Famous landmarks of Sweden. The best attractions of Sweden with photos and descriptions. Rock reliefs at Tanum

Once I had an affair that continues to this day. I arrived in the city on a wonderfully warm August day. There were almost no people on the streets, it was Saturday, and most residents of the Swedish capital were enjoying their weekend sleep. The city was bathed in sunshine, the embankment smelled of coffee and fresh pastries, and seagulls cheekily climbed into a bag of muffins. My first impression of this country was this: a lot of sun and warmth, despite its initial coldness. The Swedes are amazingly kind and smiling people; everything in their country speaks of a love of comfort and convenience. Sweden is ideal for a variety of holidays: family with children, active or urban. Sweden is the birthplace of the beloved IKEA store, the Abba group, Astrid Lindgren and the Nobel Prize. Sweden amazed me with its simplicity, comfort and smiles. If I were to choose heaven on Earth, Sweden would definitely be it.

The bulk of tourists go, of course, to. There is entertainment for every taste and age. Young people will be interested in visiting Gothenburg, which is considered the capital of Swedish rock music, but those who prefer a relaxing holiday can safely go to Malmo.

Why did Sweden captivate me personally? Stockholm. This is an amazingly cozy city that has everything I love: the sea, a lot of green places, narrow walking streets, cafes with delicious coffee and pastries, interesting and unusual monuments, bright houses (you look and think that Carlson is about to fly out of the rooftops ).

What else I liked about Sweden: you can come here for three days or three weeks. In any case, you will find something to do and see.

So, I’m telling you more about this beloved and amazing country.

Visa and border crossing

I told Travelask readers in great detail and in vivid detail about obtaining a Swedish visa (the first one in my passport, by the way). But let's refresh the information together.

A Schengen visa is required for Sweden. If our passport already has an open Schengen multiple visa (that magic wand that allows you to enter and exit Schengen several times), then we do not apply for anything, but boldly go with it. If not, we collect documents according to the type of visa requested and go to the nearest visa service center.

An important detail: the Swedes are not generous with multiple visas, so you shouldn’t count on it.

How to get there

The fastest way to get to Sweden is by plane, and the cheapest way is by ferry. It is also very convenient to get from St. Petersburg by bus.

By plane

There are direct flights to Stockholm from Moscow and St. Petersburg. With transfers in European cities also from them. From other large cities of Russia we fly to Moscow and St. Petersburg, and from there to Stockholm. If your goal is Malmo, then it is more convenient to fly to Copenhagen, and then take a bus from there to Sweden

There is an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to Stockholm every day at 11:25, the journey takes 2 hours 15 minutes, the cost is from 816 EUR (from 12,000 to 14,000 rubles or from 1,700 Swedish kronor) per person round trip. As for luggage, everything is standard here: 23 kg per person.

If you fly from Moscow, but with a transfer, then the most profitable option is an AirBaltic flight with a transfer in Riga (usually the transfer lasts no more than two hours, flight time is 1:20), ticket prices from 690 EUR (10,000 rubles / 6,780 CZK) to person back and forth.

Sas airline flies from St. Petersburg on Thursdays. Flight time is 1.5 hours. The cost of a round-trip ticket is about 690 EUR (10,000 rubles/6,780 CZK) per person. Bellavia flies with a transfer in Minsk (travel time is 5 hours, including a two-hour transfer) and you can change planes in Riga with AirBaltic (fly with a transfer for about 3-4 hours). Ticket prices from both airlines start from 748 EUR (11,000 rubles or 7,350 crowns).

More ticket options with prices can be viewed.

Airports in Sweden

There are many airports in Sweden, but only three accept commercial flights:

• Arlanda(),
• Malmo,
• Gothenburg-Landvetter.

Arlanda Airport (where we fly from Russia) is located 37 km from Stockholm, it receives 20 million passengers annually, and there are a total of 5 terminals at the airport. From the airport you can take the high-speed train, and in 20 minutes we will be in the city. Or take a ticket for bus 583, get to Marst, and then take the train to Stockholm.

By train

Moscow and St. Petersburg do not have direct railway connections with Sweden and Stockholm. The only option is to take a train to (about 207 EUR, 3000 rubles or 4447 Finnish marks) from St. Petersburg and 345 EUR (5000 rubles or 2,000 in Finnish currency) from the Capital, and then take a ferry to Stockholm.

By bus

There are no direct buses (got in Russia, woke up in Stockholm). You also need to get to or Turku (from 40 EUR per person one way, it’s more profitable to take a round-trip ticket for 60 EUR), and then change to a bus or ferry there. The cost of the ferry one way is from 35 EUR per person.

By car

What points are important to remember when traveling by car to Stockholm from Moscow or St. Petersburg? I’ll say right away: I prefer to travel around Europe by buses/ferries/trains, but after interviewing fellow motorists who practiced traveling from St. Petersburg to Stockholm by car, I learned a lot of interesting things. And since the author is not a greedy person, I am happy to share important points with you.

• Toll sections on the road. In Sweden itself the roads are free, but in Latvia there may be a toll.
• Ferry crossing (cost from 35 EUR per person, plus additional payment for a car is possible). We need to get to the Finnish city of Turku and take the ferry there.
• There is a fee to enter and exit from Stockholm. It costs 1 EUR one way, we will prepare some change in advance, since the machine does not give change.
• Be careful and careful outside the city. The fact is that Swedish wild animals have a habit of running out onto the roads, doing this very suddenly, so I do not advise you to drive on the highways.
• There is also a charge for crossing the Oresund (connects Sweden with Denmark) and Svinesund (connects Sweden with Norway) bridges. The cost is about 30 EUR one way, we also pay through special machines.
• Gas stations in Sweden are mainly open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 24-hour gas stations are located on the highways.
• In Sweden, the two most popular types of gasoline are 95 and 98, 95 will cost 1.40 EUR per liter, and 98 will cost 1.46 EUR per liter.

From Moscow the road will take approximately 23–26 hours, depending on the chosen route: it can be the M-9 road or two routes (M-10 and E-105).

There are also two roads to choose from from St. Petersburg: E18 and E4. The travel time is from 15 to 19 hours, and you will also have to transfer to Turku by ferry. There is no other way here).

By ferry

This is the most convenient and inexpensive way to get to Sweden. True, the luckiest people here are the residents of St. Petersburg, who are connected by a direct route to Sweden. From Moscow, as from other cities, you will first have to go to. The St. ferry runs three times a week. Peter Line, journey time approximately 20 hours, cost from 50 EUR one way.

From Finland (where you can get from St. Petersburg by bus) ferries run daily; you will spend a little less on the road: 16 hours. Cost from 30 EUR one way per person. We wanted to see both Finland and Sweden, so we chose the ferry.

Tourist regions

I can divide Sweden into three regions: Götaland, Svealand, Norrland.

Götaland or Southern Sweden

Two famous Swedish cities are located here - Malmö and Gothenburg. Götland is considered the most developed region of Sweden in terms of economics. Plus, most tourists strive to get to this region because of the favorable climate.

In southern Sweden we can sail, row, fish, or just sit on the sand and enjoy the Baltic Sea. Plus, Götaland is saturated for me with the atmosphere of the Vikings, Beowulf and other Scandinavian epics.

Svealand (central Sweden)

In the center of the country are Stockholm and the university city, as well as the picturesque Lake Mälaren and the ancient Viking capital of Sigtuna. A trip to Svealand is suitable for lovers of eco-tourism and hiking.

The views here are amazing, I enjoyed the nature and tranquility every minute.

Norrland (everything is clear from the name: Northern Sweden)

The region occupies 66% of Sweden's territory, and it is a real northern romance with eternal winter and snow (Game of Thrones fans, this is the place for you). with a national northern flavor, it seems to me that one of the famous regions of Scandinavia, and not just Sweden, is located here.

The west of the region is perfect for skiers, snowboarders and other lovers of active winter recreation! In summer you can go mountaineering here. The most popular routes are Åre, Vemdalena and Idre.

You can book hotels in Sweden on Booking –, you can compare prices from different services. You can also rent private apartments -.

Top cities

Sweden is famous for its three most vibrant, large and interesting cities. This Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg.

• Stockholm is the heart of Sweden and Scandinavia. This is a city where you can easily combine shopping, studying history and culture, as well as just walking. In Stockholm, I inhaled the sea air with notes of coffee and cinnamon, and realized how comfortable and good I felt in this city. Plus Stockholm is the capital of European design and style.

• Gothenburg is a city in southwestern Sweden. Its name translates as Gothic fortress. And it’s true: it reminded me of one big beautiful fortress. Gothenburg is for me a city of fortresses, castles and culture. A whole direction was formed in it: melodic death metal, and the famous group Ace of Base was founded. Gothenburg hosts a film festival and the Liseberg amusement park.

• Malmö is a city in the south of Sweden, from it it is very quick and easy to get to Copenhagen, and that’s how we got there. It is smaller in size than Stockholm and Gothenburg, and occupies an honorable third place in the cities of Sweden. Malmö is an industrial city, but it has a lot to see! The capital of shipbuilding, it is home to the Malmö Arena (a stadium where you can often see hockey matches, and where the Eurovision Song Contest took place in 2013). It is the warmest and southernmost of the cities in Sweden, so the climate here is milder.

You can view tours to different cities in Sweden.

Islands

Do you know what else Sweden is called? Kingdom of a thousand islands! Because it is literally filled with a host of islands and small islets.

