things to do in Sweden: Something amazing to do
The attractions in Sweden are countless. Unspoiled environment, top-notch museums, an intriguing history, stunning cities and towns, thriving traditions, and a creative spirit in everything from science, technology, and the arts to the nation’s constantly-evolving culinary scene greet visitors here. You can find everything in Scandinavia’s biggest country, whether looking for urban attractions, outdoor adventure, or a combination of the two. Here are some of the best things to do in Sweden to enjoy its enchantment.
It may be challenging to know where to begin because Sweden has many incredible things to do. Sweden is the type of destination that elegantly checks several boxes, from the lovely streets of Stockholm to the chilly tranquility of the Arctic. You may sing with ABBA, bathe in a golden egg, and eat fermented herring. There is no doubt that Sweden is different from other locations there are mountains of Sweden for enjoying.
I love the lovely city of Stockholm.
In his well-known musical ode to Sweden’s capital, “Stockholm I mitt hjärta” (Stockholm in My Heart), Swedish singer-songwriter Lasse Berghagen declared, “Of cities I know in the world, you are one with it all.” Stockholm is charming, as Berghagen observed.
There are enough museums, landmarks, and other attractions in the city to keep you occupied for weeks, but some of its most basic joys may be found in Stockholm’s bustling neighborhoods. Explore the historic streets of Gamla Stan, stroll down Strandvägen and the Djurgrden Canal, take in the expansive views from Södermalm, and finally watch the summer sunset over Lake Mälaren.
Explore the Stockholm archipelago’s islands.
The picturesque Stockholm archipelago comprises over 30,000 islands and skerries dispersed throughout a region of just about 1680 square kilometers (650 square miles). If you have a short amount of time, you may join a guided archipelago tour or visit Fjäderholmarna, just a 25-minute boat journey from central Stockholm.
To places all around the region, including Vaxholm, Grinda, Finnhamn, Möja, and Sandhamn, which are suitable for day excursions but also provide lodging if you’d want to spend a while, year-round passenger ferries and faster summer excursion boats run.
Explore the Göta Canal.
The Göta Canal, one of the greatest building projects in Swedish history, links the Baltic Sea with the two largest lakes in the nation, Vänern and Vättern. It then connects with the Trollhättan Canal for a complete coast-to-coast passage, which includes 66 locks and two aqueducts.
A canal cruise offers itineraries ranging from day visits to multi-day voyages aboard antique canal boats, which is a great opportunity to enjoy the verdant landscape, picturesque villages, and other sights along the route. You may hire a boat and sail alone if that’s what you like.
Take the Inlandsbanan train ride.
Take a ride on Inlandsbanan (the Inland Line) for a train excursion through some of Sweden’s wildest and most breathtaking countryside. The train departs from Mora in Dalarna and heads north to Gällivare, 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.
Along the way, there are various stops where you can see sights like the Arctic Circle, the Jamtli local history museum in Stersund, and the Jtte Mountain and Sámi Museum in Jokkmokk. The route is a fantastic opportunity to explore northern Sweden’s interior and offers access to long-distance hiking trails and the chance to observe some of the area’s diverse fauna.
Enjoy the West Coast way of life.
Sweden’s west coast is sometimes called the “best coast.” This place is undoubtedly unique, despite what east coasters may argue. Gothenburg, a vibrant port city with well-liked festivals and exceptional restaurants, shopping, and sights, is certainly the region’s center.
After experiencing some metropolitan delights, go north to Bohuslän, an area of deeply indented rocky coastline studded with charming fishing towns that come alive in the summer. In Halland, south of Gothenburg, you may discover wonderful lengths of sand around Varberg, Falkenberg, and Halmstad if you prefer beaches to rocky coasts.
You can travel to Sweden via food.
Sweden has recently established an intriguing culinary scene that combines traditional recipes with foreign inspirations, emphasizes sustainability, and uses locally produced, seasonal ingredients, despite the country being arguably best known outside of Europe for its meatballs and pancakes.
