There are so many reasons that Sweden should be on your bucket list. With plenty of cosmopolitan cities, coastal islands, forests, lakes and glacial mountains to explore, Sweden really does have it all. However, outside of Stockholm, much of Sweden is still fairly unknown to tourists. We think it’s time that Sweden gets the recognition that it deserves so, if you’re looking for some travel inspiration, here are 10 unique reasons that you need to plan a trip to Sweden asap.
Seeing the Northern Lights is a rare and magical experience which is why its something that’s on most people’s bucket list. However, when it comes to seeing them, people tend to overlook Sweden. In fact, Sweden is a great place to see this amazing astronomical phenomenon from as the lights are clearly visible in the winter months throughout the northern part of the country.
Boring old hostel? No thanks, we’d rather stay at the Ice Hotel. Proving that Sweden is one of the coolest (pun intended) countries around, the original ice hotel boasts 65 rooms spread out over 5,500 square meters and is made using 1,000 tonnes of ice. So, if that’s not a reason to add Sweden to your bucket list, then I don’t know what is.
The Swedish capital of Stockholm is one of the main reasons that people visit the country and for good reason. There’s so much to do in this Swedish city from exploring the palaces, people watching in one of the many squares, visiting one of the city’s 14 islands and enjoying the diverse cuisine and nightlife that’s on offer.
In Sweden, Midsummer is one of the most important days of the whole year. Held yearly in June, Midsummer marks the arrival of the warmer months and it’s met with plenty of parties and celebrations. Traditional midsummer traditions include dancing around a maypole, wearing floral crowns and enjoying food and drink with friends and family outside in the sunshine.
Swedish food doesn’t get half of the recognition that it deserves. Due to cold winter weather, Sweden triumphs when it comes to comfort food with national dishes including the famous Swedish meatballs served with lingonberry jam, plenty of stews and soups and sweet treats including cinnamon buns and a gooey chocolatey cake called Kladkkaka.
The Swedish concept of Fika is something that’s really important in the country and unique to Sweden. Fika literally means ‘to have coffee’ but it’s so much more than that. Swedes love their Fika and the whole point of it is that it’s about taking a break. Fika can be carried out at home, in a cafe or restaurant and primarily involves enjoy a cup of Swedish coffee alongside a sweet treat.
Spending some time sweating out in a Swedish Sauna is an essential part of the culture and there are plenty of health benefits accosted with doing so. Studies have shown that saunas can do everything from helping to relieve stress to fighting illnesses so it’s worth giving it a go. In fact, the sauna is so essential to Swedish culture that many Swedes have their own one in their house. However, if you’re a tourist visiting the country, you can just take advantage of one of the many ones available for public use.
When you think of Sweden, the beach isn’t necessarily something that springs to mind however Sweden has plenty of stunning beaches and islands that are worth exploring. Be sure to check out Gotland, Sweden’s biggest island and a firm favourite with locals in the summer.
Due to its cold snowy winters, it’s not surprising that skiing is a popular pastime in the country. There are over 100 ski resorts in the country so whether you’re a newbie or a skiing enthusiast, you’re guaranteed to find a resort that’s right for you.
There are so many great Swedish cities to explore aside from Stockholm. One place that should definitely make it on to your travel itinerary is Gothenburg, Sweden’s second biggest city. This hidden gem boasts plenty of cafes and restaurants to relax in and a taste of Swedish city life without the tourists.
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