I will talk briefly about the Swedish archipelagos and the largest islands:

• The Stockholm archipelago is located 80 kilometers from the city and has more than 24,000 islands. Having sailed from Stockholm for an hour, we saw the very beautiful Vaxholm fortress. The more distant islands (Sandhamn, Blidø and Utö) have everything that will allow tourists to relax: cafes and restaurants, hotels and holiday homes, as well as marinas.
• The archipelagos of Northern Sweden are a group of islands near the cities of the North and Piteå. The islands are famous for their northern beauty and nature.
• Estgöt archipelago - located in the east, it united three archipelagoes: Gryut, Tyst, the St. Archipelago. Anna and Arkosund. Here we were able to enjoy nature and see the most beautiful rocks. There are many accommodation options for tourists: hotels, tents, campsites.
• The archipelago of the Southeast coast is famous for the fact that the island belongs to it Eland, one of the largest islands in Sweden. It features white sand, shallow waters and Borholm Castle. In general, if you want to combine relaxation with excursions, then feel free to go to Öland! The archipelago itself has about 10,000 islands.
• The West Coast archipelago is famous for the freshest seafood that we caught and prepared. The so-called “sea safari”. Plus there are many small fishing islands where you can relax, go fishing, fry fish on a fire and enjoy the sea air.

In addition to the already mentioned Elland, Gotland is considered a large island in Sweden. It is located in the South, and is distinguished by its special beauty and history. For a long time, the Danish and Swedish kings divided the island, like a bone of contention. Today it belongs to Sweden, and here we can both enjoy history, viewing the fortresses, and simply relax our soul and body.

Top attractions

Basically, a holiday in Sweden becomes a city tour, and tourists tend to spend more time in cities: Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg. By the way, both in the cities and in the country itself you can find something to see, explore and visit. So, my personal must go&see list looks like this:

• Royal Palace in Stockholm. Sweden is a country with a constitutional monarchy, so everything related to the history of the royal family is highly respected here. The inside of the Royal Palace impressed me more than the outside. It has a rich history: its design has changed several times depending on reasons. Be it a fire, or an outdated design.

• ABBA Museum. Not visiting Stockholm and not visiting the Stockholm Four museum is a crime! It is very stylish and modern, has a lot of features. For example, there is a telephone here that anyone can call, and one of the ABBA members will answer the phone.

• Stockholm City Hall - it hosts important meetings of the city authorities, as well as receptions after the Nobel Prize. It is one of the favorite places among tourists. Anyone can get into the courtyard of the town hall, but only with a guide is allowed to enter the halls. To be honest, we were more impressed by the garden and surroundings than the inside of the building.

• Unibacken is ideal if we take little travelers on a trip! This is a fairy tale museum located on the island of Jynibakken, where you can meet the characters of your favorite Swedish fairy tales.

• Millesgården in Stockholm is an open-air park created by a couple of artist-sculptors Olga and Karl Miless. The park amazes with the unusualness of the sculptures in it. What I liked: the unusualness of the sculptures, and, indeed, the park itself. It is beautiful and well-groomed; you can easily have a small picnic here, enjoying the fresh air and contemplating the monuments.

• The Nobel Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of the Nobel Prize and Nobel laureates.

• The ship "Gustav Vasa" is a warship that sank in the 17th century during its first attempt at operation. It was raised from the bottom, mothballed and restored, and is used as an exhibit as a preserved first sailing ship. If you remove my personal comparisons with Kon-Tiki in , it is quite impressive and inspiring!

• Liseberg is an amusement park in Gothenburg, considered one of the largest parks not only in Europe, but also in the world. It is located on 25 thousand square meters and has about 35 attractions. In winter, it opens a skating rink and hosts Christmas markets.

I would also like to note that most of Stockholm's attractions: Junibacken, the ABBA Museum and the ship "Gustav Vasa", for example, are located in one place: on the island of Djurgården, located in the center of Stockholm, so we can combine visits to several interesting places at once.

Weather

In Sweden, on its main territory, there is a temperate climate, perhaps similar to our St. Petersburg. But since the country is stretched to the North, it is much colder in these areas. For example, Laxbacken recorded the lowest degree in all of Europe: -53 °C. As for the main tourist cities (Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg), you can come to them all year round without fear that cold or abnormal heat will ruin your vacation. There is no seasonality/non-seasonality here as such. We can enjoy city walks both in July and January during the New Year holidays, when Stockholm is decorated with snowfall and lights.

Personally, the weather and climate in Sweden seemed ideal for a holiday (we were there in August), and even sudden five-minute downpours, after which the sun came out, did not bother or spoil the holiday.

Average temperature in winter: about -10 °C, in summer +20–25 °C.

Money

In Sweden, like in any respecting Schengen country, euros are accepted. By the way, why I love the Swedes (unlike the Hungarians and Danes): you pay in euros, and you also get change in euros, and not in local currency! The national coin is called the Swedish krona (SEK), and today 1 SEK is approximately 0.1 EUR.

We arrived with euros bought in Russia, and already in Sweden we paid with them. I repeat that we had no problems with giving change in local currency and worrying about where to put it later.

As for cards, they are accepted without problems (I have a Sberbank Visa). It is convenient to pay with cards in large stores and souvenir shops, and if you are going to the market, it is better to take crowns or euros with you. It is important to remember: when traveling to any country, including Sweden, alert your bank so that they will allow the transaction in another country.

Moving around the country

By car

Let me tell you right away about my find, which will be of interest to motorists and those who like to rent a car. You can already at home, in advance, rent a car through the travel section. We select the dates and place we need to pick up the car. The longer the rental period, the cheaper the price. If we book on the spot, it will cost about 100 EUR per day, through the website about 50 EUR.

In order to rent a car in Sweden and drive it you will need: a passport, a credit card and an international license. The age at which you are allowed to drive depends on the chosen model: for most from 18 years, for some from 24 years. Rental of additional equipment (child seat, ski rack, navigator), as well as additional insurance are paid separately.

The cost of gasoline in Sweden is approximately 1.46 EUR (13 SEK) per liter. Roads in Sweden are free except for two places: Svinesund on the border of Sweden and Norway and Öresund (the road from Malmö to Copenhagen).

Safety rules on Swedish roads:

• The low beam must be on constantly, throughout the year, no matter what time of year it is outside.
• Speed ​​limit:
  • in a populated area 30–60 km/h,
  • outside the populated area 70–100 km/h,
  • motorway 110–120 km/h.
• Children under 15 years of age and less than 1.35 m tall must sit in special chairs.
• All passengers must wear seat belts!

Metro of major cities

As for getting around in Stockholm, there is a metro consisting of three lines. It is designated by the letter T (tunnelbana).

The cost of one metro ride is 1.5 EUR (15 SEK), so it is more profitable to take a subscription for several trips.

The Stockholm metro is worth the trip. The fact is that it is called a gallery. All stations are decorated by completely different designers and in different styles from each other: Greek style, design in the style of the Vasa ship or in the theme of fairy tales. I have always said that the best metro is in our capitals, Moscow and St. Petersburg, but the Stockholm metro struck me with its unusualness.

Taxi

As for taxis, they are quite expensive in Sweden: if the route does not exceed 10 kilometers, it will cost 30 EUR (300 SEK). The fee for 1 kilometer is 0.8 EUR (8 SEK) plus 2 EUR (20 SEK) you will be charged for landing.

By bus

The bus system in Stockholm is also very developed: buses also run at night. And bus 47 will take you directly to Djurgården. The ticket can be purchased directly at the salon and costs 2 EUR or 20 SEK.

It is also cheaper and more convenient to travel within the country by bus: you can buy tickets at the station ticket office, which will be cheaper than traveling by train. Save about 10 EUR, check prices at the box office.

By bicycle

You can also explore Stockholm by bike! There is a bicycle rental system here. The maximum period for which you can rent a bike is 3 hours, then you will need to return it to the parking lot and take another one.

The cost of a card for 3 days is 13 EUR (125 SEK), a seasonal card, valid from April 1 to October 31, costs 26 EUR (250 SEK) or 21 EUR (200 SEK) when purchased on the website. Bicycles are available from 6am to 10pm.

Connection

Sweden is known as the provider of the most inexpensive communications in Europe.

WiFi

Wi-fi is available in all hotels and hostels in Sweden. Plus, in many tourist areas of large cities, you can easily connect to a free network to share photos with friends on social networks. This made me happy and helped me a lot during the trip.

So, we arm ourselves with phones and tablets, and remember where you can get Wi-fi in Stockholm:

• Central station.
• Junibacken Museum (while the children are hugging Carlson, you can use the free Wi-Fi).
• Shops? Pressbyrån kiosks, they can be found quite a lot.
• Espresso House? caffeine network You don’t have to go into them; you can catch the Internet if you just stand nearby.

mobile connection

As for mobile Internet and communications, it is more profitable to take a SIM card from local operators than to use Russian roaming. For comparison: 1GB of Internet abroad from Megafon will cost 759 EUR (11,000 rubles), and from a local Internet operator it will cost us 3.3 EUR (48 rubles) per 1GB.

The most famous operators in Sweden are Tele2, Telenor and Telia Mobile. In order to buy a local SIM card and connect it, we only need money, we don’t even show our passport. The card costs about 7 EUR (70 SEK).

You can purchase a SIM card at any communication store, but it is important to clarify the information on tariffs, since without connecting special options, the cost may increase.

Language and communication

The official language is, of course, Swedish. In Sweden we have no problems with the language: the majority of the population here understands and speaks English. Even my mother (whose English is more like a mixture of Finnish and Portuguese) easily found a common language in shops and on the streets.

But let's try to learn Swedish together and find out for ourselves a few common phrases that we may need while traveling:

• ja [I] – yes;
  
• nej [ney] – no;
  
• tack [sic] – thank you;
  
• Pratar du Engelska? [pratar do engelska] – do you speak English?
  
• förlåt [felo:t] - sorry!
  
• Valkommen! [ve:lkomen! (ve:lkomna!)] - hello!
  
