Gävle

Sweden

Gävle, archaic spelling Gefle or Gavle, (pr. Gevluh) is the seat of Gävleborg County, the gateway to Norrland, and a major port on the Baltic Sea.

Just over 100,000 people live in the municipality; 76,000 of them in Gävle itself, which has an industrial heritage, large parks and a small university college. The old town with its colourful wooden houses is authentic.

Old Town of Gävle Gävle's Christmas Straw Goat.

A few blocks is all that remains of Gamla Gefle, Gävle's old town, after several devastating fires and excessive demolition in the 1960s. It's on the south side of the Gavleån river, and makes for a nice afternoon walk. The Art and Prison Museums are also here.

  • Regional Art & History Museum, Södra Strandgatan 20 (just S of river, facing the police station, +46 26 655 600. Tu-F 11:00-18:00, Sa Su 12:00-16:00. The county’s regional history and art museum. Free.
  • Swedish Prison Museum, Hamiltongatan 1-3. W 12:00-18:00, Th-Su 12:00-16:00. In two buildings. Start in the main block, the 19th-century two-storey former jail. Then the annex on nearby Timmermansgatan depicts its 18th-century predecessor. Adult 80 kr.
  • Gavle Train Hall, Karlsborgsgatan (north edge of town centre. First Sa Su of each month to Sept 2018, 12:00-16:00. Old locomotives in engine shed. The Train Hall is part of the Swedish Railway Museum, and the only part that is open. The main museum, on a separate site on the southern edge of town, is closed for renovation until at least 2019. It hosts one of Europe's largest collection of old locomotives and rail cars, including a 1980 working replica of the Novelty, the engine that lost to Rocket at the Rainhill Trials in 1829. Adult 60 kr.
  • Joe Hill Museum, Nedre Bergsgatan 28. Sa 12:00-16:00. This was the birthplace in 1879 of Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, better known as Joe Hill. In 1902 he emigrated to the USA, where he became a labor organizer, song-writer and activist for "Industrial Workers of the World", the "Wobblies". In 1914 a Salt Lake City grocer and his son were shot dead by two intruders; Joe Hill came to a local doctor that evening with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was eventually convicted of the murder, and executed by firing squad in Nov 1915. The prosecution case was shaky and his many supporters believed he was shot for being a "wobbly", but his refusal to convincingly explain his wound sealed his fate. Free admission, donations welcome.
  • The Gävle Goat or Gävlebocken is a large straw goat, built annually in Castle Square for the first Sunday in Advent, to promote Christmas shopping. Alas it has only a slim chance of lasting until Christmas, as it is more often than not burnt down by vandals.

Regional Art & History Museum, Södra Strandgatan 20 (just S of river, facing the police station, +46 26 655 600. Tu-F 11:00-18:00, Sa Su 12:00-16:00. The county’s regional history and art museum. Free.

Swedish Prison Museum, Hamiltongatan 1-3. W 12:00-18:00, Th-Su 12:00-16:00. In two buildings. Start in the main block, the 19th-century two-storey former jail. Then the annex on nearby Timmermansgatan depicts its 18th-century predecessor. Adult 80 kr.

Gavle Train Hall, Karlsborgsgatan (north edge of town centre. First Sa Su of each month to Sept 2018, 12:00-16:00. Old locomotives in engine shed. The Train Hall is part of the Swedish Railway Museum, and the only part that is open. The main museum, on a separate site on the southern edge of town, is closed for renovation until at least 2019. It hosts one of Europe's largest collection of old locomotives and rail cars, including a 1980 working replica of the Novelty, the engine that lost to Rocket at the Rainhill Trials in 1829. Adult 60 kr.

Joe Hill Museum, Nedre Bergsgatan 28. Sa 12:00-16:00. This was the birthplace in 1879 of Joel Emmanuel Hägglund, better known as Joe Hill. In 1902 he emigrated to the USA, where he became a labor organizer, song-writer and activist for "Industrial Workers of the World", the "Wobblies". In 1914 a Salt Lake City grocer and his son were shot dead by two intruders; Joe Hill came to a local doctor that evening with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was eventually convicted of the murder, and executed by firing squad in Nov 1915. The prosecution case was shaky and his many supporters believed he was shot for being a "wobbly", but his refusal to convincingly explain his wound sealed his fate. Free admission, donations welcome.

