8 Unique Sweden Itineraries – From 5 to 10 Days - Katiesaway (2024)

Sweden is an incredible country with so much to offer in terms of travel destinations. Designing the perfect itinerary can be difficult, especially when you want to see so much in a short amount of time. Luckily for you, I am here to help! I have been living in Sweden for 3 years now, travelling every weekend and taking longer trips here and there and have a rough idea of what works in a Sweden itinerary and what doesn’t! Below, I have outlined 8 unique Sweden itineraries which range from 5 to 10 days. This way, you can decide on what type of trip you want to take and start planning from there!

Below you will find an outline for each of the Sweden itineraries, but make sure to check out all my Sweden travel guides if you want more inspiration or help planning!

The 8 Sweden Itinerary Ideas

This post includes 8 ideas for Sweden itineraries, all with varying places, lengths and trip types. In each itinerary you will find a rough guide and tips for places to visit and things to do. The 5 to 10-day Sweden travel itineraries are:

• The Big Cities – 10 Day Sweden Itinerary
• West Sweden and the Bohuslän Coast – 8 Day Itinerary
• Hiking Sweden’s High Coast – 5 Day Itinerary
• Exploring Southern Sweden – 7 Day Itinerary
• A Winter Trip – One Week Itinerary
• See the whole of Sweden – 10 days
• West Sweden’s Nature – 7 Day Itinerary
• Sweden’s Biggest Islands – 9 Day Itinerary

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Getting to Sweden

How to get to Stockholm

Many of the Sweden itinerary ideas in this post begin in Stockholm. This is the capital city of Sweden, located on the East Coast. There are three airports in Stockholm, however, the closest is Stockholm Arlanda Airport. This is a 30-minute train ride from the city centre and there are flights here from most major cities.

If you are travelling from another European country, you can consider taking the train or the ferry. Trains run from all over Sweden, and internationally to destinations such as Berlin. You can find all the possible connections on this platform. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Stockholm to countries across the Baltic – a few destinations being Tallinn, Gdansk, and Helsinki.

How to get to Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second biggest city located on the West Coast of Sweden. There are several ways to get here – the first being flying into Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. This is around a 35-minute bus trip from the centre of the city. There are flights from quite a few different destinations, mainly in Europe, so if you can’t find a direct flight you should be able to find a connection.

Gothenburg is also reachable by train – 4 hours from Copenhagen and 3 hours from Stockholm. From here you can find most international connections (and you get to see another city on your Sweden trip!).

Lastly, there is a ferry that runs between Frederikshavn in Denmark and Gothenburg which takes around 2 hours. This can be great if you want to make your Sweden itinerary into a Scandinavian itinerary, exploring some of Denmark along the way.

How to get to Malmö

Another of the destinations you will find these itineraries starting or ending is Malmö. This is the third biggest city in Sweden, located in the south West just across the water from Denmark. The easiest way to get to Malmö is to fly into Copenhagen and take the train over the Öresunds Bridge to Malmö (22 minutes).

Alternatively, there are trains and buses from across Europe that head to Copenhagen. From here you can take the train from the city centre to Malmö (about 40 minutes). Finally, if the best option is to arrive in Stockholm, you can take the train down to Malmö which takes around 5.5 hours.

You can also take a few different ferries to Trelleborg in the south of Sweden and head to Malmö from here. These ferries run between Sweden and Germany so are perfect if you are arriving from somewhere like Hamburg or Lübeck.

8 Itineraries for Sweden – From 5 to 10 Days

The Big Cities – 10 Day Sweden Itinerary

This 10-day Sweden Itinerary takes you to the country’s three biggest cities; Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm. This trip is probably the most common of the itineraries, and perfect if you enjoy city life and want to explore three different areas of Sweden. Like every itinerary in this guide, this can be done in reverse order!

The Itinerary

• Days 1 – 4: Stockholm
• Days 5 – 7: Gothenburg
• Days 8 – 10: Malmö

A rough guide

There is no better place to start a big Sweden trip than in the capital city of Stockholm. There is so much to see and do here so expect to start your trip with a few busy days of exploring! With three days in Stockholm, you can spend the first day getting to know the city and heading towards Gamla Stan, the old town. This is the most famous area of Stockholm, an island covered in thin cobblestone roads and tall brightly coloured houses. On day 2, make a day trip out into the Stockholm archipelago, one of the city’s best natural features and spend your last few days visiting some of the museums! The Vasa Ship Museum is a must, and if you are an ABBA fan then the ABBA museum is a lot of fun.

