Two Destinations in Two Weeks
In summer 2003, I had the chance to test my basic Swedish skills on location for two weeks. During the first week, I traveled through Lapland by Inland Railway and bicycle draisine. The second week, I spent on Gotska Sandön and in Visby (Gotland) by the Baltic Sea.
On the Way to Lapland
The journey: I took the night train “BerlinNightExpress” from Berlin to Malmö, then the high-speed train “X2000” to Stockholm. From the capital, I continued to Östersund. After one night in a tent, I started with the Inland Railway Line (Inlandsbanan) into the north.
The Inlandsbanan is a tourist route - daily summer trains run between Östersund and Gällivare. Along the way, I saw endless forests, many rivers, and isolated timber buildings. The railway includes food stops and experience breaks.
Bicycle Draisine between Arvidsjaur and Jörn
On the abandoned railway line between Arvidsjaur and Jörn, you can rent an bicycle draisine to explore nature. The tourist office in Arvidsjaur offers draisines (one person + luggage) for 160 SEK per day (about 18 EUR in 2003).
The rideable distance is over 75 km. I spent four days going to Jörn and back - plus time for nature and bathing. I camped by quiet lakes. During those days, I saw more reindeer than people.
After arriving in Gällivare, I joined a guided bus tour into the Malmberget mine. Four hours in the deep tunnels cost 200 SEK. The deepest point reached was an unbelievable 1050 meters underground!
Afterward, I returned from Gällivare to Stockholm via the main Swedish railway line.
Gotska Sandön - Sand-and-Forest Island in the Middle of the Baltic Sea
Nynäshamn is southeast of Stockholm - there I took the ferry to Gotska Sandön, and later to Visby.
Gotska Sandön is the visible part of a long sandbank in the Baltic Sea. The island is about 38 km north of Fårö and Gotland. It’s 9 km long, 6 km wide, and 40 meters high at its peak.
The entire island is a National Park - only coniferous forests and sandy beaches. Overnight stays are only allowed in the north, at the campground or in huts. You’ll find drinking water and a kitchen house - but no shop or kiosk. Ferries run 3–4 times a week to Nynäshamn and Gotland in summer. Because there’s no port, the ferry must drive “up” onto the beach, depending on wind direction.
With few visitors and empty beaches, the island feels like paradise. Fresh forest air and sea breeze let you experience pure nature. I coincidentally met a family from Visby - so I spontaneously decided to join them to Gotland. [Tack för allt en gång till!]
Hanseatic City Visby / Gotland
The old Hanseatic city Visby lies on the west coast of Gotland. It developed in the 12th and 13th centuries into one of the most important Baltic Sea cities. Many churches, stone houses, and the city wall were built then. Centuries later, many buildings fell into disrepair. In the 19th century, Visby revived - and in 1995, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The 3.5 km long city wall is Visby’s hallmark. Built of limestone, it’s about 11 meters high and nearly fully preserved. Three main gates and over 50 towers are part of the wall. Ditches to the east and the Baltic Sea to the west supported its defense. Inside the wall, you’ll find 13 churches - but only the Dome Cathedral Saint Maria is still in use. The others are ruins - often well-preserved.
Short Stops in Stockholm and Malmö
On my return from Sweden to Berlin, I had a few hours in Stockholm and Malmö. In Stockholm, I visited Gamla Stan again. In Malmö, I walked to the southwest beach, watching the Öresund Bridge and sunset over the calm sea.
This trip was an interesting mix: wide forests inland on one hand - and relaxing time at the Baltic Sea and in historic Visby on the other.
Link Tips
- Inlandsbanan timetable and prices for the Inland Railway Line
- Gotska Sandön one island is national park
- Visby at Wikipedia
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... more of Lapland:
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... more of Baltic Sea:
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... more of Stockholm:
