Are you looking for an amazing destination for a December escape? You’ve landed on the right page. We fell in love with European cities the day we watched DDLJ, right? But there are some magical places in Europe that even our favourite movies have failed to explore. The Winter Wonderland of Sweden is one of them. The magical landscapes, frozen lakes, unique heritage, and quaint cities of Sweden will leave you enthralled with its charm. And if you visit during winter, you can also enjoy the bliss of Swedish Christmas festivities. Sweden in December is the perfect choice to take a leisurely trip to an offbeat European destination that promises snowy landscapes and a festive spirit. From the best places to visit to things to do, we’ve sorted it all in the list below.
Weather In Sweden In December
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Sweden is said to be completely drenched in snow during December. It is the best month among snow lovers and the ultimate place for fun winter activities. The average temperature in December ranges between -1.0°C and 3.0°C. Sweden receives around 6 hours of daylight in December; it remains dark the rest of the time. This is a perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities, as well as enjoy pleasant sightseeing experience.
Also Read: Festivals In Sweden
6 Places To Visit In Sweden In December
Find below some of the best winter places to visit in Sweden for a snow-kissed vacation in Swedish landscapes dotted with Christmas trees.
1. Stockholm
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Stockholm must be on your vacation list if you plan to travel to Sweden in December. You can head to Stockholm’s Gamla Stan – Old Town, which is the epitome of medieval architecture, Swedish history, and culture. One of the best things about visiting Stockholm is that, during December, everything remains open. During your visit to Stockholm, you can take the Christmas Old Town Walking Tour By Lantern to witness Swedish Christmas traditions and the enchanting beauty of Stockholm under the light of lanterns.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Opening hours: 9 AM to 6 PM
2. Lapland
One of the most wonderful destinations to visit in Sweden is Lapland. Most tourists head to Lapland to experience the magical Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Spotting the Aurora Borealis is a game of luck, yet you can increase your chance by visiting Abisko. Abisko is a small village enveloped by mountains and the most recommended place to relish the astonishing view of the Aurora Borealis.
Apart from these, you can participate in some of the outstanding winter activities in Abisko,, such as snowmobiling and dog-sledging. If you are interested in Sami Culture, you can visit Jokkmokk. Here, you can also watch Reindeer Racing and buy handmade products sold by Sami people.
Location: Swedish Lapland, Sweden
Opening hours: 10 AM to 6 PM
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3. Gothenburg
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Gothenburg is another major attraction in Sweden, and it is worth your visit. This one-of-a-kind place hosts a myriad of Christmas markets and Gothenburg’s markets are believed to be the top in Nordics. You can find a number of markets surrounding the area, but the most famous are the ones that are located in Liseberg. Liseberg is the biggest amusement park in Scandinavia, that hosts several performances like a version of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ on ice and many others.
The amusement park is also famous for its fun-filled rides and major attractions. If you are looking for a serene and peaceful place, you can head to the islands of Branno and Galtero, where you can witness the mesmerizing beauty of nature.
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Opening hours: 10 AM to 5 PM
4. Dalarna
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Dalarna doesn’t get the same attention as other destinations in Sweden, but trust me, it is a miniature of Sweden. It has amazingly wooden Scandinavian crafts and architecture, delightful mountains, and lakes. This marvellous place is popular for its artistic culture, and a wide range of music festivals take place throughout the year.
If you are keen to experience the exhilarated winter activities, then Dalarna is heaven for you. Here, you can participate in different activities like alpine skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, dog sledging, and Nordic skiing. So, all as a whole, Dalarna should be considered as a must-visit place in your itinerary.
Location: Dalarna, Sweden
Opening hours: 11 AM to 5 PM
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5. Ystad
Henning Mankell mentioned this excellent place in “Wallander novels”. Ystad receives attention from both domestic and international tourists, as it amazes with its awe-struck location by the sea, cobbled stone streets, and traditional cottages. Ystad Studios Visitor Centre is one of the main attractions of this place, which displays objects of sets and props of locally made films and TV shows. If you are in Sweden, visit Ystad to relish the stunning vistas of the Baltic Sea and hilly landscape.
You can also take a short stroll to some beautiful museums, local markets, restaurants and bars around Ystad. Sweden’s most mysterious place, Ales Stenar and the 13th-century abbey are among the other recognizable landmarks to visit during your trip to Sweden in December.
