Att göra i Medelpad - 18 tips, sevärdheter och upplevelser

Text and photo: Peter Bergström

Updated May 2026 | Are you looking for things to do in Medelpad? Here you will find the best sights, our personal tips and a ready-made itinerary for 3–4 days. Medelpad is perhaps best known for Sundsvall, but the landscape also offers coastal gems, industrial environments, swimming, culture, ancient remains and great road trip experiences between sea, forest and river.

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Medelpad

Medelpad offers variety in the form of beautiful nature and a very nice stone town. Our favorite in Medelpad is the stone town which has very beautiful houses and architecture.

Top attractions in Medelpad

Sundsvall – Medelpad's biggest draw and the obvious start for many trips in the landscape. Here you get both a city feel, history, culture and proximity to the sea.
Stenstan – Sundsvall's most famous attraction and one of the most unique urban environments in Norrland.
North Mountain – One of the best stops in Sundsvall, with an open-air museum, historic buildings and fantastic views of the city.
South Mountain – Perfect for those who want to combine nature, views and activities in the same day.
Alnön: One of the best summer excursions in Medelpad, with swimming, sea, beaches and a quieter environment just a short distance from Sundsvall.

Read also: All our guides to Sweden's landscapes

This guide is part of our large collection of guides for Sweden's 25 provinces. There you will find more tips on attractions, nature experiences, small towns, coastal gems and road trips around the country.
Read the guide here: Sweden's landscapes - our best tips from 25 landscapes

1. Discover Sundsvall

Sundsvall is without a doubt Medelpad's strongest destination and the place most people start with when they want to discover the landscape. Here you get an unusually beautiful city center, nice walking trails, culture, history and proximity to both the sea and nature. For us, Sundsvall was actually a really positive surprise.

2. Stroll in Stenstan – Sundsvall's most famous attraction

Stenstan is Sundsvall's most famous district and one of the most unique urban environments in all of Norrland. After the city fire of 1888, the area was rebuilt in stone, which gave the city its grand and almost continental feel. This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Medelpad.

3. Stroll along the Selångersån River and the harbor area

Selångersån gives Sundsvall an extra pleasant feel and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. There is water, piers, cafes and a nice view of the city's more modern parts. For us, it was one of those simple experiences that lifts the whole of the city.

4. Visit the open-air museum North Mountain

Norra Berget is one of the best excursion destinations in Sundsvall and an obvious attraction in Medelpad. It combines open-air museums, historical buildings, animals and views in a way that makes the place suitable for almost everyone. If you only make a few stops in Sundsvall, Norra Berget should be one of them.

5. Be active or enjoy the view on the southern mountain

Södra Berget is a perfect stop if you want to combine views with nature and activity. There are hiking trails, various outdoor activities and beautiful views over Sundsvall. This is one of the best ways to get both city and nature in the same trip.

6. Discover the cultural magazine in Sundsvall

Kulturmagasinet is a really good stop for those who like history, art and local culture. Here you will find Sundsvall's museum, library and exhibitions that add more depth to the visit. This is the kind of stop that makes Medelpad feel more complete than just city walks and views.

7. Check out Sundsvall's dragons and the charm of the dragon city

Sundsvall is often called the City of Dragons, and when you walk around the city center you quickly notice why. The dragons appear both on buildings and as summer installations around the city, giving the city a charming and slightly playful identity. This is a small detail that actually does a lot for the experience.

8. Take a trip to Alnön for swimming, sea and summer vibes

Alnön is one of the best summer excursions in Medelpad and is just a short drive from Sundsvall. There are several nice swimming spots, a quiet environment and a nice coastal feel that is perfect when the sun is shining. If you are traveling in Medelpad during the summer, this is a really good stop.

9. Visit Alnö old church

Alnö Old Church is a nice stop if you want to combine a coastal excursion with a bit of history. The church is a popular summer church and one of the more classic cultural stops in the area. It is perfect for a day on Alnön or as part of a more leisurely road trip around Sundsvall.

10. Take a trip to Skatans fishing village

Skatan's fishing village south of Sundsvall is a charming and easily accessible excursion destination on the coast. Here you get a guest harbor, a sea feeling, a smokehouse, a café and an environment that feels like it was made for a summer excursion. This is one of the finest coastal experiences in Medelpad.

11. See Galtströms bruk – one of Medelpad's finest mill environments

Galtströms bruk is one of the most interesting historical environments in Medelpad and a really strong excursion destination. Here there are well-preserved buildings, a manor house, a blast furnace and an environment that gives a clear feeling of older industrial history. This is a perfect stop for those who want to see more than just Sundsvall.

12. Admire Merlo Castle in Timrå

Merlo Castle, or Villa Merlo, is a nice stop if you are still moving north of Sundsvall. The building is not open as a classic attraction, but it is still worth walking in the area and checking out the magnificent environment from the outside. This is a good example of how Medelpad offers more little gems than you first think.

13. Discover Lögdö bruk or a classic cultural stop in Medelpad

Lögdö mill is a good stop if you want to fill up on even more history during your trip in Medelpad. Mill environments like this give the landscape more depth and show that the area is not just about Sundsvall. This is especially suitable for those who like old industrial environments, culture and quieter excursions.

14. See the Högom burial ground – one of the most famous ancient finds in Norrland

Högom burial ground is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Norrland and a really interesting stop in Medelpad. Here you get a different perspective on the landscape than the coast and city, with a clear connection to older history. This is a very good stop if you want to give your trip more variety.

15. Experience the Indalsälven River

The Indalsälven River is an important part of the landscape and gives Medelpad a nice mix of water, valleys and a road trip feel. If you like nature, views and a bit quieter environments, this is a good trail to follow. This is also a smart way to broaden the journey beyond Sundsvall and the coast.

