Discover Piteå: City, Archipelago and Culture

Piteå combines coastal landscapes, the city and its unique location in the archipelago. Those planning a trip with culture, nature and maritime experiences will find a wide range of options here: historic churches and museums, paths along the water, boat tours and distinctive landscapes. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it helps to decide on your preferred focus – whether city history and culture or days in nature between Fårön and the archipelago.

Cultural history and special places

Piteå Church is the oldest wooden church in Upper Norrland. Inside, there is a richly decorated Renaissance altarpiece from the 17th century. Guided tours of Piteå Church can be booked. The town’s history also goes back a long way: after a fire destroyed Öjebyn in 1666, the town was moved to the island of Häggholmen in 1667.

The Piteå Museum is located in the former town hall at Rådhustorget in the city centre. As a cultural history museum for the Piteå region, it presents exhibitions on the present day and history, as well as collections of objects and photographs. Guided city walks complement a visit to the museum. Those interested in maritime themes will find old wooden boats, boat engines and fishing equipment at the Piteå Boat Museum. The exhibitions also cover maritime life, industry, labyrinths, fishing and seal hunting.

Studio Acusticum offers a varied cultural programme. Concerts, performances, stand-up, dance and film screenings take place there throughout the year. The studio is also home to the Acusticum organ, considered the largest concert hall organ in the Nordic region.

Water, parks and archipelago

The Park Promenade runs along the Strömsund Canal between Piteå’s northern and southern harbours. Badhusparken, Piteå’s largest park, is located on the same canal in the city centre. It is home to the NPNP Demonstration Park, with winding paths and planted areas. During the summer months, flea markets, auctions and park evenings take place in Badhusparken.

The Piteå archipelago combines historic landscapes with ancient monuments and distinctive flora. Boat tours in the archipelago include seal safaris and sightseeing cruises. This makes it possible to add maritime impressions to a stay in Piteå without giving up the city’s cultural focus. Pitepalt is considered Piteå’s national dish and plays a central role in the local food culture – a regional speciality that forms part of engaging with the character of the town.

Nature experiences on Fårön

Fårön is located near Piteå, about 4 kilometres from the centre, and has nature trails and picnic areas. The first 300 metres of the nature trail feature wide wooden walkways suitable for wheelchair users, pushchairs and wheeled walkers. For families with different plans for the day, this section offers a practical way to combine a nature outing with an easier-to-plan stretch of trail. Other tour options and the boat trips in the archipelago offer a different focus and lead further into the waterside landscape.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

Piteå does not have a railway station. Rail travellers can travel via Luleå, Älvsbyn or Boden and continue from there by bus or taxi. Luleå Airport is about 50 kilometres from Piteå; from there, connections are available by bus, taxi or rental car. These travel options are just as relevant when choosing accommodation as the planned excursions. Those who want to combine museums, city history, parks and Studio Acusticum should focus their search on Piteå. For days in nature, Fårön, the coastal landscape and the archipelago can be important criteria when planning a trip.

Explore other places

If you would like to compare other places from this selection alongside Piteå, you can find Storsund, Sjulsmark, Altersbruk, Sikfors, Gråträsk, Koler, Lillpite and Norrfjärden here.

To the overarching travel overview: Piteå.