Sweden
Stockholm spreads across 14 islands linked by bridges and ferries, with an archipelago of tens of thousands more on its doorstep. Further north, the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi rebuilds its winter rooms from river ice every year, and Abisko is one of Europe's surest bets for the northern lights. Trains make car-free travel easy.
Overview
Sweden is long and thinly populated, and most first trips focus on the south, where Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö lie within a few hours of each other by fast train. Stockholm deserves three or four days for its old town, museums and an archipelago boat trip, while Gothenburg is a relaxed harbour city with granite west-coast islands on its doorstep. Medieval Visby, on Gotland, is a ferry ride from Nynäshamn, south of Stockholm. Lapland, more than 1,000km north, is a separate trip: in winter for the Icehotel, dog-sledding and the aurora, in summer for the midnight sun and the Kungsleden trail.
Sweden is expensive, though usually less so than Norway, and costs are easier to manage than its reputation suggests: weekday lunch deals (dagens lunch), hostels run by the Swedish Tourist Association and the right of public access (allemansrätten), which allows camping and foraging on most land, all help. The country is almost cashless, design-conscious and efficient. Summer is short but light-filled, with long evenings and a mass exodus to lakeside cottages in July, when some city restaurants close. Winters in the south are dark and grey, so cold-weather trips are better aimed at snowy Lapland.
Map of Sweden
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Gamla stan
Stockholm's medieval old town is a maze of ochre and russet merchants' houses around Stortorget square, with the Royal Palace, the Nobel Prize Museum and Storkyrkan cathedral. Visit early or late to avoid cruise crowds.
- 2Nature
Stockholm archipelago
Around 30,000 islands, islets and skerries stretch some 80km out into the Baltic. Hop on the Waxholmsbolaget ferries to Vaxholm's fortress, swim off the rocks at Grinda or stay at a wooden inn on Sandhamn.
- 3History
Visby
Gotland's main town is one of northern Europe's best-preserved medieval walled towns, with 3.4km of walls and the ruins of a dozen churches. Ferries from Nynäshamn take about three hours; August's Medieval Week brings jousting and markets.
- 4Architecture
Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi
Each winter artists carve new rooms and an ice bar from blocks of Torne River ice. Sleep at below −5°C in a thermal sleeping bag, or visit the year-round Icehotel 365, which keeps art suites frozen through summer.
- 5Nature
Abisko National Park
A rain shadow keeps skies unusually clear here, making Abisko one of the best places in Europe to see the aurora; ride the chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station. In summer the Kungsleden trail starts here, under the midnight sun.
Biggest cities
Stockholm
The capital's must-sees are the Vasa Museum's salvaged 17th-century warship, the open-air Skansen museum and Södermalm's cafés, plus ferries that double as sightseeing boats.
Gothenburg
Sweden's laid-back second city has canals, the Haga district's wooden houses and giant cinnamon buns, the Liseberg amusement park, and tram-and-ferry access to the car-free southern archipelago.
Malmö
Linked to Copenhagen by the Øresund Bridge, Malmö is a young, multicultural city of parks, falafel stalls and the twisting Turning Torso, with sea-bathing at Ribersborg's cold-bath house.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Sweden
Best time: Jun–Aug.
Average climate in Stockholm
Festivals & events
- FebJokkmokk Winter Market
Held in the first week of February since 1605, this Sami market just north of the Arctic Circle brings reindeer races, handicrafts, food and music to Lapland.
- JunMidsommar
On the Friday between 19 and 25 June, Swedes dance round a flower-decked maypole, wear flower crowns and feast on herring, new potatoes and strawberries; Dalarna celebrates most traditionally.
- DecLucia
On 13 December, candlelit processions led by Lucia, wearing a crown of candles, sing in churches, schools and offices, with saffron buns and gingerbread.
How much does Sweden cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Köttbullar
Small pork-and-beef meatballs in cream gravy, served with mashed or boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam and quick-pickled cucumber — home cooking at its most Swedish.
Kanelbulle
The cardamom-scented cinnamon bun at the heart of fika, Sweden's daily coffee-and-cake ritual; 4 October is Cinnamon Bun Day.
Gravlax
Salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill, sliced thin and served with hovmästarsås, a sweet mustard-dill sauce, on rye bread or with potatoes.
Getting around
SJ's fast trains link Stockholm with Gothenburg in about three hours and Malmö in four and a half, and night trains run north to Kiruna, Abisko and Narvik. Book early for cheaper fares. Ferries serve Gotland and the archipelagos, and domestic flights save time to Lapland. Cities have excellent public transport with app-based tickets, and Uber and Bolt operate in the larger cities.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +46
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Service is included in prices; rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good restaurant service is common but never obligatory, even when card machines prompt for it.
- Etiquette
- Swedes queue carefully — take a numbered ticket (kölapp) in pharmacies and shops — and value punctuality and modesty. Remove shoes indoors, keep voices down on trains, and respect the right-of-access code.
- Main airports
- Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), Stockholm; Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT), Gothenburg
Visas & entry for Sweden
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Sweden, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Sweden are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat LyssavirusTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Sweden
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sat 31 Oct 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Second Day of Christmas |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | May Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Pentecost |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | National Day |
| Sat 26 Jun 2027 | Midsummer Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Swedish
| English | Swedish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hej | hey |
| Thank you | Tack | tahk |
| Please | Snälla | SNEL-lah |
| Excuse me | Ursäkta | oor-SHEK-tah |
| How much is this? | Hur mycket kostar det? | hoor MICK-eh KOSS-tar deh? |
Know before you go
- Sweden is close to cashless: many cafés, museums and buses refuse cash, so a contactless card or phone wallet is all you need.
- Takeaway drinks stronger than 3.5% are sold almost only at state-run Systembolaget shops, which close early on Saturdays and all day Sunday; bars and restaurants serve normally.
- Trains make car-free travel easy: book SJ tickets as soon as they open for the best fares, and reserve Lapland night-train sleepers well ahead in winter.
Sweden travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Sweden?
The best time to visit Sweden is generally Jun–Aug. Peak months are June, July and August. Average highs in Stockholm range from 1°C to 23°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Sweden cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £140 mid-range and £280+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Sweden?
Swedish krona (SEK).
What plug type does Sweden use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sweden?
Traffic drives on the right in Sweden, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sweden?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Sweden?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Sweden, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Sweden before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sweden/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Sweden?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
