17 Things to know about Sweden before traveling there

Planning a trip to Sweden? You’re in for a treat. My first trip to Sweden was to Gothenburg which I absolutely loved.

Ever since that trip I’ve wanted to go back and explore more of Sweden. If you’re looking forward to a Sweden trip, here are some things to know about Sweden before traveling there.

We’ve since been on a trip to Malmö just over the bridge from Copenhagen and are making some exciting plans that involve Sweden for the future!

These Sweden travel tips are likely to make your trip go a whole lot smoother and avoid any awkward moments when traveling to Sweden!

Things to know about Sweden before your visit

Without trying to dredge up too many stereotypes about Sweden, I’ve included some things to know about Sweden below.

This includes a bit about the language, the food and some other facts that you might not have known.

Let me know if I’ve missed anything important from this list of what to know when travelling to Sweden!

1. English is widely spoken, but make some effort

While most Swedes you’ll meet can speak English, don’t just expect them to speak English to you and put in a little bit of work including how to say “hello” (Hej hej) and “thank you” (tack). It’s just the polite thing to do if you’re visiting another country.

However, it is nice to know that when travelling in Sweden you’re not going to struggle to ask questions when needed.

When I lived in Grenoble in France I had a Swedish housemate and she said she grew up watching English-speaking TV – which explained her perfect accent whenever we spoke English together. So don’t worry about it, but do learn a couple of phrases!

2. Cash isn’t always accepted

If you’re used to heading to the bank before taking a trip to get cash in the correct currency, don’t worry about doing so for your trip to Sweden. Though the currency is Swedish Krona, you won’t usually need to physically have it.

Many places throughout Sweden don’t accept cash and it’s not uncommon to see “cash not accepted” signs in bars and restaurants. All you’ll need is a card, such as Mastercard or Visa, that you can use abroad.

3. Don’t neglect the importance of the Vasa Ship

The Vasa Ship in Stockholm’s Vasa Museum is a matter of national pride.  It’s a warship that was built in the 17th Century and is regarded as one of the most impressive feats of engineering of the time.

Though it sunk on its maiden voyage, it was brought back up over 300 years later and has been restored to how you see it today. Despite the failure in its actual sailing, the restoration is impressive.

4. Enjoy the clean Swedish air

Sweden generally has very clean air and it’s considered to be among the best in the world!

5. Recycling is taken seriously

It’s not just the air that’s clean; Sweden has clean streets too! As an extremely environmentally conscious country (which I love!), Sweden takes recycling very seriously. Make sure you pay attention to the recycling regulations and recycle your waste in the appropriate bins.

Luckily it’s not hard as there are recycling bins throughout the towns and cities in Sweden.

6. The sun doesn’t really set in summer

You may have heard this one before, but if you’re visiting Sweden in the summer you’ll find the sun doesn’t really set. The sun rises around 3:30 am and sets after 10:30 pm.

It’s great for exploring in the summer months but the reverse is true in winter, with the sun setting and rising very late.

And, if you’re in the north of the country you can expect the sun to never set in summer, or not even rise in the winter!

7. Be prepared to enjoy fika

When it comes to what to know about Sweden, knowing about the tradition of fika is important. Fika is a favourite daily tradition in Sweden and one that I can wholeheartedly get on board with.

It’s where you get together with friends for a break involving coffee and sweet treats. A lot of people try and do this once a day and it’s a great way to make new friends (and eat delicious treats!).

8. There’s no need to wear flashy clothing

Sweden is a pretty casual country in many ways but especially when it comes to clothing. It’s not like London or Paris where you may find people dressed to the nines in fancy clothing.

In Sweden, things are done in moderation, from everyday clothing to late-night ​clubbing in Stockholm. Personally, this is a big plus for me, I’d much rather be in comfy clothing the entire time!

Sure, they’re stylish, but not over the top in anyway.

9. Swedish food doesn’t just mean Swedish meatballs

Yes, the meatballs are great but it’s not just about the meatballs when it comes to Swedish food. There are delicious pastries, stews, fish, lingonberries, and their famous pea soup. It’s delicious.

Many Swedish cafes also do great lunch deals with prices from 70-120 SEK (USD7.50 – USD13) which you should definitely try.

If you’re looking to visit Sweden on a budget, this is one thing you should remember when it comes to what to know when traveling to Sweden!

10. Vegetarians and vegans have nothing to worry about

On the subject of food, there’s plenty of vegetarian and vegan food on offer too; especially in the larger cities. You don’t even need to miss out on the meatballs as there are veggie-balls available in many restaurants these days.

The supermarkets are generally really well stocked for veggie and vegetarian stuff too. We found some great ones in Malmö.

11. Don’t only visit Stockholm

While Stockholm is the capital, it’s not the only place worth visiting in Sweden. I’d highly recommend Gothenburg too. Malmö, Lund, and Skåne in the south are great too.

And, if it’s northern lights and snowy scenes you want then head to the north like Swedish Lapland and the Arctic. Sure it’s cold, but it’s one of the best areas of Sweden to visit.

12. Buy your liquor early…

If you’re planning on buying some beers or wine to enjoy in your Airbnb or hotel, make sure you get it early. This is definitely one of the things to know before traveling to Sweden that many people aren’t aware of.

Alcohol stores tend to close early due to alcohol regulations so make sure you’re there before 6 pm on a weekday, or 3 pm on Saturday and they’re closed on Sundays. Don’t forget this as it’s one of the top Sweden laws to know for visitors.

13. …and be aware that it’s not cheap

Another item for things to know about Sweden before you go is that alcohol is not cheap. This includes whether you’re buying it in a store, or in a restaurant or bar.

14. Be sure to go island hopping

The Swedish archipelago is absolutely beautiful. Made up of thousands of islands, going island hopping is an absolute must-do in Sweden whether you’re visiting in summer or winter.

15. Sweden has mountains!

Not many people realize Sweden has mountains but it does. Though they’re mostly in the north of Sweden, you can find some beautiful mountains in this country. It’s not all lakes and forests!

You can also find some incredible backpacking and trekking routes in Sweden that take you out into the wilderness where you’ll see few people but plenty of beautiful scenery.

16. Yes, it is expensive

The thing you were probably well aware of when it comes to the things to know about Sweden that it’s expensive.

Hotels are expensive, food and drink can be expensive and activities can be too. But that’s not a reason not to visit.

If you’re prepared you can still find some budget-friendly places to stay, and there are cheap eats to be found too!

17. You can go skiing in Sweden

I always knew Sweden wasn’t a warm country, but I didn’t realize you could go skiing there, or that there are SO many places for skiing.

There are lots of ski resorts near Gothenburg, as well as Stockholm ski slopes.

There’s the ski resort of Åre in Sweden, and so many that look great and are far less crowded than ski resorts in the Alps.

Summing up things to know before going to Sweden

This list of things to know before visiting Sweden has covered things like typical costs, the alcohol rules that might seem a little strange if you’re coming from another country, and the Swedish culture and a few traditions that are important to Swedes.

If you’re traveling to Sweden soon, I’m excited for you as this is one of my favourite countries!

Last Updated on November 24, 2023 by Hannah