Sweden | ZHO Travel & Tourism

Sweden gives you time: a morning among Stockholm's palaces, an evening on a quiet island in the archipelago.

The destination

About Sweden

Sweden pairs modern, inventive cities with vast stretches of forest, thousands of lakes and coastal islands. It suits travellers who want unspoilt nature, fine restaurants and lagom, the Swedish idea of balance and simplicity.

Stockholm is spread over 14 islands, with the old town of Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace and the Vasa Museum, and an archipelago of about 30,000 islands beyond it. In the west is Gothenburg with its canals and Liseberg amusement park; in the south Malmö, linked to Denmark by the Øresund Bridge; and out at sea the island of Gotland and the walled town of Visby.

In the far north, inside the Arctic Circle, lie Kiruna and Swedish Lapland: the ice hotel at Jukkasjärvi, the skies of Abisko, among the best places to see the northern lights, and the midnight sun in summer.

We arrange Sweden with fast trains between the cities and short domestic flights to Lapland, chosen hotels, halal restaurants in the major cities and guides for winter activities.

Best timeJune to August for the cities and archipelago, December to March for Lapland

FlightNo direct flights from Saudi Arabia; about 8 to 9 h with one connection

VisaSaudi citizens need a Schengen visa, which can be issued for multiple entries and up to 5 years

CurrencySwedish krona (SEK)

LanguageSwedish; English is widely spoken

Time1 h behind Saudi Arabia in summer, 2 h in winter

Ideal stay6 to 9 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Stockholm

The capital on 14 islands, with the old town of Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum and the royal palaces.

02 · City

Gothenburg

Sweden's second city, with canals, green parks, Liseberg amusement park and fine seafood.

03 · City

Malmö

A modern city linked to Denmark by the Øresund Bridge, with the Turning Torso tower and seaside parks.

The frozen Lake Torneträsk under snow near Abisko in Swedish Lapland

04 · Region

Kiruna and Swedish Lapland

The far north inside the Arctic Circle, the first choice for the northern lights and a night in an ice hotel.

Visby's medieval town wall and tower in evening light

05 · Island

Gotland

A historic island in the Baltic, with the medieval walled town of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Experiences

What to do

The hull and gun ports of the 17th-century warship Vasa in the Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum, Stockholm Stockholm A royal warship that sank on her maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised 333 years later, over 98% original. Stockholm's best-known museum.Discover

Green northern lights over snowy birch trees near Lake Torneträsk at Abisko

Northern lights and the ice hotel in Lapland Kiruna and Swedish Lapland Nights under Abisko's clear skies and a night in a room carved from ice at Jukkasjärvi. The best of Sweden's Arctic winter.Discover

A red boathouse and small jetty on a wooded island in the Stockholm archipelago

Sea and islands A boat trip in the Stockholm archipelago Boats sailing among some 30,000 rocky, wooded islands and red summer houses. A quiet day on the water near the capital. Read more

The baroque façade of the Royal Palace in Stockholm

City and shopping Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace A walk through the old town's lanes to the Royal Palace and the changing of the guard. Historic Stockholm in half a day. Read more

A traditional turf-roofed farmhouse among trees at Skansen

Culture and heritage Skansen open-air museum The world's oldest open-air museum, opened in 1891, with traditional Swedish houses and Nordic animals. Ideal for children. Read more

Aerial view of the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg

City and shopping Liseberg amusement park An amusement park opened in 1923 in the heart of Gothenburg, one of the largest in the Nordic region. Rides and gardens for the whole family. Read more

The sun setting over the Baltic beyond the rooftops of Visby

Culture and heritage Visby's medieval wall A stone wall about 3.4 km long around the Hanseatic town of Visby. A walk among towers and ruins on UNESCO's list. Read more

Smooth granite islands and calm sea in Gothenburg's southern archipelago

Sea and islands Gothenburg's southern archipelago Rocky, car-free islands a short ferry ride from the city. A quiet summer outing among rocks and sea. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 3 stays

Grand Hôtel Stockholm on the Blasieholmen waterfront in summer

Stockholm Grand Hôtel Stockholm Historic palace Explore

The snow-and-ice entrance of the ICEHOTEL at Jukkasjärvi

Kiruna and Swedish Lapland ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi Countryside Explore

Gothenburg Upper House, Gothenburg City Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Swedish cooking leans on fish, berries and bread: salmon, prawns and herring, meatballs with lingonberry jam, and cinnamon buns with fika, the daily coffee break. Halal restaurants are found in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, and we ask for halal meatballs when needed.

A Swedish cinnamon bun served in Stockholm

To tasteKanelbulleKanelbulle

Swedish meatballs with mashed potato, cream sauce, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber

To tasteSwedish meatballsKöttbullar

A Swedish prawn sandwich with lettuce, egg and lemon

To tasteRäksmörgåsRäksmörgås

A Swedish princess cake under green marzipan

To tastePrincess cakePrinsesstårta

The painted merchants' houses of Stortorget square in Gamla Stan

Landmark · Stockholm Stortorget Stockholm's oldest square, in the heart of Gamla Stan, ringed by painted merchants' houses. Read more

The NK department store building on Hamngatan in Stockholm

Shopping · Stockholm NK Stockholm Stockholm's grand department store since 1915, for fashion and Swedish design. Read more

The church-like Feskekôrka fish market on a Gothenburg canal

Shopping · Gothenburg Feskekôrka fish market A fish market in a church-like building on a Gothenburg canal, since 1874. Read more

The dome and minaret of the Stockholm Mosque in Södermalm

Landmark · Stockholm Stockholm Mosque The capital's main mosque, in a historic power station building in Södermalm. Read more

Questions

Before you go

Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Sweden?

Yes, you need a Schengen visa, which can be issued to Saudi citizens for multiple entries and up to 5 years. We prepare your file and book your fingerprint appointment; the final decision rests with the embassy.

When is the best time to visit Sweden?

June to August for the cities, the archipelago and Gotland, with long days and mild weather. December to March for Lapland, the northern lights and the ice hotel.

Is halal food available in Sweden?

Yes, in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. It is scarcer in Lapland, where we rely on fish and vegetarian dishes and ask hotels for special arrangements.

Where can I pray in Sweden?

Stockholm has the Stockholm Mosque in Södermalm and others, and Gothenburg and Malmö have large mosques. In the north we suggest a prayer times app; note that the very long days and nights in Lapland need special estimation.

How do I get around Sweden?

Fast trains link Stockholm with Gothenburg in about 3 hours and Malmö in about 4.5 hours, and domestic flights reach Kiruna in about an hour and a half. In Lapland we arrange private transfers with drivers used to snow.

What should I wear for a Lapland winter?

Thermal and wool layers, a winter jacket, gloves, a hat and insulated winter boots. Many hotels and tours provide thermal suits, and we tell you what is available before you travel.

Is Sweden safe and good for families?

Yes, Sweden is safe and orderly, and public places are well set up for families and children. Cards are the norm, and many places do not accept cash.

Sweden: a capital on islands, aurora in Lapland