Best time to visit Sweden

+194
Sweden

Best time of year to visit Sweden

Both winter and summer could be the best time to visit Sweden. January to March is the right time for watching the Northern Lights, ice skating, and dogsledding. Late April celebrations mark the beginning of Swedish summer with longer and warmer days. May to September is the perfect time for outdoor activities from birdwatching to timber rafting. Well, summer months see more crowds and mosquitos all over the country. Up north, autumn can show up in late August (make sure to taste some surströmming, you won't forget its smell!), and the first snow is even possible in September. Anyway, chilly autumn months will hypnotize you with migrating birds and Gotland's roses in bloom. December brings celebratory atmosphere with glogg, lussekatt buns, and ginger biscuits.

22 THINGS TO DO IN SWEDEN (DECEMBER 05 - DECEMBER 14)

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

September–March • nature

Polar lights is a natural phenomenon​ that creates magical sights and emotions for anyone around

Frost 'Flowers'

Frost 'Flowers'

November–February • nature

The most unusual "flowers" that "bloom" only in winter

Dogsledding in Swedish Lapland

Dogsledding in Swedish Lapland

December–April • activity

Experience one of the most famous adventures of Lapland!

Blue Hours

Blue Hours

December | June • nature

Your next favourite hours! This magical occurance is unique for Nordic countries

St Lucia Day

St Lucia Day

December 12–December 13 • event

One of the celebrations that light up the gloomy winter season

The Talking Christmas Lamp

The Talking Christmas Lamp

December • event

The city of Malmo is known for its unusual Christmas decorations

Ice Hotel

Ice Hotel

December–February • activity

The hotel is rebuilt every year, offering a unique experience every time you visit!

Christmas Markets in Sweden

Christmas Markets in Sweden

late November–December • event

Swedish Christmas markets convey heart-melting Scandinavian holiday traditions

Ice Climbing

Ice Climbing

November–April • activity

Northern of Sweden has all that it takes to have a fantastic ice climbing experience!

Swedish Bandy

Swedish Bandy

September–May • event

A wild mix of hockey and football is one of Sweden's favorite sports

UFO Treehotel

UFO Treehotel

year round (best December–March, June–September) • activity

Climb aboard a spaceship and meditate among the trees

Skiing

Skiing

December–June • activity

Swedes adore skiing! No matter where you go—to the mountains up north or the city—you will simply love it!

Lobster Season

Lobster Season

late September–December • food

Eat what you catch!

Pepparkakor or Gingersnaps

Pepparkakor or Gingersnaps

November–January • food

The obsession with Christmas starts with these delicious cookies!

Glogg

Glogg

November–January • food

Swedish mulled wine with raisins, cinammon, and almonds!

Kanelbullar or Cinnamon Rolls

Kanelbullar or Cinnamon Rolls

December • food

A typical Swedish bun is also a symbol of winter and perhaps the best way to survive during the dark days

Safran Season

Safran Season

December 1–December 13 • food

With Lucia approaching, safran is all around! Enjoy!

Julmust

Julmust

December • food

Sweden has its own Christmas coke!

Diving

Diving

April–December • activity

Dive the Swedish Baltic Sea and discover all 10,000 shipwrecks at the bottom!

Gothenburg Christmas Markets

Gothenburg Christmas Markets

mid-November–late December • event

Every winter Gothenburg transforms into a winter wonderland and dazzles with holiday lights

Lussekatt Buns

Lussekatt Buns

December 6–December 13 • food

Lussekatt buns are typical saffron treats served on St. Lucia Day

The Øresund Bridge

The Øresund Bridge

all year round (best April–October) • activity

The iconic part bridge and part tunnel, which connects Denmark and Sweden

43 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Skåne Yellow Spring

Skåne Yellow Spring

out of rangeMay • nature

Skåne is Sweden's southern region which boasts endless yellow fields among typical red houses

Hiking and Trekking

Hiking and Trekking

out of rangeMay–September • activity

Sweden is a great destination for hiking with tons of variety

Midsummer (Midsommar)

Midsummer (Midsommar)

out of rangeJune 24, 2023 • event

Originating from pagan times, this holiday is a celebration of everything summery and Swedish

Tree House Hotel

Tree House Hotel

out of rangeApril–October • activity

Many of us dreamed when we were kids to live in a perfect treehouse. Now we have our chance

The Island of Roses

The Island of Roses

out of rangeSeptember–November • nature

Gotland's roses bloom even in late November. The perfect destination for those who want to be enchanted in the middle of a gloomy season

Old Tjikko

Old Tjikko

out of rangeJuly–August • nature

The oldest known tree in Europe at 9,550 years looks after the harsh tundra and glaciers of Scandinavia

Gotland Pelt Sheep

Gotland Pelt Sheep

out of rangeApril–August • nature

Gotland is so proud of their sheep that it is featured on the flag! Moreover, these sheep​ are unique and insanely cute

Sigtunarännet

Sigtunarännet

out of rangeFebruary 19, 2023 • event

Follow the old Viking​ route on skates together with a crowd of enthusiasts like yourself

Lundakarnevalen or Lund Carnival

Lundakarnevalen or Lund Carnival

out of rangeMay 2026 • event

Lund is one of the most intense student towns of Sweden. Every four years its intensity and level of fun rise well above the maximum!

