Sweden Travel Guide 

Important Things To Know

Currency

Swedes use the Swedish Krona as their currency.

National Languages

The national language of Sweden is Swedish, categorized into six distinct dialect groups. Don’t let this intimidate you, though. English is widely spoken too. Almost 90% of the population is fluent in it.

The Icehotel in Sweden. (photo courtesy of Visit Sweden)

Time Zone

There’s only one Swedish time zone, called Central European Time. Like most of North America and Europe, Sweden practices Daylight Savings Time. 

Called Sommertid (Summer Time) in Sweden, it lasts from the last weekend of March to the last weekend of October. During this time, Sweden uses Central European Summer Time (CEST) which is UTC+2. 

Climate And Weather

This Scandinavian country experiences extreme differences between Summer and Winter temperatures. 

Differences in regional climates can be grouped into three categories: the far north, the northeast, and the south and interior. The north and northeast have more severe winters, but the summers are, for the most part, moderate.

When To Visit Sweden

The best time to visit Sweden is from May to September when the weather is warmer, but your vacation style will determine the best time to go. If you want to go swimming and sightseeing, go during these warmer months. 

If skiing and dog sledding sounds like your type of holiday treat, winter is the best time to go. There are many different types of European ski vacations, but none are like this.

And if seeing the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list, late September to early March is the sweet spot. 

Best Places To Visit In Sweden

Some of the best places to visit in Sweden are the outdoors. While Sweden has its fair share of museums and monuments, its true riches lie in its natural beauty and outdoor experiences. Here are our top three places to visit in Sweden.

• Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city, offers adventure-seekers an adrenaline rush that is cooler than the rest. Cool, because the best activities here are based on ice and snow. It’s also a great place to see the spectacular Northern Lights. Head out on a guided tour with snowshoes or skis, and see the natural phenomenon in all its glory. 
• Gothenburg is the west coast's hub of activity. Here we discovered some of the best restaurants and pubs the region has to offer. Several festivals are held in this port city, too. So check online for upcoming events when planning your trip. 
• Half the fun of traveling is sampling the local cuisine. Edible nature features strongly in Swedish culture. We got a taste of the healthy life with a tour through Swedish Lapland. Both group and private tours are available.