Winter in Sweden can be a challenge for any newbie (or oldie) to navigate. If you come from another part of the world where there is more sunlight and warmer temperatures during winter, the differences in Sweden may feel too big to survive. Luckily, we have created the ultimate guide to surviving winter in Sweden. We share tips and tricks for surviving (and thriving) winter in Sweden.

Tips and Tricks to Survive Winter in Sweden

Before you arrive in Sweden and experience your first winter, you may think “what’s the big deal”. After all, many of us have experienced cold right? Well yes, but as many will tell you, the biggest issue isn’t just the cold. It is the darkness and the sheer monotony of the cold and the dark. But in this guide we will take you through the different areas where a few well places tips can do all the difference.

What to wear in Winter

Layers are your friend and natural fibers such as wool are going to be very helpful. Dress warmly from the inside out. Start with long johns and wool/cotton or wool/silk mixed undershirts. Then put on your regular clothes, but remember the layer technique, and finish off with a warm winter coat that covers your bum, proper gloves, scarf and a hat – do not forget the hat! Proper winter boots or shoes with a thick sole will also make all the difference. They keep you warm and dry, and you wont slip and slide on all the hidden ice spots under the snow.

It’s always smart to have a winter protective layer on your lips and exposed skin, as well as hair coverings (outside of a hat) if you want to maintain your hairstyle.

How to protect your skin and hair during winter in Sweden

Skincare

Sweden’s climate can play havoc with your skin and it is quite common to get dry skin and/or eczema during the winter season. Depending on how severe this is, you may need to consult your doctor or visit your local pharmacy. There you will find the most incredible range of products specifically tailored for skin suffering from the ravages of dry air.

Brands to look out for include Acasia which has a very effective 24-hour repair cream, or SOS rescue cream which will soothe your skin and offer effective protection against the wind and dry air. Other options include deep hydration face masks from Exuviance or Emma S. products created by Swedish model, Emma Wiklund. You can also take preventative action by wearing barrier cream, such as SPF 20 cream by Nimue.

It is also very much worth protecting children of course and you will find a range of quite greasy barrier creams available at pharmacies or in the supermarket, including one with the famous Bamse bear on which helps make the whole idea of using it more fun. These are rather similar to Vaseline and it helps if you apply to cheeks and lips particularly if you are going skiing, but also if children are skating or just playing outside in the snow.

It is very important that you do not put the cream on your children (or yourself) when you are about to go out in to the cold. Especially if the cream has water in it. The cold causes the water in the produce to freeze and expand and this does bad things to skin of all ages. So, use the cream in the evening to give it time sink into your skin properly.

Be aware of the fact that the sun in Sweden is very powerful and can cause considerable sunburn, so protecting skin young and old when doing winter sport is essential. Buying a humidifier is also a good idea if you are really sensitive to the dry air.

Hair care during Swedish winter

Something which may worry you quite considerably is if your hair thins. This can feel like the last straw when you are getting used to so many things in a new country and knock your confidence, as well as feeling confusing. Actually, it seems to be another side effect of the lack of light and the more you ask people, the more you will find that they may be experiencing the same thing. Help is at hand though, as there are hair promoting products available at the pharmacy. From personal experience, Priorin works really well, but of course, seek advice from the pharmacist.

So, time in a Swedish winter can prove rather an assault on the appearance as well as the senses, but as with so many things, the Swedes have come up with the right solutions for their environment and you can find your way out of any problems. It just takes the confidence to go to ask for some help and have a look at what is on offer – then your day will brighten, you can indulge in a comforting cinnamon bun and before you know it, things will seem and look a lot better.

What to do during winter in Sweden

Keeping active is one of the best tools to thrive in the Swedish winter.

Maximize time in the sun

To help beat the winter blues, try to get outside during sun hours. Go out in the early hours of the day, before the dark sets in. The lack of light is hard for everyone, newbies and oldbies alike. And many Swedes chew vitamin-D tablets during the winter like they are going out of fashion. But the best medicine is simply to try and take a daily walk in whatever light there is.

