City life in Stockholm and Gothenburg, archipelagos, midsummer and the northern lights in Lapland. Sweden is the neighbour that keeps surprising.
Sweden is often underestimated, and it shouldn't be. The country has great cities, beautiful nature and excellent food, with landscapes that stretch from archipelagos and coastlines in the south to Arctic mountains and reindeer country in the north, and easy-to-love cities in between.
Sweden offers two completely different holidays depending on when you go. Summer brings beaches, long light evenings and nature open to everyone. Winter brings snow, skiing and the northern lights for those who travel far enough north, while spring and autumn are calmer and quieter.
Northern lights over northern Sweden
The northern lights over northern Sweden are one of nature's great experiences. With a tent and the right of public access, you have the whole sky to yourself.
The list is long. Stockholm is one of Europe's most beautiful capitals, with a food scene and cultural life that rival the best in Europe. Gothenburg is more relaxed and informal, with top-class restaurants and Liseberg, the largest amusement park in the Nordic region, just outside the centre.
If you want to get out into nature, the possibilities are endless. The Swedish archipelago along the coast is a unique landscape of islands and skerries. Inland you will find lakes and forests perfect for cabin holidays, fishing and cycling, and in the north, Lapland awaits with Abisko National Park, Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise, and a silence that is hard to find anywhere else in Europe.
In Sweden, city and nature are never far apart. You can spend a whole day in a big city and be out in the wilderness the next.
Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain, Lapland
Kebnekaise in Lapland has two summits and is Sweden's highest mountain, a goal for hikers from all over the Nordic countries.
The Swedish summer is something special. The days are long, the temperatures pleasant, and the whole country seems to breathe out after a long winter. The archipelagos north and south of Stockholm attract millions of visitors every year, and a gentle sail or kayak trip between the islands is one of the most relaxing things you can do in Sweden.
Kayaking in the Swedish archipelago
The Swedish archipelago has thousands of islands to explore, and kayaking is one of the best ways to see them.
Inland, there are lakes, forests and cabin life, with plenty of lakeside cabins to rent, and the right of public access, allemansrätten, lets everyone enjoy nature. That makes Sweden a great country for motorhome and camping holidays.
Freedom to roam: allemansrätten
The right of public access lets you walk freely, pick berries and mushrooms and camp almost anywhere in Sweden.
If you are travelling with children, Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby in Småland is a natural summer stop. Here, Pippi Longstocking, Emil, Ronja and Karlsson-on-the-Roof have left the pages of the books and come to life.
If you love medieval history, Visby on Gotland is a chapter of its own. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 3.4-kilometre town wall from the 13th century, Gothic ruins and a white limestone landscape found nowhere else in Sweden. Gotland is busiest in July, but outside peak season it really rewards you.
The town wall in Visby, Gotland, Sweden
Visby is the best-preserved medieval town in Scandinavia. The city wall from 1288 runs for 3.4 km around the whole town.
Midsummer is one of Europe's most distinctive celebrations, and many people travel to Sweden just to experience it. It is celebrated on the Friday between 20 and 26 June, with flower crowns, dancing around the maypole and a feast of new potatoes, herring, salmon and fresh strawberries. It is celebrated all over the country, and most events are open to everyone.
Skansen in Stockholm is one of the most accessible places to experience midsummer as a visitor, with traditional dancing and music for the whole family. For the most traditional celebrations, head to Leksand in Dalarna, where thousands gather every year.
Winter in Sweden has many faces. In Åre you will find Sweden's biggest ski resort, as famous for its après-ski as for its slopes.
Slalom in Åre
Groomed slopes, clear skies and sunshine: a good winter day in Åre.
Further north, in Lapland around Abisko and Kiruna, the winter darkness is an asset rather than a drawback. The mountains around Abisko National Park create a natural shield against clouds and some of the best conditions in the world for seeing the northern lights. For a place to stay while you hunt the aurora, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is rebuilt every year from ice and snow and is a destination in its own right.
Swedish Christmas markets are another winter favourite. Gamla Stan in Stockholm and Gothenburg both have beautiful markets in December, surrounded by historic buildings, Christmas lights and the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread.
Lucia is celebrated on 13 December, a tradition Sweden keeps more strongly than any other Nordic country. Choirs dressed in white process through churches, concert halls and squares all over the country, and most events are open to everyone. Skansen in Stockholm has celebrated Lucia since 1893, and lussekatter, saffron buns with raisins, are baked and eaten throughout December.
Lucia Day in Sweden
Lucia Day on 13 December lights up the dark season in Sweden, with events in churches, concert halls and squares across the country.
Swedish food is much more than meatballs. The smörgåsbord is the classic buffet tradition, with herring in many forms, salmon, meatballs and Jansson's temptation, a gratin of potatoes, anchovies and cream. Räkmacka, an open prawn sandwich, is simpler but just as iconic and tastes best by the water on a summer's day. For something unexpected, try smörgåstårta, the Swedish sandwich cake layered with prawns and salmon.
The crayfish party, kräftskiva, is the highlight of late summer in Sweden, celebrated at the end of August with colourful hats, drinking songs and fresh crayfish around the table, ideally outdoors on a warm evening.
Kräftskiva
Hats on, drinking songs under way and crayfish on the table by the water.
For dessert, princess cake is an experience in itself. The green marzipan cake with vanilla cream and raspberry jam is one of Sweden's best-loved cakes and tastes best where it comes from.
Before you learn anything else about Sweden, learn about fika. It is not just a cup of coffee, but a cultural tradition of slowing down, enjoying the moment and spending time with others. Swedes take fika at work, at home and in cafés, and nobody is in a hurry.
The cinnamon bun with pearl sugar is the symbol of fika and so iconic that Sweden celebrates it with its own day on 4 October. Find a café, order a cinnamon bun and a good coffee, and do as the Swedes do: take your time.
Fika: the Swedish coffee tradition
Sweden is easy to reach, with flights from the UK to Stockholm, Gothenburg and other cities, and good train connections within Scandinavia. Public transport in the cities is excellent, but to explore the countryside, the archipelago or Lapland, a car is almost essential. For Lapland, flying to Kiruna is the easiest option, although a drive north through Sweden is an experience in itself.
A road trip through Sweden
A road trip through Swedish nature is an experience in itself.
Sweden has canals and Michelin stars in Gothenburg, historic streets and an archipelago of 30,000 islands outside Stockholm, Scandinavia's best ski slopes in Åre and the northern lights over frozen land in Lapland. Välkommen till Sverige.
Stockholm is best for culture, food and the archipelago, Gothenburg for seafood, Liseberg and the west coast, and Åre for skiing and summer in the mountains. For the northern lights, wilderness and Sámi culture, head to Lapland, for example Abisko or Kiruna.
June to August brings light evenings, swimming and midsummer celebrations. December is atmospheric with Christmas markets and Lucia, while February and March are peak season for skiing in Åre and the northern lights in Lapland.
Sweden is more affordable than Norway but pricier than much of southern Europe, especially for eating out and alcohol. Good-value lunch deals, known as dagens lunch, supermarkets and the right of public access for camping help keep costs down.
Food & Wine
No white tablecloths, no fierce flames or yelling in the kitchen, and no dress code. Only local produce. For this, two chef freinds have been awarded Michelin stars.
City
It’s time you visit Sweden’s second-largest city, Gothenburg. The seaside city offers something for everyone.
Food & wine
Gothenburg has quickly grown into a paradise for foodies. Whether you're looking for a fast street food experience or Michelin stars, the Swedish coastal city delivers.
Food & wine
Here are six breweries and pubs you should visit in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Experiences
Award-winning chef Frida Ronge has started one of Stockholm's hottest restaurants, found peace with her own drive, and thinks it's really cool that Petter Stordalen likes her work.
Adventure
Linus, Johan, and Adrian are certain: if you want to experience the most intense football atmosphere, Stockholm is the place to be. "We have a completely different football culture compared to our neighbours Norway and Denmark. We simply have the best supporters here in Stockholm," say the group of friends and ardent AIK supporters.
