Umeå travel guide

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Introduction to Umeå

Umeå, known for its incredible Västerbotten museum, Umeå Energicentrum, and Kulturväven, is a travel destination everyone should visit once in their lifetime. This urban area in Umeå Municipality, Sweden has plenty of experiences to offer curious travelers. Home to a variety of natural beauty and architecture, a unique historical background, and a culture as rich as its population of more than 91.9 thousand people, Umeå is truly one of the main highlights of Sweden.

Umeå was founded in the year 1622. For a deeper understanding of the city's history, culture, and local events, the official website of Umeå is a treasure trove of knowledge.

Travelers looking to experience the best of Sweden often choose to stay in Umeå. Easily accessible from Umeå, Umeå is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Sweden.

History of Umeå

Nestled on the eastern coastline of Sweden, the city of Umeå boasts a rich and compelling history. Established in 1588, Umeå's early existence was marked by several devastating fires, the most catastrophic of which occurred in 1888, eradicating most of the town.

In the aftermath, the city was painstakingly rebuilt with wide avenues, earning it the nickname 'City of Birches'. Umeå's growth accelerated in the 20th century, particularly after World War II, with a significant population increase and urban expansion.

Umeå's history is also deeply intertwined with the indigenous Sami people, whose presence in the region dates back thousands of years. Today, Umeå is a vibrant and bustling city, known for its rich cultural scene. It was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2014, a testament to its historical significance and enduring cultural heritage.

Top services in Umeå

On this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Umeå, Sweden. Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Umeå, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place.

Discover the cheapest and most popular flights offered by a variety of airlines that fly to Sweden. Check out the best things to do in Umeå. Compare the rates and services of the 5 types of stays and 3 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage.

Experience the best of Umeå with an expertly curated and fully customizable itinerary. Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Umeå from our free 24/7 customer support. We make it easy for you to find and book every detail of your trip to Umeå with this travel guide.

Continue reading this Umeå travel guide to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Umeå!

Best time to visit Umeå

The best time to explore Umeå, Sweden would be during the summer months from June to August. The weather is pleasantly warm, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C, providing a comfortable climate for sightseeing and outdoor activities. These months also coincide with the annual Umeå Jazz Festival in October, a can't-miss event for music lovers. If you're keen on winter sports, consider visiting between December and March, when Umeå becomes a snowy wonderland perfect for skiing, ice fishing, and northern lights viewing. However, do keep in mind, winter in Umeå can be quite chilly with temperatures often below freezing. Avoid the peak tourist season in July if you prefer a less crowded experience. For budget-conscious travellers, the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) offer relatively mild weather and fewer tourists.

Local tip for visiting Umeå

One insider tip for a unique and authentic experience in Umeå, Sweden, is to visit during the Sami National Day on February 6th. The indigenous Sami people's culture is deeply ingrained in Umeå, and their National Day is a remarkable celebration not typically experienced by tourists. These festivities offer an exceptional opportunity to delve into the rich Sami culture, with traditional music, food, crafts, and even a reindeer race in the town center. Locals advise tourists to dress warmly for the outdoor activities and to book accommodations and restaurants in advance, as this is a popular event among residents. This insider tip will ensure you experience an aspect of Umeå that many visitors overlook, but which significantly contributes to understanding the local culture and history.

Learn more about Sweden

With destinations such as Umeå, a trip to Sweden needs no further explanation. Spanning over 447,425 square kilometers, Sweden is an expansive playground of discovery, offering a wealth of diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and captivating experiences awaiting exploration. From bustling metropolises to historic towns and modern urban hubs, Sweden has something to enchant every traveler.

In Umeå alone, travelers are spoiled for choice with an array of experiences and world-famous attractions such as Västerbotten museum, Umeå Energicentrum, and Kulturväven. Thus, a trip to Sweden becomes essential. Whether you're drawn to historical sites, natural wonders, or vibrant cultural experiences, Sweden offers an abundance of treasures waiting to be discovered.

There's so much to explore and uncover in Sweden. Click or tap the link below to discover more about Sweden and its offers.

What to see in Umeå

View from above, Umea northern Sweden.

Expect an exhilarating journey through Umeå, a haven brimming with attractions to suit every traveler’s taste. From historical landmarks to natural wonders, and delectable cuisine, Umeå offers an abundance of experiences waiting to be discovered. Dive into this ultimate Umeå travel guide to uncover must-visit spots and get the scoop on what makes the city so special.

Top attractions in Umeå

With its blend of traditional and modern culture, Umeå is more than just a wonderful city in Sweden. It's a hub for diverse experiences, boasting top attractions that range from historical landmarks to modern marvels, offering a glimpse into Sweden's rich heritage and innovative spirit.

One popular place to visit in Umeå is the unforgettable Västerbotten museum. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn't miss on your trip to Umeå.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Umeå, check out our list of top attractions below. Discover the best places to visit in Umeå, including the fascinating Västerbotten museum, Umeå Energicentrum, Kulturväven, Guitars the Museum, and Umeå City Church.

