Curator’s statement
Darlings, Sweden is not trying to dazzle you with anything flashy, and that is precisely its charm. It is Stockholm's island-hopping ease, where a morning spent wandering royal palaces gives way to a candlelit dinner over reindeer tartare by evening, or Gothenburg's canalside calm where the creative energy surprises you at every turn. This is a country that has perfected lagom, just the right amount of everything, and it keeps landing on those happiest countries lists for very good reason.
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Things to do in Sweden
Wander Gamla Stan
Losing an afternoon in Stockholm's medieval old town, all cobblestone alleys and hidden courtyards, is one of my favorite ways to feel the city's history up close.
Cruise the Stockholm Archipelago
There is nothing quite like a private yacht winding through 30,000 islands, pausing for a swim in a secluded inlet or a gourmet picnic on deck.
Visit the Vasa Museum
A 17th-century warship raised nearly intact from the harbor floor, darlings, it sounds unbelievable until you stand in front of it.
Take a cinnamon bun baking class
I always tell my travelers this is one of the sweetest, most personal ways to touch Swedish tradition, quite literally.
Explore Haga in Gothenburg
Cobblestones, wooden houses, and the loveliest little cafés tucked into a historic quarter that feels a world away from the city center.
Visit Feskekôrka, the Fish Church
Watching locals gather for oysters and smoked fish inside this iconic Gothenburg market hall is Sweden's relationship with the sea at its most charming.
Stroll Malmö's Gamla Väster
Colorful 19th-century houses framing boutique shops and galleries make this historic quarter one of my favorite corners of southern Sweden.
Chase the Northern Lights in Swedish Lapland
Far north of the Arctic Circle, a stay at the iconic ICEHOTEL is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience I love arranging for my travelers.
Places to eat & drink in Sweden
Frantzén, Stockholm
Three Michelin stars and a tasting menu built entirely on hyperlocal Nordic ingredients, this is the kind of meal you plan an entire evening around.
Ekstedt, Stockholm
Everything here is cooked over open fire, and the drama of it all makes for one of the most memorable dinners in the city.
Östermalms Saluhall, Stockholm
My favorite spot for artisanal cheeses, smoked fish, and a beautifully casual Swedish lunch under one historic roof.
Fiskekrogen, Gothenburg
Iconic West Coast seafood in an elegant, maritime setting, exactly what a coastal city like Gothenburg does best.
SK Mat & Människor, Gothenburg
Michelin-starred and wonderfully seasonal, this is where I send travelers who want modern Swedish cooking at its most inventive.
Heaven 23, Gothenburg
Perched atop Gothia Towers with panoramic views over the skyline, darlings, this is a meal with a view worth savoring slowly.
Bloom in the Park, Malmö
Michelin-starred fine dining in a serene park setting, tasting menus that showcase hyperlocal ingredients beautifully.
Malmö Saluhall
A vibrant food hall full of local producers and artisanal specialties, ideal for a relaxed afternoon of grazing.
Need to know
Most travelers fly into Stockholm Arlanda, with convenient connections through Copenhagen as well, and English is spoken so widely that you will rarely find it a barrier.
I find three to four days is perfect for Stockholm alone, but a week lets you pair the capital beautifully with Gothenburg or Malmö, and if time allows, do not miss the chance to cross the Öresund Bridge into Copenhagen for the day.
Travel Advisor
The Travel Collective
Stephanie Bloom
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