Östersund Travel Guide
City City in Sweden known for its winter sports
Perched on Lake Storsjön, Östersund invites winter skiers and summer anglers; Jamtli museum explains Sami and regional life, while Storsjöyran festival and mountain trails offer local culture and outdoor access.
Why Visit Östersund? #
Perched on the shores of Storsjön, Östersund mixes outdoor life with strong regional culture. Jamtli museum and its living-history exhibits explain Jämtland traditions, while the annual Storsjöyran music festival brings big-name acts and local artists together. In winter the area becomes a base for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, and local specialties such as reindeer stew and Arctic char root the visit in northern cuisine.
Top Things to Do in Östersund
All Attractions ›
- Jamtli Museum - Jamtli open-air museum presenting Jämtland history through historic buildings and living exhibitions.
- Frösö Church - Medieval island church on Frösön offering cultural history and lake panoramas.
- Strandpromenaden - Lakefront promenade with cafés, sculptures and views across Storsjön to surrounding hills.
- Storsjöbadet aquatic centre - Modern aquatic centre with pools, slides and wellness facilities for families and swimmers.
- Storgatan boutiques - Independent boutiques and cafés along Storgatan offering local crafts and fika spots.
- Local galleries and workshops - Small galleries showcasing regional artists and occasional pop-up craft markets in town.
- Åre - Renowned ski resort and year-round mountain destination offering hiking, skiing and alpine activities.
- Frösön island - Frösön island with scenic trails, Frösö Church and panoramic views across the lake.
Best Time to Visit Östersund #
Östersund shines in summer for long days, hiking and festivals, while winter offers deep snow and winter sports-be ready for bitter cold. Shoulder seasons are brief and still quite cool.
Best Time to Visit Östersund #
Östersund'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 19°C. Moderate rainfall (549 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. The driest month with just 24 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 83 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Östersund
Östersund is most commonly reached via Åre Östersund Airport (OSD) or by rail to Östersund Central on SJ and Norrtåg services. Local buses and taxis provide short transfers; the city is compact and easy to navigate once you arrive.
Åre Östersund Airport (OSD): Östersund-Åre Airport (OSD) on Frösön is the main airport for Östersund, about 11 km from the city centre. Flygbussarna and local airport coaches run between the airport and Östersund Central (Östersund C) in about 15-20 minutes; a single bus ticket is typically SEK 79-129 depending on operator and time of purchase. Taxis from OSD to central Östersund cost roughly SEK 200-350 and take 15-20 minutes.
Train: Östersund Central (Östersund C) is on the SJ long-distance network and Norrtåg regional services; you can reach Östersund by train from Stockholm (several daily services, roughly 6-7 hours) or from Sundsvall and other regional centres. Prices vary widely with advance booking and class (book early for the best SJ fares).
Bus: Local buses run from Östersund C and throughout the municipality (operated by Länstrafiken Jämtland). Regional coaches connect to nearby towns and ski areas; single local fares are generally in the range of a few dozen SEK.
How to Get Around Östersund #
Östersund’s centre is compact and easily walkable; many attractions, restaurants and the lakeside are within an easy stroll. The city has a reliable local bus network and bike paths, and regional rail and bus services connect Östersund to other Jämtland towns. For winter travel, plan extra time for weather-related delays; in summer cycling and walking are very convenient.
Where to Stay in Östersund #
- STF Östersund (hostel options) - Economical hostel-style lodging
- Best Western Hotel Gamla Teatern - Affordable comfort in central location
- Clarion Hotel Grand Östersund - Central, comfortable with good facilities
- Scandic Östersund City - Reliable mid-range chain near attractions
- Boutique & upscale lake-view hotels - Limited selection of high-end properties
- Luxury country lodges nearby - Upscale stays are often outside town
Where to Eat in Östersund #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Östersund's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Östersund #
Östersund’s nightlife is modest and centred on pubs, casual bars and student-oriented venues. The harbour area and central squares host the liveliest spots for evening drinks, while live-music nights pop up at smaller venues. A full late-night clubbing scene is limited; locals tend to favour relaxed bars and seasonal festival events.
- O'Learys Östersund - Sports-bar chain popular for casual drinks and televised sports
- Lakeside pubs and cafés - Cluster of bars and cafés near the harbour for evening drinks
Shopping in Östersund #
Östersund offers a mix of local shops around Stortorget and larger chain stores in shopping centres like Gallerian Mittpunkten. Local producers and outdoor retailers are easy to find given the region’s focus on nature activities. Seasonal markets and local food stalls appear in the central square; look for Jämtland specialties and outdoor gear from Swedish brands.
- Gallerian Mittpunkten - Central shopping mall with a variety of Swedish retail brands
- Storsjöområdet / Stortorget shops - Central square with shops, cafés and seasonal market stalls
