Holiday
in
Sweden
Holiday in Sweden - Information and Insights
Sweden is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Those who have been there will likely agree without hesitation. With its diverse nature, mild climate, and close proximity to Central Europe, Sweden is easy to reach. Although it may seem far away at first glance, with the Baltic Sea between Central Europe and Sweden, traveling by car is easy and not as time-consuming as one might expect.
Your first holiday in Sweden
Have you always wanted to visit Sweden, or perhaps heard from friends and family how wonderful their trip was? Then you’re probably doing some research to see what Sweden has to offer — and that’s the right approach.
Sweden offers many different ways to spend your holiday. First, ask yourself what kind of experience you’re looking for. Do you want peace and relaxation, do you want to explore the country and visit attractions, or do you want to socialize and be around people? Sweden has something to offer for every type of traveler.
The “classic” Sweden traveler prefers a quiet, relaxing holiday. Thanks to the country’s low population density, this is easily achievable. In this case, it’s best to book a holiday home or stay at a campsite — both of which are widely available across Sweden.
If you’d rather be where the action is and plan to do lots of activities, accommodation in or near a larger city is recommended. You’ll find holiday homes and campsites in urban areas too, or you might choose to stay in a hotel.
Once you’ve decided how you want to spend your Swedish holiday, the next step is to choose the right region — which depends largely on your travel style and interests.
Where should i Spend My Holiday in Sweden?
If you want to be around people and experience a lot, cities are the place to be. Sweden’s largest cities are Malmö, Gothenburg, and Stockholm. These offer a wide range of accommodation and activity options. Gothenburg and Malmö are easily reachable by car, as they are located in southern and southwestern Sweden. Stockholm is in south-central Sweden and may require a longer drive or an overnight stop.
If you plan to stay in a city, flying is also a great option. Depending on your departure airport, a flight from Germany to one of Sweden’s major cities takes about 1 to 2.5 hours.
If you’re looking for peace and relaxation, Sweden offers almost endless options — and in many combinations. Here are just a few examples:
- A holiday home by a lake or by the sea
- A holiday home in a secluded location
- A holiday home on the edge of town
- Campsites by a lake or the sea
- Campsites in the forest, surrounded by nature
- ...and much more
The list could go on forever. That’s why it’s important to consider well in advance how and where you want to spend your holiday.
Southern Sweden is the most densely populated region, and therefore offers the widest variety of holiday options. With hundreds of kilometers of coastline and thousands of lakes, the region is a dream destination. Another advantage is that you’re never completely cut off from civilization. Even if your accommodation is remote, you’re usually no more than an hour from the nearest town. Many towns in southern Sweden are well worth visiting and offer a range of cultural activities. There are also plenty of great excursion options in southern Sweden. You can find more on that here: Excursion Destinations in Sweden.
The picture changes slightly in central Sweden. Southern central Sweden is still relatively densely populated, but the further north you go, the more the population thins out. Larger cities tend to shift toward the east coast, as the western part of central Sweden is very mountainous — which also makes the landscape breathtakingly beautiful! Accommodation options are fewer than in the south, but still more than sufficient.
In northern Sweden, the population density drops to just about 2 people per km². The region is largely made up of forests, lakes, and wilderness. Even so, the nature is stunning — although summer is short. However, the days are long, and in the far north you can even experience the Midnight Sun.
Holiday homes and campsites do exist in northern Sweden, but the supply is more limited. The same goes for hotels and other types of lodging.
For information about the regions in southern Sweden, click here: Regions in Sweden.
A holiday home on lake Bolmen
When Should I Take My Holiday in Sweden?
Now that you've figured out how and where you'd like to spend your holiday in Sweden, it's time to consider when to go.
Most people take their annual holiday in the summer, which is also the busiest time in Sweden. In southern Sweden, most tourist attractions reopen from their winter break in early to mid-May and stay open until mid to late September. During this time, the weather is at its best and quite similar to Germany. Curious about the weather in Sweden? It’s not always cold – find out more here: Weather in Sweden.
In summer, you can visit all the tourist spots and enjoy warm, pleasant weather. Since summer is peak season, accommodation prices are also at their highest.
Spring and autumn are just as beautiful! Both seasons are full of color and, especially in southern Sweden, can be mild and relatively warm. While it's often too cool for swimming, anglers in particular love this time of year. Many tourist attractions are already or still closed during spring and autumn, but many travelers prefer these quieter times. One big advantage: Sweden is less crowded, as most tourists come during school holidays. Accommodation prices are generally lower in spring and autumn.
Winter in Sweden can be long and snowy. The farther north you go, the colder, snowier, and longer the winter becomes. This season is especially attractive for winter sports enthusiasts. In the flatter south, the range of winter sports is limited – though there are small hills for skiing and sledding. The focus here is more on cross-country skiing.
In central and northern Sweden, you’ll find good ski slopes and a broader range of winter activities. Accommodation in southern Sweden is typically cheapest in winter, while it tends to be more expensive in central and northern Sweden, where winter tourism is in high demand.
In summary: Sweden is beautiful year-round, and each season has its own unique charm. So ask yourself:
- Do I want warm, sunny weather for swimming and outdoor fun, with access to all tourist attractions?
- Do I prefer cooler, sometimes rainy weather with colorful nature and fewer crowds?
- Or am I looking for a snowy winter holiday with short days and limited access to tourist sites?
Who`s Coming With You to Sweden?
Summary for Your Holiday in Sweden
Before you travel, be clear about how you want to spend your holiday and what you expect:
- Type of holiday (relaxation, active, winter sports, city life)
- Location (lake or sea, remote and peaceful, near a town, urban area, specific region)
- Time of year (summer/high season, spring or autumn/cooler, winter)
- Type of accommodation (holiday home, campsite, hotel)
- Number of travelers (solo, couple, family, group)
And don’t forget: how you get to Sweden also matters! Travel costs can take up a significant portion of your holiday budget.
Holiday Homes in Sweden
For your holiday in Sweden, Schwedenliebe offers a carefully selected range of beautiful holiday homes in southern Sweden. Whether you're traveling alone, as a couple, or with the whole family – including pets – you’ll find the perfect holiday home in Sweden with us.