Östersund

Östersund is the seat of Jämtland County in Norrland in Sweden. It was founded in 1786, as the only Swedish city founded during the 18th century.

Östersund is the only city in Jämtland, and its economic and political center. The city is famous for its location to nearby nature and for its winter activities. Östersund profiles itself as "vinterstaden" (the winter city), and a lot of world cups in winter sports like biathlon and skiing are hosted in and around Östersund. As of 2014, Östersund is the home to roughly 60 000 inhabitants in the municipality.

Östersund (and Jämtland in general) have a long history with the Norwegian neighbours which is reflected in both tourism and trade. However most of the people living in Östersund are Swedish and of Jemtlandic descent. During both summer and wintertime there can be a lot of tourists in the city, especially during the annually "Storsjöcupen" (a football cup for youths) and the music festival "Storsjöyran". Östersund is residing next to Swedens 5th largest lake named "Storsjön", and a lot of establishments and events are thereby influenced by that name. The lake is excellent for swimming and bathing in the summer and iceskating or dogsled in the winter - and of course fishing.

The city centre is filled with everything you would expect from a city, like bars and pubs, restaurants, shopping malls and stores. In the outskirts of the city you'll find the usual residential areas and industries. Östersund is also home to a lot of sights and museums, ranging from arts to cultural sites and activities. The weather in Östersund is very varying, from cold and dark winter nights with auroras and stars to sunny summer days where you'll spot most of the people bathing in the sun. However there are one more or less constant element which is the wind. Because of the location of the city (next to a big lake) it can be quite windy and the temperature feels a lot colder, especially during the winter months.

It is always interesting to learn about the sea monster "Storsjöodjuret" that is said to be lurking in the lake.

• Visit Östersund, Rådhusgatan 44, +46 63- 701 17 00. M–F 11:00–17:00.

Visit Östersund, Rådhusgatan 44, +46 63- 701 17 00. M–F 11:00–17:00.

• Frösö Runestone, Frösön (Take the city bus No. 4 or No. 1 and jump of at "Bergsgatan". Frösö Runestone is the most northern runestone in the world and the only one remaining in the entire region. The runestone is unique in several ways and over 1000 years old. The runestone mentions the Christianization of Jämtland and is an important part of Frösön's heritage. Free.
• Jamtli, Box 709, 831 28 Östersund (Take the city bus No. 6 towards "Brittsbo" (departing from the main station), hop off at Jamtli (4-5 stations)., +46 63-15 01 00. Tu-Su (and M in the summer) 11:00-17:00. Jamtli is an interactive museum about the history of Jämtland. Take the guided tour if you have a chance, the guide is very knowledgeable, and can speak both Swedish and English. The museum suits people of every age; so children can have a great time there. During summer and high season there are over 120 live actors performing and staging 19th-century Östersund, very fun and learning to watch. You can also find restaurants, cafeterias, animals to visit and a lot of activities at Jamtli. The museum is divided into two parts, one inside (where the exhibitions are located, audio guides available) and one outside area. The former is live and open during summertime, however you are still able to visit the buildings during winter but without visiting them. Always free for children up to 18 years. 70 kr for adults during winter, 240 kr during summer (ticket is valid for two days).

Frösö Runestone, Frösön (Take the city bus No. 4 or No. 1 and jump of at "Bergsgatan". Frösö Runestone is the most northern runestone in the world and the only one remaining in the entire region. The runestone is unique in several ways and over 1000 years old. The runestone mentions the Christianization of Jämtland and is an important part of Frösön's heritage. Free.

Jamtli, Box 709, 831 28 Östersund (Take the city bus No. 6 towards "Brittsbo" (departing from the main station), hop off at Jamtli (4-5 stations)., +46 63-15 01 00. Tu-Su (and M in the summer) 11:00-17:00. Jamtli is an interactive museum about the history of Jämtland. Take the guided tour if you have a chance, the guide is very knowledgeable, and can speak both Swedish and English. The museum suits people of every age; so children can have a great time there. During summer and high season there are over 120 live actors performing and staging 19th-century Östersund, very fun and learning to watch. You can also find restaurants, cafeterias, animals to visit and a lot of activities at Jamtli. The museum is divided into two parts, one inside (where the exhibitions are located, audio guides available) and one outside area. The former is live and open during summertime, however you are still able to visit the buildings during winter but without visiting them. Always free for children up to 18 years. 70 kr for adults during winter, 240 kr during summer (ticket is valid for two days).

