In Umeå, the biggest city in Norrland, life is governed by the seasons. In the winter, temperatures easily drop below -20°C and the city is covered in thick snow, whilst the summers are warm with long, bright nights. The sun only dips below the horizon for three hours every night at the height of the summer. There are lots of fun outdoor activities to pursue all year round, and the city is also the central hub for culture and entertainment for the whole of Norrland.
During your visit to Umeå, you will be struck by how young the city is. Thanks to the big university, the city is filled with students. You won't find any really old houses either, as nearly all of Umeå burnt down in 1888. When the city was rebuilt, long rows of birch trees were planted in order to prevent fire from spreading between houses, giving Umeå its name as the "City of Birches".
A popular destination in Umeå is Västerbottens museum, which also houses the Gammlia outdoor museum. Take a trip here and experience the olden days of Västerbotten County. You can then explore the Umedalens skulpturpark (Umedalen Sculpture Park), or go see a production in the city's pride and joy, NorrlandsOperan (The Norrland’s Opera). The vast amount of students in Umeå has had an important influence on the city's music and theatre life. Why not attend a student comedy show (“studentspex”) for a wild and lively evening?
If you are travelling to Umeå, you shouldn't miss out on the city's surrounding area. Follow the Blå vägen (Blue Road) along the Umeälven River towards the northwest and discover part of Västerbotten's inland region. Pet a tame moose in Älgens hus (The Moose House) and taste some delicious moose cheese. Near Vindeln, you can experience the Vindelälvens forsar (Vindel River rapids) by going on wonderful hikes or kayaking down the calmer parts of the river.
Getting to Umeå is easy by car (via the E4 motorway, if you're coming from the south) or by train. Thanks to excellent flight connections, it's also simple to travel to Umeå for a shorter weekend trip.
If you want to experience the best of Norrland, a holiday in Umeå is the perfect choice. This is where the beautiful nature of Norrland is combined with a lively entertainment scene and, as Norrland's biggest city, Umeå is also a splendid place for shopping, culture and great restaurants.
