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The Kingdom of Sweden is a country in northern Europe, on the eastern side of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It has a population of around 10 million. The capital is Stockholm, and the official language is Swedish. Almost everyone in the country speaks good English.
Climate in Sweden
Sweden stretches a long way from north to south, so it spans several climate zones, from subarctic in the north to temperate in the south. In winter, temperatures in the Scandinavian Mountains in northern Sweden can fall to –30°C. In the country's southern regions, average winter temperatures range from –16°C to 0°C. Summer temperatures hover around +16°C to +23°C. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, rain falls fairly often.
Nature in Sweden
Forest covers more than half of Sweden's territory. The country is now home to more than 30 national parks and nearly 900 nature reserves. The north and west of the country have plenty of ski resorts with excellent facilities and a wide choice of hotels for visitors.
Attractions in Sweden
Finding things to see in Sweden isn't hard — every town has at least one museum, and the capital alone has more than you could count. The best known are the Vasa Museum, Skansen open-air museum and the Astrid Lindgren fairy-tale museum. There's even an ABBA museum. The city centre district of Gamla Stan is one long attraction in itself. Sweden has plenty of castles and architectural landmarks. Among the best known are Drottningholm Palace on Lake Mälaren (whose shores are dotted with castles), Vadstena Abbey, Örebro Castle in the town of the same name, and Malmö City Hall. Malmö is also home to Europe's most striking skyscraper, the Turning Torso. The country's main religious landmark is the Gothic cathedral in the city of Uppsala, visited by more than half a million people every year.
It would be impossible to list every architectural landmark in Sweden. In every town, any hotel will sell you a city map with a short description of all the sights and places worth visiting. Sweden is famous for its parks of untouched northern nature. Popular trips among travellers include the High Coast on the Gulf of Bothnia, the ancient rock carvings at Tanum, and walks along the shores of Lake Vänern. Abisko National Park in Lapland draws lovers of wild northern landscapes. But whether it's untouched wilderness or a park on the edge of Stockholm, you'll find well-organised infrastructure for visitors everywhere.
Visa and Currency in Sweden
Sweden is part of the Schengen Area, so if you already hold a Schengen visa, you're all set. If not, whether you need one and how to apply depends on your nationality — check the rules for your passport before you book. Since 2018, Schengen visa applicants have had to provide fingerprints and a biometric photo as part of the application. The currency is the Swedish krona (SEK). Euros and US dollars aren't accepted for payment in Sweden — it's best to exchange money at a currency exchange as soon as you arrive. Card payments are accepted everywhere, and banks generally offer better exchange rates than exchange bureaux.
Good to Know Before You Go
Sweden is, of course, part of Europe, and street crime does exist here too — mostly bag, wallet and document theft. It's not something that happens at every turn, but it pays to stay alert. Whichever holiday package you book online, make sure to also arrange travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen Area.
