A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started
A region off the beaten path with varied landscapes to be discovered in complete freedom
8 days, from £2,735 to £3,750
Charming stops to savour Swedish hospitality and way of life
11 days, from £1,850 to £2,590
Enjoy privately guided walking tours of Stockholm's hidden jewels and off-the-beaten-track treasures
4 days, from £1,095 to £1,745
Fight each other (not literally!) to be the first to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights
4 days, from £1,670 to £2,665
A 100% made in Sweden trip that's all about the open air, lakes, walks in the forest and red clapboard houses
8 days, from £1,530 to £2,055
Dive into the delights of Scandinavian cuisine, with trips to fresh food markets and mouth-watering culinary scenes
7 days, from £1,690 to £2,320
Enthusiasm is contagious, and there’s no better way to get excited about a Swedish getaway than by talking to our travel consultants. Tap into the Swedish wilderness in a specially selected cabin (we’re constantly on the hunt for the best), or fika ‘til you drop in our favourite Stockholm cafes (which we’ve done the tough job of testing out for you). Along with our hands-on Concierge team, we can help you do as the locals do and organise the best activities for your trip, from overnight dog sledging to outdoor cooking.
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Discover different ways to explore Sweden
Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday
Practical guide
Travel Advice & Information
From Stockholm to Swedish Lapland, our travel consultants know exactly where to go and when – how to avoid the midsummer crowds, the best place to go for lobster season and the optimum time and location to (hopefully) seek out the Northern Lights. You can’t put a price on that kind of intel. With the help of our hands-on Concierges and specialist guides, you can focus on whatever interests you: freshly caught seafood, art museums in Oslo, learning about the Sami culture... there’s something for everyone, come snow or shine.
Sweden is perfect for city lovers who will no doubt be wooed by Stockholm’s charm, making this the perfect city for a long weekend. This is a sophisticated, elegant, manageable and thoroughly civilised city with the added attraction of an archipelago which can be explored by boat. Design hotels and excellent restaurants abound, and Swedish hospitality is legendary. Head for the bohemian area around Rörstrandsgatan, in west Stockholm, where you'll find cosy cafés and cheapish antique shops. Beyond the capital, two other Swedish cities deserve recognition. Malmo, the country’s third largest city, features a highly strollable old town and buzzing waterfront scene while Gothenburg boasts cool cuisine, sea breezes and an impressive port. Visit in the summer for long sunny days, ideal for hiking in the wild countryside according to the admirable 'allemansratten': Swedish people's right to roam. Those who love to spend time in the great outdoors can enjoy Sweden holidays all year round; splashing about in kayaks and hiking picturesque coastal trails in the summer and dog-sledding through the snow-clad forests come winter.
The capital oozes urban cool thanks to its creative cafe culture and revered culinary scene. If you’ve already ticked Stockholm off your list, it’s worth a jaunt to some of Sweden’s other pretty towns such as Gotland, once a Viking settlement, or to the thousands of little islands in Bohuslan’s archipelago, renowned for their relaxed vibe and outstanding seafood – perfect for a summer holiday. Boasting 29 national parks, you can encounter some of the loveliest rural scenery imaginable on Sweden holidays, with mountains, enchanting lakes and excellent beaches lined with kelp forests and coral. Venture off-the-beaten track and look out for secret isles with clapboard houses and small fishing communities which tourists may never have known existed. Then of course there are the Northern Lights, one of earth’s greatest natural phenomena.
Visit the winter wonderland that is Swedish Lapland for a true Narnia experience. Ever tried ice driving or ice fishing? This is the place to do it. And don’t forget to sample some of Sweden’s traditional delicacies, such as reindeer stew and sweet tasting cloudberries. Chase the Northern Lights, earth’s most spectacular light show, on a snowmobile, or look out for its shimmering aurora from a floating sauna. Aside from the Northern Lights, there are exhilarating winter activities including snowshoeing, ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Families can enjoy husky sledding through the powder-white snow and elk safaris in the forested parks. Or for cultural immersion, meet the ethnic Sami people who were traditionally semi-nomadic reindeer herders. While in their company, we can arrange three-course dinners (most probably including reindeer in various forms) by a frozen lake complete with candles and a crackling fire. No-one could accuse Sweden holidays of being run of the mill...
Even further north, right on the Norwegian border, lies the tiny ski resort of Riksgränsen. Skiing here starts in February, when the 24-hour darkness of mid-winter begins to lift; come May, you can head back out on to the slopes after supper to ski in a t-shirt under the midnight sun. More conventional skiing is available at the slick resort of Are (pronounced 'oar-e').
Sweden is best known for its picturesque landscapes, love of sleek design and culture of taking things slowly and appreciating the small things in life. Viking myths and legends only add to the mystical allure of this collection of islands, with plenty of places to explore, such as the UNESCO-listed rock carvings at Tanum. Whether you’re interested in discovering the dynamic capital of Stockholm or want to go back in time to a small fishing village, there’s something for everyone here.
A trip to Sweden is all about being present, marvelling at the world around you and spending quality time with both your travel companions and the locals.
