Sweden Travel Guide

Sweden is truly a captivating country and should be at the heart of any Nordic adventure you're planning. I've returned to Sweden over and over for the cosmopolitan charm of Stockholm, the laid-back coastal chic of Gothenburg and for long summer nights in the wonderland of Lapland. Whether you're flying solo, a digital nomad, or here to learn how to travel with a smart budget, Sweden's natural beauty and inclusive society has so much to offer.

Where should you begin in Sweden? I'd start in Stockholm, the city of islands. Spend an hour or two wandering the quaint cobblestone streets of Gamla Stan, get a selfie at the Royal Palace and book a boat trip through the archipelago. Stockholm is a promising base for most digital nomads with its super fast internet and coffee house culture. If smaller cities are your vibe, Gothenburg and Malmö have their own unique blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy. To get away, venture north to witness the Northern Lights in Lapland or explore the beautiful wilderness by hiking the Kungsleden trail.

Sweden is a symbol of progressiveness which has made it a favourite destination for LGBTQ visitors. Paired with its respect for nature and sustainability, Sweden is about welcoming people, but minimising its ecological footprint. With that in mind, I've written this Sweden Travel Guide to help you plan what to do, where to stay and what to budget for your next Swedish holiday.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN SWEDEN

1. Explore Stockholm's Archipelago: Just a short boat trip from Stockholm, the archipelago offers beautiful scenery, charming villages, and great opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and cycling. I chose this shorter 3 hour cruise starting right in the city centre.

2. Experience Gothenburg: Known for its Dutch-style canals and leafy boulevards, Gothenburg has more of a laid-back vibe than Stockholm. You might want to check out the Liseberg amusement park, Universeum science center, and the charming Haga district. A private walking tour of Gothenburg may cost much less than you think.

3. Hike Kungsleden: For outdoor types, the 440-km-long Kungsleden trail offers breathtaking views of Sweden's pristine wilderness. To be sure, Kungsleden is best hiked in summer, as the trail snakes through the most northerly part of Sweden, its least populated part with untouched scenery. (Hold back a budget for transfers, refuge fees and food – this blog is so helpful).

4. Witness the Northern Lights in Lapland: Lapland, the northernmost region of Sweden, offers the chance to see the magical Northern Lights (it's never quite guaranteed). You're best to visit between September and March for the best chance of catching this natural spectacle.

5. Party at a Midsummer Festival: Experience Swedish culture at its finest by taking part in a Midsummer Festival. The festival, which celebrates the summer solstice with dancing, food, and the raising of a maypole, is a lot of fun (as well as a cool insight into Swedish culture).

6. Discover Medieval Visby: Located on the island of Gotland, Visby is a charming, well-preserved medieval city. I'd pick this hop-on, hop-off bus tour to get oriented first. Then experience the cobblestone streets, medieval walls, and old churches on foot.

7. Have a Fika: Have you heard of fika?! It's a bit more than a coffee break, and truly a social institution in Sweden. Fika is about taking the time to slow down, enjoy a coffee and a cinnamon bun, and hang out with friends. You can have a fika at any coffee shop across the country.

8. Stay in the Ice Hotel: This is a truly unique experience (and fairly expensive!), but if it's in your budget, consider booking a night at the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. The hotel, made entirely of ice and snow, is reconstructed every winter, and staying in its chilly but beautiful rooms is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I've tried to book it three times, and it was sold out on the dates I selected, but I hope you get luckier!

9. Immerse yourself in Sami Culture: While in Lapland, take the opportunity to learn about the indigenous Sami people. You can visit a traditional Sami camp, take a reindeer sleigh ride, or learn about the Sami's close relationship with nature.

10. Visit Uppsala's Historic Sites: Just a short train ride from Stockholm, Uppsala is home to a heap of historic sites. Visit Uppsala Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Scandinavia, and the Gustavianum, Uppsala University's oldest building, which contains an impressive museum. Depending on your tastes, add in Uppsala Botanical Gardens and Uppsala Castle, which has panoramic views of the city.

CITY GUIDES

For further details on cities to visit in Sweden, check out my city travel guides:

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GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND

Getting Here

Reaching Sweden is a pretty straightforward process for most international visitors. Arrivals from outside of Europe will most likely fly into Stockholm Arlanda Airport, the largest airport in Sweden. You can use Skyscanner to scout for direct flights from North America, Asia, and other parts of the world, making it a convenient entry point.