Map of attractions

Take a closer look at the city map below for the exact locations of all the top attractions in Umeå.

How to get to Umeå

International travelers can fly to Umeå by booking flights with SAS, Norwegian International, Turkish Airlines, and Jonair, offering flights to Umeå. From the arrival airport, travelers can choose from various public and private transfer options to Umeå.

For those seeking the best flight ticket deals to Umeå, knowing the cheapest travel times and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we provide this information to help you discover the cheapest and most popular flights to Umeå. Go to this page to compare all flights to Umeå.

Find cheap flights to Umeå

Umea City Church in winter overcast, many old buildings at frozen river coast, blue clear sky, Sweden.

Booking budget-friendly flights to Umeå is a crucial part of planning your trip to the city. This section will guide you through the process, helping you find the best deals for your journey.

Booking in advance is a smart move when traveling to Umeå. Airlines release their best deals months ahead of departure, so early birds catch the lower fares. Consider flexible travel dates while planning your visit to the city. Mid-week and off-peak seasons often offer more wallet-friendly options.

To help you find cheap flights to Umeå, you can use the powerful booking widget below. Enter your departure city, choose between round trip or one-way, pick your fare class, select travel dates, and specify the number of travelers. Click "Search" and the widget will do the rest. You'll see a list of flights matching your criteria, making your trip to Umeå even more convenient.

Fine-tune your search with filters to sort by price, airline, layovers, and more. Once you've found your ideal flight, click "Book" and you'll be redirected to the booking page to complete your reservation. Enter your payment details and receive a confirmation – it's that simple!

Remember to book ahead, stay flexible, and utilize the widget's features to make your journey to Umeå both affordable and unforgettable.

Where to stay in Umeå

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An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Umeå is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience. The best place to stay in Umeå usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodations in central Umeå offers a ton of benefits.

Staying in the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Umeå and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Umeå planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Umeå, you'll find 5 different types of places to stay, catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Sweden can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the luxury hotels in Umeå. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range and budget-friendly hotels in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Umeå.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Umeå in the following sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Umeå

A trip to Umeå means opportunities to relax at any of the 5 different types of places to stay in the city. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Umeå provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Umeå. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

Below is a list of all 5 different types of places to stay in Umeå. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

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All Hotels in Umeå

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Search for accommodation in Umeå

Finding the perfect stay for your visit to Umeå is made easy with our search tool. With just a few clicks, explore a range of available hotels and accommodations, complete with prices and amenities for easy comparison. Simply input your check-in and check-out dates, along with the number of guests and rooms needed. Start planning your trip to Umeå effortlessly now!

Car rentals in Umeå

To navigate Umeå effortlessly, renting a car is an excellent choice. With your own wheels, you can explore every nook and cranny of the destination without relying on public transportation and even venture off the beaten path. On our website, you'll discover a selection of over 3 car rental companies in Umeå, ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Umeå start at 54 EUR per day or 379 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Renault Captur Auto. If you prefer driving a manual car, you'll find multiple options for rent in Umeå, starting at 48 EUR per day or 337 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Skoda Fabia.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Umeå, Sweden below.

Search for car rentals in Umeå

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Umeå. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Umeå, Sweden, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Umeå

Umea, Sweden, Happy people enjoy watching pole standing moment while a beautiful woman passing by.

The city of Umeå is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Sweden. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Sweden has it all.

Each destination in Sweden offers something unique to experience! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Sweden that are as magical as the city of Umeå. The most popular travel destinations in Sweden are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Sweden

When unsure about where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Sweden. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Umeå

 Street view of strolling people in the civic center in Umea, Sweden.

Experience the authentic charm of Sweden by expanding your travels beyond the boundaries of Umeå. Explore other destinations around Sweden with a domestic flight. A domestic flight is typically a short-haul flight, with the longest duration not exceeding two hours. To find the best flights from Umeå to other amazing locations in Sweden, add the required details below and select 'Search' to view the best domestic flights in Sweden for your chosen dates. You can also jump to the last section of this travel guide to find the most popular domestic flights from Umeå.

Search domestic flights from Umeå

Traveling to another city or region in Sweden? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Umeå to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Sweden on the selected dates.

Transportation in Umeå

Reaching and moving around Umeå, Sweden is quite seamless due to its well-developed transportation network. The city's public transportation system primarily consists of buses, operated by Umeå Lokaltrafik, that cover the entire city and surrounding areas. These buses are reliable, punctual, and equipped with modern amenities like WiFi.

For those who prefer private transportation, numerous taxi companies operate in the city, offering convenient and quick service. Car rentals are also an option, with several major companies offering services in the city.

Umeå is a bike-friendly city, boasting an extensive network of cycling paths. Bicycles can be rented from various locations in the city. An additional unique feature is the boat service operating during summer months, linking the city center with surrounding islands. Moreover, walking can also be a pleasant way to explore the city, given its pedestrian-friendly design and beautiful landscapes.

Most popular countries in Europe

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