Midsommer Sweden Visit

Why I Visited Sweden

So how does a girl who decides to use her savings to travel the world even end up in an expensive country find herself having a midsommer Sweden visit? Great question! It was friendship that had me add a country considered a big no no for travelers on a budget.

April of last year I ventured on yet another trip to Europe, which had me visiting Prague. During this trip, I met some great people including Tina and Vendela from Sweden. Tina and I became instant sisters. Many thinking we were twins, yet we still don’t see it.

Midsommer In Sweden

Sweden brought my most favorite experience during my sabbatical. I was in Sweden for summer solstice. Being able to truly see what it means when the sun doesn’t go down. For a night crawler like myself, seeing the sun out past midnight and then waking up to the sun at 3AM, is surreal.

Since I was here during summer solstice, I had the opportunity to celebrate Midsommar like a local. I ventured out to Vendela’s family summer lake house in the countryside. Just about an hour and 1/2 away drive from Stockholm.

There a group of us celebrated with the others in the small summer house community by singing and dancing around the summer pole. Musical entertainment included Benny, one of the members of Legendary band, ABBA. He also has a summer home here. This alone was something special as I grew up signing and dancing to ABBA songs since my parents love the band.

If that wasn’t enough, throwing myself into a freezing cold lake in Sweden and having “my breath taken away” is something I actually think people should feel. It will change how you think of the phrase all together.

Midsommer Sweden Visit – Travel Disclaimer

I’m sure you are thinking, Chris you had friends who hosted you, so of course this helped you with costs during this part of the trip. I can’t deny this did help during my 8 days/ 9 nights I was in Sweden.

Being hosted by Tina at her place and being at Vendela’s family summer home for Midsommar and had no choice but to buy groceries and cook our meals for 3 of those days helped cut costs.

But even if you don’t have awesome friends like Tina and Vendela, you can still make Sweden work on a budget. I did play tourist on my first 2 days in Sweden and have some great tips to help you visit Stockholm.

Plan Your Midsommer Sweden Visit

Flight	Stay	Visit	Do
WayAway	Agoda	Rentalcars.com	Viator

Here Is How To Visit Sweden Even On A Budget

What To Expect In Terms Of Costs

First it’s good for me to point out that Sweden isn’t considered expensive if you compare it to how much things costs in the good ole US of A. Prices are very similar so if you put yourself in the mindset that you would be paying the same back home this helps put you at ease. Additionally, I don’t know about you but I would rather spend the same amount in Europe then staying in America but to each his own.

Free Museums

All government museums are free (roughly over a dozen just in Stockholm) so why not check out some modern art or learn about the Vikings history. See the full list here.

Carefully Select Accommodation

Pick a hostel with a kitchen, buy groceries and cook meals. Stockholm is where I saw many people in the hostel cooking meals. Since we all cooked dinner around the same time it was also a great way to meet people and plan to hang out. Find affordable hostel options at Hostelworld and hotels at Agoda.

What To See In Sweden

IKEA

IKEA is a real thing here so why not see the famous Sweden furniture store and grab a traditional IKEA meatball lunch at a super cheap price. The biggest IKEA in Sweden and what use to be the biggest in the world before South Korea stepped up their game is a short 20 minute bus ride. What’s even better, from central station in Stockholm their is a free shuttle that leaves about every hour to this IKEA and will bring you back too. Find more details here.

Swedish Neighborhoods

Walk around the different neighborhoods and islands including the old town, Djurgården and Södermalm.

Looking for more? Check out more HERE.

Why Sweden Is So Special

Sweden was proof that one can make true friendships while traveling the world. More importantly, that these friendships don’t have to end when your travels end.

I was blessed to have been welcomed to Sweden by Tina, Vendela, Tina’s family and their friends. My experience with such a unique celebration in Sweden, like Midsommar as a local is one of a kind.

I continue to be grateful for this and can’t wait to return the experience when they visit me.

Want to discover where else you can visit near Sweden?

See my Travel Guide Section for tips and recommendations for other bordering countries from Finland. Learn how to get there, where to stay, eat and what to do!