Sweden, formally known as the Kingdom Of Sweden, is an absolute dream destination for nature lovers, with its visibly stunning natural landscapes, crystal-clear lakes and vibrant cities. With about 60% of its territory covered by forests, and the country containing more than 260,000 islands and over 100,000 lakes, Sweden is definitely an awesome country to visit for every travel enthusiast.
Sweden attracts millions of tourists from around the world every year, making the country a top tourist destination in the world. Besides picturesque natural landscapes, multicultural society and incredible wildlife, Sweden has many other unique features that pique the interest of every traveler. So now, let’s check out 6 such exceptional aspects of the Nordic country Sweden.
Table of Contents:
- Captivating Nature and Diverse Wildlife
- Stunning Landscapes
- Friendliness of the Locals
- Enriched history and Vibrant culture
- Unique Traditions and Rich Heritage
- Classic Swedish Foods
- Related Posts
1. Captivating Nature and Diverse Wildlife
If you’re passionate about nature and wanna explore nature to the fullest, Sweden would be, without any doubt, the perfect place for you. The country is filled with thousands of attractive Islands, clear refreshing lakes, soothingly green nature, and huge areas of forests which never fail to impress any of the travelers visiting Sweden. Ranging from the numerous pleasant lakes, rivers, islands, and wonderful waterfalls to the National parks flushed with serenity and pristine wilderness, Sweden can easily become one of your favorite places to visit on Earth.
The Stockholm Archipelago is an exceptionally beautiful place, with over 30,000 Islands within it. Exploring these islands, some of which are named Moja, Grinda, Arholma,etc, by boat or Kayak is one of the best fun things to do in Sweden.
One of the greatest sights of nature to be seen by human-eye is considered to be the Northern Lights. These glorious greenish-blue Northern Lights, known as the Aurora Borealis can be seen from the Abisko National Park in Swedish Lapland. These surreal clear night-sky Northern Lights can be enjoyed from Kiruna and Jokkmokk besides Abisko too, during Winter usually from September- March.
In this same place, you can experience 24-hour sunlight above the Arctic Circle and this natural phenomenon is called The Midnight Sun. This magnificent natural view can be seen during summertime, usually between May 27 to July 18.
Apart from the Northern Lights, Abisko National Park is an awesome place to witness nature in its best form. The park’s lively vegetation and charm is also another attraction for tourists.
One of the oldest national parks of Europe, Sarek National Park, is another amazing example of Sweden’s natural charm. It attracts many tourists and outdoor enthusiasts for its mountains’ rugged beauty, deep valleys, glaciers and serene rivers. There are almost 30 such parks all over the country that provide this type of tranquility and natural bliss among people from home and abroad.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the High Coast of Sweden( Hoga Kusten), is the world’s highest coastline with a height of 286 meters above the sea level.The picturesque islands , deep green forest, the woods, river valleys, including the white sandy beaches in the south and the bare cliffs in the north, all of these parts of this place is an indicator of the extraordinary scenic beauty of this location.
Now if we speak of animals, Sweden is home to incredibly diverse wildlife. From bears, reindeers and wolves to the Swedish moose, Arctic fox and Lynx, you’ll find no scarcity of wildlife amusement here.
Sweden’s most well-known animal can be easily considered the iconic Eurasian Elk, commonly known as the Swedish Moose, which also happens to be the national animal of Sweden. With over 100,000 mooses sprawling across the country, we can surely find them very easily. The best option would be the wild areas and forests of Smaland where various types of moose are seen regularly by tourists and other visitors. Other than that, these exclusive creatures can be observed in Gothenburg, Uppsala and Moose Parks in Smaland. You can even join Moose safaris to explore these fantastic animals satisfactorily.
Scandinavian Wolfs are a beloved species of wild animals and a notable part of the wildlife in Sweden. Wolverines are a rare species in Sweden but they are strikingly famous as a splendid part of the Swedish wildlife. These Wolves are mostly found in the Southern part of central Sweden, as in the counties of Dalarna, Vastmanland, Orebro, etc and wolverines in the remote areas of mountainous regions of Sweden and in the south of the forest areas in Dalarna and Halsingland.
Over 2,600 bears are residing in the northern part of Sweden as a preserved species. The Swedish Brown Bear is the largest predator and omnivore of Sweden’s ecosystem and it mainly exists in the northern half of Sweden.
Europe’s largest wild feline, the Lynx happens to be the 3rd most common large predator of Sweden. Its main features include shyness, elusiveness, remaining active mainly at night and having a number of similarities with domestic cats. This unparalleled creature is called the ‘Tiger of the North’ and is the only Wild feline predator found in Sweden and the Nordic Lands. Though these insidious Lynx exist in many regions of Sweden, they are more commonly available in central and northern Sweden and also in the counties of Smaland, Halland, Sormland and Uppland.
