SWEDEN

TRAVEL IN SWEDEN

Wild, sparsely populated and absolutely massive, Sweden is one of Europe's most fascinating and versatile destinations. The cities of Gothenburg and Stockholm are the staging post for many Sweden holidays and come alive once night falls, but leave the towns behind and you'll find a vast unspoiled wilderness of pristine lakes, forests and mountains.

FAST FACTS

Language: Swedish
Currency: Swedish krona
Electricity: 230v
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Sweden.
Dialling Code: +46
Time Zone: (GMT+01:00)

ABOUT CONTIKI

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Dally in Djurgården Island

Occupying an entire island in central Stockholm, this national park is a favourite haunt of locals and tourists alike. It's home to more museums, galleries, historical buildings and monuments than you could shake a stick at, as well as some of the city's most pleasant green spaces and waterside promenades. Had your fill of culture? Time for a visit to the Gröna Lund amusement park, also conveniently located on the island.
Explore Abisko National Park in Lapland

Located well inside the Arctic Circle in the far north of the country, this huge expanse of unblemished wilderness is one of Sweden's most beautiful national parks. Come in winter to visit the Aurora Sky Station, one of the best locations in the world to see the Northern Lights, or take advantage of 24-hour summer daylight to hike the spectacular 440km Kungsleden trail.
Marvel at Drottningholm Palace

This magnificent 16th century palace is one of the country's most striking buildings, and its gardens offer Stockholmers a wonderfully green oasis of calm in the very centre of their city. It's actually a private residence of the Swedish royal family, but the majority of the palace is open for public perusal - if you visit Stockholm, be sure to check it out.
Cruise The Stockholm Archipelago

Not only is Stockholm one of the most beautiful cities in Scandinavia, but there's also a network of nearly 30,000 islands - count ‘em! - within spitting distance of the city centre. These best way of exploring them is to hop on a boat and lose yourself in this charming landscape of wooded islands, dazzling white beaches and colourful houses, keeping an eye out for local fauna like moose and deer along the way.
Indulge yourself at the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi

Ice is not exactly a typical construction material, but that hasn’t stopped the founders of the Jukkasjärvi ice hotel, who have been building and rebuilding it each winter since 1989. Situated near the city of Kiruna, 200km inside the Arctic Circle, it's made entirely of ice foraged from the local river, right down to the furniture and the glasses in the bar. It’s chilly - a frigid -5C at the bar - but there are plenty of furs on hand to keep the shivers at bay.

Things to do in Sweden

There's an almost overwhelming amount on offer in Sweden, but we've done the research and come up with a solid top 5. Read on for our Sweden travel picks.

Summerburst
Stockholm/Gothenburg

Sweden's largest electronic music festival takes place over two weekends - one in Gothenburg, one in Stockholm. Beats come courtesy of the biggest names in Scandinavian dance music, along with a smattering of international acts.

For more information on Summerburst, click here.
Sweden Rock Festival

Held near the small city Sölvesborg in southern Sweden, this Swedish rock festival is one of the country's most eagerly anticipated. Expect a hard and heavy lineup of the biggest names in rock and metal from around the globe.

For more information on Sweden Rock Festival, click here.
Midsummer Festival

Midsummer is a big day on the calendar here, and the Swedes like to go hard. Festivities centre around the maypole, with pickled herring consumed like it's going out of fashion and the schnapps flowing like water.

For more information on Midsummer Festival, click here.
Way Out West
Gothenburg

Expect a veritable smorgasbord of international rock, pop, and electronica music at Gothenburg's premier summer music festival. Various after-hours shows held around the city ensure that the party continues well into the wee small hours.

For more information on Way Out West, click here.
Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival

Founded by renowned Swedish jazz pianist and composer Jan Lundgren, this festival sees the small town of Ystad play host to some of the biggest names in jazz, with concerts held at a number of intimate venues throughout the city.

For more information on Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival, click here.

Top 5 Festivals in Sweden

Sweden bursts into life during summer, with numerous festivals taking place up and down the country. Here's our pick of the best.

Fotografiska
Stockholm

Housed in a former customs building dating from 1906, this centre for contemporary photography opened in 2010 and is now one of the most popular Stockholm attractions. It exhibits work from the best photographers from around the world, and its cafe has some of the best views in the city.

