Best Time To Visit Sweden

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  • DecAvg Daily: -1 ° CAvg Nightly: -3 ° C
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The homeland of the Vikings, Sweden is charming in many ways. It has a beautiful countryside, rugged coastline, great cities and marvelous cuisine. There, you can discover walled medieval towns and forts and see the Northern Lights. If you go north, stay some time with the Sami people and experience the nomadic life. Rich wildlife, including reindeer, inhabits Swedish mountains, forests and lakes. Stockholm, the capital, and Gothenburg are major cities in Sweden. Now, let's see when is the best time to visit Sweden. 

July to August is the best time to visit Sweden
Stockholm looks ethereal against the night sky. July to August is the best time to visit Sweden due to pleasant weather.
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Quick Facts

  • High Season: July to August
  • Low Season: November to April
  • All Seasons: July to August (high season), September to October (shoulder season), November to April (low season) and May to June (shoulder season).

July to August in Sweden features longest daytime with pleasant temperatures. Besides being the warmest, the summer months tend to be the wettest, too. Average temperatures are low in Sweden in the off season. Days are short, and you may have 2 sunny hours a day until February. Snowfall can occur anytime from November to March. During autmn or fall, temperatures drop fast in Sweden. But, the weather is nice most of the time. The rainfall is lower than in summer, yet still high. In May and June, the weather is nice and warm. Daily temperatures are on the rise and the rainfall is lower than in summer. 

Seasonal Overview

July to August – High Season

High season is the best time to visit Sweden for the warm sea
Warm weather during July - August gives you plenty of chances to play by the sea

The weather is generally warm during the high season in Sweden. It rarely gets hot while you can have low temperatures in the higher areas. Since days are long and temperatures pleasant, summer is the best time to visit Sweden. In accordance, rates are at their highest. Note that cultural venues close for the summer holiday.

Average temperature:55°F - 72°F / 13°C - 22°C  (for Stockholm)

Rainfall: 138 mm

Season: Wet / Summer

Highlights: In summer, you can enjoy pleasant hiking in nature. In cities, most attractions, cafes and restaurants are open. Great Swedish nightlife awaits you there, as well. The sea is warm enough for swimming in the south, and you can sunbath, too. You can experience Midnight Sun in the north where it hardly gets dark at night.

September to October – Shoulder Season

September to October is the best time to visit Sweden to experience autumn
A street in Stockholm covered with golden foliage during autumn or fall

Early fall is the best time to go to Sweden for combining several benefits. Tourist crowds are gone and rates are lower. Days are still warm in September while October is noticeably colder. Nightly temperatures tend to be low and daylight is shorter. Although you can have any weather in fall, this is the wet season.

Average temperature: 41°F - 59°F / 5°C - 5°C   (for Stockholm)

Rainfall: 110 mm

Season: Wet / Fall

Highlights: Most tourists coming to Sweden in fall would enjoy outdoor activities. You can hike without crowds and enjoy fishing and sea-kayaking. Even swimming in the sea is possible in early September. This period in Sweden is also famous for harvest ceremonies and Halloween festivities.

November to April – Low Season

The best time to visit Sweden to witness northern lights is in winter
The winter months are the best time to go to Sweden to view the spectacular northern lights

North Sweden becomes a snowy wonderland in the low season. Weather is cold all over the country, but winters are milder in Southwest Sweden, around Gothenburg and Malmo. Spring features the lowest rainfall and the days are clear. Note that night frost can remain until April. If you plan to travel to Sweden to enjoy winter sports, make bookings well in advance.

Average temperature: 23°F - 48°F / -5°C - 9°C  (for Stockholm)

Rainfall: 221 mm

Season: Dry / Winter and early spring

Highlights: You can enjoy many activities in the low season in Sweden. Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) is visible from anywhere. But, the farther in the north you are, the better the experience will be. Dog sledding in Lapland is awesome, as well as Sami festivals. Don't miss Christmas markets and cultural activities in the cities of Sweden. In winter, many ski resorts are open for skiing. 

May to June – Shoulder Season

Low seasons months are the best time to visit Sweden's countryside
November - April is the perfect time to visit the lovely Swedish countryside

Although nights can still be chilly in May, it is the first month in the year without frost. Rates and temperatures start to rise when compared to the low season. At this time, weather can be warmer in the north than in the south. May is the third sunniest month in the year.

Average temperature: 43°F - 61°F / 6°C - 16°C (for Stockholm)

Rainfall: 30 mm

Season: Dry / Late spring

Highlights: This shoulder season is the best time to go to Sweden for the magnificent countryside. Wildflowers bloom everywhere and nature awakens from the slumber. There are many camps from where you can set off on excursions.

Finally, the best period for activities in nature is from May to October. Ski season in Sweden lasts from November to March or even April. If you wish to  enjoy seaside activities or nightlife, plan to travel to Sweden during the high season.

Published by Jane Andersen, updated on November 21, 2023

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