Great Sweden Itineraries: How Many Days to Spend

If you are wondering how many days to spend in Sweden, here is our advice. Five days are enough if your sole purpose is to enter into the Arctic Circle, enjoy winter sports and chase the Northern Lights. However, since the country is much more than just a winter playground, we recommend a Sweden itinerary lasting seven to ten days. This duration will allow you to take in the sights and sounds of Stockholm and discover other highlights, like the medieval town of Visby, before you head for the frigid landscape of the country’s north.

You might want to focus on Swedish Lapland during your five-day stay in the country. Start in Kiruna, the largest city in the region that is also home to the biggest underground iron ore mine in the world. The mine is open to visitors, so check out its exhibits to learn more about the history of this place.

Not far from Kiruna, there is Abisko National Park, home to frozen waterfalls, ancient birch forests, and an incredible array of plants and animals unique to this region. Having explored the Arctic wilderness, you can then head out to see the Northern Lights. We suggest that you give yourself at least two nights for this activity in order to maximize your chances.

You can fit in a lot more on a seven-day Swedish jaunt. Spend a day or two exploring Stockholm and see for yourself why locals, as well as tourists, call it the "Venice of the North". Do not miss out on wandering through the cobbled streets of its old town, Gamla Stan, and admire the medieval buildings there. Next, head for the southeastern coast of the county, to Sörmland. Marvel at its stunning coastal landscapes, explore its hiking trails, and gaze at the colorful houses of Trosa.

Having discovered Trosa, you can then set sail to the beautiful islands of Nattaro, Alo, and Uto for hiking and fishing adventures. Alternatively, switch up your Sweden itinerary by traveling back to Stockholm and catching a flight to Kiruna, the northernmost town in Sweden. Spend the last few days of your trip exploring Swedish Lapland.

Extend your stay in the country’s Arctic region during your ten days in Sweden. Abisko, located in the far north of the country, is regarded by many to be one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights from. Spend a night in Jukkasjärvi’s Icehotel, where you can sleep in a sub-zero room surrounded by hand-carved ice furniture, or hike to the top of Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain.

You might also want to enjoy the ultimate Arctic adventure by crossing into the Finnish Lapland. Admire the snow-clad forests of Saariselka and go on sleigh rides with reindeers and huskies. Meet Santa Claus in his hometown, Rovaniemi, and browse through the collection of Arktikum Science Museum.

Alternatively, continue to tick off the highlights of Sweden. A good first stop would be the Unesco-listed village of Gammelstad, famous for its more than 400 identical wooden houses built in the 15th century that are still intact. Check out the annual Christmas market of Jokkmokk and visit the Ájtte Museum to learn more about how ancient communities here survived in harsh weather conditions. Then go on a leisurely boat ride through the Gota Canal and take pictures of the incredible feat of engineering that is the Oresund Bridge.

Get in touch with one of our travel experts in Sweden for a customized trip. If you’d like to book a package trip or join a group, check out our tours in Sweden.