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International tourism, number of arrivals - Sweden

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Nordic Perspective

Traveling to Sweden: What To Expect (Costs, Data, Attractions)

Are you considering a visit to Sweden on your next Scandinavia trip? In this article, I will present a balanced view of how Sweden stacks up in travel categories such as accessibility, popularity, quality of life, travel costs, and attractions. For each category, I include reliable data points that will give you a good idea of what to expect if you visit the largest of the Nordic countries.

• Visitor Accessibility - How Easy Is It to Travel to and in Sweden?​

Visitor Popularity, Demand, Total Area, and Global Reputation

Quality of life index – how does sweden compare globally, quality of life surveys – what do actual expats and visitors think of sweden, reported cost of food, drinks and shopping – how expensive is it to travel to sweden, attractions & travel community – what does the travel community say about sweden, capital city rating – is stockholm a good travel destination.

I feel lucky to have been able to grow up in and travel around Sweden and the rest of the Nordics throughout my life. Whether it has been historical and educational trips with family or adventurous and explorational trips with friends, I have never run out of new places to discover and new things to do in my native Sweden.

But just because I love the country I grew up in doesn’t mean everyone would, so I was curious to find how Sweden is like for the average traveler .

To find out how Sweden stacks up travel-wise, and in an attempt to give you an unbiased and balanced view of how Sweden rates as a travel destination , I set out to collect all the relevant data points I could find from different reliable indexes and surveys where countries around the world are compared in ways that relate to traveling experience and satisfaction.

So let’s take a look at how Sweden rates as a travel destination for the average tourist, based on relevant data points and survey results:

You can click on each category for a deeper look into the data and the sources, or simply keep scrolling to look at how we arrived at these ratings, one by one.

Visitor Accessibility – How Easy Is It to Travel to and in Sweden?​

For this category, we’re trying to establish how convenient it is to travel to Sweden, and how easy it is to get around in the country when you’re visiting. If you’re visiting Sweden as part of a bigger trip we’ll look at distance in travel time from different European cities, and we’ll also try to gauge how the country’s infrastructure holds up compared to other countries in order to figure out if it’s easy to get around in Sweden.

Looking at how popular Sweden is for visitors, how long they stay, and how the country’s reputation ranks globally, we can get a good sense of how people in general rate Sweden. I’ve also chosen to include total area to get a sense of how much there is to explore in the country as a whole.

To get a sense of how Sweden ranks as a destination for expats and visitors, we’ve looked at a massive global index that ranks countries based on factors relating to quality of life.

We can definitely learn a lot from looking at the big data in the previous section, but I also wanted to include how actual visitors of the country rate Sweden in different areas related to quality of life, which can give a good idea of how it is to visit the country. A great way to find out how good a country is for travelers is to ask the people who have actually visited the country.

I looked at three independent surveys which asked expats and visitors what their experience in Sweden was:

We’ve touched on the cost of travel in Sweden already, but I wanted to give an idea of actual costs travelers may be interested in, as reported by visitors (and confirmed by myself).

Other important factors for travelers to consider before deciding on their travel plans are how many attractions there are, how excited other travelers seem to be about the country, how attractive the country’s natural assets are, and what the country’s main attraction categories are:

Finally, you get a pretty good sense of a country by looking at its capital city and how it stacks up against other capital cities, specifically when it comes to factors that are relevant for travelers.

Data sources: 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 , 18

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By Karl Andersson

As a native Swede with a Finnish mother, Karl identifies as both Nordic and Scandinavian. He left Sweden at 19 to explore the world, and stayed abroad for almost 8 years—during which he backpacked, worked every job there was, earned a degree from UC Berkeley, and met the future mother of his children. He ultimately returned to his native Malmö with his love, where they now have 3 Swedish-American boys eager to explore the world.

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Tourism in Sweden – 30+ Statistics, Numbers and Trends

Updated on July 19, 2022 by Axel Hernborg

Tourism in Sweden has grown over the past 10 years, both for foreign visitors and for Swedes themselves. In this article you will find statistics on various aspects of tourism in Sweden in recent years.

Table of contents

• 1.1 But how many were the individual visitors from abroad?
• 2 What Are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations In Sweden?
• 3 The Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Sweden
• 4 How Much Money Does Tourism Contribute to The Swedish Economy?
• 5 How Much Money Do Tourists Spend in Sweden Per Year?
• 6 How Many Jobs Does the Tourism Industry Create in Sweden?
• 7 The Impact Of The Pandemic On Tourism In Sweden
• 8 Summary Of Tourism in Sweden
• 9 References

How Many Tourists Visit Sweden Per Year?

Looking at 2019, the number of guest nights increased by 4 percent compared to 2018 – a total of 67.8 million guest nights in total. Most of these guest nights are accounted for by Swedes themselves, just over 50 million .

If you look at statistics from Tillväxtverket you can see that over the last 10 years the number of guest nights has increased by about 3 percent per year looking back to 2019.In 2018 the number of foreign guest nights was 17.3 million , an increase of about 5.3 million foreign guest nights since 2008.

But how many were the individual visitors from abroad?

There are currently no comprehensive figures on this, as the next report on foreign visits will be published sometime in 2021, but if you look at the latest report, which covers the years 2011-2014, it says that 19.9 million people from abroad visited Sweden in 2014.

In 2014, the breakdown of visitors from abroad was as follows :

• Norway – 5.5 million visitors
• Finland – 4 million visitors
• Denmark – 3.6 million visitors
• Germany – 1.5 million visitors
• United Kingdom – 0.7 million visitors
• Russia – 0.5 million visitors
• Poland – 0.5 million visitors
• Other countries – 3.6 million visitors

According to the data available for 2020, Germans were the most frequent tourists in Sweden with more than 900,000 guest nights , and in that year Denmark came in second place with around 640,000 guest nights .

What Are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations In Sweden?

Tourists prefer to go to the counties where the big cities are located in Sweden. This is how it looked in 2019:

• Stockholm – 15.2 million guest nights.
• Västra Götaland County – 10.6 million guest nights.
• Skåne County – 6.6 million guest nights.

In Gävleborg County, the number of guest nights increased most in 2019 from the previous year. The increase was 12 percent , which was a total of 1.4 million guest nights.

