MAIN Travel Europe Sweden

The home of the Nobel Prize, Ikea, and smorgasbord, Sweden is a heady mix of urban beauty, medieval ruins, quaint little towns, huge lakes and small islands.

Stockholm stands as one of the prettiest capitals in all of Europe, a compact city ideal for strolling or touring the Old Town and casual sojourns through city parks.

Also don't leave town without a visit to one of a handful of the city's top tourist attractions including the stunning Vasa Museum, home to the only preserved 17th century ship in the world. Traveling with friends or family you also won't want to miss the lovely Skansen open air museum (it also features a world class zoo) for a trip back in time through Swedish history.

An easy train ride from the capital, Gothenburg hums with life and features a rollicking Liseberg amusement park and an impressive collection of maritime, historical and art museums.

Farther afield lies the walled, medieval port city of Visby on the island of Gotland, offering a tour through the town of "roses and ruins" -- including a jumble of fragrantly scented cobblestone streets just begging to be explored by foot.

Another must-see is the quaint medieval town of Vadstena, sometimes called the most beautiful in Sweden for the Renaissance castle that dominates the town, together with an equally impressive 15th century abbey.

Top Sweden tourist attractions include the quaint Old Town in Stockholm (left); summer fun at Liseberg
amusement park in Gothenburg (middle); and the ancient beauty of Visby on the island of Gotland (right).

DID YOU KNOW? Sweden Travel Fun Facts

Moose crossing!

• Besides IKEA and smorgasbord, Sweden has given us pop groups ABBA and Ace of Base, computer games Candy Crush and Minecraft, the store chain H&M, actors Alexander Skarsgard and Max Von Sydow, and actresses Greta Garbo and Ann Margaret.

• Europe's largest shopping mall is the Nordstan in Gothenburg, with approximately 180 shops and 150 offices that occupy some 3,444,451 square feet.

• For a truly "international" golfing experience, Tornio golf course on the border of Sweden and Finland features half the holes in one country and the other half in another.

• The world's first ice hotel was built near the village of Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.

• Watch out for moose! They are a leading cause of traffic accidents in Sweden's suburbs and rural countryside.

• If you're traveling to Sweden for the spring holidays, don't be surprised to see children dressed in scary costumes. Sweden traditionally celebrates Halloween on Holy Thursday, just before Easter Sunday.

also see -> Christmas in Sweden

More about Sweden travel & tourism around the Web:

Visit Sweden - The official site for Sweden tourism with a complete guide to hotels, major attractions, including feature stories, photos, maps, tips on Swedish words & phrases, itinerary planner.

Sweden.se - the official gateway to Sweden - A gold mine of facts and information on Swedish culture, history, infrastructure, government & trade, Swedish travel & tourism.