Summer in Sweden is magical. It feels like an endless fairytale full of flower fields, late night sunsets, barbecues and wild adventures! From June to September the country wakes up again, the island shops open and everyone flocks either to the coast or their summer cabins for a month or so to simply take time off and enjoy the long summer days! So whether you are planning a summer trip to Sweden or living here and looking for some vacation inspiration, you are probably wondering where to even begin. There are so many amazing destinations to visit that you probably wont be able to fit them all into one trip. In fact,, something I can say for sure is that after one summer trip to Sweden you will be longing to take another!
I have lived in Sweden now for 4 summers and have spent each one of them exploring different areas of the country – from the more well-known West Coast to the lesser ventured High Coast. In this guide to the best places to visit during summer in Sweden I have outlined 15 of my favourite trips we have taken throughout the years. You can find more information on each destination in their own guides, and even more places to visit in Sweden on this page!
So without further ado, here are 15 of the best places to visit during summer in Sweden!
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15 Places to Visit in Sweden in Summer
Käringön
Käringön is a remote island and former fishing village on the coast of West Sweden. Just a short ferry ride from the island of Orust, this is a true summer paradise. What is usually a quiet island transforms in the summer as business start to open up people flock from all over Sweden to enjoy this piece of island life. Käringön is home to some amazing restaurants, swimming spots and is really the epitome of summer in Sweden. It’s a great place to spend a few nights or visit for the day as part of a West Sweden road trip! Living in Gothenburg, this is one of my favourite places to take anyone that visits us during the summer. I recommend staying at least one night to get the full experience – watching the sunset over the cliffs, enjoying the atmosphere down by the guest harbour, trying the crepes from Crêperiet, and really just enjoying the summer vibes.
You can read more about Käringön in my island guide here!
Ystad and Österlen
Österlen is a small area along the southeast coast of Sweden. It is a bit of an underrated destination – known mostly for its beaches, walking tracks, small villages and farm shops. At the beginning of July you can visit Österlen Kyddor for a “lavender morning” where you have a champagne breakfast, listen to a talk on growing and caring for lavender, pick your own lavender, and then finish it off with their award-winning lavender ice cream! Otherwise, there is the Skåneleden which runs through Stenhuvud’s National Park. Here you can do the whole multiple-day hike or simply walk a small section down to the sandy beaches that feel like they should be in the Caribbean. Spend the day walking around Ystad, or visit Ystad’s Saltsjöbad for a spa weekend! Have lunch at many of the local cafes spread out around the landscape, or visit one of the cosy restaurants for fresh-made, stone oven-baked pizza.
If this sounds like the place for you then you can read my full guide to visiting Österlen in the summer here!
Höga Kusten
The Höga Kusten is a beautiful area of Northern Sweden known for its dramatic coastline and impressive nature forged by glaciers in the Jurassic period. This area is the only UNESCO world heritage site in Sweden and is one of the best places to spend the summer in Sweden if you are interested in nature, hiking and unique landscapes. Unlike other areas in Sweden, the High Coast remains semi-remote. Even in the peak of summer you will find the fishing villages, hikes and islands empty in comparison to their counterparts in places like the Stockholm or Gothenburg archipelago.
We are lucky enough to have a summer house just north of the High Coast which we visit every summer. Every year I am taken back by the scale of this area of Sweden. The beautiful forest covered mountains contrasting with the blue sea, the geological wonders, and the most picturesque small towns. If anything, I recommend taking the ferry out to the nearby islands of Trysunda or Ulvön, hiking the 128.6 km long Höga Kusten Trail (or parts of it), and sleeping in unqiue wind shelters like The Tree Cube. For those who want a coastal holiday, you can head to Smitingen beach or Paradiset Adventure Bath for a swim!
Want to know more? Here are 12 places to visit on Sweden’s High Coast
Stockholm Archipelago
Stockholm archipelago is made up of around 30,000 islands, both uninhabited and those covered with flourishing villages. The Stockholm archipelago is one of the most popular places to visit in Summer in Sweden and it is an easy place to both travel around by ferry, but also by your own boat. The islands are known for their beautiful mix of nature and the sea, with most of the islands in the archipelago covered in rich forest land. Once on the islands, you can do one of the many hikes, visit the famous Landsort lighthouse at the southern tip of the archipelago, or hire a kayak and spend the night out on an island.
Gothenburg Archipelago
The Gothenburg Archipelago is a lively summer destination, only a stones throw away from the city centre, the islands make for perfect day trips of a Swedish summer island hopping adventure! In the southern archipelago, you will find the car-free islands, known for their atmospheric fishing villages and pristine nature. In the north, you will find the most bustling islands, with locals living there all year round there are lots of events to enjoy. The best thing about the Gothenburg archipelago is that its very easy to access without need of a car! Base yourself in Gothenburg and take day trips to the different islands each day. I can recommend Vrångö, Strysö, and Vinga for first-timers!
