A photograph of Sweden

Country guide

Sweden

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, bui...

Photograph · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0

2,967 Places
1Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

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.

Checked 2026-08-25

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

Seasonal closures come from recorded opening hours.

  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. Saint John's Church Saint John's Church
    02 30 min

    Saint John's Church

    Sankt Johannes kyrka

    Saint John’s Church, known in Swedish as Sankt Johannes kyrka, is a working place of worship in Stockholm. It forms part of the city’s ecclesiastical heritage and urban character, offering travellers an architectural landmark as well as a religious space.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  2. Adolf Fredrik Church Adolf Fredrik Church
    03 30 min

    Adolf Fredrik Church

    Adolf Fredriks kyrka

    Adolf Fredrik Church, or Adolf Fredriks kyrka, is an active Church of Sweden parish church in central Stockholm’s Norrmalm district.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  3. Högalid Church Högalid Church
    04 30 min

    Högalid Church

    Högalidskyrkan

    Högalid Church, or Högalidskyrkan, is a prominent Church of Sweden parish church on Södermalm. Its twin towers form a memorable part of Stockholm’s skyline and make the building easy to recognise from surrounding streets and viewpoints.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  4. Stockholm Synagogue Stockholm Synagogue
    05 30 min

    Stockholm Synagogue

    Stora synagogan

    Stockholm Synagogue, also known as Stora synagogan, is the largest synagogue in Sweden and an active place of worship in central Stockholm.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Stockholm
  5. Bromma Church Bromma Church
    06 30 min

    Bromma Church

    Bromma kyrka

    Bromma Church, or Bromma kyrka, is an active Church of Sweden church in Stockholm’s Bromma district. It is both a local place of worship and a historic religious landmark within western Stockholm.

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • 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.