Things to Do in Sweden
Sweden is a beautiful country, and it offers plenty of things to see and do. From the Vasa Museum to more natural wonders like Lulea, Sweden offers a variety of experiences that you won’t soon forget. Here are 10 things to do in Sweden that will make your trip worthwhile.
Visit the Vasa Museum
Vasa is a Swedish warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. The ship was salvaged and can now be found at Vasa Museum.
What you’ll find at the museum:
- A complete, original warship from the 17th century
- The shipwreck
- Temporary exhibitions on Swedish maritime culture and art
- Guided tours in English, German, French, Spanish and Swedish
Meet the locals on a Swedish walking tour
Sweden is a beautiful country with plenty to explore. This means that you’ll want to take some time out of your trip to explore the culture and people of Sweden.
One way to do this is by taking a Swedish walking tour. You’ll get an insider’s perspective on Sweden’s history, culture, and cuisine by meeting the locals on your walk. Plus, it’s an opportunity for you to learn more about the customs of the country so you can blend in with Swedes better when you’re there!
There are lots of tours available throughout Sweden for tourists who want to experience the country’s rich history and culture up close. One popular tour is Stockholm’s Free Walking Tour, which guides visitors through Europe’s most northern capital city. The tour takes about three hours and involves stops at attractions like Skogskyrkogarden Church Garden, Kungstradgarden Royal Garden, and Vasa Museum.
Explore the beautiful seaside in Lulea
Lulea is a small but beautiful coastal city in the north of Sweden. Home to approximately 14,000 inhabitants as of 2017, Lulea offers guests a peaceful and serene atmosphere that’s perfect for those experiencing culture shock or homesickness.
Enjoy the beautiful shoreline and enjoy a day at the beach on Kosterhavet—the Gulf of Bothnia. The water is very cold, but if you want to brave it, there are plenty of hotels in Lulea that offer outdoor hot tubs!
Take a Scandinavian cooking class
If you’re looking to learn more about the Nordic food culture, a Scandinavian cooking class is a great place to start. There are plenty of cookbooks and recipes that focus on this style of cooking, but there’s nothing quite like learning from a chef who grew up in Scandinavia. You can learn what ingredients are popular and how they work together in the kitchen.
# Get your fill of Swedish meatballs.
One dish that is sure to have people talking is Swedish meatballs. This tasty dish has been around for centuries and features minced beef mixed with breadcrumbs or cereal, eggs, salt, pepper, onion powder, and parsley. The mixture is then fried in butter before being simmered in a thick sauce for an hour or two. They’re delicious when served with mashed potatoes!
Watch the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that you won’t want to miss. These beautiful lights are created when the Earth’s atmosphere interacts with charged particles from the sun.
What are the Northern Lights? When the sun releases solar winds, they interact with the earth’s atmosphere, causing it to produce atmospheric effects. The aurora borealis is one of these effects which causes light emissions in the northern sky.
The Northern Lights can be seen in different forms for different lengths of time depending on how much solar activity there is. The stronger the solar activity, the more likely people will be able to see them.
If you happen to visit Sweden during a period of strong solar activity, then you have even better chances of spotting them!
Northern lights have been seen as far south as Alaska and Texas in North America when there were periods of strong solar activity earlier this decade.
Get active with outdoor yoga classes
Outside yoga classes are a great way to get in touch with the world around you. Nature-inspired yoga classes combine postures, breathing exercises, and meditation in a natural setting. At the Studio Yoga Sweden in Stockholm, for example, participants practice in a forest surrounded by trees and birds.
The instructor will recommend a particular class depending on your goals. You might even want to bring your dog along for the session!
Visit an old castle
Sweden is home to some of the most beautiful and historic castles in Europe. One of the most popular castles in Sweden is the Swedish Royal Palace. Located on an island in central Stockholm, it’s a stunning example of traditional Swedish architecture and has been used as a royal residence since 1697. The castle is open for public tours, so you can explore its elegant rooms, gardens, and courtyards.
While you’re in Stockholm, be sure to also visit the Vasa Museum. A fascinating history lesson about Swedish kings and queens from the 17th century, it tells a story about one of the world’s largest wooden warships that sank before it could set sail—and was then salvaged 400 years later.
Enjoy Swedish design at home
After a long day of exploring the country, come home to a place that feels like Sweden.
Designers from Sweden have been celebrated for their use of color and simplicity in design, which you can see in products from HAY, IKEA and Nudie Jeans. It’s easy to bring that Swedish vibe into your home with products like these:
1) Add a colorful rug to your living room and kitchen (such as this one).
2) Place a small accent piece on your desk (such as this graphic print).
4) Decorate with plants using unique pots (like these).
5) Hang pictures on your wall (like this deer print).
6) Add some Swedish music to your playlist (we recommend Linnea Olsson).
Rent bikes for exploring Stockholm
Rent a bike for exploring the city of Stockholm. Stockholm is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in all of Europe, so it’s no wonder that bikes are an excellent mode of transportation within the city.
Celebrate Midsummer.
Swedes celebrate Midsummer by organizing festivities that include dancing, singing, and even running through fields of flowers. While the exact date of Midsummer varies from year to year, it usually takes place in the second half of June. But it’s not just a Swedish tradition! Other countries in Europe—like Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal and Ukraine—also celebrate Midsummer.
Plan Your Trip
The first step to planning your trip is to decide when you want to go. Keep in mind that Swedish weather can be unpredictable at times because much of the country is above the Arctic Circle. If you are traveling during the summer months or early fall (June-August), you will likely encounter warm temperatures with highs around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather becomes colder during September and October with average highs around 43 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on visiting during these months—or any time other than summertime—be sure to pack for cold weather conditions with warmer clothing like sweaters and coats.
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