Holidays in Sweden: Summer & Winter Holidays in Sweden for Independents, Families & Groups

Photo: Pernilla Rosén

July

July is height of the Swedish summer. The lakes and archipelago waters become warm enough for swimming and it is an ideal time to venture out into the mountains and forests.

July offers a wealth of possibilities out on the water, from canoeing to sea kayaking to timber rafting, and an excellent month for horse-riding tours in the Lapland mountains or the forests of Östergötland.

Photo: Pernilla Rosén

August

For Swedes, August is the time to make the most of the last long, warm days of summer before children return to school. It is also the time for crayfish parties, an important cultural event in the Swedish calendar.

From horse riding and canoeing to mountain trekking and wild camping, August is a wonderful month to be out in the wilds in Sweden, with the waters still warm for a dip at the end of your day's adventures!

Photo: Nature Travels

September

In the northern part of Sweden, the trees are turning and autumn is well on its way. Around Stockholm, September may bring continuing days of summer warmth or the beginning of the autumn changes.

September is the last part of the canoeing season, with the wild areas of Värmland exceptionally quiet and peaceful during this time. It is also a lovely month to take in the autumn colours on horseback, or to hire a log cabin by the lake and go looking for mushrooms.

Photo: Nature Travels

October

By October the blazing colours of autumn are starting to give way to the first signs of winter, with clear, crisp days and morning mist on the lakes.

October is one of the quietest months for visitors to Sweden, and an ideal time for get-away-from-it-all experiences deep in the forest.

Photo: Nature Travels

November

By November, there are definite signs of winter across much of the country. Northern areas may already have good snow cover by this time. Further south, the snows may come and go before settling in properly for the winter. Sustained low temperatures are ideal before the first snowfalls, making the ground cold and hard.

Long walks in the quiet forests followed by warming drinks around a roaring log fire are a marvellous way to spend a November day in Sweden!

Photo: Nature Travels

December

The lead-up to Christmas is a magical period in Sweden. With dark days lit by the glow of the snow and candles in every window, it is a welcoming and cosy month, punctuated by the lovely Santa Lucia processions on the 13th.

There are a number of possibilities for those wishing to spend Christmas or New Year in Sweden, from cross country skiing at a mountain station to fireworks at a country manor. God Jul och Gott Nytt År!

Photo: Pernilla Rosén

January

January in Sweden is the heart of winter, with snow lying thick on the ground across much of the country and temperatures at their lowest. The snow cover brightens even the darkest day, and there is nothing nicer than to come out of the cold to warm yourself next to a roaring log fire!

January is an ideal time for a natural ice-skating tour in the Stockholm area, with good ice cover both on the archipelago waters and inland lakes. Or why not take your children to a forest farm for a horse and sleigh ride?

Photo: Nature Travels

February

Februrary offers a wide range of possibilities for winter holidays in Sweden, from dog sledding to snowshoeing. The days are lengthening and weather conditions tend to be cold and stable. This is a good time of year to see the spectacular displays of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis, in the night sky.

February is an ideal month for exploring the mountains, whether you are looking for a challenging expedition as master of your own husky team on a dog sledding tour or a combination of activity and luxury on a mountain spa break.

Photo: Nature Travels

March

March is the beginning of "Spring Winter" in the mountains, with longer, warmer days and bright sunshine. A winter holiday at this time of year can combine the best of both seasons, with snow cover still thick on the ground in many parts of Sweden but the taste of spring in the air.

March is a wonderful time for cross-country skiing or dog sledding, with the added warmth and extended daylight making it possible to be out in the hills for longer. March is also a good time to see the Northern Lights, with dark, crisp nights.

Photo: Nature Travels

April

April is a month of contrasts in Sweden. In the lowlands, the snows are beginning to melt and there are signs of spring, but there is still plenty of snow for dog sledding and skiing. The warmer temperatures make it possible to combine snowsports with winter camping - a real wilderness experience!

In the south of the country, "tussilago", the first of the spring flowers, are visible in the clear patches between the snow. There is still a chill in the air and the lakes may still be frozen, but the promise of new life everywhere shows that spring is just around the corner.

Photo: Nature Travels

May

By May, spring has truly arrived in the lowlands, with meadows carpeted with thousands of flowers pushing up through the softening earth and lengthening, warm days.

Up on the mountain plains, the last of the winter snows make early May an ideal time for winter camping, and the snow cover is still ample for dog sledding tours in the warm spring sunshine. At lower altitudes, it is time to start exploring the forests and go in search of some of Sweden's most spectacular wildlife.

Photo: Nature Travels

June

June days are long and an ideal time for exploring. It is the month of Midsummer, an important celebration in the Swedish calendar and the longest day of the year. In many parts of Sweden, June is a time of endless daylight, and there are flowers everywhere.

June is an excellent month for kayaking through the quiet waters of the archipelago, a log cabin holiday deep in the forest, or a canoe tour on the remote wilderness waters of Värmland.