Sweden Holidays
With glossy Baltic beaches, a stylish capital city, and the famous Northern Lights, Sweden offers many different holiday packages. It’s an unusual place to visit for South Africans. Still, Sweden’s magnificent tourist attractions make it an ideal destination for a holiday.
The largest of the Scandinavian countries, Sweden is home to lush forests, thousands of lakes and exquisite waterfalls. One of the country’s most magnificent landscapes is the Stora Stjöfallet National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site in the north of Sweden. The country is known for its love of nature, and it’s easily understood when you see its breathtaking scenic beauty. Other fabulous tourist attractions include the many palaces just waiting to be explored.
Why travel to Sweden
- It’s one of the lands of the midnight sun – yes, 24 hours of daylight!
- 97% of the country is untouched and uninhabited, offering a veritable natural wonderland to explore.
- For 5 months of the year, winter is a magical time to enjoy fabulous skiing, curling and ice skating.
- Swedish music festivals are some of the best in the world.
- It’s famous for its amusement parks, including Liseberg in Gothenburg and Gröna Lund in Stockholm.
- People come from all over the world to see the Northern Lights, in the village of Abisko.
Whether you’re taking the family on an adventure to experience a unique culture, honeymooning at Sweden’s Ice Hotel, or enjoying a winter break with friends in one of the country’s famous ski resorts, we will make your Sweden trip a reality with an incredible holiday package.
Things to do in Sweden
You will find so much to do and see in Sweden. History buffs will love Skansen on Djurgärden Island in Stockholm, the oldest open-air museum in the world. Romantics can visit numerous magical castles around the country, and gourmets can enjoy Swedish food, including crayfish and the renowned Smorgasbord, a buffet-style of eating.
In winter, Sweden is a magical place for a wide selection of winter sports – and in summer, the beautiful beaches beckon, offering a similar setting to that of the magnificent Mediterranean, particularly in the region of Gotland. And, if you’re planning a family holiday in Sweden, Christmas time is a treat, especially if you visit Mora in the Lakeland region where you can meet Santa at Santaworld Theme Park.
Things to do in Sweden
- Explore the exquisite Sarek National Park in Sweden’s Lapland.
- Visit the legendary Vasa Museum in Stockholm to see the intact 17th Century ship on display.
- Go skiing in the 110-year-old ski resort of Åre in Jämtland.
- Explore Stockholm’s famous medieval Old Town, Gamla Stan.
- Watch the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, in Abisko.
- Stay in the iconic Ice Hotel in Swedish Lapland.
- Enjoy the Midnight Sun in the village of Skeleffteä.
- Visit the Viking village of Sigtuna.
- Explore Sweden’s oldest Romanesque Church, Lund Cathedral, with its 14th Century astronomical clock.
- Hike the country’s famous King’s Trail (Kungsleden).
- Discover medieval Sigtuna, Sweden’s oldest town.
No matter what type of holiday you’re planning, you’ll find many things to do and fabulous sightseeing attractions to enjoy. Let Thompsons Holidays put together the perfect Sweden holiday package for you.
Know before you go...
When is the best time to visit?
- Sweden is a year-round destination, although winters are very cold.
- The best time to visit Sweden is between May and September.
- If you want to see the midnight sun, visit in summer (June and July).
- Winter months (late November to March) are when tourists come to enjoy the snow.
- Flight duration from Johannesburg to Stockholm in Sweden with one stopover: 13 hours, 45 minutes.
- There are quite regular flights to and from Sweden and Johannesburg.
- South African passport holders require a Schengen visa to enter Sweden.
- Passport must be valid for 6 months after your trip.
- Sweden is on Central European Time, 1 hour behind South Africa during the winter and the same time as South Africa in the summer months
- The official currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK).
- Credit cards are widely accepted – in fact, Sweden prefers card transactions.
- Tipping is usually included as part of a service charge.
- The official language is Swedish.
- English is very widely spoken.
- The Church of Sweden (Lutheranism) is the dominant religion.
- Other religions practised in the country: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist.
- It is safe to drink tap water in Sweden. If you prefer, bottled water is readily available.
- Many public restrooms charge a small fee for use, so keep change on hand for this.
- Vaccinations are not currently required but check with your travel clinic before you go.
Travel tips
What must I pack?
- It can get very cold in Sweden during the winter, so be sure to pack a jacket, fleece sweater, warm legwear like thermal tights, and other warm items you can layer, like scarves.
- In summer, pack t-shirts and skirts, shorts and dresses – but make sure all your summer gear can be layered for snap weather changes.
- Always pack a rain jacket, no matter when you visit.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Sunscreen, lip balm, hat and sunglasses.
- Mini first aid kit and regular prescription medication.
- Hand sanitiser and insect repellent.
- Camera.
- Travel adaptor.
Getting around
- Swedish cities and towns have excellent public transport systems, including commuter rail, tram, metro (in Stockholm), bus or boat (in the Swedish archipelagos).
What can I do to be a responsible traveller?
- Wherever possible, buy local food and souvenirs and support local artisans.
- Instead of using plastic bags, take fabric shopping bags with you.
- Respect each other's cultures and customs and avoid imposing your beliefs.
Safety tips
- Sweden is considered one of the safest countries in the world for both residents and tourists alike, but it's still best to practise to be safety conscious: don’t display cash or valuables. Leave jewellery and expensive watches at home, and use the hotel safe for passports and valuables.
What do I do in an emergency?
- If passports or valuables are stolen, report the theft to the hotel/police immediately.
- Contact the Thompsons Holidays 24-hour care line to assist.
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