The university city of Sundsvall faces the Gulf of Bothnia about halfway up Sweden's long eastern coastline, 235 miles north of Stockholm. it's a centre for industries like paper and aluminium and has an airport 13 miles to the north. The city grew at the mouth of a river and has become the most densely populated area of northern Sweden. Visitors who hire a car can visit the renowned scenery around Sundsvall, including two fells known as North and South Mountains offering impressive views, the Viking graves and rune stones at Hogum, and Alno Island with its summer beaches and pretty fishing villages.
If you rent a car you can easily visit all the attractions of Sundsvall. Start at the old centre, this was rebuilt in stone and brick after a disastrous fire and is now known as 'Stone City'. It now includes northern Sweden's biggest shopping mall, attractive public squares with cafes and bars, theatres and music venues. Explore the impressive 19th century buildings around Storgatan too. Other Sundsvall highlights include the Himlabadet Waterpark's waterslides, surfing machine, spas and saunas, and Kulturmagasinet, a stylish arts and entertainment centre in restored harbourside warehouses.