The five most popular cities for Swedes to travel to in 2019, according to a survey conducted by SJ in collaboration with Kantar Sifo:

The Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Sweden

Foreign tourists like to shop and visit restaurants, cafés, bars and kiosks when they visit Sweden. Sightseeing and going to museums are also popular. 60% of foreign tourists went shopping when they visited Sweden and 58% of them visited restaurants, bars and cafés.

The most popular tourist attraction in Sweden is Liseberg amusement park ( 3,100,000 visitors in 2019), followed by Malmö Folkets Park ( 2,650,000 visitors in 2019) and Stockholm’s Kulturhus ( 2,323,800 visitors in 2019) in third place.

How Much Money Does Tourism Contribute to The Swedish Economy?

Tourism in Sweden contributed 2.5 per cent of GDP in 2019, or SEK 127 billion . The value of GDP has remained stable at around 2.5 per cent between 2017 and 2019.

The total contribution to GDP from both the travel and tourism sectors in Sweden in 2018 amounted to around SEK 452 billion , and according to forecasts made, this sum is predicted to increase to SEK 603 billion by 2028.

How Much Money Do Tourists Spend in Sweden Per Year?

Tourists shop, stay in hotels and eat in restaurants and of course spend a lot of money when they visit Sweden – but how much? Foreign tourists together with Swedish tourists spent about 306 billion SEK in total in 2019. 99.8 billion of this money was spent by the foreign tourists.

In 2018, tourists spent almost SEK 100 billion on shopping and food, accounting for 30% of total tourism consumption that year. 22% , or SEK 75 billion , of consumption was spent on travel and transport such as trains, planes, rental cars, shipping and taxis.

Between 2000 and 2018, the consumption of foreign tourists increased by 255 per cent , or SEK 103 billion. In 2018, foreign tourists accounted for more than 43% of total tourism consumption, whereas in 2000 they accounted for 27%. This is a significant increase, and it is predicted that it will continue to increase after the pandemic.

How Many Jobs Does the Tourism Industry Create in Sweden?

Many people in Sweden work in the tourism sector today, and as more tourists choose to holiday in Sweden, job opportunities are also increasing.

In 2019, an average of 126,000 people were employed by the tourism industry, or in other words 192,000 hours worked .

The number of actual jobs in this sector was 560,000 in 2018, but it is estimated that by 2028 the number of jobs in tourism will increase to around 674,000 .

The Impact Of The Pandemic On Tourism In Sweden

Like most countries in the world, Sweden’s tourism has been affected a lot by the pandemic. Travel restrictions in various countries and the high spread of the disease at times have made it more difficult for people to travel and the desire to go on holiday has of course been affected. One thing that has been positively affected by the pandemic is domestic nature tourism. The proportion of Swedes engaging in outdoor recreation has risen sharply, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there were 300,000 more visitors to Swedish national parks in the pandemic year 2020.

For Sweden, the pandemic meant that tourism consumption fell by 38% in 2020 compared to 2019. For obvious reasons, foreign tourism has been affected the most. Foreign tourism consumption decreased by 52% in 2020 compared to 2019, and the Swedish equivalent decreased by 29% compared to the previous year.

• In terms of the impact of tourism on GDP, this figure fell to 1.6% in 2020 from 2.7% in 2019.

As the pandemic subsides, it is predicted that Sweden’s tourism will continue to grow just as it did before the pandemic started.

Summary Of Tourism in Sweden

• In 2019, the number of guest nights in Sweden increased by 4 per cent compared to 2018, and totalled 67.8 million guest nights.
• Swedes themselves accounted for most of the guest nights in 2019, just over 50 million.
• In 2014, 19.9 million foreign tourists visited Sweden.
• Most tourists visiting Sweden are from other Nordic countries.
• Tourists prefer to visit the metropolitan areas, and Stockholm is at the top.
• In 2019, Swedish tourists preferred Visby, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Halmstad and Malmö.
• Foreign tourists prefer to shop , dine , sightsee and visit museums when they are on holiday in Sweden.
• The most popular tourist attraction in Sweden is the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg. It has more than 3 000 000 million visitors a year.
• Tourism in Sweden contributed 2.5 per cent of GDP in 2019, or SEK 127 billion .
• The value of GDP has remained stable at around 2.5% between 2017 and 2019.
• Foreign tourists, together with Swedish tourists, spent a total of around SEK 306 billion in 2019.
• In 2019, an average of 126,000 people were employed by the tourism industry in Sweden.
• The number of actual jobs in the tourism sector was 560,000 in 2018.
• For Sweden, the pandemic meant that tourist consumption fell by 38% in 2020 compared to 2019.

Tillväxtverket

Naturvårdsverket

SJ och Sifo

Hello! I am Axel, tripplo.com’s travel savings, deals and discounts expert and founder. I have been in the travel deals and discounts industry for almost a decade now. It’s me who publish and update most of the content and discounts on tripplo.com! I also have a podcast in which I share valuable information about how to get the best travel deals and discounts.

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Tourism in Sweden

Diverse landscape for nature lovers, travel times, the most popular destinations, development of the tourism sector in sweden from 1995 to 2021.

Revenues from tourism

All data for Sweden in detail

Sweden - International tourism, number of arrivals

The value for International tourism, number of arrivals in Sweden was 1,957,000 as of 2020. As the graph below shows, over the past 25 years this indicator reached a maximum value of 12,372,000 in 2012 and a minimum value of 1,957,000 in 2020.

Definition: International inbound tourists (overnight visitors) are the number of tourists who travel to a country other than that in which they have their usual residence, but outside their usual environment, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose in visiting is other than an activity remunerated from within the country visited. When data on number of tourists are not available, the number of visitors, which includes tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members, is shown instead. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries. The data on inbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival.

Source: World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics, Compendium of Tourism Statistics and data files.

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Development Relevance: Tourism is officially recognized as a directly measurable activity, enabling more accurate analysis and more effective policy. Whereas previously the sector relied mostly on approximations from related areas of measurement (e.g. Balance of Payments statistics), tourism today possesses a range of instruments to track its productive activities and the activities of the consumers that drive them: visitors (both tourists and excursionists). An increasing number of countries have opened up and invested in tourism development, making tourism a key driver of socio-economic progress through export revenues, the creation of jobs and enterprises, and infrastructure development. As an internationally traded service, inbound tourism has become one of the world's major trade categories. For many developing countries it is one of the main sources of foreign exchange income and a major component of exports, creating much needed employment and development opportunities.

Limitations and Exceptions: Tourism can be either domestic or international. The data refers to international tourism, where the traveler's country of residence differs from the visiting country. International tourism consists of inbound (arrival) and outbound (departures) tourism. The data are from the World Tourism Organization (WTO), a United Nations agency. The data on inbound and outbound tourists refer to the number of arrivals and departures, not to the number of people traveling. Thus a person who makes several trips to a country during a given period is counted each time as a new arrival. The data on inbound tourism show the arrivals of nonresident tourists (overnight visitors) at national borders. When data on international tourists are unavailable or incomplete, the data show the arrivals of international visitors, which include tourists, same-day visitors, cruise passengers, and crew members. Sources and collection methods for arrivals differ across countries. In some cases data are from border statistics (police, immigration, and the like) and supplemented by border surveys. In other cases data are from tourism accommodation establishments. For some countries number of arrivals is limited to arrivals by air and for others to arrivals staying in hotels. Some countries include arrivals of nationals residing abroad while others do not. Caution should thus be used in comparing arrivals across countries.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Statistical information on tourism is based mainly on data on arrivals and overnight stays along with balance of payments information. These data do not completely capture the economic phenomenon of tourism or provide the information needed for effective public policies and efficient business operations. Data are needed on the scale and significance of tourism. Information on the role of tourism in national economies is particularly deficient. Although the World Tourism Organization reports progress in harmonizing definitions and measurement, differences in national practices still prevent full comparability. Arrivals data measure the flows of international visitors to the country of reference: each arrival corresponds to one in inbound tourism trip. If a person visits several countries during the course of a single trip, his/her arrival in each country is recorded separately. In an accounting period, arrivals are not necessarily equal to the number of persons travelling (when a person visits the same country several times a year, each trip by the same person is counted as a separate arrival). Arrivals data should correspond to inbound visitors by including both tourists and same-day non-resident visitors. All other types of travelers (such as border, seasonal and other short-term workers, long-term students and others) should be excluded as they do not qualify as visitors. Data are obtained from different sources: administrative records (immigration, traffic counts, and other possible types of controls), border surveys or a mix of them. If data are obtained from accommodation surveys, the number of guests is used as estimate of arrival figures; consequently, in this case, breakdowns by regions, main purpose of the trip, modes of transport used or forms of organization of the trip are based on complementary visitor surveys.

Aggregation method: Gap-filled total

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Private Sector & Trade Indicators

Sub-Topic: Travel & tourism

Note: This page was last updated on December 28, 2019

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Sweden - International Tourism, Number Of Arrivals 2024 Data 2025 Forecast 1995-2020 Historical

International tourism, number of arrivals in sweden was reported at 1957000 in 2020, according to the world bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. sweden - international tourism, number of arrivals - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the world bank on may of 2024.,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   housing,   taxes,   energy,   health,   climate.

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Sweden Tourism Statistics

Sweden se: international tourism: expenditures, view sweden's sweden se: international tourism: expenditures from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Expenditures: % of Total Imports

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: expenditures: % of total imports from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Passenger Transport Items

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: expenditures: for passenger transport items from 1995 to 2010 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Expenditures: for Travel Items

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: expenditures: for travel items from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Number of Arrivals

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: number of arrivals from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Number of Departures

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: number of departures from 1995 to 2013 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Receipts

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: receipts from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Receipts: % of Total Exports

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: receipts: % of total exports from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Receipts: for Passenger Transport Items

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: receipts: for passenger transport items from 1995 to 2010 in the chart:.

Sweden SE: International Tourism: Receipts: for Travel Items

View sweden's sweden se: international tourism: receipts: for travel items from 1995 to 2016 in the chart:.

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Sweden Travel and Tourism

The U.S has been the number one long-haul destination for Swedes for many years. Sweden was one of the 18 largest inbound travel markets originating from abroad. The pre-pandemic availability of low-cost flights originating in Scandinavia contributed to making travel less of a luxury and more of a Swedish lifestyle. Other contributing factors were a strong Swedish economy, a high level of disposable income, and generous paid leave (minimum 5 weeks annually, plus 8-10 national holidays). These conditions allowed for frequent and generous spending on travel and related activities. Due to the ensuing effects of travel restrictions and quarantines, there are currently no non-stop flights available from Sweden to the U.S. However, in June SAS resumed non-stop flights to the U.S. from Copenhagen, Denmark.   Life post-Covid19 will likely mean less availability of non-stop and low-cost flights from Sweden to fewer U.S. destinations. However, given the strong cultural and economic ties that Sweden and the U.S. share, the fact that Swedes are excellent English speakers, experienced and curious repeat travelers that enjoy the American lifestyle, it is likely that Swedish interest in traveling to the U.S. will return quickly. The destinations that have been the first and most successful in promoting their Covid19-safe and crowd-controlled destinations will likely receive the first Swedish travelers.   The long and dark winters contribute to Swedes traveling to sunny destinations. In 2018, roughly five percent of Sweden’s population or 506,000 traveled to the U.S., mainly to New York City, California and Florida. This number represents a three percent decline compared to the previous year and is mainly due to an unfavorable currency rate. Despite this decline, in 2018 Swedes spent an average of $3,400 per person, or roughly $1.72 billion in total on U.S. travel and tourism related goods and services, including passenger air transport. Activities that Swedes enjoy include shopping, sightseeing, small towns, art galleries/museums, national parks/monuments and fine dining.  

Sweden is among the most connected countries in the world, with 96 percent of internet users online on a daily basis. Travel is the eCommerce category that Swedes spend the most on. Many Swedes use airlines, online travel agencies and personal recommendations as informational sources when planning their travel. Swedish newspapers and magazines regularly run articles highlighting U.S. destinations, culinary experiences and adventures. There are a number of Swedish tour operators that offer themed travel for travelers with interest in golf, music, (classic) cars, racing, adventure, culinary, wine, history and sports.   Before the pandemic but likely also after, the best way to reach the Swedish market is either by identifying a qualitative representative and/or participating in local travel trade events. The Discover America Sweden Committee organizes workshops in four Swedish cities annually: Stockholm, Norrkoping/Linkoping/Jonkoping, Malmo and Gothenburg. Travel News Market in Stockholm is a B2B/C event, held annually in November. In 2020, however, the majority of these will likely be cancelled/postponed until 2021. 

