“Spending time in Sweden on loan was one of the best things I ever did.”
Peter Crouch
Top Five Destinations In Sweden
- Stockholm is Sweden’s picturesque capital city, home to the Nobel Prize, and often referred to as Scandinavia’s most beautiful capital. In the 13th century, this medieval city spanned 14 islands and rocky islets connected by old and modern bridges that take you on a memorable, intriguing adventure. Discover the Old Town, magnificent churches, incredible architecture, world-class museums, charming cobblestone streets, and thriving cosmopolitan culture.
- Malmo and its environs A medieval city with a strong modern pulse. It has a rich history and is a multicultural melting pot. It has something for everyone: a lovely old town, fantastic squares full of Swedes enjoying life, the Malmohus Castle, and a young vibe. Malmo links to Denmark via the fascinating Oresund Bridge. Outside the city, there is this lovely countryside dotted with castles and inviting towns.
- Gothenburg Is a lovely port city on Sweden’s west coast known for its green spaces. It is a city that lies on the Gota River, where you will find the city center full of Dutch-inspired channels and fascinating neighborhoods dotted with colorful wooden houses amid a city that is the gateway to archipelagoes and charming fishing villages. Gothenburg also has the region’s largest film festival and numerous yearly music festivals.
- Ystad is a southern coastal town known for its sandy beaches and impressive examples of Gothic architecture, such as Greyfriars Abbey, one of Sweden’s best-preserved medieval monasteries, and the Medieval Church of the Virgin Mary. Wander the alluring cobblestone streets that lead to unique pastel-colored half-timbered structures. Near Ystad, there is the famous megalithic monument of Ales Stenar, which consists of 59 boulders forming a stone ship.
- Gotland is the largest island in Sweden, surrounded by the Baltic Sea. It draws many visitors and is a favored destination. The city of Visby is a beautiful walled Hanseatic town that has preserved most of its original design and historic buildings. The island has close to 100 medieval churches and too many prehistoric sites to count.
Did you know?
Country Stats
- Population: 10.2 million
- Capital City: Stockholm
- Currency: Swedish kronor (SEK)
- Government type: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
- Monarch: Carl XVI Gustaf
- Prime Minister: Stefan Lofven
- Ethnic groups: Swedish 80.9%, other 19.1%
- Languages: Swedish (official)
- Religions: Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 60.2%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.5%, none or unspecified 31.3%
- U.S. State Department Risk Level: 2 due to terrorism
- Terrorist groups: Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) (2019)
- GDP $563, 882 billion
- The Svear people gave Sweden its name over 2,000 years ago.
- The Swedish monarchy is one of the oldest in the world.
- National Anthem: “Du Gamla, Du Fria” (“Thou Ancient, Thou Free”)
- The land area of Sweden is the 4th largest in Europe (174,000 square miles).
- The tallest mountain in Sweden is Kebnekaise is 7000 feet.
- Sweden has 30 national parks.
- Over one-half of Sweden is covered by forest.
- 85% of Swedes live in cities.
- The National Animal of Sweden is the Moose.
- The Silver birch is the National tree.
- IKEA, Spotify, Ericsson, Volvo, and H&M are Swedish companies.
- Inventions originating from Sweden include a pacemaker, blow torch, zippers, Tungsten, ship propeller, plumber wrench, ball bearing, modern refrigerator, three-point safety belt, Minecraft, dynamite, modern telecommunications, and milk separator.
- Sweden’s major industries are music, agriculture, manufacturing, machinery, tourism, trade and finance, biomedical, food, metals, automobiles, refined petroleum, and plastics.
- Life expectancy is 82.5 years old. They have one of the longest in the world.
- The literacy rate is 99%.
Fun Facts
- .The Nobel Prize ceremonies are conducted in Stockholm, Sweden, each year. (Nobel Peace Prize is in Norway)
- Swedes are reputed to love paying taxes, some of the highest in the world. They believe it is their civic responsibility to espouse the benefits. All Swedes benefit from a well-respected socialized medical system, free medical, dental, and optical care up to the age of 21, both parents getting 480 days of parental leave, subsidized daycare, five weeks of paid vacation per year, and there is no need to file taxes as taxes are based on income.
