Why Sweden for Your Honeymoon
Sweden puts bold architecture in wild places. In Swedish Lapland, you can spend your nights inside works of design, from Treehotel's treetop rooms to the Icehotel's sculpted suites. Your days go to forests and frozen rivers where the only sounds are wind and sled dogs.
The experiences are memorable precisely because they are unusual. Sleeping on ice, watching the aurora from a netted terrace above the forest, or canoeing at midnight under a sun that refuses to set are the stories you will still be telling on your tenth anniversary.
Sweden is also easy. It is safe, efficient and English-friendly, with excellent infrastructure even in the far north. Swedes are also very good at slowing down, with saunas, candlelight and long dinners that nobody hurries you through.
Best Time to Visit
Sweden's appeal changes completely with the seasons.
Winter, December to March, is the season for Lapland's snowy fairy tale. The seasonal Icehotel usually opens in December and the aurora is active. Activities such as dog sledding and snowmobiling are in full swing. February and March offer more daylight and deep snow.
Autumn, from late August to October, brings golden birch forests, crisp air and the first northern lights, often with fewer visitors.
Summer, from late May to mid-July, is the season of the midnight sun in the Arctic north. Hike, paddle and raft in endless daylight, then spend a few days on Stockholm's archipelago, when the capital is at its most beautiful.
Spring, in April and May, is a quiet shoulder season as the snow melts. Icehotel 365 and Treehotel both welcome guests year-round, so you can tailor your trip to your priorities.
Top Honeymoon Destinations
Our Sweden guides cover Swedish Lapland in the Arctic north, Stockholm and its archipelago and the Bohuslän coast in the west.
Swedish Lapland is a vast region of forests, rivers and mountains stretching from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Norwegian border, home to the Sámi people and to two landmark hotels. Treehotel, in the village of Harads near Luleå, offers tree rooms designed by leading architects, including the Mirrorcube, the Bird's Nest, BIG's Biosphere and Snøhetta's 7th Room. Icehotel, in Jukkasjärvi near Kiruna, is rebuilt from Torne River ice every winter, while its permanent Icehotel 365 offers ice suites year-round. Nearby Abisko National Park is renowned for clear skies and aurora viewing.
Most couples also spend a few nights in Stockholm at the start or end, adding a night on an archipelago island in summer. From June to September, the Bohuslän coast north of Gothenburg suits couples who would rather kayak between islands and eat oysters off the boat than chase the aurora.
How Long to Stay & Sample Itinerary
Eight to ten days gives you time to experience both Lapland icons and Stockholm without rushing.
Sample 9-day winter itinerary:
- Days 1 to 2: Arrive in Stockholm. Explore Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum and a New Nordic dinner.
- Day 3: Fly to Luleå and drive to Treehotel in Harads. Settle into your tree room.
- Day 4: Dog sledding or snowshoeing, then a private sauna and hot tub session.
- Day 5: Northern lights photography outing, plus a second tree room if you switch.
- Day 6: Travel north to Kiruna by car or train and check into the Icehotel.
- Day 7: Ice-sculpting workshop and a night in an ice suite.
- Day 8: Snowmobile safari or a trip to Abisko for aurora viewing.
- Day 9: Fly home via Stockholm.
In summer, swap snow activities for midnight-sun canoeing, hiking and river rafting.
Budget & Costs
Sweden is a premium destination; unique hotels in Lapland command high prices. All figures are approximate and vary by season and availability.
- Accommodation: rooms at signature properties like Treehotel and Icehotel often range from several hundred dollars per night to well over a thousand for larger suites, with winter the most expensive season.
- Activities: guided tours such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and aurora safaris commonly cost from about $150 to $400 or more per person.
- Dining: expect restaurant prices similar to major US cities, with tasting menus at the higher end.
- Transport: domestic flights between Stockholm and Lapland, car rental and fuel can add up, though trains offer good value.
To stretch your budget, consider autumn or spring visits and book packages that include activities. Balance a splurge night with simpler warm rooms.
Practical Tips for US Travelers
The currency is the Swedish krona. Sweden is one of the world's most cashless societies; cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere. Some businesses do not take cash at all. Tipping is not required, though rounding up or adding a little for great service is appreciated.
English is spoken widely and fluently, especially in tourism.
Wine, spirits and stronger beer are sold only at state Systembolaget shops, which close early on Saturdays and all day Sunday, so buy a bottle ahead for a cabin night or a picnic.
Sweden uses Type C and F plugs at 230 volts, so bring an adapter.
For Lapland, pack thermal base layers, wool socks, an insulated jacket, a hat, mittens and waterproof boots. Many hotels and tour operators lend thermal suits. In summer, bring insect repellent and an eye mask for the midnight sun.
Domestic flights and night trains connect Stockholm with Lapland; book early for winter.
Culture & Etiquette
Swedes value equality, modesty and consensus. Conversations tend to be polite and understated. Punctuality is important, so arrive on time for tours and dinner reservations.
Fika, the coffee break with pastries, is a cherished daily ritual. Join in; it is one of the most pleasant ways to connect with local life.
The concept of lagom, meaning just the right amount, shapes everyday life, from design to dining. You will notice a preference for quality and simplicity over excess.
In saunas, follow local customs: shower first, sit on a towel and respect any rules on nudity or swimwear. In Lapland, honor Sámi culture by choosing tours that work respectfully with Sámi communities, learning about reindeer herding and avoiding souvenirs that imitate traditional clothing.
Sweden's allemansrätten, or right of public access, lets everyone roam the countryside, with the responsibility to leave nature as you found it.
Quick tips
- The midnight sun lasts roughly late May to mid-July above the Arctic Circle.
- Icehotel's seasonal ice suites are usually open from December to spring; Icehotel 365 is open year-round.
- Book northern-lights tours with flexibility for cloudy nights.