• Adjö! [aiyo:!;] – goodbye! or Hey då! [hey do:!]
  
• Tala om för mig [tala om fer mig] - please tell me;
  
• Hur får man till tunnelbanan? [khur fhar man till tunnelban] – how to get to the metro?
  
• Hur mycket kostar det? [khur muket kostar det] – how much does it cost?
  

ö – these are the so-called umalauts, which soften the language.

Features of mentality

How did I remember the Swedes on my trip to this northern but warm country? Swedes love coffee. They drink it a lot and everywhere. Swedish offices and even the streets are permeated with the smell of coffee.

Swedes are very smiling and hospitable, despite the first impression of melancholic introverts.

Swedes do not like to be compared to their neighbors from other Scandinavian countries, as they have strong national pride. Therefore, in conversation with them, we will not mention how great the Danes or Norwegians are. Only the Swedes are the best, period!

In Sweden we were able to see the following picture: dad takes care of the house and children while mom works. This is a common pattern, with men often taking charge of the household and women doing typical male work.

Swedes have a very patronizing and condescending attitude towards other countries and cultures. Don't expect questions about your homeland and culture. Treating colleagues from the CIS as unexpectedly civilized representatives of their nation who have become people. That is, moving to Sweden is necessarily perceived as progress in the life of a visitor.

Food and drink

You should not expect a variety of spices, herbs, or any special delicacies in dishes from Swedish cuisine. But it is simple and quite tasty.

As for drinks: Swedes are not stupid to drink. The famous Absolut vodka has been produced since 1879.

And it has several types and variations:

• Kurant - with a delicate taste of black currant and its rather bright aroma.
• Peppar – with a hint of black pepper.
• Citron – with a citrus aftertaste and aroma.
• Raspberri – with a hint of raspberry in taste.

I told you about the Swedes’ great love for coffee. Glögg is also popular here - this is the Swedish version of mulled wine and a variety of berry fruit drinks.

Personally, I liked and remembered the meatballs, muffins with raspberry jam, ginger cookies and simply but deliciously prepared fish.

You can try really delicious baked goods: muffins with various berry fillings, gingerbread cookies, cinnamon rolls. A variety of jams and preserves made from wild berries are also held in high esteem by the Swedes.

In Swedish cuisine you can find many dishes made from fish, herring and meat. The famous meatballs that Carlson loved so much and which you can treat yourself to in the IKES store are already a trademark of Sweden.

5 dishes worth trying

• Swedish meatballs (Kötbular) - after traveling around Sweden, I prepared this amazing dish for friends, proving that meatballs, familiar to Russians, and meatballs are different meat dishes. Swedish meatballs (the classic version) are made from minced meat or chicken and then fried in oil. Served with lingonberry sauce. Believe me, Swedes have large portions, but both adults and children are ready to eat countless quantities of this dish!

• Any baked goods – my favorites are definitely gingerbread cookies and muffins with raspberry jam! The Swedes are famous for their coffee shops and baked goods, which are very fresh and flavorful. Sweet tooth, you will be delighted, I guarantee. By the way, Swedes love to bake bread. And among the varieties there are often sweet options.

• Smörgostorta – Scandinavians are also fans of sandwiches, because they are filling, tasty and simple. Smörgostorta has everything: beets, cream cheese, peas, bacon, and cucumbers... In general, the dish turns out tasty and satisfying, despite the fact that it looks like an appetizer.

• Surströmming is perhaps the most specific dish of Swedish cuisine. I can compare my feelings and attitude towards such a dish with durian, the king of fruits. You can either eat it and love it, or hold your nose and say, “get her away from me immediately.” Surströmming has a pungent odor, giving the impression of not being the freshest fish. This does not affect the taste in any way. Some people mistakenly call it herring, but in fact it is Baltic herring. It is salted in a special way: it is fermented with less salt than fish is usually salted. This is where the specific smell comes from. As in the case of durian: when purchasing jars of Surströmming as a gift to friends and family, it is better to check them in your luggage.

• Glasmestarsil - glazier's herring. This is a traditional Swedish Christmas dish that begins to be seasoned in November. To be honest, when I tried this dish, I didn’t notice much difference with our herring.

Shopping

Sweden is one of the most ideal countries in Europe for shopping. Stockholm is a real Mecca for designers and fashion designers. The whole secret of Swedish product design (be it furniture, household goods, clothing or even cars) is simplicity and convenience. But everything is made from expensive and high-quality materials; the Swedes, as champions of environmental protection, pay a lot of attention to the environmental friendliness of their products. Well, prices for clothes and goods here are much lower than many European countries.

What you need to know about shopping in this country

I didn’t notice any “peculiarities of national shopping” in Sweden, but I did pay attention to some points:

• All large stores and shopping centers are open from 10 to 19, with reduced hours on weekends and holidays.
• In Sweden, the tax-free system (tax refund for purchases) is very common, so when you purchase things, you can get your money back. The refund amount is 15–17% for purchases of at least 20 EUR or 200 SEK. Almost all stores in Stockholm have this rule: they have a tax-free sign. When paying for your purchase, tell the seller that you would like to receive a tax-free check. The seller will issue a form indicating the purchase price and the refund amount. The receipt and cash register receipt, as well as the purchased product in undamaged packaging, must be kept until crossing the EU border. When leaving Sweden, you need to remember that the customs stamp on the tax-free check must be affixed no later than 30 days from the date of purchase.
• Treasured sales in Sweden, when goods can be purchased at a 50-70% discount, take place from Christmas to mid-February and from July to the end of August.

Best cities for shopping

Definitely, in my opinion, all the best stores are in Stockholm!

By location, shopping in Stockholm can be divided into three areas - City, Östermalm and Södermalm:

• The City is an area where inexpensive clothing stores (H&M, for example) are located next to luxury designer stores. The most popular shopping streets in the City are: the pedestrian Drottninggatan, which crosses the area from the center to the south, Hamngatan, and the streets around Stureplan Square. Many shops can also be found in the area between Sergels Torg and Kungsträdgården. The City is home to large popular Swedish shopping centers: for example, PUB and NK. As a fan of the H&M store, I appreciated it in Stockholm: the selection of clothes is huge, and if you find yourself on sale, the prices can’t help but please you!
• Östermalm – This area is famous for its designer homeware and furniture stores, as well as boutiques and high-end antique shops. And it is in Östermalm that the famous Östermalmshallen food market is located.
• Södermalm – lovers of flea markets will definitely find something interesting and unusual here. There are many small shops with second-hand clothes and home furnishings.

The most popular shopping streets in Stockholm are Hornsgaten and Slussen.

Stockholm has also won the title of the most environmentally friendly city in Europe for several years in a row. Sweden has many stores selling natural cosmetics, vegetarian products, and clothing made from natural fabrics. The most famous "health store" in Stockholm is the Ekovaruhuset supermarket. If you are a supporter of the environment and a healthy lifestyle, then I recommend visiting it!

What to bring from this country

At one time I was very touched by Swedish souvenirs! All these wonderful figurines of trolls (a couple of them still make me happy with their positive appearance), red Swedish horses, deer and moose. There are a lot of things you can buy with moose here: kitchen utensils, T-shirts, mugs and, of course, knitted sweaters with deer! Children should also bring books by Astrid Lingren and toys of their favorite characters. Prices for a book are around 5–7 EUR, a figurine will cost us 3–5 EUR.

For those who smoke, you can bring snus - smokeless Swedish tobacco - about 4 EUR per pack.

Among the products you can bring a pack of ginger cookies, vodka or berry tincture, a jar of Surströmming for the bravest ones, a pack of Gevalia coffee (approximate cost 6 EUR), any Swedish sweets (from 2 EUR per pack of cookies, for example).

As for purchasing alcohol, it is sold in special Systembolaget stores and can be purchased by persons over 20 years of age! Therefore, we take a passport so as not to go home without Absolut. A bottle of vodka will cost us about 8–10 EUR.

Baggage allowance varies by airline, but ours was the standard 20kg per person. The ban on the import and export of goods is also standard here: you cannot export national currency worth more than 6,000 SEK from the country. Items that have historical or artistic value. Ammunition, weapons and substances that are easily flammable.

Vacation with children

It seemed to me that it is ideal to go to Sweden with a child when he turns five. Firstly, little travelers will have to stomp their feet a lot. Secondly, this is not Southeast Asia or Egypt, where the main recreation is running on the beach and splashing in the water. Plus, all the entertainment in Sweden is not designed for infants, but for children aged 5–7 years who have already heard or read Astrid Lingren’s fairy tales, and they will be interested in seeing her museum.

It seems to me that the most interesting place for kids will be in Stockholm, where Junibacken is located, and it’s not boring! Junibacken, as I already said, is a museum of fairy tales by Astrid Lingren. It was opened during the writer’s lifetime in 1996. There are many themed areas dedicated to book characters. It is better to visit the museum on a weekday; there are much fewer visitors than on weekends. Entrance tickets cost from 13 EUR (125 SEK) per adult (price depends on the time of year) and from 11 EUR (110 SEK) per child. After visiting the museum, stop by the bookstore to pick up Lingren's books in Swedish or English, and sit in the café.

In addition to Junibacken, on the island of Djurgården there are: the Gröna Lundl amusement park, as well as a zoo and parks where you can have a picnic for the whole family.

And if you go to Gothenburg, be sure to visit the huge Liseberg Park, where the whole family will not be bored!

Sweden is a comfortable country for a family holiday. You won’t have any problems with “what should I feed my child”, because Swedish cuisine is tasty and simple, children will be delighted with meatballs, and I’m not talking about baking.

