Sweden is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and this is not an exaggeration! Sweden has 29 national parks as well as over 100,000 lakes, making it an ideal destination for hikers and campers. Nature in Sweden is easily accessible, even from major cities. Nature access is seen as a public right, and there is even a term for it - allemansrätten! Everyone is free to roam the countryside, swim and travel by boat in Sweden's seas, and forage for mushrooms and berries.

Sweden's natural beauty ranges from alpine mountains to white sandy beaches. Skiing and snowboarding are just as popular as summer pastimes like swimming and fishing. During the winter, the beautiful Northern Lights can be seen in the far north of Sweden. While the Midnight Sun may be seen in the same spot of Swedish Lapland during the summer! Natural beauty will abound whenever you choose to visit Sweden!

Did you know that Sweden is one of the most successful exporters of pop music in the world? When ABBA won Eurovision in 1973, they became the most famous Swedish band, but Sweden has produced many other notable musicians. Avicii, Roxette, and Robyn are all Swedish! In addition to these well-known performers, Sweden is home to one of the world's top songwriters and producers, Max Martin. Martin has co-written and produced many chart-topping songs, including Britney Spears'...Hit Me Baby One More Time, Taylor Swift's Shake It Off, and The Weekend's Blinding Lights. Spotify, a music streaming service, was also created in Sweden, and its headquarters are in Stockholm.

Sweden is also home to a number of large-scale music festivals. Summerburst in Goteborg is one of the most popular, and it is now in its tenth year! David Guetta and Marshmello, among others, will take the stage in 2022. If EDM isn't your thing, head to Solvesborg for the Sweden Rock Festival. This festival has featured the world's biggest rock bands since 1992. The year 2022 will be no exception, with rock legends Guns N' Roses and local favorites In Flames taking the stage.

"Always time for a fika" is one of reasons to visit Sweden. A coffee break is the closest English term to describe a Swedish fika. A fika, on the other hand, is much more than that. It is an essential component of Swedish life and culture. A fika does, indeed, involve coffee and sweet sweets. The social side of catching up with friends, relatives, or colleagues, on the other hand, is just as vital as the food and beverage. In fact, many Swedish companies include a clause in their contracts that allows employees to take fika breaks!

Originally, the genuine fika was the coffee itself, which was introduced in Sweden in the 18th century. However, the accompanying baked pastries, known as fikabröd (fika bread), became equally as significant as the social part of the ceremony throughout time. The arrival of patisseries in Sweden in the nineteenth century solidified the practice as a coffee-and-cake ritual shared with friends.

Sweden is a top design destination, which comes as no surprise given that it is the origin of IKEA and big fashion businesses such as H&M. Many modern Swedish buildings and interiors include clean, contemporary design elements that blend utility with natural materials and light textures. It has a sophisticated and comfortable feel to it. ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design in Stockholm, can teach you more about the history and development of Swedish architecture, art, and design.

There are numerous architectural beauties to be found in Sweden's capital alone. Gamla Stan, Stockholm's old town, is a must-see because it is one of Europe's largest and best preserved medieval centers. The largest of the attractions in the district is the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in the world with over 600 rooms. In addition to the reception rooms, there are several interesting museums in the Palace, including the Royal Armory, with royal costumes and armor. The Avicii Arena (formerly the Ericsson Globe), the world's largest spherical building, and the Baroque Royal Palace, the official residence of the Swedish royal family, are also located in Stockholm.

Other architectural marvels in Sweden include the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Northern Sweden, the world's first and largest hotel made of snow and ice, and the Turning Torso in Malmö, the world's first twisting tower and the tallest structure in Scandinavia! Visit Birka on the island of Björkö to discover more about Sweden's old architecture and Viking history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic Viking settlement is about a two-hour ferry trip from Stockholm.

Sweden's cuisine culture is centered on local ingredients, yet many traditional recipes have international origins. This is because Swedes have always had a mindset of experimenting with new flavors and cuisines and combining them with local products to create new gastronomical experiences.

French influences began to seep into Swedish cuisine as early as the 17th century, giving rise to the rich, creamy sauces that Swedes still enjoy today. Meatballs, possibly the most famous national dish, were brought over from Turkey by King Charles XII in the early 18th century. Swede's add local trimmings like pickled cucumber, potatoes, and lingonberries to the meatballs before smothering them in a creamy gravy (brunss). This dish is now known as "Swedish meatballs" all over the world.

Other cosmopolitan delicacies, such as Italian lasagna and Turkish kebabs, have further expanded Sweden's gastronomic repertoire. National favorites include kebab pizza and pizza topped with beef filet and béarnaise sauce, which combine a culture clash of foreign ingredients to create dishes that have become new Swedish classics. The Swedish taco is a Friday family favorite, inspired by the Mexican kitchen but created uniquely and authentically Swedish. Because of Sweden's rich trading history, exotic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, anise, and saffron found their way into popular Swedish baked delicacies like gingerbread cookies.

