When to visit Sweden

"There is no bad weather, only bad clothing."

Swedish proverb

For the most part Sweden has a cool, temperate climate. South of the country from Stockholm and the Great Lakes is warmer. Summers are generally sunny, with average temperatures of 20°C in the south and around 17°C in the north, although hot spells with temperatures reaching 30°C or above is not unusual. With Norway's mountains acting as a break, annual rainfall is moderate, though August can be wet. The west coast is warmer than the east, due to the warming Gulf Stream.

The harsh Lapland winter runs from October to April, when temperatures can drop as low as -50°C. Heavy snows make for excellent skiing well into April throughout the north (where many people ski to and from work), and you can even ski beneath the midnight sun at Riksgränsen in Lapland from late May to the end of June. Northern lights viewing within the Arctic Circle is possible from December to February. There are also opportunities for activities like dogsledding and snowmobiling.

Generally speaking, May to September are the best months to visit. Summers are similar to southern Britain, but with less rain and longer daylight hours, though hikers and campers should avoid the peak of the mosquito season in June and July.

Sweden is prone to shut down on public holidays. At midsummer and Christmas even much of Stockholm closes for three days, but the big cities otherwise have year-round attractions. Swedes tend to take their holidays from late June to mid-August, when popular destinations such as Öland can be crowded.