Named for the people, Old English Sweoðeod meaning Swede-people, first recorded in Beowulf, from Sweon = Swedes. Probably from the Proto-Germanic sweba = free, independent & Proto-Indo-European s(w)e = one’s own.. Called Suiones by the Romans.
In the early 19th century there was a variety of large turnip called Swedish Turnip which gave rise to the English Land Swede-basher meaning a country bumpkin or rustic person.
Why It's Worth a Visit
From snowy, wild Laplands to urbane Stockholm & picturesque small town islands dotting it's beautiful coastline Sweden has a bit of everything all while being the most affordable of the Scandinavian countries.
Stockholm
@ a glance essentials:
Swedish
Language:
Most Locals can speak English, particularly the younger generation and in cities.
Country's Visitation Limit:
90 Days
Water safety
Safe to Drink
Emergency #
112
...
How to Say - Hello:
Hallå, Hallå / Hej, Hej (Hey) (often x2)
Thank You:
Tack
............................... If you're a comic book fan you may be familiar with the expression Vid Odens Skägg! = By Odin’s Beard! But did you know you can also swear by Odin's glans, (ollon) or his son Balder's balls; Balders Balle! the devils d**k; Satfläsk! the more generalized Kukens Vrede! = The Wrath of the D**k or my favorite, Gudars skymning! = Dusk of the Gods!
Best Swedish Curses:
Hot Tip:
Look for “Dagens Rätt” or when eating out. It means “dish of the day” & is often a discounted meal.
Inhabited since 12,000 BC, much of Sweden’s history from the 8th century on is shaped by Vikings who raided as far south as Baghdad & Constantinople. The Byzantine Emperor Theophilos was so impressed by the warriors he used them as his personal Body Guard.
Although Swedes have ruled the general territory of Sweden since at least 98 AD (when they are mentioned in Tacitus,) the Swedish state proper, which included much of present day Finland, wasn't established until the 10th century AD.
a bit of background...
................Swedish Vikings were called Rus or Ruotsi (Finnic), from the Old Norse rōþer = relating to rowing. Over the centuries many of the Rus settled outside of Sweden along the river routes they had traveled while going a viking and the people evolved into, and gave their name to, Russia and Belarus.
FUN FACT:
For a time it was joined with Norway & Denmark in the Kalmar Union until it separated itself in 1523 and began expanding it’s territory as the Swedish Empire. In 1809 it lost what would become Finland to Russia.
Sweden was one of the first countries I traveled to when I began to travel full time, and lived there longer than any other country in continental Europe because I enjoyed it so much. Both the people and environments are inviting and beautiful and I would gladly return anytime the opportunity arises.
Must Try Local Cuisine:
Swedish Meatballs with Lingonberry Jam ▪️ Pickled Herring ▪️ Västerbottenpaj (Cheese Pie)
Rårakor (Swedish hash-brown) ▪️ Pea Soup & Pancakes (Thursday tradition in schools, & the military)
Knäckebröd — (original Swedish crispbread) ▪️ Lutfisk (gelatinous fish pickled in lye)
Glögg (mulled wine & spirits) ▪️ Smörgåstårta (salmon/ seafood sandwich the size of a cake)
SEE
DO TRY
&
VISIT
What to Where to Why . . .
Surprising Finds:
📍 The Tunnelbana/ subway 📸 in Stockholm is the world’s longest art gallery (110 km)
over 90% of the stations are adorned with art installations, sculptures, mosaics &
paintings by 150 artists. Kungsträdgården stations, is also Stockholm's deepest and
contains an entire unique self-sufficient ecosystem
📍 Among winding cobblestones of Stockholm's Gamla Stan/ Old Town (founded 1252)
are Källargränd Urinoar 📸 - a 130-year-old urinal, the oldest of Stockholm and the
Uppland Runic Inscription 53 📸 - a Viking runestone hidden in plain view
📍 The city of Malmö's Trash Cans congratulate you for throwing out you trash 📸
Stockholm Subway
📍 The small islands, like Brännö, 📸 just a ferry ride from Gothenburg (Göteborg)
📍 Unique Cemeteries like Skogskyrkogården - Woodland Cemetery, resting place
of Greta Garbo 📸 or Gamla Kyrkogården - in Malmö's city center. 📸
📍 Beautiful Churches like Riddarholmskyrkan 📸 & Storkyrkan 📸 (13th c. Stockholm
churches) or Sankt Petri 📸 - Malmö's oldest building (early 14th c.)
📍 Drottningholm Grounds & Theater 📸 17th c. Palace modeled on Versailles. (The Royal Court Theatre
still uses 18th century stage mechanisms)
📍 The small towns dotting pastural country side filled with Falu Red (falu rödfärg) Painted Wooden Homes. 📸
Islands off Göteborg Coast
Riddarholmskyrkan
Most Known For:
♦️ The Vasa 📸 - 1628 sunken ship, world’s best preserved 17th-century ship, recovered
1961 and turned into a museum in Stockholm.
🔸 Visby, on Viking Island of Gotland, - w/ most extensive, best preserved medieval
city wall in Scandinavia
♦️ Prehistoric Rock Carvings in Tanum (closer to Gothenurg or Oslo)
🔸 Swedish Massage - which funnily enough is not Swedish at all!
🌀 Midsommar - 📸 longest day of the year. (Midsummer Eve is always a Friday between June 19th & 25th)
People often begin the day picking flowers to make wreaths for headpieces and the maypole.
Some popular places to celebrate are...
🌀 Valborg - a festival celebrating the arrival of spring with bonfires & revelry
🌀 Lucia Day (December 13th) - festival of light w/ a procession by 'Saint Lucia,' represented by a young girl
dressed in a white w/ a crown of candles, leading children w/ candles through the town
🌀 National [Sweden] Day - June 6
🌀 Swedish Lapland celebrates an Ice Festival & the 410-year-old indigenous Sámi market in Jokkmokk
🌀 The Noble Prize Ceremony - held in Stockholm every December
Cool Local
Festivals:
Going to visit
Make a DONATION of $5 or more and receive a FREE Thank You Gift of your choice of a FULL CITY TRAVEL GUIDE with even more favorites and the address/ contacts for all recommendations. Just include the NAME of the CITY in you're going to visit along with your EMAIL ADDRESS in the transaction description of your donation.
Sweden
Sweden
Site Key:
Five Star Recommend
Make the Time!
Worth the Effort/ $
UNMOORED DETAILS DESTINATIONS PLAN YOUR TRIP ON A BUDGET TRAVEL BLOG
YOUR HOST- JULIA EUROPE PLANNING, PACKING & PASSPORTS HISTORY & CULTURE
SPECIAL THANKS AFRICA & MID EAST BOOK TRANSPORTATION MYTHS, LORE & LEGENDS
PRIVACY & TERMS OF USE ASIA & OCEANIA SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS FRIENDS & ADVENTURES
CONTACT THE AMERICAS TRAVEL INSURANCE LOCAL FESTIVALS
Notices: Unmoored is not a licensed travel agency. The Site's intended to educate, inform & entertain and is not to be used as a source of official travel itinerary planning, or legal advice. It is merely the experiences and reflections of fellow traveler. - The site may contain affiliated links, (there is never any extra cost to you for using these links) but Unmoored only includes affiliated links for products/ companies that we would willing endorse on the site even without the affiliation.