For travelers yearning for a destination that is not too busy but not too isolated, Sweden has a handful of small towns radiating with the art of simple living Sweden even has a concept for their own way of living called lagom not too little” and is the Swedish ideal that happiness in life is all about having balance across all aspects of our lives Not only will the beautiful landscapes be a breath of fresh air but the locals' blissful energy will keep visitors at ease It seems only right to kick off the list with Sigtuna, the oldest town in Sweden. Sigtuna was founded in the 10th century between Uppsala, and Sweden’s capital Stockholm. The town might be quaint The first coin in Sweden was made in Sigatuna and it is also the birthplace of the Sigtuna Princess Ingegerd visitors will pass by old charming churches and houses but the most fascinating thing is the abundance of runestones Sigtuna is known for being populated with so many runestones that it is like a treasure hunt The town is also in the perfect location for outdoor scenery Embark on a peaceful lakeside stroll while sipping on a cup of coffee or practice yoga in the park Another option is to check out Klockbacken a park with mapped-out paths and a barbeque area which is great for taking in the good outdoors The adorable medieval town of Visby can be discovered on the northwest coast of Gotland, which is known to be the largest island in the Baltic Sea Visby is a very well preserved town that dates back to the 12th century Frolicking through the streets of angelic buildings and homes designed between the 12th and 14th centuries will have visitors amazed There are also many historic church ruins to explore such as St Clemens Visby is truly a place to stop and smell the roses as it is a garden hotspot blossoming with roses Visby also has numerous sandy beaches to feed that beach craving Visitors can relax on the bathing jetty by the beach walk in central Visby or a popular spot 20 kilometers south of Visby is Tofta beach there is a lovely hike only seven kilometers south of town where visitors can get immersed in unreal caves The diverse range of natural landscapes makes it a hotspot for outdoors enthusiasts to feel one with the earth and away from crowds of people Visitors will also need to check out Abisko National Park and Vadvetjåkka National Park This town is famous for being the location for the popular crime series Ystad is a very walkable town for visitors to easily bounce between restaurants The charming town centre is laid with cobble stone and shines with vibrant colors and elegant architecture The perfect spot to aimlessly roam and people watch Visitors will also see the Ystad Town Hall and St Mary’s Church in the heart of the town centre A fascinating attraction to visit is Ales Stenar visitors can admire the best preserved ship monument in Scandinavia measuring 67 meters long and 19 meters wide This unique site in the outline of a boat has a stunning coastal view and is a spot that visitors never knew they needed to add to the bucket list Kalmar can be found on the southeast coast of Sweden more specifically in the country of Småland This town calls all outdoor adventure enthusiasts to explore the beaming beaches invites all hikers and bikers along 200 kilometers of open country roads and a delightful coastline Travelers can also catch a direct ferry over to the nearby island of Öland Island Wandering through the cobblestone streets will grab everyone's attention with the many preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries with Kalmar Castle being a prominent symbol of the town Kalmar is also proud to be known for producing sustainable cuisines that are both delicious and sourced locally Visitors should not leave without trying a Swedish cinnamon bun The town of Vadstena is one of the world's pilgrimage destinations which makes it a great spot to step right into earth's natural beauty There are many connecting hiking trails to and from Vadstena that pass through different medieval church villages country fields and along the coastline of Lake Vättern Visitors can stay in town and walk the Vadstena promenade or hike further distances by traveling down east along the coast on the Borghamn - Vadstena trail travelers will find themselves bouncing amongst historical castles Some historical buildings include the Vadstena castle from 1545 which is one of the largest medieval church buildings in Sweden The clicking of shoes on the cobblestone streets and surroundings of old wooden preserved buildings fills the air with energy of simple living and allows visitors to travel with tranquility On this navigation channel from Troso is where travelers will be welcomed by beautiful islands and rock formations to lay on and take a snack break Troso includes stages 53-56 of the 94 total hiking trails of Sörmlandsleden and the Heritage Trail city walk right in town Nuzzled in the middle of the West Sweden archipelago on the Bohuslän coast is the little seaside gem of Lysekil This town is booming with preserved architecture and outdoor adventures Visitors can take in the charming essence walking on Gamla Strandgatan the oldest street in Lysekil that leads through Gamlestan This district is flourishing with old cozy homes narrow alleys and cobblestoned streets from the 16th century visitors can make their way to the tip of Lysekil and discover Stångehuvud Stångehuvud has been a nature reserve since 1982 and is made up of Bohus granite that formed over 920 million years ago Today it remains as a miraculous granite landscape molded into soft shapes from the crashing waves and gusting winds overtime After an afternoon picnic on the granite rocks pack up and head to the 1100 meter long Västerhavspromenade This Western Sea boardwalk gracefully winds through granite cliffs and offers a front row view to the neverending ocean views Built around the whimsical Gripsholm Castle is where the sweet and blissful town of Mariefred can be happily discovered detailed wood detailing and hidden passages in the Gripsholm Castle that date back over 400 years After enjoying the charming atmosphere of the city center and strolling the shops and cafes visitors can hop aboard the historic railway and get a scenic drive of the surrounding landscapes Cruising by water is also an option by hopping on a boat trip on Lake Mälaren which offers numerous routes for day trips visitors can take the Steamer Mariefred boat and experience a cake tour of 60 different cake flavors at the famous cake table at Taxinge Castle Sweden has so many sweet little towns that make for a mindful and easygoing getaway one can roam cobblestone streets with a freshly made cinnamon bun in hand One can also observe historical castles and churches at sunset you can even kayak through an archipelago and watch birds soar above you Sweden has just the right combination of charm and adventure that makes traveling feel easy and happily addictive photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com King Carl celebrated a landmark occasion of his school in Sigtuna the Royal Family of Sweden took to Instagram to update about the Monarch’s visit to his school to mark its milestone 100th anniversary sharing that he also delivered a speech to commemorate the occasion the Palace also shared a carousel of photographs from the event who visited the educational institute along with his wife The King today visited the Sigtuna School Humanistiska Läroverket’s 100th anniversary Related: Swedish Royals share rare teen photos of King Carl to mark major milestone and everyone who is gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Sigtuna School of Humanities I spent a large part of my time here as a child and teenager I moved here at the age of 13 for secondary school and graduated in 1966.” “Even though it has been many years since I studied in Sigtuna Some things are just as they used to be – like Stora gatan where we cycled to buy hot dogs and ice cream.” The Monarch further added that along with being a place for learning SSHL is also a space that provide young people the opportunity to develop their creativity and critical thinking “I still have a warm feeling in my chest when I think about my time in Sigtuna I hope that those of you who are here today will experience the wings of history and feel the same community and joy that I did then,” the King added Related: King Carl Gustaf hosts grand representation dinner with global guests “Let's all together give a fourfold long live to the centenarian Sigtuna School Humanistiska Läroverket is the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history It’s pretty heartbreaking when you drop a bunch of money on a touring bicycle or motorbike just to have it stolen days or weeks later it’s worth investing in the best bike lock you can afford It’s pretty heartbreaking when you drop a bunch of money on a touring bicycle or motorbike While there may be tons of different designs and choices to pick from That means you can get a pretty good idea of what bike lock you should be aiming for rather than having to do more and more research are probably one of the most secure types of locks out there One of the main ways that thieves try and get through bike locks is using bolt cutters and these can be anywhere from 18” all the way up to massive 42” ones (the latter tends to be hard to hide) you tend to get shackles that come in 16mm to 18mm diameter sizes and those are pretty much impossible to break with manual bolt cutters is that these D-locks tend to be really heavy compared to the other lock types you should mainly go for D-Locks if you live in a high-crime area where you need as much protection as you can get and they’re slightly easier to cut through using bolt cutters or other techniques Cable Locks are probably the easiest to cut through and should be mostly used for deterrence and for areas where crime isn’t very high or where there are lots of crimes of opportunity (since a simple lock should suffice putting off a potential thief) A lot of this depends on your use case and how you feel about things keys tend to be safer than combination locks but you will always find good and bad quality locks of each combination locks are pretty useful because you don’t have to carry around keys with you that you might potentially lose or forget somewhere So which one you go for should be based first on your budget (if you have a small one and secondly on whether you prefer having a key or a combination The majority of bike lots tend to be made out of steel or hardened steel with some of them either including titanium or made out of titanium There’s also a few lighter bike locks that are made out of kevlar I’d tell you not to worry about the material so much since most locks are made out of the same thing Obviously the most important aspect of a bike lock is its ability to deter bike thieves Sigunta’s own proprietary formula) which should certainly make life difficult for any potential thief with a power tool so you’re getting protection all around this U-bolt What’s cool is that this lock comes with a 1200 woven steel flex cable that affords you an extra little bit of protection It’s also long enough that you can easily fit this around two bikes so it’s great for couples or if you have kids it’s easy to carry around and you