Marking the Reindeer

Marking the Reindeer

out of rangeJune–July • activity

For Sami, the people who live in Northern Lapland, reindeer means life itself

Walpurgis Eve: Sista April

Walpurgis Eve: Sista April

out of rangeApril 30 • event

The night when winter officially ends is celebrated with a champagne breakfast and huge bonfire in Uppsala and Lund

Paddling

Paddling

out of rangeMarch–September • activity

Sweden is a paradise for paddling, especially its West Coast!

Timber Rafting

Timber Rafting

out of rangeJune–August • activity

Build your own timber raft and sail the Klaralven river like Tom Sawyer and Hucklebery Fin!

Vätternrundan: the Cycle of a Lifetime!

Vätternrundan: the Cycle of a Lifetime!

out of rangeJune 14-15, 2024 • event

Join the cycle of high prestige! Prove that you are tough enough to make it

Surströmming or Sour Herring

Surströmming or Sour Herring

out of rangelate August–early September • food

Every country has its own weird food and Sweden is no exception

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31–January 1 • event

Celebrate the best New Year of your life in a Swedish winter wonderland

Biking

Biking

out of rangeApril–late October • activity

Sweden is famous for its sustainable outlook so biking here is elevated to a new level!

Flowers of Lapland

Flowers of Lapland

out of rangemid June–early September • nature

Lapland is not only home to Santa Clause but also to beautiful flowers

Stockholm New Year's Eve

Stockholm New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Start your New Year with poetry or Swedish rock music in the heart of Stockholm

WOW: Way Out West

WOW: Way Out West

out of rangeAugust 8-10, 2024 • event

One of the biggest music festivals in Sweden

Honey

Honey

out of rangeMay–September • food

Sweden is famous for its organic honey

Halloween

Halloween

out of rangeearly October–early November • event

Discover Sweden's dark and scary secrets

National Day

National Day

out of rangeJune 6 • event

A day of many picnics and joyful partying

Migrating Birds at Falsterbo

Migrating Birds at Falsterbo

out of rangemid-August–late October • nature

Witness over 100,000 birds pass Falstebro on their way south!

Göta Canal Season

Göta Canal Season

out of rangeMay–September • activity

Sweden's 190 km Blue Ribbon attracts around two million tourists yearly

Stockholm Jazz Festival

Stockholm Jazz Festival

out of rangeOctober 11-20, 2024 • event

The largest jazz festival in Sweden!

Pickled Herring

Pickled Herring

out of rangeDecember 24–December 25 • food

A typical Christmas dish made of fermented herring with sugar and onions

Kräftskiva: Crayfish Party

Kräftskiva: Crayfish Party

out of rangeAugust • food

Enjoy a jolly time eating crayfish with a chef's hat on!

Semla Dessert

Semla Dessert

out of rangeFebruary • food

The first week of February is all about fatty treats!

Land of the Midnight Sun

Land of the Midnight Sun

out of rangeJune–August • nature

Have you ever dreamed of making these wonderful summer days longer? Here is your chance!

Yule Goat

Yule Goat

out of rangeDecember 3–24, 2023 • event

A giant goat statue made of straw is erected on the first day of Advent

Storsjön Lake Ice Road

Storsjön Lake Ice Road

out of rangeJanuary–April • activity

One of the most spectacular seasonal roads will give you a little shiver on your back

White Water Rafting

White Water Rafting

out of rangeJune–August • activity

Summer is a perfect time for this exciting sport

Highschool Graduation

Highschool Graduation

out of rangeMay–June • event

Don't be surprised if you see vans full of highschool kids waving and shouting to you

Sweden Rock Festival

Sweden Rock Festival

out of rangeJune 5-8, 2024 • event

Iconic heavy metal and hard rock heaven in Sölvesborg

Easter

Easter

out of rangeMarch 31, 2024 • event

Easter in Sweden is full of traditions connected to the celebrations of spring, nature awakening, and family reunions—but with a twist!

Svartsoppa for St Martin's Day

Svartsoppa for St Martin's Day

out of rangeNovember 11 • event

St Martin is a day of geese! People gather for huge festive meals and eat special food!

Melodifestivalen

Melodifestivalen

out of rangeFebruary 3-March 9, 2024 • event

This is one of the few cases when something bad is so bad that it becomes cool

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

out of rangeMarch–May • activity

The rich variety of topographies of the Lulea archipelago attracts many different kinds of birds to Northern Scandinavia

Påskmust

Påskmust

out of rangeApril 9, 2023 • food

Sweden has its own Easter coke!

Boating

Boating

out of rangeMay–October • activity

Rent a boat and see Sweden from the water

Night Golf

Night Golf

out of rangeJune–August • activity

Golf has become one of the most popular sports in Sweden recently. In summer, ​you can play it even during the night!

Fishing

Fishing

out of rangeApril–November • activity

With more than 100,000 lakes and 200 km of rivers, fishing in Sweden is a dream come true!

Last updated: