Sweden
Welcome to your cosy little corner of the internet for everything you need to explore Sweden with confidence as a solo female traveller! Here you’ll find all of my best Sweden travel tips, detailed itineraries, and travel guides to help you plan your trip.
Planning A Trip to Sweden? start here:
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KEY FACTS ABOUT SWEDEN
→ Language: Swedish (but nearly everyone speaks English)
→ Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
→ Capital: Stockholm
→ Timezone: Central European Time (CET)
→ Plug Type: Type C and F (aka European two pin)
→ Emergency Number: 112
→ Transport: Efficient and safe trains, metros and buses between and around cities
→ Solo Travel Vibe: Independent, calm, very safe
WHY SWEDEN IS PERFECT FOR SOLO TRAVEL
Sweden is one of those rare European countries that just works for solo female travel, in every way. It’s clean, calm, organised, and its relaxed vibe will instantly put you at ease.
The city centres feel safe to explore alone, the public transport is efficient and reliable, and almost everyone speaks great English.
So whether you’re purposefully getting lost in the medieval streets of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan or hopping on a ferry to explore little archipelago islands, you’ll feel independent and totally capable getting around safely and enjoying your trip solo.
It’s also a country where solo travel is normalised. Locals value personal space and time alone, so you’ll never feel out of place eating alone or spending a day exploring tourist attractions or hopping on and off ferries.
Sweden is every solo female traveller’s dream in that sense. You can blend in, explore at your own pace, but still connect with locals if you want to (without them being pushy).
For these reasons and so many more, Sweden is my favourite country in the whole of Europe as a solo female traveller.
MY TOP SWEDEN SOLO TRAVEL TIPS
- Embrace fika culture. Fika (a coffee and cake break) is a big deal here. It’s perfectly normal here to sit in a café alone with a cinnamon bun and a good book – so embrace it!
- Get the SL app in Stockholm. It’ll show you all up to date public transport times in real-time and store your tickets, making navigating the city effortless.
- Cash is basically obsolete. Sweden is almost entirely cashless. Bring a card that works abroad, ideally with no foreign transaction fees.
- Dress in layers (even in summer). Swedish weather can be unpredictable. So always have a light jacket, even in summer.
- Take the ferry to the archipelago. From Stockholm, you can easily do half or full day trips to nearby islands. It’s peaceful, scenic and is perfect for slow travel!
- Stay central, but explore beyond. Make sure your accommodation is central, but Stockholm and Malmo both have excellent neighbourhoods just outside the tourist centre that are safe, interesting and a bit more local for daytime exploring.
- Don’t expect small talk. Local people are kind but reserved. Don’t take it personally or mistake it for rudeness, because it’s not!
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SWEDEN
Here are four destinations in Sweden I love and recommend as a solo female traveller:
Stockholm – Spread across 14 islands, Stockholm is perfect for solo female travellers. You can explore charming old town streets in Gamla Stan, immerse yourself in Scandi culture at a museum, then hop on a ferry to a peaceful island – all in one day!
Malmo – Right across the bridge from Copenhagen, Malmo is modern, multicultural and has plenty of green space. It’s also walkable, bicycle-friendly, and ideal for slower travel. Plus, you can day trip into Denmark!
Lund – This small university town feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook. It’s compact and easy to explore on foot, with cobbled streets, colourful houses and absolutely stunning blossoms in Spring!
Vaxholm – Just an hour from central Stockholm by ferry, Vaxholm is a postcard-perfect seaside town surrounded by nature. Think colourful wooden houses, little cafés by the water – even the ferry ride over is an attraction, as it has beautiful views of the Stockholm archipelago!
FAQS ABOUT SOLO TRAVEL IN SWEDEN
Is it safe to travel alone in Sweden as a woman?
Yes! Sweden is one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travellers. Street harassment is rare, violent crime against tourists is even more rare, and even at night, you’ll generally feel secure walking around central areas.
But, every city has its issues, so stay aware of your surroundings, especially at busy transit hubs, when walking alone at night, or during events.
What’s the best time to visit Sweden?
Each season offers something different, so the answer to this depends what you’re looking for!
Summer (June–August) – Long daylight hours, outdoor dining, island-hopping and festivals.
Autumn (September–October) – The best time for a city break as it’s less warm than peak summer (but typically still mild), and there are fewer tourists.
Winter (November–March) – Think snowy streets, cosy cafés, hygge culture and, if you head far north, a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Spring (April–May) – Stunning blossoms, and the return of the sunshine and longer days. Spring in Sweden is truly joyful! Plus it’s a lovely season to beat the summer crowds and heat.
Can I visit Sweden on a budget?
Sweden has a reputation for being pricey and yes, certain things do add up, but it’s absolutely possible to do it on a budget.
– Take advantage of free attractions like parks, viewpoints, public art and even some museums on certain days.
– City passes and travel cards (like SL in Stockholm) can save money. Be sure to research this before your trip!
– Trains, flights and even accommodation are almost always cheaper the earlier you book.
– Buses and trains are safe, clean and reliable in Sweden, even at night, so you can skip taxis.
How to Get to Sweden
Sweden is well-connected by air, land and sea, so it depends where you’re coming from:
Flying – Major airports are in Stockholm (Arlanda), Gothenburg, and Malmo. There are many daily direct routes from around the world.
Train – You can travel to Sweden by train from Denmark (Copenhagen to Malmo is just 40 minutes), Germany, and other parts of Scandinavia.
Bus – Long-distance bus companies like FlixBus connect Sweden with many European cities. This is a budget-friendly option but slower.
Ferry – Ferries run between Sweden and countries like Finland, Estonia and Germany. Stockholm to Helsinki is a particularly popular overnight option.
A FINAL NOTE
I hope this little Sweden hub has helped you feel excited (and well prepared!) to plan your own solo trip to Sweden. Whether you’re dreaming of a city break in Stockholm, seeing Lund’s beautiful blossoms, or hopping between islands in the archipelago, I promise this country has so much to offer as a solo female traveller!
→ Still have questions? You can always send me an email. 💌
