Värmland: Spa and wellness in Sweden is written by Mia Helt in cooperation with Visit Värmland, who had invited us along on the journey. All opinions are, as always, the author's own.
That is why you must visit Värmland
Sweden is a great travel destination, not least in winter, when the snow and the beautiful landscapes attract families and active travelers from near and far.
If you are on your way from Gothenburg to Sälen, or from Oslo to Stockholm, you will naturally pass by beautiful Värmland.
Värmland offers a wealth of special experiences, whether you're here for a summer holiday or have packed your warm clothes for winter adventures. In winter in Värmland, you can keep warm by diving into a hot wilderness bath, eating locally grown food in front of a wood-burning stove or getting your heart rate up with a walk in the beautiful Swedish countryside.
You must go to Värmland if you want to spend the night in a beautiful manor house that offers relaxing luxury or spend the night at some of Värmland's unique places. For example, you can spend the night in a treetop house, on a raft or in a glass igloo in the middle of a lake, which is an obvious choice if you dream of seeing northern Light.
The tourist organization Visit Värmland reports a wild increase of 85% in just one year (2023) of Danish tourists who have opened their eyes to Värmland.
We can understand that, because in Värmland there is beautiful nature, culture and pampering. Both on skis in the winter and on the hiking trails in the summer.
Old-fashioned charm at a manor house in Värmland
Stay overnight at one of the many manor houses in Värmland and enjoy the old-fashioned charm that prevails.
Often you find spa or sauna at the manor houses, where you can really sit back and enjoy the good life. At Ulvsby Herregård we felt like princesses when we stayed in the large rooms with a beautiful view over the countryside.
The room was beautifully decorated with chandeliers and large soft beds. But the best thing about the manor is Dronning Kristinas Badstue, a small exclusive spa department with four bronze bathtubs, a steam bath and a sauna.
Here you can pamper yourself with a salt scrub and a hair treatment while you look out over the beautiful landscape. You can also book the spa for yourself if you want to enjoy the moment in private with your loved ones.
Back to nature in Sweden
In winter, the breathtaking landscape unfolds with snow-covered trees, icicles and frozen lakes. It is also in winter that you can ski, hike in snowshoes or go cross-country skiing in the area.
Did you know that Värmland also has bears, moose and wolves, which you can see on one of your excursions?
The area also offers several marked walking routes. There is something for everyone, whether you are for a shorter walk with smaller children or want to go on a longer route of 20 kilometers.
In the summer there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the beautiful nature and at the same time be active on both a bicycle, in a canoe or on paddle board.
The owner Thomas started building the Nature City here in the magnificent nature 25 years ago, when he wanted a natural paradise out in the forest. In Naturbyen, you have to heat your own water if you want to have a hot bath, and the food is cooked over a fire.
At the time, people did not believe in his idea, but today the place has become very popular for people looking for peace and quiet out in the middle of the Swedish nature.
There is no electricity or wi-fi here, and you must bring or catch your own food.
The calm and peace is also ensured by the fact that neither children nor dogs are allowed, as the place is only for adult visitors.
No signs have been put up for the Naturbyen on purpose either, as he does not want the place to be overcrowded.
In return, you can spend the night in a treetop cabin with the most beautiful view over the nearby lake. You can also jump into the canoe or catch your own fish.
In summer, you may also be lucky enough to see a moose swimming, which is another good reason to visit Värmland. Here you will find a wonderful combination of magnificent nature and the opportunity to find peace within yourself.
Starry sky or northern lights if you're lucky
If you stay overnight at Yggdrasil Igloos in Värmland, there is a good chance of an unforgettable experience.
You arrive at a natural area surrounded by hills and a lake. Here you will meet the helpful owners who take good care of their visitors.
Light the fire by the igloo to prepare your dinner and enjoy some quiet time. You can choose the food yourself. You can either bring something yourself or pre-order a basket with dinner and breakfast, which will be brought to your igloo.
Afterwards, you should not cheat yourself for a trip in the hot wilderness bath. Follow the living lanterns that have been set up as lighting out in the forest, leading you to the wilderness bath and a sauna. You will be given both a bathrobe and swimming shoes, so you can also take a dip in the cold lake if you are brave.
It was a wonderful way to spend the evening in the twilight in the middle of Swedish nature. Lying in the warm wilderness bath, lit only by candlelight from the beautiful lanterns, while the snow falls on your face.
There is peace and quiet here, and it feels like a very luxurious experience, even though it takes place in a primitive way in the middle of nowhere. The good thing about Yggdrasil Igloos is that there is no room for many people or mass tourism.
There are only a few glass igloos you can book here, so it's hard not to feel like you have the whole place to yourself.
You may be lucky enough to experience the northern lights from the glass panoramic window you look up in. I myself was lucky enough to see a beautiful starry sky before I fell asleep to the sound of light waves lapping against the bottom of the igloo.
This is the perfect night's sleep - completely peaceful.
Swedish food classics
If you are into Swedish comfort and locally produced food, Värmland is the place for you.
In addition to offering beautiful nature and extraordinary accommodation options, Värmland also offers culinary experiences with locally produced food.
We ate and drank Swedish locally produced food and drink. Here we tasted everything from home-made applesauce and beer to bee honey, home-smoked salmon and linden berries and to the more special moose burger.
The food was homemade and cooked to perfection, and I wonder if the surroundings also helped to create an even more atmospheric experience. It was nice to sit and enjoy your food with fresh red cheeks after a cold day and eat your food in front of a warm fireplace.
It was also a bit of an experience as we had to cook our elk burger over a fire ourselves. It didn't go so well, but it was atmospheric and fun to try.
If you are into cultural excursions, Värmland also offers several museums dedicated to Alma Löv, Selma Lagerlöf and Alfred Nobel, and then there is Klässbol's linen weaving factory, where you can buy the most beautiful Christmas tablecloths to take home.
We were greeted by magnificent nature, warm-hearted people and good locally produced food everywhere, and not least: an extraordinary relaxing atmosphere.
Värmland is big experiences in small formats. Small is the new big. Enjoy an adventurous area in the heart of Sweden and explore all that Värmland has to offer.
Good trip to Sweden.
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