There are a lot of family rooms in hotels with bunk beds for children, and the climate at any time of the year will not be very shocking for the Russian body; you can do without acclimatization. What else I like about Stockholm and Sweden: there are few boring museums that will not be interesting for children. There are many national parks, walking areas, and the air even in the cities is very clean. Therefore, if you are wondering which European country you can start traveling with kids from, then Sweden is the ideal option!

Safety

Sweden is safe for holidays and tourists. There is no hectic traffic or widespread theft here, as in Barcelona, ​​for example. The crime rate in the country is very low. Nevertheless, general safety measures must be observed: do not put documents and money in your bag or backpack; it is better to distribute them in your pockets. Also keep your equipment with you. In museums and galleries, only put things in the cloakroom if there is an employee there, and do not leave your bags unattended.

If you do become a victim of robbery, you can contact the Swedish police: they are always ready to help tourists and speak good English. The telephone number for police, ambulance and firefighters is the same: 112. Calls from payphones are free, from a cell phone at the operator’s rate.

Popular types of scams

Sweden is, of course, a calm country, but it’s worth taking precautions! So what to watch out for:

• Change currency only through exchangers. If kind people on the street offer to change money, then feel free to avoid them.
• When walking along a pedestrian street or a market where there are a lot of people, keep your personal and valuable items with you.
• Do not leave documents or money at the hotel, unless in the safe.
• Swedes do not pester strangers on the street due to their mentality, so if you are approached on the street, then most likely this is not a local person, and it is better not to talk to him.

5 things you definitely shouldn't do

Here are some important points to keep in mind while in Sweden. The author did not do any of the following and does not advise readers.

We come to Sweden, and remember what is not worth it here:

• Smoking in public places, a no smoking sign hangs at all stops, in all museums and galleries in Sweden. Many restaurants have a special room for smoking with an exhaust hood.
• Photograph private homes. Swedes are very protective of their personal space, so you can easily be fined for wanting to film a beautiful country house.
• Approach other people's children on the street, even if the child is crying or lost. You will definitely reveal the tourist in you, and you will also have to explain yourself. Swedes do not interfere in the lives of others, and it is considered rude to approach strangers or children on the street. Plus, if human rights activists see you with someone else’s child, they can easily suspect you of harassment.
• Insult animals. In Sweden, cruelty to animals (even an unintentional animal accidentally hit by a car, for example) is punishable by up to 6 months in prison.
• Make noise after 22:00. This, of course, does not apply to you if you decide to have a blast in a nightclub. The clubs here are night clubs and work as expected. But most ordinary Swedes work from 8 am to 5 pm and go to bed early. Therefore, it is better not to make noise in a hotel or rented apartment after 22:00.

5 things you must do in this country

Sweden is a country with an indescribable atmosphere of comfort, peace and northern tranquility. Everyone will find something to do and places to their liking here, but there is a list of things that should be done in order to proudly declare “yes, I was in Sweden.” I recommend, advise and strongly support your desire in Sweden:

• Visit the island of Junibacken and visit several important museums where you can listen to your favorite ABBA songs, fool around with Carlson and Peppy Longstocking and see the ship Gustav Vasa with your own eyes.
• Drink coffee and eat aromatic pastries while enjoying the view of the Baltic Sea.

• See the smallest monument in Europe: Nils, who traveled with geese, and it is about him that Stockholm residents and tourists constantly take care of, insulating him for the winter. The monument is wonderful, I just want to not even rub it, but gently pat it on the head.

• Will go down to the Stockholm metro. It is considered one of the most unusual and beautiful in Europe: all three of its lines were designed by artists, and each station is decorated in its own style.

• Visit Gothenburg - a northern city with stunning castles and atmosphere.

Nearby countries

A trip to Stockholm can always be combined with a visit to three more Scandinavian countries: Finland, Denmark and Norway.

We started our trip from Finland, from where Stockholm can be easily and conveniently reached by ferry. The cost of the ferry depends on the type of cabin and day of the week: on weekends it is more expensive. The cost starts from 70 EUR per person one way. In general the route

The cultural capital of the Swedish Sami is hidden among the forests a few kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and greets the traveler with multi-letter signs in the Sami language. The Sami are one of Sweden's historical national minorities; About 20,000 representatives of this northern people live in the country. For more than four centuries, Jokmokk has hosted a large fair in early February, which attracts participants from all over Lapland. Today the market has turned into a three-day festival with accompanying concerts, exhibitions, fireworks and dog and reindeer sled races. Street stalls display handicrafts from Sami craftsmen; the main demand in food stalls is for hot venison soup: it helps you stay warm. All year round, souvenirs and delicacies can be found at the Ájtte Museum of Sami Culture. Near it, on the shore of Lake Talvatis, there is an alpine garden where plants from the Swedish Subpolar region are collected. Although you can truly encounter the greatness of the Arctic nature - harsh mountains, wild rivers, clear lakes - by going with a backpack to the surrounding national parks: Muddus, Stora Sjöfallet, Sarek and Padjelanta. As Carl Linnaeus noted after visiting these places: “If it weren’t for mosquitoes, this would be heaven on earth” (the great botanist came to the north at the height of summer and long before the invention of repellents).

Luleå, Gammelstad. Photo: Anders Alm/Visit Luleå

Luleå

The largest city in the Swedish north, the capital of the province of Norrbotten - further only Finland and Norway. Or vice versa - the first major stop after the border, if you drive around the Gulf of Bothnia from the east. The history of the busy trading harbor dates back more than four centuries, although it was originally located in another part of the bay. The village of Gammelstad now remains in that place - a 15th-century stone church and four hundred wooden cottages where villagers who came to the service from distant farms could spend the night. There are about two dozen such church towns in Sweden, and Luleå is the largest among them - UNESCO included it in the list of world heritage sites. By the 21st century, Luleå itself had become an educational and scientific center. Facebook placed its first European data center here: in northern latitudes it is easier to cool the servers that store myriads of posts and likes. When the city bay freezes in winter, it is cleared of snow and turned into a giant skating rink where you can skate for kilometers on ice skates and toboggans. In summer, the main attraction is the local archipelago, where you can sail for the whole day on a ship to pick berries, look out for rare birds and marvel at the tenderness of the polar light reflected from the water.

Ore

The history of Sweden's main ski resort dates back to 1882, when a railway ran from the Swedish Östersund to the Norwegian Trondheim at the foot of Mount Oreskutan. The village of Ore was then known only for the old stone church of the 12th century, placed on the pilgrimage route through the mountains. In the first decades, the resort was not a sports resort, but simply a mountain and summer resort: the noble public went up and breathed fresh air; for their convenience, a restaurant was first opened at the top, and then a funicular was launched. Skiers arrived here in the 1930s. Today, about a hundred trails with a length of more than 100 km have been laid on Oreskutan and neighboring mountains; 46 lifts operate. The carefully prepared and mostly gentle slopes are ideal for beginners - only 5 slopes are marked in black as the most difficult. But conditions for downhill competitions are only here in Sweden, so all seven times when the kingdom applied to host the Winter Olympics, Åre was always included in it (it has never been able to win yet). An important advantage of the northern resort is its long season: the snow here is guaranteed to fall by the beginning of December and remains there until the beginning of May. Life doesn’t stop in the summer either: the slopes are dedicated to fans of mountain biking, a large zipline park opens, rafters raft along the stormy mountain rivers, and hang gliders circle in the sky. Despite all the developed infrastructure in Ore, they managed to preserve almost pristine landscapes - there are no multi-storey buildings or megaclubs here. The distances are small, the scale is human. You can get to the resort town in an overnight train from Stockholm or in an hour from the nearest airport in Östersund.

Gävle

Situated on the southern border of the Norrland region - Sweden's sparsely populated north - Gävle is the ideal average Swedish town. And here “average” is not at all synonymous with “ordinary”: such cities sometimes tell more about the country than capitals and tourist meccas. A fast train from Stockholm will take you less than an hour and a half. Gävle welcomes guests with a ceremonial center, rebuilt after a catastrophic fire in 1869: there is a town hall, there is a theater, there are wide streets turned into shopping promenades. Although on the southern bank of the Euleon River you can also see the old quarters - several cobbled alleys with wooden houses survived the fire. The city has two good museums of national level - the Railway and the Prison, occupying the old depot and the old prison, respectively; there is a place to while away a rainy day. In good weather, the Bois de Boulogne awaits - a vast landscape park, laid out according to the model and likeness of its Parisian namesake. Gävle regularly makes national news thanks to the giant figure of a straw goat, which is installed every year before Christmas in the main square of the city and which irresponsible citizens persistently try to set on fire. Whether the goat in Gävle will live to see Christmas or not is one of the main intrigues of the Swedish Christmas Eve.

Vaxholm

The Stockholm archipelago is more than thirty thousand islands scattered between the capital hidden in the skerries and the open sea. Reliable protection in the past, a dacha universe in the present, you can spend a separate vacation exploring the entire archipelago. If you don’t have any extra vacations in stock, then the easiest direction is Vaxholm, 40 minutes from the center of the capital by land or an hour by ship (this is, of course, more pleasant). This is the only settlement on the archipelago that confidently calls itself a city - 5 thousand residents live here all year round (in the summer the population predictably increases significantly). All the city attributes are present: the stocky town hall on the main square, the classic chest of drawers of the church and a scattering of cafes and restaurants near the harbor, where regular passenger ships moor in turn. On a separate island there is a gloomy fortress that successfully defended the capital from the Danes and Russians, but ended its military career in the 19th century with a prison (now there is a museum and a boarding house there). However, the mood in Vaxholm is still created blissfully: you want to wander along country lanes and along coastal cliffs, overeat with cakes on the cafe terrace and, if it’s swimming season, jump into the water from the pier.

