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What makes Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, a remarkable destination?
- Scandinavia is a region steeped in history and beauty, and Sweden personifies that with its lakes, canals, archipelagos, and skies that glow with the famous and beautiful Aurora Borealis.
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What cultural experiences can travelers enjoy in Sweden?
- Its culture is just as refined, with art galleries and museums commemorating everything from archeological history to guitars to ABBA.
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What activities does Sweden offer for travelers?
- From skiing in Åre and visiting castles in Kalmar to riding a dogsled under the midnight sun in Kiruna or visiting the beaches and sea stacks of the island of Gotland, Sweden has a wide variety of activities to suit any traveler, any age, and any disposition.
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1. Stockholm
Explore Stockholm’s Old Town and admire stunning waterfront views and museums.
Stockholm is Sweden’s capital city, located on an archipelago of the Baltic Sea. The city is comprised of 14 islands connected by bridges and navigable by road or boat, making it a truly unique and spectacular Nordic city to visit. There are hundreds of attractions in Stockholm to keep visitors busy and entertained, from singing karaoke at the ABBA Museum to exploring some of the 600 rooms and five museums at the Swedish Royal Palace. A tour by foot, bus, or boat will offer visitors a look at this vibrant city through the eyes of an experienced guide who can depict some of its rich and storied history.
2. Abisko
Visit Abisko for breathtaking Northern Lights and exciting winter adventures.
Abisko is home to Abisko National Park, where the beauty of the Swedish Lapland is abundant. In the dark winter months, visitors can see the Aurora Borealis in all its glowing and effervescent beauty, and during the short summers, the midnight sun will shine down on Abisko for twenty-four hours a day. The remote wilderness of Abisko and the surrounding region makes it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who will love the abundance of opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, snowshoeing, or dog sledding through the birch trees and arctic tundra that is Abisko.
3. Are
Enjoy skiing and snowboarding in Are’s scenic, snowy winter wonderland.
Are is in the north of Sweden, surrounded by mountains. During the winter, Åre is home to the largest ski resort in Scandinavia, with over one hundred runs and over forty lifts. Tourists come from near and far to soar down the slopes at Åre amidst the beautiful scenery of the surrounding region. Once they are done with the slopes, they can ride a dogsled through the hills or snowshoe the paths by foot. In the summertime, Åre is a great destination for a number of other outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, and swimming.
4. Gothenburg
Walk along Gothenburg’s canals and explore charming attractions and local cuisine.
Gothenburg is one of the biggest cities in Sweden, and it is located along the Göta Canal, a 614-kilometer waterway built in the 19th century. The city is renowned for its canals, which give it an atmosphere much like Amsterdam, and its tree-lined main streets packed with cafes and shops. Visitors can tour the Gothenburg archipelago, take a boat tour through the canals of the city, or eat at one of Gothenburg’s restaurants, where seafood is a specialty. Gothenburg is also home to many museums and galleries, and its long history is sure to provide visitors with plenty to do.
5. Gotland
Discover Gotland’s medieval charm and enjoy a relaxing summer beach getaway.
Gotland is an island in the Baltic Sea, and it is accessible by a ferry that leaves from the towns of Nynashamn and Oskarshamn. The trip takes about three hours. Once on the island, visitors can visit the main town of Visby, a walled medieval city full of cobbled streets and the ruins of old churches and buildings. They can also swim at Blå Lagunen, an old stone quarry that is now filled with clear blue water or explore the nature reserve of Digerhuvud, which extends for several kilometers along the coast and contains hundreds of stone sea stacks.
6. Halmstad
Visit Halmstad for sandy beaches and affordable golf courses.
Halmstad is a popular destination on the west coast of Sweden, famous for its long beaches, but the fun doesn’t stop there. In Halmstad, art enthusiasts can enjoy Sweden’s largest art gallery, as well as the Harplinge Windmill ArtLab, the Halmstads Konsthall art gallery, and so many other places of artistic significance. As for museums and cultural history, Halmstad offers an open air museum called Hallandsgarden, Halmstad Castle, and a 12th century church ruin called Övraby Kyrkoruin. Once Halmstad has charmed visitors with its culture, they can head outdoors to the Danska Waterfalls or the Prins Bertils pathway.
7. Helsingborg
Explore Helsingborg’s historic landmarks and admire impressive coastal sights.
Just across the Öresund Strait from Denmark is Helsingborg, a medieval city home to a lovely waterfront and immense castle ruins. Its historic importance lies in the fact that it served as a first line of defense from Danish troops throughout a long and bloody history of conflict. The preserved Karnan Tower is a testament to this history, and a trip up its many stairs will reward guests with a grand view. Today, visitors to Helsingborg can experience the exhibits and listen to concerts at Dunker’s Culture House, walk among wild animals at Tropikariet, explore the castle and gardens at Sofiero Slott, or have dinner on one of the Swedish ferries, traditionally known as “Tura.”
8. Jonkoping
Walk along Lake Vättern and explore Jonkoping’s museums and lakeside attractions.
In Jonkoping, in southern Sweden, the views of Lake Vättern serve as a backdrop to a place that is already beautiful in its own right. Conveniently located between three of Sweden’s largest cities – Stockholm, Gothenberg, and Malmo – Jönköping is home to some amazing natural beauty, from hills and meadows to lakes and wetlands. The city itself boasts a two-kilometer long beach right in the center of the city, and visitors will enjoy some of its many attractions, including The Match Museum, the Rosenlunds Rosarium, and the Rosenlundsbadet, which is a giant heated bath with indoor pools.
9. Kalmar
Discover Kalmar’s medieval castle and enjoy scenic views along the coast.
Kalmar is a city surrounded by water, with a city center on its own island. In Kalmar, visitors can expect all the benefits of a seaside location, from beaches to harbors, as well as a thriving city center that is full of unique history. Kalmar Castle, Kvarnholmen, and Castlesfjärden are just some of the sights that visitors will see on a walk through Kalmar, and they can even take a boat ride that will show them the city from a whole new perspective. After a walk throughout the area, Kalmar’s museums will offer some fascinating history about the region and the city’s maritime past.
10. Karlstad
Admire Karlstad’s riverfront and explore relaxing outdoor activities on a weekend trip.
Karlstad, in central Sweden, is located just north of the massive Lake Vänern, which is home to hundreds of tiny islands. The city itself offers many museums and galleries for volunteers, including Värmlands Museum, The Brigade Museum, and the Sandgrund Lars Lerin Art Gallery. Visitors will also enjoy a visit to the Karlstad Cathedral, which was built in the 18th century and contains two model ships that hang from the rafters, as well as an impressive chandelier and the Old Stone Bridge, which is the longest in the country and serves as a perfect spot for a photograph.
Plan Your Trip
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