Explore Fairytale Castles, National Parks & Trendsetting Cities In A Lesser-Visited Scandinavian Region

While Norwegian fjords and the snow-laden Lappish tundra may draw more tourist crowds, Sweden's western region provides an overlooked escape. Outside of its fashionable principal city, the west is dominated by wildlife-rich lake districts, historical castles, and remote rural retreats. Fringed by idyllic quiet islands and swathed with thick inland forests, West Sweden has options for every type of traveler. Foodies can find the freshest seafood, while young adventurers can chase family-friendly adventures. Stylish explorers can roam a chic Scandinavian city, and outdoorsmen can hike, bike, and kayak their way through the remote Swedish stretch. Soak in a sauna, walk through ancient castles, look out for wildlife in vast national parks — your options are almost endless.

Renting a car and mapping out a road trip route is the best way to immerse yourself in Sweden's picturesque outdoors away from crowds in the country's lesser-visited western stretch. Departing from the well-connected second city of Gothenburg, with an international airport and a train station receiving regular arrivals from Stockholm and Copenhagen, you can pair a stylish city trip with a scenic nature escape.

Ensure you plan your travels with the weather in mind; seasons in Sweden are extreme. For long, sunny days, explore in summer, or travel in fall or spring to catch the vibrant shifting colors. Winter brings with it thick snows and shorter days, ideal for travelers planning to pair the voyage with a trip to one of the best destinations in the world to view the northern lights.

Sweden's second city, the portside metropolis of Gothenburg, seamlessly blends its young and thriving culture with its industrialized aesthetic. Passionate about sustainable transformation, the story of the Scandi city can be tracked from harbor-front trading post at the Museum of Gothenburg to a globalized city at the Museum of World Culture, capped with a futuristic tasting at Sweden's first urban winery, Wine Mechanics.

Make a pit stop for fika, a delightful Swedish custom, at Cum Pane. Pulling fresh Swedish baked bites from the oven each morning, the small bakery is the perfect place to break over a coffee and a sweet treat. Fuel up before setting out for an afternoon of shopping in one of Scandinavia's most stylish cities. Sift through vintage gems at Beyond Retro, mingle with the fashion-forward young Swedes perusing stylized fishermen's kit in Grandpa, or shop at the sustainable boutique store Aplace. After a day of exploration, book ahead to dine at Bhoga, a Michelin-acclaimed restaurant serving up unfussy fish dishes plucked fresh from the bay.

Edged by a scenic archipelago, Gothenburg leads out to one of Sweden's best-kept secrets: a quiet, car-free island full of scenic sandy beaches. A short ferry trip will carry you out to a sauna-to-sea experience at Kajkanten Vrångö, where you can rejuvenate between the icy climbs of the Kattegat and the swelter of a floating sauna.

As soon as you set out from Gothenburg's trendy center, you'll immediately hit the quiet open roads. Lined either side by forest and overhung with seasonally shifting leaves, the scenic laneways lead upwards into isolated national parks and sprawling woodlands. Cruising two hours north of the city, you'll reach lakeside Naturum Vänerskärgården, where an educational visitor's center details the abundant wildlife visible in the vast Vänern archipelago nature reserve.

Just a few hundred feet away, the resplendent Läckö Castle casts a mirror reflection on the lake's still surface. Plucked from a 17th-century fairytale, the grand white walls of the castle were built up from Middle Ages foundations. The elegant fortification today houses a sumptuous display of Baroque halls, operatic performances, and meticulously maintained palatial gardens.

Travelers keen to gain even more distance from civilization should visit the self-contained national park which sits in the center of Vänern Lake. Around two hours over the water from Naturum Vänerskärgården, Djurö National Park is a rarely visited spattering of over 30 forested islands, marked by trails traversing woodland landscapes, wildflower meadows, and scenic cliffs. Continuing farther north, travelers will find themselves skimming the Göta Canal. Connecting West Sweden's vast Lakes Vänern and Vättern, the winding waterway is a popular spot for boaters to rent a water-top ride for the day. The smooth pathways running along its side are also ideal for a leisurely bike ride or scenic afternoon stroll.