To see the Northern Lights, otherwise called the aurora borealis, you’ll need to travel to the northernmost part of Sweden – Swedish Lapland. Abisko, in particular, is considered to be one of the best spots in the world because of the lack of light pollution and its location right under the aurora oval.
The best month to see the Northern Lights in Sweden is in January, but they can be seen as early as the beginning of September and as late as the end of March in some places. The light show usually begins around 6pm, with the otherworldly display peaking around 10-11pm.
Sweden is, of course, famous across the world for IKEA, ABBA and minimalist design – but there’s so much more to this country than just pop culture. An innovator in sustainability a holiday here is a chance to get back to nature and embrace the simple pleasures of life, from hiking in fields of flowers to travelling across the country by train. There are 30 national parks in Sweden, ranging from sandy beaches to mossy forests.
There’s also a big cafe culture here, with a focus on taking a break from the day to savour a cup of coffee and even a slice of cake or a pastry. This tradition even has its own term – it’s known as fika It’s about far more than just eating and drinking – it’s a deliberate pause in the day that allows you to connect with the people around you.
As well as the famous meatballs, Sweden has a strong tradition of culinary excellence, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Lingonberries, for example, are used to create a jam that works more as a relish or ketchup, perfect for dipping or as a topping on pancakes or porridge.
Fish is also a staple food in Sweden, thanks to the extensive coastline. Pickled herring is a local favourite, while shrimps are used as a traditional open sandwich (smörgås) filling. Crayfish is a popular choice in August, with some Swedes even hosting parties dedicated to this dish.
For those with a sweet tooth, you can choose between cinnamon buns, semlor (buns filled with cream and almond paste), waffles, or the opulent prinsesstårta, a sponge cake filled with jam, custard, covered in whipped cream and wrapped in marzipan.
Tradition is an important factor in Swedish culture for young people and older citizens alike. As well as regular stops for fika (the coffee break tradition), Swedes are dedicated to celebrating important days such as Midsummer Eve, Christmas, Easter, Kräftskiva (a crayfish party, held in August) and even specific days to celebrate cinnamon buns and waffles.
If you’re visiting during these celebrations, make sure to embrace them and get involved. While some activities may be held in private homes, there will likely be festivities in the centre of some towns which you can enjoy.
The best time to visit Sweden will largely depend on what you want to do during your time there. The winters are notoriously dark, with people cosying up in their homes until the lighter months. However, this does lend itself to an opportunity to curl up, enjoy good coffee and a cinnamon bun, and read a good book after a walk on a dry day. Christmas, in particular, can be a magical time, with special food on offer and plenty of markets for entertainment.
If you want to focus your trip on being outdoors, then the summer is the best time to go, typically between June and August. During this time you’ll be able to get maximum light, a better chance of dry weather, and a more social environment if you venture into town.
Accommodation, food and travel in Sweden are often considered more expensive than in some southern European countries. However, thanks to the beautiful landscapes and government initiatives such as free museum entry on certain days, there are often plenty of affordable things to do, which will reduce the overall cost of your trip.
Sweden has more than 220,000 islands, among the most in the world. These can be divided into archipelagos:
- The Bothnian Bay archipelago
- The High Coast archipelago
- The Stockholm archipelago
- The Östgöta archipelago
- The Blekinge archipelago
- The Gothenburg archipelago
- The Bohuslän archipelago
The capital city of Sweden is Stockholm, which is also the most populous city in Scandinavia. It’s known for its historic museums and attractions, welcoming atmosphere and natural landscape, with water weaving its way through the buildings to create inner-city beaches.
The currency used in Sweden is the Swedish Krona, with one krona being divided into 100 öre. Credit cards are widely preferred, with many shops in larger cities only accepting card or mobile payments. In fact, Sweden is sometimes called one of the most ‘cashless countries’ in the world.
Sweden uses Central European Time, meaning that it’s always an hour ahead of the UK.
The official language of Sweden is Swedish, although English is widely spoken.
Sweden uses type F plug, so you’ll need to take an adaptor with you when you visit from the UK.
You can find the latest travel information for Sweden on the UK Government’s travel advice page.
There are several airports in Sweden, with some requiring a stop when flying from London. The average flight times are:
- 1 hour 50 minutes to Gothenburg
- 2 hours 25 minutes to Stockholm
- 4 hours 15 minutes to Visby
- 5 hours to Östersund
- 4 hours 15 minutes to Umeå
You can visit Sweden without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This 90-day period applies to all countries in the Schengen area, so you’ll need to factor this into your plans if you intend to travel further on from Sweden.
UK passport holders need to meet the Schengen area requirements. Your passport must have an issue date of less than ten years before the date that you arrive. Make sure you check your passport carefully, as in some cases, you may have a ten-year passport that is seemingly valid for 11 years. For example, the date of issue may be 20th September 2015, but the expiry date is 20th September 2026. Post Brexit, this is no longer correct – your passport will only be valid until 2025.
There are no vaccine requirements for Sweden, but it’s recommended that UK travellers are up-to-date with standard vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella and diphtheria-tetanus-polio.
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
