Summary
The city of Gävle, located in Norrland, may not be vast in size, yet it offers a remarkable array of museums, family-friendly activities, parks, and cultural venues. If you visit in December, you might also see the Gävle Goat, a large straw Christmas figure that seldom survives to the end of the month due to an unofficial tradition of vandalism.
Additionally, do not miss the opportunity to encounter a moose at a farm in the surrounding countryside. The city is bordered by vast natural landscapes: the Bothnian Sea is located just a few kilometers to the east, adorned with small islands. Within this scenic realm lie villages such as Bönan, ancient fishing settlements with roots spanning hundreds of years.
Here are the best attractions in Gävle to explore:
1. The Gävle Goat
Annually, since 1966, a colossal Yule goat, standing 13 meters tall and constructed from straw, is erected in Slottstorget during December.
This spectacle is certainly worth witnessing, but one must act swiftly.
In all but 12 of those years, the goat has been subjected to arson or other forms of destruction.
Interestingly, this tradition does not involve the goat being intended for burning; rather, it should remain intact until the Christmas season concludes and then return to storage.
Destruction of the goat is illegal, and individuals have faced arrest for such actions, yet this has not deterred annual attempts, which frequently succeed.
The last goat to survive until the conclusion of Christmas was the version from 2014, which withstood three attempts of arson.
2. Boulognerskogen
Located along the Gavleån river is an expansive park within a short walk from the city center.
This park was established in 1865 when the city acquired land previously owned by the church and draws its name from the Bois de Boulogne in Paris.
A trail runs beside the river, along with informative panels, and visitors can meander through the park’s pine, beech, and birch forest, discovering its many serene glades.
Recent initiatives have focused on enhancing the bathing facilities along the river.
You can enjoy brisk swimming, alongside amenities such as a café, miniature golf course, disc golf course, barbecue areas, a children’s playground, and the “Musicerande änglar,” a remarkable sculptural group by Carl Milles.
3. Swedish Railway Museum
As a central facility for Sweden’s railway heritage, the national railway museum transitioned from Stockholm to Gävle in 1970. It houses one of the finest collections of locomotives and rolling stock in Europe.
Within six exhibition halls and an outdoor yard, visitors can explore 150 years of Swedish railway history, featuring dozens of locomotives, the majority of which are steam-powered.
Hall 1 features one of the major highlights, the Prins August locomotive, delivered in 1856 and manufactured by Beyer, Peacock & Co.
Additionally, the museum has 150 carriages, many accessible to the public, showcasing a diverse array of railroad equipment, from tools to models, textiles, crockery, and archival photographs.
For train enthusiasts, prior arrangements can be made to access a variety of vintage trains and carriages that are stored off-site.
4. Gamla Gefle
The oldest district in Gävle is situated on the right bank of the Gavleån river.
You will recognize it by the transformation of the city’s structured grid into narrow cobblestone streets.
This area is vehicle-free, with a layout that has persisted since medieval times.
The structures are relatively newer, primarily from the 18th and 19th centuries.
These include one- or two-storey wooden houses painted in various vibrant colors, often accompanied by charming flower boxes or small gardens.
5. Furuviksparken
This amusement and animal park is located just a few minutes east of Gävle and has been in operation since 1900. It features a total of 17 rides, three of which are roller coasters.
The most recent addition, “Fireball,” was launched in 2017 and represents the park’s largest investment to date at 32 million Kronor.
Furuviksparken also includes a 50-meter swimming pool and a small adventure pool for children, both encompassed by lush greenery.
The park’s zoo features a variety of mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds from around the globe, with special events for children, such as pony rides and animal feeding sessions involving orangutans, chimpanzees, lemurs, and kangaroos.
During summer evenings, notable musical performances take place at the park, a tradition dating back decades to when artists like Sammy Davis Jr. and Louis Armstrong graced the stage.
6. Swedish Prison Museum
Following the decommissioning of the Gävle County Prison in 1986, a movement developed to prevent its demolition, consequently allowing the establishment of the Swedish Prison Museum.
This prison dates back to 1847 and stands as one of the earliest institutions created post the reform bill enacted by the Swedish Parliament in 1844. Within the grounds also lies the older two-storey Castle Prison, which dates back to 1732 and was later utilized for the accommodation of prison staff.
Visitors embark on an insightful and sometimes grim journey through Sweden’s penal history, delving into periods when criminals faced public punishment or execution.
Three specific cells—35, 38, and 40—have been preserved to reflect conditions as they were in 1850, 1900, and 1986 respectively, illustrating the evolution of inmate treatment.
7. Länsmuseet Gävleborg
As the capital of Gävleborg County, Gävle hosts a museum dedicated to the exploration of its cultural heritage.
The collection encompasses a wealth of art, ceramics, silverware, textiles, furniture, archaeological artifacts, and photographs for visitors to explore.
Notably, the painting collection possesses remarkable depth, showcasing works from the 20th century’s “Gothenburg Colourists” to esteemed 18th-century court painter Alexander Roslin.