Day 5, we head to Gothenburg. Try and get a morning train so you can spend the rest of the day exploring the city centre. Make sure to head to Palmhuset, Haga and Skansen Kronan. On day 5 we will make a day trip. There are a few options here, you can either head out into the Gothenburg archipelago, or down the south coast. If you are visiting in the summer, then a trip to the island of Vrångö or Styrsö will be your best bet. However, if you are visiting at another time of year, I recommend taking the train down to the city of Varberg where you will find the old fortress to explore. If you want a real Swedish experience, then make sure to try one of the spas in the area (Varberg Asia Spa or Ästad Vingård are two favourites). Spend day 7 in Gothenburg again, visiting the city museum, taking a boat trip or guided kayaking tour, or simply exploring all the areas you missed on the first day.

On Day 8 we will head down to Malmö where you will be able to spend the day wandering around the city. Make sure to stop by Malmö Castle, Slottsparken and Lilla Torg. The following day is the perfect opportunity for a day trip – either to the close by cities of Lund or Copenhagen, or to discover the small towns on the south coast. Finally, one day 10, the last day of your Sweden trip, you can spend it slowly enjoying Malmö, making the most of your final fika in a cosy cafes, or taking another day trip.

Destination Guides

• 3 Days in Stockholm
• 2 – 4 Days in Gothenburg
• Day trips from Gothenburg
• One day in Malmö
• Day trips from Malmö

West Sweden and the Bohuslän Coast – 8 Day Itinerary

This 8-day itinerary is a road trip through the West coast of Sweden – The Bohuslän Coast. On this trip, you should expect to be visiting a number of small fishing villages, farm shops and islands. This is a great trip if you want a slower paced vacation and don’t mind a bit of driving. Theres a mix of good food, beautiful landscapes and coastal gems.

The Itinerary

• Days 1 and 2: Fjällbacka
• Days 3 and 4: Smögen
• Day 5: Käringön
• Day 6: Orust and Tjörn
• Day 7: Marstrand
• Day 8: Gothenburg

Rough Guide

I won’t go too much into detail with this trip as all the information is already outlined in my complete West Sweden road trip guide and itinerary. However, for this trip you should begin in the city of Gothenburg. On the first day, you will be driving north to Fjällbacka, a beautiful seaside town with hiking possibilities. After spending a full day here, you will head to the island of Smögen – probably the most iconic destination on the West Coast. Here you will find the picturesque harbour with colourful boat houses, beautiful swimming spots, a lovely Swedish spa, and a day trip out to Hållö.

Following Smögen you will want to head out to the island of Käringön. This is a real summer paradise and my personal favourite place on the West Coast. Spend a full day here before heading to spend the night on Orust. The following day will be a road trip across the island towards Tjörn – stopping at little villages and farm shops along the way. The following day you will take a trip out to Marstrand, the small island with a rich history. Here there is a lovely hiking trail and a 16^th century fortress to explore. Lastly, head to Gothenburg and spend the day enjoy the day taking in the slow pace of the city, enjoying a Swedish fika and taking in the sights.

Destination Guides

• West Sweden Road Trip Itinerary
• A Guide to the island of Smögen
• Käringön Island Guide
• Orust Road Trip Stops
• Marstrand Island Guide
• One Day in Gothenburg
• The complete guide to Sweden’s West Coast

Want more tips? You can find 300+ recommendations for places to visit on Sweden’s West Coast in my e-book and interactive map!

Hiking Sweden’s High Coast – 5 Day Itinerary

This 5-day itinerary is designed for anyone who enjoys hiking, spending time in the wilderness and visiting hidden gems. The High Coast, the area gets its name from being the highest coastline in the world – a still rising landscape formed by the melting of the glaciers. The landscape here is truly incredible – dramatic mountains bordering open seas, with small fishing villages dotted around the coast and amazing hiking paths.

The Itinerary

• Day 1: The High Coast Bridge and Valkallen toppstugan
• Day 2: Exploring the villages
• Day 3: Nordingrå
• Day 4: Skuleberget and Skuleskogan
• Day 5: Trysunda or Ulvön

Rough Guide

This trip begins at the Hight Coast Bridge, just north of Härnösand. Spend the morning by the bridge, exploring the forest area behind, before driving down to Valkallen and hiking to the Toppstuga. The hike is moderately hard, but the views are worth it. The following morning, it’s time to visit some small fishing villages; namely Norrfällsviken and Bönhamn. These towns are both small, slow and quiet, but very picturesque. There are small hikes from the town centres, a few cafes, and some nice swimming spots. From Bönhamn, you can take the ferry out to the lighthouse at Högbonden for a mini day trip or alternatively stay the night in the lighthouse. Day three starts at Mannaminne in Nordingrå where you will discover a mix of industrial history, art and culture, in this open-air museum. Stop for lunch at Gårdsbutiken i Höga Kusten and spend the afternoon hiking Själandsklinten where you will get amazing views over the valley.

