Ontdek Zweden: van Göteborg tot Stockholm

About the destination: Kiel is the capital city of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, located at the Baltic Sea at the end of the "Kieler Förde". The shores of the bay of Kiel are dotted with busy, well-sheltered seaside resorts such as Stein, Strande, Schilksee, Schönberger Strand, Laboe and Heikendorf. The northern part has also been hosting sailing regattas for over a century and every year in June thousands of sailing enthusiasts flock here from all over the world to take part in "Kiel Week". Kiel is well-known for a variety of international sailing events, including the annual Kiel Week at the end of June which is the biggest sailing event in the world. The town hall was built between 1907 and 1911, and is overlooked by a 106 m high tower. From the upper gallery one has a view over the entire harbour, as far as the Naval memorial in Laboe.

About the destination: Gothenburg is Sweden's second city and Scandinavia's largest port. Despite this, a great mix of city bustle and small town friendliness has made it famous as Sweden's friendliest city for years. In a nutshell, Gothenburg is a lively city with interesting sights and an unrivalled seaside atmosphere. Poseidon rules the city, the gigantic bronze sea god statue bares his muscles in the middle of Gotaplatsen, the city’s art centre, but his domain extends far beyond. Seafarers auction their catch weekday mornings at the Fiskekorka, meaning fish church. It is an indoor fish market which got its name from the building's resemblance to a Gothic church. Though Gothenburg is a bustling city, it can be pretty and restful, especially in the many parks. Slottsskogen has lakes, birds, and a zoo with Swedish animals. Just beyond are the famous Botanical Gardens, with collections from all around the world. Museums abound, but two are of special interest. The Röhsska Museum, the national museum of Swedish design and applied art and the Gothenburg Art Museum, housed in a magnificent building flanked by the theatre and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art. Gothenburg's Cathedral, Domkyrkan, was built in 1815 on the ruins of two earlier churches which burnt down in 1721 and 1802. The neo-classical building is located at Vastra Hamngatan in the middle of the city centre. Gothenburg is not at all an industrial city as such but more a logistic centre. No grim environments or tall chimneys at all. Instead you have a huge amount of green areas, archipelago and loads of sport and culture. The bustle of crowds, the cosmopolitan restaurants, the cafes along the popular Avery, and the nearby western cost of Sweden make this city a humming one.

About the destination: Lysekil, perched on Sweden’s rugged west coast where the Gullmarsfjord meets the sea, is a small town with a big maritime soul. Just under two hours north of Gothenburg, it’s an easy escape into the Bohuslän archipelago: pink granite cliffs, clear brackish waters, and a horizon dotted with bare skerries and tiny fishing villages. The town itself feels pleasantly compact, with a walkable center, a pretty harbor, and classic wooden houses painted in soft Scandinavian colors. The main draw here is the coast. Stångehuvud Nature Reserve forms Lysekil’s dramatic backdrop, a landscape of smooth red granite shaped by the last Ice Age. Well-marked paths lead across the rock to viewpoints over the North Sea, perfect for sunset walks and photography. In summer, locals and visitors spread out along the polished cliffs for sea swimming, sunbathing, and cliff jumping; ladders and bathing platforms make it easy to enter the water even where the shoreline is steep. Lysekil is also one of Sweden’s top spots for marine activities. The shallow but clear waters of the Gullmarsfjord are ideal for kayaking, sailing, and especially scuba diving—this is a popular place to learn, with several dive centers offering courses and guided dives to wrecks and rich kelp forests. Families will enjoy Havets Hus (“House of the Sea”), a small but engaging aquarium that showcases local marine life and runs boat trips focused on seal watching and marine ecology. Beyond outdoor adventures, Lysekil preserves its heritage as a 19th‑century bath resort and fishing town. Stroll along the old bathhouses and the promenade at Pinnevik, or explore churches and villas from the town’s seaside-resort heyday. Cafés and restaurants along the waterfront specialize in fresh seafood—shrimp sandwiches, mussels, and fish caught in nearby waters. Whether you come for a quiet weekend by the sea or as a base to explore the wider Bohuslän coast, Lysekil offers a relaxed, coastal Swedish experience in a spectacular setting.

About the destination: Falun is the administrative center of the Dalarna province in Sweden. It's the second most populous town in the area with about 37,000 inhabitants, about three quarter of its close neighbor Borlänge with 50,000 inhabitants.

