Striking landmarks to explore in Sweden

Architecture in Sweden is diverse and many of the most notable buildings, from modern architecture to historic landmarks, can be explored at your own leisure.

The eye-catching skyscraper Turning Torso in Malmö is one of the tallest buildings in Scandinavia. The 54-floor neo-futurist structure houses both apartments and offices, and is now a well-recognised landmark. Another distinctive building in Malmö is the World Maritime University, with a shard-like façade made from aluminium and glass, just a few minutes from Malmö Central Station.

TurningTorso. Photo: Silvia Man, imagebank. sweden.se

In Gothenburg, renowned architect Gert Wingårdh has designed Kuggen, a piece of modern architecture with an Italian renaissance twist. The distinct cylindrical building features a mosaic of glazed terracotta panels that change colour depending on perspective and the changing daylight. Gothenburg is also the location for The Sauna in Frihamnen, made from recycled materials. Both the sauna and the surrounding Jubilee Park were created in celebration of Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary in 2021.

Kuggen. Photo: Sofia Sabel, imagebank.sweden.se

Further north, you will find the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, the country’s most unique hotel and art gallery, made from ice every year. And of course the remarkable Treehotel in Lapland, with rooms suspended above ground and with views of the Lule river valley. Various Scandinavian architects have put their mark on the design of the different rooms, including Norwegian architects Snöhetta, Swedish Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, and Finnish-Icelandic-Norwegian studio Rintala Eggertsson Architects.

For more spectacular architecture in Sweden, see www.visitsweden.com

The Sauna. Photo: Marie Ullnert, imagebank.sweden.se