Discover Umeå: Culture, Science and Routes Along the Ume River

Umeå offers several very different ways to plan a trip: You can view international contemporary art, learn about Sámi culture and regional history, experiment together or plan routes along the Ume River and into a nature reserve. This allows you to create a varied stay combining culture, science, exercise and shared discoveries.

Culture from Different Perspectives

The Gammlia open-air museum is part of Västerbottens museum and comprises around 30 buildings that were relocated there from various places in Västerbotten. Gammlia also has three Sámi settlement areas: one Southern Sámi, one Forest Sámi and one Northern Sámi. Anyone interested in regional history and different cultural perspectives will find several topics here that can be connected with one another.

Bildmuseet is considered one of Sweden’s leading art galleries for international contemporary art. It is located at Konstnärligt campus, a pleasant five-minute walk from central Umeå. Kvinnohistoriskt museum is Sweden’s first museum of women’s history and tells the past from a perspective that gives space to voices previously excluded. Väven is a platform for culture and experiences in Umeå. In addition, Guitars – The Museum in central Umeå houses one of the world’s largest privately owned guitar collections.

Shared Discoveries for Children and Adults

Curiosum is Umeå University’s science center, where children and adults can explore, experience and discover science and technology together. Visitors can try exciting experiments, programme, create and play games. Curiosum also includes a large dome theatre with a 360° screen. This makes it a suitable place to visit if you want to spend a day not only viewing exhibitions but also actively trying things out.

Sculptures, Routes and a Connection with Nature

Umedalens Skulpturpark has 43 sculptures in its permanent collection. Admission to Umedalens Skulpturpark is free. When planning a trip with different daily rhythms, this place can therefore be another cultural stop alongside the museums and science center. Umeå also has 220 kilometres of cycle paths. The waterfront promenades along the Ume River are suitable for discovering the surroundings around central Umeå.

A connection with nature can also be included in your travel plans: The Tavelsjöleden leads from Broparken in central Umeå into a nature reserve. Depending on whether you focus on museums, shared activities, cycle paths, waterfront routes or nature, different ideas of the right kind of stay emerge.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Umeå, it is worth deciding on your preferred daily rhythm in advance. If culture and routes around the centre are the main focus, the city centre is a logical reference point due to the location of Bildmuseet and the waterfront promenades. If you are mainly planning shared discoveries, you can include Curiosum as a fixed item on your itinerary. For days involving sculptures, cycle paths or the Tavelsjöleden, the desired location of your accommodation should suit your personal travel plans. This keeps your choice focused on what you actually want to experience in Umeå.

Further Destinations for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also view Sävar, Tavelsjö and Holmsund.

For the higher-level travel overview: Umeå.