The Fox of Sweden are actually alluring for their wise nature, intelligence and extreme cold tolerance. The Arctic Fox is one of the most well-known species among foxes and also reportedly a highly endangered mammal of the country. These elusive omnivores’ habitat is mostly in the tundra areas of the northern hemisphere, mountains of North-western Sweden and the upland areas of Jamtland, Norrbotten and Vasterland. Another cunning omnivorous species is the Red Fox, which is a widespread canid in the Northern Hemisphere. These adaptable animals are extensively found in the northernmost forest areas and the southern villa garden.
Reindeers are highly famous animals of Sweden excessively found in the northern regions like the Swedish Lapland. There are special traditional Sami villages here where you can enjoy the historical and cultural diversity of the indigenous Sami people and their huge herds of reindeers. Reindeers are found grazing freely in the northern forests of Lapland and also seen in the Abisko National Park, Jokkmokk and Kiruna.
There are Nordic animals called Otters living by the river in Northern Sweden and also currently found in the Southern side. The European Otter is a member of the Weasel family found throughout Sweden and are excellent swimmers with a playful nature.
European Beavers, also called the engineers of woods, are important rodents that play big roles in the ecosystem. This native species has amazing dam-building capabilities and can create useful wetland habitats for wildlife. Beavers are mostly found in the rivers, lakes, wetlands and streams of Central Sweden.
Wild Boars have an 8,000 years old history in Sweden. These bears are very commonly sighted in the southern and central parts of Sweden, including Skane and Sodermanland. These social omnivores are now even more available than Elk, having a population of over 300,000. These boars sometimes cause damage to crops and forests, but they are still considered a segment of the Local fauna of Sweden.
Sweden is a country which is suitably known as the land of birds as it has over 500 species of diverse birds in the country’s ecosystem. Many of these eye-catching birds create fascination in the hearts of the observers. There are tons of such uncommon birds to see around Sweden which include the national bird of Sweden, the Common Blackbird and also the Eurasian Magpie, European Robins, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Jay, Grey Heron, Blue Tit, Golden Eagle, House Sparrow, Bullfinch, Eurasian Blackcap, Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch and many more. Most of these strikingly attractive aves can be found in forest areas, parks and gardens with utmost ease.
The Wood Pigeon is the largest pigeon species found in Sweden and are commonly seen in areas with lots of trees. Flocks of these pigeons are found flying across the rural areas and cities also.
The notable Common or Eurasian Blackbird is an extremely territorial species which feeds on insects, worms and berries. They are sighted in the lawns, fields, gardens, hedged farmland and parks.
Magpies are a very special kind of species with a beautiful color combination of black,white and blue and have the amazing ability of mimicking human words. You can catch a sight of these wonderful birds in the cities, gardens, parks, local fields and in the countryside.
Willow Warbler is another widespread common bird of Sweden. It’s a small, carnivorous bird which was one of the first migratory birds to enter the country. This species can mimic songs of other birds incredibly, which makes the bird a versatile singer breed.
The Abisko National Park has preserved over 80 species of these eminent birds in their conservatory, making it super easy to view and explore lots of unique bird species of the country all at a time at the same place. So for a naturalistic experience of the wildlife and the exploration of manifold birds keeping up with time, budget and energy, Sweden can be considered, without any hesitation, a wonderful destination for every nature and wildlife devotee out there.
2. Stunning Landscapes
Along with Sweden’s amazing nature and naturalistic features, the country also offers tons of visually attractive landscapes and top-notch locations with authentic fascination.
The two big islands of Sweden, Gotland and Oland are both rare forms of scenic beauty. Situated in the Baltic Sea, both islands offer wonderful views of natural landscapes.
Gotland is mainly a summer island and has a number of visibly gorgeous views which include the rough limestone cliffs, serene countryside and some of the coolest beaches in the world! With its wonderfully designed Visby Town being awsanother UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Viking-era wonder, Gotland is surely worth a visit. Moreover, there’re amazing sea stack meadows and a coastline lined with sandy beaches which makes the location nothing less than a paradise island.
Oland, the second largest island of Sweden is home to magnificent archaeological findings dating from 8000 B.C . The place is packed with mesmerizing views and landscapes of beaches, uniquely built windmills, old fishermen villages, great biosphere reserves and ancient castles. With vast lush green forests, uneven cliffs along the Stone Coast (Stenkusten) and diversified wildlife, the whole region’s dormant charm is favored even by the Swedish Royal Family as a fitting summer destination. This island is 137 km off the east coast of Sweden. One of its main attractions would be the ‘Stora Alvaret’, which is a footing of exposed limestones and even it has been enlisted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This enchanting Island surrounded by beautiful outskirts is connected to the Kalmar County on the Swedish mainland by Oland Bridge and is accessible and visibly attractive to all.
Swedish Lapland is an abode of peace which lets you have the chance of inhaling the finest air of the world! Not only that, but it also offers an opportunity to explore the supreme scenic attractiveness and untouched natural wilderness of the lapland that borders Norway to the west and Finland to the east. The region is an enchanting mixture of wonderful landscape sightings, tempting wild animals, season wise amusement and the unique Sami Culture and traditions. The Swedish Lapland renders different kinds of pleasurable experiences and amusements in different seasons maintaining its diverse existence. The northern European Region within the Arctic Circle exhibits its glorious natural landscapes through the multiple glaciers,archipelagos, marshes, pristine rivers, lakes, high mountains, naturalistically enriched large national parks and vast, uninhibited terrain. Most parks out of the 29 national parks in Sweden, Including Abisko and Sarek national park, are located in the region of Lapland, the place of endless natural glamor. The magical Northern Lights in Winter, the Glorious Midnight Sun in Summer, the gorgeous town of Kiruna, captivating nature reserves and the highest mountain peak of Sweden ‘Mount Kebne’, all are fantastic options to satiate your curiosity of exploring the vast expanses of nature and the wonderfully crafted landscapes which can only be viewed from the Swedish Lapland in the whole earth. Even the graceful movement of unique wild animals like reindeers, brown bears, mooses, Golden Eagles, wolves & wolverines in the middle of serene fields and mountains dignify majestic landscapes and create a scenery which seems aesthetic to human-eye. The indigenous Sami people and their special customs along with their world-famous traditional reindeer herding practices across the mountains are something to peak your interest at every turn.
3. Friendliness of the Locals
The Swedish people and their humbleness is what makes everyone’s visit to Sweden the most wonderful experience of their life. Swedish people are considered to be extremely humble to foreigners, egalitarian in nature and reserved in concerned situations. Swedes are also known to have a strong sense of integrity. The extent of their politeness and hospitality has the ability to transform even the most ordinary journey of yours into an unforgettable memory. The local people are especially kind and cheerful towards strangers and strongly support social equality and honesty. They harbor deep faith in the word ‘Lagom’ which means not too much, but not too less, just the right amount. Even their perception of life and appreciation towards their nature and country is undeniably profound. The Swedish locals never take kindness and favors for granted and bragging is something absolutely unacceptable for them. Though Swedish people may seem a bit too reserved and shy at times, they shower you with affection, care and friendly behavior the moment you get familiarized with them. In every part of Sweden, you’ll find super-friendly locals to help you move around the area and guide you throughout your journey. These people even speak in a low, soft tone which will certainly attempt to spread warmth and calmness in your heart. Their great sense of humor is another means to keep you engaged and in a light mood all the time. Most of all, they greatly value national unity, the countryside, their connection to the nature and mainly, their nation and its people. The presence of these exemplary qualities and values makes the people of this country so special and diverse that all those coming to see this country cannot but be stunned by their goodness. Such fascination continuously forces them to come back here just to feel that warmth and affection again.
4. Enriched History and Vibrant Culture
With Vikings being a major part of the history of Sweden, the country also has an enriched history of advancing into a highly developed and peaceful country from a land full of poverty,reluctance and barrenness. The history of Sweden dates back to the prehistoric times, when the existence of humans was first revealed in the Stone Age. Till then, a number of events, including the recognition of Sweden as a combined Christian Kingdom during the 11th and 12th century, establishment of Kalmar Union in 14th century and the Swedish Empire in 17th century, the remarkable Treaty of Hamina between Sweden and Russia in 19th century and the adoption of free- marketing policies during the 19th and 20th century molded the country into a major, wealthy European Power. Sweden continued forming a rich history and growing economically and by the end of 1960s, the country emerged as the richest country of Europe after Switzerland.
Sweden has a distinct culture consisting of various exciting elements like music, art, dance, design, literature, fashion, customs,culinary diversities, religious practices, local festivals and traditions,etc. Some main features of Swedish culture include the significance of human rights, social equality, welfare and sustainability and these concepts are implemented in their well-developed social welfare system as well. More importantly, the concepts of ‘lagom’( the moderate way), self-reliance and modesty are the main foundation of Swedish Culture. In Swedish culture, they deeply value even simple acts of courtesy like removing shoes before entering someone’s house, warmly welcoming tourists and foreigners and giving them a tour of their area on their first visits, offering drinks and snacks to guests and maintaining politeness while eating with guests, etc. Each of these impressions influence the country’s architectural design, people’s communication style and culinary palate.
5. Unique Traditions and Rich Heritage
Swedish people like to immerse in fun and thrilling festivals and celebrations all round the year. The most iconic of such celebrations is taken to be the Midsummer Eve which is the celebration of Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. This traditional festival is celebrated every year on a Friday that falls between 19 June and 25 June. The entire day of the Midsummer Eve remains packed with preparations and arrangements of the day’s blast and festivities. Everyone spends the day enjoying lots of fresh tasty foods, playing various types of fun games, picking a variety of flowers, making flower wreaths, singing and dancing to traditional folk songs, and much more to encounter and feel. The key element of the celebration is regarded to be the dance performance around a maypole and decorating the maypole with various colorful flowers.This festival would be an awesome opportunity for you to experience some real thrill and fun in a diverse culture with diverse people.
A mentionable part of Swedish culture is a popular tradition named ‘Fika’ which is highly prioritized by the Swedish locals. Fika is a concept in which you have to make some time to take a break and enjoy some snacks like a cup of coffee and cake or pastries. But it’s not just about enjoying some coffee and snacks, rather it’s more about making time for family and friends and socializing with people in the society over some coffee and snacks. It’s more about a person’s daily refreshment and necessary socialization.
The biggest festivity of the year, the Christmas Eve, is celebrated in Sweden on 24 December mostly. Whereas almost the whole world celebrates Christmas on 25th December, Sweden likes to walk one step ahead always. Everyone gets absorbed in preparing traditional family dinners, decorating houses and the Christmas tree gorgeously, and exchanging presents and greetings to each other. On this big day, distant relatives and families unite to pass the day cheerfully and perfectly with a sheer sense of reunion. Some people don’t even hesitate to plan skiing in the mountains or even go for long trips to the other side of the country just with a hope to spend the Christmas season as perfectly as it can be.
Another anticipated Swedish tradition is Saint Lucia’s Day, a Christian feast which is observed on 13 December to mark the death of martyr Saint Lucia and also the beginning of the Christmas season. For this celebration, young girls are generally chosen from different schools to play the role of St. Lucia enters a procession of young ladies in white gowns and green tiaras on their heads. The girl chosen as Lucia wears a beautiful white gown with a bouquet of flowers in her hands and a crown of lit candles on her head, symbolizing the arrival of light in the darkness with St. Lucia’s arrival. It’s a beautiful ceremony and a meaningful tradition in the culture of Sweden. So besides the midsummer eve in summer, visiting Sweden in winter opens the door of enjoying a bunch of other riveting festivities and vibrant traditions.
But other than these main traditional events, Swedish people arrange some other local celebrations too. Some of these include the notable Summer Crayfish Parties, Waffle Day, Easter Sunday, Cinnamon Buns day, Walpurgis Night and so on. Each of these distinct festivals symbolize the unique culture and traditions of Sweden and the vibrant touch of Swedish people’s outlook.
Sweden is home to a total of 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites which bear unending natural and cultural value to humanity. Among them, The Laponian Area or Laponia in Northern Sweden is the biggest world heritage site of the country. This is a unique place to visit in terms of its diverse natural wonders and profound culturally significant heritage.
10 km north of Lulea, you’ll find the Church Town of Gammelstad at the end of the Gulf of Bothnia. Gammelstad is one of the largest and oldest historical Church Towns in Sweden and an extraordinary UNESCO world heritage site. Sprinkled with more than 400 medieval well-preserved traditional red wooden cottages, enticing cathedrals & churches and wooden buildings with over 550 separate traditional rooms.
The eminent cultural heritage site, The Old Town of Visby, is a visibly exquisite spot showered with historical importance. The main attractions of this site are the medieval City walls, Visby cathedral, the Botaniska Tradgarden surrounded by ancient city walls, Gotlands Museum, medieval churches of Visby, Ruins of St. Nicholas Church and St.Karin cathedrals, etc. This historical site is a top destination for historical engrossment and visual appreciation for the place brimming with colorful houses and cobblestone streets.
The Royal Palace of Stockholm, the official residence of the Swedish King and Royal Family, is formally one of the largest and most enchanting palaces in the Whole Europe!
The palace is located in Gamla Stan, the historic Old Town of Stockholm. The Royal Palace, a place wrapped in regal history, is a top bucket list destination in Europe for every exploration addict. The majestic palace offers the chances of exploring the Royal Apartments, the Royal Chapel, and the Museum containing Royal costumes and Armory, ancient royal paintings, and even coronation carriages of the Royal Ceremonies.