For questions, contact  [email protected] . 

What are you looking for?

38+ sweden travel & tourism statistics [fresh for 2024].

Sweden. Its many lakes, forests, and islands.

And home to IKEA, of course.

It’s a truly gorgeous country with so many incredible things to do and places to see. So, it’s no wonder that Sweden’s tourism is growing.

But did you know that in 2021, Sweden received 2.99 million tourists?

Or that Germans spent the highest number of nights in this Scandinavian country?

We’ve compiled some of the latest and most interesting statistics about travel and tourism in Sweden, just for you!

Let’s get started.

Sources : We have included the source for each statistic below, or you can head over to the end of this post for the full list of references and sources used.

Travellerspoint

How many tourists visit Sweden annually?

Sweden welcomed 2.99 million tourists in 2021, ranking 39th in the world.

International tourists in Sweden also spent an increasing number of nights every year from 12 million in 2008 to 17.5 million in 2019, before dropping due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

What is the tourism trend in Sweden?

• Between 2023 and 2027, tourism revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 2.79% until hitting a market volume of US$7.19 billion by 2027.

This is based on the trend of tourism receipts from 2012 to 2021.

What is the impact of tourism in Sweden?

The revenue in the Swedish travel and tourism market is expected to reach 6.44 billion US dollars in 2023.

Does Sweden rely on tourism?

In 2021, Sweden’s tourism industry generated 6.03 billion US dollars, which represented 1% of its GDP and 11% of the total international tourism receipts in Northern Europe.

While tourism generates healthy numbers in terms of revenue for Sweden, it is not the country’s largest source of income.

Sweden travel and tourism key statistics

• International tourists in Sweden spent an increasing number of nights every year from 12 million in 2008 to 17.5 million in 2019.
• Based on total number of nights spent in accommodations in Sweden, Germany was the leading source market for inbound tourism in Sweden in 2021 with more than 1.7 million nights. 
• However, before the pandemic, Norway was the leading inbound travel market for Sweden. Norwegians made 3.5 million overnight stays in 2018.
• In 2021, Swedish residents took a total of 122.67 million domestic trips.
• In 2021, Sweden’s tourism industry generated 6.03 billion US dollars, which represents 1% of its GDP and 11% of the total international tourism receipts in Northern Europe.
• In 2020, there were 2,150 hotels in Sweden, which was 7 more than in 2019.
• Hotels in Sweden had an occupancy rate of 34.1% in 2020.
• The volume of travellers through the Stockholm airports was 30.5 million in 2019, which dropped to 8.7 million in 2021.

International tourism in Sweden statistics

How many tourists visit Sweden every year?

1. International tourists in Sweden spent an increasing number of nights every year from 12 million in 2008 to 17.5 million in 2019.

2. unfortunately, this fell to just 5.18 million nights in 2020 due to the pandemic, before increasing slightly to 7.27 million in 2021..

The Coronavirus pandemic caused the number of nights spent by international tourists in Sweden to fall to 5.18 million nights in 2020 .

3. Based on total number of nights spent in accommodations in Sweden, Germany was the leading source market for inbound tourism in Sweden in 2021 with more than 1.7 million nights. 

With a difference of nearly 943 thousand nights , Norway was in 2nd place in 2021.

4. However, before the pandemic, Norway was the leading inbound travel market for Sweden. Norwegians made 3.5 million overnight stays in 2018.

In 2018, German tourists took second place with just over 3 million overnight stays.

Tourists from Denmark, same as in 2021, also took third place in 2018 with 1.3 million overnight stays.

5. Sweden welcomed 2.99 million tourists in 2021, ranking 39th in the world.

[World Data]

This was an increase from the 1.96 million tourists in 2020, but still far from the 7.62 million tourists recorded in 2019.

6. International arrivals in Sweden rose by 109.6% in 2022, whereas international departures grew by 143.5%.

[Global Data]

Domestic tourism in Sweden

How many domestic tourists are there in Sweden?

7. In 2021, Swedish residents took a total of 122.67 million domestic trips.

8. interestingly, this was a significant jump from the 56.17 million domestic trips taken in 2021, and a slight decrease from 128.8 million in 2021..

This might indicate that Swedish residents took more domestic trips during the Covid-19 pandemic due to restrictions on international travel.

9. In terms of the number of nights spent in accommodations across Sweden by domestic tourists, 46.9 million in 2021, which is a significant increase from 38.1 million recorded in 2020.

10. 58.3% of all domestic trips taken by swedish residents in 2021 were same-day trips instead of overnight..

11. Domestic tourism spending in Sweden in 2020 was 137 billion Swedish kronor, falling by 31.8% from 2019. 

For reference, Sweden’s population is 10.5 million inhabitants.

12. In 2021, Swedish households spent a total of 9 billion kronor on package holidays.

Outbound tourism from sweden statistics.

Where do Swedish tourists travel to the most?

13. The number of outbound trips made from Sweden was 7.62 million in 2021, roughly only 40% of the pre-pandemic figures.

14. The most popular travel destination for Swedish outbound tourists in 2020 was Spain, with almost 300 thousand trips taken in that year.

Denmark was the second most visited country by tourists from Sweden. In fact, Denmark makes for an excellent destination to include in your Sweden road trip !

The only non-European country to make the top 10 destinations in 2020 was Thailand .

15. In 2021, Sweden ranked fifth as the EU country that travelled the most, with 78% of its population participating in tourism in 2021.

In comparison, the EU country with the highest proportion of its population participating in tourism in 2021 was Switzerland (82.2%) .

The economics of tourism in Sweden

16. in 2020, international tourists spent less than 50 billion kronor in sweden, which was 48% of the 2019 expenditure., 17. the number in 2018 was 171.8 billion kronor spent by international tourists in sweden..

This was expected to rise to 186.7 billion kronor by 2028.

18. The revenue in the Swedish travel and tourism market is expected to reach 6.44 billion US dollars in 2023.

19. between 2023 and 2027, tourism revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate of 2.79% until hitting a market volume of us$7.19 billion by 2027., 20. in 2021, sweden’s tourism industry generated 6.03 billion us dollars, which represents 1% of its gdp and 11% of the total international tourism receipts in northern europe..

