Gokart Umeå / Alvik Ring

In Umeå, in northern Sweden, Gokart Umeå runs its karts on the Alvik Ring layout, an outdoor track open for the length of the Nordic summer. The season is short but intense, usually from mid-June to mid-August, when the sun barely sets at these latitudes. People come with family or friends to make the most of the long, bright days and string together timed laps.

Karting stays open to everyone, no licence or experience needed: a briefing, a helmet, and off you go chasing your best lap. The track offers formats suited to all ages, from the youngest to seasoned drivers testing themselves against the clock. The pay-per-session format works well for summer outings, and people happily return to beat their time while the warm season lasts. As the activity is seasonal, it is best to check the hours and book before coming.

Umeå, nicknamed the city of birches, is the main metropolis of northern Sweden and was European Capital of Culture in 2014. Crossed by the Ume river, it lives to the rhythm of its university, one of the largest in the country, and a lively cultural scene. The surroundings open onto the wild nature of Norrland, between forests, rivers and the High Coast, a striking shoreline listed by UNESCO a little further south. Umeå is reached by train, road or plane from the south of the country.