3 hrs from: Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Close to so much more than just the capital.
With a rental car from Hertz, you can travel in comfort and style from one destination to the next – whether you prefer an uber-efficient EV or a reliable hybrid with plenty of room for both family members and luggage. Find the Hertz rental car that’s perfect for you and earn SAS EuroBonus extra points when you make a reservation here.
Adventures in Järvsö
About three hours directly north of Arlanda, you’ll find this small town in Hälsingland province, home to all kinds of excitement, adrenaline thrills and experiences. Winter, spring, summer or fall – a visit to Järvsö is always a good idea.
Skiing for all
Järvsöbacken
Järvsö is a great ski destination during the winter. With 20 slopes, eight lifts and five conveyor belts, the family-owned Järvsöbacken is the ideal resort to learn downhill skiing and snowboarding. If you prefer cross-country there are all kinds of options, from the guaranteed snow of Harsa to the centrally located Järvsö lit trail.
Uphill, downhill and flat
Järvsö Bergscykel Park
When the hilly landscape of Järvsö is not covered in snow, it’s a paradise for keen cyclists. Try one of the area’s thrilling, professionally built mountain bike trails for families or experienced riders, or the local MTB park with downhill trails for all skill levels.
Whitewater rafting in Edängeforsen
Järvsö forsränning
Get ready for a dizzying adventure in Ljusnan, about 15 km north of Järvsö. A rubber raft takes you and your friends or family through the wild rushes and rolls of Edängeforsen. The season runs May to October and difficulty levels vary, but note the minimum age is 12.
Need help with ideas and activities in Järvsö? Contact the Järvsö Guides who offer everything from a sauna raft to team-building.
Foodie heaven in Bergslagen
Stockholm is an obvious destination for foodies, but for the truly curious there are some delicious gems also west of the capital. Head for the stunning region of Bergslagen, where some of Sweden’s leading gastro-destinations await.
Delicacies among the sheep
Bredsjö Mjölkfår AB
Beautiful Bergslagen is also home to the family-owned Bredsjö Mjölkfår, an organic sheep dairy farm whose cheeses are now sought-after delicacies in stores across Sweden. Their flagship product is Bredsjö Blå, a mature blue sheep’s cheese, but you’ll also find the delicious Bredsjö Hård, a hard Swedish cheese equivalent to an Italian pecorino. As well as browsing the cheesy delights of the farm shop, you can also enjoy light meals in the cheese café & farm bistro – with the sheep quietly grazing close by.
A food and wine trip
Grythyttans Gästgivaregård
The small town of Grythyttan is home to Grythyttans Gästgivaregård – a culinary oasis where skilled chefs serve outstanding food, carefully prepared from seasonal local ingredients, accompanied by wines from the impressive cellar (housing one of Sweden’s oldest collections for example). To enjoy the full gastro experience, you can even check into one of the hostelry’s individually furnished rooms, from luxury suites to more basic single rooms.
Award-winning culinary craft
Hjulsjö 103
Hjulsjö 103 explores what can be created from a few carefully selected local ingredients: grain, apple, cheese and coffee (the latter not produced in Bergslagen, but bought from a friend of the owners who imports sustainable coffee). The result? An amazing sourdough bakery with award-winning sourdough bread and hand-rolled croissants, a small-scale cider house and coffee roastery. Hjulsjö 103 is open Saturdays, but you can also book a weekend at the one-room hotel.
Picturesque, historic Vadstena
Just over three hours’ drive south of Arlanda, the landscape along the E4 highway goes from the eclectic nature of Södermanland to the vast plains of Östergötland province, bright yellow in May with expansive fields of rape. The small town of Vadstena – beautifully located next to Vättern, Sweden’s second-largest lake – is home to historic monuments, picturesque cobbled streets, and flea-market bargains galore.
The beating wings of history
Vadstena Klosterområde
Strolling around Vadstena Monastery Quarter is a powerful experience. Founded in 1384, this medieval monastery was planned and designed by Saint Bridget of Sweden, and was a ‘double monastery’ housing both nuns and monks of the Bridgettine order. Following King Gustav I’s reformation the monastery was closed in 1595, and has since been used as a veterans’ home, a mental hospital, a hospital for treating venereal diseases, and a hospital. Nowadays the Monastery Quarter is home to some 20 different units – the Abbey Church, Sancta Birgitta Klostermuseum, Pilgrimage Center, Herb Garden, and Monk’s Garden (one of the oldest preserved orchards in Sweden) are all worth a visit.
The cutest tearoom in town
Gamla Konditoriet
The counter at the old 15th century Helgeandshuset features the most delicious cakes, pastries and sandwiches. Gamla Konditoriet, the Old Bakery in Vadstena, makes and bakes everything from scratch, adding even more charm to this classic little café. Odd little coffee cups, floral plates and solid old wooden furniture – Gamla Konditoriet in Vadstena is a must for any lover of Swedish fika.
Find a bargain
Lions loppis Vadstena
Like many other small towns in Sweden, Vadstena is big on flea markets, especially during the summer. Glass, porcelain, furniture, furnishings and other antiquities can all be found in traditional second-hand shops and private flea markets or yard sales. And if you’re feeling peckish, there are plenty of farm shops and garden centers to choose from.
Reserve a rental car with Hertz here and earn SAS EuroBonus extra points toward your next bonus travel trip.
Text by Agnes Regell