UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sweden: Complete List & Guide

Sweden has 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites giving insight into history, science, and nature — from medieval towns and ancient rock carvings to royal palaces and breath-taking landscapes. Whether you’re planning a city break in Stockholm, a road trip across the countryside, or an adventure into the far north, Sweden’s UNESCO treasures make unforgettable stops along the way.

Here’s a complete guide to all of Sweden’s UNESCO listed treasures:

1. Royal Domain of Drottningholm (1991)

Often called “Sweden’s Versailles,” Drottningholm Palace is a 18^th-century masterpiece just outside Stockholm. Still the residence of the Swedish royal family, it has formal gardens, grand halls, and one of the world’s best-preserved court theatres.

2. Birka and Hovgården (1993)

Located on Lake Mälar, Birka was once one of the most important Viking trading towns. Nearby Hovgården served as the royal estate. Archaeological remains, burial mounds, and a museum bring Viking history vividly to life, making it a must for history enthusiasts.

3. Hanseatic Town of Visby (1995)

On the island of Gotland, Visby is a medieval jewel with its city walls, church ruins, and cobbled lanes. Once a hub of the Hanseatic League, it blends history with a lively summer atmosphere, attracting visitors for both its heritage and charm.

4. Rock Carvings in Tanum – Bohuslän (1994)

The Bronze Age carvings of Tanum, dating back thousands of years, depict people, rituals, ships, and animals. Spread across the Bohuslän landscape, they’re some of Europe’s most significant prehistoric art.

5. Mining Area of the Great Copper Mountain in Falun (2001)

Falun’s copper mine once supplied much of Europe with copper, shaping Sweden’s wealth and power. Today, the vast open pit, preserved miners’ homes, and industrial landscape tell the story of centuries of hard work and innovation.

6. Laponian Area (1996)

The Laponian Area is one of Europe’s largest untouched wildernesses. Home to the Sámi people and their reindeer herding traditions, it combines cultural significance with natural splendour, offering endless opportunities for hiking and exploration.

7. High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago (2000,2006)

Shared with Finland, this site showcases dramatic post-glacial landscapes. On the Swedish side, the High Coast is famous for its steep cliffs, rolling forests, and hiking trails. The region continues to rise from the sea each year, creating a living geological wonder.

8. Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland (2012)

Scattered across Eastern Sweden, these elaborately decorated 19th-century wooden farmhouses reveal the wealth and artistry of rural life. Their painted interiors are unique examples of how farmers displayed prosperity and cultural pride.

9. Engelsberg Ironworks (1993)

A well-preserved 17th–18th century ironworks, Engelsberg illustrates Sweden’s role as a leading iron producer. It remains one of the world’s best examples of pre-industrial iron production.

10. Naval Port of Karlskrona (1998)

Founded in 1680, Karlskrona is Sweden’s only city with baroque cityscape and was once the heart of its naval power. The well-preserved dockyards, fortifications, and naval buildings highlight Sweden’s maritime history.

11. Skogskyrkogården (Woodland Cemetery) (1994)

This tranquil cemetery south of Stockholm, designed in the early 20th century, is a masterpiece of landscape architecture. Blending nature and design, it reflects modernist ideals and offers a serene, contemplative atmosphere.

12. Struve Geodetic Arc (2005)

Sweden has points along the Struve Geodetic Arc — a 19th-century scientific chain of triangulation that measured the Earth’s shape.

13. Church Town of Gammelstad, Luleå (1996)

In northern Sweden, Gammelstad is a unique settlement of more than 400 wooden cottages surrounding a stone church. Once used by rural parishioners who travelled long distances to attend church, it offers insight into community life in centuries past.

14. Agricultural Landscape of Southern Öland (2000)

On the island of Öland, this cultural landscape combines prehistoric remains, medieval structures, and still-active farmland. Its unique continuity of use over thousands of years makes it a living heritage site.

15. Grimeton Radio Station, Varberg (2004)

This early 20th-century radio station, with its towering antennae, represents the dawn of global communication. It’s the only surviving longwave transmitting station of its kind and is still operational for demonstrations today.

Planning your trip?

With 15 UNESCO sites spread across the country, Sweden offers endless opportunities to mix history and nature. Many can be visited on day trips from Stockholm — such as Drottningholm, Birka, or the Engelsberg Ironworks — while others, like Visby, Falun, and Tanum, make excellent road trip stops. For adventurous travellers, heading north to the Laponian Area or the High Coast adds wilderness and wonder to your Swedish journey.

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 3.9.2025

By Laura Baylis

Baltic Travel Company (all rights reserved)