Sweden

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Why visit Sweden?

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Frozen wastelands, cozy cottages, virgin forest, rocky islands… Sweden has all that plus impeccable style and to-die-for dining.
There is something so wholesome and healthy about Sweden. People here really know how to take advantage of their gorgeous country, from its scenic beauty to its edible bounty. In some ways, visiting Sweden feels like walking right into a fashion or home-decor magazine. There are no boring outfits on the streets of Stockholm, and the care with which houses, cottages, cafes and public spaces are decorated and kept up throughout the country is truly inspiring. But Swedish style is never too showy; form and function are tightly linked in this society known for valuing moderation, practicality, order, simple lines and clever designs. Whether you decide to shop for your own versions or just enjoy the scenery, it’s hard not to fall for the cool aesthetics of this place.

What does Sweden bring in mind?

Skansen The world’s first open-air museum, Skansen was founded in 1891 by Artur Hazelius to give visitors an insight into how Swedes lived once upon a time. You could easily spend a day here and still not see it all (note that prices and hours vary seasonally). Around 150 traditional houses and other exhibits from across the country dot the hilltop – it is meant to be ‘Sweden in miniature’, complete with villages, nature, commerce and industry.

Läckö Slott

An extraordinary 17th century Swedish baroque architecture, with cupolas, towers and ornate plasterwork, Läckö Slott lies 23km north of Lidköping. The first castle on the site was constructed in 1298, but it was improved enormously by Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie after he acquired it in 1615.

Malmö Museer Various museums with diverse themes, including handicrafts, military materiel, art and transport, are located in and around Malmöhus Slott and make up the so-called Malmö Museer. There are gift shops and cafe-restaurants inside all the museums and plenty to keep the tots interested, including an aquarium. Renovated in 2014, don't miss the nocturnal hall here, wriggling with everything from bats to electric eels, plus local swimmers like cod and pike. The Malmö Konstmuseum boasts a fabulous collection of Swedish furniture and handicrafts, as well as Scandinavia’s largest collection of 20th-century Nordic art, while the Stadsmuseum (City Museum) combines exhibitions on the region’s cultural history with more international themes.

Vasamuseet

A good-humored glorification of some dodgy calculations, Vasamuseet is the custom-built home of the massive warship Vasa. The ship, a whopping 69m long and 48.8m tall, was the pride of the Swedish crown when it set off on its maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. Within minutes, the top-heavy vessel tipped and sank to the bottom of Saltsjön, along with many of the people on board. Guided tours are in English every 30 minutes in summer.

Liseberg

The attractions of Liseberg, Scandinavia's largest amusement park, are many and varied. Adrenalin blasts include the venerable wooden roller coaster Balder, its 'explosive' colleague Kanonen, where you’re blasted from 0km/h to 75km/h in under two seconds, AtmosFear, Europe’s tallest (116m) free-fall tower, and the park's biggest new attraction: thrilling rollercoaster Helix that lets you experience weightlessness and loops the loop seven times. Softer options include carousels, fairy-tale castles, an outdoor dance floor, adventure playgrounds, and shows and concerts.

Mölndals Museum Located in an old police station, the museum is like a vast warehouse, with a 10,000-strong booty of local nostalgia spanning a 17th-century clog to kitchen kitsch and a recreated 1930s worker’s cottage. With a focus on memories and feelings, it’s an evocative place where you can plunge into racks of vintage clothes, pull out hidden treasures and learn the individual items' secrets on the digital catalogue.

Malmöhus Slott

The addition of red-brick, Functionalist buildings in the 1930s might make it look slightly factory like, but Malmöhus Slott has an intriguing history and houses some of the superb Malmö Museer. After the Swedish takeover of Skåne in 1648, the Danes made a futile attempt to recapture the castle in 1677. When peace was restored, most of it became derelict and a devastating fire in 1870 left only the main building and two gun towers intact; these sections were revamped in 1930.

Carl Larsson-gården Whatever you do, don’t miss Carl Larsson-gården, home of artist Carl Larsson and his wife, Karin, in the picturesque village of Sundborn. After the couple’s deaths, their early-20th-century home was preserved in its entirety by their children, but it’s no gloomy memorial. Lilla Hyttnäs is a work of art, full of brightness, humor and love.  Superb color schemes and furniture fill the house: Carl’s portraits of his wife and children are everywhere, and Karin’s tapestries and embroidery reveal she was as skilled an artist as her husband.

