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Travel guide

Sweden holidays: a travel guide for UK visitors

A capital built on fourteen islands, deep forests and a thousand miles of Baltic coast — Sweden blends cool, walkable cities with vast, calming nature.

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Why visit Sweden

Sweden rewards travellers who like their cities elegant and their landscapes wide open. Stockholm spreads across an archipelago of islands, its old town of Gamla Stan a maze of ochre façades and cobbled lanes, ringed by water that ferries glide across all day. Inland lie endless pine forests, glassy lakes and the design-led calm that Sweden has exported to the world. Many travellers arrive by ship, on Baltic cruises that thread the Stockholm archipelago, or pair Sweden with Denmark and the Baltic capitals on a single voyage.

Best time to visit

June to August offers the warmest, longest days, when Stockholm’s waterside terraces come into their own and the far north enjoys the midnight sun. May and September are quieter and still agreeable, while winter is cold and dark in the south but opens up snow, ice and the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland.

Top things to do in Sweden

  1. 1

    Explore Stockholm and Gamla Stan

    Sweden’s capital is a city of islands and bridges, with the medieval old town of Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace and the remarkably preserved Vasa warship its standout sights — most within a short walk or ferry hop of the cruise quays.

  2. 2

    Cruise the Stockholm archipelago

    Some 30,000 islands and skerries scatter east of the city, dotted with red-painted summer cottages. Sailing through them is one of the great pleasures of a Baltic cruise, whether on your ship or a local boat trip.

  3. 3

    Embrace Swedish design and nature

    From the boutiques and galleries of Stockholm’s Södermalm to the forests and lakes just beyond the cities, Sweden pairs clean, modern style with easy access to wide-open, restorative landscapes.

The cheapest Sweden holidays right now

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Sweden travel questions

When is the best time to visit Sweden?
June to August is the prime season, with the warmest weather and the longest days for enjoying Stockholm and the coast. May and September are quieter alternatives, while winter suits Lapland, snow activities and the Northern Lights.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Sweden?
No. UK passport holders can visit Sweden without a visa for tourism and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What currency does Sweden use?
Sweden uses the Swedish Krona (SEK), not the Euro, despite being an EU member. It is one of the most cashless societies in the world, so cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere.
Is Sweden expensive to visit?
Sweden is on the pricier side for Europe, especially for restaurants and alcohol. Self-catered picnics, free museums on certain days and Stockholm’s excellent public transport help keep everyday spending in check.
Do they speak English in Sweden?
Yes, very widely and to a high standard. English is taught from an early age, so visitors rarely need any Swedish to get by in cities, on excursions or aboard ship.
How many hours ahead is Sweden compared with the UK?
Sweden is one hour ahead of the UK on Central European Time, and adjusts for daylight saving on the same dates, so the one-hour difference applies throughout the year.
Is Sweden safe for tourists?
Sweden is a safe and welcoming destination with low crime overall. Take the usual care with valuables in busy areas such as Stockholm’s central station, and you are very unlikely to have any trouble.
Do I need a travel adaptor for Sweden?
Yes. Sweden uses Type F sockets at 230V, so a standard European travel adaptor will fit your UK three-pin plugs. UK devices work fine on the local voltage.
Which Swedish ports do Baltic cruises visit?
Stockholm is the headline port and a common Baltic turnaround city, with Gothenburg, Visby on Gotland and Helsingborg appearing on some Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Sweden?
Yes, in the far north. Swedish Lapland, around Abisko and Kiruna, is one of Europe’s best places to see the aurora on clear winter nights, well above the Arctic Circle.

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