If sunshine is what you are seeking on your visit to Sweden, visit between the end of May and the end of July, keep in mind however that August can be hot and wet. A good point to keep in mind when planning your trip to Sweden is that most locals are big on holidays, and sometimes Stockholm even shuts down for two or three days around Christmas and midsummer, so plan fittingly. Many Swedes also take their vacations from late June to mid-August; this is an excellent time because numerous hotels will offer discounts of up to 50%.
Traveling in winter is to some extent limited and entails some planning as well as crucial winter clothing; nevertheless, there are excellent opportunities for activities like skiing, dog sledding and snowmobiling. The bigger cities are full of life all year round, excluding the smaller towns that go close to hibernation when the weather begins to drop Those who seek the sunshine should visit Sweden between late May and late July, but make your escape before the August rains arrive. The Monthly average temperatures in Stockholm are at their peak in July averaging about 22°C (70°F), when you can rely on nine straight hours of sunshine. The average temperature in the northernmost mountains at this time is about 11°C (52°F), you should however still be equipped for sporadic sub-zero temperatures and snowfalls, even in the summer; the average range of temperatures north of the Gulf of Bothnia is almost 30°C (86°F).
HOLIDAYS
January - New Year's Day
January - Eve of Epiphany (banks close early)
January - Epiphany
April - Maundy Thursday (Half Day)
March - Good Friday
March - Easter
March - Easter Monday
April - King's Birthday
May - May Day
May - Ascension (Officially 1 day but often two in practice)
May - Whit Monday
June - National Day
June - Midsummer Day
November - All Saint's Day
December - Christmas Day
December - Boxing Day
December - New Year's Eve (bank holiday)
You should know:
Note that the eve of a holiday is as important or more so than the holiday itself. Most Swedes have the day off, including civil servants, banks, public transport workers, hospitals, shops and media workers. Others have at least a half day. This applies especially to Midsummer's Eve, All Saints Day Eve and Christmas Eve. The eve of May Day is sometimes called Valborg Eve.
Most Swedes take their vacation in July.
Non-Holiday Observances
February - St Valentine's Day
April - April Fools' Day
May Last Sunday Mothers' Day
November - Father's Day
December - Nobel Day (Flags must be flown)
December - St Lucia Day (early morning celebrations
Weekend - Saturday, Sunday
