Sweden is a country where visitors can encounter unspoiled nature, world-class museums, fascinating history and beautiful cities and towns.
One of the best things to do in Sweden is to visit the country's stunning castles and palaces. Stroll through Stockholm's massive Royal Palace or take a day trip to fairy-tale Drottningholm Palace on Lovo island.
Visby
As the only city on Gotland, Visby is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is surrounded by medieval walls that preserve an assemblage of ruins and other historical buildings.
Aside from the ruins, there are plenty of things to do in and around this beautiful Swedish town. You can go hiking and visit nature reserves, lounge on pristine beaches and eat delicious food.
During the summer, most tourists flock to the island to enjoy the sun and warm waters. However, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are also a great time to see this Swedish paradise without the crowds.
For breakfast or fika, head 20 minutes north of Visby to Sjalso bageri, a craft bakery with stone-baked sourdough bread and mouth-watering cinnamon buns. The restaurant is run by two Stockholm expats who have moved to the island.
Lund
If you want to experience the best of Swedish culture, Lund is a great place to start. Here you will find a wide range of interesting cultural attractions that will keep you busy for hours.
The city centre is full of unique shops, cafes and fascinating museums. You can also enjoy walking down old cobblestone streets or cycling around the city on your own bike.
Another attraction is the Botanical garden. It has a collection of eight hectares that are filled with beautiful plants.
You can learn about new species of flowers and plants at this green oasis. There is also a cafe by the pond that you can stop by and relax in.
Lund is also known for its second-hand shopping, which you can enjoy at a variety of garage sales, pop-up shops and loppis (second-hand stores) located all over the city. Besides, the city is surrounded by scenic plains, enchanting beech forests and golden canola fields.
Birka
During the Viking Age Birka was an important trading center in the north of Sweden. Located on Bjorko Island in Lake Malaren, it was a place where traders could buy goods from all over Europe and the Orient.
A rich archaeological site of about 2,000 burial mounds and monuments was discovered in the 1980s on the island, which is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. The excavations also revealed that Birka was one of the first Christian congregations in Scandinavia, founded in 831 by Saint Ansgar.
Today Birka is an open-air museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated on a small island in a lake about 30 kilometers west of Stockholm.
A recent discovery on the shoreline of Bjorko Island has given archaeologists a glimpse of what a shipyard would have looked like during the Viking Age. Remains of jetties, boat launches and tools used in shipbuilding have been found on the island.
Stockholm
Stockholm is a beautiful, vibrant city that offers a number of attractions. Whether you’re looking for a day out in nature, want to learn more about Sweden’s rich history or simply have fun, there’s something for everyone.
If you’re a museum lover, you’ll love a visit to one of Stockholm’s most famous museums, the Vasa Museum. This is the most visited museum in Sweden, and it’s worth a visit for its unique exhibitions.
Another museum to check out is the Modern Art Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of contemporary and modern art works. It features paintings, sculptures, and photos from some of the most renowned artists in the world.
You can also take a trip to the cemetery, which is a popular spot for weddings and funerals. The place has glass mosaics, an outdoor chapel, and a crematorium.
