Sweden

WHERE IS SWEDEN?

Sweden, the fifth largest country in Europe, is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe. With a land area of 450,295km², Sweden is bigger than both Norway and Denmark. Although it is one of the largest countries in all of Europe, Sweden holds one of the lowest population densities. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Overall, the best time to visit Sweden is generally between the months of May and September when the temperature is mild and the sun shines more! If you are planning on spending some time in Stockholm, the summer months are perfect. Winters in Sweden can get pretty cold and rainy so if you are looking to spend most of your time outdoors, I would avoid the months between November – February. 

If you are a budget traveler, late August and September will be your best time to consider as flights and hotels are much cheaper than they normally are in high season. The weather during this time of the year is also amazing, so really this is just a great time to travel to Sweden overall! 

WEATHER IN SWEDEN

The weather in Sweden tends to be very diverse. It is generally either really cold or mild outside thanks to the Gulf Stream. Above the Arctic Circle, winter is extremely severe with temperatures going below -30°C (-22°F), while summer temperatures around the entire country hit around 20°C (68°F) . 

Winter: November- February

• Average temps of -2°C (27° F) to -1°C (30° F)
• Snowy landscapes and frozen lakes  
• Great time to visit with less tourists and crowds
• Scenic winter wonderland
• Perfect destination for dog sledding, ice skating, skiing, and taking an ice bath

Spring: March – May

• Average temps of -3°C (26°F) to 15°C (59°F)
• Warmer temps after mid-April
• Flowers start to bloom and gardens come alive 
• Fewer travelers with less crowds at tourist locations
• Best for hiking and enjoying all the nature
• Late March is the best time to see the Northern Lights! 

Summer: June – August

• Average temps of 15°C (60°F) to 25°C (77°F)
• Warmest weather in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo
• Busiest time of the year for tourists
• Perfect time to experience the Nordic summer solstice
• Best time for partaking in traditions like dancing and enjoying folk songs

Fall: September – October

• Average temps of -1°C (29°F) to 22°C (73°F)
• Quite rainy from the Atlantic Ocean
• Less crowded in touristy areas and more availability
• Snow and frost begin in mid-October
• Best time for any and all outdoor activities
• Northern lights are best seen in early September! 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Language: Swedish, or “Svenska” is the most widely spoken language throughout Sweden. However, almost everyone in the country excels at speaking English as they were ranked 2nd in the EF English Proficiency Index. 

Currency: The official currency in Sweden is the Swedish krona. As of June 2022, 1 USD is equivalent to 10.21 krona.

Credit Cards and ATMs: While traveling through Sweden, all major US issued Visa and Mastercard debits cards should work. American Express and Discover are not as widely accepted but you might be able to use them in more touristy areas if you are lucky.  Not only can you use your cards to make purchases throughout the county, you can also withdraw cash from almost every ATM with a fee. Cash is also widely accepted around Sweden so I would always make sure to have some on you incase you need it! 

Plugs/Outlets: In Sweden, the main plugs are type C and F. Spain operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a converter like this to use for your hair products and an adapter like this for everything else.

Safety: Sweden is considered one of the safest countries in the world for both residents and tourists. Like always, as long as you consider basic safety precautions, you will avoid any type of petty theft!

TRANSPORTATION

Overall, getting around Sweden is fairly easy with their expensive options of transportation to pick from. Some of the most popular modes of transportation in Sweden include trains, buses, and ferries for both tourists and locals. Read more about each below! 

Train: With more than 400 stations around the country, the rail network is one of the most used modes of transportation in Sweden. SJ is the state owned rail company that also serves as a vendor for most of the regional lines. This means that you can book almost every ticket for all of your travels on this single website or on the SJ mobile app! If you are under the age of 26, are a student, or senior citizen, you are able to purchase last minute tickets at a reduced cost. 

Bus: If you are looking to save some money on your transportation around Sweden, the Bus system is the way to go as it is normally cheaper than the rail system. The two main bus companies in Sweden are Flixbus and Vy, which are nationwide networks used for longer routes. If you are looking for a regional bus system, check out Västtrafik, Skånetrafiken and Länstrafiken Norrbotten

Ferries: With thousands of islands, passenger ferries are extremely popular amongst tourists and locals. These ferries connect communities with archipelagos to the mainland and with each other. Waxholmsbolaget operates to destinations around the Stockholm archipelago, while Västtrafik links communities along the west coast. Most road ferries are free of charge, however there are a few that require passengers to purchase tickets ahead of time. For more information on all transportation, click here! 

More Travel guides HERE!