Sweden Travel Guide

Sweden is one of three countries that make up what is known as Scandinavia. From its capital city of Stockholm to its beautiful countryside, there’s something for everyone in Sweden.

Let’s plan your trip!

Top Things to Do | Itineraries | Know Before You Go | Transportation | When to Travel | Costs & Budget | Solo Female Travel Advice | Photo Inspiration | All Blog Posts

Top Things to Do

Stockholm – The capital of Sweden is also its most popular city. There is so much to see and do here from churches to museums and even more. And with even more time, there’s plenty of amazing day trips.

Gothenburg – The second most populous city in Sweden also offers something interesting for tourists. It’s another big city, but it feels more relaxed that Stockholm, making it a great city to slow down.

Uppsala – This university town is an easy day trip from Stockholm and is home to what’s known as the “Silver Bible” as well as a beautiful cathedral.

Drottningholm Slott – This former summer palace is now the current residence of the Swedish Royal Family. This makes another easy day trip from Stockholm.

Stockholm’s Archipelago – For some dramatic scenery that’s easily reachable from Stockholm, consider a cruise around the bay near Stockholm.

Swedish Lapland – In the very north of the country, you’ll find dramatic views and epic hiking trails.

Itineraries in Sweden

So far I’ve only been to Sweden once as part of a larger trip through Scandinavia. During this trip, I spent a few days in Stockholm before spending another few days in Gothenburg.

Know Before You Go

Currency – Swedish Kroner (SEK). I paid by card exclusively in Sweden. There was never a time where I needed to have cash, so I never bothered getting any.

Language – Swedish. While everything is in Swedish first, you will find plenty of English throughout Sweden. I don’t know any Swedish and I never felt uncomfortable with the language barrier.

Power – 230V and 50hz. Types C, E, F, and K.

Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.

Water – The water throughout Sweden is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle.

Transportation

By Bus & Trains – Trains, along with buses, help connect the long distances. If you’re traveling between cities, or even between countries, check out all of your options. If you’re jumping on a high speed train, make sure to book early so you can save some extra cash.

By Rental Car – Because there’s such a comprehensive public transportation system, it’s unlikely that you’ll need a rental car while you are in Sweden. Still, if you want to travel at your own pace or plan to go somewhere very rural, a car may be the best option for you.

By Plane – If you’re making some really large leaps, such as Stockholm to the very north of Sweden, a plane will likely be your best option. Stockholm is connected to most airports throughout Sweden.

When to Go

Low Season – Winters are the low season. You should expect cold weather, the fewest crowds, and limited hours for major sights. Additionally, expect limited daylight. For example, January in Stockholm sees the sun rise at 8:30 and set at 3:30.

High Season – Summer has the best weather, but the highest crowds. The major sights will be open and you won’t have to be concerned with the sun setting early. In fact, during the summer months, the sun can stay out as late as 9:00 or 10:00 pm.

Shoulder Season – Spring and fall help to balance out the two extremes, with mild weather and fewer crowds. I traveled in mid April and while it was ok in terms of weather (Gothenburg was nice but Stockholm was cold), I did run into some issues with timing on a few sights.

Budget

Sweden, and Scandinavia in general, are expensive places to travel. That said, by paying close attention to my spending, I was able to enjoy my time in Sweden, but still keep a reasonable budget.

Accommodations – Hotels are not cheap, so if you want a private room, make sure to budget appropriately. During my visit, I spent about 1,000 SEK per night for my hotels in Stockholm and Gothenburg. You could absolutely go higher, but unless you’re staying in a hostel, you may not get a lot lower.

Food – Sit down restaurants are expensive and if you plan to sit for a nice meal, budget a minimum of 200 SEK per person per meal. I stuck to fast and convenience food, which while still expensive (half the cost of sit down restaurants), it still wasn’t cheap.

Transportation – For your daily transportation (city buses and metros), estimate 40 SEK per ride (more if you need to get to the airport). But before you buy any tickets, check to see if it’s worth it, and that includes upgrading to a 24 hour ticket. I did the math and found that it was cheaper to buy tickets as I need them instead of getting a 24 hour ticket in Stockholm. And in Gothenburg, I didn’t need public transport at all.

Activities – Like with anywhere you visit, there are plenty of free activities. But for paid activities (such as a museum, castle, etc.), I’d suggest budgeting 125 SEK per sight. You may find some activities cheaper, and others more expensive, but I think this is a great place to start.

For more details, including budget saving tips, check out my Scandinavia Travel Budget.

My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler

I visited Sweden in 2024 as a solo female traveler. There was never a time where I felt unsafe. Now, it should be noted that I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t go out after dark (although I visited in mid April when the sun doesn’t set until after 8:00 pm). I’d argue that Sweden, and Scandinavia in general, is the place where I’ve felt safest as a solo female traveler.

Photos to Inspire Your Travels

All Sweden Blog Posts