Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Sweden

A photograph of Sweden
Photograph · Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0

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.

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

  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 — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  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. Stockholm City Museum Stockholm City Museum
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Stockholm City Museum

    Stadsmuseet i Stockholm

    Stockholm City Museum, known locally as Stadsmuseet i Stockholm, is a museum dedicated to the history of Stockholm. The museum is situated in the Södermalm district of the city.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  2. Royal Armoury Royal Armoury
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Royal Armoury

    Livrustkammaren

    The Royal Armoury, known locally as Livrustkammaren, is a museum located in Stockholm, Sweden. It is situated within the Royal Palace complex in Gamla Stan, the city's old town.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  3. Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities

    Östasiatiska museet

    The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities is a museum in Stockholm dedicated to Asian art and cultural artifacts. Its Swedish name is Östasiatiska museet.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  4. Oscarsteatern Oscarsteatern
    05 1 hour

    Oscarsteatern

    Oscarsteatern is a historic theatre located in Stockholm, Sweden. The venue occupies a prominent position in the city's cultural landscape and has served as a significant performance space since its establishment.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  5. Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities

    Medelhavsmuseet

    The Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities, locally known as Medelhavsmuseet, is a museum in Stockholm dedicated to collections from the Mediterranean region and the Near East.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  6. Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design

    Arkitektur- och designcentrum

    The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design, locally known as Arkitektur- och designcentrum, is a national museum and institution in Stockholm dedicated to architecture and design.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  7. Strindberg Museum Strindberg Museum
    08 1 hr 30 min

    Strindberg Museum

    Strindbergsmuseet

    The Strindberg Museum, known in Swedish as Strindbergsmuseet, is a museum dedicated to the life and work of August Strindberg, one of Sweden's most celebrated writers and playwrights.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  8. Swedish Museum of Performing Arts Swedish Museum of Performing Arts
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Swedish Museum of Performing Arts

    Scenkonstmuseet

    The Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, known locally as Scenkonstmuseet, is a museum in Stockholm dedicated to the performing arts. It covers theatre, dance, music, and circus history.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  9. Jewish Museum of Sweden Jewish Museum of Sweden
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Jewish Museum of Sweden

    Judiska muséet

    The Jewish Museum of Sweden is a museum in Stockholm dedicated to Jewish history, culture, and heritage in Sweden. Its local name is Judiska muséet.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  10. Postmuseum Postmuseum
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Postmuseum

    Postmuseum is a museum in Stockholm dedicated to the history of the Swedish postal service. It is located in the Gamla Stan area of the city.

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  11. Järnpojke
    14 1 hour

    Järnpojke

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  12. Vasa Theatre
    15 1 hour

    Vasa Theatre

    Vasateatern

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  13. Chinateatern
    20 1 hour

    Chinateatern

    China Teatern

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  14. Folkoperan
    25 1 hour

    Folkoperan

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  15. Efter badet
    28 1 hour

    Efter badet

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  16. Göta Lejon
    29 1 hour

    Göta Lejon

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  17. La Mano
    30 1 hour

    La Mano

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  18. Waldemarsudde
    33 1 hour

    Waldemarsudde

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  19. Maximteatern
    40 1 hour

    Maximteatern

    Maxim

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  20. Orion Theatre
    41 1 hour

    Orion Theatre

    Orionteatern

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  21. The Four Elements
    42 1 hour

    The Four Elements

    De fyra elementen

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  22. Morianbron
    46 1 hour

    Morianbron

    Morianerna

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  23. Tors fiske
    48 1 hour

    Tors fiske

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  24. Orangery Museum
    53 1 hr 30 min

    Orangery Museum

    Orangerimuseet

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  25. Sjöguden
    62 1 hour

    Sjöguden

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  26. Solsångaren
    64 1 hour

    Solsångaren

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  27. Teater Tribunalen
    67 1 hour

    Teater Tribunalen

    Tribunalen

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  28. Bergrummet
    70 1 hr 30 min

    Bergrummet

    • High
    • Museum
    • Stockholm
  29. Avselad kamp
    81 1 hour

    Avselad kamp

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  30. Dårarnas båt
    82 1 hour

    Dårarnas båt

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  31. Diana fountain
    84 1 hour

    Diana fountain

    Dianafontänen I

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  32. Fabeldjur
    85 1 hour

    Fabeldjur

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  33. Fiskfossil
    86 1 hour

    Fiskfossil

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  34. Fordon
    88 1 hour

    Fordon

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  35. Fountain pond
    89 1 hour

    Fountain pond

    Fontändamm

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  36. Frihetens Port
    90 1 hour

    Frihetens Port

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  37. Genius
    91 1 hour

    Genius

    Genius = Lyrspelande ängel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  38. Gröna Lund-teatern
    92 1 hour

    Gröna Lund-teatern

    Teatern Gröna Lund

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  39. Hawk and pigeon
    93 1 hour

    Hawk and pigeon

    Höken och duvan

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  40. Intiman
    95 1 hour

    Intiman

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  41. Kentauren
    96 1 hour

    Kentauren

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  42. Kvarteret Taklampan
    97 1 hour

    Kvarteret Taklampan

    Väskberget i Hammarbyhöjden

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Stockholm
  43. Mås
    99 1 hour

    Mås

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • 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.