Sweden
Red wooden houses, endless archipelagos, and seriously cool cities: your complete travel guide to Sweden.
Our guide to Sweden
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Flair
Wide open spaces, super family-friendly, and seriously close to nature.
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Best time to visit
June through August — peak season and the best time to catch the midnight sun.
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Trip length
Two weeks is ideal for a road trip through southern Sweden.
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Currency
Swedish Krona (SEK) — Sweden is almost entirely cashless, so your card is all you need.
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Tipping
Not expected — rounding up the bill for great service is perfectly fine.
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Getting around
Rent a car for nature and the countryside; trains work well for city-to-city trips.
Where is Sweden located?
Sweden sits in northern Europe, stretching from the northeast of Denmark all the way to the Scandinavian Mountains in the west.
It borders Denmark to the south, Norway to the west, and Finland to the northeast — with the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat rounding out its borders.
Most of Sweden’s major cities are concentrated in the south and central regions. Head far north and you’ll hit Abisko National Park and the legendary long-distance hiking trail Kungsleden — two of the country’s most spectacular destinations.
7 Interesting Facts About Sweden
Sweden covers 447,435 km², making it roughly 100,000 km² larger than Germany.
Sweden has around 10 million inhabitants, with a population density of just 22 people per km². Seriously sparse!
Almost half the country is covered by forests — plus 100,000 lakes and 24,000 islands.
In Sweden, everyone goes by first names. The only exception: the royal family.
Swedes are seriously passionate about their cinnamon rolls — so much so that October 4th is officially Cinnamon Roll Day.
Sweden is on track to go fully cashless by 2030, so always carry a credit card.
At the ski resort Lindvalen, you’ll find the world’s first McDonald’s drive-through for skiers and snowboarders. Only in Sweden.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Sweden?
Summer is generally the sweet spot — specifically June to September. Temperatures hover around a pleasant 68°F and the days are seriously long, which means more time to explore.
It’s great for both city sightseeing and getting out into nature. Just know that rain is always possible: in Stockholm, July is actually the rainiest month of the year.
If you’re into snow and winter sports, though, December to April is your window. The north especially gets reliable snowfall, and both the flatlands and the mountains have a full winter sports program.
What is the capital of Sweden?
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden — and with around 935,000 residents, it’s also the largest city in Scandinavia.
What language do they speak in Sweden?
Swedish has been the official language since 2009. Finnish, Meänkieli (Tornedalian Finnish), Yiddish, Romani, Sami, and Swedish Sign Language are all recognized minority languages.
The good news for travelers: nearly 80% of Swedes speak English, and it’s widely used on TV too. You’ll get along just fine in Sweden with English — no Swedish required.
