Sweden
Europe · Stockholm · SE
Sweden is a country of long light and long dark, of pine forests rolling to the horizon and lakes that mirror the sky in near silence. Stockholm spreads across fourteen islands where narrow old town alleys give way to modern districts built on the water's edge. The sculpted west coast stacks fishing villages onto rocky outcrops while Gotland's medieval walled town of Visby turns golden in the late summer sun. Beyond the cities, Lapland stretches far above the Arctic Circle where reindeer herders still move with the seasons and the aurora borealis writes silently across winter skies. Forests give way to birch and tundra, and the waters teem with herring and dill-seasoned everything. Sweden rewards the patient traveller with saunas by the sea, cinnamon buns warm from the oven, and a quiet, orderly rhythm that seems almost designed for calm, unhurried reflection.
Overview
Sweden is a country in Europe. Its capital is Stockholm and the international dialling code is +46. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Swedish. Local currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Stockholm Arlanda Airport. We also list 1 city in Sweden: Stockholm.
Getting around Sweden
Sweden's rail network (SJ) is punctual and green: the high-speed link Stockholm–Gothenburg takes about 3 hours, and overnight trains reach Swedish Lapland in the far north (Umeå, Luleå, Norrland). From Copenhagen Airport across the Öresund Bridge, the train reaches Malmö in about 30 minutes.
In Stockholm, the Tunnelbana (metro) covers the city well, and the archipelagos of islands are served by ferries from the centre. Driving is on the right, tolls (Stockholm and Gothenburg congestion) are automatic by plate, and the Arctic roads (Riksväg 90, E4) demand winter tyres between November and April.
When to visit Sweden
May to August is the most popular season: white nights, long daylight, the archipelagos, and the Midsummer festival (around the third week of June), Sweden's great celebration. September brings autumnal colours and quieter cities. Winter (December–March) is dark but magical, with Christmas markets in Stockholm and northern lights in Swedish Lapland (Abisko is famous for clear skies).
For the aurora, visit Abisko or Kiruna between September and March on dark, clear nights. Sweden's weather is variable, so pack layers even in summer.
Eating and drinking
Swedish food moves from tradition to modern Neo-Nordic: herring (sill) in sour cream and dill at midsummer, meatballs with lingonberry jam and cream sauce, crayfish parties (kräftskiva) in August, and the classic fika — coffee and cinnamon buns — as a twice-daily ritual.
The "smörgåsbord" (buffet) and new Nordic restaurants in Stockholm and Gothenburg showcase the country's produce. Beer and snaps (aquavit) accompany toasts at traditional meals. Tipping is not required — service charges are included — but rounding up or leaving 5–10% for table service is appreciated.
Money and local customs
Sweden uses the krona (SEK), and it is largely a cashless society: cards (with contactless) and the Swish mobile payment app are accepted everywhere, with some cafés and kiosks no longer taking cash at all.
Swedes value equality, punctuality and personal space. Greeting with "hej" and using first names (even in formal settings) is normal. The right to roam ("allemansrätten") allows camping on uncultivated land with respect for privacy. Keep your passport at hand for accommodation registration, and quiet moments of silence in conversation are perfectly normal.
Compare hotels, cover your trip and stay connected.
- Capital
- Stockholm
- Currency
- Swedish Krona (SEK)
- Languages
- Swedish
- Calling code
- +46
- Internet TLD
- se
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Sweden.
Which nationalities can enter Sweden?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Sweden?
For the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina and Australia currently enter Sweden visa-free for tourism. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Sweden?
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, and the country sits in Europe.
What currency is used in Sweden?
You pay with Swedish Krona (SEK) in Sweden. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Sweden?
The languages we list for Sweden are Swedish. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Sweden?
The dialling code for Sweden is +46 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Sweden?
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) in Stockholm is the airport we cover for Sweden.
Which cities in Sweden do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Sweden: Stockholm (capital).