[takeaways] • Sweden blends medieval history, cool cities, and vast nature – from the Northern Lights in Abisko to the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland.
• Stockholm alone could fill a trip: kayak the archipelago, explore the Vasa Museum, and wander the Royal National City Park at Djurgården.
• Gothenburg (Sweden's second-largest city) and Malmö both make excellent additions beyond the capital.
• Allemansrätten, Sweden's right of public access, means you're free to walk, hike, and cycle across most of the countryside, as long as you respect nature and landowners.
• Sweden is largely cashless, but it's still worth carrying a little cash for smaller businesses, and dagens lunch menus are a great budget-friendly pick.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Sweden keeps you connected to maps and bookings wherever your trip takes you. [/takeaways]
Sweden's a big country with tons of gorgeous cities and waterways, meaning that building any kind of itinerary is always going to be a big ask. That said, if you're completely new to the country or even Scandinavia in general, there are some fantastic things you can put at the top of your bucket list if you're Europe bound.
In this guide, we take you through the best things to do in Sweden as a newbie visitor, and share some tips on how you can make the most of adventures out here, even if you're sticking to a tight budget and schedule.
If budget's a big concern, of course, downloading an eSIM for Sweden is a must-do before you even book a flight or hotel room. SIMOVO's eSIMs give you prepaid mobile data packages that connect you to the best available networks in the region, meaning you won't have to waste time hunting down local SIMs and WiFi spots.
[esim flag="🇸🇪" label="Sweden" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/sweden" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you even book a flight or hotel room[/esim]
Why visit Sweden?
Sweden is a massively popular European country that's world-famous for its "design-forwards" cityscapes, its connections to the Arctic, and its Viking past and cultural touchpoints. Many people will know of Swedish brands like IKEA, for example, and will likely have heard at least one ABBA song! However, Sweden's cultural footprint goes far beyond curious furniture and the Eurovision Song Contest.
For example, Sweden is a massive must-visit for anyone who wants to explore incredible winter wonderlands. You might already have Finland and Lapland on your bucket list, but Sweden is just as breathtaking for its access to the Northern Lights and majestic snowscapes. More on that side of the country a little further down!
There are forests abound in Sweden, too, meaning you're never too far away from a crisp walk in nature. In fact, the Swedish constitutional principle of Allemansrätten means that people are free here to walk, hike, cycle, and more across the country's glorious back yard. All that's asked of you is that you respect the natural world just as much as it welcomes you. It's also wise to respect landowners, too.
Sweden is also famously welcoming, meaning it's a popular destination for repeat visits purely based on the people. Just be ready to anticipate direct, open conversation – there are no mind games or agendas out here, but at the same time, it pays to stay safe and trust your gut when meeting new people.
Overall, Sweden offers an amazing balance of medieval history, urban cool, and peaceful nature breakaways. It's a pretty safe assumption that you won't be too stuck for things to do, no matter where in the country you are headed.
Top things to do in Sweden
We'd be here forever if we were to list absolutely everything worth seeing and doing in Sweden, so consider this a quickfire crash course in what to prioritize when you visit for the first time. If you don't manage to fit it all in, you have a perfect excuse to come back again!
The following list is based on our own tastes and experiences, as well as some of the most popular picks from Sweden tourists across the web. Pick and choose the ideas that suit your idea of fun and relaxation the most!
