1. To the beach – in Malmö
Swedes don't have a Riviera, but they have Malmö. The sandy beach Ribban, also known as Ribersborg, stretches for over two kilometers along dunes, green lawns, and parks.
Another nearby attraction is the Västra Hamnen district, “Western Harbor,” ideal for a summer stroll along the coastal piers past a palisade of boats and yachts where their owners sunbathe. The surrounding neighborhoods are interesting for their bold modern architecture. They were built in the early 2000s, ahead of the European building exhibition “Bo01” (“City of the Future”). This urban planning project was based on the principles of environmental friendliness, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.
Today, local cafes and restaurants are bustling with life all summer – and from here it's just a five-minute bike ride to the historic center of Malmö.
2. To the summer cottage outside the city
Sweden has about 600,000 summer houses. Every second Swede vacations in one – in their own cottage, with relatives, or friends. Traditionally, the southern provinces of Småland, Skåne, and Öland are considered favorite summer cottage destinations. However, you can rent a summer cottage (sommarstuga) in any corner of the country.
Dutch, Danes, Norwegians, Germans, and other vacationers have already discovered the charm of the Swedish countryside. If a Swedish-style vacation is in your plans, renting a red wooden house is the most authentic scenario.
3. On the way to Gotland
In summer, a good half of Stockholm finds refuge on the island of Gotland. In the medieval city of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the cobblestones of ancient alleys and fortress walls serve as backdrops for trendy restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Five minutes by ferry – and you're on the neighboring island of Fårö, the domain of Swedish film classic Ingmar Bergman, where he lived until his death in 2007. Along the northern coast of Fårö, bizarre boulders are picturesquely perched. They are called “raukar” – these limestone sculptures are carved by nature itself.
Both Fårö and Gotland are famous for their flea markets. But more on that later.
4. Light up at a music festival
Summer in Sweden is the season of music festivals. The most popular is Way Out West, also known as WOW, which gathers about 30,000 guests in Gothenburg for a few days in August. The city park Slottsskogen simply cannot accommodate more.
WOW has been awarded an MTV prize as “The Most Innovative Festival in the World.” Since 2012, for example, thanks to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, only vegetarian dishes are served here. The festival organizers are proud: they have managed to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent.
The Swedish Railways (SJ) also contribute to environmental protection: during Way Out West, a special festival train runs between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Among other things, WOW is the largest open-air in Europe with a combined music and film program.
5. To the archipelago!
Sweden on the map is a scattering of islands, lakes, and skerries. The main archipelagos, Stockholm and Gothenburg, are a stone's throw from the center of each of the two largest cities. Whichever pier the ferry takes you to, you can transfer to a yacht or kayak everywhere – and Swedes know a thing or two about both.
Thanks to the country's Allemansrätten – the right of public access to natural areas – you can drop anchor almost anywhere. There are plenty of available boats, yachts, and pleasure craft. In terms of their number per capita, Sweden ranks fourth in the world.
6. Fall in love with summer Stockholm
Stockholm is spread over 14 islands lying between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren – a more beautiful location cannot be found. Officially, the capital has thirty places where you can swim and sunbathe. Wild beaches in the area are countless.
In summer, residents swim, fish, and sunbathe wherever they please. For example, on the crystal-clear Lake Mälaren, thoroughly cleaned back in the 1970s. Or on the cliffs of Södermalm island: during the white nights season, a barbecue with captivating views of the Old Town is the perfect way to welcome Saturday.
7. Berry picking in Dalarna
Of all Sweden's provinces, Dalarna is perhaps the very embodiment of serenity. The local scenery includes all of postcard Sweden. Red wooden houses, dense forests – and, of course, the most folk Swedish toy, the Dalecarlian horse. The famous handicraft flourished in Dalarna since the 17th century, as did the ancient copper mines near the town of Falun. Besides copper, Dalarna craftsmen also mined ochre from local mines. They mixed it with linseed oil and applied it to wooden horses.
Already in the 19th century, artists Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn brightened the usual palette with vivid colors. Red horses in cheerful patterns still embody the peasant spirit of Dalarna. This quintessentially Swedish region is probably the best place to get acquainted with Swedish folk music and to celebrate Midsummer – the festival of the summer solstice. If folk festivities get boring, there are always deep forests and a berry basket nearby.
8. To the flea market for treasures
Venturing outside the city in Sweden, sooner or later you will inevitably come across roadside signs “loppis” and “loppmarknad.” Both indicate a flea market. It may well be that these will be the two most important Swedish words for you – especially if you are traveling by car. For many Swedes, these rural flea markets have become akin to a separate sport.
In one village, grandmother's belongings are swept away right in the middle of the garden beds; in the next, a former barn has been turned into a junk shop. However, that's not the main thing: in a heap of old possessions, you might stumble upon empty junk, or you might find an antique treasure. That's the thrill of a true treasure hunter. But even if lively trading is not for you, it's worth visiting for the inevitable Swedish "fika" – a cozy coffee get-together.
9. For adventures on the High Coast
The geographical name Höga Kusten translates from Swedish as "High Coast." On this coast, it truly takes your breath away. This winding stretch of the Gulf of Bothnia coast was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its stunning landscapes – and not only that. Forested hills, cliffs, and countless islands – everything here literally rises from the water: since the last ice age, these areas have risen an average of 800 meters. Although even Swedes, indifferent to the mysteries of geology, come to this remote region in the east of the country for adventures: mountain hikes, rock climbing, or rafting on lakes and fjords.
You can take, for example, the Högbonden hostel in a former lighthouse as a starting point. In addition, Höga Kusten is the birthplace of the strangest Swedish delicacy – surströmming, that is, canned fermented herring. True, it's not certain that after smelling an opened can, you will rush to try this dish.
10. Admiring the midnight sun
The farther north you go, the lighter the Swedish nights in summer. Beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun does not leave the sky for a full 56 days – from May 25 to July 19. The deserted regions in the Swedish north usually warm up to acceptable +15 degrees during the warm season, but sometimes even to +30 degrees of heat.
Advice for hikers: in the northernmost areas of the Norrbotten province, where the taiga gives way to forest-tundra, the landscapes are more rugged, and there are far fewer mosquitoes. Instead of staying in a hotel, you can rent a private house by the road or pitch a tent. If you've already heard about the northern lights, why not see the midnight sun?
Based on materials from Sweden.ru