What's the best place in Sweden for a spring getaway?
We asked our readers for their best tips for a spring getaway in Sweden, and with answers ranging from Kiruna in the north to Skåne in the south, there should be something for everyone.
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Abhineet in Gothenberg had a lot of tips for spring getaways on the west coast, including Smögen, Lysekil, Strömstad, Grundsund, Kungshamn, Marstrand and the Koster Islands, as well as Gothenburg itself and its nearby archipelago.
'There are small towns with nice cafes and not a lot of crowds,' he said. 'The west coast is famous for seafood, but there are plenty of nice vegetarian and other options at cafes too.'
Michael, from the UK, also said that Gothenburg was his favourite Swedish spring destination.
'Trams. Archipelago. Craft breweries. Trams. Saluhallen. Alingsås for fika nearby. Trams. The gardens,' he said.'
'Did I mention it has trams?'
A beautiful summer sunset in Båstad. Photo: Hamza Al Darawsheh
Hamza Al Darawsheh, who lives in Båstad, a popular summer resort in the northwest of Skåne, recommended the area for its 'countryside and sea everywhere'.
He particularly recommended Västra-Karup for beautiful countryside, as well as Torekov and central Båstad for views of the sea.
Sunny Arboga. Photo: Jill
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Jill, originally from Kent, recommended Arboga in Västmanland, around a two hour drive west from Stockholm.
She lives and works in Arboga as an event producer, and it's clear how passionate she is about the area as a tourist destination.
'For a calming spring break you can mingle with the locals in this idyllic medieval town and admire the mural of St. George and The Dragon in the Holy Trinity Church which also has the largest church lanterns in Scandinavia,' she wrote.
'You can also walk along the oldest cobbled street in Sweden, look at the beautiful wooden houses on the longest street in Sweden with just wooden buildings, stay in a cabin on the shores of Lake Hjälmaren and visit living history watching the locks in operation at Hjälmare Canal.'
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One survey respondent, a 13-year-old boy living in Stockholm, had two spring getaway tips.
The first was Kiruna in Lappland, in the far north of Sweden which he recommended due to the 'amazing mountains and interesting mix of Swedish, Finnish and Sami culture'.
'You must visit one of the many mountains in Kiruna,' he wrote, while adding that visitors try the 'regional meatball, but also some local Sami cuisine like reindeer meat or elk stew.'
'Lappland is a beautiful region,' he added. 'Make sure to visit other cities.'
His second recommendation was Gotland, an island in the Baltic sea which is perhaps best known for hosting the Almedalen political festival in the summer. He recommended Gotland because of its 'beautiful beaches and historic towns,' although he said that besides this, there's 'not much to see'.
'While in Gotland they should certainly visit Fårö, which means lamb islands in English. They are known for their excellent lamb burger and meatballs. The beaches on Fårö are amazing and I would recommend visiting them.'
A sunset in Gotland. Photo: Pramodh
He wasn't the only respondent to recommend Gotland as a spring destination. Pramodh, a 34-year-old Indian working as an engineer at Eriksson also said the island was a great place to visit.
'The days are already getting longer in the spring and Gotland with its beautiful pebble beaches around Visby face westward. It's really nice to enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine, or chill in the parks or on the beaches.'
Spring is the off-season for Gotland, which really comes into its own as a holiday destination in the summer.
'I think it's a place that one can actually enjoy already from Spring,' Pramodh said. 'There's Högklint we can hike to, Night clubs we can enjoy in Visby, Beautiful sunsets to enjoy at the beaches. It's not very cold and not super warm either. A perfect weather to enjoy the attractions of the Island apart from just the beaches.'
Visiting popular summer destinations in the off season does sometimes mean that you have to plan ahead, as some places are only open during the summer.
'It could be a bit tricky to rent a bike,' he added, 'as most service providers operate from June 1st.'
He also recommended visiting the Lumelunda caves.
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Liuba's picture of a lighthouse on Öland. Photo: Liuba
Liuba had another island on her spring getaway list: Öland, off the east coast of Småland.
'It's a unique place in terms of nature,' she wrote. 'It is one of the most important places for bird migration (make sure to visit Ottenby fågelstation!), there are seals and rare orchids can be found everywhere, the list can go on!'
She also had a top tip when it comes to eating in Öland.
'Their specialty is kroppkakor, don't miss it!'
Fryksås fäbod in Dalarna. Photo: Marcus
Marcus, a 32-year-old film producer based in Stockholm, said that Fryksås in Dalarna was his favourite place in Sweden for a spring getaway.
He said that visitors should make sure to check out the 'idyllic, more-than-400-year-old fäbod,' a former summer farm where cattle were taken to graze.
'The fäbod is on a hill created by the largest meteor to land in northern Europe (150 million years old). It has a great hotel with good food (amazing julbord for example) and a stunning restaurant up on the hill serving only local ingredients including a lot of local game and vegetables. Their läfsor [a type of soft flatbread popular in Norway] and raggmunk are especially to die for.'
'Further up the hill you find Orsa Grönklitt with apres ski and a whole ski center for rentals of skis or bikes.'
In the warmer months, there's still a lot to do, Marcus said.
'In the summer, lake dipping, mountain biking and hiking is on the agenda. It's never too packed due to limited availability in vacation rentals and it's the best place to relax and unwind.'
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