A little more
Sweden.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Sweden: what to know before you go

Sweden stretches from the island-strewn Baltic coast and southern farmland to Arctic Lapland, where the sun barely sets in summer and the northern lights fill winter skies. It suits design and food lovers in the cities, and anyone who wants lakes, forests and long-distance trails with a legal right to roam.

Where to go

• Stockholm. Built across 14 islands, with the cobbled lanes of Gamla stan, the Royal Palace, and the Vasa Museum, where a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage stands almost complete.
• Stockholm archipelago. Tens of thousands of islands spread east of the city, reached by ferries from the centre.
• Swedish Lapland. Abisko National Park is one of the best places in Europe to see the northern lights.
• Gothenburg. Sweden's second city, a relaxed port with canals, the Liseberg amusement park and a strong seafood tradition.

Best time to visit

June to August is the best time for most visitors: long days, warm weather, archipelago ferries in full service and Midsummer celebrations in late June. In the far north, the midnight sun shines for weeks around the summer solstice.

Staying online in Sweden

Mobile coverage is very good in cities, towns and along main roads and railways, with 4G across most of the country and 5G in larger cities. In the northern mountains, along parts of the Kungsleden and in remote forest areas, coverage can be patchy or absent, so download offline maps before hiking. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and on many trains. Because so many payments are digital, reliable data is especially useful. Sweden is in the EU; if you are visiting from outside it, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.