture are located along the route.

Art, museums and regional history

Bildmuseet is an exhibition hall for international contemporary art on the University of Umeå’s Konstnärligt campus. It brings art and science together. Since 2012, the museum has been housed in a building on the banks of the Umeälven. Its programme includes exhibition openings, guided tours, an open art studio, artist talks, debates, lectures, as well as film, music and other events. Admission is free; as the programme changes, it is worth checking the current events calendar.

Gammlia open-air museum consists of around 30 buildings relocated there from various places in Västerbotten and presents regional history. Summer events include Midsummer celebrations and dance evenings; check the dates before your trip. Kvinnohistoriskt museum is located in the Väven cultural centre. It is considered the first museum of its kind in Sweden and places women at the centre of exhibitions about the present, past and future.

Outdoor art and music history are also cultural attractions: Umedalens Skulpturpark features around forty works, including pieces by Tony Cragg, Louise Bourgeois, Anthony Gormley, Jaume Plensa and Anish Kapoor. It is open around the clock all year, and admission is free; check access information before your visit. Guitars – The Museum displays a collection assembled by the Åhdén brothers, comprising electric guitars, basses, amplifiers and musical memorabilia.

The season may also influence your choice: guided birdwatching is offered in spring, while Gammlia hosts Midsummer celebrations and dance evenings, among other events, in summer. For both seasonal offerings, it is worth checking the relevant dates and programmes in advance.

Discover more destinations: Holmsund, Umeå, Tavelsjö, Sävar, Norsjö, Vilhelmina, Dorotea, Robertsfors.

For the main travel overview: Västerbotten.