Stylish and sophisticated Sweden – it’s the Scandinavian way. From the high standard of Stockholm living to the scenic coastline and countryside, Sweden is a country built on prestige and thriving on energy. Flights to Sweden during the summer feature an enchanting glimpse of the midnight sun, while winter flights to Sweden offer outdoor-enthusiasts some of the best mountain skiing and hiking in the world. Whether you’re headed to urban-Stockholm or historical Uppsala, the trip to Sweden will be a lasting memory.
The capital city Stockholm is a mecca of opportunity for visitors. Boasting high-tech businesses and top-rated restaurants, it’s no wonder the people of Stockholm exude class. Venture outside of Stockholm to one of the city’s 14 islands in the Baltic Sea. Thanks to its prime location, travelers booking flights to Sweden for a stay in Stockholm can board day cruises or trains to other areas of the country. Sweden is also revered for its natural beauty. Sweden’s west coast is made up of fishing villages, ancient Viking cities and a simpler way of life. Save room in your luggage when you travel through Sweden – you’ll want to bring some authentic Swedish glass work home.
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The climate in Sweden is milder than it should be (as far as its latitude is concerned). The Gulf Stream has a warming effect, and Norway shields Sweden from the worst of the weather. The south has a warm, temperate climate, although the weather in the south west of the country – from Gothenburg to Malmo – is influenced by the ocean. On the east coast, the Baltic Sea often freezes in winter (see trip skating, below) and is much colder. In the north, the climate is sub-Arctic.
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Peak season:
Sweden's location in Europe means very long days in summer and very short days in winter. The best time to visit Sweden is between June and August. North of the Arctic Circle, there are 24 hours of sun in midsummer and 24 hours of twilight in midwinter.
Sweden celebrates Midsummer, the summer solstice, in a big way. Walpurgis Night on April 30 is a night for lighting bonfires to ward off evil spirits. The feast of Saint Lucia the light giver, who fed famine-stricken Sweden centuries after her death, (so legend says) falls on December 13 and marks the start of Christmas.
Off season
There is no bad time to book flights to Sweden, but spring and fall see less travelers overall. If you plan ahead you're likely to find a cheap flight to Sweden and lower hotel rates.
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There are several airlines offering domestic flights. These include Skyways, SAS, Direktflyg, FlyNordic, Malmo Aviation and Gotlandsflyg.
The rail network is extensive. SJ is Sweden's largest railway company and offers inter-city trains and overnight sleeper trains. Other rail companies include Tagkompaniet, LINX, Connex and Inlandsbanan.
Swebus Express is the largest bus operator, which serves 300 destinations throughout Sweden.
Car rental is available at airports. The motorways and roads are well-maintained and it is possible to drive the length of the country.
For a different way of seeing the country, there is the Gota Canal, which has 58 locks and 47 bridges. It runs from Mem/Soderkoping on the Baltic Sea to Sjotorp at Lake Vanern. There are also ferries that run along the coast – the Stockholm archipelago, the islands of Gotland and Oland and the West coast.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from Stockholm (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Sweden.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Gothenburg | 0.50 | 6.00 | 4.30 |
|---|
| Malmo | 1.05 | 8.00 | 6.5 |
|---|
| Lulea | 1.15 | 20.00 | 15.00 |
|---|
| Mora | 1.00 | 6.00 | 4.30 |
|---|
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- From about November, the Baltic Sea freezes around the islands off the coast around Stockholm and the Swedes go skating. "Trip skating" is a very popular sport. Skaters can cover up to 125 miles a day. Less-experienced skaters should hire a local guide to take them onto the open ice.
- Gotland in the Baltic Sea is Sweden's largest island. Visby is the capital, considered to be the best-preserved medieval town in Scandinavia. It dates from the 10th century. Of most interest there is the ring wall that encircles the town and its “saints” ruins including St Mary Cathedral. In total, there are the ruins of 23 churches and abbeys. In August, Visby goes back in time to 1361 (when it was a powerful Hanseatic town) for the Medieval Week. During the week there are tours and talks, markets, mystery plays and a jousting tournament.
- Tanum in western Sweden is where you will find ancient rock carvings depicting men, ships and animals (including reindeer). The rock carvings are Unesco World Heritage sites and date from the Bronze Age. There is a famous rock in Vitlycke that is more than 23 feet high and 65 feet long.
- Dala Horses are the souvenir to bring back from Sweden. The small wooden horses, usually painted red with colorful harness and other details, hail from the province of Dalarna. Tourists can visit workshops there to see how the horses are carved and painted. The world’s biggest "Dalahast" stands near Avesta. Unveiled in 1989, it is 42 feet high.
- Abisko National Park is in Norrbotten County in the north. Things to see include the Abisko Canyon and Mount Nuolja, which can be scaled by chair-lift (runs year-round). From the mountain, tourists can experience the midnight sun between May 27 and July 18.
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Travelers must have all documents necessary for their next destination and passports or passport replacing documents must be valid at least three months beyond period of stay.
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U.S. citizens require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up to three months.
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