Jämtlands län in Sweden is a wide-open playground where emerald forests meet dramatic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and breezy village streets. It’s a region that shines year-round, offering vacation rentals and holiday homes that fit every group — from a compact cabin for a weekend with friends to a lakeside lodge big enough for a lively crew. Whether you crave adrenaline-fueled days on the slopes, tranquil fjord-like waters, or easygoing village strolls with a cup of fika, Jämtlands län is built for memories. When you’re ready to plan your stay, you can explore a curated selection of accommodations at searchandstay.com to find vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and house rentals across the area.
Top destinations for vacation rentals and holiday homes in Jämtlands län
Åre is the star when it comes to winter sports, but the region around it is a tapestry of places to anchor a holiday rental. In the winter, Åre hosts legendary powder and long, sun-filled ski days. In summer, the same village transforms into a high-altitude playground with hiking trails, mountain bike routes, and easy access to panoramic viewpoints. A vacation rental here feels like having your own alpine club, with cozy fireplaces, sunlit decks, and kitchens ready for big group meals after a day outside.
Östersund, the capital of Jämtlands län, is the cultural heart with a lively waterfront, markets, and museums that celebrate the region’s Sami and traditional Swedish heritage. A well-located holiday rental in Östersund puts you within walking distance of cafés, craft shops, and the Storsjöyran festival in the summer. It’s also a practical base for day trips to nearby lakes and forests, with easy access to both city life and outdoor adventures.
Funäsdalen and the neighboring Funäsbygd are a magnet for alpine enthusiasts. Here you’ll find a string of family-friendly slopes, as well as challenging backcountry routes for the more experienced. Renting a mountain lodge or a timber cabin in this area makes it simple to pair big mountain days with cozy evenings in front of a crackling fire.
Strömsund and the Storsjön lake region offer a more peaceful side of Jämtlands län. It’s ideal for couples, families, and groups looking for lakefront cabins, boat access, and gentle paths for morning walks. The quieter pace here is a fantastic counterbalance to the busier resort towns, while still keeping you in the heart of Jämtland’s natural beauty.
Choosing the right vacation rental in Jämtlands län
When you’re booking vacation rentals or house rentals in this part of Sweden, consider how you’ll use your days. Do you want a modern apartment with easy access to Östersund’s cafes, or a remote lakeside cabin where you’ll see only a handful of neighbors and a chorus of birds each morning? The region offers everything from stylish hillside apartments to traditional wooden houses and luxury lodges with saunas and hot tubs.
For groups of friends traveling together, a large forest lodge near Åre or a riverfront villa near Östersund can provide the perfect social vibe: multiple bedrooms, spacious living areas, a kitchen designed to handle big meals, and outdoor spaces for sunset gatherings on the grill. For couples or small groups seeking a quieter escape, a snug cabin in the Funäsdalen area or a modern apartment in Östersund can feel like your own private retreat.
Practical features to look for in vacation rentals include: a warm fireplace or wood stove for cozy evenings, a well-equipped kitchen for shared cooking duties, laundry facilities for longer stays, reliable Wi‑Fi for planning days out, and a balcony or deck with forest or lake views. If you’re booking a place during the shoulder seasons, consider a property with good insulation and heating to stay comfortable on cooler days.
The type of property you choose can shape your itinerary. A lakeside cabin with a dock invites early-morning swims or canoe rides before the rest of the crew stirs. A mountain lodge near Åre can make it easy to carve out full days on the slopes and then return to a warm, social common area for après-ski feasting. A city-center Östersund apartment keeps you close to markets for fika runs and spontaneous nightlife. No matter the option, Jämtlands län has vacation rentals that fit your style.
Seasonal experiences and activities
Summer adventures
Summers in Jämtlands län are made for long, sunlit days. Hiking is king, with trails that wind through pine forests, along ridgelines, and to alpine viewpoints. You can plan a multi-day trek between scenic hut stations or enjoy shorter day hikes starting from a village base. Anglers will find clear lakes and rivers teeming with Arctic char and perch. Lakeside cabins become launching pads for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and spontaneous picnics on the shore.
Cycling fans will appreciate the scenic byways that connect forested lanes to open mesas. Rural towns host markets, cheese makers, and craft studios where you can sample local delicacies and bring a taste of Jämtland back to the vacation rental kitchen. The evenings lend themselves to al fresco dinners on decks, where you can toast a day well spent with friends under a blaze of Nordic twilight.
Winter magic
Winter in Jämtlands län is all about snow and speed. Åre’s world-class pistes draw skiers and snowboarders from around the globe, while neighboring slopes offer gentler runs for beginners and families. For non-ski days, snowshoeing through white-dusted forests or a husky-sled adventure is an equally immersive way to experience the season. If you prefer a gentler pursuit, many vacation rentals in the area provide warming saunas, hot tubs, and fireside corners perfect for evenings after a day on the slopes.
The slower pace in winter invites strolls through snow-laden villages, coffee breaks in cozy cafés, and spa days with Nordic-inspired treatments. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the Northern Lights dancing above the treetops, a small but unforgettable reminder that you’re in a pristine, far-north landscape.
