Sundsvall City Guide

Sweden

Sundsvall City Guide

Vasternorrland County

Sundsvall, located in Västernorrland County, Sweden, is a coastal city known for its unique stone city center, Stenstan, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1888. It offers a blend of urban amenities and proximity to nature, including the Baltic Sea and surrounding forests and hills. For travelers and remote workers, Sundsvall provides a relaxed pace of life with good infrastructure and access to outdoor activities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Traditional Swedish cuisine is a highlight, with a growing variety of international restaurants and vegetarian options. Late-night options are limited to fast-food chains.

Local Dishes:
Meatballs (köttbullar), Gravlax, Fika pastries, Surströmming
International Cuisine:
Asian, Italian, Middle Eastern
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Sundsvall has a decent nightlife scene, especially concentrated around the city center with several bars and pubs.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong coffee culture with focus on quality and tradition. Specialty shops increasingly popular.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is optional. Round up the bill for exceptional service, typically 5-10% if done.

Top Attractions
Stenstan (Stone City)
Cultural
Historic stone city center rebuilt after a fire in 1888.
Kulturmagasinet
Cultural
Cultural center, museum, and library located in Stenstaden.
Norra Berget
Nature
Open-air museum and park offering great views.
Sundsvall Museum
Museum
Local museum with a range of exhibitions.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be purchased at convenience stores, supermarkets, and mobile provider stores. Major providers include Telia, Tele2, Telenor, and Tre.

Available at:
Pressbyrån
7-Eleven
Convenience stores
Supermarkets
Telia
Tele2
Telenor
Tre
Recommended Apps
Swish(Finance)
Resrobot/SJ(Transport)
Foodora/Wolt(Food Delivery)
BankID(Finance)
Västernorrlandstrafik(Transport)
Klarna(Finance)
Apoteket(Healthcare)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Sundsvall is notably clean with efficient waste management systems.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

24/7 options are limited mainly to emergency medical services.

Groceries
ICA
Coop
Hemköp
Lidl
Willys

Decent availability of international products in larger supermarkets. Main chains include ICA, Coop, Hemköp, Lidl, Willys. Supermarkets are typically open from early morning to late evening on weekdays, with slightly shorter hours on weekends.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Sweden is highly cashless; card payments are widely accepted everywhere, including small shops and public transport. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs

ATMs (Bankomat) are available, but less common than in other countries due to high card usage. Fees are generally low or non-existent for withdrawals from Swedish banks.

Schools
Local only

Local schools are primarily Swedish-speaking. Mid Sweden University has a campus in the city. International schools are more common in larger cities.

Available Schools:
Mid Sweden University (Mittuniversitetet)

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
5
Available Spaces:
Kontorshotellet City
Offers flexible office solutions and co-working.
Mittuniversitetet (Mid Sweden University)
May have facilities accessible to the public or through partnerships.
Business Park Sundsvall
Offers office spaces, some with co-working potential.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Espresso House
Chain with good Wi-Fi and ample seating.
Wayne's Coffee
Another popular chain for work.
Café Charm
Local cafe with a relaxed atmosphere.
Kulturmagasinet Café
Located within the cultural center, often quiet.
Alternatives:
Sundsvall Public Library
Free Wi-Fi and quiet working areas.
Hotel Lobbies
Comfortable seating with Wi-Fi at venues like Comfort Hotel Sundsvall.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Nomad community is sparse with limited dedicated meetups or co-living spaces. Some nomad-friendly cafes and remote job listings.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Access to quality green spaces and parks like Norra Berget is good.

Running
Excellent
8

Safe with several scenic routes like Södra Berget, along Selångersån river.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms available for training, including popular chains.

Available Gyms:
Actic
Friskis & Svettis
SATS
Tennis
Good
7

Many courts available in Sundsvall with options for drop-in and coaching.

Padel
Good
7

Padel courts available, often with similar amenities as tennis.

Yoga
Good
7

Several yoga studios offer a variety of classes, sometimes with English-speaking instructors.

Martial Arts
Good
7

Various martial arts clubs available, including common disciplines. English-speaking instruction possible but inquire directly.

Skiing
Good
7

Södra Berget offers local slopes and Hassela Ski Resort is about an hour away. Season typically runs December to April with good snow.

Water Sports
Limited
5

Opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing in surrounding waters and lakes.

Surfing
Poor
1

Very limited to non-existent for traditional ocean surfing. The Baltic Sea does not have consistent waves. Himlabadet water park has a surfing machine.

Diving
Poor
3

Limited dive sites primarily in the Baltic Sea. Marine life and diving conditions are geared towards beginners.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Sweden has a high-quality public healthcare system. Sundsvall Hospital is the main hospital with generally good English proficiency among staff.

Hospitals:
Sundsvall Hospital (Sundsvalls sjukhus)
Pharmacies:
Apoteket
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water in Sundsvall, like most of Sweden, is safe to drink directly from the tap and is of high quality.

Common Scams
Online scams (phishing, fake invoices), Petty theft (rare)

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Sundsvall is family-friendly with many public playgrounds, kid-friendly cafés, and easily available baby supplies.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
8

High acceptance and inclusive environment with local Pride events. Strong legal protections in place.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Generally pet-friendly with many parks and pet-friendly accommodations. Several veterinary clinics available.

Communities
Expats in Sundsvall (Expats)
Sundsvall Community (Local Community)
What's on in Sundsvall (Events)

Quick Facts

Population
70,918
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power reliability in Sweden is very high, with stable electricity supply. Outages are rare and typically short-lived.

Beach Access
Available

Sundsvall is coastal with beaches available on Alnön island and along the coastline, good for swimming in summer.

Mountains
Available

Sundsvall has hills and forested areas suitable for hiking. Offers trails and views close to the city.

Languages
Swedish(100%)
English(85%)
Emergency
112
Emergency Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
1
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
1

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Winters
December, January, February, March
Cold with snow and limited daylight.
Summers
June, July, August
Mild and bright, long daylight hours.

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