Located on the shores of Lake Storsjön, Östersund is a cultural and economic hub in the Swedish province of Jämtland. It has been dubbed the “Winter City” due to its chilly weather and boasts an abundance of snow sports facilities. Among its attractions are a fascinating open-air museum and a waterfront park that offers recreational pursuits throughout the year.
Things to do in Östersund
On Östersund’s waterfront is Badhusparken, where you can swim and sunbathe in the summer months. In the wintertime, it transforms into a huge ice-skating rink, with magnificent views across Lake Storsjön towards the island of Frösön. Frösön is home to the northernmost rune stone in Sweden, which commemorates the 1050 arrival of the Christian missionary, Austmaður.
North of Östersund's city centre is Jamtli, an open-air museum featuring reconstructed wooden buildings that include a bakery and a woodman’s cottage. It showcases the cultural heritage of the region and boasts one of the largest collections of historical photographs in Sweden. Learn about the mythical lake monster known as Storsjöodjuret and marvel at the Överhogdal Tapestries, which date back to 1100 AD.
Want to get up close to friendly moose? Head to the Moose Garden in Orrviken, which is home to moose of all ages and sizes. Join a guided tour to learn about the lifecycle and behaviour of these impressive mammals before having your photo taken with one of the calves. The on-site cafe serves drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Getting around Östersund
Åre Östersund Airport is around 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Stockholm and Umeå. Trains connect from Sundsvall and Stockholm to the Östersund Central railway station and buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Östersund is compact enough to explore on foot.