Thinking of spending your holidays in Sweden? Or already in Sweden and looking for a short break or weekend trip to discover somewhere new? Then you have come to the right place! Here are the 10 best holidays in Southern Sweden.
Sweden is a beautiful and diverse country with so many places to explore! It is the perfect destination for a short weekend away, whether you want a Stockholm city break, a relaxing spa weekend, a romantic few days costing up in a picturesque b&b or a hiking adventure! These weekend trips are perfect for travel from Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö or anywhere in between! The locations of all of these short breaks are in southern Sweden, specifically Skåne, Västra Götaland, Småland, Stockholm, with a small exception!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase through my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only do promote products and brands that I have used and like.
Here are the top 10 places for a weekend trip in Southern Sweden
A Spa Weekend in Smögen
Smögen is one of “the” summer destinations in Sweden! This is mostly because of its picturesque harbour, fresh seafood and great swimming spots! However, there is so much more to do in Smögen that makes it the perfect weekend away at any time of the year!
Stay at this cosy b&b run by a local, or Smögen’s Hafvsbad where you can combine your weekend away with some time in their beautiful spa! Hire bikes and explore the town, or cycle over the bridge to Kungshamn where you can hike a section of the Kuststigen!
Here are all my blog posts related to activities and places to visit in and around Smögen! It is one of my favourite places to go for a short weekend escape for so many different reasons!
Hiking in Mölle and Kullaberg
This area of Southern Sweden is known for its unique nature, with rocky cliffs and porpoises swimming around in the water. You can spend the weekend in Kullaberg Nature Reserve hiking, swimming and learning about nature in Naturrum. Spend the night in Mölle, walk around the little town admiring the houses and visit some of the great restaurants there! Or pitch a tent in Kullaberg Nature Reserve and wake up to the sound of birds and crashing ocean.
You can read my full guide to Mölle and Kullaberg Nature Reserve here! I have included tips on hiking paths, places to stay and things to do!
A City Escape in Stockholm
Stockholm is the perfect place for a short city break and one of the most popular options for holidays in Sweden! There are so many things to do there you will likely find that just one weekend away in Stockholm is not enough. You can spend the weekend exploring the old town and taking in views from the archipelago, enjoying the restaurant scene and visiting some of the cities oldest cafes, or taking in a bit of culture and history and some of the many museums! One of the best ways to see the whole city is to take the hop-on-hop-off bus tour which takes you to the most popular areas!
Make sure to take a trip out into the archipelago, visit the Vasa Museum (one of the best museums I have ever been to), visit the Fotografiska Museum, or take a walking tour around the popular area of Södermalm.
You can read my guide to spending the weekend on a Stockholm city break here!
A Cosy Weekend in Österlen and Ystad
Österlen and Ystad are two of my favourite areas to spend holidays in Sweden! Great places for a short break, I could also spend the whole summer wandering around this sleepy area of Skåne. I absolutely love the small-town feel of Österlen. The farm shops and cafes sprawl out into the countryside and there is such beautiful nature located so close by. There are so many different trips you can take here depending on your interests! Stay at Ystad Saltsjöbad and spend the weekend in the town enjoying the spa and the beach if you want a relaxing weekend getaway! Otherwier stay in the countryside and spend the weekend exploring! Visit places like Stenhuvuds National Park, Simrishamn and Ale Stenar for a slow adventure!
There are also great cycle paths and adventures to go on! If you enjoy hiking, you can also hike one of the most beautiful sections of the Skåneleden which runs along the south coast. A great way to do this if you’re not comfortable hiking alone is to go on a private tour with a guide, which includes accommodation and breakfast!
There are so many more things to explore in Ystad and Österlen so make sure to read my full guide for a short summer getaway here!
Hiking and Island Life in Gränna
Gränna, is the perfect place for a weekend trip to discover the authentic Sweden. This is a great holiday destination at any time of the year! This sleepy little town is home of the “polkagris” or candy cane and the town is filled with spectacular sweet shops. Gränna is located on the Vättern, Sweden’s second largest lake. From the ferry dock you can take a day trip out to the island of Visingsö where you will find castle ruins, cosy boutiques and a lot of farmland to explore! In the autumn, the people on Visingsö hold an Apple festival where they sell their apples and other crafts they have produced. You can hire bikes near the port and cycle around the island!
