Roavina

Country guide

Sweden

A photograph of Sweden
Photograph · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0

Sweden runs from 55°N to 69°N — long enough that its north and its south keep different weather and different daylight in the same week. Of its 450,295 km², built-up land accounts for 1.5 per cent, and 88 per cent of the 10,610,485 people counted in October 2025 live in towns concentrated in the south and the centre. That is the practical division for a visitor: the southern counties hold Stockholm and most of what fits into a weekend, while the rest of the 21 counties trade density for distance. Choose by how far you are willing to travel between two things.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Swedish
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+46
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Swedish krona (SEK)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Municipal drinking water is subject to Swedish food-safety controls

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: seasonal closure recorded
  5. May: seasonal closure recorded
  6. June: seasonal closure recorded
  7. July: seasonal closure recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Bergian botanic garden Bergian botanic garden
    02 1 hour

    Bergian botanic garden

    Bergianska trädgården

    Bergian botanic garden, or Bergianska trädgården, is a botanical garden in northern Stockholm beside Brunnsviken. Connected with Stockholm University, it combines public garden displays with botanical research and education.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  2. Mälaren Mälaren
    03 1 hour

    Mälaren

    Mälaren is Sweden’s third-largest lake and one of the geographical features that defines Stockholm. Fresh water reaches the capital from the inland lake through a landscape of bays, islands and wooded shores.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  3. Edsviken Edsviken
    04 1 hour

    Edsviken

    Edsviken is a sheltered inlet of the Baltic Sea in northern Stockholm, where coastal water, rocky Scandinavian terrain, vegetation, and residential surroundings meet.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  4. Haga park Haga park
    05 1 hour

    Haga park

    Hagaparken

    Hagaparken is a historic park located in northern Stockholm, Sweden. The park forms part of the Royal National City Park and encompasses landscaped gardens, woodland areas, and several notable buildings.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  5. Råstasjön Råstasjön
    06 1 hour

    Råstasjön

    Råstasjön is an urban lake in Stockholm, known locally by the same name. The lake and its shoreline form a natural green space within the metropolitan landscape, offering a change of pace from Stockholm’s built-up streets.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  6. Willy Brandts Park Willy Brandts Park
    07 1 hour

    Willy Brandts Park

    Willy Brandts park

    Willy Brandts Park is a small urban green space in Stockholm named after Willy Brandt, the German chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  7. Riddarfjärden Riddarfjärden
    08 1 hour

    Riddarfjärden

    Riddarfjärden is a bay of Lake Mälaren in central Stockholm. Its water separates and connects several of the city’s best-known islands, including Södermalm, Gamla Stan, Riddarholmen and Kungsholmen.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  8. Brunnsviken Brunnsviken
    09 1 hour

    Brunnsviken

    Brunnsviken is a freshwater bay north of Stockholm’s centre, surrounded by parks, woodland, historic estates, and cultural institutions. Its shoreline creates one of the city’s most rewarding green escapes, combining water views with long walks and varied landscapes.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  9. Humlegården Humlegården
    10 1 hour

    Humlegården

    Humlegården is a historic public park in Stockholm's Östermalm district, beside the Royal Library. Its name is linked to hops, which were cultivated here in the seventeenth century.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  10. Stureparken Stureparken
    11 1 hour

    Stureparken

    Stureparken is a small urban park in Stockholm's Östermalm district. Its compact, triangular plot sits among central residential and commercial streets, offering a modest patch of greenery within a dense city neighborhood.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  11. Vasaparken Vasaparken
    12 1 hour

    Vasaparken

    Vasaparken is a public green space in Vasastaden, central Stockholm. It works as a neighbourhood park where residents and visitors can pause among lawns, trees, and paths without leaving the built-up city.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm
  12. Mariatorget Mariatorget
    13 1 hour

    Mariatorget

    Mariatorget is a public square on Södermalm in central Stockholm. The square features a central fountain and is surrounded by historic buildings, cafes, and small shops.

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Stockholm

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Sweden be?

Seven to ten days gives Stockholm three or four days and allows one rail-linked city, archipelago stay or northern extension. A journey into Swedish Lapland needs extra nights and should be planned as a distinct leg.

What entry documents are needed for Sweden?

The Swedish Migration Agency sets visitor and short-stay requirements. Check whether the passport needs a visa and which Schengen state should process an application for the complete itinerary.

What is the best way to travel around Sweden?

Stockholm Arlanda is the largest gateway; Gothenburg and the Copenhagen–Malmö route provide alternatives. Long-distance trains link the principal cities, while ferries, regional buses and domestic flights reach the wider country.

When is a practical time to visit Sweden?

May through August brings long daylight and the broadest summer access. Winter aurora or snow travel is a separate seasonal product, particularly in the north, with different transport and clothing requirements.

What money and payment basics apply in Sweden?

Sweden uses the krona (SEK), not the euro. Current cash and card acceptance is Not recorded in this file; check the operator’s stated payment method, particularly for unmanned or rural services.

What practical safety details should I save for Sweden?

Call 112 for emergencies in Sweden. Type C and F sockets operate at 230 V, and the recorded guidance says mains tap water is safe.