Island-strewn coasts, red cabins in the forest and Arctic wilderness up north.
Sweden is long, lightly populated and full of water. Stockholm spreads across 14 islands, with the old town of Gamla Stan and the Vasa Museum, and its archipelago holds tens of thousands more. Gothenburg has a relaxed west-coast feel, Gotland's Visby is a walled medieval town, and Lapland in the far north has Abisko, reindeer and the midnight sun.
Life is orderly and outdoorsy, with fika coffee breaks, cinnamon buns, pickled herring and the right to roam in nature. Trains link the main cities. June to August is the time for islands, swimming and long light evenings; from late autumn to March, Lapland offers snow, dog sledding and northern lights.
Best time to visit Sweden
June, July, August.
Places to visit in Sweden
Stockholm: Sweden's elegant capital spreads across islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic, with a medieval old town and a vast archipelago.
Gothenburg: Sweden's second city, a relaxed harbour town known for seafood, canals, the Liseberg amusement park and a car-free island archipelago.
Swedish Lapland: Arctic Sweden around Kiruna and Abisko: aurora skies in winter, the midnight sun in summer and the original Icehotel.
Visby: Gotland's medieval capital, ringed by a near-complete stone wall and filled with church ruins, rose-covered lanes and summer life.
Malmö: Southern Sweden's lively harbour city, linked to Copenhagen by the Öresund Bridge, with a twisted tower, parks and beaches.
Essentials
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
Language: Swedish; English widely spoken
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+1
Tipping: Not expected; round up for good service
Getting around: Trains link the major cities; a car or bus helps in the north and the countryside
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking