Complete Sweden Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
Sweden is a small country in northern Europe with a population of 10 million. It is best known for its archipelago, meatballs, pop music, and Ikea. You will find medieval architecture, picturesque islands, the northern lights, the midnight sun, the world’s longest art exhibit, and Viking history. The country receives over 15 million tourists each year. Planning international travel can be overwhelming and time-consuming while working full-time. Use this Sweden travel guide and the following Sweden travel blog posts to plan your perfect vacation. The top destinations in Sweden are Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg.
Why Visit Stockholm Sweden
Stockholm has been called the “Venice of the North” because it is a city of 12 islands connected by 42 bridges. The city has great food, incredible museums, beauty everywhere, and A LOT of stairs! You will find parks, promenades, palaces, incredible museums, subway art installations, a gorgeous cobblestoned old town, canals, and home to the Nobel Prize.
READ 72 Hours in Stockholm Sweden
Why Visit Malmo Sweden
Malmö is Sweden‘s third-largest city and has been named the happiest city in Sweden. It is well known for the photographic Turning Torso building and the Oresund Bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark. You will also find a walkable old town, canals, the Malmö Castle, museums of Nordic history, brightly colored fishing huts, and Ribersborg beach and pier.
Why Visit Gothenburg Sweden
Gothenburg is Sweden’s second-biggest city. The city is the headquarters of Volvo and the location of Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest theme park. You will also find large green spaces, canals, an archipelago, a historic city center, a strong cafe culture, fresh seafood, craft beer, and lots of bicycles.
What You Need to Know When Planning a Trip to Sweden
Where is Sweden
Sweden is in northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bordered by Norway, Finland, the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea. Stockholm is the capital and largest city of Sweden.
What is the language in Sweden?
The national language of Sweden is Swedish. You may also hear Finnish, Yiddish, Sami, Meänkieli, and Romani. 89% of people in Sweden speak English. Sweden consistently ranks one of the top three countries in English proficiency and almost everyone under the age of 60 speaks it. It is important to at least try to speak the common language before resorting to English. FluentU offers a helpful list of common words and phrases to learn before you travel.
Do I need a visa to visit Sweden?
According to Project Visa, US citizens do not need a visa for a visit up to 90 days in a 6 month period.
What is the currency in Sweden?
The currency in Sweden is the krona. Although Sweden is part of the EU, euros are not accepted. You may find tourist shops in Stockholm and at some international chain hotels that will accept the euro. The exchange right will not be favorable and change will be given in Krona. US dollars are not accepted at restaurants, attractions, or stores. Don’t be fooled by ‘0 commission’ money exchangers because the ‘service fee’ is high. Be sure to download a free currency calculator before you arrive.
Can I use credit cards and ATMs in Sweden?
ATMs are available throughout Sweden but it may be difficult to spend cash. Sweden plans to become the first cashless nation in the world by 2023. Avoid large fees by using your bank’s international partner in Sweden and google its location before you travel. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club are widely accepted in Sweden, you will need a 4-digit PIN from the bank. Discover cards are not accepted. Save money on fees with a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees and make purchases in Krona.
How much should I budget per day in Spain?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Sweden is $138. Expect to pay $1,936 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When is the best time to visit Sweden?
The best time to visit Sweden is from June to August when cafes and open-air museums are open. This is also high season and flights will be expensive. The sun rises at 3 am and sets at 11 pm during these months. July is the warmest month with temperatures around 64°F. Expect overnight frost beginning in September and snow in October. Snow will likely remain on the ground through April. February is the coldest month with temperatures around 26°F. The northern lights are common in late March or early April but may be seen as early as September in the north.
What type of transportation does Sweden use?
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the country’s main international airport. Use the Arlanda Express to reach Stockholms city center in 20 minutes. The public transportation in Stockholm consists of metro (T-Bana), commuter trains, buses, trams, and ferries. Taxis in Sweden run on a fixed rate system. Uber and Bolt are available. The Stockholm Travelcard includes unlimited travel for 24 hours or 72 hours on Stockholm’s public transport systems. Cities are connected by air, high-speed trains, and buses. Domestic flights and car rentals are expensive. An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn’t necessary when renting a car in Sweden, the roads are well-maintained and marked.
What kind of adaptor do I need in Sweden?
The plugs in Sweden are type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter with surge protection. You will need a converter if you plan to use an electric razor or blow dryer from the US.
What should I pack for Sweden?
