Good to know
Good to Know
- Åre's medieval church and funicular (built 1910) are engineering landmarks reflecting the town's transition from pilgrimage hub to modern resort.
- Jamtli Museum in nearby Östersund is one of Scandinavia's finest open-air museums and highly recommended; allow half a day.
- Toppstugan café at Åreskutan's 1,420-meter summit is Sweden's highest eatery, accessible year-round by cable car; excellent for waffle breaks with panoramic views.
- Tännforsen (Sweden's most powerful waterfall) requires timing: visit late May/early June when snowmelt peaks.
- Fröå Gruva is atmospheric and family-friendly; guided tours in summer provide historical context; café makes it a good half-day outing.
- Many artisan producers (chocolate, coffee, spirits, sodas) are local favorites; most welcome visitors to taste and purchase.
- St. Olav Pilgrimage route remains active; the medieval church and local heritage resonate with pilgrims and history enthusiasts.
Must See Sites
ÅRe Old Church (ÅRe Gamla Kyrka)
- Type
- Historic Church
- Accessibility
- Town center
- Description
- A 12th-century stone church built during the pilgrimage era to Trondheim. The church remains open and is located steps from the town square.
ÅRe Bergbana (Funicular Railway)
- Type
- Historic Transport & Viewpoint
- Accessibility
- Town center
- Description
- An iconic 800-meter funicular inaugurated in 1910, connecting Åre Square to 556 meters elevation. The upper station houses a museum narrating Åre's evolution from farming village to winter sports resort. Year-round service.
ÅReskutan Mountain
- Type
- Natural Landmark & Viewpoint
- Accessibility
- 5-10 min from town center via cable car
- Description
- Sweden's most famous mountain at 1,420 meters, marking the start of the Scandinavian Mountain Range. Summit accessible by cable car (Kabinbanan). Home to Toppstugan, Sweden's highest café.
Fröå Gruva (Historic Copper Mine)
- Type
- Open-Air Museum & Historical Site
- Accessibility
- East of Åreskutan, accessible by car/hiking trail
- Description
- A former copper mining village (operational 1744–1919) now serving as an open-air museum. Features reconstructed buildings, 19th-century water systems, mining canals, and hiking trails. Café on-site. Guided tours available in summer.
Tännforsen Waterfall
- Type
- Natural Attraction
- Accessibility
- Near Åre (exact proximity varies)
- Description
- Sweden's most powerful waterfall. Most spectacular in late May/early June. Viewable from 'Näckens udde' platform.
Ristafallet Waterfall
- Type
- Natural Attraction
- Accessibility
- Within day-trip distance
- Description
- A 50-meter-wide, 14-meter-high waterfall famous for its appearance in Astrid Lindgren's 'Ronja the Robber's Daughter.' Family-friendly access.
Museums And Galleries
Jamtli Museum (ÖStersund)
- Type
- Combined Museum & Open-Air Attraction
- Location
- Central Östersund (approximately 1 hour from Åre)
- Description
- A major regional museum combining natural history and cultural history spanning Stone Age, Viking, Sami, and contemporary communities. Features the Överhogdal tapestries (700–1,200 years old). Historyland open-air museum operational in summer with role-playing actors. Offers exhibits for all ages.
Nationalmuseum Jamtli (Branch Gallery)
- Type
- Art & Design Gallery
- Location
- Östersund (adjacent to Jamtli Museum)
- Description
- A branch of Stockholm's Nationalmuseum located in Östersund. Modern gallery space with rotating exhibitions and permanent collections of Swedish art and design.
ÅRe Bergbana Upper Station Museum
- Type
- Historical Museum
- Location
- Åre town center (at funicular upper station)
- Description
- Located at the top of the funicular, this small museum narrates Åre's transformation and local cultural history.
Artisan And Cultural Venues
ÅRe Chokladfabrik (Chocolate Factory)
- Type
- Artisan Workshop & Shop
- Location
- Åre town center
- Description
- Hand-made pralines flavored with local berries and seasonal tastes. Visitors can taste, shop, and observe craftmanship.
ÅRe Distillery
- Type
- Artisan Distillery & Tasting
- Location
- Mountain location in Åre
- Description
- Mountain distillery producing Hojt and Buustasup spirits. Offers tastings with history and production explanation.
Njarka Sami Camp
- Type
- Cultural Experience
- Location
- Häggsjön (day-trip distance)
- Description
- Learn about Sami way of life on a peninsula in Häggsjön. Features traditional huts and an octagonal central hut (Jarnge). Activities include feeding reindeer, traditional Sami sleeping arrangements, and lasso throwing.
Practical Tips
- Passes And Cards
- Individual attraction entrance fees are not widely documented in standard sources. Skistar lift pass includes funicular access. Many smaller attractions (churches, historic sites) are free or charge modest fees not specified online.
- Guided Experiences
- Guided historical walks in Åre led by local guides available; summer guided tours at Fröå Gruva; Jamtli Museum offers comprehensive interpretive displays suitable for self-guided and guided visits.
- Visitor Information
- Åre does not charge a town-wide visitor fee. Individual attractions may have admission fees. For current pricing and hours, contact the Åre tourist information office.
- Seasonal Considerations
- Historyland (open-air museum at Jamtli) is closed in winter. Tännforsen Waterfall is most impressive late May/early June due to spring snowmelt. Autumn market (Åre Autumn Market) is a major annual event.
History Overview
Åre has served as a strategic location since medieval times. The 12th-century Åre Old Church was built as a pilgrimage stop en route to Trondheim. Tourism began in the late 19th century, accelerated after railroad arrival in 1882, and developed into a world-class ski resort during the 20th century.
Cultural Heritage And Traditions
- Mining Heritage
- Copper mining flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries, shaping local economy and landscape. Fröå Gruva preserves this industrial history.
- Sami Settlement
- Sami people began settling in the area in the 17th century, attracted by rich reindeer pasture lands. This heritage is preserved through cultural sites and traditional practices.
- Pilgrimage History
- Åre served as a medieval stop on the Saint Olav Pilgrimage route to Trondheim, Norway. This pilgrimage heritage remains culturally significant.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Åre
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.