should certainly be able to secure it around and to pretty much anything you want and the Sigtuna bike lock’s 16mm steel and sleek black look means that even if somebody thinks of stealing your bike Opening and closing the lock is smooth and simple so you don’t have to worry about struggling with getting it open you will struggle with the fact that it’s not weather-proof with a little bit of WD-40 or other lubricants you can get it back to full working order without much fuss one nice feature I’d like to mention is the locking bracket which really makes the whole deal incredibly handy It’s just a matter of a quick push of the little red button and you can angle the bike lock in any direction you need to secure it the Sigtuna Bike Lock is an all-around excellent bike lock that isn’t going to break the bank strong and comes with a pretty great cable that increases its usability twofold If you’re looking for a great middle-ground option If you’ve been looking for a big massive lock that secures around your whole bike The Kryptonite New York LS is not only a pretty heavy-duty bike lock with an interior locking dimension of 4″ x 10.25″ so it can withstand from some pretty intense attacks that’s on par for what you should expect from Kryptonite and their brand quality The double-deadbolt construction means that the lock secures at two points so you don’t have to worry about a single failure causing the loss of your bike or other property the disc cylinder works well against any lockpicking or drilling attempts It also has a keyway that makes it difficult for potential thieves to leverage something against it and break it open the big downside here is that because it’s a big ‘ole lock with tons of protection it’s actually surprisingly heavy and a bit difficult to carry around it’s actually pretty perfect if you’re in a high-risk or high-crime area as the combination of anti-theft techniques offers an equal level of protection if you live in a remote area without much crime although still very much worth the purchase with the yellow/black color theme being pretty simple while being minimal and sort-of mean looking that should also help to act as a deterrent The Kryptonite New York is a top-notch lock and probably one of the best you’ll find in terms of the security it provides you and the features it has but when you consider that it’s protecting several hundred While not as expensive or fancy as the Kryptonite the Via Velo is still a pretty good bike lock if you don’t want to make a big hole in your wallet the shackle is more than durable to handle all types of stresses and it should still present a difficult situation for anybody who wants to break it open with bolt cutters Adding to that is the overall PVC casing around the shackle the lock is designed in such a way as to make it lockpick resistant which is pretty good for a lock this cheap You also get yourself a nice 180mm steel cable which will help to secure your bike much can fit crossbars between 20 – 42mm in diameter You’ll also certainly appreciate the keyhole cover which should help with resisting a variety of different weather there’s not much more to say about the Via Velo except that it’s a consistent and good quality lock for a pretty amazing price If you put all the security features together you get a sturdy lock that can take quite a beating before it gives past any point a bike thief would be willing to invest The added cable and two keys also make this an attractive package so you should check it out if you don’t want to drop $100 on a bike lock If you don’t necessarily want a big U lock and would prefer to go with a chain, the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 is a great option for locking up your bike Plus you can always lock it into your brake disk directly if it’s motorized although that’s still quite thick and great for deterrence especially considering it will likely be mounted in a difficult spot While there’s no external coating such as PVC on the shackle and so it has some protection against drilling and leverage attacks There’s also a dust cover for the keyhole which should help prevent rust or wear and tear on the cylinder it is possible to lockpick by a very skilled lockpicker the cylinder can lock up from time to time I also particularly like that this has a double deadbolt when I was doing some research on the lock I found out that somebody used it to lock their guitars by placing it on the neck and apparently it worked great as a deterrent if you have guitars that you also want to keep secure the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 is a great lock in a small package the use-cases aren’t as many as larger locks since you’d need a chain or to place it on a disc brake The anti-drill and anti-pull safety is super useful although it gets some marks knocked off for being slightly easier to lockpick All the bike locks we’ve looked at so far have been key-based and essentially U-locks but maybe that’s not necessarily what you want With the XZSUN you get a tumbler-style lock with a flex cable made of braided steel wire so while not super thick it’s still thick enough and will be quite difficult to cut through Helping with the anti-tampering is the external vinyl coating of the cable itself which will offer at least a little bit of extra security so you don’t have to worry about manhandling it into a small size for storage One thing I will say though is that the cable might be just long enough to cover two wheels It also probably won’t be long enough to hook up two bikes to a rack or some other fixed point you can use this bike lock for a bunch of different stuff this comes with an easy to use mount so you don’t have to worry about carrying it around in a pouch or basket Probably the nicest thing is the 5-number tumbler lock with 5 numbers being pretty good to safeguard against somebody trying to brute-force it and the tumblers themselves are easy to turn and pretty smooth which helps a lot with weatherproofing and tampering The XZSUN bike lock is probably one of the best you can find on the market if you’re looking for a tumbler-style flex cable lock it’s not as thick as some of the other options here but it does offer great protection in a light and easy-to-carry product The only real downside might be the length of the cable so you should take a couple of measurements to make sure it will be enough for you whereas a cable lock is thinner and easier to cut through it’s also lighter and easier to carry around as opposed to a U-lock which is usually quite big and heavy they usually require a lot of effort and work Most of the time you’d probably have to use an angle grinder or some other drilling or heavy-duty tool to cut through it A good pair of cycling shoes can have a huge impact on performance You can immediately tell if a pair of shoes is a good fit for cycling or not – but specialized cycling shoes with cleats… but you should never buy the first one you see You have to compare to find the mount that works for all your needs but bike lights are probably one of the most important things you can buy right after purchasing a bike I would even go so far as to say that you… There’s a wide variety of bike accessories that can make your cycling experience more enjoyable These are small purchases – a perfect way to treat yourself or a great way to give a thoughtful gift to a… Just like we look for a new helmet or new cycling shoes it’s great to look for a new pair of cycling shorts too When looking for a new set of riding shorts Medievalists.net New analysis of the remains of 38 people who lived and died in the Swedish town of Sigtuna between the 10th and 12th centuries reveals high genetic variation and a wide scale migration The study is the largest of its kind so far in Sweden and a combination of several methods including DNA analysis and Strontium isotope analysis of teeth Sigtuna is well known as one of the earliest actual cities in the area and was formally founded around 980 AD when Sweden’s first Christian king Olof Skötkonung resided here More unknown is the fact that the picturesque town which today is home to around 10,000 people was a distinctly cosmopolitan place back then Middle Eastern Technical University in Turkey and Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum Archäometrie in Germany have analyzed the remains of 38 individuals from six different burial sites in Sigtuna The analysis is based on a combination of methods from archeology and osteology including DNA analysis and Strontium analysis of the teeth (isotope and level of Strontium in teeth varies depending of where the individual lived in their youth) The results are clear: around half the population of Viking age Sigtuna originated from outside the region “We´re used to thinking of the Vikings as a travelling kind and can easily picture the school books with maps and arrows pointing out from Scandinavia but not so much in the other direction,” says Maja Krzewinska researcher at the Archaeological Research Laboratory Stockholm University and primary author behind the study Roughly half of the individuals examined grew up in or around the Sigtuna area The other half is equally divided in to regional immigrants (from southern Scandinavia Norway and Denmark) and long-distance immigrants from further away: the British Isles northern Germany and other parts of central Europe The immigration to Sigtuna was common for both males and females Approximately 70 per cent of the female population was immigrants “The archaeological record from Sigtuna never ceases to fascinate as it shows such a wide variety of cultural expressions And here we see who grew up there and who moved to Sigtuna,” says Anna Kjellström osteologist at Stockholm University and another of the authors of the study “I especially like that we find second generation immigrants among the buried that kind of migratory information has never been encountered before as far as I know,” added Anders Götherström one of the leaders of the ATLASproject in which this study was conducted Similar studies even further back in history would be very difficult since before the arrival of Christianity the deceased were normally cremated thus leaving insufficient material for DNA analysis The article “Genomic and Strontium Isotope Variation Reveal Immigration Patterns in a Viking Age Town” is published in Current Biology – click here to read it We've created a Patreon for Medievalists.net as we want to transition to a more community-funded model We aim to be the leading content provider about all things medieval podcast and Youtube page offers news and resources about the Middle Ages We hope that are our audience wants to support us so that we can further develop our podcast and remove the advertising on our platforms This will also allow our fans to get more involved in what content we do produce Member Login Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Stockholm there's plenty to discover just a train ride from Stockholm There’s a high chance you’ll never want to leave Stockholm but if you’re spending a little longer in the city it’s well worth a quick day trip out to see what else is on offer nearby.  