Hudiksvall

Hudiksvall is one of the medium-sized towns strung along Sweden’s Baltic coast like a string of pearls. Like most of these towns, it lies on a bay of the Baltic Sea. The Hornslandet Peninsula lies just off the coast from Hudiksvall. It is not only a popular day-trip destination for Hudiksvall residents, but also attracts many visitors to Sweden’s northern Baltic coast. Hudiksvall lies between Söderhamn and Sundsvall and is served by the north–south road and rail routes. After Gävle, Hudiksvall is the second-oldest town in northern Sweden. Founded at the end of the 16th century, it grew around its harbor, which has since lost its former importance. The town’s grid layout dates from its reconstruction after several devastating fires. Hudiksvall’s historic landmark is the row of warehouses along the harbor.

It is no coincidence that the Hälsingland Museum is located in Hudiksvall: the town lies in this historic Swedish region, where folk art and folk music traditions are kept especially alive. Local residents are particularly proud to show visitors the beauty of the surrounding countryside. The Hornslandet Peninsula is protected as an eco-park, offering plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming and even cave climbing. The cave system at Hölick, at the southern tip of the peninsula, is the second-longest in Sweden. Only a small part is accessible without a guide, but a guided tour can be booked in advance. Hölick is also home to a small beacon and Sweden’s oldest pine tree, which is more than 750 years old. Hornslandet is known for its fields of clatter stones. Despite its northerly location, the coastal landscape around Hudiksvall has numerous campsites and swimming spots; Hölick even has a sandy beach. Marinas in Hudiksvall and Hölick welcome recreational boaters for short stays.

Hudiksvall is a hub for active holidays. A canoe trip on Lake Dellen, just a few kilometers inland and connected to the Baltic Sea, is especially recommended. And there are few holiday activities you won’t find in and around Hudiksvall, in summer or winter—from golf, horseback riding and cycling to dog sledding, ice skating, cross-country and downhill skiing, and even snowmobiling. “Glada Hudik”—“Happy Hudik”—is how residents describe their town. The same is surely true for visitors to this varied town in northern Sweden.

You can book a holiday cottage in Hudiksvall directly.