This was a slight recovery from 2020, but has yet to reach its 2019 levels.

21. Before the pandemic, revenues from tourism in Sweden were $9.17 billion billion, or 1.7% of GDP.

In 1995, tourism revenues in Sweden were at 4.39 billion USD, which has consistently increased throughout the years.

22. In 2020, tourism receipts fell drastically to $4.35 billion billion, which was a 53% decrease from 2019.

23. In Sweden, accommodation revenue increased from 2009 to 2019, reaching 26.5 billion Swedish kronor in 2019.

24. 84% of total revenue in swedish tourism will be generated through online sales by 2027..

Online travel booking is expected to have an increasingly large role within the tourism industry in Sweden.

25. 101,000 people were employed in the tourism industry in Sweden in 2021, and tourism contributed an export value of SEK 57 billion.

[Visit Stockholm]

Travel accommodation in Sweden

How many hotels are there in Sweden?

26. In 2020, there were 2,150 hotels in Sweden, which was 7 more than in 2019.

27. meanwhile, as of 2020, there were 874 youth hostels and 282 holiday villages in sweden., 28. hotels in sweden had an occupancy rate of 34.1% in 2020. this was one of the lowest rates recorded, with the next lowest occupancy being in 2009, at 48.2%..

Swedish hotels suffered a significantly lower occupancy rate of 34.1% in 2020 .

29. In 2018, hotels in Sweden had roughly 252 thousand beds, compared to 44 thousand hostel beds and 43.7 thousand beds in in holiday villages.

30. in 2018, hotels in sweden employed 28,075 people, an increase of 868 from 2017..

Meanwhile, youth hostels across Sweden employed 759 employees in 2018.

Top destinations in Sweden statistics

What are the most visited destinations in Sweden?

31. The most popular city for international tourists in Sweden is Stockholm. In 2022, it was the 19th most popular city worldwide.

Stockholm is one of the best places to visit in Sweden , especially among tourists.

32.  Stockholm received a record-high number of visitors in 2019, with 15.3 million overnight stays recorded in Stockholm County.

In this year, Stockholm ranked as the 13th most visited destination in Europe, after Hamburg.

It’s possible to experience what Stockholm has to offer in just one day !

33. In 2019, the average overnight stay for visitors to Stockholm was 2.7 nights.

34. most foreign owned holiday houses in sweden are found in västra götaland county (7,575 houses)..

Most holiday houses that are owned by a foreign national in Sweden are owned by a Norwegian. This is mainly due to the proximity of both countries.

35. Västra Götaland is also the most popular county for domestic owners of holiday houses, with 77,603 properties recorded in 2020.

Stockholm takes second place with 72,808 houses, Dalarna with 44,927 houses, while Värmland sits on the 10th rank with 27,235 houses.

Travel and tourism trends in Sweden

36. the volume of travellers through the stockholm airports was 30.5 million in 2019, which dropped to 8.7 million in 2021..

Stockholm is the most popular place for tourists to fly into. From there, it’s possible to rent a car and explore Sweden on your own.

37. During the 2010s, roughly 10 million people passed through Stockholm’s ports annually, with the majority of journeys being to and from Finland.

38. until 2019, business travellers rented most hotel rooms in stockholm, but the gap with rooms rented by leisure travellers has shrunk until 2021, when more holidaymakers rent hotel rooms in stockholm compared to business travellers..

Stockholm is a famous destination for business travellers .

39. In 2022, a survey by Visit Stockholm on a citizens' panel showed that 9 in 10 Stockholmers have a positive attitude towards visitors in their city.

That’s all for the most recent statistics on Sweden’s travel and tourism.

Hopefully, this helped you understand the industry and market more.

Did we miss anything crucial about Swedish tourism?

Let us know in the comment section!

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Sweden – a destination of a different nature

Discover a country where nature is always present. In our cities, in our innovations and in our minds. Our nature has affected what we eat, where we live and how we live. Welcome to a destination of a different nature. Welcome to Sweden!

Where to go

• Northern Sweden
• Middle Sweden
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Want to plan your holiday based on your interests? Select activities of choice or explore Sweden geographically.

Coolcationing in Sweden: 11 ways to keep your holiday refreshing

Sweden's four seasons, winter in sweden, spring in sweden, summer in sweden, autumn in sweden, discovering sweden: unforgettable experiences at exceptional value.

Explore the wonders of Sweden without the hefty price tag – uncover hidden gems, insider tips, and budget-friendly travel hacks for extraordinary adventures at the best value.

Urban adventures

City stockholm – the capital of scandinavia, city gothenburg – sweden’s second largest city, city malmö – a city of contrasts and an international melting pot, city uppsala – a historical treasure driving towards a net zero future, family fun across sweden – adventure awaits at every turn, stay active in sweden, discover sweden's top 10 golfing destinations, sweden's best cycling routes, top hiking trails in sweden, kayaking and canoe adventures in sweden, discovering unique gems in sweden accessible only by boat, places to stay, discover sweden's best campsites 2024, unique accommodation close to nature – 29 sustainable places to stay, new and trendy hotels – the grand openings of 2024, 14 castle stays near stockholm, gothenburg and malmö, tree hotels in sweden – the most unusual places you ever stayed, top hotel brands in sweden – from large hotel chains to playful resorts, 9 extraordinary accommodations close to swedish nature, experience öland: from swedish royalty to nature's majesty, destinations to discover, region gotland – where viking-era history meets unique natural scenery, region värmland – a lake-rich haven of natural beauty, region dalarna – a miniature sweden rich in nature and culture, sweden’s smaller cities and towns – the hidden gems you need to know, region swedish lapland – a culture-rich natural wonderland, region sörmland – a pleasure garden studded with castles, region västerbotten – a hotspot for unforgettable nature experiences, the high coast of sweden, region skåne – a coastal county steeped in history, region hälsingland – a world of cultural heritage and untouched nature, region västmanland – magnificent nature and history close to stockholm, region bohuslän – a gem on the idyllic west coast of sweden, city norrköping – an outdoor haven with a rich cultural heritage, region uppland – where swedish history comes to life, swedish café culture – steeped in tradition yet forward-thinking.

Ever since the first cluster of patisseries arrived in Sweden at the end of the 19th century, the Swedish café has continued to flourish in a style uniquely its own. There are cafés for all tastes, whether you are particular with your brew, your pastries or into design and interior.