You’ll discover everything from picturesque university towns to the oldest city in Sweden, home to centuries-old castles, swimming lakes and great food. The best part? All of these spots are reachable by public transport (most less than an hour). From old towns to natural havens, here are the best day trips from Stockholm.  This guide was updated by Annika Hipple, a travel writer based in Sweden. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  Just 30 to 40 minutes north of Stockholm by train Uppsala is home to the oldest university in the Nordics More than 40,000 students study in Uppsala every year adding significantly to the population of Sweden’s fourth-largest city picturesque place with a relaxed yet dynamic vibe and plenty of attractions for a day trip or a longer stay Uppsala’s skyline is dominated by the city’s medieval cathedral and 16th-century castle Many of the university’s buildings are located in the same area including the university administration building Uppsala was an important site long before the arrival of the university with a history as a religious centre going back more than 1,500 years Several runestones brought from their original locations in the region stand outside the cathedral with additional stones in nearby University Park EAT: Hambergs Fisk serves up fresh snug riverside restaurant that doubles as a fishmonger’s DRINK: Housed in Uppsala’s old train station, Stationen is a three-part venue DO: The oldest university building in Sweden, Gustavianum is a fascinating museum housing archaeological artefacts STAY: Hotel Villa Anna is a small boutique hotel with 11 rooms housed in a lovely 19th-century building close to Uppsala Cathedral If you only do one thing: Visit Uppsala Cathedral.  Rich in history and archaeological treasures it’s a picturesque place on an arm of Lake Mälaren Just an hour north-west of Stockholm by commuter rail and bus it’s also reachable by Strömma excursion boat during the peak summer season ranging from runestones and medieval church ruins to a quaint pedestrian downtown and a lovely lakeside promenade If you’re interested in Swedish history it’s a charming destination for an escape from the Stockholm bustle EAT: The beloved Tant Bruns Kaffestuga occupies an old wooden house from the 17th century believed to be the oldest surviving building in the town.  DRINK: Open every night except Mondays, Båthuset Krog och Bar is a floating restaurant and bar near Sigtuna harbour DO: Check out Sigtuna’s adorably tiny town hall STAY: 1909 Sigtuna Stadshotell has one of the best locations in town in the heart of the historic centre and just a few steps from Lake Mälaren If you only do one thing: Don’t miss Sigtuna’s medieval churches.  on the outermost edge of the Stockholm Archipelago began as an outpost for customs agents and ship captains in the late 17th century It gradually evolved into a permanent settlement and has been a gathering spot for the sailing and yachting community for nearly a century About 120 people currently live on the island the population swells with seasonal residents and short-term visitors Visit during the high season if your aim is to experience the island at its most hopping Sandhamn is an hour by passenger ferry from Stavsnäs reachable by direct bus from downtown Stockholm (one hour) boats run directly from the city centre (two hours) There is also a summer excursion boat that takes a slower route through the scenic Strömma Canal (three hours).  EAT: The oldest restaurant on the island, Sandhamns Värdshus has a long history – well over 300 years – of serving locals and visitors alike.  DRINK: If you’re visiting between May and September, pop into laidback Dykarbaren for drinks and/or a meal with a view of the harbour.  DO: Sandhamn is known for its white-sand beaches STAY: For accommodation at any time of year, your best bet is Missionshuset a bed-and-breakfast run by Sandhamns Värdshus If you only do one thing: Explore the village away from the harbour Vaxholm began as a defensive outpost of Stockholm in the 16th century but received its town charter in 1647 it became a popular weekend and summer getaway for Stockholmers Vaxholm is easily accessible from the city by both road and passenger ferry Although Vaxholm has few large-scale sights it’s an enchanting place to walk around with small streets lined with pastel-hued houses with decorative touches and quaint fences Most date from the turn of the 20th century The town centre has shops selling homeware EAT: Open year-round, Hamnkrogen is perched on the waterfront opposite the guest harbour DRINK: During the off-season, your best bet for a drink is Waxholms Hotell on the pier DO: Vaxholm’s main tourist attraction is the imposing fortress just offshore known as Kastellet STAY: For an unusual night, book a room at Kastellet Bed & Breakfast, the former artillery barracks at the fortress If you only do one thing: Arrive by boat A cruise from Stockholm to Vaxholm is the best way to get a sense of the archipelago and Vaxholm’s place within it A small town on the southern shore of Lake Mälaren Mariefred is easily reachable from Stockholm if you catch a train to Läggesta a scenic alternative is to travel between Stockholm and Mariefred by sea aboard the historic steamship SS Mariefred which has been plying this route since 1903 Mariefred is best known for Gripsholm Castle one of Sweden’s most imposing Renaissance structures built by King Gustav Vasa in 1537 on the site of an earlier 14th-century castle with many well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings It’s a relaxing place to spend the day when the town bustles with life and restaurants spill onto the pavements and pier EAT: Slottspaviljongen (the Castle Pavilion) has large windows and both indoor and outdoor seating DRINK: If you’re looking for bars, Mariefred is not the place for you. Try coffee at Två Goda Ting instead.  DO: Take a steam train ride through the countryside via Mariefred’s distinctive yellow railway station STAY: Billed as Sweden’s oldest inn, Gripsholms Värdshus dates from 1609 and occupies the site of a former Carthusian monastery If you only do one thing: Visit Gripsholm Castle Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! About us Contact us at the end of February and beginning of March to tell students and families looking for a different kind of educational experience about what Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket has to offer    We’re a small school comprised of approximately 500 day- and boarding students Many boarders come from Swedish families living abroad or families who have a connection to Sweden Russia and China who have no Swedish connection but come to study with us because they just wanted to do something different with so many students with high grades applying to college studying abroad can help you stand out from the crowd I think what makes us an attractive place to study is the wide range of study opportunities that we offer and our unique We have a range of programs for students between the ages of 13-19 taught in Swedish or English All our high school programs qualify you for university studies in Sweden or abroad Sigtuna has a very friendly atmosphere and is popular with families We’re also just 20 minutes from the centre of Stockholm one of the most beautiful capitals in the world and just 15 minutes by car or bus from Arlanda International Airport At SSHL we place a strong focus on academics because we want every student at SSHL to perform to the very best of their ability Every boarding student is supported outside class by an academic tutor who is available to help six days a week so there’s a real home-from-home feel to the school Students have access every day to a wide range of activities tennis or go rowing; and in the winter there’s the chance to go skiing or skating We encourage our boarders to do as many extracurricular activities as possible during their time with us because it’s a great way to make friends but also let off steam and not think about studies If you’re in New York or Florida, I do hope you will come and find out more from me in person, or please visit www.sshl.se Looking for higher education? See: Why study in Sweden? Margret Benedikz will be in the U.S. • 27 Feb (4 p.m.) - Oleta River State Park • 1 March (5:30 - 8 p.m.) - University Club New York • 2 March (1 - 3 p.m.) - Hyatt Regency Hotel Greenwich Sofia came to SSHL to reconnect with her Swedish roots after many years living in Paris I hadn’t lived here since I was 7," Sofia says "I guess I was attracted to SSHL because of its unique combination of all that makes Sweden a great place SSHL is both very Swedish and international It felt like the right place to me to come and study." Sofia has found a perfect balance between home and school "Living at school helps me stay focused on my studies," says Sofia who hopes to one day study aeronautical engineering at university "When I’m not studying there’s time for cozy evenings at home with the other girls in Haga or I do extracurricular activities like ballet or golf." It’s a supportive place to be and just as the older girls helped me when I started I’ve come to take more responsibility helping the new girls feel welcomed and comfortable with this new environment my friends and the opportunities you have here Sweden’s Royal Family unveiled rare glimpses of King Carl Gustaf’s teenage years Taking to their official Instagram handle on Saturday the Swedish Royals shared an update about the Monarch’s upcoming engagement reporting that he is visiting Sigtuna to mark a milestone occasion The update was accompanied by a carousel of throwback snaps the Swedish King will celebrate the milestone 100th anniversary of his old school the King is heading to Sigtuna to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his old school,” read the caption Related: King Carl Gustaf, Princess Victoria welcome key figure at Swedish Royal Palace “The King began his education at the Humanistiska läroverket in Sigtuna in August 1959 The then Crown Prince Carl Gustaf then spent his teenage years at the boarding school The King graduated from the real line in April 1966.” the first slide featured a photo of King Carl which was colored using some editing skills The King was dressed in his school uniform that included a white checkered shirt Related: King Carl Gustaf makes first appearance after hosting key event the carousel featured several snaps of Carl Gustaf from throughout his teenage The post received immense love and delightful reactions from royal fans The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. Seven Viking tombs holding well-preserved skeletons have been discovered in the Swedish town of Sigtuna.  The archaeologists discovered the 1,000-year-old remains of eight people — four adults and four children — inside the tombs; they were likely Vikings who had converted to Christianity "The Christian character of the now-excavated graves is obvious because of how the tombs were laid out," said Johan Runer Related: Photos: 10th-century Viking tomb unearthed in Denmark Most of the people had been buried flat on their back in an east-west position whereas people who followed traditional Viking beliefs in this area of Sweden at this time tended to be cremated Archaeologists found a stone cist buried in this tomb.(Image credit: Photo courtesy Uppdrag arkeologi)Remains of a stone cairn were found over this tomb.