Åre Travel Guide
City Major Swedish ski resort and mountain village
Åre’s lifts and groomed runs keep winter crowds, while summers bring bikers and hikers onto fells with panoramic ridgelines. The village offers modern restaurants, craft breweries and a playground of outdoor guides for ski touring or kayaking down nearby rivers.
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Why Visit Åre? #
As Sweden’s most established alpine resort, Åre combines lift‑served skiing with coherent village life and year‑round mountain activities. Åre By and the slopes of Åreskutan provide downhill terrain, bike parks and hiking routes, while compact après‑ski options and mountain restaurants focus on local game and seafood. Long summer days suit trekking and winter nights can reveal the aurora borealis.
Top Things to Do in Åre
All Attractions ›
- Åre Ski Area - Extensive slopes, lifts, and summer hiking on Åreskutan mountain.
- Åre Old Church (Åre gamla kyrka) - Small wooden church from earlier centuries near the centre.
- Åre Kabinbana (cable car) - Quick lift to mid-mountain trails and panoramic viewing platforms.
- Tännforsen waterfall - Sweden's largest waterfall within a scenic forested gorge, ideal for day hikes.
- Åre Chocolate Factory - Small artisanal producer offering tastings and guided visits in town.
- Ristafallet and Storforsen rapids - River scenery a short drive into the Jämtland countryside.
- Heritage railway to Duved - Scenic train route past mountain villages along the valley.
- Åre Björnen family slopes and lake - Gentler skiing and lakeside walks suitable for families nearby.
Best Time to Visit Åre #
Åre is a prime mountain destination: visit in winter for skiing and in summer for long days and hiking. Spring can be transitional with variable snow and good late-season skiing.
Best Time to Visit Åre #
Åre's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (644 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 92 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Åre
Åre is served by Åre Östersund Airport and by regular intercity and regional trains to Åre station; both are convenient depending on your origin. For most visitors the airport coach or the train provides the simplest transfer to the resort.
Åre Östersund Airport (OSD): Marketed as Åre Östersund, this airport is the closest with scheduled services to Stockholm and some European cities. The drive or airport coach to Åre takes about 1-1.5 hours; Flygbussarna or local airport coaches run the route and tickets are typically SEK 139-179 one-way. Taxis are faster but significantly more expensive (roughly SEK 800-1,200).
Trondheim / other airports: For some international itineraries travellers may use Trondheim or other regional airports combined with rail or road travel, but Åre Östersund Airport is the standard option for most visitors to Åre.
Train: Åre has a railway station on the Main Line (Mittbanan) with regional and intercity SJ/Norrtåg services that connect to Östersund and Stockholm, and to Norway. Trains are a good option for scenic travel; journey times: Östersund→Åre ≈1-1.5 hours, Stockholm→Åre ≈6-7 hours. Prices vary by booking class and advance purchase.
Bus: Local buses and airport coaches connect Åre station, the airport and resort areas; Flygbussarna and local operators run scheduled services timed with flights and trains. Single-bus fares are commonly in the SEK 100-200 range depending on route.
How to Get Around Åre #
Åre village is compact and easy to walk, with most restaurants, bars and shops clustered around the main square. Rail services stop at Åre station on the line to Östersund, and regional buses provide connections to nearby ski areas and towns. Taxis operate but can be busy in high season; many visitors walk between venues or use shuttle buses to reach lifts. Book transfers in advance during peak winter and summer periods.
Where to Stay in Åre #
- Åre Torg Hostel / budget rooms - Simple, central budget rooms and hostels
- Hostel-style stays in Åre - Affordable skiing-area dorms and rooms
- Åre Tott Hotel - Reliable mid-range on the slopes
- Hotel Åregården - Comfortable, traditional town-centre hotel
- Copperhill Mountain Lodge - Premium ski-in/ski-out lodge with spa
- Luxury chalets and boutique hotels - High-end chalets and full-service retreats
Where to Eat in Åre #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Åre's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Åre #
Åre has a lively après‑ski and nightlife scene for a mountain village: lively bars, bustling restaurants and seasonal clubs draw crowds in winter and summer. The village square and lift‑base areas are the main evening hubs. Expect a mix of relaxed pub evenings and busier late‑night options, especially during ski season.
Shopping in Åre #
Shopping in Åre is geared to outdoor activities and tourism: you’ll find ski shops, outdoor gear stores, specialty food shops and boutiques selling local design. The main pedestrian streets concentrate most of the retail choices. Peak season brings extra pop‑up stalls and souvenir sellers, while shoulder seasons are quieter for shopping.
- Åre Torg - Town square with the highest concentration of bars and restaurants.
