A city almost in the middle of Sweden geographically, Östersund stands on the sloping eastern shores of Lake Storsjön and is the trading and commercial centre for a wide catchment area. In fact, it is the only city in Jämtland and the largest inland city in northern Sweden. Östersund spreads onto the lake island of Frösön which is connected by bridges. In the summer there are ferries across the lake, in the winter there are ice roads. If you hire a car in Östersund you can explore the surrounding area of forests, lakes and mountains of the Frostviksfjallen massif. The renowned Vildmarksvägen, or 'wilderness road', starts in Östersund and heads north into Lapland.
The cobbled streets of the old town slope down towards the lakeshore. Storgatan is the best example, lined with old buildings with decorative wooden facades. Nearby is the Prästgatan main shopping street and Stortorget market square. City landmarks include the fortress-like turreted city hall, the huge illuminated water tower and enormous red brick church. The city is a lively centre for snowsports. It calls itself 'Winter City' and even offers a ski piste within the city. Visitors with a hire car in Östersund can also tour the city and waterfront. Remember to keep an eye out for Storsjöodjuret, Sweden's version of the Loch Ness Monster, a mysterious creature occasionally seen rising from the lake.