It’s so simple and easy to forget but getting a daily dose of daylight is essential for our mental health. December in Sweden is dark, with the sun barely surfacing for six hours a day. That means many of us exist in what feels like a nighttime world. If you’re home with a child, getting out for a late morning buggy walk will help make the most of the light.

Another alternative is a light therapy lamp or SAD lamp which are designed to mimic natural sunlight and kick start your internal clock. Although the research is mixed about how effective these are.

Embrace winter activities

If you can’t change the climate, take advantage of it: go skiing, skating, walking in the woods, whatever works best for you. Stay active and try to see the beauty of a proper Swedish winter. Second-hand equipment can be found cheaply and easily online (try Blocket and Facebook marketplace). There are lots of classes and opportunities to practice once the cold weather has set in.

Try running in winter

Running is usually described as a simple sport in which one only requires a pair of running shoes. That’s not really true in the winter, where it can be hard to find the right clothing. What you are looking for is to be just warm enough without over sweating. The colder it is the more layers you will need and here are some essentials.

• Layer 1: Wear a sleeve shirt to transport the sweet away from the skin. Go for a shirt made of merino wool or technical fabric. Avoid cotton.
• Layer 2: Something warm. You can vary how warm/thick this piece is or use more than one layer, if needed.
• Layer 3: Rain jacket/wind breaker – because there will be one or the other one. Or both.
• Bottoms: Warm and long. Add a pair of shorts underneath or on top if needed.
• Accessories: Gloves and hat/headband (there are specific ones for running). Mask if it’s extremely cold. There are also accessories to put under your regular running shoes if you are planning to run on snow. Otherwise, you can run in the pedestrian paths in the city, where the snow usually is removed quite quickly.

Long necks are great to protect your throat. Zippers are also very helpful and make your clothing much more flexible, since you can open and close them as needed. I wear all of the three layers when the temperature drops below 7-8ºC and I use a t-shirt as second layer instead if it’s 8-15 ºC. This can vary considerably from person to person. It might take a few trials before getting it right, but don’t give up. One should feel slightly cold at the beginning of the run and never sweat too much during the exercise.

Go Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling is one of the most popular winter activities in Sweden. It’s a great way to get out into the wilderness, see some amazing scenery and enjoy the company of fellow snowmobilers.

Snowmobilers in the Swedish winter are a different breed of a snowman. They are more than just people with vehicles and a few yards of snow to get out and play in. They are an army of joy machines that constantly seem on the move, whether going for a ride through the woods or trying out some new terrain.

The thrill of riding a snowmobile is like being a kid again, but with one major difference: you don’t need to go anywhere. You can stay in your backyard, just as long as it’s covered with snow!  Snowmobilers can be everywhere during winter – from small towns to big cities, Sweden’s south to its north, and Stockholm to Gothenburg.

Dog sledding is an experience!

Dog sledding is a fun activity you can do in the winter to enjoy the snow and spend some time with your dog. It is a very relaxing activity, where you can see beautiful nature and enjoy the snow. And you can take cute pictures with your dog, which will be great memories for you.

There are many places in Sweden where you can go on dog sledding tours. Some are near lakes, rivers, or forests, but there are also places where you can go on sledding tours from major cities like Stockholm or Gothenburg.

Try snowshoe hiking

Probably the easiest winter activity. The equipment is simple, easy to put on, and can be rented in tourist stations and even some hotels and guesthouses. With some snowshoes on you can easily walk over snow and explore, for instance, Abisko’s National Park. If you like hiking, this will be similar but probably more special, since you will be doing it in a wintery landscape.

Try ice climbing

Why not take advantage of all the winter ice around and climb up a frozen waterfall? You can buy a package that includes a guide and all the necessary equipment. You don’t need previous experience either and can learn what you need on the spot.

Try off pist skiing in Riksgränsen

Looking for a bit more adrenaline? No worries, in Lapland you can go off-pist skiing. Yes, you will need downhill skiing experience for this one, but if you do have it, what an amazing opportunity. Off-pist skiing is basically skiing in untouched snow, sliding down the mountain as if you were the first human to ever do that. An incredible way to explore nature and experience Swedish winter.

