Best Places To Visit in Sweden
Sweden is blessed with the most spectacular landscape and rich history. Replete with green forests, beautiful archipelagoes, sparkling lakes, and brilliant architecture, it is a paradise for travelers. And how can we forget all the wonderful things Sweden has given the world? – Volvo, H&M, IKEA, ABBA, Vikings, Swedish meatballs, the list goes on and on. Add the fact that it is home to the midnight sun and the breathtaking northern lights, you will know why Sweden places to visit are on the bucket list of every traveler.
Sweden boasts about amazing scenery, magnificent fishing villages, conventional huts, wooden architecture and unique fortresses. Whether you are looking for hiking trails for adventure or wish to explore extraordinary museums or galleries within cities, Sweden offers you everything. If you are pondering over the key highlights that you should cover during your Sweden tour then here is an exhaustive list of best places to visit in Sweden to make your journey memorable:
- Stockholm
The Swedish capital is one of the most popular tourist places in Sweden that is inundated with thousands of tourists every year. Known as the ‘Venice of the North’, Stockholm spreads across a Baltic Sea archipelago consisting of 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges. The architecture of the city is aesthetically elegant and is the perfect amalgamation of cobblestone streets and modern art.
Stockholm is also well-known as the destination where the Nobel Prize is given out every year. The attractions here include the Vasa Museum, Royal Palace, Skokloster Castle, Modern Art Museum, and the City Hall. Stockholm also has a great food scene boasting of sustainable cooking ingredients and methods and serving the most delectable traditional as well as modern Nordic cuisine. It is more than just the capital of Sweden and it is a city where Noble prizes are distributed. Stockholm is considered as one of the most budget tourist attractions in Sweden as it gives you an opportunity to visit more than 15 different museums without paying any charges. Some of the popular museums you can visit include the Medieval Museum, Modern Art Museum and the Royal Palace.
- Kosterhavet National Park
Sweden is blessed with an elongated coastline that offers you an amazing opportunity to enjoy its marine life. Kosterhavet National Park is one such destination that is surrounded by stunning sea and shores of the island. It is a place where you can enjoy more than 6,000 unique marine life species. The coral reefs are extremely tempting here that welcomes several divers and snorkelers to experience its natural beauty. If you are searching for one of the most scenic and natural Sweden places to visit then Kosterhavet National Park is an ideal choice.
- Gothenburg
Among numerous other parks, this green city is also home to the biggest botanical garden in Sweden with more than 16000 species of plants. The second-largest city in Sweden is home to several Michelin star restaurants, and delightful outdoor cafes. Get a taste of the Swedish lifestyle, with ‘Fika’ – a break for a sweet cinnamon bun and coffee at one of these cafes.
Gothenburg is also famous for the region’s largest film festival and various music festivals all year round. Many other attractions in this city include art galleries, museums, and amusement parks in Liseberg. A day trip to the Gothenburg archipelago is highly recommended in Sweden tourism. If you want to visit several old parks of Sweden tourism at one destination then Gothenburg is a place to be. Young people can enjoy several adventurous rides here that are hard to find at any other park in Scandinavia. While been here, you can also enjoy some of the most popular music as well as film festivals in Sweden.
- Abisko
One of the best places to visit in Sweden where the wonders of nature are a fascinating sight to capture. Located in the north of the Arctic circle, this small village in Sweden is home to the gorgeous Aurora Borealis and the Midnight sun. During winters, visitors from all over the world come here to witness the mesmerizing blue and green lights that illuminate the night sky. This is one of the best places in the world to experience nature’s incredible light show. In the summers, the midnight sun is the main attraction in this region. Also, Abisko National Park with majestic mountains, beautiful meadows, and Nordic wildlife is another highlight in this place.
- Stockholm Archipelago
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Sweden, the Stockholm archipelago is home to more than 30,000 islands, of which approximately 1000 islands are inhabited. This place is accessible all year round from Central Stockholm by white archipelago boats. You can choose from different options such as short excursions, day tours, or overnight stays. Many of these tours include gourmet lunch or dinner. A boat tour to the archipelago town of Vaxholm is highly recommended. This town is dotted with charming shops, cafes, and restaurants, and you can also relax at the waterfront and enjoy some homemade ice cream. You can also visit a World War I fortress at Starofortet or pamper yourself in a spa at Nacka.
- Lapland
Lapland is a winter wonderland that is located in the far north above the Arctic Circle. It is one of the perfect Sweden tourist attractions for skiing with sun shining 24/7. Inhabited by the native Sami tribe, you can explore the wilderness and experience the culture and tradition of the tribe. Some of the attractions include Arktikum Science Museum, Santa Claus Village, Yllas, and Urho Kekkonen National Park. There are incredible activities that you can enjoy such as feeding reindeer, riding Alaskan huskies, snowmobiling on a frozen lake, chasing the northern lights, and sleeping in an Arctic treehouse. It is a paradise for hikers and canoers thereby becoming one of the most thrilling places to visit in Sweden.
