Sweden Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit and Things to Do

Key Takeaways

• Stockholm is a great starting point, but Sweden's smaller cities, coastal regions, and Arctic landscapes reveal an even broader side of the country.
• Travelers will find everything from historic castles and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to hiking trails, kayaking routes, and Northern Lights experiences.
• Outdoor adventure is part of daily life in Sweden, with opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and paddling throughout the year.

Sweden is often associated with Stockholm, and for good reason. The country's capital combines historic neighborhoods, royal landmarks, waterfront scenery, and world-class museums. But travelers who venture beyond Stockholm discover a country filled with charming coastal cities, expansive forests, thousands of islands, and some of Scandinavia's most memorable outdoor experiences.

Whether a trip centers on city sightseeing, cultural attractions, active adventures, or Arctic landscapes, Sweden delivers a variety of experiences across every season.

Start with Stockholm.

But let’s start with Stockholm, because that’s likely going to be your first stop in Sweden.

 If you’ve explored several European capitals, Stockholm may strike you as quieter and more understated than some of its neighbors. Rather than drawing attention to itself, the city rewards travelers who take the time to explore beyond the surface.

For those looking to experience Sweden’s highlights, Stockholm and its surrounding areas provide an excellent starting point, offering a blend of history, culture, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation.

Let’s look at “the big five” of European capitals and how Stockholm checks the boxes.

The Big Five #1: Palaces

 Grand palaces come with the territory in European capitals, and Stockholm offers several that showcase Sweden's royal heritage.

Sweden offers two within the greater Stockholm area: the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet), on the Gamla Stan island that separates north and south Stockholm, and Drottningholm, the royal family's actual home on Lake Mälaren and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Big Five #2: Art museums

Stockholm has the National museum for classic art and the Moderna Museet for the more recent works, while history lovers go for the Vasa, the 1628 warship that’s a centerpiece of a maritime-history museum.

 While notable museums can be found throughout Sweden, Stockholm has the country's largest concentration of major art, history, and cultural institutions.

The Big Five #3: Opera houses and other cultural sites

The theater housing the Royal Swedish Opera is fine, but a cooler play is the lovingly preserved Drottningholm Court Theatre, which still operates with its original 18th-century stage machinery.

The Big Five #4: Churches

Storkyrkan, the Stockholm Cathedral, is right by the palace in Gamla Stan. Naturally it’s the site of royal coronations and weddings, and it’s also home to an incredible medieval oak sculpture of St. George and the Dragon. The Riddarholmen Church, the burial place of Swedish monarchs, is virtually right next door.

The Big Five #5: Signature cuisine

Sweden keeps things simple. Its signature food move is fika – coffee and a cinnamon bun – best consumed at a classic konditori like Stockholm’s Vete-Katten.

Also Read: A Guide to Global Coffee Experiences

Sweden’s other cities are worth visiting.

Don’t neglect Sweden’s other cities. They give you a good measure of Stockholm’s vibe in a more compact package, and they’re easy to reach by train or car.

Malmö is a good place to start. It’s just across the strait from Copenhagen (so you can double up on your Northern European capitals), it’s warm and sunny, and people love it for its laid-back vibe.

Gothenburg is another fave, a compact, charming city full of cafes and restaurants serving local seafood. It’s easy to get to and get out of, if your goal is to explore the hills or seashore. And check out the in-city amusement park!

Kalmar is full of history, with a walled palace that juts out into the Baltic Sea, though it’s also Sweden’s architectural capital, with much of that architecture being of the 17^th-century variety.

Bolder travelers who venture north will find a different Sweden reflected in cities like Skellefteå, home to the Wood Hotel, a literal skyscraper made out of wood. Meanwhile, Luleå, with its cheek-by-jowl cottage homes and unique takes on Far North cuisine, serves as the staging area for Northern Lights lovers.

Getting Outdoors

Sweden’s cities are fine, but a big reason to visit the country is to get outdoors.

It doesn’t matter the season: Swedes find a way to explore and recreate through it all. Hiking, skiing, kayaking, biking, canoeing, snowshoeing ­– it’s all remarkably accessible in Sweden, so pack your activewear.

It’s hard to pick out the top places to go in Sweden to live your best active life, but you can’t go wrong with:

Hiking: For ambitious types, Kungsleden (the King's Trail), which covers 450 kilometers through the far north, passing four national parks and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laponia. For less ambitious types, practically anywhere.

Skiing: Downhill skiing at Funäsfjällen; cross-country skiing at Sälen-Mora, home of the famous Vasaloppet ski race.

Also Read: Travel Protection for Ski and Snowboard Vacations

Biking: The Helsingborg-Gothenburg ride for road bikers; the Delsjön nature reserve for mountain bikers; a metro Gothenburg tour for e-bikers.

Kayaking: Sea-kayaking on the country’s west coast through the Bohuslän archipelago; inland kayaking around Dalsland.

A story on travel in Sweden wouldn’t be complete without mentioning winter. In general it doesn’t get that cold in Sweden, but it depends on where you are. Arctic Sweden is arctic, and while that isn't as cold as it used to be, it’s still plenty cold.

That doesn’t stop the Swedes, and it shouldn’t stop you from spending a night in Jukkasjärvi’s Icehotel, a sort of super-igloo where guests sleep on ice beds covered with reindeer pelts. If you believe in sleeping cool, this is your nirvana.

Also Read: Cold Weather Packing List for Vacations

Travel Protection for a Trip to Sweden

A trip to Sweden may involve multiple destinations, outdoor activities, train travel, flight connections, and seasonal weather conditions.

Travel protection is designed to help protect a trip when covered unexpected events affect travel plans. Depending on the plan selected, benefits include coverage for covered Trip Cancellations, Travel Delays, Baggage Delays, and Medical and Dental coverage. Assistance services may also provide support before and during a trip. Before departing for Sweden, reviewing travel protection options may help travelers choose coverage that aligns with their itinerary and travel style.

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Whether the itinerary includes Stockholm's historic streets, kayaking along the Bohuslän coast, hiking in Swedish Lapland, or chasing the Northern Lights in Arctic Sweden, travel protection may help safeguard the investment made in a memorable trip.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stockholm worth visiting if traveling elsewhere in Sweden?

Yes. Stockholm offers many of Sweden's most significant cultural attractions, including the Royal Palace, Gamla Stan, and the Vasa Museum. It also serves as an excellent transportation hub for exploring other regions.

What is the best outdoor activity in Sweden?

That depends on the season. Hiking Kungsleden, kayaking in the Bohuslän Archipelago, cycling coastal routes, and skiing in Funäsfjällen are among Sweden's most popular outdoor experiences.

Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Sweden?

Northern Sweden offers some of the country's best Aurora Borealis viewing opportunities. Areas near Luleå and Jukkasjärvi are especially popular during winter.

How many days should travelers spend in Sweden?

A week allows enough time to explore Stockholm and one additional region. Travelers interested in multiple cities, outdoor adventures, or Arctic experiences often benefit from 10 to 14 days.

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