Sweden
The vibrant city of Stockholm is a great introduction to beautiful Sweden.
Discover the city’s Scandinavian style or try world renowned cuisine on a walking tour. To truly see Sweden we recommend getting out of the city and exploring the natural beauty this country has to offer. From rocky islands, and frozen landscapes to densely forested National Parks and the spectacle of the Northern Lights, Sweden’s natural beauty is breath-taking. Add to this Viking ruins, ancient castles, fascinating indigenous cultures and a burgeoning foodie scene, and you have a truly rounded destination.
Read More...Stockholm
This beautiful city is surrounded by 14 islands and connected by more than 50 bridges. Famous for its city hall, the worlds first open air museum and not to be missed the fantastic Abba museum! A short distance from Stockholm you will also find a sprawling archipelago of 24,999 islands spreading far out into the Baltic waters.
Abikso National Park
Considered to be one of the last true wilderness areas located in Swedish Lapland 200km into the Arctic Circle, it is an incredible northern lights destination. Enjoy husky safaris, snowmobiling or visit the Aurora Sky Station.
Icehotel
In the middle of the Aurora zone, a stay at the ICEHOTEL gives you a great chance to experience the Northern Lights in style! This unique hotel doubles as an art exhibition with ever-changing sculptures shaped out of ice and snow. Every winter, the ICEHOTEL is created in a new guise, made completely from the natural ice on the Torne River. Each suite is individually themed and hand carved by select artists from around the world.
Ystad
Located on Sweden’s southern coast this pretty town dates back to the 11th century. Considered one of Sweden’s most scenic places with pretty beaches, medieval churches and colourful cobbled streets.
Gothenburg
Situated on the Gota alv River on Sweden’s west coast, it is known for its dutch-style canals, pretty boulevards, and quaint streets with a great food culture. It is also a great city to explore with historic sites, beautiful churches and fantastic museums.
High season runs from mid-June to August as midsummer means warmer weather. The weather is still nice in the shoulder season from September to October but there are a lot less tourists around (some of the tourism spots are closed but the rest will be a lot less busy). The low season from November to May is the best time for winter sports, Northern Lights spotting and fantastic Christmas markets.
Sweden is a smorgasbord (Swedish for variety or combination) of natural beauty, modernity and cultural tradition. In Stockholm, the Royal Palace really encapsulates the country’s rich history – the changing of the guard is a proud tradition that dates back 500 years. History lovers should also visit the Vasa Museum, home to the Vasa warship which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was salvaged centuries later. It’s an incredibly engaging exhibit providing a glimpse into life in 17th century Sweden.
But it was alongside these museums that I found myself at the Super (Trouper) ABBA Museum. Truly interactive, you can sing along with a virtual band of ‘abba-tars’ and try on their costumes, digitally, of course! Have a fantastic time there!
Aside from Stockholm, you will find Gothenburg and Malmö are also cities rich in history as well as hubs of cutting-edge design, fashion, and gastronomy.
The country is also known for its stunning landscapes. It’s all here, from the serene beauty of the Stockholm archipelago to the majestic Northern lights in Lapland’s skies. There are endless opportunities for outdoor adventures year-round, from hiking through lush forests to skiing in luxury resorts to kayaking along pristine coastlines.
You’ll feel welcome everywhere you go, whether you are in a bustling city or a remote village. Sweden puts much emphasis on work-life balance and well-being which creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, so it’s easy to unwind and fully enjoy your time in this beautiful country.
Eve Pope, Travel Designer
Currency Krona (kr)
Language Swedish is the official language, however Finnish, Sami dialects, and English are also spoken. The majority of Swedes are fluent in English.
Weather Summer runs from June to August, autumn from September to October/November, winter from November/December to March/February, and spring from March/April to May. The weather varies from north to south, with the north bringing much colder, sub-zero temperatures, and the south a much more mild climate.
Social customs & quirks Swedes dislike arguing and avoid discussions of more private matters such as money and family. In Sweden, many customs are associated with the seasons. Summer is celebrated as the winters are long and dark, and several traditional festivities are linked with the farming year – planting in spring, the hunting and fishing season, and harvest time.
Festivals & events Sweden is home to numerous fascinating festivals, the vast majority of which take place in summer – particularly August. Kulturkalaset is one of the biggest cultural festivals in Scandinavia, where the streets of Gothenburg are transformed into festival stages where a variety of fascinating performances take place – all free of charge.
Health* There are currently no health requirements entering Sweden.
Notes *Please be aware that Health information is subject to change at any time and you should always double check these requirements at the time of booking and before travel.