Things to do in Hudiksvall – 13 attractions and experiences

Updated October 2026 | Here you will find the charming boathouses in the middle of the city, but also fishing villages, sandy beaches, exciting caves and beautiful nature experiences along the Hälsinge coast. We have explored Hudiksvall and the surrounding area by camper and share here our best tips for sights and excursions.

Attractions in Hudiksvall – our best tips

Hudiksvall became one of our bases when we traveled through Hälsingland by camper. We started in the city with the boathouses, Hälsingland Museum and walks by the water, but soon the roads took us further out towards the coast. There awaited Kuggören, Hölick, caves, fishing villages and small roads that sometimes became much more adventurous than we had imagined.

1. Sjöbodarna and Fiskarstan – discover old Hudiksvall

The old boathouses by the water are perhaps Hudiksvall's most characteristic attraction. Similar environments used to exist in many coastal towns in Norrland, but in Hudiksvall they have been preserved and have become an important part of the town's identity. Here, the old wooden buildings stand close together and are reminiscent of the time when fishing, shipping and trade characterized life on the coast.

We started our visit to Hudiksvall by walking among the boathouses and through the old district of Fiskarstan. It is the kind of environment where we like to stop, take photos and look at the details of the old houses. The area also has restaurants and craft businesses, and it is nice to just walk around and feel the atmosphere.

While you are in the city center, you can also visit Hudiksvall Church, also known as St. James' Church. Here is a curious detail from the Russian raids of 1721, when a cannonball was fired at the church from a Russian galley. The original ball was stolen in 1972, but a copy still reminds us of the event. It is a small historical detail that makes the city walk even more interesting.

2. Kuggören and Hornslandet – fishing village and mysterious stone labyrinth

Hornslandet is a large peninsula east of Hudiksvall, where forests, cliffs and small fishing villages meet the Sea of Bothnia. One of the most interesting stops is Kuggören, an old fishing village with red wooden houses, boats and the sea right next to it. We went here during our motorhome trip along the Hälsinge coast and really enjoyed the special environment.

But it wasn't just the fishing village that attracted people. There is also an old stone labyrinth here, which is usually called the Labyrinth on Kuggörarna. How old it really is is not known for sure. It has been suggested that it may be around 1,400 years old, but it could also be considerably younger. Regardless of age, it is fascinating to find such a strange trace of people out by the sea.

This is exactly the kind of excursion we like. You set off to discover a small fishing village and suddenly find something completely different than you expected. Take your time and combine Kuggören with more stops at Hornslandet, because there is a lot to see here even if the fishing village itself is small.

3. Hölick – sandy beaches and nature by the Sea of Bothnia

Further out on Hornslandet lies Hölick, a popular excursion destination where the forest opens up to the sea. There are fine sandy beaches here, including Storsand and Östra havsbadet, and on warm summer days it is easy to see why many people come here. It is a beautiful part of the Hälsinge coast where you can combine swimming, walking and nature experiences.

We visited Hölick during our trip by camper and looked at Storsand and Hölick Havsresort, among other places. There are various options for staying overnight here, from camping to cottages and other forms of accommodation. The area is therefore suitable both for a day trip from Hudiksvall and for those who want to stay a little longer by the sea.

But for us it wasn't just a trip to the beach. We had heard about the exciting caves in Hölick Nature Reserve, and of course we were curious. It turned out that a much darker adventure awaited us than a normal day at the beach!

4. Hölicksgrottorna – an underground adventure

In the Hölick Nature Reserve there is an extensive system of prehistoric caves, which have been formed by natural processes in the bedrock. Visiting the area is an exciting experience even above ground, where hiking trails lead through forests and over rocky terrain. But it was of course the caves that attracted us the most.

We set off along the path and had to make our way over logs and stones before we finally found a cave opening. There was also a rope there that disappeared into the darkness. Of course, we couldn't help but investigate and went down a little. But it was dark, cramped and damp, and pretty soon we felt that the adventure had become exciting enough for us.

Anyone who wants to explore the caves properly needs to be well prepared. This requires good shoes, comfortable clothing, proper lighting and knowledge of how to move safely in a cave environment. We recommend a guided tour for those who want to go further in. We ourselves were content to look down and see that there are adventures that require a little more equipment than we had with us!

5. Hälsingland Museum – culture and history at the center

Hälsingland Museum is centrally located in Hudiksvall, in a beautiful old bank building. Here you can learn more about the history, culture and traditions of the region through various exhibitions. The museum also has art exhibitions and other activities, making it a nice stop for those who want to discover more than the city's streets and buildings.