Day 4 will be a big day of hiking, starting off at Skuleberget with a hike or climb to the mountain hut, and the afternoon spent wondering around the old forest and National Park Skuleskogen. This is probably the most well-known area of the High Coast due to the really unique landforms both in the national park and Skuleberget itself. Make sure to start the day at the Naturrum museum at the base of Skuleberget to learn about the history of the landscape before you start the hike. Day 5 will be a day trip out to one of the islands; either Ulvön or Trysunda. Trysunda is my personal favourite – possibly even my favourite island in Sweden. The landscape here is incredible – a mix of red sandy beaches, high cliffs, forest, and round stony beaches.

Destination Guides

• Places to visit on Sweden’s High Coast
• Trysunda Island Guide
• The Tree Cube Wind Shelter

Exploring Southern Sweden – 7 Day Itinerary

This one-week Sweden itinerary focuses on exploring the countryside in southern Sweden in the region of Skåne. Beginning in Malmö you will head along the south coast to some beautiful small villages, farm shops and beaches. This trip is the perfect Swedish summer vacation, especially if you want to experience small town life and a real summer vibe.

The Itinerary

• Day 1: Malmö
• Days 2 – 4: Ystad and Österlen
• Day 5: Stenshuvuds National Park

Rough Guide

This trip begins in Malmö. Spend the first day exploring the city, making sure to stop by Malmö Castle, Slottsparken and Lilla Torg. If you want a nice walk, head out to Sibbarp or wander around Västra Hamnen. Day 2 will be a travel day, getting from Malmö to the town of Ystad on the south coast. Although it is possible to take this trip with public transport, I do recommend hiring a car as it means you can stop at so many more little towns, farm shops and cafes along the way! On the drive down, head via Smygehuk, Sweden’s most southern point, before stopping for lunch at Hörte Brygga. Follow the coastline towards the town of Ystad where you can explore the old half-timbered houses.

The next day, head along the coast to the old stone circle of Ale Stenar, stop for fika at Olof Viktors Farm Shop and spend the afternoon on the beautiful beach of Sandhammaren. The following day, head further round the coast to Simrishamn, a small harbour town, before driving towards Glimmingehus castle and ending the day in Kivik, making sure to stop at the famous Swedish orchard and cider brewery. On the final day of this southern Sweden itinerary, head to Stenshuvuds National Park. This area is known for its beautiful, rich forests, views over the coastline, and incredible beaches. Just south of the national park is Knäbäckshusens Strand – one of Sweden’s most beautiful beaches.

Destination Guides

• One day in Malmö
• Places to visit in Skåne
• Ystad and Österlen Guide

A Winter Trip – One Week Itinerary

There is nothing dreamier than a winter trip to Sweden. Imagine snow filled days, exploring the landscape with a constant sunrise as the days are so short. Followed by dark evenings filled with cosy fikas in cafes, saunas and reading books by the fire and hopefully the opportunity to watch the northern lights paint the sky. Arriving in Stockholm, you will spend three days in Sweden’s capital city before heading up north towards Swedish Lapland. In Swedish Lapland you will be met with metres of snow, reindeers, dog sleds and the just the perfect winytery experience.

The Itinerary

• Days 1 – 3: Stockholm
• Days 4 – 5: Kiruna
• Days 6-7: Abisko National Park

Rough Guide

Arriving in Stockholm, spend a few days exploring the city. While in Stockholm, make sure to spend a few hours wandering around Gamla Stan (the old town). If you’re there in November and December, head to the Christmas markets before settling down in a cosy café for a cinnamon bun in the afternoon. The museums of Stockholm are great at this time of year, especially as the days are so short. The Vasa Museum, Skansen, The Museum of Natural History and the ABBA Museum are a few highlights. If you are looking for a bit of adventure, you can take a guided winter kayaking tour out into the archipelago.