Swedes place a high value on living a balanced life, and they surely take the time to smell the cinnamon buns. It might be the fika culture, the easy access to outdoors, or the strong emphasis on social equality and work-life balance. In any case, Sweden is frequently ranked as one of the world's happiest countries.

The Swedes continue to be one of the happiest countries in the world, thanks in part to a high GDP per capita. According to a separate study, Sweden is the best country for women due to an emphasis on social equality that is built into the education system beginning in kindergarten, 16 months of paid family leave that can be split between a couple after a new child is welcomed into a family, and free day care. Essentially, a focus on work-life balance leads to a happier population.

Furthermore, the people of Sweden are extremely friendly. While Scandinavians are not always considered to be the friendliest of Europeans, they are more shy and introverted than rude or unfriendly. Swedes are generally open-minded and welcoming to all visitors! English is widely spoken and they are usually more than willing to lend a helping hand.

The Fascinating Museums is one reasons to visit Sweden. If you enjoy museums, Sweden is most likely the place for you. This country is home to a number of great museums covering a wide range of topics. There will undoubtedly be something to suit your preferences! Music aficionados come to the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, while those interested in Swedish history throng to the Nordic Museum in Stockholm.

The Vasa Museum is one of Stockholm's most prominent museums. It has made headlines all around the world because it displays a 17th-century ship that is still intact – and it is the only museum on the planet that can boast that! Vasa is also one of the world's most well-known museums. After hundreds of years at sea, the ship was raised from the seabed just outside Stockholm's harbor. It's in incredible condition, and the tale of how it was saved (and how it sank in the first place) is just one aspect of this museum's interesting creation.

Laponia is a region located in the extreme north of Sweden. Laponia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to four Swedish national parks featuring snow-covered mountains, lush valleys, and rare fauna. Abisko National Park is one of the most well-known. Snowshoeing, dog sledding, and the opportunity to learn about the traditional Sami reindeer-herding culture make Abisko the ideal site to experience the magic of arctic Sweden. This is perhaps one of the best spots in the world to watch the Northern Lights, located 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle. The natural park is easily accessible from nearby Kiruna, taking just over an hour by car or bus.

The national parks of Sarek, Padjelanta, and Stora Sjofallet form a triangle near the Norwegian border, some 100 kilometers south of Abisko. Sarek is one of Sweden's most remote national parks, only accessible by foot or skis. The beautiful drive, on the other hand, is worthwhile, as it allows you to visit one of Europe's remaining pure wilderness areas. Keep a look out for elk, lynx, wolverine, and the endangered Arctic fox. Padjelanta is Sweden's largest national park, encompassing about 2,000 square kilometers. Once the winter frost has melted, it provides breathtaking vistas of the Sarek mountains and fields awash with wildflowers. And Stora Sjofallet (also known as Stuor Muorkke) is home to the Akka massif, dubbed "The Queen of Lapland" for her rough beauty. While these parks offer some of Scandinavia’s most stunning winter scenery, they are worthy of a visit all year round, with the midnight sun shining 24 hours a day during the height of summer.

It is no accident that cross-country skiing is one of the most popular sports in Sweden! There is an excellent infrastructure for exploring the area on skis, some of which are illuminated. Cross country skiing is conducted on flat, snowy terrain because alpine skiing is only accessible in a few spots. Cross-country skiing is a sustainable and healthy sport that everyone with sufficient walking ability may participate in. Following a few classes at a cross-country school is recommended to learn the skill well. Good technology compensates for lack of strength, particularly in Nordic sports.

In Sweden, winter sports entail more than just skiing. You can go skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, but Sweden is also a great place for bikers and hikers. The sporty atmosphere, family facilities, good price-quality ratio, and beautiful nature are the strong points of Swedish winter sports centers. There is also a diverse range of winter activities available, such as reindeer, sled dog, and snowmobile tours.

If viewing the northern lights is on your bucket list, Sweden is a great place to begin. Without a doubt, it is one of the best countries on the planet for viewing the Northern Lights. Of course, it helps that big swaths of the country are far enough north that light shows are common. But there are other reasons why Sweden was chosen. It's easy to get to by plane, it's safe to roam around, and there are plenty of intriguing places to see while looking for the ideal aurora.

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, emerge in and around Kiruna, Sweden's extreme north, in early September. The sky comes to life as pink, green, and purple streaks dance high above. By the time winter has fully set in, around January, the Northern lights can be seen across Swedish Lapland, a large expanse of land in Sweden's northwest corner that covers nearly a quarter of the country. Last sightings of these undulating rainbows may occur as late as the end of March or early April.

The long winter nights are welcomed by visitors flocking to witness this incredible light show. On clear evenings, the best time to see Northern Lights in Sweden is between 6:00 pm and 2:00 am. However, the most spectacular display usually takes place around 10:00-11:00 pm.