This was one of the reasons for travelling via Luleå, Sweden, on my way north. The small, red and white wooden houses on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 404 cottages, to be exact, which appear to be used as vacation homes these days. I wouldn’t mind being the proud owner of a stuga, cause they’re adorable, even in the pouring rain. The bad weather, and the time of year (beginning of June, high season had not kicked off yet), I assume, were why the more than 400 year old church village was quiet in regards to visitors, and things to do. I came across one handicraft shop, and one cafe (next to the tourist information, do not recommend). The church, however, was very busy, with 19(!) drop-in weddings. We were welcomed in, as long as we didn’t take any photos. If you want stuff beyond looking at stugor, you need to visit later in the summer. I read: lantern guided tours, cottage visits, horse and carriage rides, traditional cooking, butter churning, blacksmithing, bread baking, and candle making. Knowing myself, I wouldn’t join any of that, but it’d be nice to have several shops to stop by, and better cafes/restaurants to lunch at. On the flip side, it means lots more people.
The church village merges seamlessly into the open air museum, Hägnan, which was also closed, as in you can walk around, but nothing’s going on.
Reaching the old town, the original centre of Luleå until 1649, can be done by getting on bus #9, at bus stop Smedjegatan / City in the city centre. Destination is Kyrktorget (village square), Kyrkbyn, 25 minutes, and 31 Swedish kronor, away. I got off at the stop prior, Framlänningsvägen, so I could walk through the village. I used the LLT app to buy tickets, and find departures.
If you want to spend the night, there is a hostel, not far from the square.
Website: visitgammelstad.se