Coward

Sweet Coward has made her living from fishing for centuries: local fishermen have fishing rights in the vast waters south of Stockholm. They returned to the houses at the mouth of the Trusaon River only for the winter, spending the season on the islands. Since the end of the 19th century, empty rooms began to be rented out to summer residents in the capital. At first, a bohemian public began to frequent the fishing town: writers, artists, actors, musicians - they began to buy houses, real estate prices rose; then wealthier clients came along, including ABBA musicians and members of the royal family. Today Trusa is one of the wealthiest municipalities in the kingdom, and residents go to work not at sea, but in Stockholm offices and studios, fortunately the drive to the center of the capital is only an hour. At the same time, as befits a respectable Swedish city, there is not a trace of pathos or ostentatious luxury here. The tiny old town hall is as hidden under the dome of the bell tower as under a gnome's hat (there is a tourist office and library inside). The main square also creeps across the bridge to the other side of the river. Geraniums on the windows, rosehip bushes along the fences, an unpaved path on the embankment. You can suspect something is wrong only by walking to the harbor and assessing the total cost of the yachts moored there. But I don’t really want to do calculations when there’s such an idyll around.

Norrköping. Photo: Sergey Bondarenko

Norrköping

In guidebooks, Norrkoping likes to be called the “Swedish Manchester”, a local pioneer of industrialization: back in the first half of the 17th century, the Dutchman Louis de Geer opened weapons, cloth and paper manufactories on the rapids of the Mutalaström River. He chose yellow paint for painting industrial buildings, which even today covers half of the buildings in the city center. Until the mid-20th century, Norrköping was the center of the Swedish textile industry, until competition with cheap Asian suppliers dealt a blow to it. When production began to close one after another, the factory districts near the river were turned into a cultural center with a concert hall, several museums and walkways over cascading waterfalls. In the evening, the waterfalls on Mutalaström are illuminated. The most elegant building - the Iron, which cuts the river into two branches - was given to the Museum of Labor, which tells about the difficult life of local workers. Although family Swedes most often get to Norrkoping not for walks by the water, but for the sake of the local Kolmården zoo, the largest in Scandinavia - with a separate aquarium for tropical fish and an extensive safari area. The picture is surreal: elephants, giraffes, tigers, rhinoceroses and bears walk along the lawns of the northern forest, and visitors slowly float above them in cable car cabins.

Linkoping

Founded at the beginning of the 12th century, Linköping played a secondary role throughout Swedish history: it did not stand out particularly, but it did not disappear from view either. There is a large Gothic cathedral, rebuilt several times and decorated with modernist altars and stained glass windows. There is a small castle turned into a local history museum. There is a botanical garden where you can admire the blooming gardens in the spring and sunbathe on the lawns in the summer. There is the Old Linköping Skansen on the outskirts, where almost a hundred historical buildings have been transported from the center, gathering several blocks with cobblestone streets - an open-air preserve of bygone times (the most famous representative of this museum genre is the Skansen in Stockholm). In 1937, the aircraft manufacturing company Saab moved its headquarters here, thanks to which the city grew. It even has its own very active university, and at the Malmen air base outside the city they opened the Swedish Air Force Museum, in the hangars of which, in addition to Saab fighters, they display a Douglas reconnaissance aircraft, shot down in 1952 over the Baltic by Soviet interceptors and raised from the seabed half a century later. Linköping is located right on the main highway of the kingdom, two hours from Stockholm towards Gothenburg and Malmö - a convenient stop.

Panorama of Jönköping and Jönköping University. Photo: Heineviks flygfoto

Jönköping

At first glance, Jönköping, with its population of 90,000, is an unremarkable industrial center at the southern end of the long Lake Vättern, right at the intersection of the roads to Stockholm from Gothenburg and Malmö; Large Swedish companies prefer to keep their warehouses here. But along with the warehouses, three unusual collections are found here. The first is the old match factory of the Lundström brothers, which for a century brought the main income to the city treasury: machines, blanks, thousands of boxes and labels explain the entire process of producing the legendary Swedish match. The second exhibition is illustrations by artist Jon Bauer for Scandinavian fairy tales in the local museum: bewitching princesses, magical gnomes and scary trolls. And finally - the Radio Museum, where all kinds of receivers and transmitters are collected. Having visited all three exhibitions, you are not at all surprised by the fact that twice a year it is in Jönköping that the DreamHack- the world's largest cyber championship. Almost 30 thousand people with their computers gather at the local exhibition center and desperately play Dota and Warсraft, one hundred million viewers tune in to streaming, and for four days sorcerers, orcs, elves and other demons finally reign in this quiet province.

Fjällbacka. Photo: Sergey Bondarenko

Fjällbacka

Fjällbacka, buried in the rocks, is not a city, but a village with a thousand permanent residents. There are generally few cities on the coast of the province of Bohuslän: Strömstad is located to the north, Lysekil is to the south, but they are also small; and the textured and picturesque Fjällbacka is the calling card of the west coast. Fisherman's houses stick to the rocks, a scattering of islands protects the bay from the open sea, and the winds constantly blowing through the Skagerrak Strait clean the air to absolute transparency. It was here that Hollywood star Ingrid Bergman preferred to spend time when returning to her homeland in Sweden. The writer Camilla Läckberg, who was born and raised in the village, settled her heroes in Fjällbak: excursions are now given to the places where her detectives take place. Of course, the main fishery on the coast today is idle holidaymakers, but the local harbor has not been completely given over to yachts and kayaks, and freshly caught lobsters, crabs and shrimp are unloaded there every day. If you can take your mind off the sea and skerries, then literally a 15-minute drive from Fjällbaka, in Tanumshed, you can see petroglyphs of the Bronze Age: rock paintings depicting hunters, animals, heavenly bodies, boats and sleighs, carefully outlined with paint for contrast and included in the World List UNESCO cultural heritage.

Karlskrona

Karlskrona was founded as a base for the Swedish fleet in 1680 by Charles XI. The new port was located on the island of Trousseau, near an ice-free harbor on the Baltic, so that ships would not languish in the ice idle in winter. According to the approved unified plan, they laid out spacious squares and wide avenues for parades, built impressive government buildings, equipped shipyards and surrounded them with strong forts on the nearby islands. The two pompous temples on the main square of Stortorget were designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger himself, a genius of the Swedish Baroque. But after the defeat inflicted by Peter I, militant ambitions began to decline: Karlskrona remained an important naval base, but did not become the second city of the kingdom, as the founder saw it. But it retained its original plan and a significant part of the historical buildings, thanks to which it was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Tourists first visit the Naval Museum, sign up for a tour of the old rope factory - this is the longest wooden building in the kingdom, 300 meters - and then sail by ship to the two forts guarding the entrance to the harbor - Kungsholm and Drottningsshaer. On a fine summer day, you can also rush to the beach on the holiday island of Dragsø - it’s not for nothing that the water here is the warmest in the Baltic.

Helsingborg

Impressive Helsingborg is nestled imposingly on the very southwestern edge of Scandinavia. Denmark is just a stone's throw away: the width of the Oresund Strait in these places is less than 5 kilometers, just 20 minutes by water. Ferries to Helsingør on the opposite bank run 24 hours a day. If you climb to the observation deck on the Cernan Tower on the hill above the city, you can see in all its glory Kronborg Castle on the other side, the same Hamlet’s Elsinore. Another convenient point to spy on the Danes is the pier in the North Harbor, right in front of the Dunkers cultural center with interesting exhibitions of contemporary art. Sandwiched between the harbor and the hill is the charming old town with its lively shopping street, Kullagatan. For those who decide to stay in Helsingborg, there is also the Fredriksdal estate, where old buildings from the center and surrounding farms were brought, the Tropicaret menagerie, where you can meet lemurs and meerkats, and the former royal estate Sofier with romantic rhododendron gardens. Helsingborg is an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful west of Skåne: Sweden's Cape of Good Hope, Kullaberg, the unrecognized state of Nimis, the wooded Söderåsen nature reserve, the idyllic island of Ven and numerous fishing villages are just a stone's throw away. And - shhh! - Sweden, of course, is the best, but the Danish side from Helsingborg is also worth a look. The main thing is not to forget to come back. See “Sweden is the best”.

You will learn about 9 interesting places that are recommended for visiting. The country has its own Stonehenge, known as Ales Stenar. This is a large stone monument that dates back to the megalithic period. The monument includes 59 large boulders in the shape of a ship.

In southern Sweden, near the village of Kaseberg, Ales Stenar is located. Some fables and pieces of folklore tell of the legendary Olav Tryggvason, a Viking leader. He was buried here along with the ship. This is a vivid trace of the period of mysticism of the Iron Age in Scandinavia, which keeps the secrets of the exploits of Viking heroes.

1. Visby, Gotland Island

Visby is a mixture of ancient spirit and nature of extraordinary beauty. This is a wonderful Scandinavian city of the Middle Ages, which is the best preserved. This land is considered the only one on the island of Gotland that has historical urban status. When visiting the city of Visby, you will be enchanted by comfortable cobblestone streets, beautiful botanical gardens, quaint houses and ancient churches. But the most outstanding attraction is the 16 restored ancient churches.

2. Stockholm Old Town, Gamla Stan

Lovers of medieval and Renaissance architecture will be extremely excited to encounter this wonderful place. There is no more beautiful and interesting area in Stockholm than the Old Town. You can walk around the city on the cobbled streets or take a train ride. Of all the ancient buildings in the Old Town, the Royal Castle stands out the most. While visiting the advantages of the Old Town, you can admire its museums, shops, studios and restaurants. You will see for yourself that only in this place you can feel the real pulse of Stockholm. To learn more about it, check out a separate article with a list of all its attractions.

