Sweden holidays are your gateway to a stylish Scandinavian nation that charms with its colourful, welcoming and trendy cities – and enchants with the serene beauty of its natural landscapes.
Stockholm, the country’s capital, is a powerhouse of modern culture and cuisine – but there is history here, too.
Stroll around the charming old town, pay a visit to Stockholm Palace – and immerse yourself in traditional heritage at the fascinating open-air museum of Skansen. It’s the perfect place for relaxing boat adventures too.
Over on the country’s west coast, the port city of Gothenburg is another delight. Here you’ll fall in love with the hip and vibrant atmosphere of trendy neighbourhoods such as Linné and Majorna.
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There’s a lot to discover on a holiday in Sweden. Enjoy cutting-edge cuisine, cultural, natural and historic attractions – and some of the most inviting cities in all of Europe.
Stockholm’s old town – known as the Gamla Stan – is one of Europe’s best-preserved historic districts.
From Renaissance churches and winding cobbled streets to a fascinating mix of museums and galleries, strolling around this beautiful neighbourhood is a real pleasure.
The highlight is Stockholm Palace, dating back several hundred years and the official residence of the Swedish monarch. It has more than 600 ornate rooms, with attractions inside including the glittering Royal Treasury. Time your visit right and you’ll even see the famous changing of the guard.
While you can immerse yourself in Stockholm’s past by strolling around Gamla Stan, you’ll be able to get a true feel for traditional Swedish life with a trip to Skansen.
Reachable by boat, public transport or a scenic walk from the city centre, it feels as though you’re literally transporting yourself back in time here.
Step into an open-air museum that celebrates the customs of days gone by with authentic period buildings, traditional crafts and glassworks – as well as people in costumes. You can also enjoy cultural celebrations such as singing, dancing, folk concerts and festive markets.
Using traditional ingredients to create menus with a focus on innovation and wellbeing, ‘New Nordic’ food is a big part of dining in Sweden.
Seasonal items such as new potatoes and strawberries have an important role to play in its dishes, along with distinctly local elements including reindeer moss, smoked eel and lingonberries.
Stockholm has an impressive range of eateries showcasing this style, with leading Scandinavian establishments especially prevalent around Södermalm, Gamla Stan and Norrmalm. In Gothenburg, fashionable Vasastan is home to some superb modern Swedish establishments.
Sweden’s second largest city offers you a feast of cultural delights. Packed with museums, galleries and wonderful architecture, Gothenburg is a great place to learn more about the country’s renowned flair for design.
Art lovers should check out the exhibitions at the Konstmuseum or the Röda Sten Konsthall. Younger visitors meanwhile will enjoy the Universeum, a public science centre and exhibition space.
The quayside’s Maritime Adventure Centre is well worth a visit, as are the boutiques and cafes of the Haga district.
Our Sweden packages offer a fantastic opportunity to explore some truly spectacular Scandinavian scenery.
Venture to the historic Viking settlement of Björkö, about 20 miles west of Stockholm – or take a boat trip on the glistening waters of Lake Mälaren.
Indeed, there are many boat expeditions you can take to explore Stockholm’s archipelago. Travel around the fourteen islands here for a chance of spotting deer, majestic birds such as the osprey, and even moose or elk in surrounding forests.
Close to the heart of Gothenburg, meanwhile, the Änggårdsbergen reserve offers breathtaking views and is fantastic for hiking or cycling when conditions are clear.
If you’re planning an adventure-filled trip, Stockholm makes an ideal base. With lakes, hills and countryside views, there’s plenty to explore around the nation’s capital.
Best Western Plus Sthlm Bromma is on the right side of the city for a day trip to Lake Mälaren – and also has a fitness centre on site.
Gothenburg is an ideal choice for family stays. With pretty canal-side walks, fun-packed interactive museums and one of the country’s best amusement parks in the shape of Liseberg, there’s plenty to keep youngsters entertained here.
Hotel Royal and Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel are both ideally located for the main attractions, including immersive dinosaur experiences in the Universeum centre – and learning about Vikings at the Museum of Gothenburg.
Looking for a Sweden holiday with an extra touch of luxury or romance? Check out the five-star Hotel Diplomat in Stockholm, where the Royal Swedish Opera and Royal Palace are only a short walk away.
Grand Hotel Stockholm, meanwhile, is located right by the water and has relaxing spa services, a steam room and sauna and limo services available.
The Elite Plaza Hotel Goteborg is an excellent option if you’re heading to Gothenburg – with a choice of two restaurants for dining, and close proximity to cultural venues such as the Museum of Art.
The local currency in Sweden is the Swedish krona (SEK). Card payments are widely accepted, and currency exchanges and ATMs (or ‘bankomat’) are widely available in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Taxis or public transport are an ideal way get around Sweden’s compact cities – where many attractions can also be reached on foot. Reliable bus and train services also run between many towns and destinations.
The official language is Swedish, although recognised minority languages include Finnish and Sami. English is also widely spoken, especially in the main tourist areas.
National holidays in Sweden include Labour Day (1 May), National Day (6 June) and Midsummer’s Eve, which falls between 20 and 25 June each year.
Traditional Swedish cuisine uses simple, locally sourced ingredients and tends to focus on fresh, contrasting flavours.
If you are visiting the nation for the first time, the use of produce such as hjortron (cloudberries) means there are plenty of interesting and unusual tastes to discover.
Seafood treats such as shrimp sandwiches and pickled herring are found on many menus, along with Sweden’s famed meatballs. The Arctic char fish is also a seasonal favourite here.
Other dishes well worth trying include nasselsoppa (nettle soup), cured salmon gravlax and Toast Skagen (mayonnaise and prawns on grilled bread). For dessert, tuck into kanelbullar (cinnamon buns).
This forward-thinking part of Scandinavia has long played a significant part in wider European culture.
Today, the country is renowned for its contributions to architecture, fashion and music. The Swedish love of design has helped shape everything from modern furniture to the automotive industry, while notable names in Sweden’s cultural story include film director Ingmar Bergman, writer August Strindberg and pop legends ABBA. There’s even a museum dedicated to ABBA in Stockholm.
More traditional Swedish heritage can also be explored through the colourful historic buildings and galleries of central Stockholm – as well as the attractions of Skansen.
The Viking Age is perhaps the country’s most famous historical era. Expeditions took people from Sweden to many other parts of the world, where these voyagers were engaged in conflict and trade.
Today, old runic sites can still be visited, while attractions dedicated to this period – including the Viking Museum in Stockholm – are an endlessly fascinating way to explore it.
Generally held to be the first King of Sweden, Eric the Victorious was crowned around 1,000 years ago – and since then the nation has had a succession of monarchs.
Stockholm is home to the famous Royal Palace, while you can visit a variety of forts – including Skansen Kronan and New Alvsborg – in Gothenburg.
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