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Useful Information

Temperature:

-3°C - 18°C

Currency:

Swedish Krona (SEK)

Time zone:

UTC +01:00

Climate:

Temperate

When we visit:

Year round

View cruises calling at Sweden

Sweden Cruises

One of the richest countries in the world, and exceptionally pretty to travel through, Sweden is a delightful cruise destination. With a rich Nordic heritage, clean cities, a temperate climate, and (let’s just say it) a lot of beautiful people, what more do you need to know?

The modern name Sweden comes from Old English Swēoþēod, which in turn comes from Old Norse (Sviar). Today, Sweden is the third largest country in the EU by size, with a population of almost 10 million. Of that population, it’s estimated that 600,000 Swedes sing in choirs. Music is a big part of life in Sweden, and the musical traditions here include mediaeval folk ballads, Saami animistic chants, ABBA and hip hop.

Top 5 interesting facts

  • Sweden is considered the birthplace of the sexual revolution. 
  • The first literary text from Sweden is the Rök Runestone, from 800 AD. 
  • Nordstan, Gothenburg, is one of the largest malls in northern Europe. 
  • The actual age of the kingdom of Sweden is unknown.
  • Germanic peoples have inhabited Sweden since prehistoric times.
 

Highlights

Breathtaking scenery

On a cruise to Sweden, you’ll get to see the many offshore islands and fjords up close, cruising in from the Baltic Sea. Around 15% of the country lies above the Arctic Circle, and despite this, the overall climate is very pleasant. Some 65% of the country is covered in forests, which have been well protected for a long time. 

City life

Stockholm, the capital city and main port of call on a Sweden cruise, is an old Scandinavian town that’s full of museums, cafés, stone bridges and dramatic light – the sunsets here are not to be missed. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) in Stockholm is loaded with architectural gems and quiet urban beauty. Many small shops selling coffee and cakes line the cobble streets, along with shops selling local goods. Wear comfortable shoes for a day in Old Town, to navigate the winding cobble streets.  

A short walk away, still on Djurgarden island, you’ll find Skansen, the world's first open-air museum, founded in 1891. Here you can stroll through five centuries of Swedish history, from north to south, with a real sense of the past in the historical buildings and dwellings, which are peopled by characters in period dress. Skansen Zoo houses domestic and wild Nordic animals such as bears, wolves and lynx. 

 

Architecture

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The architecture in Sweden is uniquely fascinating. Colourful wooden houses brighten up the landscape in true Scandinavian style. Gothenburg’s stunning Opera House in Lilla Bommen harbour sits beside the huge ‘lipstick’ skyscraper, another feat of architecture. If you have time, the slick design and superb acoustics of the Götaplatsen concert hall is well worth exploring too. 

In Kalmar, the Kalmar Museum of Art is a black four-level cube, clad with large-scale wooden panels with big windows. The design won a hard-fought competition and is typical of slick Scandinavian style. Inside is no different – it’s a work of art in itself. 

 

Visby Cathedral is the most impressive architectural feat in the port town of Visby. Obviously this is an example of Swedish architecture of years gone by, a fascinating comparison to the slick lines and minimalism we associate with Sweden today. The former Viking site makes for a fascinating wander. 

 

As for our port in Karlskrona, the Kungsholm Fortress is a fascinating trip, just a short boat ride from where you’ll disembark from the ship. 

 

Ports in the country

GothenburgKalmarKarlskronaStockholmVisby
 

Cruises visiting Sweden

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