From its Viking roots to its modern capital cities, Sweden is a fascinating country that never fails to intrigue! As the largest Nordic country, Sweden offers something for every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking for adventure and untouched nature or cultural attractions and vibrant nightlife, you’re sure to find reasons to visit Sweden. Expat Explore has put together a list of reasons why Sweden should be on your 2024 travel bucket list! Read on to find out what awaits in this top Scandinavian destination.
The top 6 reasons to visit Sweden:
1. It’s home to incredible nature and wildlife
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! Sweden is home to 29 national parks in addition to over 100,000 lakes, making it a dream destination for hikers and camping enthusiasts. Sweden’s nature is easily accessible, even from big cities. Access to nature is seen as a public right and there’s even a word for it – allemansrätten! This allows everyone to roam freely in the countryside, swim and travel by boat in Sweden’s waters and forage for mushrooms and berries.
From snowy mountains to white sandy beaches, Sweden’s nature is impressively diverse. Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are just as popular as summer activities such as swimming and fishing. You can see the spectacular Northern Lights during winter in the far north of Sweden and you can see the Midnight Sun in the same region of Swedish Lapland during summer! Whenever you choose to visit Sweden, natural beauty will be in abundance!
2. It’s paradise for pop and electronic music fans
Did you know that Sweden is one of the world’s most successful exporters of pop music? ABBA certainly became the most famous Swedish band when they won Eurovision in 1973 but plenty of other top musicians have come out of Sweden too. Avicii, Roxette and Robyn all hail from Sweden! In addition to these beloved artists, one of the world’s top songwriters and producers, Max Martin, also calls Sweden home. Martin has co-written and produced iconic hits such as Britney Spears’ …Hit Me Baby One More Time, Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off and The Weekend’s Blinding Lights among many more chart toppers. The music app Spotify was also developed in Sweden and its headquarters are located in the capital city of Stockholm.
If Pop and EDM aren’t your thing, head to the Sweden Rock Festival in Solvesborg. Since 1992, the world’s biggest rock bands have performed at this festival. 2024 will be no different with rock giants like Journey, Alice Cooper and Evanescence rocking the stage.
Related: Find out why the ABBA Museum in Stockholm is one of the world’s best quirky museums!
3. It’s always time for a fika
The closest English term we have to describe a Swedish fika is a coffee break. However, a fika is so much more than that. It’s a necessary part of Swedish life and integral to Swedish culture. Sure, a fika includes coffee and sweet treats. However, the social aspect of catching up with friends, families or colleagues is just as important as the food and beverage. In fact, many Swedish companies add a clause into their contracts which entitles employees to fika breaks!
A fika will most commonly include a hot cup of coffee and fikabröd (fika bread – the accompanying sweet treat). Some of the most popular fikabröd include kanelbulle (cinnamon rolls) and prinsesstårta or princess tart, a gorgeous green marzipan and sponge cake.
4. It’s full of design and architectural must-sees
As the birthplace of IKEA and major fashion brands like H&M, it won’t surprise many to learn that Sweden is a top design destination. Many modern Swedish buildings and their interiors boast sleek and contemporary design features which combine functionality with natural elements and light textures. It feels both sophisticated and comfortable. You can learn more about the history and development of Swedish architecture, art and design at ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design in Stockholm, opening in September of 2024.
In Sweden’s capital alone there are so many architectural delights to see. Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, which is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval centres in Europe, is an absolute must-visit. Stockholm is also home to the Avicii Arena (formerly the Ericsson Globe), the world’s largest spherical building and the Baroque Royal Palace, the official residence of the Swedish royal family.
Other architectural wonders around Sweden include the Icehotel, the world’s first and largest hotel made out of snow and ice, in Jukkasjärvi, Northern Sweden and the Turning Torso in Malmö, the world’s first twisting tower and the tallest tower in Scandinavia! Should you wish to learn more about Sweden’s ancient architecture and Viking history, take a trip to Birka on the island of Björkö. This archaeological site and former Viking village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and just a two-hour ferry ride from Stockholm.
5. Its cuisine features world-famous meatballs and more
Of course, no trip to Sweden is complete without sampling its iconic meatballs. What sets Swedish meatballs, or köttbullar, apart from others is that they contain the perfect combination of pork and beef mince along with a range of flavourful spices. They are traditionally served with mashed potato and lingonberry jam. However, Swedish cuisine is so much more than these meaty treats! Sweden has a wide variety of fresh, natural ingredients available from its forests, mountains and lakes including berries, mushrooms and fish.
Some must-try Swedish dishes include gravlax (dill-cured salmon), knäckebröd (crackerbread served with a variety of toppings) and smörgåstårta (a savoury sandwich-cake). In the summer months, kräftor (crayfish) parties are all the rage! The crayfish is boiled with fresh dill added and is enjoyed, along with plenty of schnapps, among friends and family.
6. It’s one of the happiest places on Earth!
Swedes place a lot of importance on living a balanced life and certainly take the time to stop and smell the cinnamon buns. Perhaps it’s the fika culture, perhaps it’s the easy access to nature or perhaps it’s the strong emphasis on social equality and work-life balance. Either way, Sweden consistently ranks among one of the happiest countries in the world.
There are many reasons to be happy in Sweden and this is showcased by its friendly locals! While Scandinavians aren’t always thought of as the friendliest of Europeans, they are more shy and introverted than rude or unfriendly. Generally, Swedes are open-minded and welcoming to all travellers! English is widely spoken and they are usually more than willing to lend a helping hand.
Soak up the Swedish lifestyle and discover what makes Sweden a dream travel destination! Experience the many reasons to visit Sweden along with other Nordic gems on one of Expat Explore’s Scandinavia tours!