The mere mention of Sweden calls to mind the sounds of ABBA, the mouth-watering scent of köttbullar (think Ikea meatballs) and images of sleek and sturdy Volvos. But Sweden, the largest of the Scandinavian trio (along with Denmark and Norway), is more than music and motors. Boasting 2,000 miles of coastline, over 267,000 islands, 100,000 lakes and the world’s only almost fully intact 17th-century ship, it is as liquid as it is lush; home to handsome forests and rolling hills and, the further north you go, bears, wolves and reindeer.
The majority of its 6 million annual tourists tend to stay close to the capital, Stockholm, getting lost in the cobbled streets and ochre-coloured buildings of Gamla Stan. Yet what lies beyond in its central Dalarna region, across its understatedly hip second city Gothenburg and West Coast, and up north to Swedish Lapland is proof that Sweden is far more than initially meets the eye.
The mere mention of Sweden calls to mind the sounds of ABBA, the mouth-watering scent of köttbullar (think Ikea meatballs) and images of sleek and sturdy Volvos. But Sweden, the largest of the Scandinavian trio (along with Denmark and Norway), is more than music and motors. Boasting 2,000 miles of coastline, over 267,000 islands, 100,000 lakes and the world’s only almost fully intact 17th-century ship, it is as liquid as it is lush; home to handsome forests and rolling hills and, the further north you go, bears, wolves and reindeer.
The majority of its 6 million annual tourists tend to stay close to the capital, Stockholm, getting lost in the cobbled streets and ochre-coloured buildings of Gamla Stan. Yet what lies beyond in its central Dalarna region, across its understatedly hip second city Gothenburg and West Coast, and up north to Swedish Lapland is proof that Sweden is far more than initially meets the eye.
To put it simply, there’s nothing Sweden doesn’t have. From skiing and snowshoeing to chasing the Northern Lights, swimming and sunbathing, hiking through fields of wildflowers, or camping wherever you please (thanks to allemansrätten, the ‘right to roam’), Sweden is the ultimate adventure smörgåsbord. Yet, staying true to its people’s reputation for self-discipline and fairness, it also values quiet reflection through fika—a beloved tradition of pausing for coffee and a snack, often shared with others. Whether you’re looking to relax and recharge, challenge yourself with lung-busting hikes, or let a team of huskies do the hard work as they pull you across frozen lakes, there’s an experience for everyone.
Its food scene is equally alluring, offering up plates of fresh, pickled and fried herring, cinnamon buns and meatballs served with creamy mash and a dollop of lingonberry sauce. Discover its constellation of Michelin stars, scattered across 22 restaurants nationwide and get to know its city and towns’ hip coffee scenes, where steaming cups of coffee come with fika classics such as princess cake and seven types of cookies.
When it comes to the country’s array of accommodation, consider yourself spoiled. The range of unique, destinations-in-themselves lodges and cabins is remarkable, from No Connection’s floating ‘Raven’ lodge in the middle of Dalarna’s Lake Navardalsjon to Hello Sunnanhed’s tranquil barns where everything from ice bathing and husky safaris to guided meditation and food quests with knowledgeable locals can be added to your itinerary. In Swedish Lapland, hotel experiences come in the form of Treehotel’s mind-boggling design-led UFO and bird nest-shaped treehouses and Arctic Bath’s floating cabins that bob along the Lule River. Closer to its cities, you’ll find castles-come-hotels oozing in history such as Garpenberg Castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
The country’s accommodation offerings highlight one of Sweden’s key attractions: fusing old and new. While its Scandinavian siblings are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures, Sweden’s trump card is its unique ability to blend both. Stockholm, the self-proclaimed Scandinavian capital and the largest city in the Nordics, which sprawls across the stunning Stockholm archipelago, offers a harmonious mix of nature (inner-city beaches, boat tours and botanical gardens), history and culture (royal residences and the ABBA museum), and a cutting-edge culinary scene. Its efficient high-speed transport system makes it easy to explore the country’s diverse landscapes and enjoy every type of holiday—whether it’s a city break, a cruise, or an off-grid retreat in snowy Swedish Lapland. In fact, thanks to lagom (the Swedish philosophy of balance), experiencing it all in one trip is not only possible but encouraged.
