Travel guide – sweden
sweden
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Overview
Crisp and clean, the tranquil Scandinavian country of Sweden offers a variety of experiences within its elegent and sophisticated cities, its picturesque medieval villages, coastal island archipelagos, peaceful lakes and forests and the icy tundra of northern Lapland.
The capital city, Stockholm, encompasses 14 islands on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It is a high-tech city with a small-town feel, filled with top class restaurants, pulsating nightclubs, cosy pubs and a full array of performing arts. Best of all, nearly everyone you meet is fluent in English. Few visitors to Stockholm can resist an excursion to discover the offshore islands: the Stockholm archipelago offers some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Europe, and can be enjoyed from the city on a day cruise.
The west coast and its fishing villages is the place for gourmets, especially seafood lovers, while those digging for history will be fascinated with Uppsala, the ancient Viking city where the newest buildings date from the 18th century. A really novel excursion is a visit up north to the Ice Hotel, sculpted from ice every winter in Lapland where the Sami people enjoy showing visitors their way of life, based on their reindeer herds. Meanwhile, way down south Smaland has been christened 'the Crystal Kingdom' in honour of the famous glassworks that exist there in places like Orrefors and Kosta.
Sweden is an enchanting country, not as cold as one might imagine situated as it is in the high latitudes, and is well worth exploring whether along the meticulously maintained roads or on the extensive high-speed train system.
Regions and cities within Sweden...
Stockholm
Gothenburg
Climate
Sweden’s climate varies from north to south, but in general it is temperate due to the offshore Gulf Stream waters. Winters are very cold, particularly in the north where days are shorter and heavy frosts and bountiful snowfalls can be expected. Summers are warm and pleasant.
Health
There are no health risks associated with travel to Sweden. Medical care in the country is excellent, and reciprocal health agreements exist with other European Union countries, including the United Kingdom. UK citizens in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be entitled to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Swedish nationals.
The basics
Time
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. Standard European two-pin plugs are used.
Language
Swedish is the main language, with Lapp being spoken by the Sami population in the north. Most Swedes speak and understand English. Many also speak German and French.
Tipping
Service charge is included in restaurant bills, but an additional tip of 7 to 10% is expected for evening meals. Generally customers round off the fare when using a taxi. Tips are welcome for exceptionally good service in hotels, but are not expected.
Safety
Sweden is an extremely safe country to visit. There is some petty crime during the summer months in the cities where tourists congregate, but crime is at much lower levels than elsewhere in Europe. Most visits to Sweden are trouble free.
Communications
The country code for Sweden is +46, and the outgoing code is 00. Sweden also has area codes (Stockholm code is 8). Public telephones are available and there is good coverage across the country for mobile telephones, which use three different GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes can be found in all the cities and towns.
Duty Free
Travellers to Sweden over 18 years arriving with goods purchased in the EU for personal use do not have to pay duty on the following items: 800 cigarettes, or 400 cheroots, or 200 cigars, or 1kg pipe or cigarette tobacco. For passengers over 20 years the following alcohol is duty-free: 10 litres spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 20 litres of intermediate alcohol products such as fortified wine, or 90 litres wine, or 60 litres sparkling wine, or 110 litres of beer. Travellers to Sweden over 18 years from non-EU countries and residents who arrive on a commercial flight, from a trip exceeding 20 hours do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cheroots, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco, or a proportional mix of these. For travellers over 20 years, the following alcohol is duty-free: 1 litre spirits with alcohol content higher than 22%, or 2 litres fortified or sparkling wine, or a proportionate mix of the two, or 2 litres of non-sparkling wine and beer; other goods to the value of SEK 1,700. Prohibited items include drugs, other than those for medical or scientific purposes; and potatoes that are grown outside the EU.
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