Think cinnamon buns, coastal seafood safaris, and mushroom festivals in medieval towns. Sweden's autumn is a season made for slow travel—and serious eating.

While pumpkin spice takes over the US, Sweden quietly serves up a different kind of fall flavor. Think crayfish feasts by candlelight, cinnamon bun battles, forest hikes under the northern lights, and truffle hunts on a Baltic island. It's a season rooted in tradition and taste—one of Europe's most underrated times to visit.

Here are Sweden's top 10 autumn experiences, curated for the curious (and hungry) American traveler.

1. Crayfish, Snaps & Singing in StockholmLate summer kicks off with kräftskiva – a crayfish party tradition featuring tables piled with red shellfish, paper lanterns, and plenty of snaps. Visitors can join locals for instance at the historic Den Gyldene Freden in Stockholm's Old Town or sip sea views at Sjömagasinet in Gothenburg.
   
   
2. Beer with a Baltic Breeze: Brewskival
   Helsingborg's Brewskival (Aug 22–24) brings together 100+ craft breweries in a seaside celebration of hops and street food. Expect to taste the Nordic beer scene in one weekend.
   
   
3. Swedish Meatball Day Is Real. And Delicious.
   August 23rd marks Köttbullens Dag—a nationwide tribute to the Swedish meatball. While not officially verified, it's said that Swedes consume nearly 800 million meatballs annually. Explore regional variations—or simply dig in with lingonberries and mash at spots ranging from grandma's kitchen to Michelin-level dining.
   
   
4. Hike the “Magic Season” in the Stockholm Archipelago
   Mid-August to late September is known locally as “The Magic Season.” With sea temperatures lagging behind the mainland, autumn here feels like a secret extension of summer. Hike the new archipelago trail, spot stars in the darkening sky, and soak up the moody Nordic calm.
   
   
5. Chase the Northern Lights—Without the Snow
   Swedish Lapland is one of the best places on Earth to see the aurora borealis—and autumn (late August to November) offers excellent viewing, often before the snow arrives. Abisko National Park is a prime location thanks to its microclimate and minimal light pollution.
   
   
6. Sleep Among Reindeer
   At Kaatis Reindeers in Swedish Lapland, visitors can stay in simple, rustic cabins nestled among grazing reindeer. This unique nature stay is car-free, quiet, and deeply rooted in the Sámi heritage of the north.
   
   
7. Hajka Hiking Festival in Umeå
   Held October 3–5 in Umeå, northern Sweden, the Hajka Festival blends hiking, nights under the northern lights, secret forest concerts, and guided cycling adventures. The event is open to all experience levels—from beginners to advanced outdoor lovers.
   
   
8. Cinnamon Bun Day Is Serious Business
   On October 4, bakeries battle for bun supremacy across the country. It's the ultimate excuse to join the Swedish “fika” ritual—coffee, pastries, and cozy conversation. Here are some tips on where to best enjoy it in Malmö, Gothenburg or Stockholm.
   
   
9. Lobster, Oysters and the Return of the Sea Safari
   Autumn marks the start of shellfish season on Sweden's wild west coast—and it all begins with the hummerpremiär (lobster season opening) in late September. Join local fishermen on a full-blown lobster safari, where you'll haul pots from the sea and enjoy the catch onboard or back at a harborside inn. Prefer oysters? Head to Grebbestad for a guided oyster harvest and tasting. Combine it with a stay at Everts Sjöbod, a former boathouse turned guesthouse.
   
   
10. Gotland's Truffle Month
    The medieval island of Gotland turns black and gold in October–November, when local chefs and truffle dogs lead foraging tours, tastings and seminars during the Gotland Truffle Festival (Nov 14–16).
    Stay at Sibbjäns, a new hotel opening in Summer 2025, t the most talked-about new spot on the island.
    
    

Images & Press Resources

High-res press images:
Image Bank Sweden – Autumn Selection
Image Bank Sweden – Crayfishing

Cover photo: Crayfish party. Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se (Download)

PR Contact: Josefin Haraldsson, Head of PR USA, Visit Sweden: pressusa@visitsweden.com