We visited the museum during our days in Hudiksvall and found it interesting to gain a greater understanding of Hälsingland. When you travel through a landscape and visit old fishing villages, churches and historical environments, it is fun to also get a little more background on the people who have lived here. During our visit, admission was also free, but please check the current conditions before your visit.

6. Lillfjärden – a nice walk in the middle of Hudiksvall

In the middle of Hudiksvall lies Lillfjärden, a small lake surrounded by walking paths and green areas. A loop of approximately 2.2 kilometers runs around the water, making it a suitable walk for those who want to get some exercise without leaving the city. There is also the opportunity to see birds and enjoy a moment of peace.

We walked by Lillfjärden ourselves and met both exercisers and people who were just out to enjoy the surroundings. It may not be an attraction that you travel many miles just to experience, but we think it fits very well as part of a visit to Hudiksvall.

7. Malnbaden – a long sandy beach near Hudiksvall

If you want to combine a city visit with the sea and swimming, Malnbaden is just a few kilometers from the center of Hudiksvall. There is a long sandy beach on the Bothnian Sea, and on nice summer days it is a popular excursion destination for both locals and visitors. The area also has camping and the opportunity to eat something.

We went here during our trip and looked at the beach and the surroundings. Although our visit was not a real swimming day, we could easily imagine how wonderful it must be here when the sun is shining and the sand is filled with bathers. It is a nice contrast to the city's old quarters and museums.

8. Mellanfjärden – a charming fishing village along the Hälsinge coast

About forty kilometers north of Hudiksvall lies Mellanfjärden, a small fishing village with old houses, boats and a lovely setting by the sea. Here you will find, among other things, a restaurant, café, shop and accommodation. It is the kind of place we like to visit when we travel along the Swedish coast.

We stopped in Mellanfjärden during our motorhome trip and walked around among the houses and by the water. We really like these small fishing villages where there is still a clear connection to the sea and the old coastal culture. You don't really need much more than a few nice houses, boats and a pier to feel comfortable.

Just outside Mellanfjärden is also Trolska skogen, where families with children can join in on a theatrical adventure in a forest environment. Performances are arranged here where fairy tales, music and nature become part of the experience. We think Mellanfjärden is a nice stop for those continuing north along the Hälsinge coast.

9. Stocka guest harbour – when the fog changed the whole experience

Stocka is another small coastal community north of Hudiksvall, and here we had one of those experiences that isn't really about any particular attraction. We stopped the camper right by the water, pulled out the deckchairs and sat down to enjoy the nice weather.

The sun was warming us up and we sat there for hours. But then something started to happen out over the water. A cool mist slowly rolled in and changed the whole environment. Suddenly the sunny summer idyll was gone and replaced by an almost mystical atmosphere. We actually thought it was nice too, even though the temperature quickly changed.

In Stocka there is a guest harbor with overnight accommodation for campers and related services. For us, the stop was above all a nice memory of how a trip can sometimes offer unexpected experiences without you actually doing anything special. Here we got another reminder that the journey is the destination.

10. Dellenbanan – ride a trolley through Hälsingland

If you want to try a different activity in the Hudiksvall area, you can ride a trolley on the old Dellenbanan. The railway stretches through the Hälsing landscape, past lakes, forests and bridges, and parts of the track are used for trolley cycling. It is a fun way to experience nature at a much slower pace than by car.

We saw the trolleys and the rental during our trip, but this time we didn't go for a bike ride. However, when we saw the opportunity, we realized that we should have planned more time and brought a proper picnic. It would have suited us perfectly to pedal along the rails, stop at some nice spot and just enjoy the surroundings.

According to the Friends of Dellenbanan, you can choose how far you want to cycle before turning back, and about ten kilometers can take about an hour at a leisurely pace. Check current routes and booking options before visiting. Next time we come here, we would love to try it ourselves!

11. Blacksås Nature Reserve – an adventurous road with a campervan

Blacksås Nature Reserve is located in the hilly landscape west of Hudiksvall and is known for its forests and the view from Blacksåsberget. There are hiking opportunities here for those who want to experience Hälsingland's nature up close, and from the heights you can get a fantastic view of the surroundings under the right conditions.

Our own plan was to drive the camper to the western side of the reserve and choose the easier hike towards the mountain. But the way there already became a bit of an adventure. We ended up on narrow, winding roads with rolled gravel, and the journey took considerably longer than we had imagined. The small roads are not always as easy to drive with a large camper as they look on the map!

We therefore received another reminder to plan your route carefully when visiting a nature reserve with a camper. Blacksås is an interesting excursion destination for those who enjoy forests and hiking, but please check where the trails start and what the roads look like before you set off. Sometimes the road to an excursion destination can be an adventure in itself because the journey is the destination.