For more information on the Fotografiska, click here.
Abba Museum
Stockholm

OK – so we almost got through this without mentioning ABBA, and Sweden’s most famous pop music export get the royal treatment at this interactive experience inspired by the Beatles Museum in Liverpool. Interactive audio and video stations allow you to take a virtual step in the shoes of Björn, Benny, Frida and Agnetha.

For more information on the ABBA Museum, click here.
Vasa Museum
Stockholm

1628 wasn't a good year for the Vasa, a 64-gun warship who sank on her maiden voyage right in the middle of Stockholm. Happily she was salvaged in 1961 and now stands, restored and almost fully intact, in this excellent museum. A Sweden travel essential.

For more information on the Vasa Museum, click here.
Göteborgs Konstmuseum
Gothenburg

If you're looking for 19th century Nordic art, you've come to the right place - this Gothenburg museum has the finest collection in the world. It's supplemented by a healthy collection from masters such as Picasso, Rembrandt and Monet.

For more information on the Göteborgs Konstmuseum, click here.
Skansen Museum
Stockholm

The planners of Sweden's oldest open-air museum knew their business. Here you can wander through a full-scale replica of a 19th century town replete with craftsmen in period dress. They even threw in a zoo for good measure, home to classic Scandinavian critters like moose, reindeer and wolverine.

For more information on the Skansen Museum, click here.

Top 5 Museums and Galleries in Sweden

Sweden is home to many of Scandinavia's most famous museums and galleries. Wondering which to visit? Check out our pick of the best.

Köttbullar
Swedish meatballs are undoubtedly the country's most famous culinary export. Typically served with boiled potatoes, lingonberry jam, pressed cucumber and plenty of brown cream gravy, they're a must-try in Sweden.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Restaurang Operakällaren, Operahuset, Karl XII’s torg, Stockholm}
Matjessill
Pickled herring is a big deal in Sweden, particularly during midsummer festivities. Boiled potatoes, sour cream, onion and boiled egg are the usual accompaniments.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Östermalms Saluhall, Nybrogatan 31, Stockholm}
Jansson's Temptation
One taste and you’ll see why Jansson was so tempted. Traditionally served at Christmas, this dish is now popular and readily available throughout the year. A creamy casserole of potatoes and sprats, it's a classic Swedish winter warmer.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Kometen, Vasagatan 58, Göteborg}
Reindeer suovas
A favourite of the nomadic Sami people in Sweden's far north, this salted and smoked reindeer meat is as free range as free range gets. Eat it cooked or raw, but don't forget the lingonberries.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Camp Ripan Kitchen, Campingvägen 5, Kiruna}
Prinsesstårta
Swedish people love this traditional cake so much that there's even an official week to celebrate it! We’re talking delectable layers of sponge, jam and whipped cream concealed within its inscrutable shell of thick green marzipan. A beauty.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Vete-Katten, Kungsgatan 55, Stockholm}

Food in Sweden

Sweden gave the world the smörgåsbord and - thanks to IKEA - its national dish is now a household name. But dig a little deeper and you'll find there's a lot more to Swedish cuisine than buffets and meatballs.

The extreme variation here between summers and winters mean Swedish food is very seasonal. Many dishes reflect whatever is available from the farm or the forest, and if it can be caught, trapped or hunted then it's fair game. Husmanskost, Swedish home cooking, is a big part of the country's cuisine, with hearty stews, soups and other such comfort foods making up a large part of the traditional culinary repertoire. Preservation is also big news in Sweden, and there are a vast range of pickled, cured or canned goods waiting to be sampled, including the notorious surströmming, a fermented herring whose strong taste and even stronger odour will challenge the stomachs of even the most adventurous.

Read on for our selection of the best Swedish dishes.

What To Pack?

Medicine - Cold medicines and decongestants aren't sold over the counter here, so you'd be wise to bring your own supply.

Booze - Alcohol is very expensive in Sweden, so stock up at the duty-free!

A waterproof jacket - There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes, or so say the Swedes.

An adapter plug - Sweden uses the European standard 2-pin plug. You'll need a step-down transformer for appliances that run on USA voltage

Sunglasses - The summer sun never sets on northern Sweden. So don’t forget to protect those peepers.

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