SWEDEN
COUNTRY CONTEXT
Size: 450,295 km² (a little bigger than the U.S. state of California)
Languages: Swedish is the primary language; many people (especially in the tourism industry) speak English, but definitely not everyone
Currency: Swedish Krona (kr/SEK) — euros and U.S. dollars not accepted
Something You Should Know: Everyone in Sweden (yes, you!) has a legal "Freedom to Roam" — tl;dr, this is a policy that means you have the right to walk, cycle, ride, ski and camp on nearly any land. If you bring a tent, this means you can save a LOT of money on accommodations. Read more of the fine print here.
OUR TRAVEL SUMMARY
In July of 2022, we spent about a month in Sweden. Most of that time was spent in the north of the country (north of the Arctic Circle!), exploring the Laponia World Heritage Site. We mainly used public transit, making our way around on trains and buses. Accommodations-wise, we almost exclusively camped, with a couple nights in hotels and guesthouses.
Overall, Sweden was pricey — though camping and visiting the national parks are both free! Eating out was REALLY expensive, as were hotels and guesthouses, but grocery prices weren't horrible (on par with the U.S./Western Europe).
See below for our experience-specific guides!
