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Northern Lights over Abisko National Park. Photo by David Becker on Unsplash
Sweden Holidays
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Looks are everything in stylish Sweden, where natural beauty inspires architecture, fashion and design. Rocky coastlines, sparkling lakes and swathes of untouched forest set the scene for offbeat boutique hotels of world-class calibre, while proximity between town and country means urban adventures can easily be combined with wilderness breaks.
Sweden Holidays
Becoming a country famed for its exciting places to sleep, Sweden is home to Icehotel, Treehotel and the brand new Arctic Bath. Below are some of our favourite Sweden holiday ideas for inspiration.
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Day 1 | Arrive in Lapland & Northern Lights Hunt
Day 2 | Dog Sledding & Lakeside Sauna
Day 3 | Snowmobile Safari To Visit Reindeer
Day 4 | Relaxing & Optional Snowshoe Hike
Day 5 | Ice Fishing
Day 6 | Glass Igloo Stay
Day 7 | | Ski Day & Glass Igloo Stay
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Igloo & Lapland Wilderness Escape
Enjoy winter activities in the remote Swedish countryside before crossing the border to Finland to spend nights in a glass-roofed igloo, perfect for aurora hunting. -
Day 1 | Arrive in Stockholm
Day 2 | Explore Stockholm
Day 3 | Arctic Retreat & Northern Lights Hunt
Day 4 | Guided Canoeing on the Råne River
Day 5 | Hiking & Flavours of the 8 Seasons
Day 6 | Treehotel
Day 7 | Sami Culture & Arctic Circle Visit
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Autumn Forest Auroras in Arctic Sweden
Take in the sights of Sweden's stylish capital city before heading north to search for the aurora amongst the autumal colours of the forest. -
Day 1 | Arrive in West Sweden
Day 2 | City Exploring & the Gothenburg City Museum
Day 3 | Sail to the Archipelago & Kajkanten
Day 4 | Floating Sauna & Fiskeboa
Day 5 | Exploring Vrångö & Donsö
Day 6 | Discover Donsö & Styrsö
Day 7 | Departure Day
6 nights
Sustainable Summer Serenity in Gothenburg & the Archipelago
As seen in The Times, this summer itinerary takes you to the green city of Gothenburg before a full immersion into island life out on the beautiful archipelago.
Mrs Lynda Blackwell"Sensible, pragmatic advice borne out of Emma’s personal experiences made our Swedish Lapland Extravaganza exactly that. Fabulous! I cannot recommend this company highly enough"
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Enveloped by forests where moose and reindeer graze, some of Swedish Lapland’s best hotels are destinations in their own rights. Spend the night in a masterpiece suspended between trees, enjoy a sauna on a floating platform encased by birch twigs, or snuggle into a seasonal frozen palace sculpted entirely from ice.
Wherever you go, attention is always focused on nature: in summer, kayak safaris are complemented by campfires and wild swims, while winters are perfect for husky rides, cross-country skiing and skating across thick ice. Aurora expeditions form part of much broader adventures, including immersion in local Sami culture with evenings spent in a traditional lavvu.
Even cosmopolitan cities are intrinsically linked to the outdoors. Gothenburg and Stockholm occupy their own archipelagos, with pretty summer cottages decorating islands fringed by beaches and woven with hiking trails. Like their neighbours, Swedes practise ‘allemansrätten’ (or Everyman’s Right), meaning the environment is open for everyone to explore.
Sweden Map
LAPLAND & THE FAR NORTH
Where reindeer roam free and northern lights dance above snow cloaked forests, Lapland is a region like no other.
JÄMTLAND & THE BOTHNIAN COAST
Where UNESCO World Heritage sites and mountain lined coastal paths meet medieval towns and wildlife in abundance.
STOCKHOLM & CENTRAL SWEDEN
Sweden's stylish capital offers an abundance of city based adventures and a peaceful archipelago awaits just a stone's throw away.
GOTLAND & EAST SWEDEN
Where Vikings once roamed and relics remain, look beyond city walls and cobbled streets to find natural coastal tranquility.
GOTHENBURG & WEST SWEDEN
A bustling cultural hub meets shoreside serenity on the coast that has it all. Explore tiny fishing villages and ancient lakes from Bohuslän to Gothenburg.
SOUTHERN SWEDEN
Where sweeping plateaus form the backdrop for spa escapes, eco innovation and exquisite cuisine, travel south to discover a Swedish holiday favourite.
Reindeers pulling sleds by Staffan Widstrand for imagebank.sweden.se
Reindeers pulling sleds by Staffan Widstrand for imagebank.sweden.se
Lapland & The Far North
Welcome to the Arctic region of Sweden, where adventure reigns in endless forest, against a dramatic backdrop of mountains and coastlines. Massive in area, Lapland boasts some of the world’s best views of the Northern Lights from October to March, or choose to travel in summer under the everlasting light of the midnight sun. This untouched slice of Sweden, where lynx, elk and wolverine roam free, is home to some of the world's most famous places to stay, including the original and very elaborate Icehotel.
