sweden_holiday_property

Facing Finland across the Gulf of Bothnia, Sweden forms the eastern part of the Scandinavian peninsula. This long, narrow country reaches from within a few kilometres of Denmark to deep inside the Arctic Circle, and the distance from north to south is the same as that from Malmö to Rome. Despite this vast land mass, the country has a population of just 8.5 million, which is concentrated for the most part around the Swedish capital, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, and Uppsala. Once outside of these cities, Sweden is a land of seemingly endless tranquil countryside, with villages picturesquely dotted beside some 20,000 lakes or hugging the deeply indented coastline.

Sweden does, however, have regional variations. Unlike the south, thinly populated northern Sweden has a dramatic landscape, with fast-flowing rivers and hills that are rich in mineral deposits. Sweden is no longer Europe's biggest producer of copper, iron, or steel, but there are still many large operational mines in central and northern Sweden, both deep-shaft and open cast. Further north, thick conifer woodland—the source of Sweden's timber, wood pulp, paper, and furniture exports—dominates the landscape, and within the Arctic Circle, the glacier-scarred peaks of the Kjølen Mountains, on the northern border with Norway, rise to heights above 2,000 metres (6,560 feet). Here the nomadic Sami people live by herding reindeer, which they use for meat, milk, clothing, and hides.

Swedish arts and culture are best experienced in one of the two main cities of Stockholm and Gothenberg. Both enjoy a beautiful setting dominated by water. Stockholm is built on a linked chain of islands that forms part of the archipelago stretching across the Baltic to Finland. A great mix of fine architecture can be seen here, from the medieval timber buildings of the Old Town (Gamla Stan) to the ultra-modern high rises in the business district. Stockholm also has the best of the country's museums, restaurants, nightlife, and culture, including the magnificent Drottningholm Theatre, famous for performances by the Swedish Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of the European Union (EU) can enter Sweden with a valid national identity card and stay for a period of 90 days. However, citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland, where there is no identity card system, must carry a valid passport. Other nationals should consult the Swedish embassy or consulate in their country of residence before departure for details of any visa requirements.

Emergency phone numbers

Ambulance, police, fire brigade: 112

Time zones

Central European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.

Driving

Vehicle documents

Check with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any insurance documents you will need and whether additional motor insurance is required.

Rules of the road

Always carry your full valid driving licence or International Driving Permit, vehicle registration documents, and insurance documents with you in the car. Traffic drives on the right. Dipped headlights are obligatory when driving, by day and night. The driver and all passengers must use seat belts. Penalties for drinking and driving are severe: the maximum blood alcohol limit is 20 mg per 100 ml (2g/l).

Roads, tolls and speed limits

Sweden has a well-maintained road network with toll-free motorways covering more than 1,125 kilometres (700 miles).

The speed limit is 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour on motorways, 90 or 70 kilometres (56 or 43 miles) per hour on dual carriageways, and 50 kilometres (31 miles) per hour in built-up areas .

Driving tips

Winter tyres are recommended. Studded tyres can be used from 1 November to 30 April. It is advisable to watch out for reindeer and elk, which occasionally wander onto the roads.

Assistance

In case of breakdown contact the police.

Electrical devices

The electrical current in Sweden is 220 volts AC. Round, two-pin plugs are used. An adapter is necessary for UK and Irish appliances.

Money

Notes and coins

The official monetary unit in Sweden is the Swedish Krona (Skr). There are 100 öre in a krona. Notes come in denominations of 10,000Skr, 1,000Skr, 500, 100, 50, and 20. Coins are in denominations of 10Skr, 5, and 1, and 50öre.

Currency exchange

Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry money, and you should buy these in your country of residence before departure. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted in Sweden; shops and restaurants generally display signs indicating which cards they accept. However, not all shops and restaurants accept credit cards, so it is worth checking. You will find the current foreign exchange rate in most newspapers. Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change, post offices, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday 09.30 to 15.00 and also 16.00 to 17.30 on Thursday. Banks and bureaux de change at airports, ports, and main railway stations may have longer opening hours.

Tipping

A 10-percent service charge is usually included in hotel and restaurant bills, so there is no need to tip, although it is usual to round up the bill to the nearest 10Skr. Taxi fares usually include a tip. Cloakroom attendants should be given about 5Skr per item.

Public holidays

1 January: New Year's Day
6 January: Epiphany
Good Friday
Easter Monday
1 May: May Day
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
21 June: Midsummer's Day
1 November: All Saints' Day
24 December: Christmas Eve
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day
31 December: New Year's Eve

Travellers with disabilities

Facilities for travellers with disabilities are generally excellent. Hotels often have specially adapted rooms and wheelchair access. Access to public transport systems generally takes into account the needs of travellers with disabilities. Controlled street crossings often have audible indications for blind people. For further information contact the Swedish Federation of Disabled Persons (DHR), Katrinebergsvägen 6, 117 43, Stockholm, tel: +46 8 18 91 00.

Transport

Metro, buses and trams

Stockholm's bus network is comprehensive but routes can be complicated because of central pedestrianisation. Gothenburg runs a bus and tram network. Tickets can be bought from the driver but are more expensive than if you pre-pay for them in shops. A 24-hour pass is valid across the system. Stockholm has an efficient underground called the Tunnelbana (T-bana). The entrances are indicated by a blue "T" on a white background. Tickets can be bought in books of 15 and most urban journeys require 2 tickets. The Stockholm Card offers unlimited travel across the urban transport system and includes entrance to museums. The Tourist Card is valid for 24 hours or 72 hours and gives free public transport throughout the greater Stockholm area.

Ferries

Regular boat services link many of the thousands of islands dotted down the Swedish coast. The route between the Baltic island of Gotland and the mainland is one of the busiest; car ferries sail between the island's main port, Visby, and Nynäshamm or Oskarshamn. Advanced booking is advised. There is also an extensive network of ferry services for the Stockholm archipelago.

Travelling across Sweden is possible by using the Göta Canal, which stretches between Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Click here to publish your report on this destination.

Holiday Property Listings:

Click here to list your holiday property in this section

Top of page