Top autumn experiences in Sweden

By Malin Norman

With milder temperatures, a sense of calm, and shifting scenery with vibrant yellow, orange and red leaves as a backdrop, autumn is the ideal time to visit Sweden. Get inspired by this guide to the top autumn experiences in Sweden – from beautiful landscapes to cultural and culinary discoveries.

The autumn air is crisp, temperatures are mild, and the crowds have pretty much left. This is an excellent time for outdoor activities in Sweden, from kayaking to biking and even wild swimming. Nature opens its pantry, the forests are a berry heaven, and you will find blueberries, lingonberries and wild raspberries, as well as mushrooms.

According to Visit Sweden, hiking in Sweden during autumn is a must as the landscape is more beautiful than ever and the mosquitoes have finally disappeared. For many, Swedish Lapland is the place to go – it might even be on your bucket list? If lucky enough, you can catch the first Northern Lights on a clear night, without the cold and the snow. Apparently, the best time is between September and late March, but the Northern Lights can be seen as early as August.

Photo: Emmie Bolmstedt, imagebank.sweden.se

Ranging from day hikes with a train station as the starting point to more challenging routes, there are trails for every taste. Top hiking trails include The King’s Trail (Kungsleden), Sörmlandsleden, and The Emigrant Trail (Utvandrarleden), but there are many more.

Another unforgettable experience is to hike along the new Stockholm Archipelago Trail, a 270km hiking trail over 20 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago – from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south.

Did you know that mid-August to the end of September is actually called The Magic Season in the archipelago? This is because the water temperature is about two weeks behind the mainland, so spring is colder but autumn is milder, like an extension of summer. A beautiful calm rolls in, too, once the city folks have returned home after their summer holidays.

Photo: Ted Logardt, imagebank.sweden.se

Autumn highlights for foodies

Foodies are in for a treat, with autumn being the ideal season for exploration and events. The beginning of August marks the start of crayfish-party season, which we cover in our special feature in this issue, with insider’s tips, whilst the third Thursday of August serves as the premiere of sorts for fermented herring – a feast of the infamous smelly fish called surströmming.

Photo: Moa Karlberg, imagebank.sweden.se

For lobster fans, the first Monday after 20 September is when the lobster harvesting season begins. For the intrepid, the west coast of Sweden offers a range of seafood safaris, but you can also join a local fishing boat to catch oysters, mussels and crayfish, or to harvest seaweed.

Photo: Carl Johan Utsi, imagebank.sweden

The Swedish Cheese Festival is well worth checking out too. A homage to fromage, it gathers thousands of cheese lovers every year. Taking place 10-11 October in Gothenburg, the festival promises celebrity chefs competing in making the best cheese dishes, as well as plenty to taste on-site and to bring home. There is even a cheese safari, where you can learn and discover even more.

Photo: Alexander Hall, imagebank.sweden.se

Truffle lovers should head to Gotland. The island organises Gotland Truffle Month in mid-October, which culminates in Gotland Truffle Festival, 14-16 November. The festival promises seminars on truffles, a truffle market, truffle hunts, a truffle ceremony, and special truffle menus at many restaurants in Visby.

Do you crave more for the tastebuds? Head to Stockholm Food & Wine, 7-9 November. And if you have a sweet tooth, the pastry and chocolate festival Bak- och Chokladfestivalen runs in parallel. Come and taste, smell, talk, listen and learn at one of the Nordics’ largest combined food and beverage fairs.

Photo: Roger Borgelid, imagebank.sweden.se

Romantic getaways and cosy fika

Autumn is also the start of the cosy season, when Swedes light up their homes with tea lights and meet for fika in cafés as the darkness falls outside, often with a cinnamon bun to devour. The Swedish Cinnamon Bun Day (Kanelbullens dag) is celebrated nationwide on 4 October. Why not book a city break and explore the many coffee shops in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö?

For the ultimate romantic stay, head to a castle for the weekend. Whether you’re looking for a premium getaway or a relaxing break in the countryside, Sweden has a castle for every occasion. The country’s castle hotels and manor houses are often situated in idyllic locations, close to lakesides, woodlands or golf courses, offering a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can even spend the night in a haunted manor house, if you dare.

Photo: Lieselotte van der Meijs, imagebank.sweden.se

For more inspiration on what to do in Sweden, see visitsweden.com
Instagram: @visitsweden

Some autumn activities in Sweden

• 21 August: The official fermented herring premiere is celebrated in restaurants nationwide and marks the start of the surströmming season.
• 25-28 September: Gothenburg Book Fair – Scandinavia’s largest cultural event and a celebration of the written word.
• 4 October: The Swedish Cinnamon Bun Day (Kanelbullens dag).
• 11-19 October: Stockholm Open, Sweden’s premier tennis championship.
• 1 November: All Saints' Day – when Swedes light candles for their lost loved ones, while cemeteries all over the country are beautifully aglow.
• 5-16 November: Stockholm International Film Festival – one of the leading film festivals in Europe.
• 27-30 November: Sweden International Horse Show, one of the world’s largest equestrian events, is held in Stockholm.
Source: visitsweden.com