Additionally, the museum offers an opportunity to delve deeper into pivotal moments in the city’s history, such as its prominence as Sweden’s primary port during the early 1800s.
As of the time of writing, the museum is undergoing renovations, with plans to reopen in October 2017.
8. Bönan
A short drive from Gävle’s center leads to a historic village that once held exclusive fishing rights along the Norrland coast.
During the 19th century, Bönan evolved into a summer escape for urban residents seeking clean waters, rustic charm, and fresh air.
While the fishing industry has diminished since the 1950s, a few boats still return with freshly caught herring, available for direct purchase from local fishermen.
Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque village, visit the old lighthouse, enjoy a swim at the beach if conditions permit, and savor some buckling (hot-smoked herring).
9. Kybacka Farm
Located just a few minutes southwest of Gävle is a farm dedicated to education, where visitors can engage closely with moose, the largest deer species in the world.
Guided tours occur twice a day, taking visitors into the moose paddock, educating them on their behavior and diet, allowing interaction with the more domesticated individuals.
In the surrounding woodland, numerous moose can be spotted from a distance, including Dennis, a half-ton moose bull known for his fondness for bananas.
The farm also features a restaurant and café serving homemade cakes.
Visitors are encouraged to check the farm’s website for varying opening hours.
10. Hemlingby Friluftsområde
A verdant oasis on Gävle’s southern periphery, Hemlingby Friluftsområde (open-air area) serves as a favored destination for jogging, cycling, and other forms of outdoor recreation.
Throughout the winter months, the landscape becomes quite picturesque with its blanket of snow, featuring cross-country ski trails of various lengths and natural skating rinks.
When snow is present, visitors can rent necessary equipment from the visitor center, which also houses a restaurant offering traditional dishes such as mackerel and herring for lunch, alongside coffee and cake during other hours.
During summer, guests can utilize outdoor swimming and barbecue areas and embark on nature trails, where they may encounter rabbits and sheep in neighboring fields.
11. Gävle Konserthus
The concert hall of Gävle, inaugurated in 1998, is situated in a picturesque location along the right bank of the Gavleån river.
This establishment borders the Boulognerskogen park and overlooks the “Musicerande änglar” by Carl Milles. Its design features an elliptical shape clad in blue tiles and copper sheeting.
The creation of the Konserthus provided a permanent venue for the Gävle Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest and most prominent orchestras in Sweden, which was founded 76 years earlier, in 1912. The acoustics of the hall have been meticulously engineered, rendering it exceptional for both symphonic works and contemporary pop performances, with visitors encouraged to review the program for upcoming concerts, bands, operas, or recitals.
12. Gasklockorna
There exists a compelling reason to explore Brynäs, an industrial district within the city.
Located in the Atlas area are two remarkable 19th-century gas holders that have been transformed into a dynamic mixed-use cultural center.
The buildings maintain their impressive external brickwork, evoking designs reminiscent of Byzantine architecture.
After their decommissioning, the structures began hosting theatrical performances in the 1980s prior to undergoing complete renovations.
Today, Gasklockorna serves as a popular venue for plays, television shows, concerts, festivals, fairs, DJ performances, conferences, and an array of other events.
13. Joe Hill Museum
Located in Gamla Gefle, visitors can learn about the brief yet impactful life of Joe Hill, an emigrant who became an influential figure in the American labor movement at the turn of the 20th century.
Born Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, he spent his youth in a small painted house, which now serves as a museum detailing his life.
Joe Hill was a fervent activist, poet, and songwriter, until his execution under questionable circumstances for murder in 1915.
The museum presents his legacy with artifacts from his life, alongside a café, a small garden, and outdoor stage performances during the summer months.
14. Limön Island
During the summer months, a voyage to Limön Island within the Gävle archipelago can be embarked upon almost daily aboard the M/S Drottning Silvia.
This journey departs from the quay at Södra Skeppsbron, with schedules available at the local tourist office.
Limön, a picturesque fishing community, shares a history with Bönan as a holiday retreat established in the 1800s.
The harbor presents a picturesque scene, adorned with rustic wooden huts and docks, as well as a café.
This island offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature, featuring options for fishing, hiking through the forest, and swimming at secluded spots.
Interestingly, the island’s name is derived from the word “lime,” and due to its isolated location and lime-rich soil, it hosts various rare plant species.
15. Brynäs IF
From September to April, spectators can experience one of Sweden’s national sports at the Gavlerinken Arena.
This venue serves as the home ground for Brynäs IF, consistently ranked among the premier teams in the Swedish Hockey League.
The team has secured championship titles 13 times, and reached the playoff finals in 2017, only to narrowly lose to HV71. Fans can expect thrilling matches, as three of the top ten scorers from the 2016-17 season played for Brynäs IF. If you are in Gävle for an extended stay, it is advisable to attend a match, as approximately 52 fixtures are scheduled from September through March.