3. Uppsala Cathedral

When visiting Sweden, you can’t help but visit the extraordinary Uppsala Cathedral, made in the neo-Gothic style. This church dates from the end of the 13th century. It is the largest religious building in Scandinavia. Before the coronation ceremonies of local kings and queens were held in Stockholm, they were held in Uppsala Cathedral. In addition, many famous Swedes, in particular Gustav Faz, Eric the Sacred, Johan III and Carolus Linnaeus are buried in this church. Its particularly attractive feature is the interior, which gives the impression of a richly decorated heritage of the country.

4. Drottingholm Palace

If you want to see the brilliance of a historical setting that meets the highest international standards, you should visit Drotttingholm Palace. In addition, it is the residence of the Royal Family. Consequently, the Palace is one of the main attractions of the state. This amazing palace, built of stone, was designed and erected by John III of Sweden back in 1580. And the author of this colossal project was inspired by the queen herself, Katherine Jaigllon. A large number of prominent characters of the kingdom left their specific marks on this palace. Drottingholm is a unique combination of the incredible Palace Theatre, exotic Chinese palace and stunning gardens. In addition, in the interior of the building you can see original pieces of furniture, amazing pieces of art and impressive chandeliers.

5. Kingdom of Crystals

An extraordinary place in Sweden where you can observe the process of artistic creation is the Kingdom of Crystal. This is the home of a world-famous glass production. It includes 11 factories, which have their own diverse atmosphere. You will learn about the peculiarities of glassblowing and the ways in which they create wonderful pieces of art from cast glass. Unusual objects and ancient collections of glassware can be seen at exhibitions and in museums. If you collect souvenirs, then here you can buy a lot of interesting things for yourself, your friends and loved ones.

6. Carlsten

Erected by order of the Swedish king Charles X, the Carlsten fortress is located on the highest peak of Marstrand. It is now a wonderful historical landmark that attracts many visitors. The stone fortress managed to survive enemy attacks in 1677 and 1719. It was conquered, but after numerous negotiations and agreements it was returned to Sweden.

7. Gothenburg

Thanks to its architectural and cultural heritage, Gothenburg has become one of the most visited cities in Sweden. It is the second largest city in the Scandinavian country. There is a really long list of attractions that are worth visiting. The Art Museum, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, the Opera House, the largest shopping center in Scandinavia, Nordstan are a small part of all the opportunities that the city provides. If you're an adventurous person, you can take a ferry to a popular tourist attraction - the southern Gothenburg Archipelago, a scenic location made up of a large number of small islands.

8. Uppsala Castle

Another beautiful and monumental building, Uppsala Castle, arouses great admiration among visitors. Built during a period of magnificent times when Sweden was one of the most powerful European countries, Uppsala Castle displays all its extraordinaryness and majesty. What makes it even more special is its dramatic history and numerous turning points in the country's history. Due to a fire in 1702, the royal building was seriously damaged, but after many years of hard work it was restored.

9. Stockholm Archipelago

This natural heritage extends 60 km into the Baltic Sea and includes more than 24 thousand islands. To navigate among them, you can use a private motorboat, steamboat or ferry. While the boat will be carried peacefully by the waves, you will feel how freely you can control the wind, which in turn will play with your hair.

The presented list includes the most popular attractions that you must visit in Sweden. It will be updated with other interesting places in the future, so stay tuned for updates.

The Kingdom of Sweden, as the country is officially called, is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula and occupies an area of ​​447 thousand square meters. km. Sweden borders by land with Norway and Finland, and by water with Denmark. The state includes the islands of Öland and Gotland.

Official language

The official language of the country is Swedish, spoken by 90% of residents. In different parts of Sweden you can hear dialects:

• Elfdalian, divided into a dozen dialects;
• Gutnic, common in Gotland;
• Jämtlandic, spoken by 30 thousand residents of Jämtland province;
• Skonsky, used by residents of the province of the same name.

When you go on a trip, learn a few words of Swedish. Swedes speak excellent English, but will be happy to maintain a dialogue in their native language.

Hej is a Swedish greeting, suitable for any resident of the country, regardless of gender, social status and age. Tack - gratitude, in Russian it sounds like “tak”.

I am looking for a currency exchange

Sweden is part of the European Union, but the euro is not accepted here. For payments, the Swedes have their own currency - the Swedish krona (SEK). Crown to euro exchange rate: 10 SEK = 0.9 EUR. Exchange rate to ruble: 1 SEK = 6.9 RUB.

Do not confuse the Swedish krona with the Danish and Norwegian kroner - these are different currencies

Currency exchange methods:

• in Russia before your trip;
• at the exchange office on the ferry or at the airport;
• in city exchange offices.

The city's exchange offices are open until 18.00, so if you arrive later, exchange euros in advance: at the airport or on the ferry.

An alternative option is to pay by card. Most establishments and even local taxis accept Visa, American Express and MasterCard.

Religion of residents

Until 2000, the Lutheran Swedish Church was a state church - clergy received salaries from the state for registering births, marriages and burials of the dead. On January 1, 2010, it separated from the state, but in the minds of the country’s residents, adherence to old traditions remained.

At birth, a resident of Sweden is automatically enrolled in the Lutheran Church and pays church tax. Everyone has the right to voluntarily leave it and pay tax to another denomination. But since the tax is automatically deducted from wages, Swedes don't even think about the fact that it can be redirected.

Therefore, according to tax office statistics, 68% of Swedes belong to the Lutheran Church, but in fact 85% of the population consider themselves atheists. The Swedish Church is called the “church of unbelievers.”

Timezone

The entire territory of Sweden is in the same time zone UTC +01:00. The time difference with Moscow is 2 hours: when it is 14:00 Moscow time here, in Sweden it is 12:00. To rationally use daylight hours, residents of the country switch to winter time in October, and to summer time in March.

The best tourist cities in Sweden

Sweden is located in northern latitudes, but the climate in the country is moderate. In winter the average temperature is -16⁰C, and in summer - +17⁰C. Summers are moderately hot and rainy, while winters are harsh and windy. In the southwest of the country the climate is milder, thanks to warm winds from the Atlantic. In the warm season there is the possibility of a beach holiday. Five cities are attractive to tourists: Gothenburg, Stockholm, Malmö, Uppsala and Åre.

Gothenburg is the cultural and entertainment center of Sweden, the second largest city after Stockholm. There are picturesque swimming beaches, the Liseberg amusement park and the Dalsland Canal, which connects a system of natural and artificial lakes. The length of the canal is 240 km, of which 10 km are created by man. From May to September, kayaks, canoes, and cruise sailing boats ply the waters. Along the way there are sights: the museum, the House of Crafts, Lake Upperudsschöllen.

Gothenburg is a large but compact city, all the museums can be visited in a day

There are three Michelin-starred restaurants in Gothenburg, staffed by chefs recognized as the best in the country. Be sure to try local seafood delicacies at the Shomagasinet restaurant and stop by Hos Pelle.

Malmo

Malmö is a wealthy farming town in the province of Skåne. Small in area, it attracts tourists with an atmosphere of comfort and the opportunity to relax in nature.

Ribbersborg Beach is often called the Scandinavian Copacabana for its festive atmosphere

While in Malmö, take a swim at Ribersborg Beach. The 2.5 km long coastline is divided into zones. There are nudist beaches, dog bathing areas, and equipped spaces for the disabled. Nearby there is a bathing complex with saunas, steam rooms, a solarium and a massage room. If time permits, go out of town to the beaches of Ljunghusen or Stenshuvud.

The ancient city center is based on four squares:

• Stortorget;
• Leela Torg;
• David Hull;
• Gustav Adolf.

Calm during the day, Malmö turns into a center of vibrant entertainment at night. Nightlife lovers spend their time in clubs and restaurants, chatting with friends, dancing and drinking. Most of the establishments are concentrated around Lila Torg Square, which hosts open-air parties in good weather.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden, a hub of museums, attractions, cafes, restaurants and shops. The city stands on 14 islands of the Baltic Sea, connected by bridges.

You can attend the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm

In the city center there are two historical districts founded in the 13th century: Gamla Stan and Riddarholmen. A little further is the Östermalm district - an entertainment center with large department stores, fashionable boutiques, Swedish designer shops and youth bars. From there you can head to the island of Djurgården, which has incredible beaches, numerous plant nurseries and a bird sanctuary.

The Stockholm Pass tourist card is valid in Stockholm. It entitles you to free admission to 60 city museums, participation in cultural events, bus excursions and ferry rides.

Ore

The city of Åre is a ski resort in Sweden. It includes five ski areas: Duved, Tegefjell, Åre-Bjørnen, Redkulle and Åre-By. Åre is called the Scandinavian Alps for its varied trails with elevation differences of up to 900 m and the best lift system in Europe. No matter what part of the city you live in, skiing is allowed on all slopes.

Åre is Sweden's largest ski resort with 100 km of pistes

If you are a fan of snowboarding, in addition to the standard slopes, visit the “fan park” and the snowcross chute.

The ski season opens in mid-November and ends in May. On New Year's holidays, a direct charter departs to the airport of Östersund, the closest city to Åre. On other days, you can get to the ski slopes from Stockholm by train.

Sights of Sweden

Tourism in Sweden depends on the schedule of national holidays. During busy times, prices for hotel accommodation, transport travel and some excursions rise. You can save on your trip by making hotel reservations and purchasing tickets for sightseeing in advance. Any city has a list of the most attractive objects.

Bustling Gothenburg

You can get to Gothenburg from cities in Sweden, Norway and Denmark by train or bus. For travelers from Russia, the city has two operating airports - Gothenburg-Landvetter and Gothenburg City. The first is located 25 km from the city center, the second is located closer and works with low-cost airlines.

