The Best Insider Tips for Vacationing in Sweden

On a trip through Sweden, you can explore not only the main attractions but also a few lesser-known spots that you might not have heard of.

Whether it's exciting new places in Stockholm, tips for budget-friendly dining, insights on camping, little escapes to islands or national parks: we have the best insider tips for Sweden.

If you enjoy jogging on vacation, Stockholm offers a cool initiative: During the 'Plogga Run' you run through the city while picking up trash along the way. This allows you to see a different side of Stockholm and meet cool people. The idea was conceived by Swedish running expert Erik Ahlström a few years ago. The term 'plogga' is derived from the Swedish words for jogging ('jogga') and pick up ('plocka').

Every Wednesday at 4 PM, guests, employees, and locals start a running session from the Downtown Camper by Scandic hotel. During the run, all runners pick up trash they find on the streets. Fun factor? High. But most importantly, you run green and clean through Stockholm.

No doubt about it: Swedes love their cinnamon rolls. There's even a day dedicated to the 'Kanelbulle': October 4th is celebrated in Sweden as Cinnamon Roll Day! While vacationing in Sweden, you'll certainly wonder where to find the best cinnamon rolls. The answer is varied, but one thing is certain: Gothenburg is home to the world's largest cinnamon roll. Since the 1980s, Café Husaren in the trendy Haga district has been serving its famous XXL cinnamon rolls.

Coffee and cake have a long tradition in Sweden. During a Swedish 'Fika,' you drink coffee with family or friends and enjoy sweet pastries, often cinnamon rolls. These became popular after World War I, but when ingredients became hard to come by, the 'Kanelbulle' was forgotten until it regained popularity in the 1950s.

Southern Sweden is a popular destination in summer, with the beaches of Skåne renown nationwide. A special spot is Österlen in the southeast of the province. Many artists are drawn here because of the unique light, wealthy Stockholmers have vacation homes, and the white sandy beaches are crowded with tourists in summer.

To explore Österlen at your leisure, you should visit during the off-season. Then you get to know the genuine side of the area and its residents. An outstanding feature is the high density of farm shops and markets. From regional products and locally grown organic specialties to Swedish superfoods, these shops are packed with delicious items, and many restaurants focus on regional and seasonal cuisine. No wonder Skåne made the 'New York Times' list of the world's most exciting food destinations.

Speaking of dining: Eating in Sweden can be expensive, but you can save if you eat like the locals. Many restaurants offer a daily special at lunchtime for a very reasonable price. Look for the 'Dagens rätt,' often consisting of classic Swedish home cooking including bread, salad, a drink, and coffee, typically priced between $9 to $12.

General advice: Avoid dining between noon and 1 PM, as the restaurants are quite crowded then. Usually, the 'Dagens rätt' is available until 2 or even 3 PM, so there's no rush. Having a substantial lunch can also save money, since restaurants often raise prices in the evening.

In northwestern Skåne, the area around the 188-meter-high Kullaberg captivates with its wild beauty. Located north of Helsingborg on a peninsula jutting into the North Sea, the area includes 1000 hectares of land and 300 hectares of water. While not a national park, it is a nature reserve.

During hikes, you can spot foxes, badgers, deer, and roe deer. There are also opportunities for climbing and grotto exploration at the cliffs. You can also go porpoise-watching, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Fun fact: If you watched the story of Nils Holgersson traveling through Sweden as a child or read the book, you already know Kullaberg. Together with the wild geese, Nils Holgersson experiences the annual gathering of all animals for the dance of the cranes at Kullaberg.

In central Sweden lies the province of Dalarna. The name translates to 'the valleys,' which reflects its wooded, hilly landscape. Since almost anything is possible here - hiking, swimming, skiing - the region is also called 'Sweden in miniature.'

There's also a superlative: With a drop of 93 meters, Njupeskär in the Fulufjället National Park is Sweden's highest waterfall - you can even take a waterfall safari here, walking past several waterfalls in the region.

In Dalarna, you also find the answer to a question many tourists have about the red houses. The red color typically used to paint the houses is called Falu Red. The rusty red hue is officially named 'Falu Rödfärg' and contains pigments from the Falun copper mine. In the 17th century, this was Sweden's most important industrial region. Today, along with the workers' quarters and the industrial landscape of Kopparbergslagen, the copper mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Many tourists head to the islands of Gotland and Öland off the east coast in summer. However, the island of Tjörn off the west coast of Sweden is considered a hidden gem. The country's sixth-largest island is nestled in a charming archipelago and boasts a great backdrop of distinctive red and yellow wooden houses with blue pennants.

On the western coast of Tjörn, the fishing village of Skärhamn is worth a visit. Here, you can explore an excellent watercolor museum. A bridge connects you to the island of Klädesholmen, known as the 'Herring Island.' Once home to a fish cannery, today you can visit a museum about it. Outdoor activities on Tjörn are also great, especially kayaking or canoeing, which are highly popular.

Sweden is a dream destination for camping enthusiasts. Across the country, you can pitch your tent at around 400 campsites. And that's not all: Sweden practices Allemansrätt - the Right of Public Access. This law allows everyone to freely roam in nature and explore the country's beauty.

This applies to camping too. Thanks to the Right of Public Access, you can decide freely where to camp in Sweden. The only exceptions are fields and private gardens, and you must keep a certain distance from residential houses. Otherwise, wherever it's not explicitly prohibited, you're free to camp in Sweden.

If you want to experience Sweden's most remote side, you must venture to the sparsely populated north. Sweden has 22.6 inhabitants per square kilometer (compared to Germany's 226.7); in Swedish Lapland, it gets really quiet with just about two people per square kilometer.

Of course, the northernmost region of Sweden is unique and enticing with two major highlights: the Northern Lights in winter and the Midnight Sun in summer.

Both natural phenomena are renowned worldwide and popular among tourists, but the remote location ensures you can always find some peace. Kiruna is the perfect destination. From here, you can hike the five-kilometer 'Midnight Sun Trail' and immerse yourself deeply in the region.

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