Zweeds Lapland - Arctic Bath

Wedged between Norway and the Baltic Sea, Sweden is known for its friendly locals, its excellent public transport, and a world of attractions. Its rich history has created walled medieval cities, seaside fortresses, Viking ruins and huge stone-ship settings just waiting to be discovered. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the gentle charm of the countryside with its abundance of towering snow-capped peaks, majestic lakes and vast unspoiled forests. Experience the dynamic spirit and sophisticated beauty of Stockholm and its amazing archipelago, meet the aboriginal Sami people in the north, or experience the magnificent midnight sun and Northern Lights. Throw in a varied and distinctive culinary scene complete with exotic local dishes (try the reindeer meat and dry-cured salmon) and one thing is certain, you'll never be bored in this remarkably innovative and fascinating Nordic country.

Currency 

The currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK; symbol kr) = 100 öre. Notes are in denominations of kr1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of kr10, 5, 2 and 1.

Banking

Banking hours: Monday--Wednesday and Friday 08900-15h00 and Thursday 09h00-18h00.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted, although it should be noted that most shops and restaurants require ID when paying with a credit card. ATMs are widely available and can be used with most international bank cards, although it’s worth bearing in mind that you may incur a small charge. Personal cheques are no longer used, while traveller's cheques can be cashed at most banks.

Traveller’s cheques are accepted at some banks. To avoid unfavourable exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to rely on credit or debit cards instead.

Sweden’s vast size means that air is an easy and convenient option when travelling long distances, and the country’s 40-plus airports give you plenty of choices. Airlines running domestic flights include SAS, BRA and Norwegian.

Sweden has an extensive road network, with over 210,000km (130,000 miles) available for public use. In very rural areas, getting around by car is often the only option available, while in cities, intense rush hour traffic means that cars are usually better avoided. Apart from the Öresund and Svinesund bridges and the bridges across Sundsvallsfjärden and Motalaviken, Swedish roads are toll-free. Congestion taxes are due in Stockholm and in Gothenburg. 

Road signs usually follow European standards. It's worth watching out for elk, reindeer or deer signs in the country – these mean that a lot of the animals are around and that a collision is possible. The risk is particularly high early in the morning and at night, when visibility is poor.

Public transport is efficient, comprehensive and well-integrated. Stockholm has bus, trams, metro (T-banan) and local rail services. Most tickets are loaded on the SL Access smart card, which can also be used on small ferries around the Stockholm islands. Västtrafik runs Gothenburg's buses and trams. Taxis are widely available; large taxi companies are cheaper than independents. Several of the main cities, particularly Stockholm, have boat excursions and services.

While Swedish food isn’t known for its sophistication, it does have a simple, wholesome charm all of its own. Locally produced and organic ingredients take pride of place in the kitchen and wild food such as mushrooms, blueberries and cloudberries crop up seasonally. A long coastline and numerous freshwater lakes mean fish is a staple part of the diet along with meat and root vegetables.

Rest assured, travellers will find the meatballs so beloved of the ubiquitous flat pack homewares brand are considerably better in Sweden than in the store canteen. From every day Swedish cuisine or husmanskost, ärtsoppape (pea soup) is a staple and a heart-warming choice on cold winter days, particularly when followed by pancakes doused in Swedish punch – a very sweet (and very strong) local liqueur.

Service in restaurants is not generally included in the bill; around 10% is usually expected.

In central and southern Sweden the winters are short and quite cold, and summer temperatures are similar to those in southern England, but with a lot more hours of sunshine and daylight.

In the northeast meanwhile the winters are severe, the more so as you travel further north, while the summers can be surprisingly warm.

In the far north the winters are also severe, with snow lying the year-round on elevated areas, and the summers are short and changeable. And because Sweden lies at a high latitude much of the country has very long hours of daylight in summer and very long nights in winter.

During the winter, thick layers are needed, with wind chill proving particularly problematic. Far north, stick to woollen layers closest to your skin, and avoid cotton socks. Sturdy footwear, scarves, hats and gloves will be required regardless of where you are.

During the summer, lighter clothing is all you need. Shorts or jeans and a t-shirt is standard attire, with a light jacket or sweater for the evenings. Cobblestones in the city, and unpaved roads in the countryside, means flat shoes or sandals are best for getting around. 

Waterproof clothing is recommended year-round.

Sweden is one of the world's most net-savvy countries, with a very high proportion of the population online. Wi-Fi is widespread in most towns and cities, with many restaurants, hotels and public spaces offering access. Internet cafes can be found in most major urban areas.

Electrical sockets in the Kingdom of Sweden are Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type F (CEE 7/4 Schuko). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plugin. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets  230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for that volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.