Looking for a vacation destination that will make the whole family happy?
Look no further than Sweden, which is known to be one of the happiest countries in the world. Aside from lifting spirits, Sweden is known to be one of the safest countries to travel to, and over 80% of the population speaks English (no need to worry about learning Swedish! Ha!). Sweden is a reliable, accessible, and upbeat destination for any family.
What time of year?
Though Sweden can be cold in the fall and winter, if you don’t mind a little snow, northern Sweden (Swedish Lapland) is beautiful. Towns like Luleå and Kiruna, are popular destinations in Lapland. Here, you can experience Lapland’s rich and unique culture, maybe go dog-sledding or reindeer tasting. You can also view the northern lights and even stay in an Ice Hotel. Average temperature for fall is 46 degrees, and 32 degrees in the winter.
Spring and Summertime are beautiful, boasting long days of sunlight. Sweden is an active place and nature is a big part of Swedish culture, 50% of Sweden is covered by forests, and it’s home to over 100,000 lakes and 24,000 islands throughout the country. Sweden’s public access laws make all of these areas accessible to the public…this means, incredible hiking, swimming, and exploring! Swedes love a good party! If you visit at the end of June, you may get to experience a Midsommar party (summer solstice party). And if you visit during the month of August and maybe you experience a Kräftskiva (Swedish crayfish party). The average temperature in the spring is 43 degrees and 60 degrees in the summer.
Where should I go?
Stockholm (Eastern Sweden), Gothenburg (Western Sweden), and Malmö (Southern Sweden), are the most populous cities. Although all three cities are magnificent (and, not to mention, easily accessible and affordable to and from each other via train!), Stockholm is the most well-known and offers so many diverse and engaging things to see and do.
Stockholm is an old city made up of 14 islands, which makes it one of a kind and breathtaking.
There are many wonderful neighborhoods to visit, for example, “Gamla Stan” (old town), is majestic and historic, dating all the way back to 1252! Not into history? No problem! Check out Södermalm, especially their SoFo district, where you can find creativity, fashion, and innovation. Spreaking of innovation, did you know that pacemakers, zippers, and oat milk were all invented in Sweden? Swedes also blessed us with Volvo, IKEA, H&M, Skype, Spotify, Saab, and Abosolut Vodka). Are the kids complaining? Head over to Gröna Lund, a giant amusement park in the middle of the city.
Gothenburg (or Göteborg to locals) is the second largest city, located on the west coast of the country.
This ultra-cool and walkable city is situated along a beautiful canal that opens up to the North Sea. Gothenburg has an amazing restaurant scene, where you can try räksmörgås (open-faced shrimp sandwich), köttbullar (Swedish meatballs), and lax med dillsås (salmon with dill sauce). Have a family member with a green thumb? The Garden Society of Gothenburg is a park that boasts amazing greenery and The Palm House (a greenhouse from 1878 that houses many exotic plants in a warm climate). Don’t forget to check out Stora Saluhallen, a big marketplace that has many little shops and cafes. It’s the perfect place to take a “fika,” a coffee and cake break… it is an essential part of every Swede’s day.
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden and located on the southern tip of the country.
It’s a hip, multi-cultural, and green city with a mix of modern and old-fashioned architecture. It’s a great biking city with an incredibly developed bike path, so rent some bikes and explore! Want a cultural experience in Malmö? Check out Ribersborgs Kallbadhus (Bath house). You can jump in the iced over ocean and then run into the steaming hot sauna…bathing suits not required. Malmö is a short train ride away from Copenhagen, Denmark. Want to visit two countries in one day? Hop on the train and take a ride over the Oresund Bridge (the longest road and rail bridge in Europe!).
Sweden is the perfect destination for a family who loves nature, clean and sustainable development, and coffee breaks!
Check out www.visitsweden.com, Sweden’s official tourism website, for more information and travel tips!
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