If you don’t want to head out into the lake, you can instead take a hike around Gränna! There are some amazing views of the town from the cliffs above, or you can walk to the nearby town of Röttle for a beautiful forest walk to a waterfall!
You can read more about Gränna and our perfect autumn weekend away there here!
Hiking in Båstad and Torekov
Båstad and Torekov are two towns located on another peninsula on the West Coast of Sweden and the perfect place for a short break. The area is known for its dramatic cliffs as you walk around Hovs Hallar Nature Reserve. You can spend the whole day hiking this track, or head to Torekov for lunch. The old fishing village is known for its fresh seafood and pretty coastal houses. Båstad, on the northern part of the peninsula, is a bigger town with a long beach perfect for spending a summer day on. You can head to Orangeriet Restaurang for lunch followed by dessert at Chocolaterian Norrvikens Trädgårdar and a swim at the Kallbadhusets on Skansenbadet!
Skiing in Sälen
Sälen is definitely a winter destination, but from the months of December – March it makes for the perfect weekend away! Sälen is a great ski resort located around 6 hours from Gothenburg! With all the soft powdery snow and a relatively long season, there is no wonder that skiing is one of the most popular holidays in Sweden. Sälen is a very well known destination for downhill skiing and cross-country skiing, with tracks for both beginners and advanced skiers! Arrive Friday afternoon and check in to your hotel, hit the slopes and end the day by the sauna with a nice cup of hot chocolate! Spend all of Saturday exploring another of the ski resorts in Sälen and then take a small trip out on Sunday before driving home!
You can read my guide to cross country skiing in Sälen here! I have included some of the best accomodation in this post – places we have stayed and loved!
Be Immersed in Sweden’s Natural Beauty in Kinnekulle
Kinnekulle is an amazing nature reserve located on the south of Sweden’s biggest lake, the Vänern. In the spring the landscape lights up with vitsippor, and the air is filled with the smell of wild garlic which grows bountifully around the area. In late May, the wild garlic starts to boom and the forests become something else. Kinnekulle is a great weekend away for a mix of hiking and visits to nice cafes and shops. You can hike the Kinnekulle trail, camp along the way, or drive around and hike small sections of the nature reserve. Make sure to visit Hellekis Säteri for lunch and stop off at Munkängarna to see the wild garlic!
This is one of my favourite places to take spend the holidays in Sweden! You can read my full guide to our spring weekend trip to Kinnekulle, Sweden here!
A short Spa break and Sweden’s Culture in Nääs
Nääs is a very small area around 30 minutes outside of Gothenburg. It is known for Nääs Slott, an old castle turned museum demonstrating the traditional ways of both house and garden upkeep. Across its big moat is Nääs Fabriker, an old factory turned spa, hotel with a boutique shopping gallery and some great cafes! You can spend the weekend cozying up in Nääs Fabriker, walking over to the castle or hiring canoes and paddling around its moat. Take a day trip to Jonsered’s Trädgården for lunch and walk, or hike down to Floda for an ecological, locally sourced lunch from Garveriet i Floda.
You can read about our day trip canoeing around Nääs Slott here!
Discover the Old City of Uppsala
Uppsala is a University town just north of Stockholm! It is a beautiful little city with castles, old libraries and some great walks to do! Spend a day walking around the town, visiting Uppsala University, walking around Linneanum and Uppsala Slott. And the next visit Gamla Uppsala, the oldest part of the city filled with Viking graves and historical sites. There are a lot of great walking tours in Uppsala, my personal picks being this Uppsala Univerity historical tour, and the gruesome history of Uppsala! Another super fun activity that gives you a great perspective of the city is roof walking on Uppsala Slott!
Final Thoughts on 10 of The Short Breaks in Sweden
There are so many great holidays in Sweden for a short break or a romantic weekend trip! Although I have focused on specific activities that make each destination special, there is generally something for everyone, whether you like hiking, spa days, city breaks or adventure weekends!
Share this post about weekend getaways in Sweden
Lastest posts from travel in Sweden
- Mölle and Kullaberg Nature Reserve: A Guide To This Unique Place To Visit
- The Best Things To Do in Smögen, Sweden
- Summer in Sweden – The Best Places to Visit (2024)
- The Ultimate Guide to Kinnekulle, Sweden
- The Ultimate Guide to Käringön, Sweden
- The Ultimate Marstrand Sweden Island Guide
- Åstol – The Most Picturesque Island in West Sweden
- Tjörn, Sweden: The Best Things To See and Do