Family Friendly?
Great for families
School Holidays & Travel Time
Most families travel during summer holidays (July/August). Plan early and book in advance – expect higher prices and more tourists during this time.
Kid-Friendly Infrastructure
Good facilities for families (changing rooms, childcare, etc.)
Planning a family trip to Sweden? Here are valuable tips, kid-friendly activities, and everything you need for an unforgettable journey.
Recommended Routes for Families
Discover the best round trips and routes in Sweden that are perfect for families with children.
Southern Sweden Highlights
A relaxed route through Southern Sweden with Baltic Sea beaches, coastal towns, and the forests of Småland. From Malmö, the journey goes along the south coast via Ystad to Karlskrona, continuing to Kalmar and Öland, and via Växjö back to the west coast to Halmstad. It’s ideal for a first trip to Sweden and for families, as the stages are mostly short.
Småland & Astrid Lindgren
A family-friendly tour through forests, lakes, and red wooden houses in Småland: from the IKEA Museum in Älmhult to the glassworks around Kosta, on to Kalmar with its castle and to the island of Öland, then to Vimmerby for Astrid Lindgren's World and finally to Jönköping on Lake Vättern. The stages usually last one to two hours, the pace is relaxed.
Göta Canal & Lakes (Motorhome)
A tranquil motorhome route along the Göta Canal: from Söderköping via Vadstena and Motala on Lake Vättern, continuing along the canal to Sjötorp on Lake Vänern, then via Mariestad and Trollhättan to Gothenburg. Many campsites and guest harbours are located right by the water; the daily stages are short and mostly flat. Plan for just under three weeks.
Kid-Friendly Places & Regions
These places and regions in Sweden are particularly well-suited for families with children.
Nynäshamn
Nynäshamn lies about 60 kilometres south of Stockholm and is one of the mainland ports for ferries to Gotland. Additionally, ships sail from here to Gdańsk in Poland. It also serves as a starting point for the southern archipelago. In summer, the harbour is full of boats, with restaurants and small shops lining the promenade. The surrounding area offers coastal paths and nature reserves inviting visitors for walks. Nynäshamn is an easy day trip from Stockholm by commuter train.
Fjällbacka
Fjällbacka is a small fishing village in the municipality of Tanum in northern Bohuslän. Red and white wooden houses stand at the foot of the steep Vetteberget, with the archipelago in front. Today, the village is primarily known as the home and setting for Camilla Läckberg's crime novels, and for its connection to actress Ingrid Bergman.
Karlskrona
Karlskrona was founded in 1680 as the main base for the Swedish fleet on islands in the Blekinge archipelago. Baroque churches, the large market square Stortorget, shipyard, and fortresses have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1998. To this day, the city is the seat of the Swedish Navy and a starting point for boat trips into the archipelago.
Travel Climate for Families
Important information about climate, weather, and the best travel time for your family vacation in Sweden.
12–18°C·40–70 mm(moderate rain)
Die Sommermonate Mai bis August bieten die angenehmsten Temperaturen und die längsten Tage für Outdoor-Aktivitäten. Allerdings muss mit höheren Niederschlagsmengen gerechnet werden, besonders im Juli und August. Trotzdem ist dies die beliebteste Reisezeit.
Das Klima in Schweden variiert stark zwischen dem Norden und dem Süden des Landes. Der Norden, insbesondere Lappland, erlebt lange, kalte Winter mit Temperaturen, die oft unter den Gefrierpunkt fallen, und kurze, milde Sommer. Der Süden hat mildere Winter und wärmere Sommer. Die Niederschläge sind über das ganze Jahr verteilt, wobei die Sommermonate tendenziell etwas feuchter sind.
Nördliches Schweden: Lange, schneereiche Winter und kurze Sommer. Geeignet für Winteraktivitäten wie Skifahren und Nordlichter-Beobachtung.
Südliches Schweden: Mildere Winter und wärmere Sommer. Ideal für Städtetrips und Erkundung der Küste.