Another marvelous world heritage site is the Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm, which is known as the Private residence of the Swedish royal family. This artistic site allows us to witness the 17th century’s historic Baroque architectural style. There are also other historically impressive castles that showcase the splendid historical architectural designs and artistic talents of ancient Europe. Kalmar castle is another such outstanding Castle in the province of Smaland, which was mainly built in the 12th century and was used as a fortress, royal residence and prison.
Located on the island of Djurgarden, the incredibly flourished Vasa museum is one of the most visited museums in Scandivania’s history. You can get to see a major segment of ancient history, the legendary warship Vasa in a well-preserved shape and structure still intact in this Museum. You can even get to see hundreds of other wooden sculptures and ancient antique ruins.
You can visit Skansen in Stockholm, world’s oldest open-air museum and zoo which demonstrates Scandivania’s enriched cultural heritage from the 19th century and lifestyle of Sweden in the pre-industrial period. Skansen consists of 190 museum buildings dating back to the 14th century and also a display of over 75 breeds of Scandinavian wild animals.
Gothenburg is a city upholding the immense historical and cultural significance of Sweden. This city is a brew of cultural heritage sites, historical buildings, ancient museums, art galleries, Gothenburg Museum of Art, Gothenburg Opera House, the iconic Haga district, Gothenburg City hall built in Beaux-Arts architectural style and many more historical heritages and interesting spots.
6. Classic Swedish Food
So far, you’ve accustomed yourself with the noteworthy facets to be known about Sweden. Now, it’s time to delve into the divergent yet fetishizing cuisine of the country. Alongside the rattling historical background, mind-blowing cultural traits and astonishing heritages, the nation competes in the branch of appetizing meals as well. Swedish dishes are a blend of savory eccentric culinary delights. The Meatballs, also called the Kottbullar meaning meat buns, is a thoroughly popular dish throughout Sweden. This surprisingly delicious food item is considered a national food in Sweden alongside lingonberries.Normally the meatballs are made from a mixture of beef and mork and are cooked with grated onions,butter or oil and some palatable spices like salt, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, etc. This mouthwatering dish is served with lingonberries, a brown creamy gravy on top of it, accompanied by a creamy utterly delicious meatball sauce. Pickled Herring is a must- have centerpiece in a Swedish meal . This pickled herring is served with breadcrumbs, boiled potatoes and some lingonberry sauce, and these combinations result in an absolute divine taste. Besides pickled herring, there are other fares like fried herring, herring salad and herring sandwich which are also unbelievably tasty main course meals. Gravlax is another flavourful marinated salmon dish, seasoned with salt and sugar and served with a kind of mustard sauce. This incredible Nordic recipe is a sensational, healthy, unique and delicious appetizer. A winter traditional Thursday dish prominent in the country is Swedish Pea Soup and Pancakes. The soft crepe-like pancakes are mostly served with sweet lingonberry jam and whipped cream. Pea soup made from dried yellow peas and seasonal brown mustard, along with meaty pork nuggets as toppings, is a much required desirable meal in Swedish society. Some exceptionally potato dishes are equipped to turn our hearts with their flavory traps. Potato Dumplings or ‘Kroppkakor’, potato pancakes called ‘Raggmunk’ are such savory dishes you cannot resist tasting. An everly famous regal indulgence is the traditional Swedish dessert, Princess cake [Prinsesstarta]. This Traditional exception is made of several layers of soft sponge cake, raspberry jam, pastry cream and toppings of fluffy whipped cream and some marzipan roses on top. This whole globe-shaped cake is covered in greenish marzipan. There are multiple other traditional savory Swedish foods and snacks including the Crayfishes, Crisp bread or ‘Knackebrod’, Baltic Herring, Pytt i Panna- a delicate comfort food made of leftover meats and potatoes, the weird traditional feast Blodpudding and traditional desserts like Kanelbullar, Semla, chocolate balls, Pepparkakor, and much more to taste and savor.
You can get to devour these outstandingly appetizing fares in any Traditional Swedish restaurant, Resort or cafes near you. Such eccentric taste and flavors can play a crucial role in expanding your palate, discovering new preferences and even broadening your cultural outlooks.
All these details and findings have been shared with a purpose of offering you a wonderful and memorable tour of your life. We’ve tried our very best to present the best features and one-time enjoyments packed in a Sweden tour that one can only imagine to discover at a single nation in a single visit. Every vivid imagination of a being can be made true in this land of heavenly wonders. So basically, there are indeed some Authentic and Logical reasonings behind Sweden being one of the Top Tourist Destinations in the whole World.