• Frösö Zoo, Frösö Zoo, 832 96 FRÖSÖN (Take the city bus No. 5 towards "Frösö Zoo", +46 63 - 51 47 43. 14-30 Jun: 10:00-16:00, 1-31 Jul: 10:00-18:00, 1-17 Aug: 10:00-16:00. Since 1960 Frösö Zoo has been one of Östersund's major attractions for tourists. Featuring over 700 animals from Tigers to Koalas and Sloths. The area also have restaurants, a tivoli, circus and Sweden's largest tropical house. Perfect for all ages, however there can be very crowded during high season by Swedes and Norwegians on holiday. Frösö Zoo also houses a lot of wild animals like lynx, bear and other Swedish wild life. Definitely worth a visit! Adults 200 kr, Children 5-12 is 100 kr.
• Moose Garden, Orrviken, +46 703636061. Book in advance. The moose is an important part of Jämtlands cultural heritage. Described as "king of the forest" and seen on Jämtland's coat of arms, you can easily say it's the most famous animal in the province. On moose garden you get the chance and opportunity to pet and stand next to real moose - and even kiss one (if you dare). On moose garden there are over 20 elks and moose, and you can also find modern accommodation and a cafeteria. The owner and guide is very friendly and quite funny to listen to. Moose garden is 15 minutes away with car from the city.

Take a walk along the lake with its beautiful view.

Take a boat trip around the lake - the 5th largest in Sweden.

Frösö Zoo, Frösö Zoo, 832 96 FRÖSÖN (Take the city bus No. 5 towards "Frösö Zoo", +46 63 - 51 47 43. 14-30 Jun: 10:00-16:00, 1-31 Jul: 10:00-18:00, 1-17 Aug: 10:00-16:00. Since 1960 Frösö Zoo has been one of Östersund's major attractions for tourists. Featuring over 700 animals from Tigers to Koalas and Sloths. The area also have restaurants, a tivoli, circus and Sweden's largest tropical house. Perfect for all ages, however there can be very crowded during high season by Swedes and Norwegians on holiday. Frösö Zoo also houses a lot of wild animals like lynx, bear and other Swedish wild life. Definitely worth a visit! Adults 200 kr, Children 5-12 is 100 kr.

Moose Garden, Orrviken, +46 703636061. Book in advance. The moose is an important part of Jämtlands cultural heritage. Described as "king of the forest" and seen on Jämtland's coat of arms, you can easily say it's the most famous animal in the province. On moose garden you get the chance and opportunity to pet and stand next to real moose - and even kiss one (if you dare). On moose garden there are over 20 elks and moose, and you can also find modern accommodation and a cafeteria. The owner and guide is very friendly and quite funny to listen to. Moose garden is 15 minutes away with car from the city.

• Arctura Restaurang & Skybar, Ösk-Vägen 13, +46 63-16 15 60. Offer a great view of Östersund in a skybar on top of a 55 meter high building
• Brunkullan Brasserie, Postgränd 5, +46 63-10 14 54. In a 19th-century milieu.
• Hov, Jamtli 105, +46 63-15 01 03. Östersund's oldest restaurant, with traditional Nordic cuisine.
• Jazzköket, Prästgatan 44, +46 63-10 15 75. Organic, local and sustainable food with live music.
• Lilla Siam, Prästgatan 54, +46 63-51 20 30. A Thai food restaurant.
• Viktoria, Prästgatan 41-43, +46 63-10 55 55. Dating to the 1950s and serves traditional Nordic cuisine.
• Sir Winston, Prästgatan 19, +46 63-10 68 00. Insipred by Sir Winston Churchill's visit to Jämtland in 1897.

Arctura Restaurang & Skybar, Ösk-Vägen 13, +46 63-16 15 60. Offer a great view of Östersund in a skybar on top of a 55 meter high building

Brunkullan Brasserie, Postgränd 5, +46 63-10 14 54. In a 19th-century milieu.

