5 Great Reasons To Visit Sweden In 2025

Are you planning to visit Sweden in 2025? You won’t be alone. According to Tillväxtverket, Sweden's Agency for Regional and Economic Growth, the number of U.S. visitors reached an all-time high in 2024.

A record-breaking 1.3 million overnight stays were logged, making the U.S. the fourth-largest source of international tourism to Sweden, following Germany, Norway, and Denmark.

From new luxury accommodations in major Swedish cities to long-distance hiking trails across idyllic islands, there are a lot of new travel options to consider in Sweden over the coming months.

New Luxury In Sweden’s Cities

If your visit to Sweden takes you to the capital city, there are several eye-catching new hotel openings to consider for your stay in Stockholm.

Hagastrand: Opening fall 2025, this landmark destination by Nobis Hospitality Group combines wellness, nature, and contemporary design in Stockholm’s Hagaparken. Set in the historic Solna Kasernen building, Hagastrand features a vast spa, outdoor activity spaces, and meeting facilities.

Stockholm Stadshotell: Sweden’s first Relais & Châteaux hotel debuts in January 2025. This historic Stockholm property at the heart of the trendy Södermalm district will offer a fine-dining restaurant and wellness facilities. Daily menu changes and a summer courtyard seating option are among the eye-catching features.

Waxholms Hotell: Situated in Vaxholm, the gateway to Stockholm’s archipelago, this 120-year-old treasure is undergoing a transformation by renowned restaurateurs Stefan Strömberg and Jesper Ahlbom.

Their vision reimagines the historic hotel as a food and lifestyle destination, blending international sophistication with the charm of this traditional Swedish island, just a short journey from the capital by car or boat.

Visitors to Gothenburg needn’t miss out on new luxury accommodation options.

Billed as Sweden’s first country club, Hjortviken is a lakeside resort just 25 minutes drive from Gothenburg, featuring a focus on outdoor activities, two pools, and a focus on Spanish-Swedish cuisine. Despite its wish to promote an “offline” experience, the Hjortviken website is the best place to find out more ahead of its January 2025 opening.

In Gothenburg itself, the 300-room Hyatt Place Gothenburg Central is sure to attract international visitors with its central location, while the opening of Karlatornet—Scandinavia’s tallest building—will present travelers with a new dining opportunity complete with sensational city views.

Archipelago Hiking

A new long-distance hiking trail is set to transform Sweden’s Stockholm Archipelago into a year-round hiking destination.

Launching for the 2025 season, the Stockholm Archipelago Trail (SAT) spans 168 miles and connects 21 islands through a coordinated network of scenic pathways and inter-island ferries.

Previously, hiking on these islands could be confusing, with unmarked trails leading nowhere. The SAT project has improved existing routes, added clear blue-and-yellow trail markers, and created ten standalone sections to suit day-hikers and multi-day adventurers alike.

This sustainable initiative aims to attract visitors outside the busy summer months, offering a quieter, immersive experience of Sweden’s stunning island landscapes. Reflective trail markers also make evening hikes possible, ensuring year-round accessibility.

With digital maps for planning and ferries linking the islands to the mainland, exploring the Stockholm Archipelago has never been easier.

Discover The Swedish Diva

Curated by actor and drag artist Robert Fux, The Swedish Diva transforms Millesgården art gallery on the outskirts of Stockholm into a stunning tribute to the power of the female and queer star.

This immersive exhibition explores the iconic Swedish diva—from opera and theatre to film and showbiz—through original costumes, artifacts, and personal stories from 60 celebrated performers.

Fux highlights the construction of the diva persona and the dynamic between admiration and adoration. Visitors can enjoy this dazzling celebration of all things diva from February 8 to May 25.

Pippi Longstocking Turns 80

First introduced in 1945, Pippi Longstocking—with her fiery red hair, mismatched stockings, and boundless imagination—captured hearts everywhere with her fearless independence and whimsical adventures.

Over the decades, Astrid Lindgren’s timeless character has become a beloved literary icon and a symbol of individuality, empowerment, and unbridled joy, inspiring generations of readers across the globe.

Translated into more than 70 languages, Pippi’s legacy lives on through books, films, and cultural celebrations, solidifying her place as one of literature’s most cherished heroines.

To celebrate, the Astrid Lindgren Company is launching a special anniversary campaign, encouraging everyone to embrace their inner Pippi—harness your own Pippi power to make the world a brighter, kinder place.

You don’t even need to visit Sweden to join in the fun. For those who want to throw a Pippi-themed party, digital materials will be available for download to help you join the fun.

New Flights To Stockholm

Although the recent decision by Scandinavian Airlines to focus its long-haul operations in its Copenhagen hub came as a blow to Stockholm, the airport of the Swedish capital will still welcome several new international routes in 2025.

Budget long-haul airline Norse Atlantic has stepped in with its first route to Stockholm. Launching in October 2025, its Bangkok-Stockholm route will run twice-weekly using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Norwegian has announced twice-weekly flights to Stockholm from Bucharest, Porto, Lyon, and Bilbao. While these routes might not be the most direct way to reach Stockholm, they offer an exciting opportunity to extend your European vacation with additional city stops.

Stockholm will also welcome startup airline Sola Air, which will offer regular flights from Karlstad and the region of Värmland.