The Swedish crown princess Victoria recently married a man of the people, and more specifically Daniel from Ockelbo, a fact which has thrown a bit of limelight on this little village north of Stockholm. But even without the royal connections Ockelbo has always been worth a visit for its wildlife, its outdoor activities, its market and not least of all its silence.
The peaceful and green community has less than 3,000 inhabitants, but its history goes back all the way to the early 14th century. The town got its name from Lake Ukle, which today is known as Bysjon. Apart from the royal connections Ockelbo is most famous as a manufacturing town for snowmobiles, but every summer and winter season the town comes alive during Ockelbo Market.
The local market in Ockelbo attract over 500 sellers a year in addition to tens of thousands of visitors and famous Swedish pop stars. The summer market always occurs the weekend after midsummer, and the winter market during a week in February. At the winter market you can try exotic activities like a snowmobile safari or dogsledding.
Many trips to Ockelbo start with alighting by the cute brown and red train station that has become Ockelbo’s most famous landmark. You can take the train from Gavle in 25 minutes, and start your weekend in Ockelbo right here. This is also where you find the useful Ockelbo Tourist Office.
Wildlife is one of the main attractions in Ockelbo. If you want guaranteed sightings of elk a visit to the dedicated Algparken is a good idea. If you’re more interested in bears you can book a guided bear safari or another tour amongst the great range of wildlife tours on offer.
You can also spend the weekend in Ockelbo relaxing with a restorative spa experience or a meditation retreat where you can get close to nature in solitude.
Visit the heritage rich Wij Sateri from the 17th century. Enjoy the peace and quiet in the rose garden, go along and explore the children’s own garden with your little ones, or escape the summer sun in the shade garden. Let the garden of the forest inspire you or treat your senses to the riches of the herbal and kitchen gardens. In Ockelbo, nature and stillness awaits.
