Top 5 Cities to Visit in Sweden: Can’t Miss Destinations
Find the best cities to visit in Sweden along with the what makes them so amazing. We’ll also dive into the can’t miss attractions in each of these favorite Swedish destinations!
Sweden is a remarkable country. It offers beautiful architecture, friendly people, delicious food, and amazing scenery. While you’ve likely heard of the first city on this list of the best cities to visit in Sweden, it’s possible you don’t know much about the other cities. Never fear, you’re about to learn!
All of these Swedish cities are well worth a visit when you travel around the country. After all, there’s a reason they end up on a list of favorite places to visit in Sweden!
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Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a gorgeous city spread over 14 islands. You’ll find more than 50 bridges connecting the islands along with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings in the Old Town (Gamla Stan).
It is one of the most picturesque cities in the world which makes it number one on our can’t miss destinations in Sweden! While summer is the most popular time to visit due to the longer days and warmer weather, the city is extremely charming in the snow also.
Top Things to Do in Stockholm
Being the capital of Sweden, there are plenty of things to do in and around Stockholm. You can see the highlights in about 3 days, but you may want to spend closer to a week to see more of the area. Here are some of the best things to do while you’re in Stockholm:
- Explore the Old Town on a walking tour or tour the city by bike or Segway
- View the stunning city skylines from the dozens of bridges throughout the city
- Tour the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace
- Taste the local cuisine on a Nordic Food Walk
- Take the ferry over to Djurgarden Island to feel like a Viking at the spectacular Vasa Museum
- Visit Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum featuring a number of local animals, like reindeer
- Learn all about the Nobel Prize at the Nobel Prize Museum
- Admire the outdoor sculpture park at Millesgarden Museum
- Immerse yourself in contemporary art at the Fotografiska Museum
Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden. It was originally built as a large trading post, and it continues to be an important seaport for Sweden. Because of this, you’ll find a lot of beautiful Dutch-style canals throughout the city.
While Gothenburg is not as heavy on the sights and history as Stockholm, you can spend your days exploring the leafy boulevards and the many museums in this beautiful city. This brings it to the number two spot for best cities in Sweden.
Top Things to Do in Gothenburg
Explore the highlights of the city of Gothenburg in one or two days, or spend more time to explore more of the surrounding archipelago. Don’t miss these activities:
- Meander down Avenyn, the main street, to check out all of the shops and cafes
- Visit the famous Liseberg amusement park
- Taste all of the craft beer throughout the city – after all, Gothenburg is one of the craft beer hubs of Europe
- Climb up to Skansen Kronan to get a view over Gothenburg
- Try a “Fika” – a short break with a baked good and cup of coffee
- Take the ferry from Saltholmen to explore the Gothenburg Archipelago which offers some remote, car-free islands in the south and more populated islands in the north
- Walk through Gothenburg’s main park, Slottsskogen, and enjoy the free zoo in the middle
- Learn all about Volvo, which was founded in Gothenburg in 1927, at the Volvo Museum
- Admire the art at the Gothenburg Museum of Art
- Explore the canals and harbor by paddan, a flat sightseeing barge
Lapland, Sweden
Lapland is the northern part of Sweden and offers a very different experience than Stockholm and Gothenburg. It encompasses about a quarter of the land in Sweden with a subarctic climate and is home to mountains, forests, wild rivers, and more amazing natural areas.
Up in Lapland you’ll have endless options for outdoor activities, including the possibility of seeing the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights. If you want a unique experience in Sweden, head to this must visit destination!
Top Things to Do in Lapland
Depending how much time you have and how much you love the outdoors, Lapland could be a multi-week adventure or just a short few days. Keep in mind it will take some time to get up to Lapland, but once you’re there you have all kinds of options at your fingertips, like:
- Admire the Northern Lights, which are typically visible between November and February
- Visit the Aurora Sky Station in Abisko
- Go dogsledding or snowmobiling across the frozen tundra
- Learn about the Sami culture of the indigenous people of Lapland, including feeding their reindeer
- Warm up in a sauna or outdoor hot tub
- Visit in the summer to try your hand at long distance canoeing or white water rafting
Malmö, Sweden
Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden and sits on the coast staring over at Copenhagen, Denmark. Featuring cobblestone streets, wide open squares, and multicolored buildings with great architecture, you’ll immediately fall in love with this idyllic city.