The Gävle Goat or Gävlebocken is a large straw goat, built annually in Castle Square for the first Sunday in Advent, to promote Christmas shopping. Alas it has only a slim chance of lasting until Christmas, as it is more often than not burnt down by vandals.

The countryside around Gävle is good for outdoor life, especially during summer. Canoeing on the numerous lakes is popular. Fishing is free in the Baltic Sea, but requires a license in the lakes.

  • Boulonger Park is a large park along the Gavlegån river at the western edge of the city. Popular in summer for strolling, jogging and family picnics.
  • Gävle Concert Hall, Kungsbäcksvägen 22 (W edge of centre, +46 26-172900. Gävle's symphony orchestra gives regular concerts at the main concert hall, often with guest artists. Most tickets 300 kr.
  • Mackmyra Whiskyby, Kolonnvägen 2 (W edge of town near E4 / E16 intersection, +46 26-541880. M-F 11:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-21:00. Mackmyra is a distillery that introduced the first Swedish whiskey in 1999, now with branches across the country. The distillery offers weekly tours with tasting sessions, book via email. Also a restaurant.
  • Furuvik Park. Daily 19 May - 18 Aug (plus 25 Aug) 2018; 10:00-19:00. Small theme park and arcade for toddlers as well as a small zoo and Cold War-era coastal defence installation and museum. Day ticket adult 250 kr, child 210 kr.

Gävle Concert Hall, Kungsbäcksvägen 22 (W edge of centre, +46 26-172900. Gävle's symphony orchestra gives regular concerts at the main concert hall, often with guest artists. Most tickets 300 kr.

Mackmyra Whiskyby, Kolonnvägen 2 (W edge of town near E4 / E16 intersection, +46 26-541880. M-F 11:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-21:00. Mackmyra is a distillery that introduced the first Swedish whiskey in 1999, now with branches across the country. The distillery offers weekly tours with tasting sessions, book via email. Also a restaurant.

Furuvik Park. Daily 19 May - 18 Aug (plus 25 Aug) 2018; 10:00-19:00. Small theme park and arcade for toddlers as well as a small zoo and Cold War-era coastal defence installation and museum. Day ticket adult 250 kr, child 210 kr.

There are a few enclosed shopping malls downtown, but most stores are along the main drags downtown and south.

Gävle fire station (brandstation)

The dining scene in Gävle is evolving rapidly and excellent restaurants have opened. There are also many mid-range places that will serve you tasty and filling food for a decent price. If you're looking for lunch options for a group and can't decide, there is a large food court in the central shopping mall, Galleri Nian.

  • AMO Safwan, Brynäsgatan 1, +46 26 421 19 00. By far the best falafel in town. Excellent for a cheap and filling meal, with prices starting at 40 kr.
  • Church Street Saloon, Kyrkogatan 11 (50 m from city square on side street, past McDonald's, +46 26-126211. M-F 17:00-00:00, Sa 11:45-00:00. Serves American-western style food and flair, kitschy but great food. Crowded most weekends, expect to wait up to an hour if you are coming in late, no reservations.
  • Matildas, Timmermansgatan 23 (just off S Kungsgatan, +46 26-625349. Tu-Sa 17:00-22:00. Top contender for best restaurant in town, featuring seasonal Nordic cuisine. Menu from 350 kr.
  • Pigalle, Södra Kungsgatan 32, +46 26-624044. M-F 08:30-16:30. This is the classic lunch restaurant in town, have served almost the same menu since 1958. A great place for authentic Swedish traditional food known as husmanskost.
  • Sarahs, Slottstorget 5, +46 26 65 35 03. M-F 11:30-14:00 & 17:00-22:00 (F to 23:00), Sa 17:00-23:00. Serves a seasonal menu inspired by classic Nordic cuisine.
  • Söders Källa, Södra Kansligatan 22, +46 26 613800. M Tu 11:00-14:00, W-F 11:00-14:00 & 17:00-22:00, Sa 17:00-22:00. Classic Nordic cuisine with almost exclusively local and organic produce.

