What to do in Sweden

Sweden

Treks

The most famous and most interesting is the Kungsleden ("Royal Route"), a hiking route in northern Sweden, approximately 440 kilometres long, between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. It passes through one of Europe's largest remaining wilderness areas. After every 15-25 km or so there is a hut in which to spend the night. It is ideal to have a tent with you. The route can of course be shortened.

Kebnekaise - Sweden's highest mountain is located near Kungsleden. It cannot be climbed in one day. You have to count on at least three days. Climbing equipment is not necessary. Only the very top is covered with ice, so it is advisable to bring crampons.

Sarek National Park - untouched nature, but lacking mountain paths. Ideal for enthusiasts with a map and a bouzolla.

Ferratas, walls, climbing

One of the best climbing spots is near the village of Bohuslan near Gothenburg.

The best ferratas are located in the mountains by the sea HögaKusten. Visit viaferrata.se.

Nightlife

The most interesting nightlife is of course in the big cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. In Stockholm, the Gröna Lund amusement park is worth a visit in summer, where various concerts are held almost every day. The Södermalm district is lively all year round, with its many pubs and clubs.

One of the most interesting festivals during the solstice celebrations is the Dalarna area. The most interesting is the town of Leksand, where the tallest maypole in Sweden is erected. Also worth seeing is the Brännbollsyran festival (see Culture).

Shopping

The cheapest food is available at Lidl. For typical Swedish specialities, head to the ICA chain. The best quality, but more expensive, delicacies can be found at Saluhall.

Of course, the oldest IKEA in Stockholm is also worth a visit. You can buy electronics cheaply at SIBA, and clothes of course at H&M. Almost everything can be bought cheaper in the Czech Republic, so we don't recommend shopping at all.

Parks and reservations

All Swedish national parks are interesting. Their list and detailed information can be found on the official website.

Among the most interesting are definitely Abisko, Sarek, Fulufjället, Skuleskogen.

Skiing and snowboarding

Comparable quality skiing to the Alps can be found in the ski resort of Åre. Excellent conditions for backcountry skiing can be found on the border with Norway in Riksgränsen. You can also ski in central Stockholm on Hammarbybacken. The hill is surprisingly steep. There is even a women's World Cup here every year.

Cross-country skiing

Swedes prefer cross-country skiing to downhill skiing, and it looks like it. In every town and village you'll find beautifully groomed trails for both classic and skating. Of course, the further north you go, the longer you can cross-country ski throughout the year. If you are a really keen cross-country skier, we recommend you take part in the Vas run, which is always held on the first weekend in March.

Skating

Thanks to the large number of lakes, Sweden also has excellent conditions for ice skating. The towns regularly clear the fallen snow. Swedes skate on long knives, which can also be rented at almost every lake.

For children (amusement parks, lighter excursions)

The Swedes are family-friendly tips, so travel is tailored to children. There is no problem visiting national parks or other sights with children. They will find their own.

Among the most interesting attractions for children is Skansen in Stockholm with its zoo with Nordic animals. Also worth a visit is Kolmårdensdjurpark, which is the largest zoo in Sweden. Lovers of fairy tales and Pippi Longstocking should visit Vimmerby, where you can visit the world of Astrid Lindgren

For the romantics

Sweden's sunsets are more romantic than anywhere else. That's why we recommend seeking out the beautiful views. In Stockholm, for example, from the best viewpoint in the city at the so-called Monteliusvägen or from the Kaknäs tower.

Boat rides are also very popular, especially on Lake Mälaren near Stockholm or on Götakanal.

The main attraction for romantics, however, is the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights can be seen from mid-September to early April. Of course, the longer the night, the more likely it is to be seen. And of course, the further north you are, the more likely you are to see it. In Stockholm it can be seen about ten times a year. At Umeå every third day, and at Kiruna almost every day (in good, cloudless weather, of course). For more information, you can also find the forecast on this page.

Culture

In addition to the festivals mentioned above, every visitor to Sweden should visit these two museums in Stockholm:

Vasa Museum - is a maritime museum in Stockholm on the island of Djurgården. It houses the only almost fully preserved ship from the 17th century that has ever been saved; the warship Vasa. The museum opened in 1990 and, according to its official website, is the most visited museum in Scandinavia.

Stockholm City Hall - Eight million red bricks were used for this magnificent building. The blue courtyard is probably the most famous and beautiful part of the building and serves as a dining hall used for banquets after the annual Nobel Prize ceremony. From the tower of the Town Hall you have a magnificent view of the Old Town of Stockholm.

For museum lovers, we recommend buying a Stockholm card, which gives you free entry to most of Stockholm's museums.

Windsurfing

Since Sweden lacks access to the Atlantic Ocean, there aren't as many surfing opportunities. The option is surprisingly close to Stockholm in good winds at Torö Stenstrand beach.

On the other hand, Sweden offers excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The west coast is ideal. For example in Varberg. It can also be practiced in the Stockholm archipelago. There are also a number of schools.

Beaches

Beautiful sandy beaches are located on the island of Gotland. There are several interesting beaches on the west coast between Gothenburg and Malmö (for example, near Varberg and Falkenberg). Beautiful beaches with surprisingly warm water can also be found in the north near the Arctic Circle near Piteå.

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