Let's Explore Skellefteå together, northern Sweden!

Have you ever been to a place called Skelleftea? Quite honestly, I had not heard of it either until a short while ago. But this place, I must say, is quite incredible.

I say this because I have come here to work for a company called Northvolt, which is constructing giant plants for the purpose of manufacturing and recycling batteries. It’s like we want to make a revolution in history, and "Make Oil History". But wait, it doesn’t end there. Skelleftea is such an interesting city on its own!

I mean it is contemporary and youthful but at the same time still manages to retain a traditional Swedish feeling if that makes sense. The town itself is enveloped by such a picturesque environment, clear blue lakes, winding rivers, thick green trees everywhere. It is really an ideal place for every outdoor activity Enthusiasts be it hiking, fishing, kayaking, etc. And I also heard that the Skelleftea river has salmon in it! It is said that fishermen travel from far and wide just to catch some fish.

Although, I have to say, it is somewhat far away, it is approximately 773 km to the north of Stockholm and 3100 km to the north of Belgrade! In fact, I drove up here and it was a nice road trip as well.

Anyway, you’ve got to go and experience Skelleftea with me at some point. Believe me, it is worth the travel!

On the way to the north, you could even visit this place called Högakustenbron which is a High Coast Bridge close to Sundsval – so good, as well as the Swedish Ski Jumping Club in Örnsköldsvik – this place is for real!

Once you reach Skellefteå, you shall be amazed. It is this incredibly laid-back and tranquil city that is far away from the hustle and bustle of the streets and the crazy traffic. But there is more to this place than meets the eye – it possesses a dynamic creative spirit. Within the very downtown, there are art galleries, museums, and various types of art centers. It is the ideal place for both amateurs and professionals to display their artwork. The effort exhibited by the artists here is quite admirable and encourages one to work even harder.

The Lejonströmbron or Lejonström Bridge is one of the landmarks that any person in the city cannot miss. It is placed on the Skellefte River in between Sunnanå and Prästbordet neighborhoods next to the church. Being the longest wooden bridge in Sweden, the Lejaonstrom bridge was over 200 meters long. It’s only about 5 meters in width, and therefore, there is a provision of a traffic light allowing speakers to be one directional and then the other - how cool is that?

Close by, there is this place called Church Town, "Bonnstan" that I found really interesting. It’s like a scene from the 1800s etched in history! I mean, this place was constructed between 1830 and 1840 and has been preserved very well ever since. It is pretty much as it was back then, can you believe that? When you go there, it's as if you travelled back in time. No doubt, it is among the most well-preserved towns of that period in the nineteenth century.

You have to take a look at this wooden hotel that is right at the center of the city – this is one of the places to visit, and it is completely made of wood! It's one of the tallest wooden structures in the world measuring at twenty stories high! Crazy, right?

Please do enjoy yourselves but do remember to get back to me on how everything works out - I am sure my suggestions would enhance your experience more if not all.

And given the fact that the city lies far north, winter seasons are extremely long and cold lasting several months with snow coming by November and leaving in April or sometimes May. The streets are fully covered, and you wear the fabled boots and feel a true north.

Anyway even harsh winter periods are enhances by the breathtaking light display in the sky known as Northern Lights also referred to Aurora Borealis. It is so incredible that one will never forget it.

From the comfort of the house wrapped in warm blankets, one, however, can only imagine how nice it feels to be in one of those houses looking out at the snow from all over.

And in the summertime, people even have the chance to experience the mid-night sun where daylight is experienced throughout the entire period. Then winter arrives and sunlight hardly rises even during dawn. And if one happens to be on a plane, they will catch a glimpse of the sun setting under the round shape of the earth. Crazy, huh?

When it comes to sports, even more so. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the local ice hockey team, AIK Hockey Club, is ideal, bearing in mind the high standards of such clubs in Sweden. The city also has some small ski tracks as well as many nordic skiing trails. Plus there are even some horse races that you can watch during the summer, which is quite awesome!

I think Skellefteå is something else. It’s that place which is packed with all the most modern and newest elements, but at the same time has rich culture and very beautiful nature. Honestly, even if it is for a day, if the trip is to that place do not skip it. Don’t fool around, its worth the journey.

And in case you are done with skelefteå and want to roam around the vicinity, there are certain places that are quite awesome that you should look out for. Also, there is this very exciting adventure park a couple of kilometers towards the west, wherein you can ascend up to the tall trees and navigate through various difficult tasks even up to 12 meters high.

Also Byske which is a few kilometers above Skellefteå has a really attractive beach. You are free bask in the sun, barbeque, enjoy at the aqua park or simply sit on the sand. This will definitely help in utilizing those 2-3 weeks of summer fully!

You have to try and dive into the cold waters of the Baltic sea, it the best thing ever! I kid you not, you are going to enjoy it. This is such a wild feeling, you will be amazed. You have to try it out, it is truly unbelievable.

I absolutely need to tell you about this great place I found. It’s only about 2 hours up the north and there is this magnificent Storforsen waterfall. It is fairly big with the river average flow of 187 cubic mete per every second. This is one of the largest rapids in Europe which extends for about 5 kilometers and falls as much as 82 meters with a single fall of 60 meters. The flow is strongest from late June to July when it hits the 870 cubic meters per second mark. And the best part? There is even a very nice hotel up there, where one can eat something or just sit down with a cup of coffee.

If you love skiing, then you must try a place called Bygdsiljumsbacken which is only an hour’s drive from Skellefteå as it is a real treasure for winter sports.

When you reach there and get out of the car, the first thing which would catch your eye would be the expansive and beautiful ski slopes. They have different kinds of runs for people of all skills, from those quite easy to those incredibly difficult and exhilarating. The slopes are always in very good condition, and the entire place is even more gorgeous thanks to the surrounding sceneries. I mean it is a real winter wonderland!

Right after you put on your skis and glide down the mountain, you will be amazed by the scenery. The clean air, the tranquillity, the excitement of making turns in fluffy snow – all these factors combine into an impression that will stay with you for ages. Believe me, before you leave Bygdsiljumsbacken, you will be organizing your next journey there!

Video Gallery Skellefteå

Snowstorm driving through Skellefteå

Driving through the pine trees, Skellefteå

Driving through the deep snow, Skellefteå

Heavy snowstorm in Skellefteå

Driving on empty Swedish roads, from Stockholm to Skellefteå

Ski ride in the Bygdsiljumsbacken

Fist FIGHT at the AIK Skellefteå vs Vaxjo Ice Hockey Game

Storforsen waterfall, Sweden

The Polar Lights "Aurora Borealis", as seen from Skellefteå, Sweden

Skellefteå, Sweden

Storforsen Waterfalls, Sweden

Bygdsiljumsbacken, Ski Center, Sweden