AMO Safwan, Brynäsgatan 1, +46 26 421 19 00. By far the best falafel in town. Excellent for a cheap and filling meal, with prices starting at 40 kr.

Church Street Saloon, Kyrkogatan 11 (50 m from city square on side street, past McDonald's, +46 26-126211. M-F 17:00-00:00, Sa 11:45-00:00. Serves American-western style food and flair, kitschy but great food. Crowded most weekends, expect to wait up to an hour if you are coming in late, no reservations.

Matildas, Timmermansgatan 23 (just off S Kungsgatan, +46 26-625349. Tu-Sa 17:00-22:00. Top contender for best restaurant in town, featuring seasonal Nordic cuisine. Menu from 350 kr.

Pigalle, Södra Kungsgatan 32, +46 26-624044. M-F 08:30-16:30. This is the classic lunch restaurant in town, have served almost the same menu since 1958. A great place for authentic Swedish traditional food known as husmanskost.

Sarahs, Slottstorget 5, +46 26 65 35 03. M-F 11:30-14:00 & 17:00-22:00 (F to 23:00), Sa 17:00-23:00. Serves a seasonal menu inspired by classic Nordic cuisine.

Söders Källa, Södra Kansligatan 22, +46 26 613800. M Tu 11:00-14:00, W-F 11:00-14:00 & 17:00-22:00, Sa 17:00-22:00. Classic Nordic cuisine with almost exclusively local and organic produce.

  • Café Bogården, Västra Gränsgatan 1 (follow Kungsbäckvägen towards the University: nearest bus stop is Soldatkyrkan, served by bus #15, +46 26-627914. M-F 08:00-15:00, usually closed during weekends. Perhaps Gävle's most unknown café. This small gem is tucked away in Villastan, the historic upper class garden city west of downtown. Serving a small but excellent selection of homemade pastries and classics such as egg and herring sandwiches, Bogården is a good choice to visit after a stroll among the majestic surrounding villas or in the nearby Boulogner park.
  • Épi Bageri & Café, Norra Kungsgatan 11, +46 26-128800. Café and bakery that serves delicious pastries and sandwiches.
  • Konditori Lido Söder, Södra Kungsgatan 10, +46 26-611942. While there are several Lido cafés around town, this is the original one dating back to 1954. Has a large selection of pastries and also serves a very popular brunch on Sundays.

Café Bogården, Västra Gränsgatan 1 (follow Kungsbäckvägen towards the University: nearest bus stop is Soldatkyrkan, served by bus #15, +46 26-627914. M-F 08:00-15:00, usually closed during weekends. Perhaps Gävle's most unknown café. This small gem is tucked away in Villastan, the historic upper class garden city west of downtown. Serving a small but excellent selection of homemade pastries and classics such as egg and herring sandwiches, Bogården is a good choice to visit after a stroll among the majestic surrounding villas or in the nearby Boulogner park.

Épi Bageri & Café, Norra Kungsgatan 11, +46 26-128800. Café and bakery that serves delicious pastries and sandwiches.

Konditori Lido Söder, Södra Kungsgatan 10, +46 26-611942. While there are several Lido cafés around town, this is the original one dating back to 1954. Has a large selection of pastries and also serves a very popular brunch on Sundays.

The coffee brand Gevalia bears the latinized name of Gävle.

Most bars and clubs are within walking distance, so follow the crowds. There are several bars clustered in Söder along Södra Kungsgatan, most with a relaxed atmosphere. If you are a student at the university or manage to befriend one you should try out the student pubs at the campus. You must be either a registered student or get one to sign you up for the guest list. The main venue is Kåren, usually open twice a month and associated with dirt-cheap beer (around 25 kr) and students going wild.

