Discover Sweden, a Scandinavian gem blending stunning natural beauty with modern design and rich Viking heritage. From the cosmopolitan streets of Stockholm to the Northern Lights in Lapland, Sweden offers diverse experiences year-round.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Dala Horse (Dalahäst)
Sweden's most iconic souvenir, a hand-painted wooden horse from Dalarna in traditional red with floral motifs. Each horse is hand-crafted and painted by artisans using techniques unchanged for centuries.
Price: $15-80
Where: Gamla Stan, Skansen, NK department store
Swedish Aquavit
Traditional Scandinavian spirit flavored with caraway or dill, a staple at every Swedish celebration. Brands like Aalborg and O.P. Andersson are classic choices.
Price: $20-50
Where: Systembolaget (state liquor stores)
Swedish Lösgodis (Pick-and-mix candy)
A beloved Swedish tradition — fill a bag with as much or as little candy as you want from hundreds of varieties. Salty licorice (saltlakrits) is a uniquely Scandinavian flavor to try.
Price: $5-15
Where: ICA, Coop, and Willys supermarkets nationwide
Hand-woven Textiles
Traditional Swedish woven table runners, placemats, and wall hangings featuring folk patterns in blue, red, and white. Particularly beautiful pieces come from Dalarna and Halland regions.
Price: $30-150
Where: Hemslöjden craft stores, Skansen gift shop
Swedish Glass (Orrefors/Kosta Boda)
Masterful Swedish glass art from legendary glassmakers in the 'Glass Kingdom' (Glasriket) of Småland. From decorative pieces to functional tableware, each piece reflects centuries of craftsmanship.
Price: $40-500+
Where: NK, Åhléns, specialist design stores
Swedish Crisp Bread (Knäckebröd)
Traditional crispbread that has been a Swedish staple for over 500 years, available in numerous varieties including rye, sesame, and spelt. Beautifully packaged versions make excellent gifts.
Price: $5-15
Where: Supermarkets, Hötorgshallar market
Swedish Natural Skincare (Eco by Sonya, Oriflame)
Sweden's cool climate and clean environment have produced excellent natural skincare brands. Arctic cloudberry, lingonberry, and sea buckthorn extracts feature in premium formulations.
Price: $15-60
Where: Ahlens, pharmacies (Apotek)
Acne Studios or COS Clothing
Swedish design houses known globally for minimalist, high-quality fashion. Acne Studios offers luxury streetwear while COS provides accessible Scandinavian style.
Price: $50-400
Where: Flagship stores in Stockholm Östermalm and Biblioteksgatan
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Hötorgshallen (Haymarket Hall)
Underground food market beneath Hötorget square with fishmongers, delis, cheese shops, and international food stalls. A living culinary tradition since 1959 with fresh ingredients and prepared foods.
Where: Hötorget 1, Stockholm
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-4PM
Östermalms Saluhall
Stockholm's most beautiful market hall, housed in a stunning 1888 Art Nouveau red brick building. Top-quality Swedish produce, artisan cheeses, premium meats, and fresh seafood from expert vendors.
Where: Östermalmstorg, Stockholm
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30AM-6PM, Sat 9:30AM-4PM
Lisebergs Christmas Market
Scandinavia's largest Christmas market set within Liseberg amusement park, featuring over 50 stalls selling traditional crafts, mulled wine (glögg), gingerbread, and Swedish Christmas decorations.
Where: Liseberg, Gothenburg
Hours: Mid-Nov to Dec 31, 12PM-10PM
Skansen Julmarknad
Traditional Christmas market within Sweden's iconic open-air museum. Artisans sell hand-made crafts, wooden toys, and traditional foods in a historic setting surrounded by 19th-century buildings.
Where: Skansen, Djurgården, Stockholm
Hours: Early Dec, weekends 11AM-5PM
Haga Nygata Weekend Market
Charming weekend market in Gothenburg's historic Haga neighborhood, with vintage finds, local crafts, plants, and artisan food products sold along the cobblestone streets.
