Discover Umeå: art, culture and science

Umeå offers a variety of ways to spend your time: international contemporary art, women's history, an open-air museum with buildings from Västerbotten, and hands-on science. There is also a sculpture collection, as well as waterfront promenades and cycling paths. You can plan your time around different themes—from museums and history to activities for children and adults.

Art, history and collections

Bildmuseet, at Konstnärligt campus, is one of Sweden’s leading art galleries for international contemporary art. It is a pleasant five-minute walk from the centre of Umeå. In the centre of Umeå, Guitars – The Museum houses one of the world’s largest privately owned guitar collections.

Kvinnohistoriskt museum is Sweden’s first museum dedicated to women’s history. It tells stories of the past from a perspective that gives space to voices that were previously excluded. Väven adds a platform for culture and experiences in Umeå.

The open-air museum Gammlia is part of Västerbottens museum. It comprises around 30 buildings that were moved there from different places in Västerbotten. Gammlia also has three Sámi settlement areas: South Sámi, Forest Sámi and North Sámi. The buildings and settlement areas give the museum’s themes a variety of regional and cultural perspectives.

Discover science together

Curiosum is Umeå University’s science centre. Children and adults can explore, experience and discover science and technology together. Visitors can try exciting experiments, code, get creative and play games. Curiosum also features a large dome theatre with a 360° screen. Its activities offer a different focus from the museums’ collections and historical themes: here, hands-on experimentation and discovering together take centre stage.

Sculptures and outdoor paths

Umedalens Skulpturpark has 43 sculptures in its permanent collection. Admission to the park is free; check visiting options before you arrive. A visit outdoors can also be combined with the art-focused perspective found at other places in Umeå.

The waterfront promenades along the Umeälven are a great way to explore the area around the centre of Umeå. Umeå has 220 kilometres of cycling paths. From Broparken in the centre of Umeå, the Tavelsjöleden leads into a nature reserve. Depending on what you have in mind for your time outdoors, you can plan a visit to the waterfront promenades along the Umeälven, Umeå’s cycling network or the Tavelsjöleden.

Plan your stay around your interests

When looking for a hotel in Umeå, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: art and history, hands-on science or time outdoors. Each place has a different focus, so you can arrange your destinations around your interests. When comparing specific hotel offers, choose according to your personal accommodation requirements.

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