Sweden Travel Weather

April - May

Spring months bringing gradual warming and melt across the country. The south (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö) and center (Central Swedish Lake District, Uppsala) are definitely warmer than the far north (Lapland). Temperatures in the south range from 10°C - 17°C, and the weather is variable - sometimes warm and sunny other times overcast and rainy. The northern part of the country remains cold, from -2°C to 8°C. Mountainous areas remain snowy and cold until mid-May. The pillar of the mercury stays below 0°C there, with good conditions for skiing and snowboarding. It is not until the end of May that true spring begins, and nature slowly awakens to life. Spring, and especially May, is a good time for hiking or biking. Increasingly longer and sunnier days also encourage road trips involving visits to the country's major attractions.

June - August

The summer months include the peak tourist season. This is the best time to travel to Sweden. It's worth remembering that summer is also a bit more rainy than the other seasons so you won't be able to avoid fleeting rainfall.

Temperatures in the south and center of the country fluctuate between 18°C and 25°C. On the coasts, as well as on the Swedish islands, we can count on a large dose of sunshine. You can enjoy sandy beaches and water sports (sailing, fishing, boat trips, canoeing). Admittedly, the water temperature in the Baltic Sea does not exceed 17°C, but the water in the lakes (Central Swedish Lake District) heats up to more than 20°C, allowing comfortable bathing.

Northern areas are much cooler, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C. Areas north of the Arctic Circle experience polar days, during which the sun does not hide behind the horizon for several weeks. The long days create excellent conditions for a wide variety of activities. This is a very good time for sightseeing, mountain trekking and all kinds of outdoor entertainment. Numerous concerts, festivals and events are held throughout the country during the summer.

September - October

September brings decreasing temperatures. The coldest is in the north, where temperatures reach 2°C - 9°C. Much higher temperatures can be seen in the central and southern parts of the country, usually between 6°C and 18°C. In the Central Swedish Lake District, on the coasts and on the islands of Öland and Gotland, we will experience a true "Midsummer". It is reasonably warm and sunny, and nature in its autumn colorful appearance encourages hiking or cycling. It's the perfect time for mushrooming and forest berry picking enthusiasts. Round trips can be organized and major cities can be visited. Starting in October, northern Sweden begins to experience minus temperatures, winter arrives and the first snows fall.

November - March

The winter period in Sweden goes differently in each region. The south of Sweden (including Gothenburg, Malmö, the islands of Öland and Gotland) is the warmest of the regions; winter here is unusually mild. Temperatures oscillate from 2°C to a few degrees below 0°C. Snowfall is not very abundant and usually occurs from December to March, but it also happens that it does not occur at all.

In the central area (Central Swedish Lake District, Uppsala), winters are generally snowier and a few degrees colder than in the south, with the mercury bar ranging between 0°C - -6°C.

Lapland and the regions beyond the Arctic Circle are the coldest, with temperatures dropping to around -10°C - -14°C, while the higher reaches of the Scandinavian Mountains can experience frosts of more than -20°C. A thick layer of snow lasts from October to April/May, which creates ideal conditions for winter sports. Ski resorts in Åre, Sälen, Vemdalen, Riksgransen or Idre offer kilometers of trails, a well-organized network of lifts and other tourist attractions (dog sled rides, deep-sea fishing, ice climbing). North of the Arctic Circle there are polar nights in winter, so it is worth organizing a trip in late winter or early spring, when you can't complain about the lack of snow and the days are a bit longer.

Winter is the best time to observe the aurora borealis. It is worth choosing Abisko National Park or the Kiruna area for this, where there is a Geophysical Institute for aurora research.

The winter period is not the best time to travel for those set on visiting the country, as low temperatures and snowfall make a visit difficult. There may be traffic difficulties (snowy roads, closed mountain trails, limited ferries), making many places inaccessible.