Fika like a Swede

Cafés in stockholm, cafés in gothenburg, cafés in malmö, from fika to flatbread: 11 must-have swedish food souvenirs, practical information, 12 concrete tips for travelling responsibly, discover sweden by train – scenic views and climate-friendly travel, getting to and from sweden’s airports, public holidays in sweden 2024, sweden – a dream destination for you and your pet, public transportation, accessible travel, allemansrätten - sweden's right of public access, swedish weather and climate.

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Sweden Travel and Tourism Market Summary, Competitive Analysis and Forecast to 2027

• Region: Sweden
• ID: 5781983
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Key Highlights

• The travel and tourism industry consists of revenues generated by passenger airlines, passenger rail, foodservice, hotels and motels, travel intermediaries and casinos and gaming market.
• The Swedish travel and tourism industry had total revenues of $29.7 billion in 2022, representing a negative compound annual rate of change (CARC) of 2.2% between 2017 and 2022.
• Food service was the industry's largest segment in 2022, with total revenues of $13.0 billion, equivalent to 43.6% of the industry's overall value.
• According to GlobalData, in 2021, the spending on leisure travel increased to $24.7 billion in 2021 as compared to $8.5 billion in 2020.
• Save time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the size, growth, and leading players in the travel & tourism market in Sweden
• Use the Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of the travel & tourism market in Sweden
• Leading company profiles reveal details of key travel & tourism market players’ global operations and financial performance
• Add weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the Sweden travel & tourism market with five year forecasts

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• What was the size of the Sweden travel & tourism market by value in 2022?
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• What factors are affecting the strength of competition in the Sweden travel & tourism market?
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Companies Mentioned (Partial List)

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

• McDonald's Corp
• Restaurant Brands International Inc
• Nordic Choice Hotels
• Scandic Hotels Group AB
• Doctor's Associates Inc
• Max Burger AB
• Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
• Best Western International Inc
• First Hotels AS
• easyJet Airline Company Ltd
• Ryanair Holdings plc

Table Information

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Sweden Travel and Tourism Market Summary and Forecast

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• January 2024

Europe Travel and Tourism Market Summary and Forecast

Tourism Flows in Sweden

• September 2023

Scandinavia Source Tourism Insight Report including International Departures, Domestic Trips, Key Destinations, Trends, Tourist Profiles, Analysis of Consumer Survey Responses, Spend Analysis, Risks and Future Opportunities, 2023 Update

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17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sweden

Written by Andrew Birbeck and Lura Seavey Updated Apr 13, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

With its rich history and varied landscapes, Sweden is a traveler's paradise and a photographer's dream. If you love outdoor attractions, it's certainly hard to beat. The air and water are crystal clean, and there are thousands of acres of unspoiled forests and majestic lakes to explore, not to mention vast archipelagos along its coasts.

The roads and public transport are excellent; the citizens are invariably friendly and helpful; and in recent years, Swedish cuisine has undergone what can only be described as a revolution. Throw in a mind-boggling history, from notorious Viking invaders to royal dynasties and imperial intrigue, and one thing is certain: you'll never be bored.

Sweden's tourist attractions range from opulent palaces and ancient towns to vast Arctic landscapes and the famed Ice Hotel. There are so many things to do that you'll want to allow plenty of time to enjoy all its outdoor adventures and historic treasures.

To help you pinpoint the best places to visit in this much-loved Scandinavian country, we've pulled together our list of the top attractions in Sweden.

1. Gamla Stan, Stockholm

2. vasa museum, stockholm, 3. drottningholm palace, lovö, 4. the göta canal, gothenburg to stockholm, 5. kiruna and the ice hotel, lapland, 6. skansen and djurgården, stockholm, 7. visby, gotland, 8. stockholm city hall, 9. liseberg theme park, gothenburg, 10. kärnan & the fredriksdal open-air museum, helsingborg, 11. oresund bridge, malmö, 12. domkyrka (uppsala cathedral), uppsala, 13. sigtuna, 14. stockholm archipelago, stromma boat tours, 15. abisko national park, lapland, 16. lund cathedral, 17. abba the museum, map of tourist attractions in sweden.

Stockholm's Old Town, known as Gamla Stan, is a small concentrated area where the city began in the middle of the 13th century.

Much of the medieval enclave remains, although in typical Scandinavian style, it is freshly brushed and painted regularly. Its charm is in the architecture along its narrow stone-paved lanes and cobbled streets around its squares, especially the main one, Stortorget , surrounded by old merchants' houses.

In this neighborhood, along with plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafés, you'll find the Nobel Museum , the Post Museum , the Royal Coin Cabinet , and several churches. It's also a good area to stay if you can find suitable accommodations, with options including luxury boutique hotels, guesthouses, and even affordable inns and hostels.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Stockholm

The Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet) in Stockholm is Sweden's most popular museum, attracting around a million visitors annually. The museum caters to tourists of all nationalities, and English-language guided tours and audio guides are available.

A visit to the Vasa , which houses 10 separate exhibitions and a further four museum ships, is a day out in itself. In 1628, the pride of the Swedish Imperial fleet, the 64-gun warship Vasa , sank on its maiden voyage. The ship lay below the icy waters for more than three centuries until, in 1961, an incredibly ambitious salvage operation took place. Now, visitors from across the world come to see this fascinating time capsule.

A shop and a restaurant are located on-site for those wanting to make a full day of it.

Another Stockholm museum worth visiting is Fotografiska , an innovative gallery of changing exhibits celebrating the art of photography. It is also known for its entertainment venue and restaurant, which features sustainably grown organic produce. The museum has been so successful that there is also a newer branch of this museum in New York City .

Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14, 115 21, Stockholm

Fairy-tale Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms slott) , on the island of Lovö, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies about 11 kilometers west of Stockholm city center (45 minutes by ferry), making this an excellent day trip from Stockholm . Dating from the 17th century, the palace is now the official residence of the Swedish Royal Family.

In the picturesque terraced park are bronze sculptures from Bohemia and Denmark, brought back as trophies of war. Be sure to take in the Chinese Pavilion, which dates from the late 1700s. The 18th-century Palace Theatre (Drottningholms Slottsteater ) is still used for performances during the summer months. In the Theatre Museum, you can see period stage costumes and stage scenery.