If you're travelling from within Europe, you have heaps of options. Budget airlines service all the Swedish cities (or near them!), plus train travel is possible via Norway, Denmark and Germany. It's also good to know about the many ferry services that connect Sweden with Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Poland. And of course, you can drive here (which I did via campervan), which can be great for scenic adventures, especially when crossing the famous Öresund Bridge from Denmark to Sweden.

Getting Around

SWEDEN DAILY EXPENSES & SMART BUDGETING

I plan my solo travel finances around the idea of daily “smart budgeting”, including a mid-priced hotel, one main meal in a proper restaurant and 1-2 excursions in a city stay of a few days. The idea is to be flexible, leaving some cash to splash on memorable luxuries like a night in a fancier hotel, or lunch at a famous restaurant.

For Sweden, I would allow a ‘smart budget‘ of 1750 SEK per day for a typical 5-7 night visit. That should include your hotel, included breakfast, light lunch from a stand or market, and a proper evening meal. I keep snacks of fruit and oatmeal in my room. Expect that to cover 1-2 excursions too.

Sweden has a reputation for expense, but backpackers can manage on a budget of 1000 SEK per day. That will include a shared dorm in a hostel, buying and cooking your own food, making the most of free excursions and taking the bus.

If you're on the trip of a lifetime, and have a lot more cash in the pot, Sweden has everything you need for a luxurious trip. There are wonderful 5* hotels in Stockholm (and the Ice Hotel), unique experiences in Lapland and fabulous seafood restaurants. Expect to budget from 3000 SEK per day (and up) for a Luxury Budget.

Practical Tips

• Local currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
• Exchange Rates: $1 USD = 10.45 SEK | £1 GBP = 13.48 SEK | €1 = 11.56 SEK
• SIM Cards: it may be more economical to purchase a local SIM card for data usage. Key suppliers in Sweden include Telia, Telenor, and Tele2.
• Emergency Services: 112
• Power voltage: 230 V 50 Hz. Power sockets are Type F.

SWEDEN ACCOMMODATION & FOOD

Accommodation

Food: Swedish cuisine might not be as renowned as other national foods, but don't listen to clichés as you'd miss out on high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. Of course, you'll know about classic Swedish meatballs, but there's also reindeer and cloudberries in Lapland, and excellent seafood along the coasts. You might want to try the customary “fika” break in the day to enjoy coffee and a cinnamon bun.

An evening main course starts around 150 SEK, maybe a bit less for takeaway. If you opt for more upscale dining, expect to pay 250 SEK and upwards for a main course. It's worth checking out the growing vegan and vegetarian options too. Grocery shopping is more expensive in Sweden than other parts of Europe, but you should find that quality is top notch. One must-try is the traditional Smörgåsbord, a buffet-style meal with a variety of cold and hot dishes, including different types of pickled herring, cured salmon, meatballs, and much more.

Find detailed accommodation options and food recommendations in each City Travel Guide.

BEST TIME TO GO TO SWEDEN

The best time to visit Sweden depends on your interests and plans for your visit. If you are touring Stockholm, Gothenburg, or the charming island of Gotland, the summer months from June to August are probably best. The weather will typically be warm and pleasant, with temperatures from 20°C to 30°C. Plus you'll get to experience the Swedish Midsummer Festival, one of the most significant cultural events of the year. This is also an excellent time to enjoy the beaches of Gotland and boat tours in the Stockholm archipelago.

For outdoor enthusiasts who want to tackle the Kungsleden trail or other hiking paths, late summer, specifically in August, is usually best when the weather is agreeable, and the mosquitos have died down.

However, if you're drawn to the mystical beauty of the Northern Lights, you'll want to visit Lapland between September and March, when these celestial displays are most visible. Keep in mind, though, that winter in northern Sweden can be harsh, with temperatures falling below freezing, and daylight hours are minimal.

Off-season travel in the spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) can also be rewarding, with fewer tourists and beautiful natural scenery. The autumnal colours in Lapland are breathtaking.

Like my homeland of Ireland, Sweden (particularly Stockholm) has a reputation for rain, so keep an umbrella or raincoat in your backpack.

SOLO TRAVEL TO SWEDEN

If solo travel is made easier by good organisation and ease of navigation, then Sweden is an excellent location. There are decent options for solo adventures in most parts of Sweden: medieval Visby on Gotland, trekking the Kungsleden hiking trail, or enjoying the cultural (and fika!) offerings of Stockholm or Gothenburg. Three other things help too: the public transport is well established and frequent; people are highly proficient in English; there's a widespread culture of politeness that helps make solo travel quite straightforward.