[numbered title="Watch the Northern Lights in Abisko" pill="Natural wonder"]We've mentioned the Northern Lights elsewhere in the Journal before (in our Iceland guide, for example), but it bears repeating – watching the aurora borealis is truly incredible in person, and all the videos you've swiped through don't do it justice. Head to Abisko National Park between fall and spring, and you'll have a great shot at seeing colors erupt across the sky.[/numbered] [numbered title="Kayak through the Stockholm archipelago" pill="Outdoor adventure"]No visit to Sweden is complete without a trip to the capital of Stockholm, and if you're something of an outdoor adventure fan, you'll want to try kayaking through the archipelago lying to the east, in the Baltic Sea. Even if you're completely new to kayaking, you can take guided tours and focus on the gorgeous surroundings.[/numbered] [numbered title="Explore the Vasa Museum" pill="Maritime history"]Elsewhere in Stockholm, we seriously recommend you dip into some regional history by heading to the Vasa Museum, an immense celebration of the city's maritime past. It's specifically built around a royal warship called the Vasa, which was only salvaged in 1961. Check out film guides and traditional exhibits exploring life on board. Make sure you book ahead.[/numbered] [numbered title="Wander through the Royal Djurgården" pill="Royal National City Park"]Stockholm again – and this time, it's the Royal National City Park, the world's first of its kind. It's home to a city park space that shows off castles, greenery, museums, theaters, restaurants, and more besides, and it's free to wander around. From sculptures to aquatic creatures and, yes, even ABBA, there's tons to see and do out here. You could plan an entire week around it if you're the creative type![/numbered] [numbered title="Head off to Gothenburg" pill="Sweden's second city"]Let's take some time away from Stockholm and focus on Gothenburg, which is Sweden's second-largest city, and just as worthy of a visit or two. It's home to some of the country's most celebrated waterways, a major amusement park, and a seafood scene that will fill almost anyone up.[/numbered] [numbered title="Get frosty in Swedish Lapland" pill="Icehotel"]Yes, there's even a Swedish side to Lapland, home to the stunning and rather chilly Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi. Yes, it's genuinely a hotel made of ice and snow, with even a bar and furniture carved out of the cold stuff! It's a unique night or two away that you can combine with a trip out to see the Northern Lights.[/numbered] [numbered title="Make a beeline for Malmö" pill="Castles and curiosities"]Elsewhere is Malmö, close to Denmark, where you can explore ancient castle scenes and the stunning Turning Torso skyscraper – and, if you have a strong stomach and a fairly inquiring mind, check out the Disgusting Food Museum![/numbered]
Tips for visiting Sweden
Sweden is famously welcoming and is absolutely bursting with great activity ideas and days out. However, there are always a few tips and pointers worth keeping in mind if you're heading here for the first time.
[tip title="Carry a little cash, just in case"]Much of Sweden operates without cash, meaning you will usually be fine to visit and pay your way across the country with plastic. That said, it's still worth checking if your bank or issuer will support your trip, and do take some cash with you if you want to buy from smaller businesses.[/tip] [tip title="Look out for dagens lunch menus"]Dagens lunch menus are a must if you're visiting Sweden on a budget. These menus are available at eateries around midday to early afternoon, and they're often cheaper than evening menus.[/tip] [tip title="Round up instead of tipping"]You won't have to tip after every meal out in Sweden, but if you want to show appreciation for great service, just round up your bill.[/tip] [tip title="Learn a few local phrases"]It's always worth speaking a few Swedish phrases if you can, to show your respect for local people. However, much of Sweden speaks English fluently, and some people will speak French and German (though not widely).[/tip] [tip title="Choose low-emission connections"]It's efficient and kinder to the environment to travel via low-emission trains and direct economy-class flights, so prioritize these when you want to take connections between cities and nature spots.[/tip] [faq] [q]What's the best place to see the Northern Lights in Sweden?[/q] [a]Abisko National Park is one of the best spots in the world for aurora viewing, with the season running roughly from September through March.[/a] [q]Is Stockholm worth a few days on its own?[/q] [a]Yes – between kayaking the archipelago, the Vasa Museum, and the Royal National City Park at Djurgården, Stockholm alone offers enough to fill several days.[/a] [q]What is Allemansrätten?[/q] [a]It's Sweden's constitutional right of public access, letting people walk, hike, cycle, and explore most of the countryside, as long as they respect nature and landowners.[/a] [q]Do I need cash in Sweden?[/q] [a]Not usually – much of Sweden is cashless, but it's worth carrying a little for smaller businesses that may not take cards.[/a] [q]Is tipping expected in Sweden?[/q] [a]No – tipping isn't required after every meal, but rounding up the bill is a nice way to show appreciation for good service.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇸🇪" label="Sweden" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/sweden" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Grab an eSIM for Sweden so you're covered from Abisko to Malmö[/esim]