Guided tours are available (in English), and a variety of fun programs and workshops are available for kids and adults alike.

Address: 178 93 Drottningholm

Often described as Sweden's greatest feat of engineering, the Göta Canal (Göta kanal) dates from the early 19th century and is 190 kilometers in length. It's now one of the country's premier tourist attractions and offers a unique perspective on Sweden's heartland.

In addition, by connecting with lakes Vänern and Vättern and the Trollhätte Canal , it forms part of a water link all the way from Stockholm, in the northeast, to Gothenburg, in the southwest.

Featuring 47 bridges and 58 locks the canal stretches from Sjötorp at Lake Vänern to Söderköping on the Baltic Sea. There's a choice of passenger cruise vessels or you can hire a boat and experience the canal in your own way.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Gothenburg

Sharing the same latitude as central Greenland, Kiruna in Lapland is Sweden's northernmost town. It's also the chief town of the largest commune in the country, which borders both Norway and Finland. The midnight sun is visible here from mid-May to mid-July.

Originally a Lapp settlement, the town began to develop when the mining of iron ore started around 1900. Incredibly, due to subsidence caused by mining, the entire city is being slowly moved northwest to the foot of the Luossavaara Mountain.

The world's first-ever Ice Hotel at Jukkasjärvi is about 17 kilometers outside the city. The ICEHOTEL , with its stunning rooms and furnishings, is re-created each year in a new design, built from ice in the river Torne.

In the summer, this is a center for river rafting, stand up paddleboarding, fishing, and canoeing. Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise , is 90 kilometers west of Kiruna. Abisko National Park is located 95 kilometers northwest, where the Lapland Railroad runs west to Narvik on the Norwegian coast.

Address: Marknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi

Skansen , the world's oldest open-air museum (and one of the world's largest), is a historic village made up of houses and farmsteads from all over Sweden. Together, these impressively preserved buildings represent both rural and urban culture at various periods from 1720 to the 1960s.

Gathered here are churches, schoolhouses, manor houses, shops, mills, workers' homes, artisan's shops (including a book bindery, print shop, shoemaker, tinsmith, comb maker, and glassworks), a bakery, a funicular railroad, a Sami camp with reindeer, and a number of complete farmsteads.

These homes, farms, and workshops are inhabited by costumed interpreters who carry on the everyday work, demonstrating the crafts and skills as well as doing household and farm tasks. A zoo includes animals native to Sweden, as well as sections for exotic animals and a children's zoo.

Skansen is located in the huge urban Djurgården Park, a favorite place for locals, especially in the summer. Throughout are traditional cafés, restaurants, snack bars, and even hotels. Canoe and bicycle hire are also available if you're feeling energetic. You will also find Abba the Museum here, along with the Gröna Lund amusement park.

To get here, you can catch a ferry from Gamla Stan or Slussen or take a tram or bus from Norrmalmstorg. Alternatively, the park is a pleasant 15-minute walk from the city center. Stop by the Djurgården Visitors' Center for more information.

Address: Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, 115 21 Stockholm

Steeped in medieval history and brimming with ruined churches, the rose-entwined, walled town of Visby, on the island of Gotland , is a huge draw for visitors from around the world.

Quaint cobblestone streets snake about the town, and when exploring, it's all too easy to lose your sense of being in the modern world. Adorned with stepped gables, many medieval trading houses remain, as well as some timber buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Clearly, Visby's reputation as 'the pearl of the Baltic' and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are both well deserved. A self-guided or guided sightseeing tour of the magnificent walls, which date back some 700 years, is a must. Built into the structure are some 44 defensive towers, and the walls still bear the scars of attack in the form of two breaches.

Direct flights are available from Stockholm and several other Swedish cities, as well as excellent ferry links.

One of Sweden's most famous buildings, Stockholm City Hall (Stockholms stadshus) was built between 1911 and 1923, using an astonishing eight million bricks. It is considered one of the finest examples of National Romanticism, designed by the architect Ragnar Östberg. The 106-meter-tall tower is topped by three crowns.

A very informative tour recounts some of its history, as well as information about the Nobel Prize, which is presented here each year. On the tour, you'll see the Blå Hallen, the Blue Hall, where the Nobel dinner is held, and the Gyllene Salen, the Golden Hall, lined by 18 million gold mosaic tiles.

Those who want to travel even farther back in history can visit the Royal Palace ( Sveriges Kungahus ), located on Queen's Island ( Drottningholm ). After a scenic ferry ride, tourists can explore this 18 th -century Baroque palace, which has more than 600 rooms. It is also home to several museums, including the Tre Kronor (Three Crowns) Museum , the Museum of Antiquities , the Armoury , and the Treasury . Be sure to time your visit to catch the daily changing of the guard.

Address: Hantverkargatan 1, Stockholm

Liseberg is one of the most popular places to visit in Sweden, and each year, the park lures more than three million visitors. It has a huge range of attractions, from children's carousels and a fairy-tale castle to adrenalin-pumping rides for speed demons, bumper cars, and four roller coasters.

The park stages concerts in summer, too, and it's a real favorite with both Swedish families and visitors from abroad. At Christmas, the park hosts an excellent market. There are plenty of places to eat and beautiful flowers in bloom during the summer. For the best views in Gothenburg take a ride on the Big Wheel.

Address: Örgrytevägen 5, 402 22 Göteborg

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Gothenburg

Located across the Oresund strait from Denmark's Helsingor (Elsinore), the town of Helsingborg is full of historic sites.

Its most prominent feature and famous landmark is a massive brick tower called Kärnan (The Kernel) , originally built in the 14 th century as a lookout turret for the town's fortress. It stands at the head of the market square ( Stortorget ), looming 35 meters above. Ambitious tourists can climb its 190 steps to get stunning views of the town below, as well as the Oresund Bridge and Denmark .

After exploring the city's historic center, head to the Fredriksdal Open-Air Museum & Botanical Garden (Friluftsmuseum) for an authentic look at Swedish daily life in centuries past. In addition to visiting the living history at a working Skåne farm, visitors can tour the Fredriksdal Mansion , a beautiful Botanic Garden , and visit the Grafiska Print Museum and a Music Museum.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Helsingborg

From Malmö city center, a 15-minute drive takes visitors to the magnificent Oresund Bridge. Famous throughout the world since opening in 1999 and several decades in the planning, the structure has gained further notoriety through the hit Danish/Swedish TV drama 'The Bridge."

