Sweden is a stunning country made up of thousands of islands, beautiful lakes, dense forests and snow-capped mountains. Along with unparalleled natural beauty, Sweden also has a long and interesting history. Whether you visit the capital of Stockholm or the hip city of Gothenburg, there is so much in Sweden to see and experience.
Satwik Gururaj, who spent a few years in Uppsala, as a student of their Masters course in biotechnology, made the most of his time in this beautiful land. He shares some of his experiences with HotFridayTalks.
What impressed him most about the country was its innovative approach and liberal attitude. He says, “They have a high degree of gender equality. It also ranks high on the Social Happiness Index of the world. And the best part about the country is its beautiful Nordic landscapes, that change color with the season, with a pleasant summer and a cold dark winter, like shown in the film ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’.”
In Stockholm, you must not miss Gamla Stan, which has the old cobblestone streets and narrow lanes, dating back to the 12th century. If you love history, you must not miss the Nobel museum and Vasa museum. Satwik adds, “Another place worth a visit is Kiruna, the northern most town of Sweden. It is very close to the North Pole and is the best place for experiencing northern lights and ice hotel in winter.”
In Dalarna County, Satwik visited the skiing resort at Orsa Gronklitt and fell in love with the whole county. Mora and Falun are some of the lesser visited and smaller cities in the region.
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He says, “Uppsala itself is a beautiful university town, with a history dating back to the early 14th century. The student life there is a great experience in itself.”
When in Sweden, you must eat what the locals eat. Meatballs are the most popular cuisine of the country. Satwik says, “You must also try Kannelbule, a cinnamon bun. Another thing you must not miss is their salmon and herring. With Baltic and Atlantic on either side, seafood is prominent in Sweden. If you are visiting in summer, you must try the lingonberry jam. And of the spirits, you must visit the Systembolaget, only place or store designated to sell alcohol.”
The best time to visit Sweden would be in summer from June to August as you the days are long to explore the country best. Satwik says, “I used to love the winters. It is very cold and dark as temperatures would reach -30 degree C., but if you love winter and want to experience it, then the winters are nice. It may take a while to get acclimatized but you will love it.”
Sweden is a safe place to travel, so just try to explore the culture. In smaller town shops close early. Satwik says, “Shops sometimes close as early as 7 p.m. Also, the local transport is very punctual. So, arm yourself with the timetables to enjoy your trip to the fullest. If you are riding a car, be careful of the parking time. As this is not flexible, and you can get fined heavily.”
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You might have to dig a little deep, but it is worth saving up for this beautiful Nordic country. And if you can brave the cold, then plan a visit in winter to catch the spectacular Northen lights.