Enjoy Swedish Nature

Forget book reading in front of the fireplace, stop watching the snow falling beyond the window, put on your warmest clothes and just go out. You will notice that the Swedish landscape has something special to offer in winter-time. And always keep an eye up above if it is dark. You may see the northern lights, and that is worth some teeth-chattering.

Explore the forests in Sweden

Stockholm has some beautiful forests right on the edge of the city or on the periphery of many islands. There may be one, just a short distance away from your home. Even if you are not into running, it’s just good to walk or trek into the forests here. The silence of everything covered with thick layers of snow, some distant chirping of birds and maybe even a deer running by, can make your day. If you want to catch the afternoon sun, it’s always good to walk somewhere close to the water. If you are in Stockholm, check out the forests in Norra Djurgården, Lappkärrsberget, Ugglevikskällan, Karlbergs Slott and Långholmen.

Socialize in Sweden – yes it is possible

RSVP ‘yes’ to some of those Lucia fika invitations. Swedes really know how to do it: create a low-key, friendly, extremely cosy and beautiful atmosphere at the darkest time of the year. It’s one of the occasions where the usual barriers are lowered, and you can actually feel a bit more part of a community.

Play boardgames

Boardgames are a great way to pass some winter hours. If you are in Stockholm, and haven’t had the opportunity yet, you must check out Dragons Lair in Kungsholmen. They have drop-in board game nights on Tuesdays which you can join. You can always try a new game and meet new friends. They also have a huge collection of games and merchandise around it. Some of my favourites are Neuroshima Hex, Star Wars: Rebellion, Jaipur, Battle for Rokugan, Pandemic and Welcome to the Dungeon.

Get cosy at home

Fredagsmys – loosely translated as ‘Cosy Friday’ is a great Swedish tradition to try on Fridays (or any day!) It’s a chance to snuggle up on your sofa with your loved ones to watch a movie or TV show and share some food such as tacos or pizza. The worse the weather is outside, the cosier it feels inside. So make like a Swede and invest in some candles, fairy lights & cosy pyjamas and getting your mys on – every day but especially Friday!

Take a class/workshop

In anything. Make your own Christmas wreath, paint, bake Lucebullar or learn how to write a spoken word. Nothing boosts one’s confidence more than learning something new. Taking on a challenge to expand yourself a little. Winter it’s an opportunity to feed your knowledge and learn new skills. You may want to craft yourself a ceramic bowl, knit a scarf, carve a dala wooden red horse or design your own leather bag. There are endless options!

Try out the Swedish sauna

Going to a sauna (bastu in Swedish) is part of the Scandinavian culture. A place to get away from winter but also to relieve stress from your everyday life.

We can find Spas everywhere in Sweden: hotels, gyms, swimming pools, or even Yoga places have one. But if you want to have a spa experience and treat yourself, there are a number of fantastically nice spas all over the country. It is a truly magnificent experience to sit in an outdoor hot pool when it is minus degrees outside.

Meditate

Meditation – and its more zeitgeisty cousin, mindfulness – is well documented as being one of the most effective things you can do to bolstering your mental health. So establishing a good winter practice is ideal.

There are a wealth of proven benefits to a regular meditation practice, including better sleep; reduced anxiety; improved mood and better focus. The best thing is that the benefits can be felt from just 10 minutes a day.

Get baking and try the Swedish sweet classics

The way to stay warm and cozy in the winter is by baking. Plenty of different recipes for cookies, cakes, and pies can keep you warm when it’s cold outside. There are also different ways to bake. You can use a stovetop, an oven, or even a microwave. The best thing about baking is that it doesn’t take much time and energy. All you need is some ingredients such as flour, sugar, and butter.

If you’re looking for something more elaborate, try making your bread! It’s simple, but it takes some skill to get the right texture and flavor. You can also try making other baked goods like muffins or scones.

Experience Sami culture

The Sami people are the indigenous inhabitants of northern Scandinavia and Lapland. Besides their ethnic identity, they have traditionally been involved in other cultures and traditions. For example, the Sami were traditionally active in the reindeer herding business in Sweden.