Volvo Museum

The Volvo Museum displays exhibits demonstrating the history of the development of the automobile concern since 1927. In the halls of the museum all models of cars are exhibited, from old and awkward ones produced in the 30s to modern cars. There are also unique samples that have not found their place on the mass market. For example, a car for women, a two-seater “tandem” or a unit running on environmentally friendly fuel.

Arriving in Gothenburg by ferry, the first thing you see when you step onto the pier is the Volvo Museum

At the Volvo Museum, visitors can “steer” a huge excavator - for this purpose, a simulator is installed in one of the halls.

In addition to passenger cars, the museum has models of trucks, airplanes, conveyor and construction equipment. The number of exhibits is constantly increasing.

The museum is located in the suburbs of Gothenburg. The cost of visiting is 60 SEK, for children under 6 years of age admission is free.

The Gothenburg Botanical Garden is one of the largest gardens in Europe. It was built with donations from townspeople in 1923. In 2001, the city authorities transferred the garden to the jurisdiction of the Västra region.

In 2003, the Gothenburg Botanical Garden received the title of the most beautiful garden in Sweden, and the workers received national awards and international distinctions

The area of ​​the Botanical Garden is 175 hectares, of which 40 hectares are regularly cultivated. The rest of the space is occupied by arboretums and nature reserves. The territory is planted with bulbous and alpine plants of unique varieties, there is a rock garden, a Japanese garden and a valley of rhododendrons. Flowers grow in greenhouses, 4 thousand species.

City Museum

Gothenburg residents call the City Museum a home full of stories. It is located in a house built in the mid-18th century. The museum presents collections covering 12 thousand years of Swedish history: books, photographs, elements of everyday life and traditional costumes. The first exhibits appeared here in the middle of the 19th century.

The building that houses the Gothenburg City Museum occupies an entire block

In the archaeological section you will see objects found in the city during excavations - elements of Viking ships, fonts with runes inscribed on the sides, household items and even the remains of an ancient person. In the industrial section, you may be interested in a collection of items collected from ancient enterprises and factories. The theater section contains script manuscripts, printed programs, posters and drawings. In the history museum, memories are kept in the form of letters and diaries.

Entrance fee for adults is SEK 60, free entry for Gothenburg City Card holders and guests under 25 years of age.

The Skansen Kronan fortress, built in the 17th century, is located on a hill southwest of the center of Gothenburg. The Swedes built a fortress to protect against possible attacks by Danish soldiers on the southern part of the city. 23 cannons were installed on the five-meter thick walls, which were never used for their intended purpose.

Built as a defensive fortress, the Skansen Kronan fortress was never subjected to real attacks.

In the 19th century, Skansen Kronan served as a prison for prisoners of war, and later a museum of military equipment was located inside. It existed until 2004, and later the fortress began to be used for noisy parties.

The fortress is open to the public from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 15:00, and on Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00. The nearest public transport stop is Hagakyurken.

Summer Malmö

You can fly to Malmö by plane. The city has a central airport, from where regular buses depart to the center. The second option is to take a ticket to Copenhagen, and from there take a train through the majestic Øresund Bridge-Tunnel. Travel time from Copenhagen to Malmö is 20–35 minutes.

Malmö City Theater was created in 1993 as a result of the reorganization of the former musical city theater. The new theater has its own troupe, which employs 90 people: some of them on a permanent basis, while others are on contract.

Malmö City Theater organizes exciting behind-the-scenes tours and educational workshops on the arts for young people

Three venues are used to stage performances. The main Hipp stage is located in the former circus hippodrome, the second Intiman stage is next to the Malmö Opera, and the third, experimental stage is on the attic floor of the hippodrome.

Over the course of a year, the Malmö Theater hosts more than 20 performances of various types: universally recognized classic masterpieces and productions based on plays by contemporary authors. The total number of spectators per year is 50 thousand people, of which a third takes part in creative evenings and public events of the theater.

Malmö Town Hall and Town Hall Square

City Hall is an administrative building where local government representatives work. It was built on Stortorget Square at the beginning of the 16th century and extensively renovated at the beginning of the 19th century. The town hall looks quaint and doesn't look like a boring government office at all.

In the basement of the town hall there is a good restaurant that has been operating for several centuries

The building's Renaissance-style façade attracts visitors' attention. It is decorated in pink and gray tones and decorated with decorative overlays, columns, and bas-reliefs. Above the entrance there is a small balcony, skillfully decorated with stucco, and on the roof there are baroque superstructures.

There are many halls inside the building, three of which are periodically open to the public:

• Knutssalen - designed like the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles;
• Landstingssalen - used for royal banquets, decorated with portraits of members of the queen's family;
• Bernadottesalongen - banquet hall.

There is no exact opening schedule for the halls. Free visits are possible on days when the halls are not used by City Hall employees.

The windmill was built on the ruins of Malmö Castle in 1851. This is a wooden structure on a stone base, shaped like a bell.

The mill came into the possession of Malmö Museums in 1945

In 1879, the mill was mechanized, but 16 years later the original wind-powered mechanism was returned.

Today the mill is run by the Malmö Museums and, despite its age, continues to be powered by the wind. For a small fee, caretakers demonstrate to tourists how the equipment works. Next to the mill there is a miller's house, where excursions are held for those interested and they talk about grain grinding technologies.

Since 1993, the mill and the house have been given the status of historical monuments.

The Oresund Bridge connects the Danish city of Copenhagen and the Swedish city of Malmö. It was built in 1999 according to a project by Dissing&Weitling to connect continental Europe and Scandinavia. The uniqueness of the bridge is that part of it is located above the water, and the second goes into the depths of the Öresund Strait.

Every day more than 60 thousand cars cross the border between Denmark and Sweden on the Oresund Bridge

During the construction of the tunnel, 16 unexploded shells from World War II were discovered at the bottom of the strait.

The official opening of the bridge took place in 2000 with the participation of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Margrethe II. Traffic was opened immediately after the ceremony, and a fee was set for travel.

The 7 km long Øresund Bridge combines a railway and a four-lane highway. It crosses the border between Sweden and Denmark. Since the countries belong to the Schengen zone, there was no passport control between them for a long time, and entry in both directions was free. But after migrants began moving from Denmark to Malmö in huge numbers in 2016, the Swedish authorities returned to the standard passport inspection procedure. However, it is still possible to cross the border towards Denmark without control.

You can only use the bridge for a fee, one-way fare:

• on a motorcycle - 205 SEK;
• by train - 105 SEK;
• by car - 390 SEK;
• by car with trailer or minibus - 780 SEK.

Fare kiosks accept Swedish, Danish and Norwegian kroner, as well as euros, dollars and pounds. For drivers who drive across the bridge regularly, discounts of up to 75% are provided.

Expensive Stockholm

Most of Sweden's attractions are concentrated in the capital city. Trains and planes depart regularly from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Stockholm. The schedule includes both direct and connecting flights with transfers in Riga, Vilnius and Helsinki.

Drottningholm Palace, located in the middle of the island of Mälaren, was built twice. The first time was in the 16th century by order of King Johan III for his wife Catherine Jagiellonka. The castle was completed, but burned down in a fire. The second time - in 1662, at the behest of Queen Hedwig Eleonora, as a country residence.

The pearl of the Drottningholm palace complex is the court theater, built in 1766

During construction, the Palace of Versailles was taken as a basis, and as a result, Drottningholm became the first castle in the history of Scandinavia without defensive fortifications. In the 18th century it came into the possession of Queen Louise Ulrika, and in the 19th century it fell into disrepair. After a global reconstruction a century later, Drottningholm was opened to tourists.

The pride of the palace is the historical interiors of the State Hall, the library and the royal boudoir. The rooms are richly decorated with stucco, carved solid wood elements and gilding. Noteworthy are the tapestry woven personally by King Gustav V, the ancient organ in the Palace Church and the Chinese Pavilion in the palace park.

Drottningholm is open to the public all year round, with an entrance fee of 120 SEK. In winter, the excursion is included in the entrance ticket, and in summer it is paid separately.

Army Museum

Sweden has practically not taken part in military conflicts since the Battle of Poltava. Therefore, the Swedish Army Museum differs from similar institutions in other countries. Instead of the expected chronicle of military operations, you will see exhibitions dedicated to the history of weapons, the psychology of war, and problems of front-line hygiene.

The Swedish Army Museum occupies three floors - you need to view the exhibitions from the top

At the entrance to the museum there is a monument to those who fell in the battle of Poltava. The halls display samples of ancient edged weapons, as well as muskets, pistols, and rifles. Most of them can be picked up, examined and tried. Large military equipment includes a tank without a turret and several armored cars.

A separate line worth mentioning are the wax figures, fascinating with their realism. Charging horsemen, huge rats and a dirty Russian soldier furiously plunging a bayonet into a bloody Swede are objects that impressionable museum guests may find uneasy.

The Army Museum is open every day except Monday. Entrance fee for adults is 60 SEK, for children - 30 SEK.

The Globe Arena is a spherical building that hosts mass events, sporting competitions and concerts of world stars. But the attraction is famous thanks to the SkyView cable car.

At night and during themed events, the Globe Arena is illuminated

SkyView is a cabin that runs on rails mounted along the arena body. She takes tourists to the top of the building at a height of 130 meters, from where the panorama of Stockholm is clearly visible. You can take photos and videos from the cabin, but taking food and drinks with you is strictly prohibited.

The attraction is open every day, on weekdays from 9:30 to 18:00, and on weekends from 9:30 to 16:00. The duration of one trip is 20 minutes, the cost of an adult ticket is 150 SEK, a child ticket is 100 SEK.

National Museum

The National Museum is Sweden's largest gallery displaying works of art and decorative arts. The museum's collections include 16 thousand paintings and sculptures by famous authors such as Renoir, Cezanne, Manet, Rembrandt.

