North of Stockholm are two of Sweden´s oldest and historically most interesting cities: Uppsala, the country´s most prominent university seat, and a one-time capital of Sweden, and Sigtuna, the picturesque small town known as the very oldest town in Sweden, perfect for a day excursion. In Uppsala, Sweden´s fourth largest city, is Sweden´s National Cathedral, the country´s largest and most spectacular church, its oldest parts built in the 13th century. Many of the city´s leading attractions are related to the university, including Sweden´s oldest college, opened in 1477, and the Gustavianum museum. Uppsala was also the town where Sweden´s great natural scientist and philosopher Carolus Linnaeus was active for most of his career, and where you´ll find the most important Linnaeus sights – his home Hammarby, the Linnaeus garden, and the ambitious Linné exhibition in the Gustavianum museum. Thus, Uppsala will also be the main centre for the celebrations marking Linnaeus´ 300-year anniversary in 2007, culiminating with a long series of events, exhibitions and happenings throughout the summer season.

In the area around Stockholm, Uppsala and Lake Mälaren, and all over Central Sweden, and in the Bergslagen region in the west in particular, there are many interesting historical sights from Sweden´s superpower era, as well as from the dawn of our industrial revolution. The Gripsholm castle near the idyllic town of Mariefred, and nearby Skokloster, both on Lake Mälaren, are unique baroque castles with magnificent 16th and 17th century interiors and astonishing exhibits, including the Royal Swedish portrait collection at Gripsholm. Örebro castle in the town of Örebro is another imposing castle from the same period, the Vasa era. Throughout the region, there are innumerable other castles, chateaus and manor houses from various period, many of which offer accommodation and dining, and nearly all open to the public – at least in summer. There are also many intact and highly interesting environments and villages built around Sweden´s oldest ironworks, founded by Wallon entrepreneurs who immigrated from Belgium, with some places dating all the way back to the 16th century. The Unesco World Heritage sight at Lindesberg in Västmanland is just one of a number of such unique environments. Many of these castles and manor houses offer special cultural events, in particular music, during the summer season. On the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren is the archaeological Viking settlement of Birka, also included on Unesco’s World Heritage List, featuring a fascinating museum. Boat tours are arranged from Stockholm and other ports around Lake Mälaren during spring, summer and autumn.

The highly scenic Dalarna and Värmland regions in the northwest are sometimes referred to as ”The most Swedish” of all our landscapes, where a certain national romantic tradition is perhaps more alive than anywhere else. Here you will find the postcard vistas with ancient red timber cottages and farmhouses set among deep green forests and shimmering blue lakes. The region around Lake Siljan in Dalarna is a particularly popular and beloved destination for Swedish and international visitors, with a wealth of scenic and picturesque towns and villages, and a multitude of cultural and historical sites and attractions, perhaps most famous for its traditional Midsummer celebrations. The world´s oldest copper mine in Dalarna´s regional capital Falun is another of no less than five Unesco World Heritage sites in Central Sweden. Also in Dalarna is the famous open-air theatre Dalhalla, spectacularly set in an old limestone quarry, seating 4,000, where opera and other musical and scenic performances are given during summers. Värmland is known as a cradle for Swedish literature and storytelling, home to many of Sweden´s most celebrated authors and poets, including Nobel laureates Gustaf Fröding and Selma Lagerlöf, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature. Lagerlöf´s home in Mårbacka is a star attraction for visitors from near and far.