Another bonus for visiting this slightly smaller Swedish city is that it’s not as expensive as the first 3 Swedish destinations on the list. You’ll also be able to head over to Denmark as an easy side trip!
Top Things to Do in Malmo
The main sights in Malmo can be covered in just one or two days, but it is also an easy jumping off point to take a day trip across the Oresund Bridge to Copenhagen, Denmark. Don’t miss these top things to do in Malmo:
- Take a guided walking tour through the medieval streets
- Explore Lilla Torg, the main cobblestone square of Malmo
- Visit Malmo Castle (Malmohus) which is part of the Malmo Museum
- Admire St. Peter’s Church, the main church in Malmo built of brick in a Gothic style
- Be awed by the modern architecture of “Turning Torso”, the neo-futuristic residential skyscraper
- Be grossed out at the Disgusting Food Museum
- Lounge on Ribersborg Beach or at one of the two main parks, Kungsparken and Slottsparken
Stockholm Archipelago
The last can’t miss destination in Sweden is the Stockholm Archipelago. It lays just outside of the city of Stockholm featuring almost 30,000 islands, islets, and rocks. You’ll find remote areas with uninhabited islands, sandy beaches, and abundant wildlife in addition to small remote villages.
Visiting the Stockholm Archipelago is a great escape from the cities of Sweden and best suited for the more outdoorsy travelers. This makes it round out our list of best places to visit in Sweden.
Top Things to Do in Stockholm Archipelago
Typically visited as a side trip from Stockholm, the Stockholm Archipelago is stunningly different than Stockholm. You can do a day trip or settle down for a few days out in the less populated islands of the Stockholm Archipelago. Whichever you decide, here are some of the best activities to take part in:
- Select an island or two and go for a hike on the many hiking trails or across the rugged terrain
- Enjoy a sunset kayak tour of the archipelago
- Take a full 1 or 2 day kayaking tour through the uninhabited islands
- Sail through the archipelago to discover the untouched wilderness
- Visit the southernmost outpost at Landsort to explore this remote town and historic lighthouse
7 Things to Expect When Visiting These Amazing Destinations in Sweden
No matter which amazing places in Sweden you’re planning to visit, there’s a few things you should know. These helpful hints on what to expect in Sweden, from the normal to the unexpected, will help you plan your trip and get around with ease.
- Most Swedes speak flawless English.
- The water throughout Sweden is typically “potable” or safe to drink.
- Prices are lower than neighboring Norway, but they are still considerably higher than most of Europe.
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere, usually with no minimum limit. Do be aware though that some places require a PIN and will not let you sign for it.
- The weather can change rapidly so plan accordingly when packing for your trip and always take an extra layer!
- In the summer, parks are the place to be! You’ll find them full of people hanging out and BBQ-ing in the beautiful weather.
- 7-Elevens are everywhere! You’ll never be caught unprepared with this handy store on every corner.
Expand Your Trip to Other Scandinavian Countries
Thrilled about these 5 top cities in Sweden? You’ll find even more amazing locations in the neighboring countries of Norway and Denmark. They both offer endless opportunities to get further acquainted with their northern ways of life!
- How to Spend 3 Days in Copenhagen: Itinerary for First Timers
- Day Trip from Copenhagen to Three Castles
- 15 Best Sights and Experiences in Oslo, Norway
- How to Spend Two Days in Bergen, Norway
- Do It Yourself “Norway in a Nutshell”: A Day Trip Itinerary
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Agreed. Stockholm is by far our favorite city in Sweden!
It is definitely one of the underrated cities of Europe!