Perhaps it is its Scandinavian roots or the fact that it ceaselessly promotes the development of technology and the arts. Whatever the reason may be, Sweden is a country that you can’t help but be drawn to. It has all kinds of wonders that won’t disappoint. Even if it isn’t the top destination in your mind, there are several places in Sweden that will leave you wanting to discover more of this wonderland.

Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the country’s top attractions, you may want to explore these other, more unusual places.

Offbeat Places in Sweden

1. Colour by Numbers

Did you know you can control the lights of a tower in Stockholm using just your smartphone? That’s the interesting feature offered by the Colour by Numbers installation, which can be found near the Telefonplan subway station. It was first launched in 2006 and ran until 2007. But because of popular demand, the tower became a permanent fixture by the station.

The lights can be changed via calling a phone number of using a certain app. The call is free of charge and all you have to do is follow the instructions to color the tower. Meanwhile, the Colour by Numbers app lets you select the specific colors you want for each floor.

Also Read: Where to Stay in Stockholm

2. Ales Stenar

One of the top offbeat places in Sweden to check out is the Ale’s Stones. They may not be the Stonehenge, but their existence is just as mystical. These group of 59 standing stones is arranged in the rough shape of a ship’s outline, leading majority to believe they are a burial monument. Others theorize that the stones are an ancient astronomical clock because of the way they are positioned.

These stones are located on the hills above Kåseberga, which is east of Ystad. They are supposedly over 1,000 years old, towards the end of the Nordic Iron Age. Regardless of what their true purpose is, you can’t help but be drawn to the image of these stones on a hill, overlooking the Baltic Sea.

3. Disgusting Food Museum

Some museums are only meant for people with acquired tastes. If you’re particularly interested in unusual cuisine, you’ll find the Disgusting Food Museum fascinating. Recently opened in the Malmo, the museum displays at least 80 of the world’s most disgusting food items and is definitely one of the top places in Sweden to add to your itinerary.

Museum founder Dr. Samuel West indicated in a CNN interview that the purpose of the museum is to challenge what people consider as edible. Here, you can discover the world’s stinkiest cheese or learn of Kumis, a dairy product made from horse milk. Visitors can even smell and taste some of these notorious delicacies. Is your stomach looking for a challenge? This is the place to visit.

Looking to travel all around Europe? This detailed Europe Travel Blog will help in planning your trip a little better.

4. Jakriborg

Jakriborg is a housing estate in Hjärup designed to look like a small medieval town. The houses have bright colors and are built in between winding streets. These are all characterized by the Hanseatic style that is reminiscent of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands’ old towns. You’re welcome to weave through the maze-like cobblestone streets and passageways and imagine yourself strolling through the past.

The place is relatively new, as construction took place around the 1990s and early 2000s. During the winter season, the town comes alive with its holiday market and festive crowd. In reality, business in the area is slow, but the locals seem happy. Why not show some support and visit some of the town’s establishments?

5. Stockholms Spelmuseum

One of Stockholm’s newest attractions is a museum dedicated to video games. In Stockholms Spelmuseum, one can learn the history of the game industry, from the 80s era games like Pong and Galaga to modern developments such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

The museum is a worthy addition to Sweden, considering the country is considered a pioneer in gaming innovations.  It’s worth noting that Sweden, in general, is recognized for its love of technology, hence their advancements in gaming.

If you want to experience old school games or try out the newest trends in gaming, add the Stockholms Spelmuseum to your itinerary.

6. Solar Egg Sauna

In the northernmost town of Kiruna, one can find a beautiful egg-shaped sauna that is powered by solar energy. The Unusual Places website shares that the structure was built by architects Bigert & Bergstrom for the purpose of it being a cultural symbol.

The egg’s exterior is made of stainless golden mirror sheeting, which makes for a beautiful picture during dawn or dusk. But inside is all wooden interiors, with a fully functioning heart-shaped sauna stove.

Do you know of any other offbeat places in Sweden to cover? Do share them in the comments below. For another post like this, feel free to read Nomllers’ offbeat places in Goa article.

Author’s Bio

Signe Larsen is a freelance writer and lifetime wanderer. Her globetrotting days started at the age of 21 when she was fortunate to score a free trip to Norway. Since then, she has fallen in love with traveling and studying different cultures. She strives to share her discoveries online whenever she can.