(Image credit: Photo courtesy Uppdrag arkeologi)This close-up shot shows one of the burials found in the tombs in Sweden They are believed to be Christianized Vikings who lived about 1,000 years ago.(Image credit: Photo courtesy Uppdrag arkeologi)They also found deposits of charcoal and in some cases partially burnt caskets suggesting fire rituals were involved in at least four burials "Such phenomena are rather common in Christian Viking period graves but previously rather rare in Sigtuna," Runer told Live Science in an email.  Stone cairns were also found on top of four of the tombs one of which also was surrounded by a stone cist (stones positioned in a box shape) surrounding it "These features are previously not known from the town of Sigtuna," said Runer who noted that they are common among early Christian graves in this area of Sweden which is located about 23 miles (37 kilometers) northwest of Stockholm.  The archaeologists say one of the tombs could contain the bodies of twins there were two very small infants of seemingly the exact same age," Runer said The team's preliminary interpretation is that "this grave contains the tragic result of a late miscarriage of a couple of twins." Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox —Images: Viking-age jewelry revealed in sparkling photos —30 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing —Photos: Viking warrior is actually a woman The tombs also contained several interesting artifacts One individual was buried with a "leather belt containing fittings of iron and silver-gilt copper alloy," and silver coins were found in his mouth Placing coins in a person's mouth "is a rather common practice for Viking period Christian burials in middle Sweden," he added Another tomb contains "a beautifully ornated bone comb" found in a case Archaeologists discovered the tombs in late April during a survey of an area where a house was going to be built The archaeologists excavated the site in May and are continuing to analyze the skeletons and artifacts An osteologist is expected to examine the well-preserved skeletons in the fall Owen JarusSocial Links NavigationLive Science ContributorOwen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past He has also written for The Independent (UK) The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP) Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.  Hårby Valkyrie: A 1,200-year-old gold Viking Age woman sporting a sword Viking quiz: How much do you know about these seaborne raiders Secret 'drug room' full of psychedelic 'snuff tubes' discovered at pre-Inca site in Peru Products are chosen independently by our editors Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need then you know the anxiety that comes along with riding a bike But worrying about how to secure your bike shouldn’t be one of your concerns We’ve all seen bikes left outside that have been scavenged and stripped for parts—or the ones stolen and ditched somewhere along the way I recently found an amazing vintage bike out with the trash my boyfriend made sure I was all set with the type of lock I could trust After researching thousands of reviews on Amazon we compiled a list of thebest bike locks you can get to keep your head and eyes on the road The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers The picks are based on examining user reviews our experience with the specific products named Kryptonite is well known for their heavy-duty bike locks offering a bevy of options to keep your bike safe Reputed to be the best bike lock from Kryptonite the New York Standard is a heavy duty U-lock with three keys one of which includes a handy replaceable FOB light for use in the dark Made of 16-millimeter hardened max-performance steel this lock is super heavy-duty and is said to have survived crowbars With the option to enroll in Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection program you can have the peace of mind that if your lock fails you can lean on some reimbursement for a new bike that the lock has to be left behind in order for Kryptonite to honor the program And it requires registering your vehicle's serial number with Kryptonite first then you’ll love the Kryptonite Key Safe Program which means that Kryptonite will ship your first two keys for free reviews mention that the lock jams frequently but we wouldn’t let that deter you from purchasing one The Abus Ivera Steel-O-Flex is a flexible lock and chain that makes it easy to lock up in a variety of situations It has 22 mm hardened steel shackles to protect the inner steel cable This also means that the lock won’t damage your bike or rust when left outside The Abus lock comes with two keys so you can keep one somewhere safe But the keys are said to jam from time to time so you’ll want to keep that in mind when locking and unlocking your bike and reviews mention that this lock is a bit heavy which can be annoying to bike with unless you can toss it in a bag or backpack We’d suggest using the Steel-O-Flex with an additional U-lock for extra safety the Kryptolock is a 12.7-millimeter U-lock with an additional 10-millimeter looped cable for additional strength This lock is great if you want an extra level of security and it can be easily looped through your wheels the Kryptolock also comes with the Key Safe program in case you misplace your keys and you have the option to enroll in the anti-bike-theft program One review of the Kryptolock mentions that the lock actually broke the attempted robber's crowbar and stayed in pristine condition because it means that someone would have to make two cuts instead of one in order to steal your bike Kryptonite even has a chart to help you pick the best bike lock for your security needs in case you want some extra peace of mind in your decision making the keys might stick in the lock from time to time but this doesn’t seem to be a huge issue with this one What we love about this lock is that it comes with a mount for easy storage while you’re riding your bike inexpensive alternative to other bike locks on the market Included with the 16-millimeter high-performance steel U-lock is a four-foot cable for extra security While this bike lock is a little bit heavy it does come with an easy to install bike lock mount making it easy to store when you’re out on your adventures But this bike lock does have a lock of reports of the lock jamming so keep that in mind when you are deciding on whether or not a deal is worth it Security reviews mention that the Sigtuna bike lock is great when matched up against bolt cutters as well as a drill so if you don’t mind a lock jam every once in a while this really is a great option The Via Velo bike lock comes with both a U-lock and a six-foot cable lock This lock is great for all weather due to its PVC covering and the hard lock cover to protect the keyhole from potential rust it’s easy to click your lock into the bike lock mount and tuck it away during your rides though some reviews mention that they’ve had a hard time finding a spot on women’s bikes the Via Velo is my personal favorite and I worry less knowing that my bike is protected by the Via Velo lock Included in your purchase is a three-year warranty and reviews mention that the customer service is fantastic One person had an issue with their key not working and the issue was fixed for them within days The Via Velo bike lock is great for people with mountain bikes or bikes with bigger frames that have to leave their bike out for long periods of time and even e-bike riders are pleased with the functionality of this bike lock Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Located in Northern Europe and one of three countries (along with Denmark and Norway) that together form Scandinavia In addition to exploring the capital city of Stockholm savvy vacationers will also want to include some of the country’s most interesting small towns on their travel itinerary From Ystad on the south coast with its medieval architecture and cobblestone streets to Sigtuna with stops at Mariefred with its attractive castle and Visby’s UNESCO World Heritage landmarks along the way these towns are among some of the prettiest in Europe Find out more and be inspired by this list of towns in Sweden that have the best main streets along with several beautiful churches including the 13th century St Sigtuna is also famous for its ancient runestones. Scattered throughout the town and its surroundings, these engraved stones served as memorials to the dead and date back as far as the Viking Age and early Christian period More can be learned about them and other facets of the town’s fascinating history at the Sigtuna Museum with its rare archaeological finds One of the most southerly small towns in Sweden, Ystad is much closer to the Danish capital city of Copenhagen a scenic 90-minute train ride away than it is to Stockholm six hours to the north Its south coast setting has served Ystad well down the centuries especially during the medieval period when it served as an important European trading place its remarkably well-preserved Old Town and cobblestone main street is a delight to wander on foot with its boutique shops an example of Brick Gothic architecture dating from 1267 that’s now home to a major art museum; and the Ystad Theatre an exquisite 19th-century building that continues to host performances Ystad is the setting for Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander detective series with guided tours available that include locations featured in the books and films Falköping is located a scenic hour’s train ride from Gothenburg, Sweden's second biggest city it’s surrounded by some of the country's most significant prehistoric sites that date back to the Viking Age is a vibrant thoroughfare that’s fun to wander and makes a good jumping-off point from which to explore the many ancient monuments and sites dotted around the town The most important of these old attractions is Ålleberg mountain, a flat-topped hill (or mesa) that’s home to one of Sweden's largest collections of petroglyphs dating back to the Bronze Age as well as its spectacular views over the plains of Västergötland A visit to Falbygdens Museum is another must-do and is popular for its detailed exhibits from the Stone Age to the present day Handily located just 90 minutes south of Stockholm, Trosa is for good reason considered one of Sweden's most idyllic small towns. In addition to its picture-perfect coastal setting overlooking the Baltic Sea it possesses one of Scandinavia’s prettiest main streets it follows the Trosa River almost as far as the town’s waterfront and marina and is a picturesque setting for leisurely walks and dining (go for the seafood!) Trosa Stadsmuseum provides insights into the town's past showcasing its development from a medieval fishing village to one of the country’s top small-town tourist destinations is another popular attraction and offers guided tours and insights into Swedish royalty while the Trosa Archipelago is a draw for outdoor enthusiasts for its boating Hjo’s pretty lakeside setting is a real boon for this small town’s tourism industry. Set on the western shore of Lake Vättern mid-way between Stockholm and Gothenburg the town is known for its well-preserved wooden buildings many of them located along its main street some fine examples can be seen surrounding Hjo Stadspark a beautifully landscaped park that borders the lake that’s used for events including music festivals and the much-anticipated Yearly Arts and Crafts Fair Popular tourist attractions include the Hjo Museum with its displays relating to the town's history and cultural heritage with the town’s harbor area being especially fun to explore Visby’s location on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland certainly adds to this small town’s appeal. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Visby is famous for its remarkably well-preserved town wall which encircles the old town Built between the 13th and 14th centuries during the Hanseatic League era to protect the town’s important trading status and cathedral from marauders Visby Cathedral was built in the 1200s and makes for a great selfie backdrop (Tip: get close up to capture the twin spires towering above you!) More can be learned about the island and the cathedral at the Gotland Museum which offers a deep dive into the island's rich history from its early roots and beyond through its Viking treasures and medieval artworks Strolling Mariefred's cobbled main street is another must-do as is a ride aboard the Mariefred Steam Train a historic railway that offers a nostalgic journey through the picturesque countryside between Mariefred and Läggesta and Falköping each promise to provide curious travelers with no end of fun experiences particularly around their historic main streets Still bustling after centuries have passed these charming locations provide a look into Sweden’s past with tourist attractions that paint a fascinating picture of its people and their rich culture  Learn more about these unforgettable destinations and be inspired by this list of towns in Sweden that have the best main streets these idyllic villages continue to be splendid places that tourists keep coming back to So venture into a dramatic land brimming with bears and berserkers and experience all the runic and rustic enchantments that Sweden’s small towns have to offer On the whimsical Swedish island of Gotland, the fairytale village of Visby delights travelers with its hometown atmosphere. As one of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Visby has “outstanding universal value” for everyone who wants to find contentment and excitement in the Baltic Sea Visby is chiefly famed for its well-preserved medieval Hanseatic architecture Among these ancient stone edifices are church ruins such as St the Visby Cathedral (formerly Visby Saint Mary's Cathedral) still welcomes the faithful to God’s house the formidable 2.17-mile-long medieval ring wall—the Visby City Wall—and the original 1200s watchtowers still stand protectively around the village The Gotland Museum’s Fornsalen (Hall of Antiquities) exhibits numerous Viking artifacts Visby was the filming site of the famous Pippi Longstocking movies and the original Villa Villerkulla can be found at Kneippbyn Resort fulfill your fairytale adventure by staying a while at fine domiciles like Scandic Visby If you have ever watched the famous detective show Wallander then the town of Ystad will be a nostalgic location Journey to this mysterious coastal town at the southern tip of Sweden where the titular detective gallivanted through the pastel-colored houses and cobblestone streets to solve his latest cases Ystad is so renowned for its film-suitable atmosphere that Scandinavia's largest film studio the 25 miles of sandy beaches and beautiful Skåne countryside lull travelers to blissful relaxation then spend the day and evening at the Villa Strandvägen or Ystad Saltsjöbad Sigtuna is a tranquil little village halfway between Uppsala and Stockholm This community may look simple and laidback but Sigtuna may be the most historically vital town in all of Sweden because it happens to be Sweden’s oldest town Sigtuna’s runestones tell an epic saga of the many people who lived and thrived in this ancient dwelling Stora Gatan said to be Sweden’s oldest main street dates back to the reign of 10th-century King Erik the Victorious The first Swedish coin was minted in Sigtuna and Princess Ingegerd—Sweden’s first female saint—was born there Beautiful buildings from different periods of time dominate the town from the Baroque Skokloster Castle and Rosersberg Palace to the 12th-century ruins of St Consider strolling through the serene Lake Mälaren and consider booking rooms at the STF Sigtuna Vandrarhem or Sigtunahöjden Mariefred is an idyllic town rife with ideal attractions The town derived its name from Mariefred Charterhouse a Carthusian monastery translating to "Peace of Mary." The town will certainly give travelers peace of mind as they roam the medieval halls of Gripsholm Castle who played a vital role in Sweden's formation Consider riding a historic steam locomotive along the Narrow Gauge Railway that winds through Mariefred and its neighbors you can take boat trips through Lake Mälaren or you can sample at least 60 different kinds of cakes at Taxinge Castle The Callanderska gården functions as a museum and a 1780s manor house for coffee-brewing meditation one might chance upon deer at the Gripsholms hjorthage (deer park) Remember to schedule a stay at the Gripsholm Inn Far north of Swedish Lapland, where the Northern Lights burn the cold skies the town of Kiruna welcomes travelers with a bracing atmosphere Kiruna is renowned for the massive iron ore mine owned by Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB) the LKAB ore mine contains an underground visitor center with an educational exhibit on mining the 19th-century residence of LKAB’s first managing director serves as a museum featuring the history of LKAB and its many mining enterprises You might want to visit Kiruna Church for its bell tower and its fitting resemblance to the traditional huts of the indigenous Sámi people. Moreover, you might want to spend your time at the lovely Camp Ripan, Husky Lodge, or the unique Ice Hotel of Jukkasjärvi Either you can stay in the summer to experience the Midnight Sun—a 24/7 phenomenon when there is perpetual daylight—or in winter when the Aurora Borealis blazes brightly is another heartwarming town in the frigid Swedish Lapland The quaint town is known for the centuries-old Jokkmokk Winter Market an annual event where one can eat exotic food and watch live shows thousands flock to the Winter Market for handicrafts fashioned by the Sámi people visitors can find them on display at the Ájtte Museum Within the museum is the unique Jokkmokk Mountain Garden a botanical chamber featuring alpine flora You will also be treated to enticing water adventures at the Arctic Camp Jokkmokk Do consider checking in at the Hotell Akerlund The dynamic town of Rättvik is widely regarded as the birthplace of Swedish tourism Turisthotellet (literally “tourist hotel”) the town campaigns many more unique structures such as the Rättvik Church and the impressive Vasa Monument Rättvik is visited by vehicle enthusiasts who wish to attend the annual Classic Car Week an Oldsmobile festival celebrating the veneration of veteran cars from July 26 to August 1 Rättvik also commemorates a cheerful Midsummer at Rättviks Gammelgård (Historical Farm) on June 21 the most exciting event for each year is Dalhalla a spectacular concert held in Rättvik’s closed limestone quarry from June to September International and national artists flock to the acoustic-perfect natural amphitheater to enchant and enthrall So please enjoy your stay at the Stiftsgården Overlooking the Baltic Sea, the town of Kalmar is a site of strategic value. The Renaissance-style Kalmar Castle, home of King Gustav Vasa, testifies to Kalmar’s vital period as a military and political stronghold on the Swedish-Danish border during the Middle Ages No need for museums to exhibit the past because you need only saunter down the cobblestone streets and ogle at the 18th- and 19th-century buildings lining your travels On your journey, you might stumble into Kvarnholmen, a walled neighborhood with unique ties to the past. Among the stunning structures, there are Castenska Gården and Kalmar Cathedral, designed in classical Baroque by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. Perhaps you might fancy traversing the Öland Bridge to the sun-gleaming island of Öland, one of the largest islands in the Baltic Sea Or you might enjoy seeing the Regalskeppet Kronan a 17th-century shipwreck in the Kalmar County Museum you should spend the night at the Slottshotellet Kalmar or Hotell Hilda The town of Marstrand, on the captivating island of Marstrand, remains a testament to the nation’s maritime beauty. The formidable Carlsten Fortress, a 17th-century stronghold, looms majestically atop a rocky hill overlooking the North Sea and courtyards to learn how this fortress contributed to Sweden’s maritime defense July is a special month for Carlsten Fortress since war reenactment games are hosted annually Marstrand’s jetties and marinas still service the many sea vessels braving the awesome North Sea tides labeling Marstrand as Sweden’s sailing capital The Strandverket Konsthall (Strandverket Art Museum) showcases many modern or medieval sculptures and artworks There are many more wonders to find in this town built by Norwegian king Håkon Håkonsson Do stay a while at the Marstrands Havshotell and the natural Scandinavian wonders of the Swedish towns You will feel like a raven traveling over vast seas and finding a land of new promises and endless opportunities spend a summer or simply get away to enjoy the unmatched beauty and culture of the area Some of the country's most welcoming towns are the best ways to experience all the country offers Whether this means historic tours in Visby or hiking through the wilderness of Rättvik Astray from the urban hustle and bustle yet connected to nature tourists love these welcoming communities spread throughout Visby is a mystical and charming mediaeval town situated on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea which happens to be the largest island in Sweden The whimsical destination is one of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites famed for its mediaeval Hanseatic architecture Each boasts unique stories that captivate visitors with centuries of knowledge The Gotland's Museum is a great spot to delve into the area's past including archaeological finds dating back to Viking times travellers may enjoy the great outdoors at the 2.5-hectare Botanical Garden or visit the nearby Tofta Beach These sites are full of lush greenery and glistening water making them perfect for outdoor activities Biking is especially popular in the area since the land is mostly flat while a hiking trip to Högklint offers unforgettable panoramic views which is palpable through the array of historic attractions the area houses several magical castles dating back thousands of years Whether it is their mediaeval architecture or priceless furniture and paintings these castles are a treat for history enthusiasts Rättvik sits on the eastern shore of Lake Siljan and is an attractive destination for those who love classic cars and good tunes attracting tourists from all over to partake in Sweden's biggest meet-up for nostalgic cars Rättvik is also home to Europe's top outdoor arena It's the perfect place to