Where: Haga, Gothenburg
Hours: Saturdays 10AM-4PM (seasonal)
Stortorget Craft Market
Open-air market in Stockholm's Old Town square selling Swedish handicrafts, silver jewelry, and traditional souvenirs. Set against the colorful 17th-century buildings for a picturesque backdrop.
Where: Stortorget, Gamla Stan, Stockholm
Hours: Daily 10AM-6PM (summer)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Biblioteksgatan & Birger Jarlsgatan
Stockholm's most exclusive shopping street, lined with flagship stores for Swedish brands like Acne Studios, Filippa K, and Tiger of Sweden alongside international luxury houses. The heart of Östermalm's upscale retail scene.
Best for: Designer fashion, Swedish luxury brands
Gamla Stan Souvenirs
The narrow streets of Stockholm's Old Town are lined with shops selling Dala horses, traditional Swedish crafts, Viking souvenirs, amber jewelry, and local delicacies. Most shops cluster around Västerlånggatan.
Best for: Souvenirs, traditional crafts, gifts
Södermalm (SoFo district)
Stockholm's hippest shopping area around Nytorget and Folkungagatan with independent boutiques, vintage stores, record shops, and concept stores. Known as Stockholm's creative quarter.
Best for: Vintage clothing, independent designers, streetwear
Nordstan, Gothenburg
Scandinavia's second-largest shopping mall with over 175 stores, a food court, and cinema in Gothenburg's city center. All major Swedish and international brands under one roof.
Best for: All categories, fashion, electronics
Södermannagatan, Stockholm
A long street in Södermalm known for its concentration of vintage clothing stores, antique dealers, and second-hand furniture shops. Excellent for retro Swedish design finds.
Best for: Vintage fashion, antiques, retro Swedish design
Liljeholmen, Stockholm
Practical shopping destination with IKEA, H&M, and major supermarkets easily accessible from central Stockholm via metro. Good for buying Swedish design at accessible prices.
Best for: IKEA furniture, H&M fashion, everyday Swedish brands
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Stockholm's most prestigious department store since 1915, located on Hamngatan in the city center. Seven floors of premium Swedish and international brands, luxury cosmetics, a gourmet food hall, and the NK clock that's a city landmark.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
Åhléns City
Sweden's largest department store on Drottninggatan, Stockholm's main pedestrian shopping street. Wide range from affordable fashion to homeware, cosmetics, and a well-stocked food hall on the lower level.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
Westfield Mall of Scandinavia
Scandinavia's largest mall located in Solna near Stockholm with 224 stores, cinema, restaurants, and direct metro access. Features all major Swedish and international chains plus upscale food court.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
Nordstan Gothenburg
Gothenburg's central mega-mall with over 175 stores spread across a large complex connected to the main train station. Covers fashion, electronics, sports, and dining needs under one roof.
Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-8PM, Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not customary in Sweden — prices are fixed in shops and markets
Flea markets (loppmarknader) occasionally allow gentle negotiation, especially at end of day
Look for Swedish Red Tag sales (Röda lappar) in department stores — major discounts twice yearly
January and summer sales (juli/rea) offer genuine reductions of 30-70%
Ask for VAT refund forms (momsåterbetalning) when spending over 200 SEK in one store as a non-EU visitor
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export antiques over 100 years old without permission. Protected wildlife products prohibited.
Tax Refund: Non-EU visitors spending 200+ SEK in a single store can claim 8-19% VAT refund. Ask for Global Blue or Planet Tax Free form in store; process at airport refund desk.
Duty Free: EU visitors: no duty-free limits on personal items. Non-EU: limits apply (1L spirits, 2L wine, 200 cigarettes).
Shipping: International shipping available from most retailers and post offices. PostNord and DHL offices throughout Sweden.