From standout dining to island stays and scenic cycling, Sweden's latest stories highlight a broader travel appeal
 

US travel to Sweden up 58% since 2019

Off-season travel and Arctic experiences drive continued growth

New data released today shows US travel to Sweden is surging, with guest nights up 58% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Growth is strongest outside the summer months - pointing to a shift toward year-round travel.

While Stockholm remains the main gateway, followed by Gothenburg, interest is spreading across the country, including Arctic Sweden, where seasonal highlights such as the midnight sun and Northern Lights are drawing visitors beyond peak season.

Read more: US travel to Sweden up 58% since 2019

Trading city stress for island life

A San Francisco pastry chef swapped a successful café chain for a slower rhythm in the Stockholm archipelago - now travelers are invited to do the same.

The award-winning film Sweet Störy follows Meg Ray's leap from urban life to a remote island café – but international travelers may now take their own plunge into island life, through becoming custodians of one of the country's 267 570 islands given away for one year of use in the newly-launched initiative Your Swedish Island.

More information: Swedish island beats San Francisco, film shows

FOOD & DRINK

Sweden builds momentum in Nordic dining

Sweden is strengthening its position in Falstaff's ranking of 1,900 restaurants across the Nordics and Baltics, with three earning a perfect 100 points: Aira and Frantzén in Stockholm, and Vyn in southern Sweden. Ekstedt and Operakällaren follow closely at 98.

Sweden's results reflect a dining scene defined by both high-end consistency and broad geographic reach.

Across the country, strong performances continue to reinforce Sweden's role as a nationwide culinary destination. Umeå's Ateljé vita duken is named “New Opening of the Year,” while Hållfjället in Jämtland earns “Culinary Hideaway of the Year.”

At the center is Mathias Dahlgren, one of Sweden's most influential chefs and a Michelin-starred figure. Named “Chef of the Year,” he has three restaurants in the national top 25: Seafood Gastro, which holds one Michelin star, and Matbaren, awarded Bib Gourmand - both at Stockholm's Grand Hôtel - alongside Ateljé vita duken in Umeå.

Read more: Sweden builds momentum in Nordic dining

Southern Sweden's vineyards gain ground

Cool-climate wines put Skåne on the culinary map

Southern Sweden's emerging wine scene is gaining visibility with the launch of a new digital platform showcasing vineyards across the region.

Reflecting growing international interest in cool-climate wines, the initiative positions Skåne as a destination for food and wine-driven travel - complementing Sweden's broader momentum in dining.

Read more: New online presence for southern Sweden's vineyards

Green stars put Sweden on the sustainability map

Ahead of this year's Michelin announcements, Sweden's “green star” restaurants continue to draw attention for combining high-end cooking with sustainability. Standouts include Signum and Knystaforsen, where locally sourced ingredients and low-impact practices are central to the experience.

Read more: Sweden's green stars

170 kilometers of cycling through western Sweden

A new long-distance cycling route, Ljungleden, stretches 170 kilometers from Gothenburg through heather landscapes, lakes, and rural food stops.

The route combines low-traffic roads with trails, linking experiences like farm dining, lakeside stays, and glamping—reflecting the growing demand for slower, immersive travel.

Read more: New 170 km cycle path starting from Gothenburg along trails and low-trafficked roads

From industrial past to sustainable future in Skellefteå

Once shaped by the timber industry, Skellefteå is now positioning itself as a model for sustainable urban transformation.

At the center is the Society Expo in late May, showcasing how former industrial land has been reimagined into public spaces, including a striking pink art installation and sauna.

Read more: Where history meets future: witnessing transformation in northern Sweden

IN BRIEF

Stockholm restaurant channels the city's pulse
Slussporten, located beneath Stockholm's Golden Bridge at Slussen, reflects the constant movement of the area through a seasonal, ingredient-driven menu. Press images: HERE

Stockholm Concert Hall turns 100
On April 9, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra performs Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 to mark the centenary of the iconic venue, home to the Nobel Prize ceremony.

For more information and press images:
Related travel inspiration: visitsweden.com
Press images: Official Image Bank of Sweden
Cover photo: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se (Download)