First Time in Sweden: 10 Things You Must Do

With every passing year, more and more people experience the pristine nature, unique architecture, and delicious foods of Sweden. From Viking history and untouched landscapes, Sweden is slowly becoming the most visited country in Europe.

Things To Do In Sweden

Is it your first time visiting Sweden? Check out this is carefully curated list of things you should do in Sweden.

Try Out Ghost Hunting

Ghost Walk in Stockholm

If you find yourself in the capital city of Stockholm, why not sign up for a Ghost Tour to get a historical background of the city? This is a fun way of learning the history of the area, and they will also give you insight into the mythical legends as well. It is all fascinating and can seem like a theater performance, but it is well worth your time.

Heading to Sweden? Take a look at our list of Airports in Sweden – Domestic and International to make sure you know where you’re landing!

Check Out the Underground Art Galleries

The incredible subway art in Sweden

The underground art galleries in Stockholm showcase the incredible designs and style of Sweden. Over 90 subway stations are converted into art galleries, full of artistic masterpieces and cave-like enclosures.

Fun fact, Tunnelbana is the most extended art gallery spanning over 110 kilometers long. The only downside is that you need to get a subway ticket to visit these places, but it is undoubtedly worth it.

There are various paintings and mosaics installed by multiple artists representing the culture of Sweden. Some art pieces even advocate things such as democracy and equality. It is truly something you must see for yourself to appreciate.

Spend a Night in an ICEHOTEL

A bed in the breathtaking ICEHOTEL

The ICEHOTEL is located in the small village of Jukkasjarvi. The hotel is built and furnished solely from ice. From giant ice beds to an ICEBAR where drinks are served to guests. Talented sculptors from around the world make this hotel using water from the Torne River.

Don’t miss your chance to stay here if you visit Sweden during the winters. In Spring, the hotel melts away. Apart from the novelty of saying that you stayed in the ICEHOTEL, there are dozens of adventurous things you can try out.

Learn How the Vikings Lived

Vikings were a huge part of the Scandinavian culture. So, it’s only natural if you learn about their past and understand their way of living. The Vasa Museum is your go-to place if you want to know about Vikings. It is intriguing and full of information for those interesting in history.

See the Sun At Midnight

A beautiful view at midnight in Northern Sweden

This is something that isn’t unique to Sweden alone – since you can witness this in other Nordic countries as well. Regardless, seeing this is nothing short of magical. In the northern part of Sweden, the sun does not set for the entirety of 24 hours.

If you want to experience this for yourself, you can head over to the Arctic Circle in the Swedish Lapland during the summers.

Color by Numbers

The Colors by Light in Sweden

This is one of the most unusual yet extraordinary attractions in Sweden. The ‘Color by Numbers’ tower in Stockholm has lights installed all over it. The best part? Any person passing by can control it with their phones. You can change the colors of the lights on the tower to match your mood.

Not only is this a unique concept, but it also has a more symbolic meaning behind it. The tower itself represents the power of change and democracy. We recommend that you go here if you find yourself in Stockholm. This is definitely one of the things you shouldn’t miss out on and do when in Sweden.

Look at Cherry Blossom Trees

The vibrant cherry blossom trees in Stockholm, Sweden

Speaking of colors, the pink cherry blossoms are certainly something you should check out. We did not know this at first but Japan isn’t the only place where many cherry blossom trees come to life. From early April to early May, you can witness these beautiful trees and find yourself in awe. These vibrant trees blooming with pink petals are a sight to behold.

These trees can be seen all over Stockholm in a large park. Since they are getting increasingly popular, you can find them in other places as well because they are being planted more.

Related: Canada or Sweden: Which Country is Better to Live in

Be Amazed by the Northern Lights

Breathtaking Northern Lights in Sweden

Naturally, we cannot complete our list without including the unique thing in Sweden, the beautiful Northern Lights. Thousands upon thousands of people visit that part of the world just to witness this phenomenon.

While there are many other places where you can see the Lights, Sweden tops the list. You can see the Northern Lights throughout the winter, so plan your trip accordingly.

Trekking Beautiful Landscapes

The magnificent Kings Trail in Sweden

Due to the weather limitations, people do not prefer outdoor activities in Sweden. But at the same time, it is one of the most beautiful places to explore in all of Europe due to its wilderness and landscapes. One of our favorites is the Kungsleden hiking trail which is the most famous and best route in the country. Despite being remote, the trails are well marked and you can even stay the night there. Most people only do parts of the trail rather than the whole thing because it stretches up to 425 kilometers.

There are tons of guided expeditions throughout Sweden that take you through forests, valleys, lakes, and huge mountains.

Try Out Dog Sledding

Dog Sledding in the winter is super fun!

One of the things that got us excited was dog sledding in Lapland. Dog sledding used to be a source of transport for people and supplies in the past. Now that technology has replaced that, dog sledding is mostly for people looking to have a good time.

It is a large tourist attraction in Sweden and you get to enjoy breathtaking landscapes. We recommend that you do your research on the tour provider to ensure that the animals are well taken care of and treated well.

Participate in Festivals

The food festival, Crayfish Party

Like most places in Europe, Sweden hosts tons of big festivals. They mostly happen in summer so you should plan your trip around that time if you wish to partake in these events. The best part is that there is a festival for all kinds of people.

If you are a music fan, there are music festivals that include rock events, EDM events, and the Summerburst Festival. Not only are they fun, but they are also held in unique locations which makes them more fun.

If you want to make it easier for yourself, check out websites like Time Out to see the timings of music, sports, or cultural festivals.

Visit the National Parks

Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden

If you are someone who enjoys the outdoors and nature, then this is perfect for you. You can spend a good amount of time planning your trip to explore the national parks of Sweden. If you do decide to visit the National Parks, then you are in for picturesque views of phenomenal landscapes and of course, wildlife.

You can visit the Tyresta National Park if you are in Stockholm. If you want to save time, then you can plan your trip to the National Parks alongside your quest to see the Northern Lights.

Conclusion

Clearly, there are dozens of unique attractions that make Sweden an incredible country to visit. We could go on and on about what you can do and what places you can visit; instead, we leave it up to you to explore the area and find out.

Sweden is a must-visit if you are planning to go on a tour and want unique experiences. Hopefully, you found our top 10 things to do in Sweden interesting enough to try them out. That about does it for our list; let us know in the comments what you plan to do first when you go to Sweden.

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Jordan Frode

I’m Jordan Frode from Stockholm, an avid columnist, who has been in the business for 5 years. My expertise are straightforwardly identified with reporting various topics across Sweden and Europe.