Sweden is divided into three large regions: Norrland in the north, Svealand in the center, and Gotaland in the south. You can cover one of the three regions in five days, but taking 10 days or more to cover two regions at an unrushed pace is ideal. And in two weeks, you can see what these three regions have to offer on a grand tour of the Nordic country.
As the cold, dark weather of December sets in, Swedes do not let it dampen their spirits. The lively events of this month's Christmas build-up, like bustling markets through brilliant light shows, are worth braving the bad weather. Winter sports and seeing the northern lights are other major reasons to visit this month. As a result of all this action, be ready to expect crowds in key cities and ski resorts.
As the weather gets colder and drearier and visitor numbers plummet, there are still plenty of reasons to come to Sweden in November. The big attraction is that it will be mostly just you and the locals in the destinations you visit. Christmas markets enliven big cities, winter sports are possible again in the newly-fallen snow, and northern lights illuminate the Arctic.
Sweden is at its autumnal best in October as fall blazes across much of the south and center of the country. This transition between the shoulder and low season is a month for crowd-free activities in the big cities, for a final wild swim before the water gets too cold, and for quiet hiking or biking through forests full of fall colors.
Fall colors start working their magic across forests and Arctic tundra in September, while pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds make this an inviting month to visit, particularly in the countryside. There are excellent hiking, biking, and water sports opportunities before the weather worsens in October.
It's still the height of summer in Sweden, with warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, festivals everywhere, and lots of visitors. This is an excellent month for outdoor activities such as kayaking, swimming, cycling, and hiking, though finding solitude is more difficult than in other months. If you choose to stay in the cities, you will find them at their liveliest and full of diverse festivities.
The year's loveliest weather, full of sunshine and warm temperatures, coincides with the height of the high season in July. Every part of Sweden is ready for exploring, from cities resonating with lively festivals to countryside full of hiking, biking, kayaking, and wild swimming possibilities. You will find crowds and high prices in key destinations, but the reward is seeing Sweden at its best.
Sweden is the land of the midnight sun in June, with the sun never setting in the north. This is a perfect month to see Sweden's Great Outdoors: it is the first time this year the entire nation's hiking terrain has been snow-free. If you want to visit the cities, you'll find plenty of vibrant festivals. With all this going on, it's no wonder that June announces the start of the summer high season.
Travelers make the most of the sunnier weather and longer daylight hours in May to explore Sweden's natural beauty: kayaking through archipelagos, swimming in lakes, and hiking in beech forests. Almost everywhere in Sweden is green and pleasant. And because May is still a quiet shoulder-season month, there are few crowds.
April is one of the best months of the year to visit Sweden. In the south, there's an increase in daylight hours, temperatures begin to rise, towns and cities come alive with spring blooms and festivities, and hiking is once again possible. Meanwhile, skiing remains popular as the snow cover in the north continues. And while there are more visitors around, high-season crowds are blissfully absent.
March in Sweden is a snowy month and the ideal time to try snow sports in the center and north, with significantly increased sunshine making outdoor winter activities more enticing. This is an excellent month for discovering Sweden's culture at museums in the cities, without the crowds that will begin descending as of April.
As daylight hours increase and sunlight begins to return across snowy Sweden in February, Swedes hit the slopes for their snow sports holidays while festivals bring cheer to several towns and cities. Travel ideas include sojourns to Southern Sweden's spas, skiing in Central Sweden's resorts, and northern lights viewing in the Arctic North.
It is a dark, cold month in Sweden, but plenty of fun is still to be had. Take in a museum or two in culturally vibrant Stockholm, head to Central Sweden for snowsports, or visit the Arctic for northern lights sightings. Crowds are also almost non-existent, so this is a good month to see the country from a more local perspective.
Summertime brings more daylight hours for strolling Sweden's bustling capital or hiking its northern trails. Cozy up inside during the long, chilly winters or embrace the snow by mushing through on dog sleds or ice fishing in Lapland. The fewer daylight hours in the fall and winter are best for viewing the greenish solar dance of the aurora borealis and blooming cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring when the crowds are fewer, airfare and hotels are more affordable, and the temperature is comfortable for exploring.