16. Visit Flataklacken – the center of Sweden

Flataklacken is a fun and slightly different stop in Medelpad. The center of Sweden is located here, making it a classic road trip destination for those who like geographical curiosities and scenic stops. This may not be the biggest attraction in the landscape, but it is definitely a stop many remember.

17. Make a stop in Ånge or explore the inland of Medelpad

Ånge may not be the most obvious tourist destination in Medelpad, but it can work as a natural part of a trip through the inland. For those who like road trips, smaller communities and seeing more than just the biggest classics, the inland can give a different feel for the landscape. This is a good point to show that Medelpad is more than just Sundsvall.

18. Discover the coast, forest and small excursions around Medelpad

The beauty of Medelpad is that the landscape is quite compact but still varied. Here you can combine city, sea, culture, forest, swimming, industrial environments and smaller excursion destinations without having to drive extremely far. That is why Medelpad is very suitable for a long weekend or a short road trip in Sweden.

Medelpad on (3-4 days) – complete itinerary day by day

Are you planning a trip to Medelpad? Then 3–4 days is a really good length to experience both Sundsvall, the coast and some of the region's most interesting excursion destinations. Here is a ready-made plan for those who want to get the most out of the trip.

DAY 1 – SUNDSVALL CITY CENTER AND STENSTAN

Morning: Start in Stenstan in Sundsvall, which is Medelpad's most famous urban environment. Continue to Gustav Adolf's Church and then check out the dragons scattered around the city.
Afternoon: Visit Kulturmagasinet and then walk further along the Selångersån and the harbor area.
Evening: Finish with a leisurely evening walk in the city center or along the water. Dinner in central Sundsvall or at the harbor area.

DAY 2 – NORTH MOUNTAIN, SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND VIEWS

Morning: Start the day at Norra Berget, Sundsvall's open-air museum. Here you will find historic buildings, animals, culture and great views.
Afternoon: Continue to Södra Berget, where you can choose between walks, viewpoints or other activities.
Evening: If the weather is nice, it's perfect for a quiet evening on the mountain or back down in Sundsvall. Dinner in Sundsvall or at a hotel/restaurant at Södra Berget.

DAY 3 – ALNÖN, THE COAST AND THE FISHING PLACES

Morning: Drive out to Alnön and start the day with sea views, a beach feel or a stop at Alnö old church. Explore one of the island's swimming spots or drive around a bit to get a feel for the environment.
Afternoon: Continue south to Skatan fishing village, which is one of the most charming coastal environments in Medelpad.
Evening: Return to Sundsvall or stay closer to the coast if you want a slower pace. Dinner on the coast or in Sundsvall.

DAY 4 – USED ENVIRONMENTS, ANCIENT REMAINS AND ROAD TRIP

Option 1: Culture and history – Visit Galtströms bruk and add Merlo castle or Lögdö bruk. Perfect if you like historical environments.
Option 2: Ancient times and a sense of landscape – Visit the Högom cemetery and drive on towards Flataklacken, the center of Sweden. Perfect if you want a bit more of a road trip feel.
Option 3: Nature and river landscape – Explore the Indalsälven or parts of the Indalsleden trail. Add a quieter stop inland or around Timrå/Ånge. Suitable for those who want to see more of the landscape beyond Sundsvall

Where can you park your campervan in Medelpad?

Medelpad is well suited for both hotels, camping and motorhomes, especially if you want to combine city with coastal excursions. The easiest approach is often to use Sundsvall as a base and then make day trips to other parts of the landscape. Here are some good ways to think about it.

Central Sundsvall: Live in central Sundsvall if you want to be close to Stenstan, restaurants and the city's attractions
Södra Berget or the area around Sundsvall: Choose this area if you want to combine city with nature.
Alnön: Stay on or near Alnön if you want more sea, swimming and a summer feeling
By motorhome: For campers, it is smart to combine 1–2 nights in Sundsvall with a night closer to the coast. First Camp Fläsian – Sundsvall is a good option if you want to be close to water and the beach.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Medelpad

WHAT IS MEDELPAD MOST KNOWN FOR?

Medelpad is best known for Sundsvall and especially the district of Stenstan, which is one of the most obvious attractions in the region. The region is also known for its coast, Alnön, mill environments, Högom burial ground and because the center of Sweden is located at Flataklacken. For many, Medelpad is a perfect landscape for a short road trip with both city and nature.

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED ON AVERAGE?

Three days is enough to see the most important things in Medelpad, especially if you focus on Sundsvall and some classic excursion destinations. Four days is even better if you want to include both the coast, cultural stops and the interior. This is a landscape that is very suitable for a long weekend.

WHAT CAN'T BE MISSED IN MEDELPAD?

What you absolutely shouldn't miss in Medelpad are Sundsvall, Stenstan, Norra Berget, Södra Berget, Selångersån, Alnön, Skatan's fishing village and Galtström's mill. If you have more time, Högom's grave field, Kulturmagasinet and Flataklacken are also nice additions. The best approach is to mix city, coast and history.

IS MEDELPAD SUITABLE FOR A ROAD TRIP?

Yes, Medelpad is very suitable for a road trip. The distances are reasonable, the variation is great and you can easily combine city, sea, industrial environments and inland in just a few days. It is a landscape that is often better than you first think.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO MEDELPAD?

Summer is the best time for those who want to experience the coast, swimming, fishing villages and excursions around Sundsvall. Spring and early autumn are also very nice periods, especially if you like city walks, culture and quieter nature experiences. Medelpad works all year round, but the summer months offer the most opportunities.

More landscape guides nearby

Want to discover more of Sweden? Here are more guides to nearby landscapes that we have visited and that are perfect for more excursions, road trips and holidays at home.

Things to do in Medelpad – 18 tips, attractions and experiences