Foteviken Viking Reserve

If you mourn the passing of big hairy men in longboats, find solace at the fascinating Foteviken Viking Reserve, an evocative ‘living’ reconstruction of a late–Viking Age village. Around 22 authentic reconstructions of houses with reed or turf roofs have been built, near the site of the Battle of Foteviken (1134). Amazingly, the reserve’s residents live as the Vikings did, eschewing most modern conveniences and adhering to old traditions, laws and religions – even after the last tourist has left. Viking Week is usually held in late June, and culminates in a Viking market, complete with agile warriors in training

Things you shouldn’t miss in Sweden

• Kosterhavet: Sweden’s first Marine National Park, Kosterhavet is centered around the car-free Koster Islands, only a two-hour drive up the lovely coast from Gothenburg. Once on the Kosters, you will see small fishing villages surrounded by an amazingly beautiful landscape, with many different plants and flowers. It’s the perfect environment for lobster safaris during the region’s renowned Shellfish Journey, as well as seal safaris, diving and sea kayaking.

• Marstrand: Located only an hour’s drive from Gothenburg, Marstrand island is Sweden’s version of Hollywood as the playground of royalty and celebrities, boasting a rich, intriguing history. The Stockholm Archipelago One of the most fantastic parts of Stockholm and Sweden is still a secret for many: the magnificent Stockholm archipelago. This maritime landscape of more than 30,000 islands, islets and skerries, of which just some one thousand are inhabited, is unique in the world both in summer and winter.

• Drottningholm Fairytale: Drottningholm Palace on the island of Lovö is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and lies about 11 kilometers west of Stockholm city center (45 minutes by boat). Dating from the 17th -century, the palace is now the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family. In the picturesque, terraced park are bronze sculptures from Bohemia and Denmark, brought back as trophies of war.

• Djurgården Park with its many wonderful amenities is a guaranteed draw for visitors and locals alike, particularly during the glorious Scandinavian summer months. Throughout are traditional cafés, restaurants, snack-bars, and even hotels. Canoe and bicycle hire are also available if you are feeling energetic.

• Visby, Gotland: Visby's reputation as 'the pearl of the Baltic' and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are both well deserved. A self-guided or guided tour of the magnificent walls, which date back some 700 years, is a must.

• The Göta Canal often described as Sweden's greatest feat of engineering, the canal dates from the early 19th century and is 190 kilometers in length. It's now one of the country's premier tourist attractions and offers a unique perspective on Sweden's heartland. In addition, by connecting with lakes Vänern and Vättern and the Trollhätte Canal, it forms part of a water link all the way from Stockholm to Gothenburg.

• Kiruna, Lapland: Sharing the same latitude as central Greenland, Kiruna is Sweden's northernmost town. It's also the chief town of the largest commune in the country, which borders both Norway and Finland. The midnight sun is visible here from mid May to mid July.

• Abisko National Park, Lapland in summer, this is the Land of the Midnight Sun with 24-hour daylight lasting several weeks. The park is some 77 square kilometers in size and famous for its pristine natural beauty and Nordic wildlife. It's a great place for Scandinavian winter adventures and long summer hikes.

• Oresund Bridge, Malmo: From Malmo city center, a 15-minute drive takes visitors to the magnificent Oresund Bridge. Famous throughout the world since opening in 1999 and several decades in the planning, the structure has gained further notoriety through the hit Danish/Swedish TV drama 'The Bridge.' This incredible engineering feat now links Sweden to Denmark, and in turn, the continent of Europe.

• Lund Cathedral: This is Sweden's most visited cathedral and one of the most visited sites in the southern province of Skåne. You will understand why when you stand in front of the imposing Roman structure with its magnificent twin towers.

Best Cities of Sweden

Stockholm

Naturally, the city of Stockholm, Sweden's capital, is an absolute must for visitors. You're likely to fly into Stockholm on your way to another Swedish destination. Make sure to take a day or two to enjoy the bustling metropolitan area that is Stockholm, and dash over to the amazing Vasa Museum and to Djurgarden, the idyllic island in the center of Stockholm.

Malmö

The city of Malmö is one of the best Swedish city destinations for year-round travel. Southern Sweden guarantees you mild weather, and the number of things to do in the area (not to mention the proximity to Copenhagen) make Malmö a visitor's dream. When planning your visit, just keep in mind that it's actually a lot quicker to get from Copenhagen to Malmö than getting from Stockholm to Malmö

Gothenburg

If you love nature and history but don't feel like dealing with a city full of tourists, Gothenburg is the best Swedish city for you. Gothenburg is Sweden's second-largest city and, sadly, is often overlooked by travelers. You'll find this charming city on the west coast of southern Sweden. It's also an ideal location if you need a central base from which you want to visit the Scandinavian capitals.

Uppsala

Younger travelers will simply love Uppsala. Uppsala is the best city in Sweden for hot and hip nightlife - after all, it's a university town with thousands of students, lots of events and a great transportation network. But there are things that appeal to all ages: The long and interesting history of this city includes a Viking burial site called Gamla Uppsala and the ruins of an 11th-century church. Plus, it's just an hour away from beautiful but quaint Swedish town Gävle.