- The 8-10th century Vikings of Sweden were a formidable group, highly skilled at warfare; they conquered and dominated much of Northern and Eastern Europe.
- The spectacular northern lights, or aurora borealis, appear above the Arctic Circle and are visible from late September to March. This phenomenon draws visitors from all over the world.
- Sweden excels at recycling because it has run out of garbage and imports 80,000 tons annually from Norway.
- Sweden has the most number of McDonald’s outlets per capita than the rest of Europe.
- Moose (over 300,000), reindeer (over 260,000), lynx, bears, and wolves can be found in the wild throughout Sweden. Most of the indigenous animals are thriving and even expanding.
- Sweden and Norway formed the United Kingdom from 1814 to 1905.
- During both World Wars, Sweden managed to remain neutral.
- Sweden Is the World’s Third Largest Exporter of Music.
- Sweden leads the world in foreign aid providing over 1% of its gross national income, focusing on promoting the welfare and economic development of nations needing aid.
- Low unemployment, a low birth rate, and a strong welfare system contribute to Sweden’s high standard of living.
- It was the first country to ban spanking by parents in 1979.
- Sweden was the first country in Europe to establish national parks.
Sweden Map
Good to know before you go
- In Sweden, tourists do not need to worry about tipping. The general rule is that Swedes are paid higher wages, so no tip is expected or required. Tipping has never been a part of Swedish culture.
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
- Overall, the clothing is stylish. Swedes wear subdued clothes and prefer dark and muted colors. They dress casually but with class. The jeans are worn but are in good condition. Swedes prefer natural fabrics. The weather is cold much of the year and can even get cold in the summer. Layers are always a good idea. With so many cobblestone streets, comfy flat shoes are suggested. Rain is common year-round, so prepare accordingly in the winter; pack winter gear, thermal underwear, and boots.
- Driving in Sweden is quite good but, of course, can be challenging in the winter months. Highways are some of the best in Europe and are well-maintained along with secondary roads. Roads and bridges are tolled, with bridges being quite expensive. Speed cameras are used on secondary roads. Some of the most spectacular parts of Sweden are only seen by car. Traffic is minimal outside of the cities but beware of wildlife. They do have an excellent public transportation system. Please keep in mind this is a country with an enormous number of cyclists, so be very careful as they have the right of way. Headlights must always be on.
- In Sweden, self-sufficiency and autonomy are all. Any debt, be it emotional, a favor, or cash, is to be avoided at all costs. The Swedes don’t even like to owe a round of drinks.
- Sweden is a humanitarian-based culture. Quality of life and environmental issues are highly valued.
- The Swedes are proud, hardworking, and honest people. They are generous by nature.
- When arriving and leaving, greetings are usually a firm and quick handshake. Eye contact is brief, and smiling is not typical. Other than that, you will not see much physical contact, even among close friends. PDA is frowned upon.
- Swedes like their personal space. It is best to stand a bit further apart during interactions and keep your body language and hand gestures to a minimum. Keep your emotions cool and calm. Swedes are quiet by nature, so speak in a subdued tone. They don’t like flashiness or people who brag.
- Swedes avoid arguing over sensitive topics such as politics and religion, especially with visitors. If a discussion of this kind begins, a Swede may quickly end the conversation.
- It is important to be prompt in Sweden. Being late reflects disrespect or lack of concern for others other than oneself.
- Swedish dishes include meat, seafood, dairy products, bread, vegetables, and fruits. They love their coffee and dairy.
- Swedish meatballs are a traditional Swedish dish. They are served with gravy, boiled potatoes, and lingonberry jam.
- You don’t take food home from restaurants in Sweden.
- If you are lucky enough to be invited to someone’s home, it is expected to come bearing a gift. Flowers, liquor, wine, cake, or chocolates are appropriate gifts. You may also bring candy for the children.
- Swedes adore their chocolates and sweets. Known for its sweet tooth, the country ranks globally as the fifth largest consumer of chocolates. The average Swede reportedly eats almost 15 pounds of chocolate yearly. Considering their one of the longest life expectancies, it doesn’t seem to do much harm.
