Sweden Travel Guide: Best Cities, Things to Do and Travel Tips

🧭 Introduction To Sweden

Sweden is a country I’ve now visited on three very different trips, from the elegant streets and waterways of Stockholm to a New Year break in Malmö, combined with a trip across the Øresund Bridge to Copenhagen, and most recently an adventure into Swedish Lapland.

Each visit has shown me a completely different side of the country. Stockholm makes a superb city break, Malmö offers an easy-going introduction to southern Sweden, while Swedish Lapland delivers something altogether different – vast wilderness, snow-covered landscapes and memorable Arctic experiences.

Beyond the places I’ve explored myself, Sweden offers thousands of islands, forests and lakes, attractive coastal towns and cities such as Gothenburg, making it a country with far more variety than you might initially expect.

In this Sweden travel guide, I’ll share my own experiences alongside practical travel advice and ideas for the best places to visit and things to do, whether you’re planning a weekend city break or a much bigger Swedish adventure.

🔑 Key Information for Sweden

Continent	Europe
Capital	Stockholm
Currency	Swedish Krona (SEK)
Language	Swedish – English is also widely spoken
Time Zone	CET (GMT+1), CEST (GMT+2) in summer
Best Time To Visit	May–September for cities and outdoor travel; December–March for winter experiences in Swedish Lapland
Visa	FCO Advice
Vaccinations	Vaccination Advice
Tourist Office	Visit Sweden

✈️ Getting To Sweden From The UK

Sweden is easy to reach from the UK, with direct flights connecting several British airports with Stockholm, Gothenburg and southern Sweden. Flight times are generally around two to three hours, making Sweden an excellent choice for a city break as well as a longer holiday.

Flying to Stockholm

For a Stockholm city break, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the main international gateway. Direct flights operate from the UK, and from Arlanda there are straightforward rail and bus connections into central Stockholm.

This was the route I used for my own Stockholm city break and, with such a relatively short flight from the UK, the Swedish capital works particularly well for a long weekend.

Flying to Malmö and Southern Sweden

For Malmö, there are two good options. You can fly directly to Malmö Airport, or fly into Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in neighbouring Denmark and continue by train across the Øresund Bridge.

Copenhagen Airport is particularly convenient, with trains taking around 25 minutes to Malmö. On my New Year trip I combined Malmö with Copenhagen, and the excellent rail connection makes visiting the two cities as part of the same break remarkably easy.

Getting to Swedish Lapland

Travelling to Swedish Lapland usually requires a little more planning. Depending on your destination and the time of year, you can connect through Stockholm to northern airports such as Kiruna or Luleå, with rail services also providing another way of travelling north.

For my own trip to Swedish Lapland, the journey north was part of a completely different Swedish experience from my previous city breaks – and one I’ll cover in more detail later in this guide.Getting Around

Train travel is considered the best way of travelling long distances in Sweden with good service at reasonable prices.

Although bus travel is a little less expensive than going by train, it takes considerably longer and schedules are not so regular

SAS, Norwegian Airlines and Nextjet are the key airlines in Sweden with a network of regional and international flights. As always the sooner you book the better the deals. which starts at around 450 krona.

Ferry services are popular, especially in the summer between Visby and Nynashamn, near Stockholm. Do check the schedules especially as some are seasonal.

Driving in Sweden is excellent with the roads good and due to the low population, they are often empty, especially the further north that you travel. The only issues can be reindeer or elk getting in your way so keep those eyes peeled.

Cycling is popular in some of the larger towns and cities, especially Stockholm and bikes can be hired reasonably. There are cycling lanes in Stockholm making the experience even more enjoyable.

🚆 Getting Around Sweden

Sweden has an excellent public transport network, making it relatively easy to explore without hiring a car. Trains are particularly useful for travelling between the major cities, while buses, domestic flights and local public transport help connect the rest of the country.

By Train

Train travel is one of the easiest ways to explore Sweden. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are well connected, while longer-distance services extend north towards destinations in Swedish Lapland.

High-speed trains make travelling between the major cities straightforward, and booking in advance can often provide better fares, particularly on popular routes.

Getting Around the Cities

Stockholm has an excellent network of metro trains, buses, trams and ferries. I found public transport an easy way to explore the capital, although central Stockholm is also a wonderful city to discover on foot.

Malmö is compact and easy to get around, with good local transport and excellent rail connections. One of its biggest advantages is the direct train across the Øresund Bridge to Copenhagen, making it remarkably easy to combine Sweden and Denmark in the same trip.

By Car

Hiring a car can be worthwhile if you want to explore Sweden’s countryside, smaller towns or more remote areas at your own pace. Roads are generally good, although winter driving in northern Sweden requires considerably more preparation.

By Air

For the longest journeys, particularly between southern Sweden and Swedish Lapland, domestic flights can save a significant amount of time. Stockholm provides the main hub for connections to northern airports including Kiruna and Luleå.