The overall clothing style in Sweden is fashionable and trendy, bring at least one nice outfit. Jeans are popular. Wear muted or dark colors, and avoid loud designs. The weather fluctuates often, wear layers and be prepared for cold weather and rain. A jacket is necessary for the evening during the midnight sun months. A winter coat, gloves, hat, warm socks, and snow boats may be needed in September. Saunas are popular in Sweden, pack a swimsuit to participate. Wear shoes with cushioned soles for walking on cobbled streets. It stays light until 11pm in the summer, so bring an eye mask!
Is Sweden a safe country for solo travelers?
According to Travel Safe Abroad, Sweden is a very safe country for travelers. There is a medium risk of tourist scams and pickpockets. Do not leave belongings unattended and stay aware of your surroundings. Temperatures reach below freezing, so dress accordingly. Stay aware of your surroundings, European cities have been targeted for terrorist attacks. Dial 112 in an emergency. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What foods do I need to try in Sweden?
Meatballs with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce, sill (pickled or fried herring), kroppkakor (fried pork wrapped in potato dumplings), falukorv sausage, blood pudding, kalops (meat stew), yellow pea soup, kanelbulle (cinnamon bun), knäckebröd (crispbread), gubbröra (egg-anchovy salad), smörgås (open sandwich), räkmacka (open-faced shrimp sandwich), pyttipanna (Swedish hash), klenät (deep-fried pastry), Swedish pancakes (crepes), raggmunk (potato pancake), prinsesstårta (yellow sponge cake layered with jam and vanilla custard). Be sure to eat at a Smörgåsbord, a Swedish buffet.
Tips for Traveling in Sweden
- You will need a credit card, Sweden is moving to a cashless society.
- Tap water is better than bottled water.
- The drinking age in Sweden is 18 but you must be 20 to buy alcohol in stores.
- Nightclub bouncers use face control and will not grant entry if you are not dressed up.
- Alcohol is only sold in Systembolaget stores.
- Smoking is prohibited in all public places.
- Fika (coffee breaks with friends in an outdoor cafe) is a way of life and the pastries are delicious.
- Swedes are orderly, expect to take a number, stand in line, and wait your turn.
- Midsummer is the most important celebration of the year.
- Free Wi-Fi is everywhere.
- It is common to pay 5/10 kroner to use public toilets and expect them to be unisex.
- Swedes are reserved and quiet, they don’t talk with strangers and love their personal space.
- Sweden is one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, DO NOT Litter.
- Swedes recycle. Garbage is cleaned, and boxes and cartons are folded.
- Swedes love to eat fish, especially pickled herring.
Top Things to See and Do in Sweden
- Island hop the archipelago.
- Tour Drottningholm Palace, the residence of the Swedish Royal Family.
- Spend the night at Jukkasjärvi ice hotel in the Arctic Circle.
- Visit Stockholm City Hall, the site of the Nobel Prize dinner.
- Explore the medieval city of Visby or Sigtuna.
- Drive across the famous Oresund Bridge in Malmo.
- Watch the Northern Lights dance in Lapland.
- Tour the Lund Cathedral.
- Explore Skansen, the oldest open-air museum in the world.
- Spend a day relaxing on a white sand beach in Gotland.
- Visit the 15th Century Gammelstad Church Town.
- Check out Ales Stenar, Sweden’s Stonehenge.
- Hike the King’s Trail through 4 national parks: Abisko, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek, and Pieljekaise.
- Photograph the fisherman’s huts in Smögen.
Check the Sweden Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Interesting Facts About Sweden
- Sweden has one of the highest standards of living in the world.
- This was the first country to write freedom of the press into its Constitution.
- Sweden is the fifth largest country in Europe but has the lowest population per square km.
- 50% of Sweden is covered by forest and around 400,000 moose are roaming it.
- Donald Duck is more popular than Mickey Mouse.
- Swedish root beer flavored Julmust outsells Coke.
- North Korea owes Sweden over €300 million for Volvo they bought in the 1970s, and Sweden bills them yearly.
- Sweden has the highest number of patents per capita in Europe.
- The Swedes invented vodka, Celsius, the pacemaker, ultrasound, Nicorette gum, the refrigerator, Candy Crush, Minecraft, and the computer mouse.
- The Swedish passport is the 6th best passport in the world and gives citizens access to 124 countries without a visa.
- Sweden has remained neutral in all wars since 1814, including World Wars I and II.
- Swedish school holidays are nine weeks long, and students celebrate graduation by spraying beer on each other.
- A college education is free in Sweden; health care is largely taxpayer-funded.
- It has been illegal to spank children since 1979.
- Sweden has the highest number of McDonald’s restaurants in Europe per capita.
- ABBA is the fourth-best-selling music act in history, after Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Michael Jackson.
- Sweden is the third-largest exporter of music in the world (after the United States and the UK.)
- Four out of five Swedes regularly play video games.
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