Located roughly halfway between Umeå and Luleå, Skellefteå is a historic industrial city in Sweden’s Västerbotten County. It was incorporated in 1845 and grew into an important mining hub, earning it the nickname “Gold Town”. Today, Skellefteå is a significant centre for computer manufacturing.
Things to do in Skellefteå
Delve into the past at the Skellefteå Museum, which explores the history of the region from 10,500 BC to the present day. In addition to traditional clothing, vintage artefacts and old photographs, its exhibits include videos about the people and events who have made Skellefteå what it is today. At the Little Museum, kids can play in the recreated Sami hut or get hands-on with arts and crafts.
Another museum to visit is the Exploratoriet, an interactive science centre that occupies a 1940s-built sports hall. There are exhibits dedicated to the sun, robots and decibels, as well as an outdoor playground. The Exploratoriet lies alongside the Lanthandeln, a historic company shed that has been transformed into an atmospheric cafe.
On the western edge of the city is the Skellefteå Landsförsamling, a parish church that was originally constructed around 1500. It was rebuilt in a Neoclassical style at the end of the 18th century, based on the designs of the Ostrobothnian-born architect, Jacob Rijf. It houses a beautifully preserved sacristy from 1507 and a sculpture of Saint Goran and the Dragon, as well as a 1647 organ built by Petter Hansson Thel.
Getting around Skellefteå
Skellefteå Airport is a 20-minute drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Stockholm. The larger Umeå Airport is just under two hours away. Long-distance buses connect to Skellefteå while local services travel throughout the city. The centre of Skellefteå can easily be explored on foot.