- Table manners are Continental. While eating, the fork is in the left hand, and the knife is in the right. Use a knife and fork to eat all food, including sandwiches and pizza.
- In restaurants, you draw the attention of your server with eye contact.
- Music is central to Swedish culture. Seek out local musical events. Traditional fold instruments include accordion, fiddle, harmonicas, and clarinet.
- Alcohol is costly because of taxes; about 60% go to the state. You won’t find many paying the rounds of drinks.
- 89% of Swedes speak English; excellent English is spoken everywhere.
- It is a very safe country.
Need assistance with documents or communications?
When planning your trip to Sweden, it’s helpful to know that while 89% of Swedes speak English, if you require assistance with documents or communications in Swedish, there are Swedish translation services and Certified Swedish translation options available to make your experience smoother.
When to go to Sweden
Sweden is primarily temperate, even with its northern latitude. While Stockholm is warmer and milder, the mountains in the north are sub-Arctic. The north has a long, harsh winter lasting more than seven months, while the south has winter weather for only two months and summer for more than four months. It does rain, but not exceptionally so, but preparation is prudent.
While Sweden has so many wonders to offer visitors any time of year, the best time to visit is May through September, especially if you prefer warm weather. In these months, the days are longer, and its natural beauty is at its peak. Various outdoor events and activities include swimming at some of Sweden’s fantastic beaches. This includes many clothing-optional beaches if you are into that. The high season, summer, can be pretty expensive. If you hope to extend your travel dollar, aim for the shoulder season, April/May, and September/October. If you like winter sports, skiing and dogsledding are highly attractive. Some are searching for those mind-blowing Northern lights.
- Summer 45-82 °F (7-28 °C)
- Spring 25-70 °F (4-21 °C)
- 5Fall 35-60 °F (2-16 °C)
- Winter 8-42 °F (-13-6 °C)
Our Favorite Sweden Resources
This resource section contains some Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Travel Books/Guides
Sweden was part of our seven countries’ two-week trip. Sweden was a day trip from Denmark, so we did not even begin to give this amazing country justice. We have every intention to return as the little we did see tapped our thirst to explore more. In preparation for this trip, I only looked at two travel guides and only one map that included Denmark. We note these below.
Lonely Planet’s Sweden (Country Guide) by Lonely Planet
A passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice that all Sweden has to offer and what hidden discoveries await you. Visit the beautiful, stylish capital of Stockholm, the seaside cities of Sweden, or the Arctic wasteland. Let this beautifully illustrated guide be your travel partner. Great photography and lots of details to aid in planning. Discover this travel guide here.
Rick Steves Scandinavia by Rick Steves
We are huge Rick Steve fans; it will be rare not to recommend one of his wonderful guides. There is a guide dedicated to just Sweden, but you will still find a wealth of info on Sweden in this Scandinavian guide. We love his travel style and perspective. His off-the-beaten-path approach and his independent travel philosophy match well with how we travel. The guides never disappoint. This book made it into our suitcase and was a fantastic resource. Find this must-have guide here.
Our favorite Sweden websites
2. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Consular Affairs Sweden Country Info
We cannot encourage you enough to visit this website as you plan and prepare for your trip. This is the U.S. Federal Government addressing the safety, security, travel risk, entry, exit, visa documents mandates, emergency U.S. and Embassy contacts, health, local laws, special circumstances, threats, traveler vulnerabilities, government warnings, and transportation in Sweden. This is your best and most reliable resource for all this important info. Check back often before you go, as things can change quickly. Being prepared is essential in all travel, but especially internationally.
Sweden International Travel Information (state.gov)
3. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers Health Resource
This CDC travel resource provides essential health info for your specific destination. Using their tool, you can determine which vaccines, medications, and health advice recommendations are needed for Sweden.
CDC’s Travelers Health Page for Sweden
Our favorite maps
Michelin Sweden Map 753
Renowned for over 100 years for their clear, accurate, and easy-to-read mapping. Michelin gives travelers an overall picture of their route, practical road and travel information, and city maps containing extensive street indexes. Major sites and landmarks are well-marked. Though we default to Google Maps, this came in handy when service was poor or during construction detours. Find this essential map here.
