What is Sweden famous for?
You probably know everything about Abba, Ikea and meatballs. But what else is Sweden known for, and what should you look out for when you come?
Here are the top ten things that we think Sweden is best known for. Plus, we’ve explored some of the less obvious things you might not know about.
Top ten things that Sweden is famous for
1 | Abba |
2 | Swedish crime dramas |
3 | the Vikings |
4 | Ikea |
5 | Noisette |
6 | Midsummer |
7 | Forests, lakes and islands |
8 | Smorgasbord |
9 | Winter sports |
10 | Coffee |
Green surfaces
Sweden is known for its lakes, forests and islands. About 70 percent of the country is covered in forest and there are almost 100,000 lakes that make up about ten percent of the country.
Kolmården and Tyresta are the country’s two largest forest areas, and Sweden actually plants more trees than it cuts down. So its forest increases in size.
Not to mention the fact that it has the most islands of any country in the world, with around 270,000.
So it’s not surprising that Swedes are known for their love of the outdoors.
Swedish royal family
Noted to be less formal than their British counterparts, the Swedish royal family is known as one of Europe’s “bicycle monarchies” for its more relaxed pared-down style of royalty.
The head of the royal family is King Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia, who have three children, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine.
The heir to the throne is Crown Princess Victoria, who has two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar.
The official residence of the king and queen is the Royal Palace in Stockholm, although they actually live at Drottningholm Palace, their private residence on an island outside Stockholm.
You can look around both the Royal Palace and Drottningholm Palace on this full day guided tour.
Mountain
Ok, so these are not as numerous or as high as in neighboring Norway, but Sweden still has some mountains.
The Scandinavian mountain range forms part of Sweden’s western border with Norway, and Sweden is home to some of its less steep spurs.
The country’s highest peak is Kebnekaise at 2096 meters high.
Winter sports
So downhill skiing is of course popular in Sweden’s mountain areas, but cross-country skiing is also big in the flatter regions in winter.
For more about skiing in Sweden, click here and here.
Other winter sports that Sweden is known for include: snowmobile, husky sled, ice climbing and skating.
Open society
One of the first things you’ll notice is Sweden’s famous openness – these days, the small Nordic country is a diverse place that welcomes people with all sorts of different views and backgrounds.
the Vikings
Yes, the Vikings were here once (our guide has tips on where to find them) but not everyone in Sweden is tall, blonde and violent.
music
Music is a major Swedish export and although many native artists eventually become megastars and live in the US, there is still a vibrant music scene across the country – especially in major cities such as Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Start-ups
These large southern cities are also becoming serious players on the global start-up scene.
If you’ve ever used Skype, listened to music via Spotify or played Candy Crush on the toilet, you have a Swede to thank.
What products is Sweden famous for?
Food | Noisette | Coffee | Gingerbread | Redcurrant jam |
Design | The horse of the valleys | Ikea’s Billy bookcase | Volvo and Saab cars | Kosta Boda glass |
music | Abba | Avicii | Robyn | Tove Lo |
Technology | Spotify | Candy crush | Ericsson | Klarna |
Clothes | H&M | The mountain fox | Gudrun Sjödén | Tiger of Sweden |
Swedish food
Swedish food has also caught on recently, moving well beyond classic dishes like meatballs and pickled herring (although you can still get both at any local supermarket).
Sweden’s most famous chef may still be one of the Muppets, but new restaurants up and down the country are challenging old stereotypes and giving food critics a reason to take notice.
New Nordic cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients with a distinct Scandinavian flavor has been very influential in Sweden, and the country now has around 19 Michelin restaurants.
And of course there is always the traditional smorgasbord, which Swedes have appreciated for years. For more on this classic meal, see our quick guide to the Swedish sandwich board.
Other Swedish classics include pea soup and pancakes and the famous smelly fish, sour streaming!
Fashion
Walk down any street in Sweden and you will see that fashion is serious business. Our guide has suggestions for how to dress like a Swede.
Traditions
Despite all this innovation, Sweden is still known worldwide for its strong traditions.
Coffee (the art of catching up over coffee and a cake) is essentially sacred, while festivals like Christmas and Midsummer still celebrated in style.
And then the folk horror movie Midsummer became a cult classic, the summer solstice celebration has become known for its darker side.
Other Swedish habits such as being naked in sauna and mock crayfish is also alive and well.
Holidays
As a visitor, you are most likely looking for husky ridesthe Northern Lightsthe midnight suncrystal clear lakes, snow covered forests, brightly painted wooden horses, snuffand some of the best on the planet free camping.
Swedish hotels and hostels are also doing their part to make the country stand out. This is a nation where you can sleep in one nice treehouseone old jumbo jetor a hotel made of ice.
Crime drama
Depressed detectives, bloody murders, evocative landscapes and the dysfunctional dark side of society are all popular themes in a Scandi Noir crime drama.
The bridge, Wallander and The girl with the dragon tattoo series are some of the most famous Swedish Nordic Noir series, which have the country’s brooding landscape as a background to the action.
What was invented in Sweden?
And if you’re wondering what else Sweden is known for, here are ten more surprising inventions you might not have known were invented in Sweden or by a Swede.
- Oat milk
- Skype
- The phone receiver
- The three-point belt
- Ball bearings
- Minecraft
- Dynamite
- The Tetra Pak
- The zipper
- Celsius temperature scale
FAQ
What is Gothenburg famous for?
Sweden’s second largest city is known for Volvos, islands, craft beer and an attractive old town Haga, with its cobbled streets and timbered buildings.
This former fishing port is the birthplace of the Volvo – there’s even one Volvo Museum to prove it – and around twenty islands which can be easily visited from the city.
A boat trip is the best way to explore the archipelago: for more on this lesser-known city, see our guide to Gothenburg.
What is Stockholm, Sweden famous for?
Regularly ranked as one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, Stockholm is famous for its royal palaces, a stunning old town Old Townits atmospheric promenade and, of course, its islands.
Home to around 30,000 islands, the Stockholm archipelago is a fantastic place to explore by boat: click here for some of our favorite boat trips and cruises.
Is Sweden known for Swedish fish?
We’re talking about the chewy, fruity sweet that was invented in Sweden and not the fish itself that swims around in the sea.
Read more about Swedish fish and their origin everything you need to know about Swedish fish.
Is Sweden famous for chocolate?
Not so much! Marabou is Sweden’s most famous chocolate, but it is not a high-quality high cocoa brand.
Switzerland is more famous for its chocolate: for more about the differences between Sweden and Switzerland read Swedish vs Swiss: what’s the difference?
You may also like:
Sweden travel guide
Living in Stockholm
To see the northern lights in Sweden