About the destination: Sweden’s capital – a Nordic vision of waterways, parks and spire-filled skylines – is justifiably renowned as one of the most handsome cities in Europe. Spread over no less than 14 islands and surrounded by literally thousands of smaller, rocky islets, it combines the drama and open skies of Scandinavia with the verve, dynamism and urban cool of Western Europe. The soul of the place lies in its many faces: the stucco walls of the Old Town, the contemporary pulse of the galleries, the consumerist buzz of the shopping heartlands, the deep peace of the parklands, the thumping bass of the nightlife and, increasingly, the gourmet draw of the restaurants. Stockholm’s location on the shores of the Baltic Sea means seasonal variations hit hard, and many locals will tell you that the only thing to match the beauty of a summer’s evening in Stockholm is the winter charm of its frozen lakes and snow-fringed skylines. It’s certainly true that Stockholm’s unique character is a major reason for its popularity among travelers and, in a continent where charismatic urban destinations come thick and fast, it says plenty that the city’s cultural scene is vibrant enough to rival anywhere else in northern Europe. On top of its exhibitions, museums and concerts, meanwhile, it’s also a deeply romantic setting in which to while away a long weekend – you’d have to be hard-hearted not to fall for the mix of preserved medieval architecture, sweeping water vistas and unfailingly intense nightlife. Most importantly though, it’s worth stressing just how much this is a city apart. It’s the most populated urban area in Scandinavia, yet two thirds of it are still comprised of water and greenery. And if this doesn’t seem probable, well, you’ve got the ideal excuse to go and check

About the destination: Perched on the shores of Lake Vättern in southern Sweden, Gränna is a storybook town known for its red‑and‑white striped candy canes, called “polkagris.” Founded in the 17th century, its wooden houses, cobbled main street and flower‑filled gardens create a nostalgic atmosphere that feels frozen in time. The town is small enough to explore on foot, making it a perfect stop on a road trip between Stockholm and Gothenburg or as a relaxed weekend getaway. A visit to Gränna isn’t complete without stepping into one of the traditional candy kitchens. Here you can watch confectioners hand‑roll and twist molten sugar into the iconic canes before they cool—often in front of large windows or small stands where visitors gather. Most shops offer tastings and an impressive range of flavors, from classic peppermint to salty liquorice and fruity varieties. It’s an engaging experience for families, and you’ll leave with a bag (or two) of sweet souvenirs. Beyond the candy, Gränna’s setting is a highlight in itself. Stroll up the hill behind the main street for panoramic views over the red rooftops, the lake and the elongated island of Visingsö. The lakeside promenade and small harbor are ideal for evening walks, and in summer you can swim, paddle, or simply sit on the rocks and watch the sunset over Vättern’s vast, shimmering waters. From Gränna, frequent ferries cross to Visingsö, a peaceful island rich in medieval history and rural charm. Rent a bike or join a traditional horse‑drawn carriage to explore ruined castles, old churches and oak forests. Back in town, cozy cafés and guesthouses make it easy to linger, sampling Swedish pastries and local dishes as you soak up the slow pace and small‑town hospitality that define Gränna’s appeal.

About the destination: Gothenburg is Sweden's second city and Scandinavia's largest port. Despite this, a great mix of city bustle and small town friendliness has made it famous as Sweden's friendliest city for years. In a nutshell, Gothenburg is a lively city with interesting sights and an unrivalled seaside atmosphere. Poseidon rules the city, the gigantic bronze sea god statue bares his muscles in the middle of Gotaplatsen, the city’s art centre, but his domain extends far beyond. Seafarers auction their catch weekday mornings at the Fiskekorka, meaning fish church. It is an indoor fish market which got its name from the building's resemblance to a Gothic church. Though Gothenburg is a bustling city, it can be pretty and restful, especially in the many parks. Slottsskogen has lakes, birds, and a zoo with Swedish animals. Just beyond are the famous Botanical Gardens, with collections from all around the world. Museums abound, but two are of special interest. The Röhsska Museum, the national museum of Swedish design and applied art and the Gothenburg Art Museum, housed in a magnificent building flanked by the theatre and concert hall, it features a world-class collection of Nordic art. Gothenburg's Cathedral, Domkyrkan, was built in 1815 on the ruins of two earlier churches which burnt down in 1721 and 1802. The neo-classical building is located at Vastra Hamngatan in the middle of the city centre. Gothenburg is not at all an industrial city as such but more a logistic centre. No grim environments or tall chimneys at all. Instead you have a huge amount of green areas, archipelago and loads of sport and culture. The bustle of crowds, the cosmopolitan restaurants, the cafes along the popular Avery, and the nearby western cost of Sweden make this city a humming one.

About the destination: Kiel is the capital city of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, located at the Baltic Sea at the end of the "Kieler Förde". The shores of the bay of Kiel are dotted with busy, well-sheltered seaside resorts such as Stein, Strande, Schilksee, Schönberger Strand, Laboe and Heikendorf. The northern part has also been hosting sailing regattas for over a century and every year in June thousands of sailing enthusiasts flock here from all over the world to take part in "Kiel Week". Kiel is well-known for a variety of international sailing events, including the annual Kiel Week at the end of June which is the biggest sailing event in the world. The town hall was built between 1907 and 1911, and is overlooked by a 106 m high tower. From the upper gallery one has a view over the entire harbour, as far as the Naval memorial in Laboe.