Sweden Travel Guide:

Best Places to Visit in Sweden

Sweden has a number of number of extremely interesting attractions spread across this relatively large country. As is common in the Nordic countries, Sweden is an expensive place for the tourist.  We consider Sweden a classic "add-on" destination for inclusion in an itinerary involving several countries.

A visit to Sweden will stay with you for a lifetime, so make sure to read our recommendations on the Best Places to Visit in Sweden.  Sweden has many different "faces" to show the traveler and our recommendations on the Best Places to Visit in Sweden, can help you decide the right itinerary for you.

The team at ThereArePlaces has developed a proprietary method for evaluating the attractiveness of towns and regions as tourist destinations. We used this methodology to create our list of the best places to visit in Sweden. We believe that the cities and regions described below are the country’s key tourist destinations, contain Sweden's best attractions and urge you to visit them during your travels in Sweden.

Read our sections on Sweden Travel Information and Sweden Facts to complete your basic preparation for vacationing in Sweden.

• Stockholm   

  • Stockholm, Sweden's capital, is a delightful city whose location (which covers  fourteen islands) is both beautiful and stately. 

    • The Old Town or Gamla Stan is a must see.  With its cobblestone, curvy narrow streets and interesting shops it is an attractive location.  In addition, many of the best tourist sights in Stockholm can be found in Gamla Stan. 

    • Swedish crystal is in abundant supply and the shopping is a delight. Good restaurants abound and herring lovers will be in heaven.

    • The Wasa Museum houses an intact 17th century frigate geared for fighting (the Wasa) that sank on her maiden voyage and was perfectly preserved when raised fifty years ago.

    • Stockholm is a lively place for the arts and Sweden is a festive country.  Be sure check local sources for current exhibitions, concerts and celebrations.

    • Consider a day trip to Drottningholm Palace, the current residence of the Royal Family of Sweden (and World Heritage Site). On an island in Lake Mälaren, it features interesting architecture,  a wonderful park and a noted Chinese Pavilion.

      • Official information about the Royal Domain of Drottningham can be found here.

    • Another interesting day trip is to take the steamship SS Mariefred to Gripsholm Castle (Slott) and the town of Mariefred in the shores of Lake Mälaren. (information can be found at the website link in the paragraph  above.

    • Stockholm is also a good jumping off point for a tour of the Stockholm Archipelago, an area of islands, sea rocks and great natural beauty.

    • If you plan on giving Stockholm a real going over, consider purchasing a Stockholm card for "free" admission to 75 museums and attractions - http://www.stockholmtown.com/stockholmcard

    • Another option, you might consider, is the Stockholm  a La Carte Card that is provided free by Destination Stockholm, when you book your hotel through them.  See this site for details.  (ThereArePlaces mention of Destination Stockholm is neither an advertisement nor a recommendation.)




• Gothenburg (Göteborg)  

  • Many travelers feel that Göteborg is both easier to tour and provides better exposure to the Swedes than Stockholm.  Be sure to visit the Liseberg Amusement Park, the Röhsska Museum, the Haga/Linnéstanden area for shopping, and, if you have time, take a tour of the Volvo car assembly plant. Consider using Göteborg as a base for exploration of the coastal towns to the north and the Varbergs Fortress, forty miles to the south.

• Uppsala 

  • Regarded as  a center of the Swedish culture and history, the city has played a crucial role in the development of Sweden. At the center of the Old Town visit the Domkyrkan (Cathedral) and the Castle.  Uppsala is less than an hour by train from Stockholm.




• Southeastern Coast/Småland

  • The Southeastern section of the coast of Sweden features beautiful seascapes, interesting islands, and a good bit of history.  There are several historic towns to see in the area and you might consider Kalmar as a base for your trip.

  
  
  

  • Kalmar    

    • A delightful  town featuring a wonderful castle (Kalmar Castle) and an interesting cathedral (the Domykyrkan). The area that surrounds it

  
  

  • Crystal Country 

    • West of Kalmar and southeast of Växjö in Smaland Province , is the famous crystal production area of Sweden  called the Kingdom of Crystal by Visit Sweden.  If you like crystal, this area is a must see as there are more than a dozen producers of high quality crystal in this area, including Orrefors and Kosta Boda.

      • Consider purchasing a Kingdom of  Crystal Passport, which provides guided tours and special deals.  See the official Kingdom of Crystal site for more information.

  
  

• Gotland

  • If you want to bask in the sun, enjoy idyllic countryside, and explore an interesting historic area, the island of Gotland may be just the place for you.  The Island has a long history as a trading center.  Visby , a Viking stronghold awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, is considered to be the best preserved, fortified commercial city in Europe. 

  • Gotland can be reached by ferry from Nyänshamn  as a part of a trip involving Stockholm or from Oskarshamn on a trip involving the Southeastern Coast.




• Malmo/Lund Area

  • Malmo and Lund offer yet another view of Sweden.  The area has been transformed by universities and technology into a knowledge economy but one that has not forgotten its heritage.

    • The Malmo/Lund Area of Sweden has been "tinged" by its close proximity to Denmark, a process that has been accelerated since the opening of the  Öresund Bridge to Copenhagen. 

    • Be sure to see the Lund Cathedral, Åhus (a  well-preserved Swedish style village), the Glimmingehus (a knight's castle),  the Trollholms Slott in Marieholm, and Sophiaro (the King's Summer Castle).

  
  

• Gota Canal

  • The Gota Canal connects Gothenburg and Stockholm via a scenic canal that is plied by the Gota Canal Steamship Company.  The three-day trip passes through canals, rivers, and Sweden's largest lake: it is a cruise through both time and space.  If you want to see both Göteborg and Stockholm, the Gota Canal is a fun way to do so.




• Swedish Lapland

  • Lapland (in Sweden, Norway, and Finland) is considered by many to be the last wilderness in Europe.  This area of the midnight sun and the northern lights (in different seasons) is not for the casual tourist.  If you are interested in visiting Swedish Lapland, consider basing your visit in

    • Kiruna

      • Many people visit Kiruna to see the Samis and their reindeer herds.  Others come to Kiruna to see the wilderness and countless lakes.  The area is reputed to be home to  mosquitoes of such gigantic proportions that they are often confused with moose (well, it feels as if you are being bitten by a moose).

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