Highlights
Stockholm
Built across 14 islands, with the cobbled lanes of Gamla stan, the Royal Palace, and the Vasa Museum, where a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage stands almost complete. Djurgården also holds Skansen open-air museum and the ABBA Museum.
Stockholm archipelago
Tens of thousands of islands spread east of the city, reached by ferries from the centre. Vaxholm, Grinda and Sandhamn make easy day trips for swimming, walking and red-painted summer cottages.
Swedish Lapland
Abisko National Park is one of the best places in Europe to see the northern lights. Nearby, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi is rebuilt from river ice every winter, and Sámi communities offer reindeer and cultural experiences.
Gothenburg
Sweden's second city, a relaxed port with canals, the Liseberg amusement park and a strong seafood tradition. Trams and ferries reach the car-free islands of the southern archipelago.
Visby, Gotland
A Hanseatic town on Sweden's largest island, enclosed by a medieval wall with dozens of towers and filled with church ruins. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, reached by ferry or plane.
The High Coast
Höga Kusten, on the Gulf of Bothnia, is rising out of the sea as the land rebounds after the last Ice Age. Hike in Skuleskogen National Park and through the narrow Slåttdalsskrevan gorge.
Dalarna and Lake Siljan
The heartland of Swedish folk culture, home of the painted wooden Dala horse and one of the most traditional places to celebrate Midsummer around a maypole.
Kungsleden
The King's Trail runs for around 400 kilometres through the mountains of Lapland between Abisko and Hemavan, with mountain huts along the way. The northern section passes near Kebnekaise, Sweden's highest mountain.
Interesting facts about Sweden
- Allemansrätten, the right of public access, lets everyone walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, including private land, as long as they respect nature and residents.
- Sweden is one of the most cashless societies in the world, and some shops and cafés do not accept cash at all.
- The town of Kiruna is being gradually moved a few kilometres east because the iron-ore mine beneath it is causing subsidence.
- The Vasa sank in Stockholm's harbour in 1628, minutes after setting off on its first voyage, and was raised in 1961.
- Fika, a break for coffee and something sweet such as a cinnamon bun, is a daily ritual in many Swedish workplaces.
Best time to visit
June to August is the best time for most visitors: long days, warm weather, archipelago ferries in full service and Midsummer celebrations in late June. In the far north, the midnight sun shines for weeks around the summer solstice. Many locals take holidays in July, so some city restaurants close while coastal areas fill up. Late August and September bring autumn colour in Lapland and fewer mosquitoes. For the northern lights, dog-sledding and the Icehotel, visit Lapland between December and March, when it is very cold and days are short.
Practical information
| Capital | Stockholm |
|---|---|
| Currency | Swedish krona (SEK) |
| Languages | Swedish, Finnish, Meänkieli, Sámi, Romani and Yiddish (official minority languages) |
| Plugs | Type C, F |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 (all emergencies) |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not expected. Rounding up or adding around 5 to 10 percent in restaurants for good service is common but optional. |
Getting around
Trains link Stockholm with Gothenburg, Malmö and the north, including overnight sleeper trains to Abisko and Kiruna in Lapland. Book ahead for the best fares. Cities have excellent public transport, with tickets mostly bought by app or contactless card rather than cash. Ferries reach the Stockholm and Gothenburg archipelagos and Gotland. Domestic flights save time on the long journey to the far north. A hire car suits rural areas and the High Coast; watch for elk and reindeer on roads.
Staying connected in Sweden
Mobile coverage is very good in cities, towns and along main roads and railways, with 4G across most of the country and 5G in larger cities. In the northern mountains, along parts of the Kungsleden and in remote forest areas, coverage can be patchy or absent, so download offline maps before hiking. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and on many trains. Because so many payments are digital, reliable data is especially useful. Sweden is in the EU; if you are visiting from outside it, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Sweden eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Sweden
- SJ: Tickets for Sweden's main rail operator, including long-distance and some night trains.
- SL: Stockholm's public transport app for metro, bus, tram and some archipelago ferry tickets.
- Uber and Bolt: Ride-hailing in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
- Google Maps: Public transport and walking directions, with offline maps for Lapland.
- Västtrafik To Go: Tickets for trams, buses and ferries in Gothenburg and western Sweden.