Sweden – A Quick & Quirky Guide
Official name: Kingdom of Sweden (Konungariket Sverige)
Area: ~450,300 km² – forests, lakes, mountains, and Arctic wilderness in the north
Population: ~10.5 million (2024)
Location: Northern Europe, part of Scandinavia, bordered by Norway, Finland, and the Baltic & North Seas
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy + parliamentary democracy
Head of State: King Carl XVI Gustaf
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
Capital city: Stockholm – ~975,000 (metro ~2.5 million)
Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1 / +2 in summer)
Official language: Swedish
Currency: Swedish krona (SEK) – euros not widely used
EU member: Yes, since 1995
Schengen area: Yes
Top 10 Largest Cities (population approx.)
- Stockholm – ~975,000
- Gothenburg (Göteborg) – ~580,000
- Malmö – ~350,000
- Uppsala – ~180,000
- Västerås – ~155,000
- Örebro – ~155,000
- Linköping – ~160,000
- Helsingborg – ~150,000
- Jönköping – ~140,000
- Norrköping – ~140,000
Popular Tourist Cities & Regions
- Stockholm: Archipelago, Gamla Stan (Old Town), museums, and modern design.
- Gothenburg: Port city, seafood, and amusement parks like Liseberg.
- Malmö: Modern architecture and the Øresund Bridge to Copenhagen.
- Kiruna & Swedish Lapland: Northern lights, reindeer, and winter adventures.
- Gotland & Visby: Medieval walls, beaches, and summer festivals.
- Abisko National Park: Hiking, skiing, and aurora spotting.
Climate
Varies from temperate in the south (mild summers 20–25 °C, cold winters 0–5 °C) to subarctic in the north (cold winters, short mild summers). Prepare for long summer days and long winter nights!
Culture & Daily Life
- Fika: Coffee breaks with pastries — basically a national pastime.
- Outdoor lifestyle: Hiking, skiing, cycling, and swimming in lakes.
- Design & innovation: Clean, modern, and practical in everyday life.
- Friendly locals: Polite, reserved, but warm once you get to know them.
Food & Drink
- Classic dishes: Meatballs (köttbullar), gravlax, herring, and crispbread.
- Pastries & desserts: Cinnamon buns (kanelbullar), princess cake, and semla.
- Beverages: Coffee (they drink a lot), aquavit, craft beer.
- Local specialties: Västerbotten cheese, lingonberries, cloudberries.
Summary
Sweden is a land of forests, lakes, and modern cities. Stockholm dazzles with archipelagos and history, Gothenburg charms with seafood and culture, and Lapland enchants with northern lights and snowy adventures. Fika breaks, scenic beauty, and Swedish hospitality make Sweden an unforgettable Northern European destination.