Sweden Map & highlights
Covering an area twice the size of Britain, a list of places to visit in Sweden combines unforgettable nature with unique human imprints. In the north, Lapland's fascinating Sami culture vies with Arctic wilderness lit by unending summer sun or auroral winter darkness. Central Sweden is a fairytale heartland of vast forests teeming with bears and elk, broken by clearings dotted with pretty wooden cottages. Coasts come dotted with fishing hamlets facing enchanting archipelagos: wild Saint Anna, lushly wooded Lulea. Rich history is everywhere: ancient stone circles, majestic medieval towns, rock art as old as the Pyramids.
1.
Bergslagen
2. Kiruna
3. Lulea archipelago
4. Mora
5. Saint Anna Archipelago
6. Skinnskatteberg
7. Sörmland
8. Stockholm Archipelago
9. Tyresta National Park
10. Vasterbotten
2. Kiruna
3. Lulea archipelago
4. Mora
5. Saint Anna Archipelago
6. Skinnskatteberg
7. Sörmland
8. Stockholm Archipelago
9. Tyresta National Park
10. Vasterbotten
Bergslagen
1. Bergslagen
This mineral-rich region north of Lake Malaren has been mined since before Christ - a history chronicled amid 750 km2 of wilderness by the world's largest open-air museum. Come today for wildlife riches amid vast forests dotted with lakes: seek out plentiful moose and beaver; listen for wolves; watch osprey pluck fish from secluded waters, while red squirrels enjoy arboreal heaven.
Kiruna
2. Kiruna
The northernmost town in Sweden is a gateway to the vast wilderness of Swedish Lapland. Exploring the rich indigenous Sami culture is a highlight of trips here, and so is spending a night at the famous Icehotel, but what may well prove the most memorable experiences are traditional activities such as ice fishing, husky sledding and perhaps if you’re lucky, seeing the Northern Lights.
Lulea archipelago
3. Lulea archipelago
Stockholm may have a larger island retinue but Lulea's 'mere' 1700 offer seclusion far from the capital's tourist throngs and R&R-ing city slickers. In summer, islands like Sandon, Junkon and Kluntarna have mainland ferry links, otherwise get paddling! Forage or fish, camp wild or cosy up in a clapboard cottage, swim or kayak, watch birds or just hang with the fishing folk on Hinderson.
Mora
4. Mora
A historic town situated in the heart of Sweden’s idyllic lake district, Mora sits between the northern shore of Lake Siljan and the southern shore of Lake Orsajon, and is a lovely spot to be based when touring picturesque lakeside villages, perhaps by bike. One of the country’s most famous artists, Anders Zorn, who painted three American presidents in his lifetime, lived here.
Saint Anna Archipelago
5. Saint Anna Archipelago
On Sweden’s Baltic eastern coast, the Saint Anna Archipelago is a mosaic of some 6000 islands and islets, most of them uninhabited. This is a simply beguiling destination for sea kayaking trips, with both guided and self-guided options available that involve wild camping on deserted beaches, and the chance to forage for ingredients to be prepared by the camp chef.
Skinnskatteberg
6. Skinnskatteberg
West of Stockholm, in central Sweden, Skinnskatteberg offers the chance to really get back to nature with a stay in an ecolodge surrounded by pine, birch and spruce. Expect the most basic of accommodations: outdoor compost toilets, no electricity, dips in the lake rather than showers, and certainly no Wifi. Camping doesn’t get much wilder than this.
Sörmland
7. Sörmland
Just to the southwest of Stockholm, the peaceful Sörmland province is the kind of place where families return for their vacations year after year. They can roam castles, nature reserves, lakes, forests and villages on bike, on foot or by canoe, all at their own pace and following itineraries organised with precision by expert locals.
Stockholm Archipelago
8. Stockholm Archipelago
The amazing thing about the Stockholm archipelago is that it begins just minutes outside the city. Here you can kayak, cycle and hike to your heart’s content around some 3000 islands, ancient castles and seaside communities. Pack a picnic lunch, hop aboard a steamboat, take a chilly dip in the Baltic and see how far you can get crossing suspension bridges from island to island.
Tyresta National Park
9. Tyresta National Park
The perfect place for day hikes outside central Stockholm, Tyresta National Park is an atmospheric wilderness composed of rare primeval forest. There are some 55km of marked trails around the park and the surrounding nature reserve. The silence is the first thing you notice, perhaps only broken by the call of a roe deer or a busy woodpecker at work.
Vasterbotten
10. Vasterbotten
Perfect for ecotourists looking for a secluded getaway, Vasterbotten in Swedish Lapland is a sublime all year-round destination, where you can experience the epic Swedish wilderness in style with a stay in a modern treehouse. A huge range of activities, from husky sledding to cross-country skiing across frozen lakes, would be right on your doorstep, if you had one.
Sweden activity vacation, Stockholm countryside
Multi-activity tour in Stockholm's picturesque countryside
From
SKr 10500
7 days
ex flights
Sweden vacations, Wolves, Moose and Beavers
Wildlife vacation in Sweden with full focus on large mammals.
From
€1750
5 days
ex flights
Sweden kayaking vacation
Solo travelers! Explore the Swedish Archipelago by kayak.
From
€1070
5 days
ex flights
Sweden self guided cycling vacation
Self-guided cycling in Stockholm's picturesque countryside
From
SKr 8535
6 days
ex flights
Northern Lights and wildlife vacation in Swedish Lapland
Winter glamping, wildlife, dogsledding and Northern Lights!
From
€2800
8 days
ex flights
Women only kayaking vacation in Sweden
All ladies kayaking journey full of know-how and inspiration
From
€1070
5 days
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Sweden or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Sweden travel times
More Sweden articles
The best time to visit Sweden and our cultural picks from the Sweden calendar.
Explore the trails in Sweden with tailor made tours more gentle than gung-ho.
Just a couple of hours from Stockholm and you can be in total wilderness.
Choose to see the Northern Lights in Sweden and you’re off to a good start.
The low down on preserving Sami culture and protecting woodland areas.