attend a concert and enjoy the area's beauty and the music's excitement Apart from the cultural vibrance and enthusiasm of Rättvik’s 4,700 locals There are plenty of hiking and biking trails such as the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) Enåleden trail or cycling tours in the Siljan area Rättvik's golf course also offers a chance to relax among the breathtaking scenery Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town, where many find the opportunity to view the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun a phenomenon where the sun remains visible at midnight with an elevation of 6,900 feet above sea level and two mountain peaks such as the famous King’s Trail (Kungsleden) a scenic 467 km (290 mi) route that only the bravest can conquer Dog sledding is another favourite among tourists and locals alike For a more relaxing experience with nature various guided fishing tours cover thousands of lakes in the area A visit to Kiruna also means a visit to Sápmi which is the land of the indigenous Sámi people a culture deeply entrenched in the local community Ystad sits on Sweden's southern coast in Scania county pastel-coloured houses that line its main streets These spots transport visitors to a bygone era whether it is through the town’s fishing past or old railway connections the welcoming streets of Ystad are also full of shops and outlets This is Ystad's most prominent retail street as it is Scandinavia's largest film studio those seeking a relaxing vacation must visit Ystad Saltsjöbad They can experience the bliss of its spa and surrounding scenery Kalmar is a popular destination on the way to the island of Öland though many celebrate it for its own historic charm The town sits on the shores of the Baltic Sea with easy access to Öland via the Öland Bridge featuring over 500 km (311 mi) of coastline that is ideal for a summer vacation Visitors can take in the views through various pursuits visit the Kalmarsund Selden trail and enjoy 200 km (124 mi) of pristine coastline Kalmar also has a rich and intriguing mediaeval town centre a fortified tower in the 12th century transformed into a Renaissance castle by King Gustav Vasa The Kalmar County Museum offers travellers a chance to delve into the area's history It highlights unique events like the centuries-old shipwreck Regalskeppet Kronan kids adore "A World of Dinosaurs," Europe's largest dinosaur exhibit which is open from June through October and features over 200 dinosaur skeletons Vadstena has a history dating back to the 13th century home to various landmarks that history enthusiasts adore it houses another castle from the era of King Gustav Vasa which was the first monastery of the Bridgettine Order and is now one of the most well-preserved castles in the country it now showcases the religious heritage of the town Those interested in learning about the past can visit Wadstena–Fogelsta Järnväg once a railway that connected the town to the rest of Sweden and now a museum railway documenting the town's past Vadstena also sits next to Sweden's second-largest lake which offers water activities such as swimming Trosa is a popular destination for families the "find and guess quiz" on the Heritage Trail Simrishamn sits at the southeastern tip of Sweden and is the heart of Österlen Nicolai Church with Carl Milles sculptures as well as the Rose Garden that marks the town's centre Travellers may explore the town on their own picking up a self-guided tour map at the tourist information office on the south side of the fishing port It also boasts close proximity to the coastline of the Baltic Sea featuring a beautiful harbour and fishing port ideal for anglers and boating enthusiasts alike meaning travellers may easily take a trip to both towns in one vacation Sweden is a blend of beautiful natural landscapes and vibrant cities It is the ideal destination for those looking to explore both culture and unmatched natural beauty Its most welcoming small towns offer an enchantment and warmth unlike any other brightened by the natural scenery surrounding them alongside each community's uniqueness and depth Travelers are sure to find the local events and happenings enthralling Swedish author and journalist Jan Guillou calls boarding schools an extreme form of high culture that should be closed That’s what Swedish author and journalist Jan Guillou calls boarding schools He goes further to suggest they should all be closed “They shouldn’t be financed with money from the taxpayers,” he says Guillou himself went to boarding school (“internatskolor”) and his book “Ondskan” (“Evil”) is about life at Solbacka Guillou brings up the bullying that he himself experienced as a student there He says he recognizes the pattern in the recent report about bullying from a student at a school in Sigtuna Says Guillou: “It’s a physically milder form It is just as bad today going through these sorts of initiation rituals as in the days when it was worse physically.” Guillou believes there ought to exist a national boarding school for students from other countries He's against the boarding school for the Swedish upper class and suggests that two national boarding schools close down immediately “This is an extreme form of high culture that belongs to the 19th century and which we shouldn’t finance with taxpayer’s money,” he says “The Minister for Education can with only one stroke of the pen close these schools It won’t cost a dime and he won’t lose any votes.” Guillou adds that he feels the boy who reported the systematical violence at Sigtuna is brave: “He’s made himself socially impossible at the school He will be defamed for the rest of his life Whatever social benefits there may be to study at an upper class school – he’s lost them all There’s a price to pay for those who report crime.” Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES) has signed rental contracts with development company Turako AB for the construction of two new schools in the Greater Stockholm area that are scheduled to open for the start of the 2021/22 academic year The school in Sigtuna will be built in Sigtuna Stadsängar a new-build area featuring a sustainability profile A large number of new homes are being built in this new city district which is close to lake Mälaren and wooded areas but also offers good transportation links to Sigtuna and Märsta Completion of the school is planned for the 2021/22 academic year and it will be a compulsory school with two parallel classes for grades F–9 and will accommodate approximately 600 students when fully developed The new school in Värmdö will be built in the Charlottendal area Värmdö is currently experiencing rapid expansion and the IES school will be centrally located close to a newly build residential area with good access to public transport The school is scheduled for completion by the 2021/22 academic year and will be a compulsory school with two parallel classes for grades F–9 the school will accommodate approximately 600 students Interim CEO of Internationella Engelska Skolan we are happy to be part of Sigtuna and Värmdö municipalities’ investments to provide more schools and quality education for all students Many parents have campaigned for an IES school in these areas for a long time and it is therefore gratifying that we will now build two brand-new schools there We look forward to welcoming all students to brand new premises where they can be motivated to do their best.” “We are very pleased that our partnership with IES is continuing Our different experiences will enable us to swiftly reach a joint vision for the design of the schools this will create a solid platform to deliver the continuous improvements that we both want to offer to students and staff at each new school,” says Magnus Widén The properties will have Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification and both contracts are contingent on being granted building permits IES has already secured permission from the Swedish Schools Inspectorate For more information for the media and investors IESTelephone: +46 (0)768 511 540 E-mail: emma.rheborg@engelska.seFor parents requesting information about queues and admission please contact E-mail: info@engelska.seWebsite: www.engelska.se This information is such information that Internationella Engelska Skolan i Sverige Holdings II AB (publ) is obligated to publish in accordance with the EU Market Abuse Regulation The information was submitted for publication on 18 October 2019 at 14:15 CEST.    About Internationella Engelska Skolan is one of the leading free school operators in Sweden with some 26,800 students at 37 schools and about 2,500 students at its schools in Spain IES Sweden conducts school operations from “förskoleklass” (grade F) up to the third and final year of upper secondary school (grade 12) what is often called “middle school.” Within the compulsory school system in Sweden The academic results of IES schools on the national tests in grade 9 are far above average in Sweden Internationella Engelska Skolan was founded in 1993 and is in its 27th year of operation its schools have been defined by the three core convictions of its founder Up to half of teaching is conducted in English by teachers whose native language is English Over 800 teachers with qualified foreign teaching degrees are currently teaching in IES schools total operating income has increased by an average of 19% per year there were approximately 191,700 applications in the queue to secure a place in the Swedish schools for the current and forthcoming years Internationella Engelska Skolan has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap The largest (indirect) shareholders of IES are TA Associates of the US which has close affiliations to leading universities and trusts in the US and Paradigm Capital AG through different funds the 10 largest shareholders also included Swedbank Robur fonder and AMF Försäkring & Fonder (owned jointly by LO the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise) turning them instead into ordinary government-funded free schools "It's hard to defend the fact that a few select schools should operate under completely different terms from all the rest," Jan Björklund told Sweden's state radio as he announced the policy on Tuesday morning the country's three remaining boarding schools - Lundsberg School and Grennaskolan - will be no longer receive subsidies from Sweden's central government They will instead receive a set amount of money from their local municipality for each student they teach just as other Swedish state-funded "free schools" do state boarding schools charge only the costs of boarding Björklund argued that the special regulation under which the three national private boarding schools in Sweden are run is at odds with the free schools policy Sweden pioneered in the early 1990s under which the government pays privately-run schools a fee for each student they educate "We want all independent schools to be open to all students regardless of their parents' financial circumstances," he said "It is strange that there has been a different law for these schools for more than 40 years." were explicitly modelled on British public schools such as Eton and Harrow when they were established in 1896 and 1900 respectively they have educated much of Sweden's