The National Museum of Sweden has published three thousand of the most popular works of art from its collection on Wikimedia Commons - images are available for download

The main building of the National Museum is closed for reconstruction until October 2018. The collections were moved to the gallery of the Royal Academy of Arts. In addition, the museum includes exhibitions in the castles of Drottningholm, Ulriksdal, Gripsholm, Strömsholm and Rusenberg.

Since January 1, 2016, exhibitions at the Academy of Arts can be visited free of charge. The gallery is located at Fredsgatan 12 and is open daily.

Address of the National Museum: Sodra Blasieholmshamnen, 2. Opening hours will be known after reconstruction.

Alcohol Museum

The Swedish Alcohol Museum is an atmospheric interactive space divided into 3 halls according to the seasons.

At the Alcohol Museum you can smell many types of alcohol, look at moonshine stills and taste some of the drinks

In each of the halls, visitors are offered to try one of the types of local liqueurs:

• in spring - orange;
• in summer - dill and elderberry;
• in autumn - wormwood.

In the summer hall there are two mobile homes, where vacationers sing drinking songs. The winter hall is missing for unknown reasons. On the second floor there is a hangover room, leaving which you will hear a woman swearing and a monologue about how terrible it was to get drunk yesterday.

In the museum you will not learn the history of the production of Swedish alcohol, you will not hear anything about the ban on drinking strong drinks, but you will simply have a pleasant time in an unusual setting. By the way, there is a bar here that sells cocktails and snacks.

The Alcohol Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (in the summer months - until 18:00), entrance fee is 100 SEK.

Cozy Uppsala

The provincial town of Uppsala is the historical center of Sweden with narrow streets and cozy cafes. There are few attractions here, but they are all historically significant, and extensive walking areas compensate for the lack of entertainment.

Old Uppsala and Great Mounds

Old Uppsala is a rural area on the outskirts of the city, the former residence of the kings who ruled the Svei tribes. To the west of it are the Great Royal Mounds, where the legendary kings of ancient tribes are buried.

The three main Uppsala mounds, located in a chain to the southwest of the sanctuary, are of the same type in structure and funeral rites

The Svei are an ancient Germanic tribe of warriors and sailors who lived in the territory of modern Sweden. The king is the supreme ruler of the tribe.

Of interest to tourists are the three largest hills, dating back to the 5th-6th centuries: Eastern Kurgan, Western and Middle. In 1846, archaeologists began excavations in Vostochny and discovered a pot with charred bones, and around it - weapons, jewelry and household items. Similar finds were made in the Western Kurgan.

The origin of the hills has not yet been definitively determined, but they are officially recognized as symbols of Swedish heritage.

Uppsala Castle is included in the Swedish Register of Protected Buildings

Uppsala Castle was built in 1540 by order of Gustav I, King of Sweden. During its history, it burned twice and was reconstructed: the first time in 1572, again in 1702. Significant historical events took place within the walls of the castle: the coronation of Gustav II, the decision to switch from Catholicism to Lutheranism, the abdication of Queen Christina.

After the latest renovation, Uppsala Castle is open to the public. It houses the city's Art Museum and the Peace Museum, and hosts conferences and cultural events.

Seasonal tourism in Sweden

Winter in Sweden begins at the end of November after St. Martin's Day. Swedes celebrate New Year's holidays with friends, participating in cultural events. The country hosts a snow festival in January and a winter fair in February.

Ski lovers stop in western Sweden: Åre, Riksgränsen, Storlien. The ski resorts are safe and suitable for all skill levels, with additional activities such as dog sledding.

Arriving in northern Sweden after the New Year holidays, you can see the northern lights

In the summer, dance marathons, festivals, and concerts are held in Sweden. The Baltic Music Festival in August attracts music lovers, and the International Book Fair attracts bookworms from all over the world.

Malmö and the 2.5 km long Ribbersborg beach are ideal for relaxing by the sea. And you can rent a cottage for the summer in any city in the country. If you are looking for peace and quiet, rent a small house in Visby or Ystad and enjoy the charm of a small town.

Tourist routes for 3–7 days

Well-developed tourist routes save time traveling from one attraction to another and allow you to visit the maximum number of cities in Sweden.

The tourist map of Sweden shows the main attractions of the country.

Route for 3 days:

• day 1 - in the morning, arrival and check-in at the hotel on Södermalm, in the afternoon, excursion around the island, review of observation platforms;
• day 2 - visiting museums of modern art and the ABBA group, excursions to Skansen and the Museum of Modern Art;
• day 3 - walk to Gamla Stan, visiting the Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum, or moving to Uppsala and visiting local attractions; return to the airport.

Route for 5 days:

• Day 1 - arrival in Arlanda in the morning, departure to the island of Gotland by car;
• day 2 - in the morning a walk around Visby, visiting St. Mary's Cathedral, after lunch - a trip to the Botanical Garden;
• day 3 - departure to Jonkopping, excursion to the “World of Astrid Lindgren” and the match museum;
• day 4 - morning excursion to the City Park, lunch - departure to Gothenburg;
• day 5 - walk through the botanical garden, visit to Liseberg, flight to Stockholm.

Itinerary for 7 days (castles of Sweden):

• day 1 - arrival in Malmo, inspection of the castle in Skåne;
• day 2 - transfer to Kalmar Castle, excursion, after lunch - the estate of Carl Linnaeus;
• day 3 - transfer to Lekö castle, night at Bjertorp castle;
• day 4 - departure to Örebro, excursion to the castle of the same name;
• day 5 - transfer to Stockholm, excursion to Gripsholm;
• Day 6 - in the morning, a trip to Tre Krunur, in the afternoon - to Roosendal Castle;
• Day 7 - excursion to Drottningholm, flight home in the evening.

Entertainment for children

Children are unlikely to like “adult” attractions - churches, parks, museums. After visiting a couple of similar places, go to the entertainment center, where your child will relax and have fun.

Worth to visit:

• Liseberg Park in Gothenburg - open in summer and during the Christmas holidays;
• the Skansen Museum in Stockholm is an open-air center of Swedish culture;
• amusement park Gröna Lund Tivoli in Stockholm;
• Museum of Astrid Lindgren's fairy tales on the island of Djurgoden.

Ancient castles usually delight young guests. Show your child the Skansen Kronan fortress, Drottningholm Palace or Uppsala Castle, but do not overload him with historical information, but try to interest him in unusual facts.

There are many attractions in Sweden and they are all beautiful. Sweden is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula and borders Norway in the west and Finland in the northeast. There are many places to visit in Sweden, it all depends on your preferences. For nature and romance lovers, Sweden will be the land of the “Midnight Sun”, while history buffs will be delighted by the legacy of the great Vikings.

Sweden is famous as a country rich in attractions, natural beauty, rich history and cultural identity. If you still doubt whether you should visit this country, then I offer you a list of 7 attractions that will push you to take this step.

1. Kalmar Castle

The castle was built in the 12th century, it was intended to defend the city and played a significant role in the history of the kingdom. Pirates and other enemies approaching Sweden from the Baltic Sea could not capture the city, thanks to the advantageous position of the castle and its strong walls. The castle was slightly rebuilt in the 16th century and now it looks more like a building in the Renaissance style. You will have the opportunity to wander through the underground passages of the structure, cross the bridge, enjoy dinner in the best traditions of the 16th century, it will be like visiting Viking times.

The city of Visby is located on the island of Gotland, it is considered one of the best preserved cities of the Middle Ages, and the city is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Due to its favorable geographical position, easy access to drinking water, and close proximity to the harbor, this area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, however, the first mention of the city dates back only to the 12th century. The main attraction of Visby is a defensive structure from the 13th century. On the territory of this historical monument there is also the Gotland Museum, a Dominican monastery, medieval houses, and a botanical garden, which locals call the “City of Roses.”

Drottningholm Palace is the residence of the royal family and one of the most visited attractions in Sweden. The palace is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in the 16th century. Crowds of tourists come here to visit this palace, stroll through its luxurious rooms, see the theater, and also spend time in its luxurious gardens, including a baroque garden.

4. History Museum of Sweden

The History Museum is one of the largest museums in Sweden, with more than 10,000 exhibits stored here. The museum is famous for its precious exhibition, where gold and silver items are displayed. If you are curious about the history of the Vikings, then the museum is the perfect place to learn more about them. Among the exhibits: swords, tools and much more.

Gamla Stan is the old part of Stockholm and, at the same time, its city center. Here you will find many attractions such as the Church of St. Nicholas, the Nobel Museum and the Royal Palace. The city was founded in the 13th century on the island of Standsholmen, and the old town has been well preserved since the end of the Middle Ages. Stroll through the old streets of the city, where there are many restaurants and shops.

The Stockholm Archipelago is the second largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea, which consists of about 30,000 islands and islets. A huge number of tourists come here all year round, the most popular island for holidays is Sanjamn, Fejan is a favorite among kayaking tourists, Finnhamn is an excellent place for lovers of swimming and hiking. Take a boat tour and you'll see why this island was a former favorite spot for many artists, such as August Strindberg and Aleister Crowley.

Lund Cathedral is a stunning Lutheran church in Lund, Southern Province of Skåne. It is assumed that the cathedral was built back in the 11th century, however, the entire complex of buildings has existed since the 12th century. The cathedral was built of granite blocks in the basilica style, with colorful arched columns to support the vaulted ceilings. Today the cathedral with its twin towers is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Sweden. The interior boasts 15th-century carvings, a magnificent crypt, and a clock depicting three 14th-century kings.

Since Sweden is the third largest country in the European Union, there are many more interesting places to visit. You are sure to find something that suits your interests. And I hope you will share your impressions with us later.