If you want to know more make sure to read my fill guide to the islands in the Gothenburg Archipelago!
Smögen
Smögen is another very popular island of Sweden’s West Coast, known for its amazing restaurants serving fresh seafood, beautiful swimming spots, and island life. Walking through the streets of Smögen feels a little like the Swedish version of Venice as you duck under archways to discover little alleys that lead down to the water.
There is more than enough to do in Smögen for a week-long summer holiday in Sweden. You can take the ferry to the nearby island of Hållö to explore the lighthouse, spend the day relaxing at Smögens Hafvsbad spa, walk a section of the Kuststigen across the water, or take a day trip to Bohus Malmön. Smögen Hamn (or Smögen’s harbour) is one of the most well-known sights on the West Coast of Sweden, easily recognisable for its colourful houses lining the little inlet. Here is where you will find the best restaurants and small boutiques that pop up throughout the summer!
You can read more about spending the weekend in Smögen here! Otherwise, below are some day trips you can take from the small island!
West Sweden Map
Get 300+ tips on West Sweden
In this map and guide to West Sweden you will find over 300 tips for places to visit in and around the region. These are places I have visited and personally recommend – some hidden gems and a few more well known spots!
Mölle and Kullaberg Nature Reserve
Mölle is a beautiful coastal village in southern Sweden, near the dramatic Kullaberg Nature Reserve. It is a popular weekend getaway for those in Southern Sweden with great camping spots, close to many beaches and cosy summer restaurants. You can spend the days hiking around Kullaberg Nature Reserve, on a porpoise safari, or relaxing by the ocean, and the evenings in the town enjoying the local restaurants. Mölle is one of the most picturesque towns in Sweden and walking around the streets on a warm summer day is an activity in itself!
If you want to read more about what to do in Mölle and Kullaberg Nature Reserve you can see my full post here!
Halmstad
Throughout the year Halmstad is a thriving student city, but in the summer it transforms into a great summer city. Located so close to one of Sweden’s best beaches, Tylösand, Halmstad is one of the best places to spend summer in Sweden if you are looking for a resort-type holiday. Within the city, you can visit Halmstads Slott, take a drink on the castle wall, or visit the art museum. From the big harbour, you can take a ferry for a day trip to Denmark, or take a walk around the coast towards Västra Stranden and Slaget vid Nissan.
Gotland
Gotland is Sweden’s largest island and one of the best places to visit during the summer. The only way out to the island is by ferry which leaves from several points along the east coast of sweden. The medieval town of Visby is known for its big ruins and majestic buildings, while the rest of the island has some great beaches, caves, and unusual limestone rock structures. While on the island make sure to visit Blue Lagoon for a swim, or head out to Fårö on the ferry and discover the magical uninhabited nature. In August they hold a Medieval week every year when people flock from all over Sweden to participate in events and walk around medieval markets selling unique foods and crafts.
Dalsland
Dalsland is a Swedish summer dream destination for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. In this landscape, you will find hundreds of lakes, forests, and beautiful hikes to enjoy. One of the filming locations for the Swedish Classic Ronja Röversdotter, you can trace the film through some incredible locations on the Vandra i Ronjaland path. Alternatively, if you want a really unique experience this summer, hire a canoe and paddle down the Dalsland Canal, or take the tourist boat across the 150 year old aquaduct. This is known as one of the best areas for canoeing in Europe and after taking a three day trip there I can understand why! The combination of raw nature and picturesque locks make it a really special destination.
If you want to know more about visiting this beautiful region, make sure to read my 2 day itinerary for Dalsland or guide to canoeing along the Dalsland lake system. Both of these trips are in my top 5 for long weekends in Sweden – both great for different reasons but magical in their own way.
Öland
Öland is Sweden’s second-largest island, located on the east coast. It is a natural wonderland with roads that run through meadows connecting cosy little villages, with 500km of coastline. If you are into cycling then this is one of the best places to visit in summer in Sweden, with many many cycling paths that pass by some of Ölands biggest attractions including Borgholms Slott and Eketorp Fort. After spending just a few days on Öland you will be longing to return and bask again in the magical summer sun. Öland is covered in some great farm shops, and cafes in unusual places as well as castles and medieval ruins.
Koster Havet
Koster Havet is one of the most unique areas of coastline in Sweden, a national park famous for its tropical reefs and abundance of sea life. You can spend the days kayaking around the archipelago, fishing for crabs or exploring the landscape by boat. Other than enjoying the sea, Koster Havet is also a fabulous place for hiking and cycling and the nearby town of Strömstad a great summer city to explore.
