Piteå

Piteå, called Pite by locals, is a town in Norrbotten County in northern Sweden.

Understand
Piteå was founded in 1620 and granted city rights in 1621, with the purpose of creating a trading center in northern Sweden. Originally it was a smaller settlement by Öjebyn church, but after being destroyed in a fire it was moved to its current location on Häggholmen in 1668. The 17th century city plan still characterizes parts of the city.

During the 19th century Piteå was industrialized with a rapid economic development, particularly producing timber. The city is still dominated by the wood industry, with sawmills and papermills. The city was raided by Russian troops in 1721 and 1809. It was the residential city of Norrbotten County until 1856. In the early 20th century Piteå was still a small town with a population of some 2,500 inhabitants. After the construction of a railway, connecting Piteå with Älvsbyn, Piteå expanded rapidly.

By plane
The nearest airports are Luleå Airport, north of central Piteå, and Skellefteå Airport,  south.

By rail
There are daytime trains from Stockholm to Umeå, and night trains to Luleå, and buses from there to Piteå. The regional buses are operated by Länstraffiken i Norrbotten, while national trains are operated by SJ.

By bus
Tapanis Buss has a route going from Stockholm to Tornio, Finland stopping at Piteå. Ticket from Stockholm 870 kr, from Tornio 270 kr.

The E4 passes by the city.

Search connections for bus, train and air on Resrobot.

Do

 * Pite havsbad is a sandy beach by the Baltic sea some south of central Piteå, known as "the Riviera of Norrbotten". In addition to the beach itself, there is also a large hotel complex and water park in the area.
 * Piteå dansar och ler PDOL is a street festival organized during the last weekend of July every year since the 1960s. It usually attracts some 90,000 people. The name of the festival translates as Piteå Dances And Smiles.

Buy
Småstaden is a shopping mall in central Piteå with some 30 shops, as well as several restaurants and hotels. Another major shopping mall is Gallerian Piteå, which has an entire floor dedicated to clothing stores.

Go next

 * Luleå - The seat of Norrbotten County, known for its UNESCO World Heritage church village "Gammelstad"