Sweden holidays in brief
- Where to go: Stockholm and its islands, Swedish Lapland, Gothenburg and the west coast, Dalarna and Gotland.
- Things to do: northern lights, the ice hotel, island hopping, fika, Midsummer and the great outdoors.
- Christmas markets run from late November in Stockholm and Gothenburg, with Lucia on 13 December.
- The best time is May to September for the south, December to March for Lapland.
Sweden is a country of big skies, clean water and space: elegant Stockholm on its islands, the fishing villages and seafood of the west coast, red wooden cottages by forest lakes, the medieval walls of Visby and, in the far north, the snow, huskies and northern lights of Swedish Lapland. It’s easy to reach from the UK and easy to travel around by train. This guide covers where to go, things to do, Swedish Christmas markets, the best time to visit and ideas for routes.
Where to go in Sweden
Stockholm and the archipelago
The capital spreads over 14 islands, with the medieval old town of Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum and Skansen, and around 30,000 islands on its doorstep.
Stockholm and the archipelago guide →
Swedish Lapland
The wild Arctic north: the ice hotel near Kiruna, the clear skies of Abisko, Sámi culture, reindeer and husky sledding in winter, and the midnight sun in summer.
Swedish Lapland guide →
Gothenburg
Sweden’s friendly second city, with canals, tree-lined avenues, a big amusement park, great seafood and an island archipelago reached by tram and ferry.
The west coast and Bohuslän
North of Gothenburg, the Bohuslän coast is a chain of pink granite islands and fishing villages, famous for oysters, lobster and summer sailing.
Dalarna and Lake Siljan
The heart of traditional Sweden: red cottages around Lake Siljan, the hand-painted Dala horse, fiddle music and the country’s most famous Midsummer celebrations.
Gotland and Visby
A Baltic island with long beaches and limestone sea stacks. Its capital, Visby, is a UNESCO-listed Hanseatic town ringed by medieval walls.
Västmanland and the lakes: an hour or so west of Stockholm, the province of Västmanland is a quiet land of forests, lakes and old mining villages around Lake Mälaren. Visit the historic town of Västerås, the UNESCO-listed Engelsberg Ironworks and the old silver mine at Sala, or join a nature guide to watch for beavers and elk at dusk and paddle the lakes by canoe.
Things to do in Sweden
- See the northern lights in Abisko or Kiruna, and sleep a night in the ice hotel at Jukkasjärvi.
- Island-hop in the Stockholm archipelago or on the west coast, swimming from smooth warm rocks in summer.
- Take a slow journey: the night train to Lapland, a cruise on the Göta Canal, or a cycle around Gotland.
- Enjoy fika, the coffee-and-cake break that is almost a national institution, and eat shrimp, herring and cinnamon buns.
- Celebrate Midsummer with maypole dancing, flower crowns and the longest days of the year.
- Get into the wild: Sweden’s right of public access, allemansrätten, lets everyone walk, paddle and camp in the countryside, with care.
Sweden at Christmas: markets and traditions
A Swedish Christmas is all candles, lights and cosy traditions. Christmas markets open in late November and run until just before Christmas.
In Stockholm, head to the old-town market in Stortorget and the traditional market at Skansen. In Gothenburg, the Christmas market at the Liseberg amusement park has millions of lights, and the city’s main streets are decorated as a “Christmas City”.
Don’t miss Lucia on 13 December, when candlelit processions sing in churches all over Sweden, or glögg and saffron buns. For snow and huskies at Christmas, head north to Swedish Lapland.
Best time to visit Sweden
| Month | Stockholm (high) | Gothenburg (high) | Kiruna (high) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1°C | 3°C | -10°C |
| Mar | 5°C | 6°C | -4°C |
| May | 15°C | 15°C | 7°C |
| Jun | 20°C | 20°C | 14°C |
| Jul | 22°C | 20°C | 17°C |
| Aug | 21°C | 20°C | 14°C |
| Sep | 17°C | 17°C | 9°C |
| Nov | 5°C | 7°C | -4°C |
| Dec | 2°C | 4°C | -7°C |
10-year ERA5 average daytime highs.
- May to September: the best time for Stockholm, the coasts, the lakes and Gotland, with very long days. July is peak holiday season for Swedes.
- Late November and December: Christmas markets, Lucia and snow in the north.
- January to March: the best time for Swedish Lapland: snow, huskies, the ice hotel and the northern lights.
- September: autumn colours, quieter cities and the first northern lights in the Arctic.
Sweden itineraries
Stockholm and Lapland
- Stockholm (3 nights)
- Fly or night train north
- Kiruna and the ice hotel (2)
- Abisko (2)
City and Arctic in one week; best from December to March.
Stockholm, Dalarna and Gothenburg
- Stockholm (3 nights)
- Lake Siljan (2)
- Gothenburg (3)
A summer rail trip across the middle of Sweden.
Cities and islands
- Stockholm (3 nights)
- Archipelago (2)
- Gotland (2)
- Gothenburg and the west coast (3)
The best of the Swedish summer.
Getting there and around: direct flights from the UK reach Stockholm in about two and a half hours and Gothenburg in about two. Fast trains link Stockholm and Gothenburg in about three hours, ferries run to Gotland from Nynäshamn, and domestic flights and the night train reach Lapland.
Ways to see Sweden with us
Practical tips
- Cards, not cash: Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in the world.
- Language: almost everyone speaks excellent English.
- Book ahead for Midsummer, July on the coast and islands, and Lapland in February.
- Entry: Sweden is in the Schengen area; British visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Check the FCDO Sweden advice.
- Time zone: one hour ahead of the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Sweden?
May to September for Stockholm, the coasts, lakes and islands, with long light days. December to March for Swedish Lapland, the ice hotel and the northern lights. Late November and December for Christmas markets.
Where should I go on a holiday in Sweden?
Start with Stockholm and its archipelago. Add Swedish Lapland for snow, huskies and the northern lights in winter, or Gothenburg, the west coast, Dalarna and Gotland in summer.
How long is the flight from the UK to Sweden?
About two and a half hours to Stockholm and about two hours to Gothenburg. Seasonal winter flights also fly direct to Swedish Lapland.
Where are the best Christmas markets in Sweden?
In Stockholm, the old-town market in Stortorget and the traditional market at Skansen; in Gothenburg, the market at Liseberg with its millions of lights. Most run from late November to just before Christmas.
Can you see the northern lights in Sweden?
Yes, in Swedish Lapland from about September to March. Abisko and Kiruna are the best places, with dark, clear skies.
How many days do you need in Sweden?
A week covers Stockholm plus either Lapland in winter or Gothenburg and Dalarna in summer. Ten nights lets you add the islands or Gotland.
Is Sweden easy to travel around?
Yes. Fast trains link the main cities, ferries serve the islands, and domestic flights and the night train reach Lapland. Almost everyone speaks English.
Do I need a visa for Sweden?
British visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa, as Sweden is in the Schengen area. Check the latest FCDO entry requirements before you travel.
Keep planning
- Sweden holidays
- Stockholm and the archipelago
- Swedish Lapland guide
- Kiruna and the ice hotel
- Abisko and the northern lights
- Escorted tours of Sweden
- Norway holidays
- Finland holidays
Plan your Sweden holiday with a Travel Designer
Tell us when you’d like to go and what you love, and we’ll plan your Sweden trip: Stockholm, the islands, the west coast or the Arctic north, with flights in one ATOL-protected booking.
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