Västervik
Known as Sweden’s best summer city, Västervik, on the South East coast of Sweden, is the perfect summer destination. The town is thriving during the summer months, with restaurants and shops to explore and an old wooden part of town. During the days, you can head to Gränsö Slott for a walk and a swim, or out to one of the islands in the Tjust Archipelago such as Idö. Nearby, you have the town of Vimmerby where you will find Astrid Lindgren’s Värld, a theme park created around the stories of the classic Swedish author. Take the Smalspårs Railway to Hultsfred and enjoy a swim or cycle further through the countryside on the trolley cart. This is the perfect family getaway with loads to do nearby and a great city to base yourself in.
Sarek National Park
Sarek National Park is one of the most striking landscapes in Sweden. Located in the north above the arctic circle, summer is the only time this area of Sweden is really accessible. It is home to some of Sweden’s highest mountains (over 2000m high), with rivers and valleys formed by the glaciers when they melted after the ice age. There are actually still over 100 glaciers still in Sarek National Park today. This holiday is not your traditional summer in Sweden, with much cooler temperatures. It is something I would recommend only to seasoned hikers who have experience hiking in tough terrain for 7 or more days! June to August is the optimal time for summer in Sarek and the best time for cloudberry picking, fishing, and hiking.
Hiking the Kungsleden
The Kungsleden is one of the most popular hikes in Sweden in the summer. Located in the north, the most popular section of the Kungsleden runs from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. It is a total of 108km long and it is recommended to take 5 – 7 days depending on how far you walk! Along the hiking trail, there is the option to camp or stay overnight in a mountain hut run by the Svenska Turistföreningen (Swedish Tourist Association). The hike offers amazing mountain views, nature, and passes by Sweden’s tallest mountain – Kebnekaise!
Things to Know Before Visiting Sweden in Summer
What is Sweden like in the summer?
The temperature in Sweden varies depending on where in the country you are. Down in Skåne, in the South of Sweden, temperatures are an average of 25 degrees. In Gothenburg and on the West Coast it is around 22 degrees on average, whilst in the North near Höga Kusten, you get daily temperatures around 20 degrees.
How many hours of daylight in Sweden in summer?
Sweden is an incredibly tall country so again, this is not a simple question to answer! In the south of Sweden (Skåne/ Malmö) the sun rises around 04.30 am and sets around 10 pm in the peak of summer which means about 17.5 hours of sunlight a day. A little further north in areas like Gothenburg and Stockholm the days are slightly longer, averaging about 18.5 hours of sunlight. Whilst in the North of Sweden there is such a thing as “Midnight sun” in which the sun never sets and there are 24 hours of sunlight a day. This is most common in areas north of the arctic circle, such as Jokkmokk.
Summer in Sweden: An Overview
Summer is by far the best time of year to visit Sweden. While the weather can be unpredictable, this doesn’t take away from all the magical destinations there are to explore! From Österlen in the south, to Sarek and the Kungsleden in the North, there is something special for everyone! To end this guide, I would like to add that these are just a few top picks of places to visit in Sweden during summer and there are in fact so many other beautiful destinations to explore! Here, you can find all my guides to Sweden, or be inspired by these below:
- 8 Unique Sweden Itineraries
- 10 Day Scandinavia Itinerary
- 7 Day West Sweden Road Trip
- Österlen and Ystad
- Places to Visit on Sweden’s Höga Kusten
- Stockholm City Guide
- A Weekend in Dalsland – 2 Day Itinerary
- Gothenburg Archipelago Guide
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We are heading to Sweden from May 21-28, 2024. When you refer to the summer months would this include the third week of May?
Generally I mean June to August but the third week of May can also be a lovely time of year to visit all of these places.
I’m headed to Sweden in August 2024 for 8_10 days. Can you reccomend a company that has guided tours? Very happy I’ve found this website, heaps of information. Thank you
I am glad you have found everything helpful! Sorry I don’t know many tour companies – I have done quite a few days trips through Get Your Guide which I can recommend though!
Great tips for visiting Sweden thank you 🙂
If we fly into Gothenburg and plan to visit the archipelago, Smogen and Lysekil, which area would you recommend for us to stay as a base?
Thanks! I would recommend staying a few nights in Gothenburg if you want to visit the Gothenburg archipelago / Marstrand etc. and then staying a few nights further up the coast. If you plan on hiring a car then anywhere around Smögen/ Lysekil is great, otherwise Hunnebostrand, Smögen, Kungshamn, Lysekil and even Uddevalla have goo bus connections.