When you think of Sweden, you think of unique pop music (ABBA, Ace of Base and Robyn), furniture (IKEA) and clothing (H&M) and food (meatballs). While these elements of the most populous country in Scandinavia are unique, one of the most idiosyncratic things about Sweden is its architecture. No matter where in Sweden you plan to visit, there is an extremely cool structure, and probably also a very strange one, waiting to be discovered.
747 Hostel
If you are looking for a hotel in Arlanda, you are likely entering or leaving Sweden – Arlanda is where Sweden’s main international airport is located. You may dread the idea of boarding another plane, especially if you’ve arrived in Sweden on a long-haul flight, but you’ll have to voice your concerns once you see JumboStay. A lodge built within the body of a retired Jumbo 747, JumboStay is one of the most unique lodges in the world, let alone Sweden, the Queen of the Skies, on land!
Lund cathedral
On the surface, Lund Cathedral’s age (just under 1,000 years) is unspectacular compared to some of the other ancient structures in Sweden and Europe in general, despite its imposing Gothic façade. However, it becomes surprising when you place its existence in the larger context of Lund’s history. It’s a Catholic church, you see, and the vast majority of them were destroyed in the middle of the 16th century when the Reformation spread to Sweden. It’s unclear why this particular church was saved, maybe it came from IKEA? Things from there are notoriously difficult to take apart.
Helsingborg Town Hall
Like Lund Cathedral, Helsingborg City Hall is incredibly striking for aesthetic reasons. However, unlike Lund Cathedral, Helsinborg City Hall is not particularly old, having been completed only 119 years ago. If your travels take you to this city in southwestern Sweden, you’ll just have to settle for the impressive 200-foot bell tower, ornate facades, and countless towers of the City Hall.
Boring, right? Well then, the beautiful music (note: not ABBA, not Ace of Base, not Robyn’s songs) that the Hall bells ring five times a day will lull you to sleep pretty quickly I imagine.
Malmo bridge
Poor Malmo! Although it is Sweden’s third-largest city, with a population of over 600,000, it often falls in the shadow of nearby Copenhagen, whose international airport is located just across the water.
This is even more ironic (and sad!) In the context of Swedish history (this part of the country was part of Denmark for centuries), but it’s downright baffling when you consider that one of the most amazing architectural wonders of modern Europe, the Oresund Bridge, just minutes from many Malmo hotels. Even if you discount the imposing size and cool design of the bridge, the fact that it created a land connection between Sweden and mainland Europe for the first time in history says everything you need to know about the bridge.
Another unique thing about Sweden, before you say adjö (which is Swedish for ‘goodbye’): despite its small population (just under 10 million as of 2013), it boasts settlements throughout its massive 173,000-square-mile footprint. , even if some of them are abandoned Viking villages. Translation: There is much more here to discover!