You may enjoy Swedish cuisine all around the nation, from Michelin-starred restaurants to laid-back cafés and bustling urban market halls. Take a seafood safari in Bohuslän, a winery tour in Skne, a Gotland fall truffle search, or go foraging for blueberries, lingonberries, or chanterelle mushrooms—what the Swedes refer to as “forest gold”—to learn more about Swedish cuisine. The best way to learn more about edible Swedish is to go on a foraging tour with a guide in Swedish Lapland.
Traveling across the Swedish countryside by car
Sweden is great for a driving holiday because of its well-kept highways, clear signs. And intriguing landmarks dotted across the countryside. The most enjoyable aspect of a Swedish road trip is meandering through deep forests. Beautiful tiny villages, past sparkling lakes, breathtaking beaches, and rolling farmland studded with red-painted cottages with white trim.
However, major highways will quickly get you from point A to point B. The high cost of petrol and car rentals in Sweden is a drawback. But you can lower these costs and your environmental effect by hiring a hybrid or even an electric vehicle. There are electric charging stations nationwide; a useful resource is Chargefinder.
Take a seaside swim and a sauna with a view.
Few sadhus (bathhouses) are as beautiful or historically significant as Malmö’s Kallbadhuset. No vacation to Sweden would be complete without a sauna session. This public bath, which is almost a century old, also has a café, a restaurant, and spa services. Yes, you must strip off (there are separate rooms for men and women). Yes, you must swim in the water afterward, regardless of the season. However, the panoramic views of the Resund Bridge and the city of Copenhagen are well worth it.
Visit the only mounted blue whale in the world.
The centerpiece of the Gothenburg Natural History Museum and the sole specimen of its type in the globe is a baby blue whale that was beached and died in 1865. The mounted whale, made out of its original skin stretched over a wooden frame. Rests next to its skeleton, and visitors may enter the whale’s stomach through a movable jaw (albeit it is only hinged open on rare occasions).
Put yourself in the shoes of a monarch.
There is no better way to see Sweden, which is justly known for its natural beauty and harshness, than on foot. One of the most well-known hiking routes is the 425km Kungsleden (King’s) path, which passes through mountains, valleys, lakes, and woods. There are cabins along the road for sleeping, which may be done in shorter segments. The entire thing takes around 18 days. However, go in the early summer since the mosquitoes in July and August become vicious.
Treat yourself to a famous spa.
The elite of Sweden has been treated at the hotel and spa of Ystad Saltsjöbad for over a century. This opulent resort, situated on the Baltic Sea at Sweden’s most southern shoreline. Provides holistic therapies for the body and mind, world-class cuisine, and five-star lodging. Relax in one of the outdoor hot springs. Enjoy the sea view from the dry sauna, or rest on one of the cloud-like daybeds.
By the Arctic Circle, go to bed in the woods.
If ice isn’t your thing, consider spending the night 15 feet above the ground in an eco-friendly, minimalist cabin (see above). The Treehotel, located on the brink of the Arctic Circle, has five unique rooms, each created by a different architect. The Mirrorcube is the most well-known of these rooms. There is no better location for relaxation than where the five of them sprawled out, taking in the breathtaking views of the Lule River valley.
Get a glimpse of a tower that is twisting.
The Turning Torso, a landmark in Malmö, the tallest building in Scandinavia, and the second-highest residential structure in Europe (yes, you can live there! ). And by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. Although the breathtaking views from the roof you can only see for three weeks each summer. Due to the building’s 90-degree twist, the top two levels rented out as meeting and conference spaces.
Join ABBA in song at their museum.
Visit this homage to the pop legends if Stockholm is on your travel agenda. The interactive display, as they say, “Walk in. Dance out,” redefines what a modern museum can be. The findings are available for download to your mobile device. You can virtually try on their well-known outfits, analyze the studio recordings using music tools. Even play with the ABBA avatars on a holographic stage.
On The Bridge, observe the sunset.
Love the TV show The Bridge? So you fully inform of the refund. This well-known 16 km bridge, a contemporary technical wonder with the final four km running through an underwater tunnel, connects Copenhagen with Malmö. The terrace of Luftkastellet, a bar, restaurant, and conference center located on the cliffs on the Swedish side. Provides unparalleled vistas and sunsets but is inaccessible to pedestrians.
