Sweden travel guide: where to go and how to plan it
Sweden is a long, thinly populated country with a handful of cities, thousands of coastal islands and a huge wild north. For a short trip, most people spend three or four days in Stockholm and add a train to Gothenburg or a boat into the archipelago. The one thing to know is that the season decides everything: summer is light and open, winter is dark and cold.
The short answer
- First trip
- Start in Stockholm, then add Gothenburg by train or a few days in the archipelago. Go north only if you have a week or more.
- How long
- Three to four days for Stockholm alone. Seven days for Stockholm, Gothenburg and a day out. Ten to fourteen if you want Lapland or the Baltic islands.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long light evenings and the islands. December to March for snow, northern lights and Christmas markets.
- Getting around
- Fast trains link Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. Night trains run north. A car helps only in the countryside.
- Money
- Swedish krona (kr). Almost everything takes a card, and many places refuse cash.
- Book ahead
- Summer boat trips, night trains and sleeper berths, northern lights tours in winter, and Stockholm's busiest restaurants.
Best cities to visit in Sweden
Stockholm
A capital built across islands, with a medieval old town, big museums and water at every turn. It suits first-time visitors, museum lovers and anyone who wants cafes, boat rides and long walks.
Give it 3 to 4 days
Places to visit in Sweden beyond Stockholm
Gothenburg
Sweden's second city on the west coast, with canals, a relaxed feel and good seafood. It is about three hours from Stockholm by fast train.
Malmö and Skåne
Malmö is a short train ride over the Öresund bridge from Copenhagen, with rolling farmland and beaches in the south. It pairs well with a Danish city break.
The Stockholm archipelago
Around 30,000 islands and skerries off the capital. Day boats leave from central Stockholm, and the nearer islands are easy to reach in an hour or two.
Gotland and Visby
A Baltic island with a walled medieval town, reached by ferry from the mainland. It is busiest in summer.
Abisko and Swedish Lapland
Mountains, lakes and some of the best northern lights viewing in winter, plus midnight sun in summer. Fly or take the night train north from Stockholm.
Sweden itineraries
- Four days: Stockholm
Spend the first two days on the old town, the main museums and the waterfront. Use day three for a boat into the archipelago or a palace outside the city. Keep day four loose for cafes and Södermalm. Everything is reachable on foot, tram and boat.
- Seven days: Stockholm and Gothenburg
Four nights in Stockholm, then a fast train to Gothenburg for three nights. The train takes about three hours and needs no car. Add a boat day on the west coast islands from Gothenburg.
- Ten days: Copenhagen, Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm
Start in Copenhagen, cross to Malmö by train, then head north up the west coast to Gothenburg and finish in Stockholm. Spend about three nights in each of the big cities. Trains cover every leg, and the Öresund link takes under an hour.
- Fourteen days: Stockholm and Lapland
Four nights in Stockholm, then the night train or a flight north to Abisko or Kiruna for four to five nights. Spend the rest in Gothenburg or the archipelago. In winter, build in spare nights in the north, because cloud can hide the aurora.
Best time to visit Sweden
June to August is the main season: warm, with very long evenings and, in the far north, the midnight sun. Midsummer in late June is a national holiday and many shops and offices close. Ferries, island accommodation and city hotels fill early.
May and September are quieter and cheaper, with decent weather. December to March is cold and dark in the south, and more so in the north, but it suits Christmas markets, snow and northern lights, which are best seen in the north between September and March. Check opening hours in winter, as many island venues close.
How to get around Sweden
- TrainsSJ runs most long-distance trains, including the fast Stockholm to Gothenburg and Malmö services. Other operators run some routes too. Book early for cheaper fares.
- Night trainsSleeper trains run from Stockholm to the north, including Kiruna, and take around 17 hours. Reservations are required on night trains, and sleeper berths sell out in peak times.
- Rail passesThe Interrail pass covers Swedish trains, but SJ's fast and night trains need a seat or berth reservation. Check what your pass covers before you buy.
- FlightsDomestic flights are the quick way north to Kiruna, Luleå or Östersund. Book ahead for the best fares.
- Ferries and boatsBoats serve the archipelago and Gotland. Timetables are thinner outside summer, so plan your return.
- DrivingRoads are good and traffic is light, which helps in the countryside and the north. Winter driving needs proper tyres, and in cities a car is more trouble than it is worth.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Sweden. Each city guide has its own list.
- Night trains and sleeper berths4 to 8 weeks ahead
Reservations are required, and berths sell out around holidays and in northern lights season.
- Summer ferries and island stays4 to 8 weeks ahead
Island rooms are few and midsummer weekends fill first.
- Northern lights and winter tours2 to 4 weeks ahead
Small groups sell out in winter, and booking early lets you add a spare night for weather.
- Popular restaurants1 to 2 weeks ahead
The best tables in Stockholm and Gothenburg go quickly on Fridays and Saturdays.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencySwedish krona (kr or SEK). Sweden is in the EU but not in the euro.
- Cards and cashSweden is largely cashless. Cards work almost everywhere, and some places do not take cash at all. Use a chip-and-PIN or contactless card, and keep a phone payment option if you have one.
- TippingService is included. Round up or leave about 10 percent for good table service. Nobody expects a tip in a cafe or taxi.
- Tourist taxesThere is no national tourist tax, and municipalities cannot add one at present. Accommodation includes VAT. The idea has been debated, so check when you book.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and F sockets, 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
What to skip in Sweden
- Trying to see the whole country
Sweden is long, and the north is about a day's travel from the capital. Pick the south or the north for a first trip.
- Cash exchange
You will rarely need krona notes. Use a card and skip the airport exchange desks.
- Winter on the islands
Many archipelago and Gotland venues close from autumn to spring. Go in summer, or stay in the cities.
- Driving in the big cities
Parking is limited and costly, and trams, trains and boats cover most things. Rent a car only for countryside or northern routes.
Sweden: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Sweden?
Three to four days covers Stockholm. A week adds Gothenburg or the archipelago. For Lapland, plan at least ten days in total so the travel does not eat your trip.
What is the best city to visit in Sweden?
Stockholm is the best first choice. It has the old town, the major museums, the water and the easiest connections. Gothenburg is the usual second stop.
When is the best time to visit Sweden?
June to August for light evenings and the islands, December to March for snow and northern lights. May and September are quieter and cheaper.
Is Sweden expensive for tourists?
Yes, especially for hotels and restaurant meals. Lunch deals, self-catering and traveling outside summer help keep costs down.
Do you need cash in Sweden?
Almost never. Most places take cards, and some refuse cash. Bring a chip-and-PIN or contactless card, and keep a backup card.
Is Sweden worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want snow, Christmas markets or northern lights. Expect short days, cold weather and some closed island venues, so book ahead.
How do you get around Sweden without a car?
By train between big cities, night trains and flights to the north, and boats to the islands. Stockholm itself works on foot, tram, metro and ferry.
What is a good Sweden itinerary for 7 days?
Four nights in Stockholm and three in Gothenburg, linked by a fast train of about three hours. Add a boat day on either coast.