Travelling Around Swedish Lapland

Distances become much greater in the far north and public transport is less extensive than in the major cities. Depending on your itinerary, a combination of flights, trains, transfers and organised excursions may be the easiest way to explore Swedish Lapland.

📍 Best Places To Visit In Sweden

From stylish cities and historic old towns to islands, lakes and the Arctic wilderness, Sweden offers plenty of variety. I’ve experienced Stockholm, Malmö and Swedish Lapland myself, while these other destinations are also well worth considering when planning a wider trip around the country.

Stockholm

Built across a collection of islands, Stockholm is one of my favourite Scandinavian cities and an excellent choice for a weekend break. Explore the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, visit the fascinating Vasa Museum and spend time simply wandering along the city’s waterfront.

I particularly enjoyed how easy Stockholm was to explore, combining culture and history with that relaxed Scandinavian atmosphere.

Malmö

Malmö has a very different feel from Stockholm. Compact, modern and easy-going, it’s a great choice for a shorter break and can easily be combined with Copenhagen thanks to the Øresund Bridge.

I visited over New Year and particularly enjoyed being able to experience two countries and two cities during the same trip, with regular trains making the journey between Malmö and Copenhagen remarkably straightforward.

Swedish Lapland

My most recent Swedish adventure took me far north to Swedish Lapland, a completely different experience from my previous city breaks.

This is a land of Arctic landscapes, forests, frozen lakes and winter activities, with opportunities for experiences such as husky sledding, snowmobiling and searching for the Northern Lights. For anyone who loves nature and adventure, Swedish Lapland reveals another side of the country entirely.

Gothenburg

Sweden’s second-largest city sits on the west coast and is known for its canals, seafood, café culture and nearby archipelago. Gothenburg makes an appealing alternative to Stockholm and a useful base for exploring Sweden’s western coastline.

Gotland

The Baltic island of Gotland is one of Sweden’s most distinctive summer destinations. Its main town, Visby, is famous for its medieval walls, cobbled streets and historic buildings, while the wider island offers beaches, countryside and dramatic coastal scenery.

Sweden’s Archipelagos

Thousands of islands lie along Sweden’s coastline, with the Stockholm and Gothenburg archipelagos among the easiest to explore. Ferries connect many of the islands, offering an opportunity to escape the cities and experience a quieter side of Swedish life.

🏨 Where To Stay In Sweden

Where you stay in Sweden will depend on the type of trip you’re planning. From stylish city-centre hotels to cosy cabins and wilderness lodges in Swedish Lapland, there is accommodation to suit everything from a weekend city break to an Arctic adventure.

Stockholm

For a first visit, staying centrally makes exploring Stockholm much easier. Norrmalm is convenient for transport and shopping, while Gamla Stan puts you among the historic streets of the Old Town. Södermalm offers a more local feel with plenty of cafés, restaurants and independent shops.

Malmö

Malmö is compact, so staying close to the centre or Malmö Central Station works particularly well. It’s also ideal if, like me, you want to combine Malmö with Copenhagen, as trains across the Øresund Bridge are frequent and straightforward.

Gothenburg

Central Gothenburg is a good choice for a first visit, putting many of the city’s shops, restaurants and attractions within easy reach. Staying near the centre also provides convenient connections for exploring the surrounding west-coast archipelago.

Swedish Lapland

Accommodation becomes part of the experience in Swedish Lapland. Depending on where you travel, options range from traditional hotels and cabins to wilderness lodges and some of Sweden’s most unusual places to stay.

For a winter trip, I would choose accommodation based not just on the hotel itself but also on which activities and transfers are available, as distances in Lapland can be considerable.

✨ Best Things To Do In Sweden

Sweden offers far more than great city breaks. From exploring historic neighbourhoods and island-hopping to Arctic adventures in Swedish Lapland, these are some of the experiences worth adding to your itinerary.

Explore Stockholm’s Gamla Stan

Wander through the narrow cobbled streets of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s atmospheric Old Town. Colourful historic buildings, small squares, cafés and independent shops make this one of the most enjoyable areas of the capital to explore on foot.

Visit the Vasa Museum

One of Stockholm’s most fascinating attractions, the Vasa Museum is home to the remarkably preserved 17th-century warship Vasa. This was one of the highlights of my Stockholm visit and somewhere I’d definitely include on a first trip to the city.

Experience a Swedish Fika

Fika is much more than simply stopping for coffee. It’s a distinctly Swedish tradition of slowing down over coffee and something sweet – often a cinnamon bun – and one of the easiest parts of Swedish culture to embrace during a visit.

Explore a Swedish Archipelago

Sweden’s coastline is scattered with thousands of islands. From Stockholm or Gothenburg, you can take a ferry into the surrounding archipelagos and discover small communities, coastal scenery and a completely different pace of life.

Cross the Øresund Bridge

One of the great advantages of visiting Malmö is just how easy it is to combine Sweden with Denmark. Trains cross the spectacular Øresund Bridge directly to Copenhagen, making a two-country city break remarkably straightforward.

I did exactly this during my New Year stay in Malmö and loved being able to experience both cities on the same trip.