royalty and business elite from Sweden's most powerful business family Sweden's Prime Minister in the 1970s and the early 1980s Lundsberg alumni include Prince Carl Philip the central government will also stop subsidising boarding fees for children of Swedish parents who live abroad Björklund stressed that his proposal had nothing to do with the forced closure of Lundsberg in August following a series of bullying scandals "We started the investigation long before the news and I want to emphasise that the rule change has nothing to do with what has happened at Lundsberg over the past year," he said The school reopened just over a week after it closed when its board successfully challenged the Swedish schools inspectorate in court chairman of the Lundsberg school foundation said the school's financial department had assured him that Björklund's proposals would not lead to dramatic changes "This is not going to change the economy of these kinds of schools in Sweden He said he expected the new rules to only limit the fees parents pay for teaching at the school a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education "They will now only be allowed to take out fees for the boarding part of the schools and that part we will not be able to regulate so if your child is a day student at one of these schools Lundsberg and Sigtuna have in recent years faced a string of scandals over bullying police were called into Lundsberg when a boy was taken to hospital after he was burned with a hot iron by a gang of nine other boys When allegations of bullying at Lundsberg first surfaced in 2011 one pupil told Swedish television it was "like Lord of the Flies" This article was amended on 11 December 2013 because the original said Lundsberg alumni include Olof Palme Swedish author Jan Guillou calls boarding schools an extreme He goes further and suggests they should all be closed Guillou himself went to boarding school (they are called “internatskolor” in Swedish) and his book “Ondskan” (“Evil”) is about life at the boarding school Solbacka he went to Guillou brings up the bullying that he himself experienced as a student at Solbacka Guillou says he recognizes the pattern in the recent report about bullying from a student at Sigtuna boarding school What he is against is “the boarding school for the Swedish upper class” and suggests that two national boarding schools close down immediately north of Stockholm where most recently a bullying case was made public he considers much too modern to have the problems with bullying the other schools are allegedly subject to “This is an extreme form of high society that belongs to the 19th century and which we shouldn’t finance with taxpayer’s money,” he says It won’t cost a dime and he won’t lost any votes.” Guillou adds that he feels the boy who reported the systematical violence at Sigtuna is brave: “He’s made himself socially impossible at the school There’s a prize to pay for those who report crime in this environment.” The author even goes as far as considering the silence among present and former students at these institutions a form of omertá the Sicilian Mafia’s code of absolute silence the Swedish boarding schools are not only a haven for Sweden’s upper class but also a means for Swedish families abroad to offer their children a Swedish schooling The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden Please log in here to leave a comment The school is Sigtunaskolan Humanistiska Läroverket (SSHL) and it offers a range of boarding options: full year-round boarding, traditional boarding (with a set number of weekends at home), and weekly boarding (where students go home to their families almost every weekend) Students at the bilingual school can follow Swedish academic programmes or study International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes in English The Local followed 15-year-old boarder Charlotte von Braunschweig through the course of a typical day (a Wednesday in October) who moved to Sweden to start at SSHL in August 2020 so I wanted to come here to learn more about Swedish culture Find out more about SSHL and the three distinct types of boarding it offers 6.30am: Wake-up time! Charlotte’s alarm goes off and she gets up and gets ready for her day. While most Swedish schools have no uniform, SSHL does – but tradition has it that it’s worn only on Wednesdays in a typical week “It’s really nice not having to think about what to wear that day!” says Charlotte Photo: SSHL Charlotte sits down with 25 to 30 people in her boarding house dining hall as they tuck into a cooked breakfast with cereal we’re lucky and the cook makes pancakes too!” School rules allow you until 7.30am to arrive – but don’t blame anyone else if you arrive late to find the pancakes have all gone Wednesday means an early chance for Charlotte and her class-mates to speak to teachers who act as school mentors “If we need help with anything at school or have a problem we can talk to them about it,” Charlotte says the session involves mentors making presentations on important topics to the whole school who are present around the clock to provide friendly support and guidance for boarders 9am – 10.15am: Maths. Charlotte has just started with a new maths course called Analysis and Approaches. This is one of two courses she could follow in the IB Diploma Programme she’ll start next year (the other being Application and Interpretations) “I really like maths because of how you get to follow the logic.” she says Photo: SSHL 10.15am - 12pm: Lunch. Wednesday means an earlier and longer than usual lunch break (times are staggered so all students can eat in SSHL’s main dining hall). “The food is very good compared to my last school,” says Charlotte, who is Vice-President of the SSHL Food Group (one of the many school clubs and societies students can join) The group promotes awareness about food waste raising money for a school in Kenya with a bake sale and working to ensure a high quality of food and beverages in student meals what’s her favourite option among the lunch dishes prepared by the school chef The longer break also allows Charlotte and her friends to enjoy a pastry in the school cafe or pop down to the shops in the centre of Sigtuna so I really enjoy being so close to the lakes and the forest.” Curious about boarding? At SSHL, you can try boarding before applying – find out more including the next available dates Charlotte has a biology class in this slot for the next five weeks following five weeks of physics and before five weeks of chemistry “We’re starting a project on how to do lab reports about experiments,” she says she learned about measurement and the laws of motion Charlotte speaks fluent English in addition to her native German She’s already in an advanced Swedish class The only class above her is Swedish Language and Literature which is “for people who are fluent in Swedish” “I knew very little Swedish before I came here,” she says “What I like about our class is that we’re only around 15 people so you can get a lot of help from the teacher We also do a lot of speaking and presentations so that we actually learn how to use the language.”  “I hang out with my friends in the boarding house In my house there are loads of different  nationalities: Swedes Swiss - it’s really nice to hang out with people from different backgrounds.” 4pm: Volleyball. A wide range of sports are played at SSHL. Charlotte plays volleyball twice a week and has been training for a weekend tournament in Stockholm “My favourite days are when I get to sleep a little longer [a special privilege on days where her schedule starts with a free period] and then play volleyball in the evening Charlotte is also on the school tennis team which consists of five girls and five boys at the local tennis club next door to SSHL “Last year we were planning to go to Amsterdam for an international tournament but it was cancelled due to the pandemic,” she says where there’s a new dinner menu every week as well as a dessert of apple pie with traditional Swedish vanilla sauce (vaniljsås) Each house at SSHL has a House Tutor on hand to provide academic support six days a week outside classes whenever needed “We sometimes go and visit people at other boarding houses to hang out with them.” Charlotte says the boarding experience is supporting her personal development in ways that will be of real value in the future “I’ve learned how to communicate with so many different people even though not everyone speaks English and people come from different cultures I think that will be really valuable in life.”  10pm: Students must be back in their boarding house So, that’s a typical day in the life of a student at a Swedish boarding school Parents of students are always welcome – and often get involved in organising spontaneous dinners or activities during their visit how often does Charlotte speak with and see her family “I message my family a lot on WhatsApp and whenever I have free time we of course spontaneously call each other or do video calls,” she says She also goes back to Germany five times a year – the school is just a 20-minute drive from Stockholm Arlanda Airport – and her family recently visited her in Sweden “My family think it’s a very nice place and they really like the school,” she says Which boarding option at SSHL would work best for your family? Learn about the three distinct options and then see what students have to say about their 'try boarding' experiences at SSHL This content was paid for by an advertiser and produced by The Local's Creative Studio Classical liberal thought and heritage continues to inspire discussion and debate in our time The basic ideas of a free society and freedom to act as individuals are reinvented and discovered by every new generation and scholarly inquiry Adam Smith’s ”liberal plan”  – ”allowing every man to pursue his own intererst his own way” – must have a place in any liberal society Timbro has arranged the Classical Liberal Summer Seminars since 2015 The first two seminars were held at Christinehof Castle in Skåne Since 2017 the seminar has relocated to the Sigtuna Foundation in Sigtuna The 2025 10th Classical Liberal Summer Seminar included further sessions exploring the rich heritage of Classical Liberalism such as the Scottish Enlightenment but also the spread of Classical Liberalism to other countries The Summer Seminar will be led by: Daniel Klein George Mason University and Ratio Institute and Björn Hasselgren Presentations and readings from past Classical Liberal Summer Seminars here. If you are interested in the Classical Liberal heritage and would like to participate in the Summer Seminar with a presentation of research or as an attendee please send an email to bjorn.hasselgren@timbro.se with a short CV and suggested theme for a presentation and readings 35 km North of Stockholm the Sigtuna Foundation was established more than 100 years ago as a private cultural foundation with a principle aim to inspire human thought and reflection Society has changed in many ways since then but the Foundation’s ambition is still the very same to offer an open space for people with different backgrounds traditions and viewpoints who wish to meet interact and learn from one another in atmosphere of mutual respect Today the Sigtuna Foundation operates