Umeå - Do & See
In Umeå, with the forests, the sea and the river, lots of exciting outdoor experiences awaits you just around the corner. The Tourist Information Centre is happy to help with suggestions and advice. At their web site - www.visitumea.se - you will find more information and can also book activities online.
Gammlia & Västerbottens Museum
The basic exhibitions in Västerbotten’s museum deal with the county’s ancient past, its cultural history, the life of settlers and reindeer husbandry. The photographer Sune Jonsson’s fantastic pictures of the agricultural landscape of Norrland are also to be found here. Gammlia is a hive of activity in the summer. Historical buildings have been moved here from various parts of the county, and together with the farm animals and the people living in the cottages who are dressed in keeping with the period, they create an authentic environment.
Bildmuseet
In recent years it has established itself as one of the country’s leading museums for photography and the visual arts. Painting, sculpture, drawings, graffiti, video and installations, but also photojournalism, design, architecture and the world of scientific images are presented in about 15 exhibitions per year. Open all year round.
White-water Racing on the Vindel river
One of the best rivers in the world for white-water rafting. Several different companies arrange everything from peaceful half days to extreme adventure. Prices vary substantially depending on the activity. Summer activity.
Dog sled
A trip with a dog team, wrapped up in warm blankets under the northern lights, is a superb way of experiencing the countryside of Norrland. Perhaps you’ll encounter an elk or a reindeer? Winter activity.
Älgens Hus (Elk Farm)
Älgens Hus in Bjurholm, 45 minutes from Umeå, gives you the chance to get really close to the king of the forest you might even be able to stroke or feed him? The farm produces elk cheese which it goes without saying is available for purchase. Prebooking wintertime is required.
Trekking
An eighty kilometre long-distance footpath runs alongside the River Lögde. The river winds through the forest landscape and on occasion the path goes very close to the water’s edge. There are a lot of beavers in the area. Cottages and shelters from the wind are maintained and are free to use for overnight accommodation and rests. Information and maps are available at the tourist office. Trekking is suitable during snow-free season.
Norrbyskär
A group of islands with a fascinating history in Västerbotten’s only archipelago, forty kilometres south of Umeå. At the turn of the century this was the location for Europe’s largest steam sawmill. It is now an idyllic place with experiences for all the family. Good food and accommodation in a country estate environment at the Hotel Norrbyskär (see Accommodation). A passenger ferry operating several trips per day during the summer takes you to the island from Norrbyn. Summer activity.
Kayaking
To be kayaking is to be cutting through the water surface almost without a sound and it is in it self a magical experience for both body and soul! The Umeå surroundings offers plenty of kayaking routes through canyons and pass beaches. Several differnt companies offers guided tours and kayaks for hire. Choose, as an example, between energizing sea kayaking or peacefull river kayaking in Umeälven. Summer activity. For more information on tours and prices please visit:
Seal Safari
Take a peek of the seals from the boat or why not, at own risk, dive in to the water and join them! Quite far out in the sea outside Umeå, is one of Sweden’s larges settlements of seal and normally, but not always, there are a couple of hundred individuals looking back at you! Divextreme arrange guided tours every Thursday at 10.00, between June and September. Prebooking is required. Departs from Norrbyn.
Andersson Sandström Gallery
Andersson Sandström Gallery is located in the former hospital compound called Umedalen and exhibits international contemporary art, somewhat focused on sculpture. Please see website for information on what is on display at the moment.
Umedalens skulpturpark
Skulpturparken, Sculpture Park, which is located in the former hospital compound in Umedalen, is considered to be one of Europe’s most distinguished sculpture parks and is also one of Västerbottens most visited sites in the summer. More than 150 Swedish and international artists has since the start in 1994 exhibited their works in Umedalen Skulptur, an exhibition that is organized every summer. Today there are also 26 purchased and permanent works in the park.
Skulpturparken also has a garden landscape in connection with the IKSU Spa, Umeå’s so-called cultural spa. The garden is created by one of Sweden’s famous landscaping artists, Ulf Nordfjell.
Skultpturparken is open to everyone year-round seven days a week.
Bicycle picnic on Holmön
Experience the island idyll of Holmön from a saddle! Bicycles make it easy to freely explore our glorious part of the archipelago. Summer acitivty.
Beaver safari
Spend a thrilling evening on the Vindel River scouting for beaver. Depending on group composition, we offer various forms of water transport: kayak, skiff or rubber raft. Summer activity.
Elk safari
A unique opportunity to be king of the forest up close. Get a chance to creep up to the elk and shoot it up close. We meet in Grano and go out to the family Olofsson’s cabin in the woods, beautifully situated on a lake. Good home cooked food served by Anne Gerdh Olofsson. Overnight in the guest house. You can fish and swim in the lake and enjoy the wood-fired sauna. Early the next morning you head out on safari. Extra Bonus! Since there are bears in the area there are chances to dog can make a bear. Then it becomes a bear safari instead!
Midwinter night ski tours
Experience a night-time winter forest. At an easy pace, ski through a forest that is several hundred years old and listen to tales of its secrets. In the forest, there is a croft dating from the 1840s. There, you can warm ourselves by the fire, drink hot chocolate and eat home-baked pastries. The tour is led by countryside guide Christopher Storm, who speaks Swedish, German and English.
Riding in winterlandscape
Those who do not like engines might prefer to try other horsepower activities. Horseback riding is a slightly quieter way to enjoy the winter landscape. All tourism business horses are calm and confident. The tours are always adjusted according to the group knowledge. Horseback riding is offered in both summer and winter.
