Guides

Things to do in Skellefteå: Bonnstan and Nordanå

Things to do in Skellefteå: the Bonnstan church town and the Nordanå cultural area, from heritage to current culture.

Skellefteå's older stories sit close to its present-day cultural life. You can walk through Bonnstan's church-town buildings, explore the park and museum at Nordanå, then head to Sara Kulturhus for a different side of the city. Here are six stops to mix into a day or weekend, with room for a riverside walk and a proper fika break.

1. Bonnstan

Start with the little wooden buildings of Skellefteå's old church town. Bonnstan dates back to the 1600s, when people travelling long distances to church needed somewhere to stay overnight. Walking between the buildings makes that story easier to picture than a quick look from the road.

Good to know

  • Use the official city-walk guide to link Bonnstan with Nordanå and Landskyrkan.
  • Plan this as an outdoor walk; don't rely on being able to enter individual church-town buildings.
  • For a longer outing, continue towards Lejonströmsbron and return along the river.

2. Nordanå park and open-air museum

Nordanå is a good place to slow down between cultural stops. Historic buildings sit among green spaces and bird ponds near the river, and there's a large playground if you're visiting with children. Look around the open-air museum to see another side of local life beyond Bonnstan.

Good to know

  • The open-air museum grounds can be visited outdoors year-round.
  • Kågegården's historic interior opens in summer; check the museum's current arrangements rather than expecting all buildings to be open.
  • Combine the park with Skellefteå museum or Exploratoriet, both in the Nordanå area.

3. Skellefteå museum

Inside Nordanå's former school, Skellefteå museum gives you the background to the places you've been walking through. Storsia, its permanent exhibition, tells the story of the local area, while other exhibitions give you a reason to look at the current programme. It's a useful indoor stop without committing to a whole day.

Good to know

  • Admission is free.
  • The museum is normally closed on Mondays and stays open later on Tuesdays; check holiday changes before visiting.
  • Nordanå is about five minutes on foot from the city centre.
  • The café has its own opening hours, so check those separately if you're planning lunch.

4. Exploratoriet

If you'd rather try things than just look at them, head to Exploratoriet. Its interactive exhibitions explore subjects including water, forests and metals, with experiments that turn a museum day into something more hands-on. It's an easy companion to the park for a family outing.

Good to know

  • Find it at Nordanå 12; check current public opening hours and admission on exploratoriet.se.
  • Exhibition entry is paid, but you can use the café, shop and toilets without paying admission. Payment is by card or Swish, not cash.
  • Outdoor shoes stay outside the exhibition rooms; adults can borrow indoor shoes.
  • The premises are wheelchair-accessible. Ordinary visitor parking is outside the car-free Nordanå area.

5. Sara Kulturhus

After the older buildings at Nordanå, give yourself time for Sara Kulturhus. You can look at what's on in the exhibition hall, visit the city library or plan around a performance. A guided building tour is a good choice if you're curious about the place itself rather than a particular show.

Good to know

  • Check the event calendar for performances, exhibition details and any ticket requirements.
  • Scheduled building tours last about 45 minutes and are offered in Swedish and English; check available dates.
  • The library and cultural-house entrances have different opening arrangements, so use the visitor information for the part you're visiting.

6. Lejonströmsbron and the river promenade

Carry on beyond Bonnstan towards Landskyrkan and Lejonströmsbron to give your day a riverside finish. The official city walk links these historic places and brings you back along the promenade. It's a nice way to join the sights together rather than treating each one as a separate trip.

Good to know

  • Visit Skellefteå publishes a 90-minute self-guided route through Nordanå, Bonnstan, Landskyrkan and the bridge; museum stops will add time.
  • Follow the official route map and shorten the walk if you want more time indoors.
  • Kyrkoholmen's café is a summer stop, not a year-round refreshment guarantee.

Quick tips

  • A simple day: Bonnstan and the river walk first, then lunch and an exhibition at Nordanå.
  • Choose Exploratoriet for hands-on time, or Sara Kulturhus for a programme-led afternoon; you don't need to fit everything in.
  • Check individual opening hours before a Monday visit, especially at Skellefteå museum.
  • Want company? Check upcoming events in Skellefteå on Socroo below and find someone to go with.

Upcoming events

Things to do in Skellefteå in winter Nordanå: park and cultural area Skellefteå museum: plan your visit Exploratoriet: visiting information Sara Kulturhus: plan your visit Official self-guided city walks