Need a fun day trip or a once-in-a-lifetime escape in Northern Europe? Head to Sweden! Explore medieval cities, vast forests, pristine lakes, and dynamic cultural hubs. Whether you're hiking under the Midnight Sun, sampling world-famous Scandinavian cuisine, or strolling charming old towns, Sweden offers a perfect blend of nature, design, and rich history in every season.

Sweden Highlights:

  • Stockholm: Tour Sweden’s capital spread across 14 islands, featuring the historic Gamla Stan (Old Town), world-class museums, and scenic waterfront promenades.
  • Gothenburg: Explore this laid-back coastal city known for its canals, seafood, and vibrant arts and music scenes.
  • Kiruna and Swedish Lapland: Witness the Northern Lights, stay in the iconic Icehotel, and experience Sámi culture north of the Arctic Circle.
  • Gotland: Discover medieval towns, windswept beaches, and ancient Viking sites on Sweden’s largest island in the Baltic Sea.
  • Abisko National Park: Hike among spectacular mountains, visit one of the world’s best places to see the Aurora Borealis, and trek the famous King’s Trail.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sweden depends on your interests: May to September is ideal for pleasant weather, long daylight hours, island hopping, and hiking. December to March is perfect for snow sports, Northern Lights viewing, Christmas markets, and cozy winter experiences.

How to Get There

  • By Plane: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is Sweden’s main international gateway, with additional hubs in Gothenburg (GOT) and Malmö (MMX).
  • By Train: High-speed and regional trains connect Sweden to neighboring countries like Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
  • By Ferry: Ferries from Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Germany, and Poland arrive at various ports including Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Where to Stay

  • Grand Hôtel Stockholm – Iconic luxury hotel overlooking the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan in the heart of Stockholm.
  • Upper House Gothenburg – Chic modern hotel offering spa experiences, fine dining, and views over Gothenburg’s skyline.
  • Treehotel (Harads) – Unique eco-lodging in the forests of Northern Sweden where rooms are designed as architectural marvels suspended in trees.

Best Things to Do

Dance Through Music History and Glamorous Memories at ABBA: The Museum

Dance Through Music History and Glamorous Memories at ABBA: The Museum

© Courtesy of Can - Fotolia.com

At ABBA: The Museum, located in Stockholm, visitors can learn about the legendary Swedish band that produced classic hits like Dancing Queen and Mama Mia. But the fun won’t stop there, because guests will have the opportunity to do more than just look at the band’s gold records, costumes, and other memorabilia. At ABBA: The Museum, visitors can take part in a fun and immersive experience that will allow everyone to audition at the Polar Studio for the chance to become ABBA’s fifth member, dance their hearts out on the flashing dance floor, and virtually try on some of the band’s most iconic costumes.

Djurgardsvägen 68, Stockholm, Sweden, Phone: +4-68-12-13-28-60

Step Into Royal Splendor and Garden Strolls at Drottningholm Palace

Step Into Royal Splendor and Garden Strolls at Drottningholm Palace

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Drottningholm Palace is a beautiful example of 17th-century European architecture and holds a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The word Drottningholm translates to “Queen’s Island,” and as the name implies, the palace is the permanent home of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden; however, with the exception of their residences, the palace and its grounds are open to the public. Guests can explore the palace and take a guided tour where they will learn some of the history of the gorgeous building and the people who built it and lived there. Visitors can also enjoy the expansive grounds and gardens outside the palace, as well as the gift shop and restaurant.

178 02 Drottningholm, Sweden, Phone: +46-84-02-62-80

If Cutting-Edge Photography and Creative Inspiration Move You, Visit Fotografiska

If Cutting-Edge Photography and Creative Inspiration Move You, Visit Fotografiska

© Fotografiska

At Fotografiska in the heart of Stockholm, the art of photography is everything. The museum hosts a rotating selection of high-end exhibits from world-famous photographers and up-and-coming talent, and offers classes in photography for those who wish to learn more. Fotografiska is home to 2,500 square meters of exhibition space as well as a gallery where art lovers can purchase photography, and a cafe and restaurant. Exhibitions are available for all ages, and can be enjoyed by photography lovers as well as newcomers to the art. Tickets to Fotografiska can be purchased by credit card at the museum or on the Fotografiska app, available on Google Play or the App Store.

Stadsgardshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Wander Through Blooming Gardens and Serene Greenhouses at the Garden Society of Gothenburg

Wander Through Blooming Gardens and Serene Greenhouses at the Garden Society of Gothenburg

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The Garden Society of Gothenburg is located in the walled city of Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. This 19th-century garden was founded in 1842, and to this day it still serves as the flowering, green heart of the city, with parks, educational seminars, and luscious gardens. Guests can visit the expansive Rosarium, featuring both modern and historic roses, or the indoor Palmhouse, a striking glass and cast-iron building in which tropical plants from all over the world grow all year round. The Garden Society of Gothenburg’s parks and gardens are open daily and admission is free.

Slussgatan 1, 411 06 Goteborg, Sweden, Phone: +4-63-13-65-00

Sail, Bike, and Cruise Through Sweden’s Historic Gota Canal

Sail, Bike, and Cruise Through Sweden’s Historic Gota Canal

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The Gota Canal is a 19th-century waterway that connects a system of lakes and rivers all across Sweden, from Gothenburg in the west to the Baltic Sea in the east. The canal itself, which stretches almost 200 km in length, is flanked by scenic cycling towpaths along its banks, and its waters are dotted with boats. Visitors can rent a boat, bring their own, or hop aboard one of the many passenger boats that traverse the waters of the canal. Whatever the method of travel, the Gota Canal is a way to see Sweden like no other, and from its waters guests will have easy access to shops, restaurants, museums, and nature along the way.

605 96 Söderköping, Sweden

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Admire Nordic Masterpieces and Modern Marvels at the Gothenburg Museum of Art

Admire Nordic Masterpieces and Modern Marvels at the Gothenburg Museum of Art

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The Gothenburg Museum of Art is an art lover’s dream. Home to pieces from artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, and Monet, along with many famous Swedish artists and contemporary artists, the Gothenburg Museum of Art is the place to explore art from many different eras and origins. Guided tours of the museum can be booked 8 days or more in advance. After exploring the museum and its treasures, guests are welcome to shop in the museum store for unique gifts, or enjoy a fantastic meal in Mr. P, a restaurant named after and designed by a prominent historical Swedish art collector.

Gotaplatsen 6, 412 56 Goteborg, Sweden, Phone: +4-63-13-68-35-00

Step Into Opulent City Life of the Past at the Hallwyl Museum

Step Into Opulent City Life of the Past at the Hallwyl Museum

© Hallwyl Museum

The Hallwyl Museum is located in the ornate and lovely Hallwyl House in the center of Stockholm. The unique house was built with influences from Venetian and Spanish styles in the late 19th century, and is one of the most expensive private residences ever built in Sweden. Now it is home to the Hallwyl Museum, which bears the name of its former residents and houses their enormous collections of art, furnishings, and some personal items. The house also serves as a glorious peek into the past, with rooms that are astoundingly well-preserved to a historical standard. Guided tours are available daily and can be tailored to guests’ specific interests.

Hamngatan 4, 111 47 Stockholm, Phone: +46-84-02-30-99

Sleep Surrounded by Art and Ice Wonders at Sweden’s Famous Icehotel

Sleep Surrounded by Art and Ice Wonders at Sweden’s Famous Icehotel

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Jukkasjärvi is a hotel built entirely from ice, located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. Every year approximately 40 artists come together to create the Icehotel with frozen blocks sourced from the Torne River, and the result is an experience like no other. The Icehotel has warm and cold hotel suites, an Ice Bar, and an Ice Church, but also many warm cabins, restaurants, and shops. Guests can spend a night in the Icehotel, which clocks in at about -5°C or -7°C, where they will be provided with furs and expedition-style sleeping bags to keep them warm. While staying at the Icehotel, guests are also invited to take part in activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and classes in ice sculpting.

Marknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, Phone: +4-67-06-68-02-63

If Storybook Adventures and Astrid Lindgren’s Magic Call You, Explore Junibacken

If Storybook Adventures and Astrid Lindgren’s Magic Call You, Explore Junibacken

© Junibacken

Families will fall in love with Junibacken , a children’s cultural center that was inspired byb Astrid Lindgren, the famous Swedish children’s author who created iconic character Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Through music, theater, and plenty of imagination, Junibacken creates a fun and unique environment where children can play, learn, and discover the magic of books and reading. Visitors can take a ride on the Story Train, where they will hear Astrid Lindgren read one of her stories, or play in the immersive and fun Storybook Square. The Junibacken Children’s Theater will bring beloved stories to life, and in the children’s bookstore at Junibacken, guests can purchase these stories and many others.

Galärvarvsvagen 8, 115 21 Stockholm, Phone: +4-68-58-72-30-00

Walk the Moats and Mighty Walls of Medieval Kalmar Castle

Walk the Moats and Mighty Walls of Medieval Kalmar Castle

© Courtesy of Kevin (KEE PIL) Cho - Fotolia.com

Kalmar Castle has an illustrious history that dates back to the 12th century. With its wide, round towers and steep, pointed roofs, Kalmar Castle is a clear example of Nordic Renaissance architecture at its finest. Visitors can explore the castle’s interior to find reconstructions of a 16th-century Easter feast in the Hall, the 19th-century Women’s Prison, and rooms in the Governor’s Apartments that will paint a vivid image of the castle’s many purposes over the long years. Seasonal exhibitions are also featured in the castle, as well as a cafe.

Kungsgatan 1, 392 33 Kalmar, Phone: +4-64-80-45-14-90

Where to Eat

  • Oaxen Slip (Stockholm) – Casual Nordic bistro offering sustainable seafood and traditional dishes in a stylish waterfront setting.
  • Sjömagasinet (Gothenburg) – Renowned for some of Sweden’s best seafood, located right on the harbor.
  • Smorgastarteriet (Stockholm) – Modern Swedish restaurant where classic flavors meet creative twists, in a cozy and upscale setting.

If you are interested in local events:

  • Walpurgis Night (Valborg) (April 30) – Celebrate the arrival of spring with bonfires, singing, and festivities across the country.
  • Midsummer Festival (Late June) – Dance around maypoles, wear flower crowns, and enjoy traditional Swedish food and music during this iconic summer holiday.
  • Stockholm Pride (August) – Scandinavia’s largest Pride celebration with parades, concerts, and a vibrant citywide atmosphere.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Stockholm:

  • Drottningholm Palace (30 min) – Visit the royal family’s private residence and beautiful UNESCO-listed palace and gardens.
  • Vaxholm (30 min by ferry) – Explore this charming archipelago town with historic fortresses, waterfront dining, and cozy cafés.
  • Tyresta National Park (30 min) – Hike pristine forests, see ancient pine trees, and spot wildlife just outside Stockholm.
  • Artipelag (25–30 min) – Admire contemporary art exhibitions in a spectacular seaside museum nestled in pine forests.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What historical sites can visitors explore in Sweden?
    • In Sweden, visitors can step into history by visiting cathedrals, the palaces of royalty, and the preserved sites of rich archaeological excavations.
  • What family-friendly attractions are available in Sweden?
    • Families can enjoy a day at the Junibacken Children’s Cultural Center or see lions and tigers at Kolmarden Wildlife Park.
  • What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy in Sweden?
    • Visitors can relax at a beach or take a peaceful boat ride on the Gota Canal.
  • Which cities and regions should travelers visit in Sweden?
    • From Stockholm to Gothenburg to Jukkasjärvi up in the Arctic Circle, Sweden has something for everyone.

Plan Your Trip