as a center for education and research and also for various kinds of cultural programs The Sigtuna Foundation with its atmospheric facilities in peaceful and scenic surroundings offers a splendid environment to connect to the classic message of freedom and liberty as seen through 18-19th century perspectives More information on the Sigtuna Foundation here The Atlas of 1,000 Ancient Genomes Project (ATLAS) has changed the picture of Scandinavia’s settlement and how agriculture spread across Europe Old genes in new centre – about the new Center for Paleogenetics Ancient DNA Research – Blog by Anders Götherström Three students at a highly regarded boarding school in Sigtuna were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of abusing a student Two other suspects were arrested on Friday. There are now five students being held in custody all of who attended the Sigtuna Skolan Humanistiska Läroverket (SSHL) a prominent boarding school north of Stockholm The alleged abuse took place on two different occasions The Sigtuna school filed a police complaint in March The prosecutor will not disclose any details but says the abuse was serious because it involved five people versus one plus weekly summary on Fridays at 4.30pm on P2 (P6 89.6FM in Stockholm) Kontakta gärna Sveriges Radios forum för teknisk support där vi besvarar dina frågor vardagar kl Lidl is to open a new concept store in Sigtuna eco-zones and chargers for electric cars and bicycles Lidl will also offer a delicatessen with food service in the store The goal is that the store will be certified “outstanding” according to the international BREEAM standard A handful of new Swedish Lidl stores have achieved this rating writes retail analyst Daniel Johansson in LZ Retailytics.  The store is part of the retailer’s ambition to reach 200 stores in Sweden by 2020 there are 170 stores and Lidl has already signed agreements for a further ten new plots Many of the new stores are in untypical locations for Lidl shopping centres and newly-built city areas Between now and 2020 the retailer plans to invest SEK 3 bn (EUR 317 mn) in building more stores In 2016/17 Lidl in Sweden grew its net turnover by 7.5% to SEK 8,958 mn (EUR 946 mn) the German retailer is also refurbishing its entire existing store network Last year 50 stores were upgraded and to date a total of 126 stores have been refurbished It isn’t easy to find good new locations in the consolidated Swedish grocery market; and Lidl has recognised that it must sometimes compromise even if it goes against the preferences of its top management said that such “glass palaces are way too expensive” but that the retailer must finish what it started referring to similar projects outside Sweden It is reason to believe that Sweden will be the first country outside Germany where Lidl will show its new international standard first This fits flawlessly with Lidl’s aim to attract new target audiences to its Swedish stores According to LZ Retailytics retail sales per store went up 6,2 % to EUR 3,36 million in 2016 By 2020 LZ Retailytics forecast the turnover per store to EUR 8 million which is below the European average for Lidl stores This implies that there are ample opportunities for organic growth in Sweden for the German giant The new store will have an area of approximately 3,500 square meters of which about 1,500 will be used for sale More news from Food the Uppsala branch of the Christian Democrats was unanimous in putting forward Ebba Busch Thor as their choice to take over from Göran Hägglund as the national party's next leader even though Ebba Busch Thor accepted the nomination that does not necessarily mean that she will become a candidate It is up to the 27-year-old deputy mayor of Uppsala if she wants to be considered to lead the party she has not yet come forward with a decision Meanwhile the Christian Democrats in Sigtuna nominated the 59-year-old MEP Lars Adaktusson this weekend for the same position Adaktusson did not say whether he would stand in the election either will determine who will take over as their leader in April it just eeked out enough votes to keep it over the 4.0 percent threshhold needed to stay in Parliament SIG vs STO Dream11 Prediction: Sigtuna Cricket Club vs Stockholm Cricket Club– 15 June 2020 (Stockholm) Stockholm Cricket Club will take on Sigtuna Cricket Club in the league game of the ECS T10 League 2020 which will be played at the Marsta Cricket Ground in Stockholm Another T10 League is getting underway and this time in the Swedish City Stockholm We will see another set of fresh cricketers playing in a T10 competition Cricket is spreading its leg in the different countries of Europe and let’s see what this new league brings in front of us Both the teams have some talented individuals and it can be a good game This will be Stockholm’s second game in a row Pitch Report – There is no major news on the pitch report but the cold weather can bring some help to the pace bowlers R Mahmood (Price 9) will be our wicket-keeper He is a very good wicket-keeper and will play in the middle-order He will be picked by the majority of the people and will be a safe pick A Safi (Price 10) and M Nawaz (Price 8.5) will be our batsmen from the Sigtuna side Nawaz has scored 207 runs in 21 games and has also picked 24 wickets in his bowling as well he cannot be dropped whereas Safi is their main batsman and is expected to open the innings for his side A Mathur (Price 9) and V Chalindra (Price 8) will be our batsmen from the Stockholm CC Mathur has played mere 3 games and has scored 64 runs in them he has also picked a wicket in this bowling Mathur is expected to bat in the top-order and should be picked whereas Chalindra has scored 323 runs in 15 games and has picked 11 wickets as well M Rehman (Price 9.5) will be our all-rounder from the Sigtuna side Rehman has scored 365 runs in 17 games and has picked 10 wickets as well He will be the main all-rounder of this team and should be picked H Vardhana (Price 9.5) and H Patel (Price 9) will be our all-rounders from the Stockholm CC Vardhana has scored 359 runs in 12 games and has picked 5 wickets as well whereas H Patel has picked 12 wickets in 11 games and can be decent with the bat Both of them will be decent options to have in the side A Upadhyaya (Price 9.5) will be our bowler from the Stockholm side He is a wonderful bowler and has picked 23 wickets in 19 games O Saleem (Price 9) and A Singh (Price 9) will be our bowlers from the Sigtuna side and will complete our squad Saleem has 13 wickets in 11 games whereas A Singh also has 6 wickets to his name Both of them will be decent options in the team Match Prediction: Stockholm Cricket Club will be the favourites to win this game Both the captain’s pick + M Rehman and A Mathur Note: For Updated teams after the lineup announcement, join The SportsRush Premium on our mobile app. SportsRush Small-League Dream 11 Team for the Game Click Here for more Dream11 Teams Prediction All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match and a perusal of other reasoning Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players Rishikesh Sharma An engineering graduate and an ardent sports fan Rishikesh Sharma is covering cricket for three years now after not making peace with a corporate life and has written more than 5000 articles While Sourav Ganguly made him fall in love with the sport Brendon McCullum and Gautam Gambhir enhanced it Dream11 ECS T10- Stockholm makes its way towards fantasy cricket after Vincy Premier League T10 and Vanuatu T10 a football friendly continent is all set to host the cricket tournament from 1st of June The title sponsors for the series are Dream11 which means the coverage will be highly enthralling The series will also act as solace for cricket-loving nations like India where people are eluded of the game courtesy the ongoing global pandemic named COVID-19 This is not the first time when European Cricket has stepped up to promote this beautiful game and aware people about the same they hosted the Alicante T10 league which made all the right noises As of now, three T10 leagues simultaneously i.e. Vincy Premier League T10, Vanuatu T10 League and obviously the Dream11 ECS T10- Stockholm European cricket is growing with leaps and bounds A few months back they collaborated with Czech Cricket who are set to host The ECN Czech Super Series which comprises 16 teams who will be contesting in a series of four tournaments The series will commence from 13th June at the Vinor Cricket Ground in Prague The collaboration will be fruitful for both cricketing bodies and is expected to take cricket at immaculate heights in the respective regions Talking about the Dream11 ECS T10- Stockholm it is a 7-team tournament which will be contested for five days i.e each team will be facing the other in a double round-robin format The final day will see 5 matches taking place which includes two semi-finals one Bronze finals (to determine the third place) and of course the big finals Marsta Cricket Club in Stockholm is the only venue for the series A total of four matches will be played in a day until the knockout stage arrives All the matches will be played at Marsta Cricket Club INDISKA CC vs STOCKHOLM CC –01:30 PM SIGTUNA CC vs STOCKHOLM CC – 03:30 PM INDISKA CC vs SIGTUNA CC – 05:30 PM ALBY ZALMI CC vs STOCKHOLM MUMBAI INDIANS – 07:30 PM STOCKHOLM MUMBAI INDIANS vs PAKISTANSKA FORENINGEN – 09:30 PM KISTA CC vs ALBY ZALMI CC –01:30 PM PAKISTANSKA FORENINGEN vs STOCKHOLM CC – 03:30 PM ALBY ZALMI CC vs PAKISTANSKA FORENINGEN – 05:30 PM INDISKA CC vs STOCKHOLM MUMBAI INDIANS – 07:30 PM STOCKHOLM MUMBAI INDIANS vs STOCKHOLM CC – 09:30 PM PAKISTANSKA FORENINGEN vs INDISKA CC – 01:30PM SIGTUNA CC vs PAKISTANSKA FORENINGEN –03:30 PM STOCKHOLM MUMBAI INDIANS vs SIGTUNA CC – 05:30 PM KISTA CRICKET CLUB vs STOCKHOLM MUMBAI INDIANS – 07:30 PM STOCKHOLM CC vs KISTA CRICKET CLUB– 09:30 PM STOCKHOLM CC  vs ALBY ZALMI CC –01:30 PM ALBY ZALMI vs INDISKA CC – 03:30 PM ALBY ZALMI CC vs  SIGTUNA CC – 05:30 PM SIGTUNA CC vs KISTA CRICKET CLUB – 07:30 PM KISTA CRICKET CLUB vs PAKISTANSKA FORENINGEN – 09:30 PM INDISKA CC vs KISTA CRICKET CLUB – 11:30 PM TBC vs TBC –01:30 PM TBC vs TBC – 03:30 PM TBC vs TBC – 05:30 PM TBC vs TBC – 07:30 PM Choudry Share Ali 40 Matches 1510 Runs Strike Rate – 140.47 Tajammul Hussain 3 Matches 61 Runs 7 Wickets Tasaduq Hussain 4 Matches 166 Runs 2 Wickets Economy – 6.44 Vaince Muhammad Waqqas 2 Matches 89 Runs Strike Rate – 123.61 Muhammad Bilal 28 Matches 32 Wickets Economy – 5.53 Abhishek Mathur 8 Matches 27 Runs Strike Rate – 100 3 Wickets Economy –9.17 Vinod Chalindra 6 Matches 208 Runs Strike Rate – 85.25 5 Wickets Economy – 6.76 Shrikant Sakpal 5 T20 39 Runs Strike Rate – 125.16 Avinash Upadhyay 84 Matches 1310 Runs Wickets – 47 Economy – 5.07 Farqaleet Kirmani 12 Matches 248 Runs Strike Rate – 124.00 Ismaeel Zia 10 Matches 224 Runs Strike Rate – 144.52 Iqbal Sheikh 2 Matches 12 Runs Strike Rate – 75:00 Zabihullah Niazi 5 Matches 36 Runs Strike Rate – 124.14 2 Wickets Economy – 6.80 Qudratullah Mir Afzal 16 Matches 160 Runs Strike Rate – 132.23 14 Wickets With Dream11 being the title sponsor of the tournament the matches will be streamed live on Dream11’s FANCODE but also the scorecards and all the in-depth analysis will be available on the same platform