Gävle

The city of Gävle lies on Sweden’s Baltic coast. It is the capital of Gävleborg County and is located in the historic province of Gästrikland. Gävle has more than 90,000 inhabitants. It is the largest city in northern Sweden and also the oldest in the northern part of the country. Gävle is considered the gateway to Norrland and is a popular destination for a Baltic Sea holiday in Sweden. The city’s history has been shaped by industry and port activity. The processing and shipping of mining products from Sweden’s coastal areas made Gävle a hub for transport routes as well.

Gävle’s city centre presents a blend of tradition and modernity. The town hall, theatre and castle are historic buildings that stand in contrast to the modern concert hall. With its distinctly urban character, Gävle is a popular destination for holiday shopping. The many shops and boutiques in the city centre invite visitors to browse. The shopping centre in Valbo stands out in particular; it is one of the largest in Sweden. Several hotels offer holiday accommodation in the city.

Gävle’s many sights and excursion destinations mostly reflect the history of the city and region. They include the county museum and the Railway Museum (Järnvägsmuseum). At Gävle’s Railway Museum, visitors can admire Sweden’s oldest steam locomotive, dating from 1855. The various carriages, preserved with their original fittings, are sure to delight railway enthusiasts of all ages.

The harbour area is a particular attraction for visitors to the region and offers a tour through the city’s history. Many old warehouses, for example, have been preserved at the harbour. Gävle lies at the western end of the Baltic bay of the same name (Gävle Bay). More than 400 islands beckon visitors to explore the bay’s archipelago, making it a popular destination for watersports holidays. Several of the islands have jetties, picnic areas and toilets. The Dalälven, one of Sweden’s largest rivers, flows into Gävle Bay, connecting the Baltic Sea by water with the inland province of Dalarna. Around Gävle Bay, there are numerous holiday resorts, golf courses, campsites and swimming spots for an active Baltic Sea holiday.
Furuviksparken, modelled on American amusement parks, was established right by the Baltic Sea as early as 1900. This amusement park nestles leisure facilities, animal enclosures and restaurants within the coastal landscape, making it an attractive excursion destination for visitors from across the region. In and around Gävle, holidaymakers will find well-developed leisure facilities, as is typical in Sweden, that can be enjoyed all year round. They include running and ski trails, hiking paths, swimming spots, sauna cabins, playgrounds and picnic areas. The largest is Hemlingby friluftsområde.

The so-called Gävle Goat is famous throughout Sweden. This 13-metre-high and seven-metre-long straw Yule Goat is erected in front of the castle every year. To this day, a “contest” then unfolds between those trying to protect the Gävle Goat and those attempting to set fire to or destroy it, with varying results.

You can book your holiday cottage in Gävle directly.