Umeå

The municipality of Umeå has approximately 122 000 inhabitants and is the capital of Västerbotten county, the largest city in northern Sweden and also one of the fastest growing cities in Sweden. Umeå is also called City of birches which arise from that we planted birches as fire protection along the street after the great fire that devoted the city 1888.

Umeå is a part of Sápmi and has been as far back as 1500s but also an international city where 10 percent of the population is born abroad. In Umeå you will find more than 105 different nationalities with more than ten people.

Umeå is the 5th largest university of Sweden with eight different institutions with more than 31 500 students. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is also situated in Umeå. In the city center, as part of the University of Umeå, you will find the Art Campus which includes Umeå School of Architecture, Umeå Academy of Fine Art, Umeå Institute of Design and the Museum of Art.

Umeå is also host for the University Hospital, the regional hospital of northern part of Sweden. Umeå is the largest labour market region in the north of Sweden and offer a wide range of companies in industry, infrastructure and housing. For example Umeå is a real IT-city with more than 210 business and 2 000 employees.

However the life is more than work and therefore Umeå is a perfect city for an active life. Close to the university you will find IKSU, Scandinavians largest fitness centre. The surrounding also offer you many recreational activities like; boating, fishing, canoeing, rafting and equestrian. For those who are interested in sports you will find more than 220 sports clubs for football, ice hockey, bowling, skiing, beach volleyball, floorball and basket.

Umeå was the European Capital of Culture 2014 and will tempt you with lots of culture venues and we do believe that culture is a driven force for our future development. We offer several festivals such as House of Metal, Literature, Blues, Jazz, Sami week and many more. Other important culture stops in Umeå includes the opera house, The museum of Art, The museum of Västerbotten, Umedalen Sculpture Park and Women’s History Museum.

Väven, our new Culture House, offer you 25 000 sqm of culture such as the city library, art galleries, cinemas, stages, but also hotels, restaurants, cafés, bakery and delicate boutiques.

We look forward to welcoming you to Umeå!