Autumn… What a tricky season! Summer is already far behind, and so are the outdoor activities that come with it, and at the same time, Winter and its snow getaways are not there yet.
Umeå is not spared of this. At this period of the year, one might feel stuck between this mid-season mood, and thinks that all is left to do is to wait patiently at the beginning of Winter.
In reality, that is not the case. Even though Autumn might not be the best season to visit Umeå, there is still plenty to do, including enjoying the beautiful colors of nature.
This post puts down together a list of (budget-friendly) things that you can actually do in Autumn in Umeå – and for all types of weather.
1 | WALK / BIKE / RUN AROUND NYDALASJÖN
This first point might sound like a classic to you. Indeed, if you live in Umeå, then you probably know the beautiful lake of Nydalsjön. It is the place to hang out and to have a pitfire barbecue with your friends. But in Autumn, you might feel that it is too cold to do these kinds of things anymore. In fact, it is still possible, under the condition that you are well dressed up.
Believe me, Nydalsjön has still a lot to offer, and especially in Autumn. The colors of the trees are losing their green homogeneity to dress up in red/orange/yellow… Which is absolutely wonderful to admire. So put on your warmest scarf, gloves, and beanie, and enjoy a little tour around the lake with your thermos of tea. All is left to do is to choose either to do it by bike, or by walk or by a run. So go and check this out, before winter hits us too soon…
2 | VISIT THE BILDMUSEET
This is a must-do in Umeå. And probably a very good option when it is raining outside.
The Bildmuseet is located by the shores of the Umeälven River (great walk to go there either from the city center or the campus) and is one of the most renown university museums. There you will find a bunch of contemporary art exhibitions while enjoying the nice architecture of the building. You can also take part in workshops and events all along the year…
Good news: it is free admission for everybody, and if you are lucky you might even have a free guided tour (available in English). So chase your autumn mood, it is time for a cultural journey.
3 | SPEND SOME QUALITY FOOD TIME AT KULTURBAGERIET
When it is getting cold outside, warming oneself around a hot cup of tea/coffee with nice food always sounds like a good plan.
Well, Umeå is full of nice cafés and restaurants, but as far as I am concerned my favorite spot is definitively Kulturbageriet! This bakery/café/restaurant is located in Umeå’s library, the same building as the UME hotel, by the riverside of Umea.
Every morning, fresh (and amazing) bread is getting out of their oven. They have an all-day large selection of pastries, with amazing mandelbullen!
They also have several lunch options, with sandwiches (vegan options), the soup of the day with all you can eat bread (only 100 kr), a savoury pie with salad… And they even propose a pizza menu to take away for dinner! Everything is homemade, always fresh, and super tasty. You can also have a bottomless coffee or tea for 30 kr only. Not to mention that the place is really cute. They sometimes organize some bread cooking lessons, but you need to book it in advance, as it gets full quickly!
Note also that you can also buy some bread and pastries made the day before with a 50% discount on the mobile app Karma.
4 | HIKE ON THE HILL OF TAVELSJÖ
Have you ever heard of Tavelsjö? It’s a wide lake located only 30 km away from the city center of Umeå. When the weather offers you the possibility, you should go and do one of the several trails to reach the top of the hill to admire the beautiful view over the lake.
The easiest ways to get there is either by car or by bus (number 16 from Vasaplan, 43kr one way) and to stop at Sundlingska gärden!
Once there, you have different paths that will lead you to the top of the hill. The first one is the shortest but at the same time the stiffest. And so on to the fourth one. As far as I’m concerned, I did the third way to go up and the second way to go down – and that was just fine. It can be a bit slippery, so be sure you have the adapted shoes to do it.
The lookout at the top is fantastic – you have a great overview of the lake and its surroundings. Moreover, you have the possibility to light up a pit fire to avoid getting too cold. Why not having a barbecue over there, after all?
Note that you also have the possibility to do the 30 km whole trail from Umeå city center if you have the spirit of a real hiker.
5 | CULTURE TIME AT KVINNOHISTORISK MUSEUM
Even if the Knvinnohistorisk museum is not as popular as the BildMuseet, I believe it is still worth the détour, especially if you plan to go to Kulturbageriet (see point number 3) or to the bibliotek of Umeå.
Located on the fourth floor of the Väven Cultural Center, it is a museum about Women´s History under the perspectives of gender & power, identity & history. The entrance is always free, and they change the exhibitions every two months.
