ÖstersundÖstersund at a Glance
Costs: Midrange to slightly expensive in high season - $130-220 USD per day depending on season and winter-sports prices.
Safety: Very safe and relaxed - very safe; low violent crime and welcoming locals.
Best Time: Winter for sports; summer for hiking - december-March for winter sports, June-August for hiking and festivals.
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.
Best Things to Do in Östersund
Lake
Storsjön
Large Jämtland lake reputed for a legendary monster
Island
Frösön
Island community and cultural center in Jämtland County
Lake
Näldsjön
Small lake in Jämtland County, Sweden
Östersund Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Winter
Long, deep winters dominate with abundant snow, excellent skiing and aurora possibilities; prepare for severe cold and short daylight hours.
Spring
Late, changeable spring thaws slowly; shoulder-season still chilly but ideal for quieter trails and watching nature reawaken especially in May.
Summer
Short summers are surprisingly pleasant-long daylight, hiking, canoeing and festivals; expect mild temperatures and occasional rain, with busy weekends sometimes.
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -11° - -4° | -12° | 32 mm | overcast | 99% | 2.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.4h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -3° | -11° | 24 mm | overcast | 98% | 2.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.4h |
| March | Poor | -7° - 1° | -7° | 28 mm | overcast | 96% | 2.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | -3° - 5° | -2° | 33 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 14.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 3° - 13° | 6° | 39 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 17.8h |
| June | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 64 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 19.8h |
| July | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 83 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.8h |
| August | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 62 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.9h |
| September | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 6° | 59 mm | overcast | 89% | 2.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 1° - 6° | 1° | 48 mm | overcast | 94% | 2.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.6h |
| November | Poor | -5° - 0° | -6° | 42 mm | overcast | 98% | 2.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| December | Poor | -9° - -3° | -10° | 35 mm | overcast | 99% | 2.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.2h |
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 is well connected by air (OSD) and by rail (Östersund C). For local travel, a mix of buses, taxis and walking works best; renting a car is useful for exploring surrounding countryside and ski areas.
- Flygbussarna / Airport coach (SEK 79-129) - Airport coaches link Åre Östersund Airport (OSD) with Östersund Central (Östersund C) and take about 15-20 minutes. Coaches run to match many flights; buy tickets online or at the airport kiosk. Coaches are reliable and affordable compared with taxis.
- SJ / Norrtåg (train) (SEK 200-700+) - Long-distance SJ and regional Norrtåg trains serve Östersund C, connecting to Stockholm, Sundsvall and northern Sweden. Trains are comfortable and practical for winter travel when roads can be slower. Book SJ tickets early for the best prices; regional Norrtåg fares are set by the county.
- Local buses (Länstrafiken Jämtland) (SEK 20-50) - Local buses serve the city and surrounding areas with frequent routes linking suburbs, the hospital and key attractions. Purchase single tickets on board (cashless options preferred) or via the local app. Buses are the primary public option for evening connections where trains are sparse.
- Taxi (SEK 150-400) - Taxis are convenient for airport transfers and trips where you have equipment (ski gear) or tight schedules. Expect OSD-city fares around SEK 200-350; pre-booking is recommended during busy winter weekends.
- Car rental (SEK 400+/day) - Renting a car is helpful for exploring Jämtland and nearby ski resorts; winter driving requires winter tires and sometimes chains. Roads are well-maintained but check weather forecasts in winter.
- Walking - Östersund’s centre is compact and pleasant to explore on foot, with key sights within 10-20 minutes of Östersund C. Walking is the easiest way to move between restaurants, museums and the waterfront in good weather.
Where to Stay in Östersund
Budget
Centre / Train Station - SEK 500-900/night
Good budget choices include hostels and economy hotels near the train station; winter rates vary, so book early for ski season.
STF Östersund (hostel options) - Economical hostel-style lodging
Best Western Hotel Gamla Teatern - Affordable comfort in central location
Mid-Range
Waterfront / City Centre - SEK 900-1400/night
Mid-range hotels cluster along the main streets and waterfront-convenient for walking to museums, restaurants, and ferry links to the islands.
Clarion Hotel Grand Östersund - Central, comfortable with good facilities
Scandic Östersund City - Reliable mid-range chain near attractions
Luxury
Waterfront / Outskirts - SEK 1400+/night
True luxury options are limited in town; look to a few boutique properties or countryside lodges for premium amenities and views.
Boutique & upscale lake-view hotels - Limited selection of high-end properties
Luxury country lodges nearby - Upscale stays are often outside town
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.
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.