On day 4, it’s time to head north. We are heading to the city of Kiruna. You can either fly here or take the night train up. Spend one or two days in Kiruna exploring the ice hotel, taking a snow mobile trip, dog sledding and meeting reindeers. There are so many different activities to do here, just bear in mind it can get really cold (around -25 degrees centigrade) so make sure to bring good quality, warm clothes. On the 6^th day, head out to Abisko National Park. This is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights so get ready. Here, you can cosy up in the mountain hut, or head out on a cross country skiing, dog sledding trip, or a scenic winter hike in the mountains. If this is a completely new experience for you then I recommend booking a guided tour like any of the ones I liked above, or this ice climbing adventure.

Destination Guides

• 3 Days in Stockholm
• Places to Visit in Sweden in the Winter

See the whole of Sweden – 10 days

This itinerary is for anyone who wants to see a mix of big cities, nature and history of Sweden. It starts in Stockholm before heading out to the historic island of Gotland. Here you can discover the medieval history of Sweden, before heading up north for some hiking in Abisko National Park. After a few days we head to Gothenburg on the West Coast, and Kosterhavet, Sweden’s first marine national park. This trip is very fast paced with a lot to see and do every day, but who knows how many chances you will get to visit Sweden right? So, you may as well make the most of it.

The Itinerary

• Day 1: Stockholm
• Days 2 – 4: Gotland
• Days 5 – 7: Abisko National Park
• Day 8: Gothenburg
• Days 9 – 10: Kosterhavets National Park

Rough Guide

This trip starts in Stockholm with just one day to explore the city. Make sure to visit Gamla Stan and spend a few hours walking around the beautiful old streets. Hit a museum in the afternoon or take a cruise out into the archipelago and see the other side of Stockholm. The following day take the ferry over to the island of Gotland. Here, you will find the UNESCO walled city of Visby, filled with medieval and Viking history. Spend a few days exploring Visby and heading out into the other areas of the island such as Blue Lagoon, Tofta Beach, or the famous Rauks (natural stone columns shaped by erosion) on the island of Fårö.

After Gotland, head north to Abisko National Park where we will explore the mountains for a few days. Here you can do short walks or longer day hikes from the mountain hut. The best time of year to do this trip is during the summer when the weather is nicer and less unpredictable. If you haven’t done much hiking before, you can take a guided hiking tour with expert guides instead. Following Absiko National Park, head down to Gothenburg, Sweden’s second biggest city. Here you can either spend the day exploring the city or head out into the archipelago. The islands of Vinga, Nya Älvsborgs Fästning, Vrångö and Styrsö are all perfect archipelago day trips. Finally, head up the west coast towards Norway for the final stop of this trip – Kosterhavets National Park. Here, you can take the boat out from Strömstad and explore the northern and southern Koster islands. Spend time snorkelling and discovering the unique sea life or hiking around the coastlines. To end the trip, you can either head back to Gothenburg and fly out from there, or take the fast train back to Stockholm for a round trip.

Destination Guides

• Three Days in Stockholm
• Gothenburg One Day Itinerary
• Gothenburg Archipelago Guide

West Sweden’s Nature – 7 Day Itinerary

If you enjoy hiking and want to experience some of Southern Sweden’s most unique nature, then this is the trip for you! Starting in Gothenburg, we will head North East to Kinnekulle, known for its unique natural environment, forests filled with wild garlic, and the old stone quarry. Dalsland is the next big stop, a beautiful area with many hiking and cycling trails, and beautiful lake system known to be one of the best in Europe for canoeing. Lastly, we head to Kosterhavet National Park, the first marine national park in Sweden. This trip is about discovering Swedish nature, with many possibilities for hiking, paddling, swimming and camping along the way.

The Itinerary

• Days 1: Gothenburg
• Days 2 – 3: Kinnekulle
• Day 4: Läckö Slott
• Days 5 – 6: Dalsland
• Days 7 – 8: Kosterhavets National Park

Rough Guide

Starting off this trip you have one day to explore Gothenburg. This is Sweden’s second largest city, known for its archipelago and harbour. The best way to experience the city is to take it slow, enjoy a classic fika in one of Gothenburg’s cosy cafes, stroll through the parks, visit Haga and Skansen Kronan, and just enjoy the slow-paced city life. Day 2 we head up to Kinnekulle. You can either drive or take the train – both take around 2 hours. Here there are many possibilities for hiking and camping. You can either do shorter hikes in different areas or hike the full Kinnekulle trail. Make sure to stop by Folkängen where you will find a small market with handmade crafts, and maybe a folk dance if you’re lucky. On the way to Dalsland stop by Läckö Slott – the picturesque castle that sits out on a peninsula in Sweden’s biggest lake. There are a lot of nice walking trails here as well as a Naturrum nature centre where you can learn more about the kinnekulle area.

