If you ever wanted to come to Stockholm, summertime is it.
I’m now reporting to you from a sunny balcony in Stockholm, Sweden. I have my Rosé in hand and it’s not even noon. Usually this would classify me as an alcoholic, but luckily it’s 21 degrees here and day drinking has become socially acceptable.
After 8 months of living life like a hermit, I’m now ready to shed my winter weight and embrace the three months of sunshine Sweden offers. Once the temperature hits about 18 degrees, this country transforms itself. The seasonal change is obviously beautiful for nature, but the real glow up comes from the Swedish people. For starters, the generally mute and reserved people of Scandinavia suddenly turn into the equivalent of guidos and guidettes in the Jersey Shore. GTL is truly at its peak.
If you ever wanted to come to Sweden, now is the time. You’ll get to drink before noon without judgement, bask in the Swedish sun, and take in the beautiful sight seeing Sweden offers, and by sight seeing, I mean people watching because no one looks better with a tan than a Swedish man (see reference below).
Generally, Sweden isn’t on the top of the list for travelers, but summertime is the one time you’ll find me heavily advocating for this country. Here are 4 things you must do if you’re lucky enough to be in Sweden during the summer:
1. Spend time in one of Sweden’s larger cities, your two choices are basically Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Both cities are literally crawling with beautiful people during the summer. On top of that, there are rooftop parties nearly every weekend and beautiful parks to tan or BBQ in. Stockholm would be my preference, only because it’s large enough to find your specific niche. If you’re more bougie, you’ll probably want to spend your time at bars like Spy Bar and cafes like Rosendals. For all my hipsters reading this, you’ll find your happy place in Sodermalm, in bars like Exit or Himlen.
2. Go Camping.
In Sweden there is a law called, “Allemansrätten,” meaning that you can camp anywhere in the country for at least one night. If you’re super outdoorsy and want a long camping trip, you may need a permit but all that information is easily accessible online: naturvardsverket.se/allemansratten.
3. Go to Gotland.
Gotland is the largest island belonging to Sweden. It’s known for its cobblestone streets, medieval city wall, and beaches. I’ve never been to Gotland, which is somewhat shameful considering I live in Stockholm, but now that summertime is amongst us, there’s no excuse not to go.
4. Grona Lund.
Grona Lund is an amusement park located in Stockholm. Going on rides is obviously fun but during summer Grona Lund also serves as a venue for concerts. For a small amusement park, they’ve actually managed to bring in some relatively big acts like Macklemore, Marilyn Manson and Tove Lo. Grona Lund isn’t the only place you can find live music, but musical festivals held in Sweden tend to be short, overpriced and totally controlled.