Die beste Zeit für einen Besuch in Schweden hängt stark von den geplanten Aktivitäten ab. Für Winteraktivitäten sind die Monate Dezember bis März ideal, während die Sommermonate Juni bis August sich am besten für Outdoor-Aktivitäten wie Wandern und Radfahren eignen.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
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Hauptsaison
Übergangszeit
Nebensaison
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -3.0 | 50 | 2.0 |
| February | -3.0 | 40 | 3.0 |
| March | 1.0 | 40 | 5.0 |
| April | 6.0 | 35 | 7.0 |
| May | 12.0 | 40 | 8.0 |
| June | 16.0 | 50 | 9.0 |
| July | 18.0 | 70 | 8.0 |
| August | 17.0 | 70 | 7.0 |
| September | 13.0 | 60 | 5.0 |
| October | 7.0 | 60 | 3.0 |
| November | 2.0 | 55 | 2.0 |
| December | -1.0 | 50 | 1.0 |
Consider School Holidays
The main travel times for families often fall during school holidays (July/August in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Plan early and book in advance, as higher prices and more tourists are expected during this time.
Summer Holidays
Summer holidays are the most popular travel time for families. In Sweden, it can get very warm during this time – make sure to have enough shade, sun protection, and cool activities for the children.
Warning: In the winter months, it can get very cold. Make sure children are dressed warmly and plan indoor activities.
Videos & Reportages
Get inspired by these videos and reportages about Sweden and get a first impression of kid-friendly activities and sights.
"Stockholm und Schärengarten: Mittsommer in Schwedens Hauptstadt"
Das Video zeigt die Mittsommerfeierlichkeiten in Schwedens Hauptstadt Stockholm und erkundet die einzigartige Natur des umliegenden Schärengartens, wo Einheimische die Zeit mit Familie und Freunden verbringen.
Family Tips for Sweden
Sweden is a very child-friendly destination. Nature, space to play, and a culture where children are naturally included in public life make family travel straightforward.
General Suitability
Culture: Family holds high importance. Children are welcome almost everywhere, and many facilities have their own offerings for them.
Climate: Summers are mild and ideal for outdoor activities. In winter, with warm clothing, you can go sledding or ice skating.
Health and Safety: For current information on entry, safety, and health, consult the Auswärtiges Amt. In an emergency, dial 112; pharmacies are called Apotek.
Activities
Nature: Thanks to Allemansrätten (Public Access Rights), you can freely explore forests, lake shores, and coastlines. In summer, many lakes and coastal areas invite you to swim. Remember to check for ticks in forests and meadows.
Parks and Playgrounds: Cities and municipalities have many well-equipped playgrounds and parks.
Museums: Many museums are interactive and child-friendly. In Stockholm, Junibacken is dedicated to Astrid Lindgren's characters; in Vimmerby, there is Astrid Lindgrens Värld. Technology and natural history museums often have children's programs too.
Animal and Amusement Parks: Popular choices include the animal park Kolmården near Norrköping, as well as the amusement parks Liseberg in Gothenburg and Gröna Lund in Stockholm.
Practical Information, Accommodation, and Mobility
Baby Food and Diapers: In larger supermarkets like ICA, Coop, or Hemköp, you'll find baby food, diapers, and children's items; some brands may differ from those in Germany.
Diaper Changing: Changing tables can be found in many public restrooms, restaurants, shopping centers, and museums.
Accommodation: Many hotels offer family rooms, baby cots, and high chairs. Vandrarhem (hostels) and Stugor (holiday homes and cabins) are often more affordable and usually include a kitchen.
Food: Restaurants generally have high chairs, and many offer a children's menu (barnmeny). Fika with pastries is great for small breaks.
Strollers and Public Transport: Cities are generally stroller-friendly, with wide pavements and accessible public transport. In hiking trails and rural areas, the terrain is more challenging.
Child Seats: Children under 135 cm must use an appropriate child seat in the car. For rental cars, it's best to book child seats in advance; for taxis, clarify this beforehand.
General Tips
Planning Activities
Plan varied activities that are interesting for both adults and children.
Timing Your Trip
Keep school holidays, climate, and local events in mind.