Sweden is the most populous of the Scandinavian countries and a cultural superpower, home to more best-selling artists and pop stars than you could possibly imagine.
This peaceful country is also well known for meatballs, ABBA, nature and a ridiculously high quality of life.
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Sweden’s Culinary Hits
There’s more to Sweden than meatballs (although they are also delicious). The country has a rich range of delicacies, with a heavy emphasis on fresh, non-processed and ethically-sourced ingredients that is a national past-time. Once you’ve had your fill of meatballs and lingonberry jam, head to the fishmongers.
The most delicious national dishes are surstromming, a kind of pickled herring which originated in the Baltic, and lutefisk, a punchy lye-soaked fish plate which originated with the Vikings. Just don’t forget the breath mints!
Explore the Stockholm Metro
If there’s one thing Sweden does exceptionally well, it’s public transport, and the Stockholm Metro does not disappoint. The network first opened in 1950, and has dozens of jaw-droppingly beautiful stations across the city, with the Radhuset stop being the most Instagram friendly. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to catch one of the vintage 1950s trains in service!
A Big Swedish Night Out
Despite an undeserved reputation for austerity and a law that forbids dancing (which isn’t actually put into practice), Sweden is one of the best places on Earth to party ’til dawn. Both Stockholm and Malmo are European party capitals, and both will give you a run for your money.
Make sure to do as the Swedes do and stock up on plenty of hip flask vodka to avoid pricey bar tabs. Also make sure to pack your bag with plenty of Snus to keep you going through the night, which you can buy online here. Once you’re sufficiently tanked, head to one of the industrial dance clubs which ring the edges of both cities.
Stay in an Eco-Lodge
Sweden has one of the highest numbers of trees per capita than anywhere else on Earth and is a nature lover’s paradise.
A strong national focus on sustainable business models means that affordable eco-lodges have sprung up across Swedish forests in massive numbers recently, and tourists have started to take notice. Many lodges are little more than wooden huts, but inside you’ll find a cozy atmosphere and total peace and quiet.
The Museum of Failure
What better way to round off your Swedish odyssey than by reflecting on the hubris of mankind? The Museum of Failure in Helsingborg is a crash course in all of mankind’s biggest failed projects, from Harley Davidson cologne to Coke II, to Google Glass and the Apple iTouch Pad (I know), this place has it all.