Our favorite apps
Google Maps: Trip and Holiday Organizer. The app instantly displays all your travel options, restaurants, activities, and accommodations when you enter any address, landmark, or city. We have come to rely on it when using public transportation; it has been flawless in getting us on the right bus or metro. Find it on your App Store.
Duolingo-Language Lesson Audio lessons that help improve your listening and speaking skills. Find it on your local App Store. The primary language in Sweden is Swedish.
Google Translate: We use this often to practice proper pronunciations of any language we encounter while traveling. As we always encourage, it is essential to learn the basics of greeting and thanking people in the local language. Google Translate was an easy app to use. If needed, you can enter text in English, and it will speak back in the language you need to aid in communicating with locals.
Rick Steve’s Audio Europe This app includes a vast library of Rick Steve’s audio content. It also provides cultural and travel information, including self-guided tours of top attractions and historic walks. This app is a must-have. Find it on your local app store.
Duolingo-Language: Lesson Audio lessons that help improve your listening and speaking skills. Find it on your local app store.
Language services: If you require assistance with documents or communications in Swedish, there are Swedish translation services and Certified Swedish translation options available to make your experience smoother.
Do you have a favorite Sweden travel resource? Share your favorites in the comments section at the bottom of this page or
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Flights, Accommodations, and Everything You Need to Book in One Place
Are you planning a vacation this year? Start your research early to explore your options and find what fits your budget. By booking your own travel, you’ll uncover great deals and have complete control over your itinerary. The links below can be used for all elements of your trip, not just accommodations.
It is essential to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.
Our Sweden Gallery
Check out our article on Malmo, Sweden, a short distance from Copenhagen, Denmark
Our Top Recommended Travel Products
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We strongly advocate for comprehensive travel insurance, not only for minor inconveniences but also for major, unexpected events like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to resource is Squaremouth.com. which offers a user-friendly platform that connects you with top-rated, reputable insurance carriers. Plus, they’ll mediate on your behalf if you run into any issues.
To empower you as a consumer, we recommend you read our blog post on why travel insurance is essential and how to secure the best coverage from leading companies at an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
Medjet is a leading provider of global air medical transport. Unlike traditional travel insurance, which typically covers medical evacuation to the nearest facility, Medjet goes further by ensuring you’re transported back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you’re stable enough to fly. Medjet offers membership plans that focus on medical transport, while Medjet Horizon provides expanded coverage for broader protection. Individual trip policies start at just $99, and annual policies are available for around $300. Most policies have an age limit of 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to unforgettable experiences, a wide range of transportation options, and incredible places to stay—from homes to hotels and beyond. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces, it supports well-known brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. For its convenience, variety, and reliability, it’s our preferred booking platform.
Transportation
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a U.S.-based company with a mission to make global travel accessible to everyone, everywhere. At Wanderers Compass, we embrace independent travel, and platforms like Expedia are essential to making that a reality. Expedia allows you to book every aspect of your trip—from flights and accommodations to rental cars, cruises, and activities—making it a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip provides an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers worldwide, and we absolutely love their service. It’s a cost-effective alternative to renting a car, providing comfortable, stress-free travel with the bonus of scenic stops along the way. For example, we used Daytrip for travel between Budapest and Vienna, enjoying some fantastic detours to local attractions. With professional drivers and customizable routes, Daytrip ensures a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and unique sights along your journey.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that travel is all about creating unforgettable memories. With over 300,000 experiences to choose from—ranging from simple tours to extreme adventures, plus a wide array of unique, niche activities—it’s never been easier to make lasting memories. We frequently use Viator during our travels and especially appreciate their flexible cancellation policy, which adds peace of mind to every booking.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM effortlessly connects travelers around the globe, eliminating the need to swap physical SIM cards or deal with surprise roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making your travel experience more convenient than ever. Plus, they offer a fantastic deal: a free 100 MB data plan with no credit card required. They are so confident that you will love their service!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10.
To learn more about how GigSky works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves
Amazon is one of the world’s most comprehensive online shopping platforms, offering lower prices, a wide selection, and fast delivery through teams worldwide.
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!
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