Jämtland & The Bothnian Coast
Bordering the Gulf of Bothnia is a slice of Sweden’s east coast, a dramatic coastline marked by historic towns that tell forgotten stories from the 18th century. Wander along the coast and you’ll find laid-back towns like Luleå and preserved church towns whose storied wooden cottages conjure scenes from times long past. Venture farther northward along Höga Kusten, where villages give way to raw vegetation, fjords, beaches, and an otherworldly countryside that makes for some incredible summer mountain biking.
Stockholm & Central Sweden
Enchanted at heart by the splendor of traditionally Swedish forests, lakes, ski resorts and log cabins, the country’s central region brings to life Sweden’s idyllic character. Home to Stockholm, the country’s beloved capital with 14 islands and more than 50 bridges, Central Sweden is incredibly diverse in its terrain. Beyond the capital, the region boasts Inlandsbanan, arguably the best railway in Europe, and the meteor-created Siljan Lake. With no shortage of farmsteads, rust-coloured timber cottages, festivals, and wildlife, Central Sweden is fit for both rustic wanderers and urbanites.
Gotland & East Sweden
From medieval castles to coastlines, forests and islands, Sweden’s southeast region offers a step back in time. Encompassing a large swath of the country, this region is often referred to as Sweden’s forgotten gem of the south. Home to the historic fortress town of Kalmar, along with Uppsala – one of Sweden’s oldest cities, the region has an array of uniquities to offer. Numerous glass factories and the charmed island destination of Gotland are just some of the gems of the region, gifting visitors a wide range of experiences whether you’re looking to party, for a bit of R&R, or deep exploration along uncharted terrain.
Gothenburg & West Sweden
The Southwest is noted as the historic frontier of the Swedish-Danish conflict. It's where you'll find endless sandy bays, vibrant nightlife and gently rolling landscapes. From the medieval town of Varberg, home to a 13th-century fortress, to Gothenburg's neogothic architecture, the region exudes a distinctly bohemian vibe. For those needing to wind down, The 72 Hour Cabin offers a wellness retreat like no other. Get in touch to find out about these luxury glass rooms located on the shores of Lake Iväg.
Southern Sweden
With a feel like an entirely different country, Sweden’s southern region spans kaleidoscopic canola fields, rugged coastlines, vast archipelagos, and pristine urban centres. A place for architecture lovers and a necessary destination for those keen on expanding their notion of the expected. Home to Malmö, Sweden’s third largest city studded with Dutch-Renaissance buildings and a picturesque Old Town, Sweden’s southern region may be at the edge of the country, but will hold a central place in the hearts of all who visit.
We'll send you a complimentary copy of Lonely Planet's Sweden Travel Guide Book when you book your Sweden trip with us
Highlights of Sweden
Stockholm City Breaks
Stockholm’s lure lies partly in the feeling one gets while there—that it isn’t all that urban, yet boasts some of Europe’s most distinctive cultural gems. Scattered throughout a series of islands between Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea, the city beautifully blends the historic and modern with land and sea. Whether escaping to its world-class museums and galleries, medieval jungle of cobbled streets, or wooden houseboats, the capital's diversity will capture the heart of any traveller.
Gothenburg & the Archipelago
From the cobbled streets of the Haga District to the winding canals running beside retro tram lines, and historic architecture enveloped in a vast nature reserve, the sprawling metropolis of Gothenburg is the perfect portal into West Sweden's vibrant diversity. Experience 'Lagom' and 'Fika' before sailing out to the car-free islands that comprise Gothenburg's breathtaking archipelago scattered across the sea.
Swedish Fika
Swedes know how to relax. Incorporated into daily life is the famed Fika, the almighty coffee break. Not to be confused with the grab-and-go coffee culture that permeates much of the Western world, Fika is a chance to slow down and appreciate life’s goodness. Coffee is always involved, and baked goods never fail to make an appearance. Alingsås in West Sweden, has been coined the capital of Fika. Here, guided tours tell the story behind the town’s café culture and Sweden’s love affair with coffee.
Fika is a chance to slow down and appreciate life’s goodness. Coffee is always involved, and baked goods never fail to make an appearance
Northern Lights In Sweden
September begins a dazzling show of skyward light in Sweden, and it’s one that lasts throughout winter. One of the world’s best countries on earth for Northern Lights spotting, Sweden is home to the mystical “auroral zone,” which is a ring of light emissions that sits 2-3,000 kilometres beneath the globe’s magnetic pole. Translation: prepare yourself to be awed by a kaleidoscopic show of light. The farther northward you venture, the brighter the aurora becomes due to pristine air quality and distance from cities.
The Aurora Sky Station in Abisko
Northern lights enthusiasts ought to prepare themselves for what’s been termed the greatest place on earth to experience the Aurora Borealis. Poised in the centre of the auroral zone, in Abisko National Park, visitors to the Sky Station are greeted by either a chairlift above the stunning mountain scenery or a midnight sun hike, depending on the season. At the top an outside terrace and lookout tower provide incredible views, whilst inside an aurora exhibition and a café selling hot drinks and souvenirs awaits.
Wonderful places to stay in Sweden
Sweden in pictures
Northern Lights over Abisko National Park. Photo by David Becker on Unsplash
The northern lights over Abisko National Park
Swedish moose
Lingonberries
Rowing under the midnight sun
Traditional Swedish fika
Gothenburg Archipelago
Hiking in autumn
Wherever you'd like to go in Sweden, get in touch and speak to a specialist today
