The DOs and DON’Ts of Sweden

Have you ever been to Sweden? It’s a wonderful city full of history, stunning architecture, and the kindest people. Don’t miss any opportunity to visit. And if you are are planning a trip, here are some DOs and DON’Ts of Visiting Sweden. I will cover everything from public transportation and food to cash and safety. You can also watch my video about it below.

The first is DO take Public Transportation. The SL is Sweden’s public transportation system and it’s extremely easy to use. Don’t skip this convenient option when getting around. You don’t even need to purchase tickets in advance. You can simply tap your credit card at the turnstyle and you will be charged for a one-way ticket. That ticket will allow you all modes of transportation for 75 minutes, so if you need to tap your card again within that timeframe, you won’t be charged again.

This is also a great way to see some of the islands. You can take a ferry boat from one island to the next for only 26kr!

The second DO is to get out and enjoy nature! Did you know, you can park your car (if you rented one) along the side of any road and get out and explore the woods? It’s such a beautiful country, so be sure to get out of the city!

The next is DO try the meatballs! Swedish meatballs and pretty darn delicious. They come with mashed potatoes, lingonberries, and pickled cucumber. I enjoyed them so much, I got them twice during my stay!

The last DO is to enjoy Fika. Fika is a Swedish custom and according to dictionary.com the meaning is “a break from activity during which people drink coffee, eat cakes or other light snacks, and relax with others.”

I heard the cinnamon buns were the thing to get with fika so that’s what I did. It’s a lovely way to sit down and take a break when you are busy sightseeing all day. Enjoy the company you are with, take in your surroundings, and simply relax.

Now for the Don’ts in Sweden, DON’T be surprised at the prices. Sweden can be a little pricier than other European countries. I didn’t find any of the pricing to be outrageous, in fact, I felt the grocery prices were cheaper than the US, but it is definitely more expensive than some of the other European nations. If this is a factor for you, just make sure you budget for your stay.

The second is DON’T take cash. You won’t need it. First, Sweden does not use the Euro. They use the Swedish Krona. Secondly, you won’t need cash because everyone takes credit cards. I took out a small amount of cash when I was visiting and didn’t use it.

The third DON’T is to not worry about if the country is safe or not. Sweden is VERY safe. Now, you should ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings, but their overall crime rate is very low. It’s also very safe of BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and solo female travelers. I was in Stockholm when Sweden and Finland applied to NATO in May of 2022. There was some very peaceful protesting, but I never felt unsafe.

And the last Don’t is DON’T Show Off. Swedes are quiet and reserved and everyone is equal. Showy behavior is looked down upon as is acting like you are better than someone. Even the Royal family simply go by their first names instead of their titles.

I don’t actually have a photo to represent this, so I will show you a pretty street instead (where I think by raising all the flags, it’s symbolizing equality.)

And that’s it! I hope this list helped you plan your trip to Sweden! Leave a comment below if there are any other DOs or DON’Ts I missed in this list!