Götaland
Götaland is the southernmost of the three lands that make up Sweden. It is home to almost half of Sweden's population and probably even a larger share of its cultural and historical sights. Skåne and Gotland are part of Götaland, but are listed in separate sections.
Provinces
| Blekinge (Karlskrona, Karlshamn, Olofström, Ronneby, Sölvesborg) Once part of Denmark, this province is known for gardens, the southern archipelago with rocky shores, and the base of the Swedish Navy since the 17th century. |
| Bohuslän (Kungälv, Lysekil, Munkedal, Orust, Sotenäs, Stenungsund, Strömstad, Tanum, Tjörn, Uddevalla, Öckerö) A rocky shoreline with Sweden's richest fishery, and a surviving maritime culture. |
| Dalsland (Åmål, Bengtsfors, Dals-Ed, Färgelanda, Mellerud) A quiet, forested province between lake Vänern and the Norwegian mountains. |
| Halland (Kungsbacka, Varberg, Falkenberg, Halmstad, Hylte, Laholm) A land of windy beaches. |
| Småland (Kalmar, Jönköping, Växjö etc) A forested province, known for Astrid Lindgren's fairy tales, entrepreneurship, glassmaking, IKEA and a variety of Protestant churches. |
| Västergötland This huge region is home to Gothenburg and its archipelago. |
| Öland Sweden's second largest island with windmills and long beaches, popular during summer. |
| Östergötland Home to Saint Bridget of Sweden, and a rich tradition of engineering in Motala, Linköping and Norrköping. |
Cities
- Linköping, birthplace of Swedish aviation industry
- Gothenburg, Sweden's second largest city and an important North Sea port
- Halmstad, famous for beaches and golf courses
- Jönköping, the capital of safety matches, nicknamed "Sweden's Jerusalem".
- Kalmar, where a Scandinavian Union was forged in the Middle Ages
- Karlskrona, base for the Swedish Navy
- Norrköping, a quaint industrial city
- Vadstena, home of Bridget (Birgitta), Sweden's best-known saint
- Växjö, seat of the Linnaeus University together with Kalmar
Other destinations
- Bolmsö
- Stenshuvud National Park
- Söderåsen National Park
- Älmhult, with the world's first IKEA
- Visingsö, an island in Vättern
Understand
Götaland is the southernmost of the three Lands of Sweden. Officially it also covers Scania and Gotland, which are however separately treated in this travel guide.
Götaland was the homeland of the Geats, Götar, who have been associated to the legendary Goths. The first king known to rule both Svealand and Götaland was Olof Skötkonung, who ascended the throne around AD 995.
As the waters brought people together, and the forests divided people, Götaland was centered around lakes Vänern and Vättern; as Värmland was originally part of Götaland. Denmark used to rule Skåne, Blekinge, Halland and Bohuslän, while Gotland was independent.
Sweden and Denmark were at war during much of the 16th and 17th century. Much of Götaland was ravaged, Denmark lost the grip of Scandinavian peninsula, and Sweden became the dominant Nordic state.
Talk
The dialects of Götaland differ slightly from standard Swedish; the southern ones have a touch of Danish. Most people in Götaland, except the elderly, speak fluent English.
Get in
The busiest international airports in or near Götaland are Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, Malmö-Sturup Airport, Copenhagen Airport and Nyköping-Skavsta Airport.
Most trains between Malmö and Stockholm call at Älmhult, Alvesta, Nässjö, Mjölby, Linköping and Norrköping.
Get around
Public transport is provided at county level; see public transport in Sweden.
See
Natural sceneries differ between the forests of Småland, and the Bohuslän archipelago with its fishing villages.
Itineraries
Do
These provinces give great opportunities for hiking and water sport, even near the cities.
Stay safe
Weather in Götaland is warmer and wetter than northern Sweden. Temperatures far below zero are rare. Wildlife accidents with boars, deer and moose are common, see driving in Sweden.
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