Hov, Jamtli 105, +46 63-15 01 03. Östersund's oldest restaurant, with traditional [[Nordic cuisine]].

Jazzköket, Prästgatan 44, +46 63-10 15 75. Organic, local and sustainable food with live music.

Lilla Siam, Prästgatan 54, +46 63-51 20 30. A Thai food restaurant.

Viktoria, Prästgatan 41-43, +46 63-10 55 55. Dating to the 1950s and serves traditional [[Nordic cuisine]].

Sir Winston, Prästgatan 19, +46 63-10 68 00. Insipred by Sir Winston Churchill's visit to [[Jämtland]] in 1897.

• Frösötornet, Toppvägen 11, +46 63-12 81 69. A café with a scenic view from a tower on Frösö island.
• Jamtli Café, Museiplan, +46 63 15 01 05. A café in the "Jamtli" museum area.
• Tages Konditori & Kök, Frösövägen 32 B, +46 63-51 84 07. A café, bakery and restaurant.
• Wedemarks Konditori & Bageri, Prästgatan 27 (On the main pedestrian street, +46 63-51 03 83. M-F 07:30-18:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 12:00-17:00. A classical Östersund café dating back to 1924. It is known as the birthplace of the "Smörgåstårta", or "sandwich cake", a form of savoury cake made from rye bread with different sorts of creamy fillings and toppings which has become popular throughout Sweden. During summer they offer their home made gelato ice cream. In addition to their main location they also have a branch at the Östersund library at Rådhusgatan 25-27.

Frösötornet, Toppvägen 11, +46 63-12 81 69. A café with a scenic view from a tower on Frösö island.

Jamtli Café, Museiplan, +46 63 15 01 05. A café in the "Jamtli" museum area.

Tages Konditori & Kök, Frösövägen 32 B, +46 63-51 84 07. A café, bakery and restaurant.

Wedemarks Konditori & Bageri, Prästgatan 27 (On the main pedestrian street, +46 63-51 03 83. M-F 07:30-18:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 12:00-17:00. A classical Östersund café dating back to 1924. It is known as the birthplace of the "Smörgåstårta", or "sandwich cake", a form of savoury cake made from rye bread with different sorts of creamy fillings and toppings which has become popular throughout Sweden. During summer they offer their home made gelato ice cream. In addition to their main location they also have a branch at the Östersund library at Rådhusgatan 25-27.

• Captain Cook, Hamngatan 9, +46 63-12 60 90. A bar with live blues and rock music on Saturdays.
• Marité, Sjötorget 3, +46 63-12 42 26. Bar and nightclub overlooking Östersund harbour.
• Plaza, Kyrkgatan 70, +46 63-57 57 57. Nightclubs on Fridays and Saturdays. Östersund's largest nightclub with several different stages with different genres.

Captain Cook, Hamngatan 9, +46 63-12 60 90. A bar with live blues and rock music on Saturdays.

Marité, Sjötorget 3, +46 63-12 42 26. Bar and nightclub overlooking Östersund harbour.

Plaza, Kyrkgatan 70, +46 63-57 57 57. Nightclubs on Fridays and Saturdays. Östersund's largest nightclub with several different stages with different genres.

• Visit Östersund, Rådhusgatan 44, +46 63- 701 17 00. M–F 11:00–17:00. Offer free Wi-Fi.

Visit Östersund, Rådhusgatan 44, +46 63- 701 17 00. M–F 11:00–17:00. Offer free Wi-Fi.

Östersund is quite far from other major cities (as in a few hundred km). On the other hand, there's plenty of wilderness to explore around the city, free to access. Have a look at Hiking in the Nordic countries for some useful tips. If you travel around the lake Storsjön, keep your eyes open — you may see the Lake Monster!

• Åre, Sweden's largest ski resort is about 50 km west. Double that to get to Storlien
• Trondheim, about 200 km west, one of Norway's largest cities with an impressive cathedral.
• Sundsvall, about 200 km east, a city about the same size located at the Gulf of Bothnia — also the High Coast world heritage is accessible from there.