Family holidays to Sweden

Sweden’s west coast stretches from Gothenburg to the border of Norway. It’s the place for island adventurers, dreamers, beachcombers and the true romantics with their hearts set on quaint little fishing villages, immense sea views, dancing Cranes and cute holiday cottages.

• Herring Day’s on 6 June, but every day’s good for fresh fish, fantastic seafood restaurants and harbour markets on the seafaring Swedish west coast.
• Go summer or winter kayaking in calm waters round the Väderöarna Islands – if you only stop off at one, make it Käringön for the traditional fisher huts and sea gardens.
• Visit Kosterhavet, Sweden’s first National Marine Park, for stunning beaches and the Koster Islands.
• Don’t miss: the Dance of the Cranes in spring on Lake Hornborga; Läckö Castle; the Göta Canal; Dalsland Province; café society Swedish style (coffee and cinnamon buns) in Alingsås; the Bohuslän archipelago; and Västergötland’s immense forests.

Sweden’s second largest city, Gothenburg’s the one to walk around as much as possible (or catch a pretty blue tram). Art and design are a powerful presence and quite a few of the best Swedish museums and galleries are here. This is a good family holiday base for the amazing Gothenburg Archipelago , the country’s largest amusement park and national parks like Västergötland and Kosterhavet.

• The magical 20-island Gothenburg Archipelago’s close to the city for seal safaris, sea fishing, cycling, sailing and walking.
• 18^th century Haga is the oldest city district and now one of the coolest quarters for shopping, eating and just wandering round cobbled streets.
• The annual Gothenburg Culture Festival in August hosts over 1000 events and they’re all free.
• Don’t miss: Liseberg amusement park; Gothenburg City Museum; Feskekörka Fish Church; neo-classical Gunnebo House; Universeum discover centre; Gothenburg Art Museum; Röhsska Museum.

Central Sweden is thousands of lakes and idyllic countryside, graceful cities, charming traditional villages, ancient customs and inspirational landscapes.

• Stay in delightfully pastoral Dalarna Province where Anders Zorn and Karl Larsson both lived and worked.
• Värmland Province is where to find 10,000 plus lakes, the Klarälven River, eco-holiday cabins and guided canoeing holidays.
• Even Swedes think Uppsala’s the prettiest city in Sweden, but nearby Sigtuna runs a close second, and both are a day trip from equally lovely Stockholm.
• Don’t miss: Carl Larsson-Gården at Sundborn; Mora’s Zornmuseet; Selma Spa; rafting and camping on the River Klarälven; Sigtuna Museum; Uppsala Cathedral; Midsummer festivities in Dalarna.

Sweden’s capital sits across 14 islands on Lake Mälaren and it doesn’t really have a bad angle. Another ideal base for family holidays, the city’s within easy reach of the entire Central Region. But it’s also one of European greats; so you might not feel the need to travel anywhere else.

• Medieval Gamla Stan is one of the most beautifully preserved historic centres in the world.
• Fika is the Swedish tradition of ‘coffee and cake’ and it’s respected in hundreds of gorgeous cafés all over the city.
• Walk around as much as you can and fill in the gaps with river boats and old fashioned steamers.
• Don’t miss: Vasa Museum; Skeppsbron; Kungliga Slottet; Moderna Museet; Skansen Open Air Museum; the Nybrokajen district; Stockholm Cathedral.

If Malmo rings a bell it’s probably from its connections to Scandi-Noir classics like The Bridge. But the city, which stares over the Øresund at Copenhagen, is far from the only reason Southern Sweden deserves attention.

• Malmo’s in Skåne Province, land of wild beaches, over 300 historic castles, rolling fields, pretty fishing villages and irresistible seaside towns like Torekov, Båstad and Helsingborg.
• Take the ferry or fly to the island of Gotland for its medieval walled city, Visby; Gotska Sandön National Park; Ingmar Bergman’s home at Faro; and 800km of beachy beautiful coast.
• Don’t miss: the Øresund road bridge; Smaland Province; Wallander tours like Ystad; Malmo and Skåne beaches; sea swimming at Ribersborg Kallbadhus.

Swedish Lapland doesn’t have Father Christmas but compensates by being the land of the Sami and blessed with eight different seasons, the Midnight Sun and quite probably the best sightings of the Aurora Borealis on earth.

• Remote and magnificent Swedish Lapland is one of Europe’s last wildernesses, so plan any family holiday in the region with that in mind.
• The Lapland cities of Kiruna and Luleå might be on the Arctic Circle but they’re well connected to Central Sweden, even in the depth of winter.
• There’s a surprisingly wide choice of places to stay in Swedish Lapland ranging from five star hotels and spas to enchanting island cottages, cosy cabins and treehouses.
• Don’t miss: the Aurora Sky Station; extreme skiing at Riksgränsen; Jukkasjäroi Ice Hotel (built from scratch every year); fat bike snow and ice cycling; island stays on the Luleå Archipelago in summer; skating Luleå’s Frozen Sea in winter; Abisko National Park.