Island cities, design and Arctic wilderness
Sweden is a long Nordic country of forests, lakes and archipelagos, with stylish cities and a strong love of the outdoors. Stockholm spreads across islands, Gothenburg is laid-back and foodie, and the Arctic north offers northern lights, Sami culture and the Icehotel. Summer brings endless daylight and archipelago swims. It suits city breakers, nature lovers and winter adventurers.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
Stockholm's old town island, with cobbled lanes, colourful facades and the Royal Palace. It is the heart of the city.
A museum built around a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage and was raised almost intact. It is Sweden's most visited museum.
Tens of thousands of islands stretch east from the city, with ferries to villages like Vaxholm and Sandhamn. Summer swimming and cycling are the draw.
The world's oldest open-air museum, with historic buildings from across Sweden and Nordic animals. It is on Djurgarden island.
The royal family's residence on an island west of the city, with gardens and a working 18th-century theatre. Boats run from central Stockholm.
A mountain village in the far north known for clear skies and aurora sightings. The Kungsleden trail starts here.
A hotel carved fresh from river ice each winter, with art suites by designers. A permanent part keeps ice rooms all year.
A medieval Hanseatic town on Gotland, enclosed by long stone walls with towers and church ruins. It is a summer favourite.
Sweden's second city, with canals, seafood, the Liseberg amusement park and a car-free archipelago nearby. It is relaxed and friendly.
A rugged coastline rising from the sea as land rebounds after the Ice Age. It has hiking trails and the Hoga Kusten bridge.
A huge UNESCO area of mountains and national parks in Sami reindeer lands. It is true wilderness.
A diverse southern city linked to Copenhagen by a famous bridge and tunnel. The Turning Torso tower is a landmark.
A heartland region of red cottages, lakes and painted wooden horses. Midsummer here is very traditional.
An iron mining town being moved to a new site, and a hub for dog sledding, reindeer visits and Sami experiences. It is the gateway to Lapland.
A ship-shaped stone setting on a cliff above the Baltic. It is often called Sweden's Stonehenge.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Island capital, museums and archipelago.
city, culture · Open the city guideSeafood and island ferries.
food · Guide comingSouthern city near Copenhagen.
city · Guide comingArctic base.
northern-lights, winter · Guide comingMedieval island town.
history · Guide comingHistoric university city.
history · Guide comingCapital spread over islands.
Gamla Stan, Vasa Museum, Archipelago
Fishing villages and Gothenburg.
Gothenburg, Bohuslan coast
Farmland, beaches and Malmo.
Malmo, Ales Stenar
Lakes and forest traditions.
Lake Siljan, Mora, Falun Copper Mine
Arctic wilderness and Sami culture.
Abisko, Icehotel, Laponia
Capital region with archipelago islands and royal sites.
Stockholm, Drottningholm, Archipelago
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: June to August. Long days and warm weather suit cities, islands and hiking.
Lapland is best from December to March for snow and northern lights, and for the midnight sun in June and July.
January. Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
30°F daily high, 26°F average, 1.8 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Sweden Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, due to terrorism; everyday risks are low.
Trains link the main cities and night trains reach Lapland, with good buses and ferries.
Sweden is expensive, especially for dining out and alcohol.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Sweden is in the Schengen Area; check entry rules on the Swedish Migration Agency website (migrationsverket.se) and the EU's travel-europe.europa.eu site. |
| Plugs | Type C, F; 230 V 50 Hz |
| Tap water | safe |
| Tipping | Tipping is optional; round up or leave 5 to 10 percent. |
| Payments | Sweden is nearly cashless; cards are accepted almost everywhere, and some places refuse cash. |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Etiquette | Swedes value queues, quiet and personal space. Take shoes off in homes. The right of public access lets you hike and camp widely, if you leave no trace. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | SJ trains link Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo quickly, and night trains reach Lapland. Domestic flights save time to the north. Ferries go to Gotland and the islands. |
| Main airports | ARN, GOT, KRN |
| Ride apps | Uber, Bolt |
Viking traders and raiders set out from here, and Birka was an early trading town. Sweden became a great power in the 17th century, controlling much of the Baltic region. It stayed neutral in the two world wars and built a famous welfare state. Sweden joined the European Union in 1995 and NATO in 2024.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.