flywithlivIf you’ve come for travel tips from a local, you’ve come to the right place! After living in Sweden for a year and hosting several visitors throughout the year, I can say from both a personal perspective and a tourist perspective, what would be the best things to know and to do when you visit Sweden.
So, without further ado, here are the BEST travel tips for visiting Sweden:
1. If you’re trying to visit Sweden, go in the SUMMER (June-September).
You need to trust me – living there for a whole year in the darkness, gloom and the rain, you forget the joy and wonderfulness that comes with experiencing a Scandinavian summer. The city of Stockholm is buzzing, the people are out of hibernation and the outdoor lifestyle becomes that much more enjoyable. Not to mention, from late June to late July, it doesn’t get dark in the sky! It’s truly a phenomenon worth experiencing.
Photo taken at 23:08 on June 25th.
Additionally, the Swedish celebration of Midsummer is on the weekend after the summer solstice (June 21), and it is worth joining in! There are wonderful traditions such as dancing around a maypole, making flower crowns, eating and drinking to your hearts desire at the summerhouse – all to welcome the beginning of summer and never-ending summer days! If you would like to read up more about the celebration of Midsummer, head over here.
Finally, some summer activities are only open for a season. For example, past a certain date in September, you cannot take out a kayak or go on a boat tour. So, make sure you make the right deicision!!!
2. Participate in their culture everyday – especially Fika!
Fika is when you take a moment of your day to have coffee and a pastry with you friend. It is a moment to cherish the little things in life. In Stockholm, this is easy to do! There are tons of wonderful cafe’s and delicious traditional treats to try out – everything from the kanelbulle (cinnamon bun), cardemonbulle (cardamon bun), kladkakka, prinsesstårta, chokladbollar, Jordgubbstårta, and many more!
3. Walk the city, grab a scooter or rent a bike – it is SO worth it!
I know it’s tempting to take transport to get to places quicker. Stockholm is probably one of the most walkable cities in the world, and it’s an extremely beautiful city as well – by the water, a ton of bright colours, and cobblestoned streets.
4. Stock up on that alcohol at the Systembolaget.
Since 1905, Sweden has had control on the sales of alcohol. This means that you won’t find any hard alcohol at the grocery stores – you must go to Systembolaget.
The reason I say you must stock up on alcohol is because there are strict opening hours of Systembolaget. It is only open until 2 PM on Saturdays and it is completely CLOSED ON SUNDAYS! While this may be an easy thing to remember, once you are on your adventures and travelling around Sweden, you will forget about this rule and be running at 1:45 to find a Systembolaget on a Saturday!
5. Passport to the club!
Surprisingly, when I first came to Stockholm, the bouncer almost refused to let me into the club. Thankfully, I had a friend who spoke Swedish who convinced the man to let me in! I would highly recommend you bring 2 ID’s or your Passport to the club if you want to be guaranteed entry!
This was the first night clubs were open to the public after the pandemic!
6. NO CASH! Just card.
Sweden is a completely cashless country. While you may have been told before, “we only accept cash,” Sweden’s version is, “we only accept card.” Get that Apple Pay on your phone as it will be your best friend!
7. Be prepared for random hills and many stairs
Listen… I’ve never been to a city where it’ll be flat roads, you turn a corner, then all of a sudden BAM! 100 stairs to climb. Or, steep hills to walk up. Especially on Södermalm in Stockholm. On the plus side, you may walk out of Sweden with some incredible calves!
8. Your magic words are: Tak, Hej and Hejdå
If you walk into a store, grab some food, or meet up with someone, these are the words you used to be polite!
- Hej = hello, hi
- Tak = Thank you
- Hejdå (pronounced Hejdo) = goodbye
9. Ask for tap water… or prepare to be overcharged
Typically for European countries, where all service workers are paid appropriately and tips are not expected, they will try to get money and extra cash from tourists (it is actually a little sneaky). If you don’t ask for tap water, be prepared to pay $7 for a tiny bottle of their most expensive water!
10. Queuing
Interestingly, the Swedes love to queue… even at the bus stop! Just so you know 🙂
11. Bundle up by the month of August
Sweden is a cold country, pretty much year round in my opinion. When I lived in Stockholm, it was very hot for the month of July, around 30 degrees. However, very soon in August, the cold sea breeze picks up and it’s no longer that warm anymore. Especially Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm is a city I have never felt warm in. Without the sun, it gets quite cold so bring some sweaters and long pants!
12. Relax, live lagom
Overall, just relax and have fun!!! Stockholm is very peaceful, quiet and active. Even if you just go sit in a cafe or stroll around the city – you are living the Swedish lifestyle.
