Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we take a trip to Sweden! As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate about your Sweden vacation.
Hate #1: The Line Culture
The line culture is very particular in Sweden. If you are shopping or at the bank and you see a line, look around to see if everyone is holding a ticket. Sometimes you need a ticket just to be in line and your place in line doesn’t determine your turn, the number on your ticket will. There’s also not as much respect for personal space, so if you leave a gap in the line, you can expect it to be filled and you’ve just lost your spot.
Hate #2: Sweden Weather
The weather in Sweden can be unpredictable and very cool, even in summer. The winters are downright cold and very dark, thanks to being so far north. You always want to have layers you can wear when you visit Sweden and be prepared for cold and rain any time of year. The darkness of winter means lots of daylight in the summer, and this is great, except for the effect it can have on your sleep schedule.
Hate #3: Swedish Restaurants
Sweden isn’t exactly known as a culinary destination and Swedish food isn’t always super interesting. Ever see a Swedish restaurant in your hometown? There are definitely some quintessentially Swedish foods you should try, such as meatballs and cinnamon rolls, but the best food in Sweden is the international cuisine and New Scandinavian cuisine. The Swedish restaurant experience can be frustrating, as many restaurants close early so if you’re used to eating late, you might miss dinner and end up eating street kebabs or fast food.
Hate #4: Prices in Sweden
Like most of Scandinavia, Sweden is expensive! I’d say it’s about 20% more than prices in the US. Plan to pay about $7 for a beer in Sweden. Dinner will be about $20 – $25, plus drinks. Sweden also has high taxes on alcohol, so expect to pay quite a bit to have a beer or cocktail with dinner. If you have a big meal at lunch, you can take advantage of lunch specials. Even public transportation is expensive in Sweden. On the bright side, if you’re visiting Sweden from Norway, the prices will seem cheap by comparison!
Read: How to Cut Costs While You Travel
Hate #5: Lack of Public Toilets
Some cities, like Gothenburg, are fine, but many other cities don’t have a lot of public toilets. When you do find one, you usually have to pay. What’s even worse is that the pay toilets only take coins and Sweden is pretty much a cashless society, so it’s not common to carry coins around. However, I suggest having a few on hand just in case.
Love #1: Safety & Organization in Sweden
One of the best things about Sweden is that it’s super safe and very organized. You really do not have to worry about safety at all while you’re in Sweden. If you’ve watched a lot of our videos, you know that pickpockets are usually on the top of our list of “hates” but that’s not an issue in Sweden. Furthermore, Sweden is very organized. Transportation is easy to understand and there are tourist offices set up to help you out.
Read: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Scandinavia Travel
Love #2: Nature in Sweden
Sweden is gorgeous! If you get the chance to travel around the country, you’ll see oceans, lakes, forests, the islands, and archipelago. Whether you enjoy hiking, skiing, boating or swimming, make sure you try to see some of Sweden outside of the major cities.
Love #3: Summer Days in Sweden
Most travelers visit Sweden in the summer, and you’ll enjoy daylight all day and almost all night. This gives you so much time to explore. Even the locals get totally excited to emerge from the darkness of winter, so you’ll find tons of festivals, live music, and art shows. Swedes love their festivals, especially Midsummer Festival.
Love #4: Swedish People
At first, the Swedes seem very reserved, but once you break through that outer shell, the people of Sweden are really fantastic. They love to show off their country and culture; it just takes a bit for them to warm up.
Love #5: Language in Sweden
Nearly everyone in Sweden speaks English very well. No matter where you go in Sweden, you won’t have trouble finding someone to help you in English. You’ll be shocked at how well they speak English and will even have a hard time detecting an accent sometimes.
Sweden is a really great place to visit, and easy to get around for first-time international travelers! The “hates” are really just a few things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to take a trip to Sweden. Want to know more about traveling to Sweden? Check out some of our other blog posts: