A massive structure with more than 600 rooms on 11 levels, Kungliga Slottet (the Royal Palace) dominates the north end of Gamla Stan. The official…
©Maria Swärd/Getty Images
Sweden
Offering everything from deep-blue archipelagos and Northern Lights, to killer fashion, food and design, Sweden is a Nordic dream.
Swedish Style
Few countries are as design literate as Sweden. Impeccable taste and attention to detail make much of the country look like a shoot for Wallpaper or Architectural Digest. Almost everyone in Stockholm got the memo to 'look sharp', while the prevalence of irresistible furnishings, textiles and lighting in cafes, restaurants and homes across the nation are nothing short of enviable. Yet, Swedish style is rarely ostentatious; form and function are tightly linked in a society that reveres moderation, simplicity and practicality. Prepare to celebrate all things beautiful and democratic.
Natural Grandeur
Truth be told, the best thing about Sweden is its natural assets. Indeed, to really appreciate this country’s magnetism, take time to leave the city behind. Whether you're sailing across an archipelago to a lonely island or trekking along a kingly trail flanked by snowcapped mountains, the sense of space, solitude and freedom is matched by few corners of Western Europe. It makes perfect sense: Sweden claims one of the lowest population densities on the continent. So, go pitch a tent by a Baltic beach or ride a sleigh under the Northern Lights. You can thank Mother Nature later.
The Sami
The northern end of Sweden is home to the Sami people. One of Europe's few indigenous people, their rich and ancient traditions offer a very different take on the Swedish experience. To the Sami, northern Sweden is known as Sápmi and its wild, bracing wilderness is the best place to sample Sami culture. Spend a night or two in a Sami reindeer camp, take a dogsledding tour, or simply dig into local flavours at a Sami restaurant. All offer memorable, thought-provoking insight into an oft-overlooked side of the country's cultural tapestry.
Historical Riches
History is written large in Sverige. Ancient rune stones poke up out of grassy parks, while huge stone-ship settings and burial mounds recall long-gone kings and chiefs. Across the country, walled medieval cities, seaside fortresses, turreted palaces and revealing museums attest to Sweden's long and complex backstory. Each historical artefact, building and ruin is a piece of a jigsaw. Put them together and you'll come closer to understanding how each historical high and low has helped shape the modern nation and its widely admired denizens.
Explore Sweden
- Kungliga Slottet
A massive structure with more than 600 rooms on 11 levels, Kungliga Slottet (the Royal Palace) dominates the north end of Gamla Stan. The official…
- Fotografiska
Since opening its doors in 2010, Fotografiska has become one of the world’s leading photography museums and one of Stockholm’s most popular attractions…
- Skansen
Often called 'Sweden in miniature', Skansen is an unmissable Stockholm highlight. Expect to spend a full day wandering this hilltop open-air museum, with…
- Stadshuset
The imposing Stadshuset (City Hall) defines the Stockholm skyline, with its blocky silhouette and waterside perch. It looks stern and weighty from afar,…
- Vasamuseet
A good-humoured glorification of some dodgy calculations, Vasamuseet is the custom-built home of the massive warship Vasa; 69m long and 48.8m tall, it was…
- Visby Sankta Maria Domkyrka
Visby's church ruins contrast with the stoic and utterly awe-inspiring Sankta Maria kyrka. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and heavily…
- KKalmar Slott
Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This dominant Renaissance…
- LLunds domkyrka
Lund’s twin-towered Romanesque cathedral is magnificent. Try to pop in at noon or 3pm (1pm and 3pm on Sunday) when the marvellous astronomical clock…
- Skogskyrkogården
One of Stockholm’s most unexpected attractions, Skogskyrkogården (the Woodland Cemetery) is an arrestingly beautiful graveyard set in the soothing pine…
Latest Stories from Sweden
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Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Sweden.
See
Kungliga Slottet
A massive structure with more than 600 rooms on 11 levels, Kungliga Slottet (the Royal Palace) dominates the north end of Gamla Stan. The official…
See
Fotografiska
Since opening its doors in 2010, Fotografiska has become one of the world’s leading photography museums and one of Stockholm’s most popular attractions…
See
Skansen
Often called 'Sweden in miniature', Skansen is an unmissable Stockholm highlight. Expect to spend a full day wandering this hilltop open-air museum, with…
See
Stadshuset
The imposing Stadshuset (City Hall) defines the Stockholm skyline, with its blocky silhouette and waterside perch. It looks stern and weighty from afar,…
See
Vasamuseet
A good-humoured glorification of some dodgy calculations, Vasamuseet is the custom-built home of the massive warship Vasa; 69m long and 48.8m tall, it was…
See
Visby Sankta Maria Domkyrka
Visby's church ruins contrast with the stoic and utterly awe-inspiring Sankta Maria kyrka. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and heavily…
See
Kalmar Slott
Fairy-tale turrets, a drawbridge, a foul dungeon and secret passages…Kalmar Slott has everything that a proper castle should. This dominant Renaissance…
See
Lunds domkyrka
Lund’s twin-towered Romanesque cathedral is magnificent. Try to pop in at noon or 3pm (1pm and 3pm on Sunday) when the marvellous astronomical clock…
See
Skogskyrkogården
One of Stockholm’s most unexpected attractions, Skogskyrkogården (the Woodland Cemetery) is an arrestingly beautiful graveyard set in the soothing pine…