Trick question. The best time to visit Sweden is year round. The only question you need to ask yourself is what you want to do when you’re there…
If you’re wanting to ski, snowshoe or sit around a camp fire to enjoy an afternoon fika, mid-October to mid-April’s low season is your best time to visit. The famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi opens its doors from December to April and your chance to catch a nighttime show of the aurora borealis peaks between November and March. Foodies should feel well catered for too, with December’s Christmas markets bringing in traditional Swedish holiday buffets known as julbord and, with the arrival of Lent in February, plenty of semlor (traditional cardamom-flavoured wheat buns filled with whipped cream and almond paste).
It’s worth noting that accommodation during this season is competitive and ski resorts do get busy, especially during mid-February when Swedish schools enjoy their winter break. However, in March, which typically brings warmer temperatures and longer days but still a generous blanket of snow, you’ll find fewer crowds and lower prices. A win-win.
It’s during spring and summer when Sweden really comes into its own; its long days and mild temperatures calling for every kind of fresh-air fun, from lake swimming and kayaking in Dalarna to hiking and cycling along the country’s coastline. April marks the start of festival season with campfire celebrations ringing in Valborgmässoafton (Walpurgis Eve). However, it’s Midsummer which is regarded as the most important celebration, especially in Dalarna where locals prepare herring feasts and dance round maypoles in traditional dress. September is considered the best month for hiking—on account of the decline of mosquitos and appearance of autumn colours—while August welcomes an abundance of crayfish, which is celebrated with kräftskivor (seafood, schnapps and singsong parties).
Swedish holidays can be divided between its north and middle regions. In the north it’s all about nature; the Northern Lights and Midnight Sun, bucket list adventures and accommodation you can’t find anywhere else. While Middle Sweden offers up the best of both, spanning cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg, traditional Dalarna and infinite islands up the country’s west coast. Opt for a combination of city and country or go all in with Mother Nature in Lapland’s Luleå and beyond.
Every Swedish itinerary starts in Stockholm. Set across 14 islands, this stylish city is a melange of captivating contrasts, from Gamla Stan’s medieval mix of colourful cobbled streets to the craggy cliffs, hipster bars and blissful beaches of southern isles, Långholmen and Södermalm. Swing by the perfectly-preserved warship, Vasa, and Skansen’s vast open-air museum and have the time of your life at ABBA The Museum.
Often referred to as ‘miniature Sweden,’ this centrally located region leaves little to be desired. It embodies Sweden as you imagine it and is home to two of its iconic symbols: ‘Falu Rödfärg’ –the rusty red paint used on many Swedish houses–and the elaborately decorated ‘dalahäst’ (Dala Horse). Its natural beauty shines through in hiking-friendly forests, vast lakes, and towering mountains, all of which transform into perfect terrain for skiing and snow-related activities come winter.
Gothenburg fully embraces its second city status. Quietly cool and surprisingly vibrant, its world-class craft beer and urban wine scene, along with its coastal hedonism, are key elements of its charm. But this forward-thinking city is also renowned as one of Europe’s greenest destinations, fuelled by renewable energy and an extensive network of trams and cycle paths.
To many outside Sweden, this is secret Scandinavia. Stretching along Sweden’s west coast from Gothenburg to the Norwegian border, Bohuslän is a coastal paradise renowned for its exquisite seafood, rich cultural heritage and wealth of outdoor activities. Its 8,000-plus islands and skerries are affectionately called the ‘best coast’ by locals, and you’d be hard pressed not to agree once you’ve visited the upmarket resort of Marstrand and the country’s first marine national park, Kosterhavet.
Swedish Lapland is the epitome of undisturbed wilderness. Whatever the season, you’ll find ample opportunity to be an explorer, chasing the Northern Lights on dog sleds and experiencing the Midnight Sun on bike and foot. Immerse yourself in off-grid Sámi culture, sampling traditional dishes and learning how to create genuine Sámi crafts, and spend a few nights in world-class hotels that harness the region’s natural beauty, such as Icehotel and Arctic Bath.
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