This incredible engineering feat now links Sweden to Denmark, and in turn, the continent of Europe. The bridge is both rail and road, and on the Danish side, merges into a tunnel so as not to impact aircraft at Copenhagen airport.

Take a trip across the bridge and through the tunnel to neighboring Denmark, and if you like, spend some time exploring the attractions of Copenhagen .

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Malmö

The Uppsala Cathedral is the crowning jewel of this city, originally built around 1270. Over the centuries, it has acquired additions, each era leaving its own influence. Its most striking exterior features are neo-Gothic spires added in the late 19 th century, as well as stained-glass windows from the same remodel period.

Inside, take note of the details in the Baroque pulpit, which was carved in 1707, and be sure to visit the north tower's Silver Chamber, home to a gold brocade robe worn by Queen Margaret (circa 1400), as well as the final resting place of King Eric IX (St. Eric) whose rule ended in 1160.

Uppsala's medieval university, Uppsala Universitet, operates a museum (Gustavianum) , which sits just across from the cathedral. It houses a wide variety of artifacts, ranging from Viking weapons and jewelry to Egyptian relics, including several mummies. It also has exhibits about Sweden's cultural history and an art collection.

Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Uppsala

Famous as being Sweden's first-ever town and founded in 980 CE, the last century of the Viking era, the idyllic village of Sigtuna nestles alongside Lake Mälaren in the lush green landscape of Uppland, north of Stockholm. Sigtuna's amazing history is to be found in the medieval churches, ruins, rune stones, and buildings that remain to this day.

Along Storgatan, which has stood for more than a thousand years, are clusters of interesting little boutique shops selling fashion, designer items, and handicrafts. By car, Sigtuna is just 45 minutes from Stockholm, 30 minutes from the medieval university town of Uppsala, and just 20 minutes from Arlanda airport.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Uppsala

Stockholm is often referred to as the "Venice of the North." Water is everywhere, and around 30,000 islands lie in Stockholm's wondrous archipelago (skärgården). Distinctive red and yellow timber summerhouses occupy some islands, while others remain totally unspoiled.

A trip on the water, either in and around the city or to one of the islands, should be top on your list, whatever time of year you visit (cruises operate year-round). Many tours include lunch or dinner, and all give a unique vantage point of the city. Hop-on, hop-off options are available, too. When downtown, the distinctive Stromma boats are impossible to miss.

In summer, this is the Land of the Midnight Sun with 24-hour daylight lasting several weeks. Abisko National Park is some 77 square kilometers in size and is famous for its pristine natural beauty and Nordic wildlife. It's a great place to visit for Scandinavian winter adventures and long summer hikes.

Abisko is situated approximately 100 kilometers west of the town of Kiruna and is more than 200 kilometers inside the Arctic Circle within the auroral oval, an area that is considered to be one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights .

Regular flights operate to Kiruna from Stockholm, and bus, train, or taxi transfers are available to the park. Weather permitting, make sure you visit the spectacular Aurora Sky Station .

This is Sweden's most visited cathedral and one of the most visited sites in the southern province of Skåne. You'll understand why when you stand in front of the imposing Roman structure with its magnificent twin towers. Lund Cathedral (Lunds domkyrka) was founded around 1080 by the Danish King Canute IV and is the oldest and finest Romanesque church in Sweden.

The present building dates from the 12th century. Over the altar is a magnificent 14th-century carved reredos, the work of a north German master.

The crypt is the oldest part of the cathedral. Its roof is borne on carved stone pillars, with figures that are traditionally believed to represent a mythical giant, Finn, who is said to have built the cathedral.

In the aisle is the famous 14th-century astronomical clock with figures of the Three Kings, which emerge twice daily at noon and 3pm on weekdays and 1pm and 3pm on Sundays.

Address: Kyrkogatan 6, Lund

Read More: Top-Rated Day Trips from Copenhagen

If you simply enjoy the upbeat and carefree tones of Mama Mia or are an Adam-Whitely-level super-fan, the ABBA The Museum in Stockholm is an exciting place to visit.

Exhibits begin with a look at the personal histories of each member, complete with letters, costumes, and instruments, most of which are displayed in re-creations of the actual settings they frequented.

One of the neatest exhibits is the museum's replica of the Polar Studio, complete with almost entirely original equipment, where you can feel, see, and hear what it was like to be in the studio with them. Tourists can also see a full range of ABBA memorabilia, from trinkets to gold record awards.

If you really want to be immersed in the experience, take advantage of the museum's virtual performance space, where you can "try on" costumes and even perform onstage alongside holograms of Agnetha, Benny, Björn, and Frida.

Address: Djurgårdsvägen 68, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden

More on Sweden

Sweden becomes second major central bank to cut rates

T he dollar rallied against the Swedish krona on Wednesday after Sweden’s Riksbank became the second major central bank to cut interest rates this cycle.

Sweden’s Riksbank cut its key rate by a quarter point to 3.75% — the first reduction in eight years — and it said it’ll cut its rate two more times during the second half of the year if the outlook for inflation still holds.

A rate cut had been partly but not fully priced into markets ahead of the decision. According to ING, expectations were for 57 basis points of cuts by September.

Inflation in March came in below the central bank’s expectations, falling to 2.2%, and Swedish GDP growth is expected to be “weak” in the first quarter.

“When inflation approaches the target and economic activity is weak, monetary policy can be eased,” said the Riksbank.

The Riksbank joins the Swiss National Bank in cutting interest rates, with expectations the European Central Bank will join them next month. A series of hot inflation readings has pushed expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts to later in the year.

The dollar rose to 10.9237 Swedish krona, up from 10.8646 krona on Tuesday, and the euro also rose vs. its Swedish counterpart.

Swedish central bank to cut key rate this week, Reuters poll shows

• Medium Text
• Rate decision published 0730 GMT on Wednesday
• Large majority see first cut since 2016
• Policy rate seen at 3.00% by year end
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Reporting by Simon Johnson; Editing by Kirsten Donovan

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Australian jobless rate rises in April, erasing risk of rate hike

Australian employment rose by more than expected in April, data showed on Thursday, but the jobless rate still climbed to a three-month top as the growth in workforce outpaced job creation.