Why visit The Heart of Sweden

From history to future. From twinkling lights in the city to the mist over a forest star. From castle to cabin. With a colorful palette of possibilities. In The Heart of Sweden, a rare blissful mix of enchanting encounters and experiences awaits you all year round.

Our Place. Your Story.

The history of the area has shaped the surroundings and if we look back from the Ice Age to the present day, the curious can explore glacial potholes, eskers and barren rock formed by the thick ice sheet. Ancient monuments, runestones and old hillforts trigger a desire to know more about what it was like here in the past.

This historic mining landscape stretches from Kopparberg to the north on the shores of Lake Ljusnaren, to Askersund to the south the archipelago tip of Lake Vättern. With parts of Bergslagen safe to the northeast, and magical Värmland forests around Karlskoga and Degerfors to the southwest. A fairytale place with vast forests, lakes, a vibrant countryside, and both small and large towns. It is a place where the provincial flowers cowslip, mistletoe, heather, bluebell, arctic starflower and cornflower intertwine to create a magnificent expression and a beautiful bouquet.

We are close to nature

Here you'll find the Bergslagsleden, one of Sweden's most beautiful lowland hiking trails, which connects the region like a vital artery. Alongside the Bergslagsleden, approximately 1,000 km of beautiful cycling routes wind through the enchanting wilderness.

You have a choice of numerous canoeing and kayaking waterways that connect our lakes with the towns in the region. From here, you can travel from the comforts of the city to hidden island groups, or after a visit to the trolls in the forest, paddle by boat to the historic castle in the heart of Örebro. In the beautiful countryside surrounding Örebro, you'll find traces of Swedish history that will take you back to the time of the iron and mining industries, when people lived in castles and cottages.

The city's proximity to nature gives you the opportunity to explore the famous wooden houses in Nora, the town of writer Maria Lang, the shores of Lake Vättern in the port of Askersund, or why not visit Alfred Nobel's birthplace, Karlskoga. Stay in first-class hotels in Örebro, the province's largest city, and enjoy the wide range of fine dining and cultural offerings. Discover Tiveden National Park, one of Sweden's most beautiful nature reserves. While largely rugged and inaccessible, its enchanting forests, crystal-clear lakes, stunning vistas, and flat, lichen-covered rocks make it incredibly inviting.

Prosperity and food go hand in hand

The Heart of Sweden has an exciting food culture, defined by quality. Grythyttan has made itself known as a center of gastronomy, where you will find Thore Wretman’s unique collection of cookbooks, including one of the world’s oldest cookbooks from 1480! But the area’s shared food memories don’t stop there. A solid and locally produced food craftsmanship permeates the entire area, and there is something here for all seasons.

We refine raw materials from the forest’s pantry into unique dining experiences, where cafés and restaurants naturally work with locally grown food and what is seasonally available. Organic vegetables and heritage grains from all over the county, pikeperch from Lake Hjälmaren, charcuterie, bread and eggs from local farms and producers. Pair the food with drinks from local entrepreneurs and craft breweries. Finish with a dessert of delicious cheeses or artisanal pralines. What these places and producers have in common is the food journey that unites visitors at the same table, where each dish is part of the larger story that we enjoy together.

Welcome to our home!

The Heart of Sweden is a place of opportunity. People from all over the world have moved here, and enrich our diverse palette with new impressions and ideas. Here you can experience the blue mountains with breathtaking hikes among the heather in magical environments. Wake up by a calm lake, hike, bike and enjoy locally produced products. Be swept away by the city’s glittering pulse and music, or wake up peacefully in the countryside in an accommodation that breathes well-being. Bring the whole family to the water park, Frövifors Paper Mill Museum, the park Lustiga Landet or enjoy tour skating on a wintry sparkling Lake Hjälmaren. Experiences awaits you all year round!