The Best Places to Visit in Sweden
Sweden is one of those countries which does everything well - High quality of life, beautiful nature, enthralling cities, and a progressive, happy culture. Located in Scandinavia, right across the bridge from Denmark and neighboring Norway and Finland, Sweden has roughly 10.5 million people who call it home. Sweden’s different regions offer so much variety which is part of the reason why it’s such a desired destination. In the South you’ll find beech forests, rolling farmland, and archipelagos, In Central Sweden there is thousands upon thousands of lakes, whereas up North is the charming Arctic tundra where the Northern Lights sighting comes from. In every region there’s guaranteed to be an amazing city or town you’ll likely fall in love with, too.
Best time to visit:
May to September
1) Stockholm
Stockholm is Sweden’s beautiful capital built across 14 islands, where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea on the country’s east coast. Water and bridges are everywhere, as well as interesting streets and squares everywhere. It’s a pretty atmospheric city, with over 1 million people living in the city area, and over 2.4 million in the metro area. There is a good bit to see and do here, and time in Stockholm is a great opportunity to try Nordic food and experience the Swedish culture.
Things to do:
Gamla Stan is the name of the island with Stockholm’s Old Town, and it’s filled with colorful, lively streets and buildings from the 17th century. Inside, check out the Royal Palace and the Parliament House, both stunning pieces of grand architecture. Don’t forget Stockholm Cathedral too, which is just round the corner. South of Gamla Stan is Södermalm, the bigger island with all the trendy art, vintage shops and the bulk of the nightlife. Over to one more island, Djurgården is one of Stockholm’s main attractions with so much greenery, and museums such as Skansen and the ABBA Museum. Many people spending time in Stockholm also take a ferry out and explore Stockholm’s nearby archipelago, containing over 30,000 unique islands. Stockholm is a sizeable city with a good bit to see and many great areas.
How to get there:
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) has direct flights from all around Europe plus some long haul options too.
It’s also well connected with train, featuring connections with Gothenburg, Oslo, Copenhagen, Malmo, etc.
FlixBus also has the same routes for cheaper.
2) Gothenburg
Gothenburg is Sweden's second-largest city and the beating heart of the country's vibrant west coast. It offers a relatively different vibe to Stockholm, taking pride in it’s lively, multicultural atmosphere and excellent seafood cuisine. The port of Gothenburg is actually Scandinavia’s largest port, which dates back to it’s long history as a major trading hub in northern Europe.
Things to do:
The Haga District is essentially Gothenburg’s Old Town, being the first suburb of the city. Here you can find old cobblestone streets and architecture from the 19th century. It’s a creative-feeling area to walk around. Check out Feskekörka (The Fish Church), which is packed with fresh seafood stalls. You can also walk up to Skansen Kronan for some decent views of the city. By the river you’ll find Gustaf Adolf's Square, the central city square buzzing with life. For museums, check out either the Gothenburg Museum of Art or the Volvo Museum, both very cool. Lastly, the city’s botanical gardens are beautiful.
How to get there:
Around Europe, Göteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) has some pretty strong connections.
You can get trains from major Scandinavian cities directly (Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Malmo, and other smaller Swedish cities).
FlixBus also offers cheaper options, mainly with the same routes.
3) Abisko National Park
Abisko National Park is a beautiful and mythical part of Sweden where anyone can feel the untouched wilderness of the Swedish Lapland. It sits all the way up in the north of the country, pretty close to the Norwegian border. The climate and lack of pollution in Abisko makes it one of the worlds best places to see the northern lights, a dream for anyone. The days and nights in Abisko feel like they last forever, depending on the season, and overall it’s a timeless isolated wonderland.
Things to do:
Around Abisko Village is the ‘gateway’ to the park and the visitor center. You can get the Chairlift to Aurora Sky Station on Mount Nuolja, which offers panoramic views, and expert spotting locations for the auroras. For those who want the experiences, many go dog sledding and hang out the husky pups, or find one of the awesome hikes in the maps in STF Abisko Turiststation.
How to get there:
To get to Abisko, Kiruna Airport (KRN) is the main entry, where you then get a transfer to Abisko Village. You can fly from Stockholm.
4) Gotland (Visby)
Gotland is Sweden's largest island, which is filled with sun, natural beauty and many history. It often boasts the title of ‘Paradise Island,’ or ‘Viking Island.’ Geographically, Gotland sits smack in the middle of the Baltic Sea, about 90 km east of mainland Sweden. The name of Gotland’s capital is Visby, the heart of the island dating back centuries. It’s extremely walkable and charming, and if you’re visiting Gotland, Visby is the place to go.
Things to do:
Inside the City Walls of Visby is where the magic essence is. You can climb sections of the walls which have been preserved since the 13th century, and still have old towers and gates standing today. Inside the Old Town area, you can find the ruins of the St. Karin Cathedral, which are the best medieval ruins in the city for sure. There are also many other old church ruins you can find, as you wander the beautiful streets of the city (which you should be doing every day). If you want to get outside the city, Högklint Viewpoint is a short drive and has views overlooking the Baltic Sea.
How to get there:
Visby Airport (VBY) has good domestic connections, mainly from Stockholm.
Alternatively, you can take a ferry from ports in southern Sweden.
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