Experience Swedish Lapland

Swedish Lapland was a completely different experience from my previous visits to Sweden. Winter transforms the far north into a landscape of snow-covered forests and frozen lakes, with opportunities for husky sledding, snowmobiling and other Arctic adventures.

Search for the Northern Lights

Swedish Lapland is one of Europe’s great destinations for seeing the Aurora Borealis. Clear, dark skies and locations far away from major cities provide excellent conditions, although—as with any natural phenomenon—a sighting can never be guaranteed.

Enjoy Sweden’s Great Outdoors

Sweden’s forests, lakes, islands and national parks make getting outdoors a major part of the experience. Hiking, cycling, kayaking and wild swimming are popular during the warmer months, while winter brings skiing, snowshoeing and other snow-based activities.

☀️ Best Time To Visit Sweden

There really isn’t one best time to visit Sweden – it depends on the type of trip you want to experience. Summer brings long days, outdoor adventures and island-hopping, while winter transforms the north into an Arctic landscape of snow, frozen lakes and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

Spring – March to May

Spring brings longer days and gradually warmer temperatures, particularly in southern Sweden. It’s a quieter time for exploring cities such as Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, although conditions in the far north can remain wintry well into the season.

Summer – June to August

Summer is a wonderful time for city breaks, exploring Sweden’s archipelagos and enjoying the country’s lakes, forests and coastline. Days are exceptionally long, and in the far north the Midnight Sun means the sun barely sets – or doesn’t set at all – around midsummer.

This is also one of the busiest periods for visitors, particularly around the main cities and popular coastal destinations.

Autumn – September to November

Early autumn can be a lovely time to visit, with fewer visitors and colourful landscapes. Days become noticeably shorter as the season progresses, particularly in northern Sweden, and temperatures begin to fall quickly.

Winter – December to February

Winter is the season for a completely different Swedish experience. Stockholm and Malmö can make atmospheric winter city breaks, while Swedish Lapland becomes the main attraction for snow and Arctic adventures.

This is when you can experience activities such as husky sledding and snowmobiling, stay in remote wilderness locations and search for the Northern Lights beneath the dark Arctic skies.

Having experienced Sweden both on a New Year city break and during a winter trip to Swedish Lapland, I found winter showed me a completely different side of the country.

🌌 Swedish Lapland – My Arctic Adventure

My most recent visit to Sweden took me far beyond the city breaks I’d previously enjoyed in Stockholm and Malmö and into the extraordinary landscapes of Swedish Lapland.

It was a completely different side of the country. Snow-covered forests, frozen landscapes and the vastness of the Arctic wilderness made it feel a world away from southern Sweden.

Winter in Swedish Lapland is all about embracing the conditions. From outdoor adventures and traditional Arctic experiences to simply enjoying the silence and beauty of the landscape, this is a destination where the environment becomes a huge part of the trip.

One of the great attractions is also the possibility of witnessing the Northern Lights. There are never any guarantees, of course, but being beneath the dark skies of northern Sweden and waiting for the Aurora to appear is all part of the experience.

For me, Swedish Lapland demonstrated just how diverse Sweden really is. After previous trips to Stockholm and Malmö, travelling north into the Arctic gave me an entirely new perspective on the country.

Read my full Swedish Lapland travel experience →

🎟️ Tours & Experiences in Sweden

From guided walking tours and boat trips in Stockholm to food experiences, archipelago excursions and winter adventures in Swedish Lapland, there are plenty of ways to experience more of Sweden.

Booking ahead can be worthwhile for popular attractions and experiences, particularly during the busy summer months or when planning winter activities in Swedish Lapland.

Browse the latest tours and experiences below to find something that fits your Sweden itinerary.

🔗 Useful Sweden Travel Resources

For the latest official information when planning your trip to Sweden, these resources are useful for checking entry requirements, transport and destination information.

UK Government Travel Advice – Current entry requirements, passport information and travel advice for British visitors.

Visit Sweden – Sweden’s official tourism website, with information on destinations, experiences and planning your trip.

SJ – Sweden’s national rail operator and a useful starting point for checking train times and booking longer-distance rail journeys.

Swedavia – Information about Sweden’s main airports, flights and airport transport.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Sweden is a country that has surprised me with just how different each visit can be. My first experience was exploring the beautiful streets and waterways of Stockholm, followed by a New Year break in Malmö that I combined with Copenhagen, and most recently an adventure into the snowy landscapes of Swedish Lapland.

Between them, those trips have shown me three very different sides of Sweden – stylish and historic cities, the easy connections of the south and the extraordinary wilderness of the Arctic north.

There is still plenty of Sweden I would like to discover, particularly Gothenburg, the west coast and some of the country’s islands and archipelagos. That’s perhaps one of the things I like most about Sweden: even after three visits, there is still a great deal left to explore.

Whether you’re considering a weekend city break, a summer journey through Sweden’s countryside or a winter adventure beneath the Northern Lights, I hope this guide gives you some useful ideas and inspiration for planning your own trip.