Sweden travel guide
Meet Sweden Sweden weather reportGetting into SwedenFrom the Swedish kitchenFrom the Swedish bar Currency in SwedenMajor airports in SwedenDid you know?
Meet Sweden
Tucked away above the rest of Europe Sweden stretches languidly northward; a country rich in culture, history and outrageous natural beauty. Its gifts to the world have included Viking legends, celebrated flat pack furniture and, of course, the music sensation that was ABBA.
Cities like Stockholm and Göteborg are a delight to visit being clean, modern, relaxing and sociable while boasting world class restaurants and amazing nightlife scenes.
The countryside is exquisite in summer and spring; green grasslands rolling away into the distance with the picturesque scenery completed by yawning lakes of crystal clear water and craggy mountain backdrops. During the colder months heavy snowfall turns the country into a pure winter wonderland, a stunning site for sore eyes.
No visit to Sweden is complete without spending time in the Swedish Lapland, a natural playground where the air is clean and crisp and where you can explore the majestic valleys, crashing rivers and idyllic lakes that make the area so distinctive.
Go kayaking either in the white water rapids of one of the rivers or along the smooth, cold waters of the Arctic Archipelago. If you have ever had romantic notions of bundling up in a thick sheep skin jacket and driving a team of huskies heroically across endless expanses of pristine ice and snow, Swedish Lapland is the place to get it done. Take a Husky tour and learn more about these fascinating animals and the harsh yet achingly beautiful environment that they thrive in.
The Abisko Mountain Station in the far north of the country offers one of the best locations on earth to witness the breathtaking Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). It is an opportunity of a lifetime and something that will stay with you long after your holiday has ended.
Returning inland to the cities, Stockholm is an elegant capital which astounds and thrills in equal measure. The city is akin to a Jackson Pollock masterpiece; dripped and drabbed over 14 different islands with a wealth of cafes, unequalled nightclubs, museums and endearing waterfronts.
Göteborg is a port city on Sweden’s western coast with a young, energetic population and lively atmosphere. Check out the city’s dynamic and compelling arts scene of theatre performances played out in front of heaving crowds, as well as the live music gigs showcasing excellent musical talent. The city also enjoys its green space and has a number of well kept gardens and parks.
Sweden weather report
Sweden enjoys a climate which has four very well-defined seasons although the northern parts of the country experience a quite different winter from the conditions prevalent in its southern parts.
In the south winters are surprisingly short yet still very cold, and in the north and north eastern regions, winters are much longer and can be bitterly cold. The further north you travel in winter the less sunlight hours there are, and in the furthest northern regions there is no sun at all for prolonged periods of the year.
Because of its northern position summers are one of the best times to visit Sweden. Parts of the country enjoy 18 hours of sunlight with other parts experiencing the confusing occurrence of “midnight sunshine”. Summers are mild and comfortable with average temperatures approaching the 20s.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Sweden
Sweden is part of the European Union (EU) and travellers holding a valid British or EU passport may enter without a visa for a stay of up to 3 months. The same rules apply for holders of either Canadian or United States passports, and Sweden is also committed to the Schengen Agreement.
All other nationalities should check with their local Swedish Consulate or Embassy for details of visa requirements and procedures.
From the Swedish kitchen
Swedish cuisine, unlike that of much of continental Europe, is not at all pretentious or complicated. Straightforward dishes that are both practical and nutritious are the norm with emphasis placed on the blend of foods to create flavour, rather than relying on elaborate sauces or spices.
One of the nation’s favourite dishes are meatballs (Köttbullar) served with a thick, rich gravy, onions, potatoes and lingonberry jam. Köttbullar recipes are a source of pride in Sweden and it is not uncommon to find a variety of different approaches used in the creation of this simple dish.
No mention of Swedish cuisine would be complete without investigating the concept of the Smörgåsbord. The traditional Smörgåsbord is a buffet style meal which consists of hot and cold dishes often with a combination of meats, variety of cheeses, breads and butter complimented by fish. Visit some of the restaurants in Stockholm and enquire about the type of Smörgåsbord they serve and whether you can mix and match the different dishes that you favour.
Seafood also plays a large part in Swedish cuisine and various dishes incorporate specialties such as grilled perch, smoked Cockerel and Baltic herring. Herring is often served salted or pre-soaked in vinegar complemented with onions or garlic and coarse bread. Potato is another staple part of the Swedish diet with Raggmunk (potato pancake served with fried pork and lingonberries) being a favourite.
From the Swedish bar
Absolut vodka is the original Swedish vodka and is served in almost all of the bars throughout the country. Interestingly, Absolut has created a range of different vodkas and is known for its innovative products. If you’re after the classic Absolut experience try an original Absolut vodka with tonic and a wedge of lime. For the braver bar visitor, there are varieties like Ruby Red, which is a grapefruit infused vodka, or Absolut 100, the supreme premium vodka in the Absolut stable which is best mixed with 2 dashes of dry Vermouth and white pearl onion.
Sweden has a long brewing history when it comes to ales and mead, and this knowledge has translated into some fine lagers and more contemporary ales produced by micro breweries. One such company is Spendrups whose locally crafted beer range is a great way to ease into the country’s beer culture.
Cider enthusiasts can try Kopparberg, a sweet cider which is perfect over ice. The company produces a variety of drinks including pear, elderflower/lime, apple and raspberry/blackcurrant ciders.
Currency in Sweden
The Swedish currency is the krona (the plural pronunciation being “kronor”). Each krona is made up of 100 öre (coins).
Bank notes include the 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kronor notes. For the lastest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.
Major airports in Sweden
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The majority of people flying into Sweden will arrive in Stockholm at the Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) airport. The airport is located 42km north of the city and is a major transport hub for the area handling flights for more than 80 airlines. Transport options into the City from the airport include a high-speed rail service called the Arlanda Express as well as coach services run by a company called Flygbussarna. There is also an airport shuttle service which runs between the airport and the major hotels in the city centre.
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For those arriving in Göteborg, the Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport (GOT) is the likeliest arrival point. It is located approximately 22km to the east of the city centre and has taxi services as well as coach services run by Flygbussarna to take travellers downtown.
Did you know?
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Alfred Nobel, whose last will and testament laid the groundwork for the creation of the Nobel Peace Prize (amongst others), was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1833
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The popular fictional character Pippi Longstocking was created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren
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Swedes are renowned for their innovation and creative thinking, the refrigerator and the computer mouse are just two of the pioneering inventions to have come out of Sweden
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The average life expectancy at birth in Sweden is 80.86 years
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Conditional female suffrage was granted in Sweden as early as the 18th century
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Anders Celsius was a Swedish astronomer who first proposed a chart which could be used to gauge temperatures, the result is the Celsius temperature scale