15 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Sweden

Sweden may easily be the land that gave the world IKEA and renowned meatballs, but it is often overlooked on the traveler path around Europe, and many people prefer not to visit this part of Northern Europe in favor of destinations further south.

If you do decide to travel north, you will discover sun-dappled green communities by the water’s edge, fun-filled modern metropolis, and winter wonderlands with a few reindeer thrown in if you make it all the way to Swedish Lapland. Whatever you select, keep in mind that you are in one of the world’s cleanest, most efficient, and, in some cases, nicest countries.

1. Stockholm

Stockholm is one of Europe’s most scenic and user-friendly towns, with pure air from the Baltic Sea and plenty of open spaces, woodlands, and parks.

Stockholm’s history is evident at Gamla Stan, the old town center, where historic buildings and cobblestone lanes loop around the island and allow visitors to explore on foot.

The 17th-century Vasa vessel, maintained and repaired, is in the harbor for maritime history. Explore Sweden’s green areas by visiting Kungsträdgården, a central park where locals unwind and enjoy the surrounding nature.

2. Kosterhavet

Kosterhavet, located over the Koster Islands, is Sweden’s first Marine National Park and a delight for outdoor enthusiasts and marine enthusiasts.

Adventurers can kayak or boat, or they can explore the beaches and rocky terrain to find caves, coves, and outcrops near to the sea. Island biking is popular, and you can take tours of all the sights or tackle it alone. The seaside offers fresh seafood, especially lobster.

3. Visby

Said to date back to the Middle Ages, Visby is a port and was once a major trading hub that resulted in the building of a protective wall, known as the Ringmuren, to guard the city from marauders. This still stands today along with other historical relics declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Apart from being a historical treasure in Sweden’s crown, Visby is well-known on the arts scene since many well-known Swedish artists have decided to call the port home because of its breathtaking light. If you visit in the summer, you can tour many of the open homes and studios of the artists. Usually in June.

4. Jukkasjärvi/ICEHOTEL

If you adore winter, you should consider visiting the ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärv, which is the world’s largest hotel made of snow and ice.

The hotel is normally open from December to March, after which it becomes too warm for the hotel to be sustainable and is left to melt, so if you want to see it or just have a drink at the ice bar, you must visit during the winter months.

Aside from the hotel’s location, the ICEHOTEL offers a variety of activities such as ice fishing, dog sledding, and snowmobile trips into the wilderness.

5. Lake Mälaren

Lake Mälaren, located to the west of Stockholm, is a wide waterway that includes Birka Island, which serves as a history lesson for anyone interested in Sweden’s Viking period.

Västerås, the lake’s major city, is recognized for its busy atmosphere, beaches, and historical remains from the Viking era.

You can travel around the lake by boat or take advantage of the area’s main ferries to get from one spot to another.

6. Malmö

Known for being the biggest city in the county of Skåne, Malmö has steadily been making a name for itself in recent years as an arts and cultural hub in Sweden.

Alongside many eclectic and up and coming new galleries, this city also has a strong commitment to ecological causes and fair-trade products, having been made the first Fair-trade City in the country. Many of the restaurants here have a farm-to-table philosophy with an emphasis on organic produce and ingredients, so any serious foodies should not miss the fine dining on offer here.

There is also an emerging nightlife scene in Malmö with many venues providing live music or other pop up events.

7. Vadstena

The royal family of Sweden valued Vadstena, which was located opposite a lake. The 16th-century Vadstena Castle has an old school moat to protect the royals.

Vadstena’s monastery relics include a spectacular 14th-century abbey established by Sweden’s first female saint.

The city has additional historical and religious sites, and rose-covered houses and maze-like streets make it relaxing and romantic.

8. Ystad

Perhaps best known for the books and films based in the area that chart the story of fictional detective Kurt Wallander, and written by Swedish author Henning Mankell, Ystad doesn’t disappoint in real life for those who have only experienced it on paper.

The city now offers tours for fans of the books who can visit areas mentioned in the famous tomes, or you can choose to explore on your own, and take in the amazing architecture of the region firsthand.

Many of the buildings here are made from wood giving Ystad an old world feel, and there are quaint cafes, eateries, and boutiques to uncover as you wander around this picturesque town.

9. The Stockholm Archipelago

Sweden is quite calm, but if you want to escape the main cities and slow down, you might visit one of the 30,000 islands in the Stockholm archipelago.

Take one of the region’s historic steam boats to explore the gorgeous and craggy islands. Due to the archipelago’s sparse population, about 1,000 islands are inhabited, so you can hire a private boat and island hop to your heart’s delight. Many arrange day trips with lunches.

10. Sundsvall

Sundsvall is known as ‘Stone City’ since a fire destroyed the old town in the 1800s. All fire-damaged buildings were rebuilt using stone instead of wood to prevent a repeat, making them more distinctive than many other traditional Swedish buildings, especially coastal ones.

Many travelers come to Sundsvall to view the narrative and architecture, and after seeing the big stone homes, there is a famous museum dedicated to local artists with paintings, sculptures, and art installations.

11. Swedish Lapland

If you want to take the road less travelled then Swedish Lapland may just be the perfect place to get away from it all. Located in the Arctic Circle, and known as the home of the Sami or indigenous people who live in the area, Swedish Lapland is made up of a clutch of towns as well as forest and wild but picturesque scrubland.

Visitors can travel to the northernmost town in Sweden, Kiruna, to visit the adjacent national parks that stud the area and allow visitors to see elk, reindeer, and even bears roaming freely in their natural habitat.

Other natural phenomenon to look out for in Swedish Lapland are the midnight sun, when the sun never sets in the summer months, and the Northern Lights.

12. Gothenburg

Gothenburg, the capital of West Sweden, is a delightful city with cobbled alleys for walking about looking for hidden gems, parks, and outdoor areas, like the Botanical Gardens, which teach you about native plants and animals.

Gothenburg has many local markets where you may buy local goods or dine at one of the Michelin-starred restaurants that are putting Swedish food on the culinary map.

To enjoy local coffee and Swedish pastries like sweet buns and watch the world go by, the city has a superb cafe culture.

13. Marstrand

The city of Marstrand on the west coast is probably about as glitzy as it gets in Sweden, and is known as something of a French Riviera style setting where, historically, royalty and films stars have come to get away from it all.

The area is also very popular as a sailing destination so if you want to get out on the glassy Baltic water then this is the place to visit. One of the best ways to take in the city is to climb to the top of Carlsten Fortress from which you can stare out across the water and take in the natural wonders that Sweden has in spades.

Marstrand is also famous for its spas which are legendary in Sweden, so pamper yourself with some Swedish massage if you want to get the full opulent experience that draws the rich and famous to this city.

14. Dalarna

The quiet but powerful Lake Siljan and spectacular ski resorts of Dalarna are worth seeing.

Dalarna is a province of forests, meadows, and vast open areas near Norway. Many of its cities are lakeside, including Mora and Leksand, which are popular with domestic and foreign tourists.

The Norwegian mountain resort of Idre offers great skiing and snowboarding, or you can hike one of the many paths.

15. Jönköping/Lake Vättern

Come to this charming town, which gained its wealth producing and selling matchsticks, for a serene and calm getaway from the world, as well as a jumping off point to see the neighboring Lake Vättern, Sweden’s second largest lake, on the banks of which the town is located.

The lake is commonly described as having the shape of a finger, and there are amazing views from its pure and smooth surface.

For those who are feeling energetic, there are nature trails around the lake that allow you to enjoy the outdoors while admiring the local fauna and plants.