This summer, Sweden offers several tempting reasons to visit, from an extraordinary lineup of festivals and events to the financial advantages many tourists have due to a weakened krona.

READ MORE: Nine things to look forward to in Sweden in 2024

Moreover, getting to Sweden has become more convenient with the introduction of dozens of new flight routes.

Combine that with the rising trend of travellers seeking out cooler climates to escape the summer heat and the recent refurbishment of several museums, and you shouldn’t need much convincing.

If you’ve been waiting for a good time to visit this Scandinavian destination, this might be it.

A rich offer of summer events and festivals

Sweden’s summer calendar is packed with events and festivals.

Held in Rättvik, Dalarna County, from July 26th to August 1st, the Classic Car Week features music, a vintage market, a demolition derby, a classic car parade, and more. From July 29th to August 3rd, Stockholm celebrates Pride with various events, including a country-themed opening festival in Pride Park.

Starting on August 4th, traditional crayfish parties will involve feasting on crayfish, drinking songs, and enjoying crispbread and cheese. From August 4th to 11th, you can experience Medieval Week in Gotland, Sweden’s largest historical festival. The festival features jousting, sword fighting, archery, medieval food, and more. Tickets start at 159 kronor for a day or 689 kronor for an eight-day pass.

Then, running from August 8th to 10th in Gothenburg, the Way Out West music festival will feature acts like André 3000 and Pulp. Tickets start from 1,245 kronor. From August 9th to 16th, Malmö transforms into a festival city with dance, music, street food, and over 1,000 program items through its Malmöfestivalen – an event that is free to attend.

With over 200,000 visitors, the Street Food Festival will be held in Stockholm (July 26th-27th) and Gothenburg (August 29th-September 1st). The Malmö leg of the festival (June 28th-29th) has already concluded. The event is free, but the food is not.

Lastly, if you’re into new foodie experiences, you might want to consider the Surströmming Festival, a great occasion to try this fermented herring delicacy on August 15th on Ulvön island.

Psst! Before you turn your nose up at the pungent-smelling fermented surströmming, read this.

A weak krona means you get more bang for your buck

Since mid-June, the Swedish krona has weakened by approximately 5 percent against the euro and 4 percent against the dollar.

This decrease makes Sweden a more affordable destination for tourists with stronger currencies.

The weak krona means visitors get better value for money, whether paying upfront for accommodations or enjoying local experiences.

So, if you’ve always considered Sweden a bit too pricey for your travelling budget, this might be the perfect opportunity to visit the country without breaking the bank.

More ways to get to Sweden – and back home again

Travelling to Sweden in the summer has become even easier, with several airlines implementing new routes ahead of the season.

Norwegian Airlines launched new routes from Stockholm Arlanda to Bari, Italy, and Billund, Denmark, as well as from Gothenburg Landvetter to London, Nice, Palma, and Pristina.

Ryanair also added new routes from Stockholm Arlanda to Vilnius and Rhodes and from Gothenburg Landvetter to Rome and Brussels.

In the run-up to the summer season, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) introduced nine new European destinations and increased flights to popular spots like Malaga and Alicante.

A 2023 survey in Germany revealed that 40 percent of respondents expect to change their travel behaviour due to heat in Southern Europe. Pictured is a house in
Karlskrona, Sweden. Photo by Patrick Federi on Unsplash

The “coolcations” factor

As global temperatures rise, more travellers seek cooler climates for their vacations, and Sweden fits the bill perfectly.

READ MORE: ‘Coolcations’: Is Sweden becoming a magnet for tourists looking to escape the heat?

The country’s varied landscapes, from coastal archipelagos to vast forests and lakes, offer a refreshing escape from the heat.

The trend, known as “coolcations,” is expected to drive more tourists to Sweden, making it an ideal destination for those looking to beat the summer heat.

While the concept of “colocations” is relatively new, and the first concrete figures about it catching on in Sweden will likely be available during the autumn, if you decide to escape the heat and choose Sweden over Greece or Spain, you’ll be somewhat of an early trend adopter, which means you’ll also be able to beat the crowds.

Numerous Swedish museums get a makeover

Sweden’s museums have recently undergone significant renovations, making them more attractive and ready to take in summer visitors in top shape.

ArkDes, the National Centre for Architecture and Design in Stockholm, reopened on June 14th, unveiling over four million objects.

Gustavianum, Uppsala University’s oldest preserved building, also reopened in June (on the 24th) after four years of renovations, showcasing mummies and Viking helmets, among other exhibits.

The Mjellby Art Museum in Halmstad will reopen on September 7th. It will feature an expanded collection of Nordic surrealism and temporary exhibitions focusing on gender, norms, society, and politics.