Holiday apartment in Östersund: culture, nature and trails

Östersund begins in the city centre with a striking piece of urban history: the centrally located National Romantic-style town hall was completed in 1912 and is one of the stops on guided city walks.

Culture and history

The Östersund City Museum traces the city’s development – from a small town with craftsmen who had moved there to a modern city shaped by the arrival of the railway. Jamtli brings together three museums in one location. The open-air museum offers year-round encounters with animals and walks among cultural-historical farmsteads and settings. There are also bookable guided tours, walks, role-playing activities, workshops and other historical experiences.

Among Jamtli’s notable collections are the Överhogdal tapestries, created around 1,000 years ago. The Nationalmuseum Jamtli is a branch of the Nationalmuseum, an art and design museum in Stockholm. Jamtli is located about 1 kilometre from the centre of Östersund. The official art walks also offer a distinctive experience: they provide numbered maps showing the locations of the artworks.

Leisure and water

Storsjöbadet combines a variety of facilities in one complex. These include a children’s area, water slides, a diving pool, sports swimming pools and an outdoor pool. There are also hot tubs, a relaxation area and a fitness studio.

Sommarparken is located on both sides of the strait between Östersund and Frösön and can be reached by bicycle, on foot or by public transport. Östersund city centre offers cultural experiences and events for the whole family. There are also markets with a history spanning more than a century. In Östersund, skiing, kayaking or a bike ride can be combined on the same day with shopping, attending a concert or visiting the theatre.

Nature and landscape

Lillsjön Nature Reserve comprises forest, open land, wetlands and the calcareous lake Lillsjön. It is home to a rich variety of birdlife, a beach and trails for cycling and walking. Tysjöarna Nature Reserve lies on the outskirts of Östersund and contains one of the world’s largest occurrences of marl. The calcium-rich surroundings include springs and nutrient-rich marshes with numerous rare animals and plants.

The two lakes in Tysjöarna Nature Reserve are connected by a signposted trail of about 7 kilometres. At the northern entrance there is a ramp and birdwatching towers. Andersön Nature Reserve contains archaeological remains and is associated with the Battle of Jämtland in 1178. Lake Storsjön and the surrounding mountains offer impressive views from Östersund all year round.

Active pursuits

Östersund Ski Stadium offers almost 90 kilometres of ski trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. There is also a 12-kilometre cross-country mountain biking route running through gravel roads, narrow paths and exercise tracks.

On Bynäset, an approximately 7-kilometre route is available for walking, running and cycling. There is also a black-sand beach and a bathing area. Frösöberget has more than 100 climbing routes of varying difficulty; some offer views of Lake Storsjön and Östersund.

Routes and connections

Norrtåg operates passenger services on the Sundsvall–Östersund–Storlien route. Östersund’s main railway station is located about 0.5 kilometres from the city centre. From Badhusparken, a signposted cycle route crosses the pedestrian bridge towards Frösö Strand and continues to Vallsundsbron.

Frösötornet is located about 350 metres from a bus stop. A road leads to the tower, and a lift provides access to an enclosed viewing platform.

Other places

Orrviken, Solberg, Östersund, Marieby, Lit, Brunflo, Tand, Frösön.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jämtland.