'''Gavle''' [http://www.gavle.se/turism/] is a provincial town in southernmost Norrland on central Sweden's East Coast, with an industrial heritage, large parks and a small university college. Some 93.000 people live in the municipality. The old town with its colourful wooden houses is authentic.

Get in

Being a railway hub in southern Norrland, Gavle can be reached by a variety of trains from all over Sweden, including Malmo, Goteborg, Linkoping, Stockholm, Orebro, Sundsvall, Ostersund, Boden, Kiruna, and Narvik.

Gavle is also a junction of several inter-country highways e.g. E4, R67, R68, R76 and R80.

Gavle has a commercial port which serves the wood and paper industry as well as the metal industry in central Sweden.

Get around

Gavle Taxi service is usually reliable and can show on short notice (15min or less). A typical ride is 60-70:- You can get to about everywhere in town on bicycle. Most of the central shopping areas in Soder and in the Centerum are in walking distance of the downtown hotels. The train station is a short walk from Centerum. Trains frequent northern destinations and south to Uppsala and Stockholm. In summer travel season, book early (5 days in advance) to Arlanda as trains can get quite crowded. As in most places in urban Sweden taxi drivers and railroad booking agents speak good English.

See

  • '''Swedish Railway Museum''', Ralsgatan 1, +46 26 14 46 15. Open Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM (Jun-Aug open daily).
  • '''Gavlebocken''', During the Christmas season local business owners contribute to construct a large straw goat in Castle Square. The goat often is victim of a fiery death by pranksters.
  • Do

    There are lots of possibilities to go '''canoeing''' on the numerous lakes of Gavle's region. Fishing is a popular recreation as most outdoor activities are during the summer months as most Swedes exit the towns for cabins and camping in the countryside.

  • '''Furuvik Park''', is a short drive south of town. Furuvik features a small carnival and arcade for toddlers as well as a small zoo and cold war era coastal defense installation and museum.
  • The '''Falun Koppargruva''' is a short drive west of town in Falun. The copper mine has guided tours and features in depth historical tidbits of early Sweden.
  • Buy

    There are a few enclosed shopping malls downtown, other than that most storefronts are located along the main drags in downtown and south.

    Eat

    Restaurant choices range greatly. There are plenty of street kitchens (sausage, pizza and kebab stands) and fast food joints such as Frasses, Max Burger and McDonald's available in the center of town. There is a themed restaurant called Church Street Saloon which serves American-western style food and flair. There are a few asian restaurants such as Lilla Saigon on S. Kungsgaten. Not too far down Cheers and O'Leary's, a casual dining choice with typical Swedish fair. Grocery stores are limited to Konsum and ICA but is a good idea to self cater. There are plenty of good bakeries available. Wayne's Coffee above Stadium in the Centerum has wifi access and good coffee. Food prices compared to US dollars is quite expensive, so be aware the exchange rates.

    Drink

    Most bars/clubs are within walking distance, so follow the crowds.

  • O'Leary's transforms into a nightclub on weekend afterhours with a bar and dance club in the basement.
  • Heartbreak Hotel near downtown is also another popular destination for drinks.
  • If you are looking for more upscale discotheque atmosphere, Goya is most definitely the best nightclub in Gavle [http://www.goya.se/].
  • There are several other bars on S. Kungsgaten offering billards and a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Sleep

    '''STF Gavle/Gamla Gefle''' Sodra Radmansgatan 1, a youth hostel in the old town, walking distance from the railway station. 145 SEK/bed.

    Get out

    The easiest way to leave is by taking one of the numerous trains heading south to Stockholm-Arlanda. Prices vary greatly. Be sure to indicate first or second class and be flexible on times. Don't be afraid if you must take a connection in towns such as Tierp, Uppsala, Marsta. The older SJ trains are dirty and uncomfortable, so if you see an option of Upplands Lokaltrafik, take it as they are brand new trains with more spacious seating. There is plenty of time to change trains or board a bus. In the busy season, allow plenty of time for arrival of your train as Arlanda can get very crowded. The bus trip can easily be a 3+ hour journey south as the E4 is currently under construction near Tierp.