  • Bilagan, Hattmakargatan 15 (one block behind Scandic hotel, to the left, +46 26-121638. W-Sa 21:00-02:00. The only open-scene karaoke dive bar around here. No frills, cheap bear and quite rough but always with a tolerating atmosphere. You might even stumble upon a few really good singers that sometimes take to the stage. 40-50 kr 50cl draft/bottle beers.
  • Fullriggaren Skybar, Alderholmsgatan 3 (on Alderholmen, top floor of Fullriggaren, +46 26-2228888. One of the best views in town, and the only skybar available.
  • Interpool, Södra Kungsgatan 20, +46 26-605165. M-F 15:00-02:00, Sa-Su 13:00-02:00. The place for playing a game of billard in town. 60-70 kr 50cl draft/bottle beers.
  • Lion Bar Gävle, Hattmakargatan 4A, +46 26-121900. By far the cheapest beer in town, appreciated by the clientele of hardworking drinkers. Karaoke on Wednesdays and weekends. Offers a small but surpringly decent menu of bar food. Draft beer from 40 kr.
  • Slick City, Norra Strandgatan 15-17, +46 26-183021. Tu 16:00-02:00, F-Sa 18:09-02:00. A few meters away from the city square is the largest nightclub in town. Most action is on the weekends, the younger crowd usually hangs around in the basement. 100 kr or more for entrance on weekends.
  • Verovin, Norra Kungsgatan 11, +46 26-122060. Small and highly dedicated wine bar with an extensive selection of world-class wines.
  • Vinkrogen, Norra Köpmangatan 12, +46 26-122001. Gävle's other wine bar with a good selection of high-quality wines and excellent food.

Bilagan, Hattmakargatan 15 (one block behind Scandic hotel, to the left, +46 26-121638. W-Sa 21:00-02:00. The only open-scene karaoke dive bar around here. No frills, cheap bear and quite rough but always with a tolerating atmosphere. You might even stumble upon a few really good singers that sometimes take to the stage. 40-50 kr 50cl draft/bottle beers.

Fullriggaren Skybar, Alderholmsgatan 3 (on Alderholmen, top floor of Fullriggaren, +46 26-2228888. One of the best views in town, and the only skybar available.

Interpool, Södra Kungsgatan 20, +46 26-605165. M-F 15:00-02:00, Sa-Su 13:00-02:00. The place for playing a game of billard in town. 60-70 kr 50cl draft/bottle beers.

Lion Bar Gävle, Hattmakargatan 4A, +46 26-121900. By far the cheapest beer in town, appreciated by the clientele of hardworking drinkers. Karaoke on Wednesdays and weekends. Offers a small but surpringly decent menu of bar food. Draft beer from 40 kr.

Slick City, Norra Strandgatan 15-17, +46 26-183021. Tu 16:00-02:00, F-Sa 18:09-02:00. A few meters away from the city square is the largest nightclub in town. Most action is on the weekends, the younger crowd usually hangs around in the basement. 100 kr or more for entrance on weekends.

Verovin, Norra Kungsgatan 11, +46 26-122060. Small and highly dedicated wine bar with an extensive selection of world-class wines.

Vinkrogen, Norra Köpmangatan 12, +46 26-122001. Gävle's other wine bar with a good selection of high-quality wines and excellent food.

While Gävle is generally a safe city, main risk factors are petty theft and nightlife brawls, as well as winter driving outside the city.

Easy day trips from Gävle are:

  • Älvkarleby is a small town 20 km south, where the river Dalälven reaches the Baltic Sea. There's a hydroelectric power station and the unusual Dragon Gate: a Chinese hotel with a museum of Swedish culture.
  • Sandviken, about 27 km west, includes the Högbo Bruk recreation area.
  • Uppsala with its ancient burial mounds, and University, is 40 min south by frequent train.

Another 30 min south brings you to Stockholm, with connections all over Scandinavia.

[[Älvkarleby]] is a small town 20 km south, where the river Dalälven reaches the Baltic Sea. There's a hydroelectric power station and the unusual Dragon Gate: a Chinese hotel with a museum of Swedish culture.

[[Sandviken]], about 27 km west, includes the Högbo Bruk recreation area.

[[Uppsala]] with its ancient burial mounds, and University, is 40 min south by frequent train.