Sweden is a modern, multicultural, and beautiful country and one of the most popular Scandinavian destinations for travellers looking for a holiday that is a little less ordinary. The spectacular natural landscapes, history, and vibrant nightlife sit alongside heritage architecture, fine dining, and some amazing amusement parks, ensuring there really is something for everyone.

Whether you’d love to travel to Swedish Lapland in the winter months to stay at a romantic log cabin and watch the Northern Lights or dream of a cosmopolitan city break or a cottage by the lakes in the summer, Sweden is a welcoming, safe and friendly country.

This guide from the Baltic Travel Company offers some of the best places to visit, practical tips about planning a holiday in Sweden, and advice on the right time of year to travel.

Reasons to Visit Sweden on Your Next Holiday

Sweden is just a short flight from the UK, which means you can pick and choose the type of holiday you book. For example, a city break to Stockholm and Gothenburg is absolutely possible in just a few days as a short trip, or you could book a luxurious holiday to the west coast to explore the villages and beaches around Smögen.

The variety of cities, open countryside and forests offers a range of brilliant backdrops, with the lakeside region close to Småland, and the shopping, island archipelagos and party atmosphere in Stockholm both well worth experiencing.

It is impossible to list all of the must-see attractions and excursions you might like to try, but some of the most in-demand include:

Gamla Stan, the Old Town in the capital city, with Scandi-style buildings and brightly coloured houses, which provide a perfect photo opportunity and shopping around the cobbled streets and squares.

The Vasa Museum, also in Stockholm, attracts over a million people a year, with salvaged Viking ships and ten permanent exhibitions that are equally popular with children and historians.

Drottningholm Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just a short car or boat ride from the capital. The exquisite 17th-century palace is now home to the Swedish Royal Family.

The Icehotel in Kurina, Swedish Lapland, is in the very north of the country and is an incredible place to see under the midnight sun or the Northern Lights in the winter.

While the snowy winter wilderness is a major draw, Kiruna is equally captivating in warmer weather. There is a river rafting centre and excursions to try canoeing, fishing, or paddleboarding and enjoy the tranquillity of this quiet rural setting.

If you’re looking to keep children entertained, we’d also recommend some of the many amusement parks, such as Astrid Lindgren’s World in Småland, packed with play areas and characters from the children’s books, and Liseberg Park in Gothenburg with rides, live shows and an in-park curiosity hotel. 

Things to Know Before Travelling to Sweden

Almost everybody in Sweden speaks English, making it a travel-friendly country. Crime rates in Sweden are also extremely low, and it is a very safe destination. Guests should note that Swedish people are respectful and take care to honour personal space especially when queuing.

Other practical travel tips include:

Optional tipping: restaurants and bars don’t automatically expect a tip, although leaving a gratuity for good service is always welcome.

Winter travellers should check they have proper footwear and insulative clothing, or book one of our travel itineraries that includes thermal clothing hire, particularly for outdoor excursions like snowmobile rides.

The currency is the Swedish Krona, and the majority of attractions, hotels, and guides accept card-based payments. However, it is handy to have a few notes with you when travelling to a remote location where there may not be a cash machine.

First-time visitors to Sweden are highly advised to try the local cuisine. Many are familiar with köttbullar, or meatballs, served at IKEA stores. Still, you can also sample the räkmacka, a type of shrimp baguette, and delicious pastries and sweets like kanelbulle or the famous green desserts princesstårta and dammsugare.

Swedish Summer vs Winter Holidays

Sweden is a fantastic holiday destination throughout the year. From around the middle of May until the middle of September, you’ll find long, sunny, warm summer days, lots of outdoor entertainment, festivals and excursions, and a landscape that is green and lush.

The Midsummer festival falls in June, during the longest day of the year. Although the cities tend to be busiest due to the influx of visitors, it remains a fun, lively, and exciting experience.

A fly-drive holiday over Midsummer is highly recommended, including a visit to the scenic town of Dalarna to see the traditional crafts and red wooden houses, sightseeing in Gothenburg and the chance to hike around the Sollerön Peninsula.

Visiting Sweden to See the Northern Lights

December is a great time to visit the Christmas markets, fairs, and shopping. You can enjoy a warm hot chocolate or mulled wine after ice skating in one of the town squares. In the winter, you can also try visiting one of the world-class skiing resorts and, of course, heading out into the Arctic to see the Aurora and experience unforgettable activities like dog sledding.

Treehotel adventures, glamping in the wilderness of the Aurora Safari Camp and venturing into the snow-capped forests of the Abisko National Park are all once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, with tours that include transport on the Polar Express Train, return flights and superb accommodation in a number of lodges, hotels and cabins.

Baltic Travel specialise in creating bespoke itineraries to include cross-border holidays, taking in the Northern Lights at the peak of Ednamvárri mountain and combining Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish Lapland all in one trip.

Published by: Martin De Juan