During this event, you can learn about the history of the Sami people and the traditions they have lived with for centuries. You will also be able to try out traditional handicrafts and make your items using natural materials such as wood and snow.

You can experience a different way of life by staying with a Sami family in their home. Not only will you enjoy the culture, but you will also experience living with nature like never. Staying with a family like this will allow you to see how they live their lives and what they truly value most.

Where to go during Swedish winter

Bergianska Trädgården

If you are in Stockholm, check out the Old Orangery, located in Bergianska Trädgården, a beautiful botanic garden in North Stockholm, part of the city’s National Park. Plants have taken over in most parts of this place, giving a cool-shabby look. Birds fly around in search of crumbs and a big old square stone sink is used to fill your glass of water. You can either go for fika or lunch.

“The Edvard Anderson Conservatory” is also in Bergianska Trädgården and has remained as a greenhouse. They display the flora of warmer climates from diverse regions around the world.

Haga Parken

Fjärilshuset & Haga Ocean is one of Stockholm’s most popular tourist attractions in the summer. In the winter it’s somewhat overlooked. But, with its hot houses, tropical jungles and stunning collection of exotic creatures, it is the perfect remedy to beat those winter blues. It’s got fantastic facilities for kids of all ages and it’s the sort of place you can end up spending a whole day in. A “hot” tip is that this place does wonderful things to dry skin and hair. One winter when my skin was struggling, I would go sit in the hottest area with a book and just let my skin soak up the moisture. Glorious:-)

Go to a concert

Treat yourself to some live music in your favourite genre. It instantly gives an extra bar or two to the nearly flat December batteries. Contemplate the magnificent architecture of a church while listening to classical music is another great activity to do in winter. The ritual of Santa Lucia is an inherent tradition among Swedes. Young girls with crowns of candles in their heads embody the light in the dark and cold winter. Lucia’s concerts are held in most churches and it can’t be missed!

Check out the Northern Lights

Traveling up north in Sweden to see the Northern Lights is a great way to spend your winter.

The northern lights are caused by the interaction of solar particles and the Earth’s atmosphere. The sun showers the Earth with its particles, but due to our planet’s magnetic field, these particles are transported to the poles, both North and South, where this remarkable light show occurs. As the particles interact with the atmosphere, they deposit energy and cause fluorescence. It is the chemical composition of the particles that determines the colour of the auroras. The most common colours in the Aurora Borealis are red and green. The first is produced by nitrogen molecules, while the second comes from oxygen molecules.

The earliest record of the northern lights is in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France, but it took centuries of research to understand this fabulous phenomenon. Still, this natural occurrence is not fully understood. You can also imagine how it must have been for our ancient ancestors. They saw the sky turning vivid green in wonder and awe, and created their own whimsical explanations, leading to many myths. Aware of its origin or not, people have been fascinated by the northern lights for centuries.

The northern lights are seen from anywhere in Sweden, but it is most common in the north. The best time to go hunting for northern lights is from December to March when the sun is below the horizon and the weather is clear. Hunting for northern lights requires more planning than just looking out your window at night and hoping you see something amazing. You need to know when and where you’re going to be during each night so you can plan your route accordingly. If you’re traveling outside of Iceland or other places with known aurora activity, some apps will help you find out where it will be visible near you. Check out this post for more incredible tips on the Northern lights.

How about staying in a dome where you can stay warm while looking at the landscape outside? If you are lucky, you might even be able to see the Northern lights from your bed. If they don’t show up that night, this is still a pretty cool and unique experience.

Winter can be a challenging time for anyone, which is why we have this Ultimate Guide to help you to not just survive the winter in Sweden, but thrive.

Have we missed something? Let us know in the comments so we can add it to the article!

This guide has been combined from brilliant articles written by a number of wonderful writers such as Wemimo Ibidunmoye, Busra Zenging, Sara Costa, Tatiana Sokolova, Claudia Laborda, Jill Leckie, Akanksha Srivastava, Sara Fothergill, Alison Allfrey and Malena Rasetto.