Local experiences and food
Beyond the slopes and lakes, Jämtlands län offers a vivid local culture and cuisine. In Östersund, markets pulse with local produce, berries, and handmade goods that make great gifts or additions to a vacation rental kitchen for group meals. Try traditional Swedish fika at a lakeside café after a morning of exploration. In the mountain areas around Åre and Funäsdalen, you’ll find family-run eateries serving comforting, hearty dishes that suit a day of outdoor activity.
For adventurous eaters, cloudberries — a fleeting summer treasure in Nordic cuisine — pair beautifully with creamy desserts and salty cheeses. If you’re renting a home with a kitchen, load up on locally sourced ingredients from farmers’ markets or small grocers to spark a Swedish-inspired dinner night with your friends. After days of outdoor activity, a shared meal is the perfect way to celebrate the day’s wins, whether that’s summiting a peak or catching your first Nordic trout.
Culture doesn’t stop at meals. Seasonal events, art galleries, and small craft fairs showcase regional talents. If your plan includes evenings out, you’ll find bars and music venues in Östersund and Åre that mix local talent with a cosmopolitan vibe. The hospitality in Jämtlands län tends to be warm and welcoming, which makes your vacation rental feel even more like a home away from home.
Practical tips for planning and staying in Jämtlands län
Getting here is part of the adventure. Östersund has an airport (Östersund–Åre Airport) with connections to major Swedish hubs, and the region is well-served by roads that are safe and scenic in all seasons. If you’re arriving by train, Östersund is a central hub with good connections, making a train-and-stay combination a relaxing option for a group trip. Renting a car offers the flexibility to hop between villages, lakes, and viewpoints at your own pace, which is especially handy when you’re chasing multiple vacation rentals across the area.
When you book, look for properties with flexible check-in times, a well-equipped kitchen, and easy access to outdoor spaces. If your group includes children or older travelers, prioritize locations close to gentle walking paths and public transport. In winter, confirm the heating system and the availability of warm blankets; in summer, check for good fans or air circulation if you’re staying in a cabin tucked into the trees.
To find reliable options for vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and house rentals across Jämtlands län, visit searchandstay.com. They curate a selection of properties that suit different group sizes, budgets, and preferences, helping you compare locations from Åre’s mountain edges to Östersund’s lakeside lanes.
Sample itineraries to book with a group of friends
Itinerary A: Åre alpine weekender - Day 1: Arrive, settle into a mountain lodge with a sauna and a deck overlooking pine forest. Fire up a welcome dinner and plan the week’s adventures. - Day 2: Full day on the slopes or a guided backcountry tour. Après-ski on the deck with hot drinks and snacks. - Day 3: Short scenic hike to a peak viewpoint, followed by a lake picnic if weather allows. - Day 4: Road trip to nearby villages for a market day and a casual dinner at a family-run restaurant. - Day 5: Winter spa day or a dog-sledding experience, then a cozy night in with board games.
Itinerary B: Östersund culture and lake vibes - Day 1: Settle into a riverfront apartment in Östersund. Evening stroll along the waterfront and a fika crawl. - Day 2: City museums in the morning; boat rental on a calm lake in the afternoon; a sunset dinner at a local bistro. - Day 3: Day trip to a nearby forest for hiking and berries picking; return for a DIY pizza night at the vacation rental. - Day 4: Market morning, then a guided food tour to sample regional specialties. - Day 5: Relaxed last day with a spa visit and a sunset walk through a pine forest.
Booking and sustainability tips
When planning a stay in Jämtlands län, consider properties that emphasize sustainable practices: energy-efficient heating, responsible waste management, and support for local suppliers. Shorterism can also be part of a greener itinerary if you balance high-energy days with relaxed ones in your vacation rental. If you can, choose lodgings that offer guidance from hosts on nearby trails, seasonal market days, and off-the-beaten-path experiences that don’t require long drives.
Planning ahead during peak seasons is essential. Åre and Östersund fill up quickly, particularly around holidays and major events. Booking early guarantees you the best vacation rentals and house rentals, plus the ability to pick a property with your preferred layout and view. For a smooth planning process and to compare options for vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and house rentals in Jämtlands län, head to searchandstay.com and explore the available accommodations in the area.
Why Jämtlands län is your next group getaway destination
Jämtlands län combines accessible city life with rugged outdoor adventure. It offers a broad spectrum of vacation rentals that accommodate different group sizes, comfort levels, and budgets, while still delivering the sense of escape that makes a trip with friends feel special. The region’s natural beauty, from tranquil lakes to snow-kissed peaks, provides the kind of backdrop you’ll want to revisit in all seasons. With the right vacation rental, you’ll have a home base that makes it easy to explore nearby activities, taste local cuisine, and weave together days of laughter, challenge, and discovery.
For more information and to browse a wide range of accommodations in Jämtlands län, including vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and house rentals, visit searchandstay.com. It’s a simple way to find the perfect home base for your next Swedish escape and to tailor your stay to the interests of your group.
Start by identifying your preferred destinations within Jämtlands län — Åre for the winter sports and mountain vibes, Östersund for culture and lakeside living, Funäsdalen for a quieter alpine experience, and Strömsund for tranquil water-front retreats. Then filter for your must-haves: number of bedrooms, a fireplace, a sauna, a private deck, or a hot tub. Once you’ve found a few great options, you can compare distances to hiking trails, ski lifts, and city centers to assemble an unforgettable itiner ary with friends.
searchandstay.com – your go-to site to find accommodations in Jämtlands län, Sweden.