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When is the best time to visit Sweden?

The season depends on what you want from the trip.

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Short answer

Sweden suits different trips at different times: summer runs from June to August, northern lights show from September to March, and Christmas markets are held in November and December. Midnight sun is found only in the far north, where winters are also much harsher than in the south.

When to travel to Sweden: month by month Illustration of a season wheel with snow, a birch leaf, sun and rain around a red Swedish cottage

Why

  1. According to Visit Sweden, summer spans June to August, and Stockholm averages +14°C to +23°C in July.
  2. According to Visit Sweden, the northern lights appear above Arctic Sweden from September to March and can often be seen across the region by January.
  3. According to Visit Sweden, Swedish Christmas markets are traditionally held in November and December.

Details

According to SMHI, the midnight sun lasts from about 20 May to mid-July at the northernmost point, Treriksröset, and the sun-never-sets zone reaches as far south as Seskarö near Haparanda on the summer solstice. In the south, Visit Sweden describes winters as generally mild, with temperatures often above freezing, while the north has long winters with temperatures often below -30°C. Clear skies are essential for the northern lights, and Visit Sweden gives 6pm to 2am as the best hours on clear evenings.

Tip

Decide the main goal first (light summer evenings, northern lights, snow or Christmas markets), then pick the month and the region, because the far north and the south have very different seasons.

What may differ

Seasons differ by region: Visit Sweden describes the south as having mild winters and summers comparable to southern England, and the north as having short summers and long, harsh winters.

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Sources

Information checked on 27 October 2026.

When to travel to Sweden: month by month

  • What should I wear in Gothenburg?

    What to wear in Gothenburg depends on the month, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 1 °C in January and about 18 °C in July.

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  • What should I wear in Sweden in March?

    In March, wear a warm jacket and scarf, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 2 °C in Stockholm and about 3 °C in Gothenburg.

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  • What should I wear in Sweden in November?

    In November, wear a warm coat and scarf, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 4 °C in Stockholm and about 5 °C in Gothenburg.

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  • Is it always dark in Sweden in winter (polar night)?

    No, in Stockholm the sun is up from 8:47 am to 2:55 pm in January, and polar night, with no sunrise at all, only occurs in the far north.

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