If you're keeping to the well-trodden routes in the South, Sweden is easy. By venturing to Lapland or elsewhere in the North, you're adding distance and cost (but it's well worth it). It's occasionally fun to join in with group activities and a visit at Midsummer would give you a chance to join with Swedish people and visitors having cultural fun. I'd also add in guided tours of Stockholm's archipelago or hiking expeditions in Lapland in the summer. In winter, consider taking part in a group tour to see the Northern Lights or a snowmobiling adventure.

Exploring Sweden solo can be more than just sightseeing; by embracing some of the Swedish ways of life when you visit, you'll get a glimpse into a different way of experiencing everyday life.

DIGITAL NOMADS IN SWEDEN

I have to admit it, as an EU citizen, Sweden's progressive culture, strong economy, and superb tech infrastructure makes it very appealing to visit as a digital nomad. Everything hinges on the boxes you need to tick for remote work, but a high standard of living, decent public services and work/life balance are important to me.

Let's talk through the options. Stockholm is a hub for tech startups (“Silicon Valletta”). You'll find high-speed internet is standard and there's more coworking spaces and cafes than you can shake an iPad Pro at. And then there's the backdrop. Inspiring or a distraction? I'd say, inspiring!

The two serious alternatives are Gothenburg and Malmö, both known for quality of life, good access to culture and friendly locals. There's plenty of coworking spots, and coffee shops comfortable with you setting up your mobile office. Could you work even more remotely? Probably. Areas like Gotland are tranquil and have good infrastructure, but if you need more of a buzz, a city will be easier.

While Sweden is desirable for digital nomads, it's not cheap, so the budget-conscious will need to plan accordingly. Some nomads will argue that the quality accommodation, food and excursions are expensive, but the quality of life makes it worth it.

Sweden Digital Nomad Visa

While Sweden offers a great environment for digital nomads, as of now, it does not provide a specific digital nomad visa. So if you turn up to work in Sweden under a tourist visa or during a visa-free stay, you're technically outside the law.

Non-EU citizens: to work remotely in Sweden, you should be employed by a Swedish company or have Swedish clients, and apply for a work permit accordingly.

EEA, EU, Schengen area citizens: there's more flexibility. You don't need a visa or residence permit to work remotely in Sweden, but, if you'll stay >3 months, you must register at the local tax registration office (Skatteverket) to make sure you're compliant.

LGBTQ+ TRAVEL TO SWEDEN

Sweden is one of the most progressive and LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. Sweden ranks highly on the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index, which measures equality and non-discrimination for LGBTQ people.

The cities are a good starting point for visitors, particularly Stockholm, with its plethora of gay bars, clubs and shops, particularly the areas of Gamla Stan and Södermalm. There's Pride events every summer in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö and the latter two cities also have thriving LGBTQ scenes. In Gothenburg, check out the scene around the lively Avenyn and Haga districts, while in Malmö, Möllevången is known as the city's ‘rainbow quarter.'

Sweden's open-mindedness extends into smaller towns and rural places too. You should feel welcome in Lapland, e.g., the Ice Hotel has hosted same-sex weddings. All of this means that LGBTQ visitors can expect the same respect as anyone else visiting Sweden, whether checking into their hotel, hiking the Kungsleden, or visiting an art gallery.

HOW SAFE IS SWEDEN?

Sweden is considered a very safe country to visit. The main cities (Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö) have comparatively low crime rates. In general, visitors should feel pretty secure in cities, even at night. The progressiveness of Sweden means that solo (female) travellers and LGBTQ people should feel welcome in most places. Like anywhere, using common sense and taking basic precautions (keep your bag with you and being aware of your surroundings) will contribute to a safer trip.

You could face weather-related safety issues; weather can be harsh in winter. Ensure you've got the right equipment, a reliable phone with coverage, and let a friend know your route before setting out on a wilderness hike.

Sweden is virtually cashless, so cards are the standard way to pay. Make sure you have funds you can access on your credit or debit card. So in summary, the risk of crime is pretty low. But stay aware, stay informed by browsing local news online, and take responsibility for keeping yourself safe too.

SWEDEN TRAVEL GUIDE: BOOKING RESOURCES

These are the companies that I use to make bookings when I travel.

SWEDEN TRAVEL GUIDE: RELATED BLOGS