They sometimes have lectures in English and art workshops on the agenda, so I recommend to check that out regularly.
There is also a new expo that is going on about the fight for rights in Sweden, which is pretty interesting (unfortunately, not everything is translated in English).
6 | LOOSE YOURSELF IN GRÖSSJÖN NATURE RESERVE
Grössjön is a natural reserve a bit fringe from the center of Umeå. You can access it with the bus 9 direction Carjhold, or simply by bike or walk.
The reserve has several entrances – but I like the one from Carlshöjd, since it comes with a little walk in the middle of the wood to access the lake.
Like every part of nature in Sweden I suppose, Grössjön is very beautiful, there are little cabins where you can have a pit fire. So grab some bread and sausages to make your way out there, you might be up for a nice barbecue picnic! Autumn is ideal for the colors of nature, which meet the frozen water of the lake.
And remember your way, because in such a reserve, it is very easy to get lost.
7 | LOOK FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS AT THE SECOND HAND SHOPS
Who says autumn, says that winter is not far away. And who says winter says Christmas… And who says Christmas, says presents!
Well obviously, if you have not started thinking about what to offer to your closest ones, there is still plenty of time, but don’t get overwhelmed by some last-minute purchase which would be costly for your wallet.
Instead, take advantage of Autumn to have a look around the second-hand shops, because you might find some incredible discoveries for your relatives (or even for yourself, you don’t need to wait to treat yourself) while giving a second life to these objects. At the same time, it is also an eco-friendly option.
Here is short list of my favorite second hand shops that you can find in Umeå:
- PMU Second Hand Umeå, Lärlingsgatan 9, 90422 Umeå
- Myrorna, Gräddvägen 2, 90620 Umeå
- Returbutiken, Tegelbruksvägen 7, 907 42 Umeå
- Pryl 1900, Fabriksgatan 3, 90331 Umeå
- Röda Korset Kupan City, Rådhusesplanaden 10-12, 90328 Umeå
8 | EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF SKULESKOGEN NATIONAL PARK
Skuleskogen National Park is part of the UNESCO world heritage High Coast National Park. It is the most scenic area of the High Coast in fact, notable for its vast forest which meets its lakes and the baltic sea. There are also a few epic lookouts that are definitively worth it.
The South entry of Skuleskogen (which I think is the more appropriate one to start your hike) is only 2 hours away by car. If you don’t have a car, you can rent one at Circle K (there are various stores in Umeå), the day with the fuel will cost you approximately 50€.
Once there, be ready for a beautiful day of hiking! Between the hills, the lakes and the sea, you will assist to a true nature show. Add to that recipe the colors of Autumn… My favorite part of the walk was definitively the “Slåttdalsberget” which was kind of Canyon.
Note that the hike is not super easy, and might be a bit slippery, so put on your best shoes for this.
9 | WATCH THE SUNSET BY THE SEA
As you may know, Umeå is not far from the sea and the magic Botnia Gulf. I anticipate what you might think. I do not recommend to go and have a late autumn bath at the sea of course, but why not go to one of the beaches around Holmsund to see a beautiful 4pm sunset?
To go there, several options are possible: either by car, or you can take the bus from Vasaplan. Check out the hours before, there are not so many.
One of the spots I went to is called Obbala, and the address is Viskarsvagen 49!
10 | DAY TRIP TO HOLMÖN
I will be super honest with you on that – this is the only point of the list that I have not done personally. But I was told about it – but I was running out of time with my exams to actually go there.
Holmön is an island not far away from Umeå that you can reach by taking a free ferry from Norrfjärden (20 mn by car from Umeå city center). From there, the ferry will take you to Byviken, in the north part of the island.
According to some Swedish friends – it is really beautiful out there and worth to spent the day! You can enjoy some walks across nature and breathe some fresh air.
Note that you can also sleep there at a original STF lighthouse hostel, on the island of Stora Fjäderägg. It is not always open – so you have to contact by mail the hostel to see if you can sleep there before your visit.
Thank you for reading this post! If you have any insight or recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact me (jpeysson@yahoo.fr) or leave a comment below.
If you want more information about what is on at Umeå and the upcoming events you don’t want to miss, I highly suggest that you check the website VisitUmeå! regularly.
OFF THE ROAD 