Modern, progressive, precise yet vibrant, Sweden stands out for its exceptional quality of life. Swedish landscapes are diverse and unique, offering ever-changing natural wonders: it’s hard not to be amazed by the Northern Lights or the enchanting Midnight Sun.
Geographically, Sweden is bordered by Norway to the west and Finland to the northeast; to the east it faces the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia, and to the southwest, the Skagerrak and Kattegat straits. Thanks to its location, Sweden is connected to Denmark by the Oresund Bridge. The climate ranges from temperate to subarctic given the country’s vastness; much of the terrain is mountainous, especially in the west, turning into plains and a region dotted with lakes in central Sweden.
Most people live in hillier regions, as other areas can be too cold. Stockholm, spread over 14 islands and the nation’s capital, is also Sweden’s largest city and its cultural, political, and economic engine, followed by Göteborg and Malmö. The Swedish standard of living is high, fueled by innovation, a strong work ethic, and abundant natural resources such as iron, water, and especially wood—the latter exemplified by renowned Swedish brands like Ikea.
Functional architecture and an eco-friendly energy policy make Sweden a global leader and one of the world’s top 20 economies.
Sweden by Bike
With few high mountains, Sweden is a paradise for cyclists, offering 11 main cycling routes and countless local tracks.
The Sverigeleden route, for example, traverses the country from south to north, providing an exceptional glimpse of Swedish scenery. Cities are equipped with well-maintained, well-marked cycle paths, and if you get tired, you can easily take your bike on a train and continue your journey by rail.
The most popular bike routes are those passing through Scania (southernmost Sweden, opposite the Danish coast), Gotland Island, the route along the Gota Kanal (connecting Göteborg to Stockholm), and the path by Lake Siljan in the Dalarna region.
Sweden at a Glance
- Country: Sweden
- Area: 450,082 km²
- Capital: Stockholm
- Population: 9 million inhabitants
- Language: Swedish
- Religion: majority Lutheran
- Government: Constitutional monarchy
- Main cities: Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö, Uppsala, Linköping, Västerås, Örebro
Practical Information for Sweden
- Currency: Swedish Krona (0.11 Euro)
- International dialing code: +46
- International plate: S
- Driving side: right
- Entry documents: ID card or Passport
- Required vaccinations: NN
- Electricity: 230V 50 Hz
- Measurement system: Metric
- Time zone: +1 hour UTC (compared to Italy)
- Fixed holidays: January 1: New Year’s Day; January 6: Epiphany; March-April: Easter Monday; March-April: Easter Sunday; May 1: Labour Day; 40 days after Easter: Ascension Day; 50 days after Easter: Pentecost; June 6: Swedish National Day; Third Friday of June: Midsummer’s Eve; Third Saturday of June: Midsummer; November 1: All Saints’; December 24: Christmas Eve; December 25: Christmas
- Climate: Sweden’s climate is influenced by the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic current. This brings milder temperatures to the southern and coastal regions compared to other areas on the same latitude. Southern Sweden, more exposed to Atlantic weather, enjoys a milder climate and even in winter occasional rainfall, not just snow, can occur.
- Average temperatures: around -4.5°C in winter, 17°C in summer
- Transport: Scandinavian Airlines SAS offers excellent daily flights between Italy and Sweden; also FlyMe, Ryanair, Alitalia, Sterling, and others. Many international trains with sleepers and restaurant cars also connect Italy with Scandinavia, usually with changes along the route. It’s possible to drive from Verona or Bolzano in Italy to Hamburg, Germany, and then onward. For more info, contact Deutsche Bahn.
- Airports: Stockholm, Malmö, Kiruna, Göteborg, Uppsala, and others.