- Marstrand
Boasting of captivating history, this beautiful island city of Marstrand is known for its ancient fortress. This 17th-century Carlsten Fortress is a magnificent stone structure that attracts thousands of visitors every year for its outstanding architecture and brilliance. Enjoy an impressive view of the charming and colorful wooden holiday homes from this strategic location and witness the blue waters of the ocean spread out in front of you. You can also stay at the Grand Hotel Marstrand which is the former residence of King Oscar II. Marstrand is also famous for hosting the annual Match Cup Sweden, which is an important sailing competition. Other attractions worth visiting here are Pater Noster Lighthouse, Strandverket Art Museum, and scenic hiking trails.
- Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi
If you have done your homework well, you will be aware that Sweden is famous for its stunning ice hotels worldwide. Staying at one of them during your Sweden holiday is one of the most incredible experiences. The oldest and the most famous ice hotel is the one located in Jukkasjärvi. Constructed from the ice of the pristine river Torne, this hotel is recreated every year in winter and is open from December to April. The accommodation is splendid and includes snow rooms, art suites, and ice rooms. The 5500 square meter place also has an ice bar and an ice church. Some of the activities that you can indulge in are ice sculpting, Northern Lights viewing, moose watching, snowmobile, and dog sledding. In summer, after the hotel melts into river Torne, this place is home to various adventures and activities such as river rafting, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, and fishing.
- High Coast
Located between the cities of Härnosand and Örnsköldsvik, High Coast is a stunning hiking destination. Also known as Höga Kusten as it in the native language, is surrounded by two national parks – Skuleskogen National Park and Ulvön’s Island National Park. The High Coast provides a spectacular view of the Baltic Sea. This picturesque place was chosen by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000. The hike takes you through dense forests and areas with human settlements. The trail is not much explored and is extremely scenic defined by rocky islands and steep granite cliffs. The vistas that you witness at the end of the hike is simply jaw-dropping.
- Malmo
Malmo is a multi-cultural city that is the perfect mix of old and new. This medieval historic city is linked to Denmark by the outstanding Oresund Bridge. Malmo was Danish till the 16th century and even today many buildings are displaying Danish influences in their architecture. Malmo is extremely popular for ethically produced food, and it houses one of Sweden’s most famous organic restaurants. You can shop for all the latest and trendiest fashions, that are ethical and environmentally friendly. The newest attraction in Malmo is the engineering marvel called ‘Turning Torso’, that twists more than 600 feet into the sky, making it one of the most visited buildings in Sweden.
- Vasa Musuem
Established in the year 1990, Vasa Museum has been visited by over 20 million tourists until today. Here you can spot ten different types of exhibitions which are sufficient enough to keep you excited throughout a day. Moreover, the museum features Vasa battleship which is considered as one of the key highlights amongst Sweden tourist places that attract people from different corners of the world.
- Sigtuna
Well-known as Sweden’s first-ever town, the picturesque village of Sigtuna lies alongside Lake Mälaren in the lush green landscape of Uppland. Boasting of marvelous history, this town is dotted with ruins, runes, Gothic churches, and other ancient structures. One of the highlights of Sigtuna is the old pedestrian street. Take a stroll along Storgatan, and you will find elegant boutiques selling handicrafts, designer items, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and lovely wooden houses. The harmony between contemporary restaurants and cafes and ancient ruins is fascinating. Other Sweden tourist attractions include Sigtuna Museum, City Hall, and Sigtuna’s main Square.
- Oresund Bridge
Take a 20 minutes ride from Malmo City center to visit the very famous Oresund Bridge. It has been shown in several famous TV Drama and movie shows till today. The bridge connects Denmark to Sweden and it is a perfect combination of the road as well as rail track. It is definitely a memorable experience to travel through this bridge when you want to commute between Denmark and Sweden.
- Gamla Stan
If you want to discover amazing things about the history of Sweden then Gama Stan is a place to be. Here you can spot several unique architectures that date back to the 13th century. The town also features famous churches and museums which is also an absolute treat to watch. Don’t forget to stop by at famous shopping malls and restaurants to enjoy some unique cuisine of Sweden. No wonder, it is listed amongst one of the most sought after places to visit in Sweden.
What’s next waiting for you?
Sweden is brimming with colorful buildings, opulent palaces, medieval cathedrals, traditional huts, fishing villages, and age-old towns. The citizens are extremely friendly and helpful. There are many hidden gems in Sweden, and it is one place in the world that is a haven for an ardent traveler. If you are planning a Europe tour then Sweden should be there in your itinerary without any doubt. This amazing nation gives a perfect representation of both classic and modern culture thereby allowing tourists to see different sides of one nation and also check Thoresta.
If you are planning to visit few other popular countries in Europe then don’t forget to check out our other travel guides.