12. Boda Caves – in search of an opening in the rock

The Boda Caves are an exciting cave system in Hälsingland, where large boulders and cracks in the rock form passages and cavities underground. The area is a different excursion destination for those who enjoy nature and adventure, but both caution and the right equipment are required if you want to explore the caves properly.

We first followed the path through the nature reserve and then had to climb over large boulders. To find the cave entrance, we followed yellow markings on the trees and looked for a fenced area. Finally, we found what we were looking for: an opening down among the rocks and a rope leading down into the darkness. It was starting to feel familiar after our previous cave adventure at Hölick!

We made it down a little, but soon realized that we would need better equipment to continue. It was dark, damp and slippery, and we decided to turn around rather than try to get to the main hall. If you want to explore the caves, you need to be fully mobile, have proper shoes, sturdy clothing and several reliable sources of light. We recommend that you get help from someone with experience in cave environments if you want to go further.

13. Forsa forngård – Midsummer and Hälsinge cheesecake

One of our best experiences in the Hudiksvall area was the Midsummer celebration at Forsa forngård. We happened to be in Hälsingland over Midsummer and decided to join in the celebration. We both grew up in Norrtälje and Lund and have experienced many Swedish Midsummer celebrations over the years, but here there was something that felt extra genuine.

We joined in the celebration and enjoyed the music, the dancing and all the beautiful folk costumes. The violins played those familiar melodies that you have heard since childhood, and all around us were traditions that have been passed down through generations. It was one of those moments when you feel like you are experiencing something more than just an ordinary attraction.

And then of course there was coffee! We took the opportunity to try Hälsinge cheesecake, which is different from the cheesecakes we had previously eaten further south. Ours was served with cloudberry jam and a generous dollop of whipped cream. It may not have been the prettiest food picture we've ever taken, but it was delicious! If you're visiting Hälsingland during midsummer, we definitely think it's worth looking for a traditional celebration.

A nice excursion to Skärså fishing village

There are places you visit once and feel done with. Skärså is not that kind of place for us. We've been to the small fishing village three times and each time we're struck by how wonderfully idyllic it is. The red wooden houses, the boats, the piers and the sea – not much really needs to happen here. Just coming here is enough.

Skärså is located on the Hälsinge coast, about eleven kilometers north of Söderhamn, and is therefore a slightly longer excursion from Hudiksvall. But if you continue south along the coast, we definitely think the fishing village is worth the detour. We have strolled around between the houses, taken far too many photos and just enjoyed the environment. 

Eat something delicious at Albertina

One of the times we arrived in Skärså just in time for lunch. When we travel for a long time in a camper van we usually eat our own food and choose our restaurant visits with a little care. But Albertina was one of the restaurants we really wanted to try.

We ordered mussels with fries and aioli. The bread served with it was perhaps not something we still dream of, but the mussels, sauce and aioli were all the better. We also tried a Skärså Lager with the food and sat in the lovely setting by the water. The service was great and it was exactly the kind of lunch that you like to remember from a trip. 

Around the fishing village there is also a fish shop and smokehouse, a small general store and crafts, but I wouldn't try to make Skärså bigger than it is. It's the smallness that's the whole point. You take a walk, look at the boats, maybe eat something delicious and let time pass for a while.

Where to stay in Hudiksvall?

Central Hudiksvall is best if you want restaurants, shops, boathouses and several of the city's attractions within walking distance. Here you will find, among others, Best Western Hotell Hudik and Quality Hotel Statt, both of which are centrally located. If you would rather stay near the sea, Malnbaden may be an alternative, with camping and a sandy beach a few kilometers from the center. For those planning many excursions along the Hälsinge coast, it is practical to have access to a car, since several of the finest places are located outside the city.

Hudiksvall with a campervan

We have explored Hudiksvall and the Hälsinge coast by motorhome and find the area very well suited for a trip with many small stops. If you want to stay overnight near the center, there are parking lots at Glysisvallen, which Hudiksvall Municipality directs motorhome travelers to. During one of our trips, we also stayed one night in a regular parking lot at the marina, but always check the current parking regulations before staying overnight.

If you want to stay closer to the sea, there is Malnbadens Camping & Vandrarhem, about four kilometers from central Hudiksvall. We have also appreciated small camping sites along the Hälsinge coast, where proximity to the water is often a big part of the experience. Stocka guest harbor is one such example, and we have also stayed at Urö Gård with a nice view. Keep in mind that some excursion destinations, such as Blacksås and the caves, can be reached via narrow and difficult roads. With a camper van, it is wise to check the road before you drive.

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