Location: Ystad, Sweden
Opening hours: 9 AM to 5 PM
6. Malmö
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Malmö is known for some of Scandinavia’s tallest buildings, exceptional museums, and beautiful parks. Malmö is a very cool city to visit in Sweden, and one can find trendy shops, high-design stores, bars and restaurants in the proximity of the high-end hotels, resorts, and hostels here. If you are eager to know about Sweden’s culture, history, traditions, and lifestyle, Malmö is the place to be.
Location: Malmo, Sweden
Opening hours: 11 AM to 9 PM
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7 Things To Do In Sweden In December
See all the wonderful things you can do in Sweden in the month of December. From sledding, skiing, to watching the Northern Lights dance in the sky, there’s myriad experiences you can have here in the winter season.
1. Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the most loved adventure sports among many Swedes in the winter season. Experience a massive adrenaline rush in your body as you glide through a lake that reflects the enchanting winter landscapes around you. There are beyond 70Km Ice Skating trails on lakes of Orsa, Siljan, and Runn in Dalarna. Some of the other popular ice skating trails are between Dala and Floda, Falun and Borlänge, and Orsa and Mora.
While Skating through the Hjälmaren in the county of Örebro, you can visit Lindholmen Island, where you can enjoy a drink. Stockholm is also one of the best places that offer the best Ice Skating opportunities.
2. Alpine Skiing
Alpine Skiing is the other most popular sport in Sweden, mainly carried out in the region of Stockholm. Through Alpine Skiing, you will be able to witness the picturesque view of Stockholm from the top of the slope. Sälen, Idre Fjäll, Säfsen, Orsa Grönklitt, and Bjursås Säfsen are several ski destinations in the region of Dalarna. Between the beautiful towns of Gislaved and Jönköping lies the famous Isaberg Mountain Resort, which is known worldwide for offering skiing opportunities to even young travelers.
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3. Northern Lights Tours
Swedish Lapland is an ideal place to witness the winter phenomenon of the northern lights and capture some amazing pictures of nature. Many guided tours will take you to this place. Northern Lights are mainly spotted in Kiruna and Abisko, where you can also take part in winter activities like Snowmobile Safaris to spot moose, snowshoeing, helicopter flights, and driving sportscars on ice.
4. Dog Sledding
Dog Sledding is all about a thrilling experience when you get onto the snow-filled trail with a sled pulled by dogs. You can feel the cold winds touching your face while flying across the white wilderness of Tundra regions. There are many places in Sweden where you can experience the fun-packed activity of Dog Sledding. Among them, Dalarna, Skellefteå, and Västerbotten are the famous spots to enjoy this adventurous sport.
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5. Mountain Biking
If you want to indulge in the true bliss of nature, then MountainBiking is the most exciting thing to do in Sweden. The Gotland Island in Sweden, located in Slite has the largest MTB park of more than 240Km routes that have different difficulty levels. Whether you are MountainBiking through gravel roads or demanding terrain, the spellbinding beauty of Gotland Island will make your heart ponder.
6. Snowmobile Tours
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Alvdalen, Idre Sarna and Salen in Dalarna County are some of the important regions where one can discover the fascinating mountains of Sweden. For snowmobiling in these regions, you will get many trained trails or you can hire a local guide to lead you throughout your tour.
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7. Kayaking On The Coast
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Imagine paddling into the sea between the islets and islands wrapped in snow. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the true grace of this place. Bohuslän, on the West Coast of Sweden, is known for hosting this activity. The sparkling water on both sides and a little sunshine are all you need to make your Kayaking experience a pleasant one.
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December is the best and the cheapest month to visit Sweden. What are you still waiting to hear? Just pack your bags and book a delightful trip to Sweden and see the undying charm of Sweden in December. And when you’ll be visiting Sweden in winter with your family or friends, just make sure to add all of the places as mentioned above and activities to your itinerary.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sweden In December
Is Sweden is a good place to go in Winter?
Yes, Sweden is worth visiting in winter, when the weather is snowy and there are Christmas vibes all around.
Is Sweden a family-friendly place?
Yes, Sweden is a safe place to visit and the nation has recorded less crime rate in recent years.
What is there to do in Sweden in winter?
Ice Skating, Dog Sledding, Kayaking on the Coast, Mountain Biking, Snowmobile Tours, All-Level Alpine Skiing, Horse Tours Through The Forest, Island Hopping in the Archipelago, etc.
Where is the best place in Sweden to see the northern lights?
Abisko National Park, in Sweden Lapland, is the best place to spot the Northern Lights.
What is the best place to stay in Sweden?
Stockholm, Malmø, Gothenburg, Uppsala, and Solna are some of the best places to stay in Sweden.
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A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