Day 5 starts in Dalsland where you can either spend your next two days hiking, cycling, paddling, or taking a leisurely boat ride down the Dalsland Canal. Make sure to stop in Håverud and take a look at the Aquaduct – it is a really incredible piece of engineering. Make sure to read my Dalsland guides for more tips on specific hiking trails or paddling paths you can take! Day 7 brings you to Kosterhavets National Park – the marine national park where you can spend the next few days snorkelling, hiking, and exploring the unique nature of these islands. To get here, you will need to take the boat out from Strömstad. I recommend spending one day on the South Island and one day on the North Island. You can either stay on the island or back in Strömstad.

Destination Guides

• Kinnekulle Guide
• Visiting Läckö Slott
• 2 Days in Dalsland
• Canoeing in Dalsland
• One day in Gothenburg Itinerary

Sweden’s Biggest Islands – 9 Day Itinerary

This Itinerary takes you to two of Sweden’s biggest islands – Gotland and Öland. This 9 Day itinerary is best when you are planning a summer trip and is perfect for anyone who wants to experience a different side of Sweden. Gotland is known for its medieval and Viking history, with the UNESCO world heritage city Visby at its centre. Öland is more known for its beautiful landscape and farmlands, with many hiking trails and cycling paths to enjoy.

The Itinerary

• Days 1 – 2: Stockholm
• Days 3 – 5: Gotland
• Day 6: Kalmar
• Day 7 – 9: Öland

Rough Guide

This trip begins in Stockholm where you will have 2 days to explore the city. Make sure to visit Gamla Stan and wander around the city centre, and perhaps spend a few hours in one of the museums. A perfect summer day trip if you have the time is a visit to one of the islands in the Stockholm archipelago such as Vaxholm. From Stockholm, you will take the ferry over to the island of Gotland. Here, you will want to spend at least one day exploring the historic city of Visby, wandering around the city walls and exploring the old ruins. The following days head out into the island where you will find beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and rauks (stone columns formed by erosion).

The following day you will take the ferry back to the mainland and head south to the city of Kalmar. This too is a beautiful city, with an old town made up of cobble stone streets and 17^th and 18^th century houses. The main attraction is the castle, a Renaissance style building with a moat, draw bridge and turrets situated out on a small island. On days 7 to 9 you will cross the bridge from Kalmar to Öland where you can spend a few days exploring the different nature reserves, enjoying a fika in Mörbylånga, and seeking out old castle ruins.

Destination Guides

• 3 Days in Stockholm

Frequently asked questions

How many days are enough for Sweden?

Sweden is a big country so you can never expect to see everything in just one trip, however, if you plan your itinerary well you can manage quite a lot in 7 to 10 days.

Is 3 days enough for Sweden?

If you plan on only visiting one destination (Stockholm or Gothenburg) for example, then 3 days is definitely enough to explore. However, if you plan to see more of Sweden, then you will need at least 5 days to a week.

Is 4 days in Stockholm too much?

4 Days in Stockholm is not too much time. There are a lot of things to do in the city – especially if you like museums! You can spend one day exploring Gamla Stan, the cities old town, and one day taking a day trip out into the archipelago. The next two days you can easily fill with museums, day trips and city strolls.

If you want tips on things to do in Stockholm, make sure to check out my 3 day itinerary.

Is Sweden an affordable country?

Sweden has the reputation of being an expensive place to travel, and it can be if you don’t travel smartly. There are many ways to save money traveling in Sweden to make your trip more budget friendly including eating out at lunch time and making smart accommodation choices or camping.

You can find all my tips in my guide to travelling Sweden on a budget.

Overview: 8 Itineraries for Sweden – From 5 to 10 Days

There are so many different ways to travel Sweden and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be planning trip after trip to be able to explore all of these places. Whether you want a city vacation, to immerse yourself in nature, to see Sweden’s natural beauty, or uncover its amazing history, there is something for everyone. These 5 to 10 day itineraries are good starting points for planning your trip, but don’t be afraid to mix and match the destinations to match your own travel preferences!

Heres some posts you may find helpful:

• Spring in Sweden: 20 Places to Visit
• 15 of the Best Places to Visit During Summer in Sweden
• The Best Places to Visit During Autumn in Sweden
• 7 Unique Places to Visit During Winter in Sweden

Want more inspiration? Check out these Sweden travel guides